Does the Devil Have Your Ear?
None of us is a perfect receptacle for words from God, but he does still whisper promises in our ears in the form of assurance, calling, and encouragement.
Christians throughout the centuries and around the world have prayed for God’s wisdom.
We have asked for comfort, healing, direction and guidance in every situation and trial we have encountered.
Many times, we have begged just to hear the still, small voice of God, telling us what to do next.
While we seek to hear from the Lord, we have to ask ourselves, “Would we recognize the voice of God?
If you do not know the voice of God, you have to wonder what will happen when Satan whispers in your ear.
There is a very big difference between the wisdom of God and the lies of Satan.
God will lead you to heaven, but Satan will take you to hell.
The words they speak will be very different.
God will encourage and Satan will deceive.
If someone polled your church with the question, “Which preacher do you listen to most frequently?”
How would you respond?
Some would point to the pastor. Others might suggest a minister they hear on the radio or by podcast.
But if we are honest, none of these wins the contest.
Believe it or not, the individual who has the greatest access to our hearts, the one who preaches to us most frequently, is not who we think.
It is the Devil.
Satan preaches a sophisticated, seductive, and manipulative message.
His goal is to convince you either that the Lie is true or that the Truth is a lie, and we are usually unaware that he is speaking.
He is the “prince of this world” (John 12:31).
God has given him influence over the media, and through this megaphone he preaches persuasively, speaking to us through newspapers, television, blogs, e-mail, radio, popular music, movies, magazines, NFL commercials, and, yes, even at times through our consciences and friends.
How do we know we have been listening to the Devil’s lies?
The fruits are ominous and varied.
We become discouraged when life doesn’t go as we had planned.
We wallow in guilt after a careless comment hurts someone we love.
We compare ourselves to others and then feel worthless.
We give into hopelessness or fear as we observe cultural change. Some even yield to the despair that this life is all there is.
The Devil knows how to “preach it,” and we are often the victims.
But God has provided us with a mighty spiritual weapon: the gospel.
As I explain in this post the Gospel, “the gospel” is everything that God has done, and will do, to save us.
The gospel stretches from eternity past to eternity future.
It starts with election and ends with the new heavens and new earth.
It includes the doctrines of election; Christ’s incarnation, active obedience, penal substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension, and return for final judgment; and the creation of new heavens and earth.
Hidden in these wonderful doctrines are crucial truths.
When applied, they shatter the Devil’s vicious deceits.
God does not want us to listen to ourselves or the Devil.
Instead, he wants us to preach to ourselves. Listening is passive; preaching is active.
For example, when I don’t feel loved by God, I preach the truth to myself.
It transcends feelings.
Before the foundation of the world God chose me and set his love upon me.
He didn’t choose me because I performed, but despite the fact that I didn’t.
He sent his Son to live a perfect life in my place and to bear the wrath that I deserve at Calvary.
It is rare when this preaching exercise does not kindle feelings in my heart that reflect the truth that I am loved.
This is what Paul has in mind when he tells us to “seek the things that are above” and “set your minds on things that are above” (Col. 3:1–2).
“Maturing believers cultivate the discipline of preaching to themselves.
In fact, they turn this into an art form.
They read Scripture, internalize it, and then continually preach its truths back to themselves.
When fears of death and dying arise, they speak to themselves about the world to come.
When guilt grips their heart, they remind themselves that they have been united with Christ and that Christ’s righteousness is theirs.
They don’t listen to self. They preach to self!”
So, which preacher do you listen to most? Hopefully, you’re not listening to the Devil.
When you hear someone whisper in your ear, stop for a moment and think, “Does this encourage me and provide hope for my life, or does it seek to destroy my life?”
Remember, Satan is a great deceiver and will try to make his plan seem like it is the best idea you ever heard.
You have to really take the time to pray and seek God’s wisdom, through His Word.
He will reveal the truth, if you take the time to seek His face.
By Mark Bertrand.
None of us is a perfect receptacle for words from God, but he does still whisper promises in our ears in the form of assurance, calling, and encouragement.
Christians throughout the centuries and around the world have prayed for God’s wisdom.
We have asked for comfort, healing, direction and guidance in every situation and trial we have encountered.
Many times, we have begged just to hear the still, small voice of God, telling us what to do next.
While we seek to hear from the Lord, we have to ask ourselves, “Would we recognize the voice of God?
If you do not know the voice of God, you have to wonder what will happen when Satan whispers in your ear.
There is a very big difference between the wisdom of God and the lies of Satan.
God will lead you to heaven, but Satan will take you to hell.
The words they speak will be very different.
God will encourage and Satan will deceive.
If someone polled your church with the question, “Which preacher do you listen to most frequently?”
How would you respond?
Some would point to the pastor. Others might suggest a minister they hear on the radio or by podcast.
But if we are honest, none of these wins the contest.
Believe it or not, the individual who has the greatest access to our hearts, the one who preaches to us most frequently, is not who we think.
It is the Devil.
Satan preaches a sophisticated, seductive, and manipulative message.
His goal is to convince you either that the Lie is true or that the Truth is a lie, and we are usually unaware that he is speaking.
He is the “prince of this world” (John 12:31).
God has given him influence over the media, and through this megaphone he preaches persuasively, speaking to us through newspapers, television, blogs, e-mail, radio, popular music, movies, magazines, NFL commercials, and, yes, even at times through our consciences and friends.
How do we know we have been listening to the Devil’s lies?
The fruits are ominous and varied.
We become discouraged when life doesn’t go as we had planned.
We wallow in guilt after a careless comment hurts someone we love.
We compare ourselves to others and then feel worthless.
We give into hopelessness or fear as we observe cultural change. Some even yield to the despair that this life is all there is.
The Devil knows how to “preach it,” and we are often the victims.
But God has provided us with a mighty spiritual weapon: the gospel.
As I explain in this post the Gospel, “the gospel” is everything that God has done, and will do, to save us.
The gospel stretches from eternity past to eternity future.
It starts with election and ends with the new heavens and new earth.
It includes the doctrines of election; Christ’s incarnation, active obedience, penal substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension, and return for final judgment; and the creation of new heavens and earth.
Hidden in these wonderful doctrines are crucial truths.
When applied, they shatter the Devil’s vicious deceits.
God does not want us to listen to ourselves or the Devil.
Instead, he wants us to preach to ourselves. Listening is passive; preaching is active.
For example, when I don’t feel loved by God, I preach the truth to myself.
It transcends feelings.
Before the foundation of the world God chose me and set his love upon me.
He didn’t choose me because I performed, but despite the fact that I didn’t.
He sent his Son to live a perfect life in my place and to bear the wrath that I deserve at Calvary.
It is rare when this preaching exercise does not kindle feelings in my heart that reflect the truth that I am loved.
This is what Paul has in mind when he tells us to “seek the things that are above” and “set your minds on things that are above” (Col. 3:1–2).
“Maturing believers cultivate the discipline of preaching to themselves.
In fact, they turn this into an art form.
They read Scripture, internalize it, and then continually preach its truths back to themselves.
When fears of death and dying arise, they speak to themselves about the world to come.
When guilt grips their heart, they remind themselves that they have been united with Christ and that Christ’s righteousness is theirs.
They don’t listen to self. They preach to self!”
So, which preacher do you listen to most? Hopefully, you’re not listening to the Devil.
When you hear someone whisper in your ear, stop for a moment and think, “Does this encourage me and provide hope for my life, or does it seek to destroy my life?”
Remember, Satan is a great deceiver and will try to make his plan seem like it is the best idea you ever heard.
You have to really take the time to pray and seek God’s wisdom, through His Word.
He will reveal the truth, if you take the time to seek His face.
By Mark Bertrand.
