The Wiles of the Devil
Eph_6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
We are standing on the threshold of a time when the unleashing of evil is going to stare us in the face while looking seemingly harmless. In other words, deception is going to take place on a mass scale. The de-sensitization of society is taking place already through human reasoning about what is good and what is evil. It is the aim of all governments to produce a humanistic society devoid of religion or God. Giving into what the public want no matter what the desires of the flesh are will only subject the nations of this world into a society that cannot handle choices based on good and evil. In other words, man cannot accept that he is evil but only good. Anyone who opposes the concept of good according to man will be removed. Popular vote is the way to go with governments no matter whose voice is speaking.
The wiles of satan extend into every walk of life and even into the Church. This is not surprising as the Church is the last bastion of anything good left on earth. If the Church is corrupted (which it is in many ways in many denominations) then the walls will come tumbling down and there will be no resistance at all. This is going to happen quite soon because the restraining power of God is about to be removed. 2Th 2:7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2Th 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Why should we believe that it is going to happen now? Apostasy (the abandonment of our beliefs in Christ) is upon us in a greater way than ever before. The increase in apostasy indicates the nearness of the time of the removal of the Church as a restraining power because the Holy Spirit who is the one who convicts the world will no longer contend with flesh. Then, people can do what they want and there will be no control. That is already happening in a greater way than ever before. Rebellion is at its highest on every level of society and wars and strife is everywhere. The earth itself is groaning with the weight of what is going on. It seems that everyone is unhappy about something or another and they are all vying for a voice and a place. This is causing ideological groups and ethnic values to be formed on levels unprecedented. To avoid segregation of societies, governments will head towards globalization which will be influenced and introduced through technology and reward systems that are based on your submission to them.
What has satan got to do with all this? The answer is simple really. He is the perpetrator of evil upon earth and the influencing power behind global change so that he can usher in his anti-christ. In the process of global change, there will come a world leader who needs to sort out the problems that will arise from segregation, rebellion and unrest caused by all these groups wanting what they want. This anti-christ will bring with him advancement in technology to control the masses which is already happening. Standardization of connectivity via satellite and other methods has even reached the deep jungles and forests of our world. People are connected and know what is happening around the world. These are the wiles of satan to get into society and control them.
The meaning of wiles is as follows. “Devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants”. To achieve this, he lures the believers and unbelievers with enticing things to cause them to submit to his way even without their knowing, the whole time making them believe that it is them. What does this mean when it comes to us who believe? The lures are always subtle and will seek to manipulate to control everyone and everything and if that is not possible, to destroy once the lures are set. He does this by placing people in situations they should not be in. He also uses the senses to bombard the soul with what he wants that soul to receive.
2Co 2:10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. These verses tell us that with believers, satan’s devices are to manipulate emotions. When offences and unbelief is in a person through some shortcoming on another’s part, the damage is done to isolate and destroy or cause bitterness to creep in. These are considered as normal human reactions to situations in life caused by people but never seen as soul destroying. Society is now filled with people who are hurt in someway and are dealing with their hurts by using drugs, alcohol, self harm and even violence toward others. Added to this, religious instruction in hate is being purported toward the world resulting in terrorism which has risen to heights never seen before.
The question is; how do we view all this in the light of the days we live in? Do we take a step back and ignore it as long is it does not come to our doorstep? What if it does come to us, do we then do something about it or become its victim? I believe, the answer is in prayer and discernment through the Holy Spirit about the times we live in and what to do about it. Making a stand for righteousness is always something that is disdained by many because it requires discipline and submitting to God’s word. Is this anything new? No it is not, except that, now we have leaders in Church bowing down to pressures being created in the body and allowing what they never used to allow before. They do not want the pressure of standing against the tide and so they give in or compromise. Many denominations are allowing same sex ideas to float into their churches and others have embraced it. Others are allowing un-restrained drinking and de-facto relationships along with all manners of fornication and sexual indulgences that leave the mind boggled and makes shipwreck of the faith.
When the word of God is compromised, the advancement of evil is real. When the word of God is believed and preached, evil is contained and even destroyed. This is happening with many moves of God through people who are standing in the gap in the face of persecution and trials. I often talk to other Christian ministers and lay people to gauge their views on what is going on. They find that the onslaught of evil is great but they are carrying on even in the face of martyrdom of which it is reported that 160,000 give their lives for the Lord each year. I take heart in the stand many make against evil and what it is guised up to be.
The wiles of satan even go as far as changing the truth into a lie and so many are deceived into believing a false gospel. Rom_1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. This is what is happening right now with same sex marriages. It is reported in the Bible that even the anti-christ will be someone who has no regard for women or other gods but will acknowledge a god never known by man because he is so hidden. Dan 11:36And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Dan 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, ….
We indeed live in the last days but what that means with regard to what we will encounter and accept is certainly something we need to keep our eyes on. Prayer and quick repentance are keys to peace and the ability to withstand the wiles of the enemy. No one is exempt from his wiles but we can certainly keep an eye on things by occupying ourselves in the Kingdom’s work and word. My encouragement to you is to settle your accounts quickly no matter what you have against someone or if someone has something against you. Live as closely to the word as possible and allow God to rule and reign over your lives. The times require us to be wary of what seems to be good but in fact is evil. Let us learn to choose because many in the world will not be able to. Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isa 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Butter and honey are the ingredients of God that will help us choose. They represent the good things of God in the word and by the Spirit. Goodness and mercy, truth and love are things good from the word of God. When we choose God and His word we will know to refuse evil even when it comes to us as an angel of light. This is discernment and power. If there is a gift you are looking for from the Holy Spirit, ask for discernment. That will keep you from the wiles of the devil and also from harm and having to extract yourself each time from some mistake that comes about through the flesh. The flesh is the failure factor in a human being. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.
The subtleties of the evil one abound to the point where one may not even know they are in deception. That is why we must stay close to Jesus and watch what we allow. This is a greater requirement than ever before. People may think you are paranoid but I can show you many dead men’s bones of those who did not follow Jesus closely in the word and stay humble.
Lots of love
Pastor Noble
24/09/17