The Devil's Follies

Happy Resurrection Day, Nano! You moved to Heaven thirty-two years ago today.

While we are in the middle of spiritual battles because those we love have lied to us and left unkept promises, it is then we become most vulnerable. We may feel alone because the situations cannot be discussed. We have learned in previous devotionals that we must guard our minds and conversations. The Bible emphasizes in Proverbs 18:21 (NIV), “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

In the middle of the turmoil, when we become angry, we are tempted to curse the situation through negative

talk. For example, a family member needed money and promised to pay us back in a month. Time passes, and no money has been repaid. We immediately start saying things like, “I’ll never get my money back.” As soon as those words come out of our mouths, the devil goes to the courts of Heaven and says to God, “They said it, so I have a right to those negative words. I can hinder any chance of that money being recovered, and I will destroy their relationship.”

Here we may ask, “Why doesn’t God intervene by prohibiting the perpetual force of evil over the situation?” It is because we are to be victorious in all things. The Bible assures us in 1 John 5:4 (NIV), “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

We guard our minds and words diligently and speak God’s promises over the situation:

• “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

• “Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house” (Proverbs 6:31 NIV).

• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).

We also pray, “Father, we forgive everyone who has hurt us. Create in us clean hearts so we only walk in victory” (Psalm 51:10).

When we speak the promises of God, we please Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) tells us, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” We anticipate victory, knowing that God is faithful to His Word.

We rest at night with the understanding that we have done what God has mandated for us to do. Because He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19), we know we have set ourselves up for His angels to work on our behalf. As 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) promises, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

In due season, we reap because we refuse to faint or give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) encourages us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Stand strong, speak life, and trust in God’s promises. Victory is already ours!