When Jesus was tempted by Satan after fasting, He did not use His divine power. He fought the temptation with the scriptures. When the Sadducees approached Jesus with the foolish question of the woman who was the wife of seven brothers, asking, Whose wife would she be in the resurrection? Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29
Many believers are overconfident in their ability to discern false teachings and overcome temptation. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you will become a victim of deception. Is it necessary to seek knowledge and possess wisdom? Satan is a fallen angel. Not just any angel, Lucifer was the highest-ranking angel in heaven. How you are fallen from Heaven, O Daystar, son of Dawn! How you were cut down to the ground, you who laid the nation’s low. Isaiah 14:12
In Psalm chapter 8, David tells us, “You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor.” Our rank in the order of created beings is below the angels and above the animals. God did not intend for us to function independently of Him. The scriptures are the Voice of God. We receive guidance and answers to our daily challenges through the living and breathing Word of God.
As we see a resurgence of hunger, homelessness, hopelessness, and hatred among humanity, we are witnessing the escalating power of the evil one. Without scriptural knowledge, we either minimize Satan’s power or escalate his power to Omnipotence [only the Trinity Godhead is All-knowing]. Now believers are seeking therapeutic intervention because they claim to see demons walking throughout their homes. Guarding our eyes and ears against the demonic lyrics, horror flicks, or delving into the occult of spiritual wickedness is a habit not without consequences. Yes, demons do exist, but our eyes are not opened to visualize them. [This statement excludes pagan worshippers of the evil one.] Satan would win if he could put that level of phobia in our minds. He would target and antagonize believers until we were unable to think rational thoughts. Thank you, God, for your guardian angels. And thank you for limiting his power. Amen!
It is difficult to believe that people are still being scammed out of thousands of dollars in 2021. Even so, the number of believers who are being scammed by Pastors with mega-churches [by not teaching the scriptures] is in the thousands. Music has replaced God’s truth by focusing on feelings–seeking peace, happiness, and outward joy.
The popular churches are Emotion-based as opposed to being Bible-based. Although praise and worship, singing, and joy are integral in serving God, it is not the main focus. Deception is easily accomplished. Already weary and worn down from fighting spiritual battles that God promised to fight for us, we desire a “Zen lifestyle.” So why not attend a church service that offers singing for two hours every week? Or a service that is less than one hour? We have ample time to work on our to-do lists.
We fight a daily battle. Every believer faces custom-made schemes of temptation. God to the rescue! Psalm 91 tells of God’s protection. We can pray in confidence when we know the scriptural promises of God. Yes, we require the daily reinforcement of spiritual food. Thankfully, God meets us where we are. Sanctification is a daily and life-long journey to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our experience with God is personal. No two Christians are at the same level in their walk with Jesus Christ.
Still, a common factor is that all believers require steadfast faith and spiritual discernment. We must have a solid faith and trusting relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured by daily prayer and studying the scriptures. It is impossible to maintain a sound mind or recognize the scams of spiritual wickedness without knowledge, wisdom, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Immediate change is necessary to identify and eliminate the scams of false teachings, motivational messages, and distractions that keep us from daily worship. Watch out for the chaos and confusion brought into your life by unbelievers–you will know them by their lack of spiritual wisdom. Studying and praying for divine intervention from the Holy Spirit is our only solution to avoid spiritual scams. Study Ephesians chapter 6.
We belong to God! Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth will involve consistent worship of God. Forming the habit of worshipping God on this Earth every day gives us the desire to worship Him eternally.
Prayer: God, we ask for your divine intervention to lead and guide us. Our minds are overwhelmed by the stressors of life. We invite you into our lives and ask you to show us the people, places, and things we need to eliminate. Please give us peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 