OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY - 14/12/2013 - CAN SATAN RIGHTLY ACCUSE YOU? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

CAN SATAN RIGHTLY ACCUSE YOU?

MEMORY VERSE

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 14:30

READ

Luke 22:31-34

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

MESSAGE

Besides discouragement, another weapon Satan uses often against believers is their weaknesses. He simply studies an individual for a period of time and not long after, he identifies the fellow's weakness and capitalises on it. Take for instance Peter. Satan discovered that Peter is a cowardly person - lacking in courage. He discovered this on the day Peter set out to walk on water with Jesus. He kept this close to his chest until Jesus was about to be crucified; then he arranged the circumstances and Peter thrice denied his Master. That denial was so fundamental that, but for the Lord's post-resurrection intervention, it could have kept Peter permanently separated from the Lord. Do you deny Jesus in some little way today? Are you afraid of declaring your faith in Christ? If you are doing certain things or avoiding certain things so that people around you do not know that you are a born-again Christian, deal with that weakness now before the devil hijacks it and gets you to deny Christ when it is a matter of life and death.

Revelation 12:10 calls the devil the accuser of believers. The Lord had earlier seen Satan's plan to destroy Peter; therefore he prayed for him. He also put him on notice so that he could be on his guard (Luke 22:31-34). On the day of the Lord's trial, Satan was set for Peter. When Peter fell, Satan quoted God's word that whoever denies the Lord before men shall be denied by the Lord in heaven; and also that: no liar will enter heaven. Count three of the devil's charge was that: It is written, Curse not and Peter had cursed and sworn. He had several counts against him but thank God that the mercy of God was brought to bear in his situation. This was also why the Lord worked at getting him fully restored by thrice demanding a confession of his love for Him (John 21:15-19). Beloved, if Satan should have any grounds for accusing us today, he will rightfully quote relevant scripture to back up his claims. This is why you must overcome your weaknesses and quit sinning secretly so as not to give him anything to charge you with.

ACTION POINT

What property of the devil is with you right now? Dispose of them and be completely free like Jesus.