Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] – 1 Peter 5:8-9 AMP
Have you ever taken the time to think about the cause of human suffering in the world today? Do you believe everything you hear on the news? Have you ever wondered why the world [with its systems] is always at odds with the ways of God? I know it is strange to start an article with questions like these, but then it is important that we know this: everything you see or hear in the natural world is being influenced/controlled from the spiritual world. Nothing happens by chance! Ranging from hot issues such as legalized abortion/murder of innocent babies [under the guise of planned-parenthood], the persecution of Christians across the globe, the covid-19 pandemic etc. there are plans put in place by the devil (and carried out by those who work for him) to push the teeming population of the world to the belly of hell.
You see, the devil is a being who delights in wickedness and sin, he does his utmost best to twist God’s creation and thwart His good plans for His people, he hates and fears righteousness, truth and holiness so he does all he can to fight against it or suppress it. He fears the people who call on the name of the Lord so he sends persecution their way; he stirs up hatred in the hearts of the unbelieving crowd and makes them spew filthy words and lying accusations against the saints of the Most High God. He works behind the scenes to cause troubles for those who worship the living God and never relents in planning/working evil. As a matter of fact, he’s always looking for someone to devour in order to satisfy his appetite for destruction and evil (See Job 2:1-10)!
The good news is this: God has not left us to the ‘mercy’ of the devil because he has none to offer! The saints of God have been granted the divine authority to stop the devil dead in his tracks when he comes to prey on us. The matchless power in The Name – Jesus Christ – is one of the weapons we have been given to put the devil where he belongs [right under our feet]!
Is the devil harassing you in any way? Is he causing you fearful nightmares? Is he attacking your health or your finances? Is he stealing your joy and peace of mind? Is he trying to destroy your marriage, family or business? Is he trying to discourage you from fulfilling your God-given destiny? Is he tempting you to be [sexually] unfaithful to your husband or wife? Is he whispering death or disease to your mind? Is he distracting from spending time with God in prayer and in the study of His Word?
It’s about time you stop permitting him to harass you in any way. It’s about time you stand toe to toe with him and command him – in the name of Jesus Christ – to stop his hidden works in your life! You’ve got to have faith in The Name; it’s so powerful that it renders the devil (with his demons) powerless. When you call the name of Jesus from a heart of faith, it sucks the evil energy and wicked intentions straight out of the devil and renders him impotent!
Remember, you’re now a citizen of the kingdom of God (if you’ve been saved through the blood of Jesus) and no longer under the devil’s control (See Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 1:22). You have been given the right to resist the devil, and heaven will back you up as you learn to put the devil under your feet and kick him out of your life whenever he sneaks up on you!