Defeating the Devil

Whew! It's been a minute, but here we are. Today, I want to take a moment to expose the enemy and empower you to do the same. I was scrolling on Threads (a social media app) when I came across a post that immediately caught my attention (see below).

After reading this, I decided to do the same. I went to ChatGPT and entered the same prompt. Let's just say I was baffled! It's like the enemy's battle strategy was laid out on a silver platter. Here is a summary:

"As Satan, I would target your strengths and weaknesses to prevent you from reaching your Godly potential. I’d sow doubt about your calling, distract you with busyness, and create relationship confusion. I’d trigger perfectionism, making you feel that your efforts are never enough and stir division within your teams. I’d attack your peace during prayer, encourage self-reliance instead of dependence on God, and tempt you with complacency, making you comfortable where you are. Ultimately, I’d aim to disconnect you from God’s power and purpose, leaving you spiritually drained and lost in distractions."

I just started laughing because that's precisely what the enemy has been trying to do! It's comical because, despite his efforts, his plans continue to fail. This season of my life has not been about being seen; my focus has been on the work that must be done behind the scenes. The Lord slowed me down by leading me to put down social media, pause the blog, the podcast, etc. My eyes had to be fixed on Him, and now I see why. The Holy Spirit has been leading and guiding me into all truth and teaching me all things. Let me break down two major lessons God has taught me:

Lesson 1: Open Up Your Mouth!

Have you ever felt like a failure, reminded of your past and what you've done wrong, clouded by shame, guilt, and condemnation? Yeah, same here! Listen, that does NOT come from God. It comes from the enemy in an attempt to keep you stuck and stagnated. When I put the prompt into ChatGPT, the first strategy that Satan would use against me was sowing doubt. Listen to this...

"I would whisper doubts about your calling and abilities, making you question if you're truly capable or worthy of the plans God has for you. I would amplify your past struggles with depression, anxiety, and promiscuity, constantly reminding you of those moments in order to create a cloud of guilt and shame. You’ve come so far in your faith journey, so I would focus on making you second-guess God’s grace and His promises of restoration."

-(ChatGPT)

Sound familiar? Those doubts that you hear in your mind aren't even yours! They are seeds the enemy sows, and it's your job to uproot them! How? With the Word of TRUTH! The Bible says,

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." – Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

I don't care what you did in your past; God is faithful in forgiving and restoring. He knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb and predestined you with a plan/purpose. The work he started, he will complete. This season taught me to open my mouth and declare the TRUTH (word of God)! There is no way I will let the enemy bombard me with lies, and I remain silent. The devil is a liar! In fact, let's put this into practice now...

(Pray this out loud)

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your grace and mercy. I recognize that I do not deserve it and have come short of your glory (Romans 3:23). I come out of agreement with the enemy and his lies of shame, guilt, and condemnation. I know you have plans to prosper me, not harm me, and to give me hope and an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). I submit my entire life to you. For your word says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)". I cast down every thought, imagination, argument, and lie that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring it into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Thank you for your unfailing love and reassuring me of your promises that are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Lesson 2: It's Not Good if it's Not from God!

Here is another strategy that Satan would try, according to ChatGPT,

"Since you're a leader, involved in FLOTA, WIACTION, and your church, I would fill your life with so many “good” things that you no longer have time to invest in your personal relationship with God. I'd make sure you're constantly pouring into others, to the point where you're spiritually drained and too exhausted to recharge with God. You'd be running on fumes, disconnected from the source of true strength, and eventually burn out."

When you receive several "good" opportunities that align with your goals, the vision board you created in January, the aspirations you noted in your journal, etc., watch out! Sometimes, we tell God what we desire, but just know that the enemy is listening too. In this season, I have been challenged to acknowledge the Lord in all of my ways and allow Him to direct my path. This year, I have received an influx of opportunities in my career and ministry, and there was even a guy I started conversing with after not dating for over two years. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. But if it wasn’t for God’s discernment and wisdom, I could have easily “fallen” for it. And that’s exactly what the enemy wants—he wants us so busy with seemingly good things that we fall away from God. We work long hours, care for our families, serve in ministry, etc., and when it’s time to connect with our heavenly father, we say, “I don’t have enough time.” Let's get our priorities straight with the following scripture,

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 (NKJV).

We should never get too busy for God. The one who woke you up this morning, covered you from dangers you could not see, kept your mind when you should have lost it, provided for you when everyone else turned their back, and the list goes on! Before you accept any opportunity, be sure to seek God first! Everything He has for you will be added when you focus on the Kingdom of God. Don't let the enemy burn you out by having you chase opportunities that did not come from God in the first place.

The title of this blog post is Defeating the Devil. I want you to pick up your feet and stomp on the ground as hard as possible! Literally, stomp your feet. That's exactly what you should look like when it comes to the devil. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to square up when it comes to the enemy. The Lord promised me victory; there is no way I will succumb to defeat. Let hell know!

Call to Action: Stomp on the devil's head by making a declaration using the word of God!

(Say this out loud)

Devil, you can't have my mind! (STOMP) - Isaiah 26:3 | Philippians 4:7

Devil, you can't have my children! (STOMP) - Proverbs 22:6 | Psalm 127:3 | Isaiah 49:25

Devil, you can't have my marriage! (STOMP) - Mark 10:9 | Ecclesiastes 4:12

Devil, you can't have my peace! (STOMP) John 14:27 | John 16:33

Devil, you can't have my joy! (STOMP) Psalm 16:11 | Psalm 126:5

Devil, you can't have my finances! (STOMP) Philippians 4:19 | Deuteronomy 28:12

Devil, you can't have my ___________ (insert)! (STOMP)

The devil is under your feet! I don't care what his strategy is; IT WON'T WORK!