Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11
Quite out of the blue, catching me by surprise, the LORD spoke to me tonight how the devil was taking an advantage of us.
Yesterday the LORD gave me a message to encourage and strength HIS children to endure the many troubles the enemy was bombarding them with. GOD had me remind them HE was using those very troubles to achieve good for them as HE prepared them (2 Corinthians 4:15-18). But one of his children was distracted from GOD’s words of instruction by an unrelated secular problem. She brought up a cry concerning that problem which distracted the readers from GOD’s words of instruction sent to strengthen them.
I asked the LORD what Biblical example HE wanted me to use to expose this device of the devil. The example HE brought to my mind is so intense I believe GOD feels very strongly about the device of distraction from spiritual truth to secular focus.
JESUS began to teach them that HE must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders and the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after 3 days rise again. Now this was part the work GOD the FATHER had sent for JESUS to do and was necessary to accomplish the goal of bearing the sins of mankind so that any who believe in JESUS would be not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
But Peter rebuked the LORD and said, not so, it will not happen to YOU. Do you remember how the LORD answered Peter? JESUS said, “Get thee behind me Satan: for thou savorest (delight in/ choose) not the things that be of GOD, but the things that be of men.” (See Mark 8:31-33)
Peter was not listening to what GOD was saying, but was diverted/ distracted with secular thoughts. That distraction JESUS said was from Satan.
What I think GOD wants us to consider and learn is to listen wanting to hear what GOD is saying. Do you have ears to hear what the SPIRIT is saying? Do you desire to hear GOD’s messages. What HE says is important. The messenger may not be anyone special, but the HOLY SPIRIT will take GOD’s message and cause it to be lifechanging for the ones who have ears to hear (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 2:10).
Secular concerns, even over matters of health, have their place but they are secondary to the spiritual and should be addressed at other times.
“Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whosoever has will be given more; whosoever does not have even what they think they have will be taken from them.” (Luke 8:18 NIV).
Look unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2)
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 