OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY - 14/09/2013 - GO CONTRARY ALWAYS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

GO CONTRARY ALWAYS

MEMORY VERSE

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

READ

Galatians 5:16-18

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

MESSAGE

If you look at the way saints of old overcame the old serpent, you will discover one simple method that can be applied most of the time. That method is to do the exact opposite of what the devil expects. In every situation of temptation, God has a particular way of escape for you. In the same vein, Satan has his own expectations regarding how he wants you to respond. You are the one in-between these two forces and therefore you are the one to determine which one you will choose. A safe way out is to always go contrary to the expectations of the devil. For instance, when the devil tells you to see something, you will know that a temptation and a trap is hiding somewhere, so refuse to see what he wants you to see. When he tells you to go and pay a visit to the opposite sex at an ungodly hour, simply refuse. If you obey him, you will surely regret that act.

When Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:6, he justified his request with a scripture. He may ask you to visit the opposite sex at 10:00 pm because you have not seen the fellow in church, and because we are to be our brother's keeper. Simply tell him, every good thing has its right time and back it up with what Jesus told him:

“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”.

Satan loves to be worshipped. It is obvious that one thing that made him to desire independence from God was the way he, the billions of angels under him and all other creatures in Heaven worshipped God. He was jealous of this unprecedented worship and thought of how he too could receive worship. Ever since he broke away, he has forced and demanded worship of men and of fallen angels. He was so carried away by his crave for worship that he demanded worship from His Creator Jesus Christ, when He came as a man (Matthew 4:9). So, in all you do, never give credit or glory to Satan. Never bow before him or his agents and never worship him. Refuse to say what he wants said concerning a given situation. Don't eat or drink what he wants you to take. Pray and evangelize when he gives you reasons not to. Always go in opposition to him and you will overcome.

ACTION POINT

If Satan could ask Jesus to worship him, He will surely demand the same from you. Be on the look out!