You Too Can Fall To The Trap Of The Devil

YOU TOO CAN FALL TO THE TRAP OF THE DEVIL

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Luke 22: 31 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Men and brethren, looking at the rate at which men that started well with the LORD are ending up with the devil, it becomes very pertinent that we put ourselves on the line by resolving to stand firm to the sayings of Christ till the end Matthew 7:24. Let us remember that temptation is one of the measures that the Almighty God uses to determine our stand on HIS word, if truly you were ever saved by HIM. This is because God cannot tempt any man but HE is able to make a way of escape when you are being tempted so that it will not overcome you. James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

However, should you fall on the day of your test, the bible says “your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

To this end, most people always see some pastors as God i.e they can never fall from grace no matter whatever situation they may find themselves in, and therefore, they will pounce on you like wounded lions when you dare mention their ‘god’ (pastor) name, no matter the situation. Isn’t this ridiculous? These pastors, no matter the level of their anointing and years of service in the things of God, they are still ordinary men and so they will remain till they will die. This is why we must always pray for them because when the devil lay hold on them, their members (sheep of the LORD) will be in great trouble. Matthew 26:31 “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

Brothers and sisters, the devil is a respecter of nobody. If he cannot respect his own maker by rebelling against HIM in heaven which led to his expulsion from there, and then cast down to the earth, he again staged a war against his creator here on earth in the wilderness, is it you that the devil will respect?

Isaiah 14:13 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Luke 4: 1 “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.”

 Look, none of us can defeat the devil ordinarily. The victory will have over him is the victory of Jesus over the devil on the cross that he handed over to us (HIS true followers) by faith. 1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Colossians 2: 13 “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

So, as far as you remain in this sandy flesh of yours, the devil can tempt you and you can fall like any other man because, he is furious and with great wrath did he came out of heaven to this earth. Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

If you are therefore not saved and washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, you are in hot soup with the devil. If you are also using the properties of the devil on your body and in your heart, no matter how long you speak in tongues, how much of the bible you can quote, how much members you have in your denominational church, the devil is your father and certainly, you are going to spend your eternity in his kingdom (hell fire.) Repent or you shall likewise perish. Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Are you greater than these people that the devil tempted one way or the other in the scriptures?

1. JESUS CHRIST

Although HE created the devil and being God John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, his creature (devil) tempted HIM 3 times while here on earth in flesh and blood as a human being Matthew 4:1-11. The bible says “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. Pastor, can you compare yourself with God? If the devil with his stubbornness could tempt God HIMSELF, who are you before the devil?

2. APOSTLE PETER

Peter was the chief among the disciples of Jesus Christ which earned him to be called the rock John 1:42, Matthew 16:18. But, this couldn’t stop the devil from planning to mess him up even when Jesus was right there Luke 22:31. In fact, the devil took hold of him once and thank God Jesus rebuked the devil that possessed him at that time. Matthew 16:23 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Didn’t Peter even backslided until Apostle Paul pulled him back to the ford? Galatians 2:11-14. So, what are you talking about?

3. MOSES

Moses was the one that God gave the commandment and was highly used of God. He spoke with God face to face as a man does with his friend. Exodus 33:11 “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” But the day Moses fell out from grace when he allowed the devil to through anger override him, he could only see the coveted promise land with his eyes, but he couldn’t enter Deuteronomy 32:50-51. Deuteronomy 34:4 “And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.” Are you greater than Moses?

4. KING SAUL

Saul was the first king of Israel, who was anointed by Prophet Samuel to lead the people of God when they asked for a king 1 Samuel 11:15. When Satan finished with him by encouraging him to disobey the word of God, he lost the kingdom and even his place in the heavenly kingdom 1 Samuel 15:35. Are you better than King Saul of old?

5. SAMSON

Samson was born a Nazarite so that his life will be used for the service of God forever to deliver the people of God from their enemies Judges 13:5. When Satan however through the harlot Delilah finished with him, he ended up a common prisoner in the camp of the enemy grinding corn Judges 16:21. Are you tougher than Samson?

6. PROPHET ELIJAH

As tough as Prophet Elijah was in the matters of heaven and godliness, an ordinary woman put him to flight and he ran panting for life 1 Kings 19:1-3. A man that could call fire to rain down from heaven and it will be so 1 Kings 18:36-38, 2 Kings 1:9-12. When the devil faced him, he instead requested that God should kill him 1 Kings 19:4. Are you better than Elijah?

7. JUDAS ISCARIOT

He was a disciple of Jesus Christ and was numbered among the twelve. Luke 22:3 “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”  By the time the devil was through with him, he makes sure he hanged himself to avoid repentance Matthew 27:5. Do you know better than Judas Iscariot?

8. ADAM

The man that God molded by HIMSELF with HIS own hands Genesis 1:7. When the devil through his wife got him, he could longer withstand the holy presence of God because the fellowship was broken Genesis 3:8-10. Today, everyone one of us is having physical death hanging on us as a result of Adam’s fall to the trick of the devil Romans 5:12. Can you compare yourself with Adam in terms of having fellowship and hearing the voice of God today?

9. THE MAN OF GOD FROM JUDAH

He received clear and specific instructions from the Almighty God regarding the altar in Bethel 1 Kings 13:1, 9. He was a great man of God in all ramifications. But when the devil got hold of him through a false prophet (like we have in our generation now) he died miserably 1 Kings 13:21-24. Do you think you can be placed in the same level with this man of God?

10. THE DEVIL HIMSELF

He was called the anointed cherub that walks on stones of fire. Ezekiel 28:14 “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

He was called perfect before he fell. Ezekiel 28:15 “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

He was called son of the morning. Isa 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.”

So, if the devil who was called Lucifer could from grace in heaven, how much more you mere mortal man? Paul says “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Remember, until you die and finally enter heaven by the grace of God, the devil is all out to ensure that you fall from the grace of God. Many people have long backslided but they are not aware of it in as much as they can still perform miracles in the name of Jesus. Don’t be carried away because magicians can do and perform miracles like God at times Exodus 7:10-12, 22.

Wouldn’t you rather allow Jesus to help you today? Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. God bless you.

Shalom!