Victory through Jesus Christ Part 12 (The World Has Its Own god)
Posted in: Email Gospel Teaching Ministration by Pastor A.O. Asabor. April 11th, 2012.TEXT SCRIPTURE: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1Corinthians 15:57
MESSAGE: In this study we shall continue our teaching on the third reason why we should not conform to this world which is ‘the world has its own god’. We saw in the last study that the devil is the god of this world and he reigns or rules over this world basically through deception. We also saw that the primary deception of the devil that conveniently attracts mankind to him is the lie that there are many ways to God the creator which covers up his activities as god of this world. That is, the devil is the origin of the teaching that there are many ways to God and it is all part of his grand design to deceive mankind into follow him in disobedience and rebellion against God just as he deceived the angels who are now serving him as demons. The sad part of it all is that many Christians today live their lives as if they have automatic immunity against the deceptions of the devil or the god of this world. In fact some Christians actually believe that they cannot be deceived in spite of all the documented evidences of the devil’s deceits in the past and warnings of his future plans to deceive mankind. If you hold this kind of view please discard it because that in itself tells me you have been deceived already.
The Bible says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” 1Corinthians 10:12. This is a profound statement and a warning that is valid for all times and for every step or level of our Christian walk. The message here is, if you think you are standing take heed that you do not fall. Note that this warning is addressed to the one who thinks he is standing because it is the one who thinks he is standing that is most venerable to the deception of the devil. Show me a Christian who thinks he is standing and I will show you a man that can be deceived to look away from Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. If God has provided automatic immunity against the deceptions of the devil, why then did Jesus admonish us to watch and pray? “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41. The Bible also says “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” 2 John 1:7. Towards the end of the world the antichrist is going to deceive the whole world by presenting himself as God the creator. The grand design for that deception is already at work because we understand from the above scripture that the devil started releasing deceivers into the world since the days of the apostles. These deceivers are not only being planted in the world to keep mankind from accepting Jesus they are also being planted in the church to draw Christians away from the narrow path that lead to life. No wonder Jesus warned severally against being deceived:
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you”. Matthew 24:4 “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:5. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:11 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” Matthew 24:24 “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Mark 13:5-6
Without doubt, avoiding the deception of the devil is key success factor in our Christian walk. Are you looking forward to a successful Christian life? Then you must diligently and continually watch against the deceptions of the enemy. It is your responsibility to take heed or to ensure that you are not deceived. God will not do it for you though He has graciously provided all that you need to take heed. The truth is that many deceivers have entered into the world and they are doing everything within their power to deceive mankind especially Christians and their aim is to win people for the devil by distracting them from following or submitting to the true God. Your ability to resist deception is a function of the level of knowledge you acquire and operate spiritually. Thus any area of spiritual ignorance in your life becomes an opening for the devil’s deception.
The first step in avoiding the deceptions of the devil is to recognize and understand that the devil is god over this world. And that as god of this world his major agenda is to deceive mankind especially Christians and prevent them from submitting to the true God. The greatest victory the devil wins over Christians is getting them to live their lives as if he doesn’t exist. Once the devil can get you to live as if he does not exist you will submit to his other deceptions without any resistance and you will end up conforming to this world rather than overcoming it. May that not be your portion in Jesus’ name! The sad truth is that many Christians out of ignorance live their lives as if the devil does not exist and they only remember the devil when things go wrong.
As I close this study I want you to understand that though the devil exists and he is god over this world you, being a Christian, have been given authority over the devil and you are expected to overcome this world where the devil reigns as god. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” Luke 10:19. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1John 5:4-5
Once again we shall stop here to continue in the next study.
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray that the Lord will open your eyes of understanding to recognize and appreciate that the devil exists and that he is god over this world.
- Pray that God will grant you the grace to continually overcome the deceits of the devil.
God bless you.
Pastor A.O. Asabor