Does the Devil Have Your Ear?
None of us is a perfect receptacle for words from God, but he does still whisper promises in our ears in the form of assurance, calling, and encouragement.
Christians throughout the centuries and around the world have prayed for God’s wisdom.
We have asked for comfort, healing, direction and guidance in every situation and trial we have encountered.
Many times, we have begged just to hear the still, small voice of God, telling us what to do next.
While we seek to hear from the Lord, we have to ask ourselves, “Would we recognize the voice of God?
If you do not know the voice of God, you have to wonder what will happen when Satan whispers in your ear.
There is a very big difference between the wisdom of God and the lies of Satan.
God will lead you to heaven, but Satan will take you to hell.
The words they speak will be very different.
God will encourage and Satan will deceive.
If someone polled your church with the question, “Which preacher do you listen to most frequently?”
How would you respond?
Some would point to the pastor. Others might suggest a minister they hear on the radio or by podcast.
But if we are honest, none of these wins the contest.
Believe it or not, the individual who has the greatest access to our hearts, the one who preaches to us most frequently, is not who we think.
It is the Devil.
Satan preaches a sophisticated, seductive, and manipulative message.
His goal is to convince you either that the Lie is true or that the Truth is a lie, and we are usually unaware that he is speaking.
He is the “prince of this world” (John 12:31).
God has given him influence over the media, and through this megaphone he preaches persuasively, speaking to us through newspapers, television, blogs, e-mail, radio, popular music, movies, magazines, NFL commercials, and, yes, even at times through our consciences and friends.
How do we know we have been listening to the Devil’s lies?
The fruits are ominous and varied.
We become discouraged when life doesn’t go as we had planned.
We wallow in guilt after a careless comment hurts someone we love.
We compare ourselves to others and then feel worthless.
We give into hopelessness or fear as we observe cultural change. Some even yield to the despair that this life is all there is.
The Devil knows how to “preach it,” and we are often the victims.
But God has provided us with a mighty spiritual weapon: the gospel.
As I explain in this post the Gospel, “the gospel” is everything that God has done, and will do, to save us.
The gospel stretches from eternity past to eternity future.
It starts with election and ends with the new heavens and new earth.
It includes the doctrines of election; Christ’s incarnation, active obedience, penal substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension, and return for final judgment; and the creation of new heavens and earth.
Hidden in these wonderful doctrines are crucial truths.
When applied, they shatter the Devil’s vicious deceits.
God does not want us to listen to ourselves or the Devil.
Instead, he wants us to preach to ourselves. Listening is passive; preaching is active.
For example, when I don’t feel loved by God, I preach the truth to myself.
It transcends feelings.
Before the foundation of the world God chose me and set his love upon me.
He didn’t choose me because I performed, but despite the fact that I didn’t.
He sent his Son to live a perfect life in my place and to bear the wrath that I deserve at Calvary.
It is rare when this preaching exercise does not kindle feelings in my heart that reflect the truth that I am loved.
This is what Paul has in mind when he tells us to “seek the things that are above” and “set your minds on things that are above” (Col. 3:1–2).
“Maturing believers cultivate the discipline of preaching to themselves.
In fact, they turn this into an art form.
They read Scripture, internalize it, and then continually preach its truths back to themselves.
When fears of death and dying arise, they speak to themselves about the world to come.
When guilt grips their heart, they remind themselves that they have been united with Christ and that Christ’s righteousness is theirs.
They don’t listen to self. They preach to self!”
So, which preacher do you listen to most? Hopefully, you’re not listening to the Devil.
When you hear someone whisper in your ear, stop for a moment and think, “Does this encourage me and provide hope for my life, or does it seek to destroy my life?”
Remember, Satan is a great deceiver and will try to make his plan seem like it is the best idea you ever heard.
You have to really take the time to pray and seek God’s wisdom, through His Word.
He will reveal the truth, if you take the time to seek His face.
By Mark Bertrand.
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