16/02/2012 - DO NOT ACCEPT THE ENEMY’S OFFERS

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Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

Colossians 2:4

The devil is a deceiver, so we must be careful with him. The evil one can lead a Christian to think differently from the Word of God, for example: he can cause someone to think he or she did not marry the right person and should find someone else to complete him/her. He also leads many people to get lost in vanities, by trying to accomplish themselves through clothes, shoes, jewelry and other material things. There are those sent by Satan with a sole purpose: to take us away from faith and lead us to perdition.

The servants of hell have a notorious gift of gab. Like the devil himself, they excel in using words with great power of persuasion. If it were possible, they would deceive even the chosen ones. Watch out! Your salvation is the most precious gift from God. With it, your future in eternity is guaranteed. However, if you lose it, you will experience pain and suffering throughout eternity (Revelation 3:11).

If the devil tempted the Lord Himself, he will not be any relentless with us. We are certainly no exception. Undoubtedly, he will tempt you as many times as he can and perhaps he has already done so and you might have fallen for his proposals. How many have been called by God to do a particular work but have not answered him? What caused them to fail to fulfill the divine order was a suggestion made by the enemy, which was accepted. Does God not take this into account? Is it possible to say \”no\” to any of His revelations without having to pay the price for such refusal? The devil causes many people to be allured by wealth but only to give them his deadly blow. There are many other devices used by the adversary that can knock people down.

How can a Christian be concerned with the things of this world? Some do not even find time to go to church because they need to make money. Others just think of homeownership issues when the Word commands us to think on things which are above (Colossians 3:1-3). For many, the ultimate goal is their children’s university education and for this reason they do not contribute to the evangelization of the lost. Many are the cares of this world and they deceive Christians.

One of the facts that bring the people of God down is the lust for things. Perhaps some think, \”If my neighbor can buy those clothes, why can’t I?\” \”If my friends can spend the holidays in another continent, why can’t I and my family?\” All these things have been used by the devil to snatch the reward that awaits the faithful. 

Jesus declared that such things are like thorns that choke the Word of God (Matthew 13:22). When the seed falls among thorns it no longer has the conditions to bear fruit. People who have not produced the fruit of the Spirit, or have not taken anyone to the Lord, must be careful because the enemy has deceived them. All you have gathered in the material world will remain here. On the other hand, those who manage to obtain the real wealth or spend their days doing what pleases God will be rewarded in the great day (Matthew 6:19-20).

In Christ with love, 

R. R. Soares