DISCERNMENT OF SATAN’S DEVICES: Forgiveness is Satan’s Nemesis

The theme for this week’s Devotional is DISCERNMENT OF SATAN'S DEVICES. Our God has bestowed upon us the spiritually intellectual ability to comprehend beyond what our natural eye sees, beyond face value. Oh what a gift and our team of writers will encourage your hearts through God’s Word and their testimonies!

Forgiveness is something we all want bestowed to us but we often struggle to give. The saying, ‘to err is human but to forgive is divine’ speaks to this. Everyone makes mistakes and at some time in their life everyone wrongs someone. However, responding correctly to a person who has wronged you and even making amends for a mistake you have made requires spiritual intervention. The belief that forgiving others or yourself is unnecessary is faulty thinking and not biblical. Satan loves when people, especially believers, follow his precepts instead of God’s.

When you refuse to forgive you are playing right into Satan’s hands. Matthew 6:15 says, “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  Moreover, unforgiveness causes bitterness and bitterness leads to sin. Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you.”
Forgiveness destroys the assignment of the enemy. Forgiveness is the fertilizer that nurtures your spiritual growth. Forgiveness makes you draw nearer to God. Forgiveness is of God. However, an unforgiving heart sets you up to shy away from God and draw nearer to Satan. An unforgiving spirit is like concrete around the roots of a plant, suffocating and restricting growth. Satan has set out to destroy you. He has watched you and he knows what sets you off and what makes you salivate, and he loves dangling the carrot. Do not be taken in by Satan’s tricks. Do not use his devices.

When we remind people that you are holy with a little hood you are using Satan’s devices. When you tell people that your attitude towards them depends on their attitude towards you, you are using Satan’s devices. When you remind people that you match energy you are playing right into Satan’s hands. He loves how we look back to what we used to be when he (Satan) ruled our lives and then remind others of it. Instead, remember that the devil tempts but does not force. As believers, we do not have to grab the carrot. We should “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). We must remember that changed people act like changed people. 2 Corinthians 5:17, says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We should act like it. Furthermore, we must remember that forgiveness is Satan’s nemesis, his enemy. Forgiveness makes us look more appealing to God. There are many scriptures that tell you to forgive and you will be forgiven (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14, Colossians 3:13, Luke 6:37, Mark 11:25).

Forgiveness is not just important to your spiritual growth but to all relationships. The Bible tells us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Forgiveness is the ultimate healer of the heart and the heart controls our thinking and behavior. Unforgiveness binds us up and holds us hostage and in this position, we are in a place where Satan is the controller.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us remember that the goal is to look more like Christ and that although forgiveness is a huge hurdle to overcome it is possible because of You. We must remember that forgiveness is spiritual. No one can forgive without divine intervention. And without forgiving others our spiritual growth will be delayed. Lord, You have led by example by forgiving our many transgressions against You. You made the ultimate sacrifice when You gave Your Son as propitiation for our sins. Your word reminds us that because of Your forgiveness the world has direct access to You through Your Son. Forgive us Lord for using Satan’s devices when people threaten us or hurt us. Thank you, Lord, for reminding us that forgiveness is of You and unforgiveness is a device of Satan. My heart explodes with gratitude when thinking of the love that has been bestowed toward me through forgiveness. Lead me Lord, teach me Lord so that I too may forgive those who have hurt me as well as being able to forgive myself for transgressions I have done. Thank you, Lord for Jesus the Christ who died for our sins and rose again. In Jesus name, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns