08/07/2011 - The devil will not defeat us

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“They have closed up their fat hearts; with their mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; they have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, as a lion is eager to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in secret places.” (Psalm 17:10–12)
Those who sell themselves to the devil become insensitive and the love they used to show turns into hatred. Even those who used to fight against the devil are now supporting him. In fact, when someone allows an evil spirit to get into their life they can create the worst lies; they can bear false witness and commit betrayal. Jesus Himself warned us that there would come a time when many would even commit murder and think they are rendering worship to God (John 16:2). What a high price will pay those who do that!
He who sells himself to evil has his heart closed to the voice of the Holy Spirit because though they might have moments of sanity – in which they might ponder on their attitudes to the point of willing to make amends– soon afterwards the enemy works in order for them not to pay heed to the divine instructions. Those who are carried away by the devil’s nonsense are unaware that the wrong caused to them will be much greater in the end than what they are trying to do against other people and prevents the Spirit of God from using them in another mission.
One of the signs that indicate when someone has surrendered themselves to wickedness is their ironic way of speaking, their hatred and their cunning. In the Psalm above, David says that his opponents speak proudly as though they were the owners of The Truth. Well, the best we can do to those people is to intercede for them before the Lord in order for Him to have mercy on them and for Him to use someone to open up their eyes, because as they are oppressed by Satan there are no rational arguments that can make them change their minds.
Another sign which tells us that the spirit of error is using those people is the way they look at us. The Word of God states that they are like lions that go after their prey: their gaze is cold, determined, and they cannot even remember the goodness they received in the past. To them what really matters is making profit, the sordid pleasure to see us fall and the victory they think they will achieve. But, because the Lord is righteous, faithful to His Word and doer of righteousness they will not relish that devilish pleasure.
Those who are possessed by the spirit of error cannot see anything wrong in what they do and they depart from the Truth out of their own free will. In fact, they do not worry whether their attitudes are going against true wisdom or not; after all, their only goal is to see the fall of God’s servants. Yet, that will not happen because though those who trust in the Lord may stumble, they will not fall because the Bible states that the Lord will hold them up with His strong hand (Psalm 136: 11. 12; Isaiah 41:10).
Those who are used by Satan try to feign innocence just like the young lion does to its prey, but as he manages to get close to it he behaves like a grown-up lion. Yet, the Keeper of Israel is the One who protects us and He will by no means allow the devil to defeat us (Psalm 121: 4 – 8).
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares