UNINTENTIONAL DOORS TO THE ENEMY

Each day we speak many words to convey various messages. Recently, I made a brief comment without thinking about what I was saying and the Lord immediately called it to my attention. I was then reminded of the following truths:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:21 ESV). God cautions that all people will give account in the day of judgment for every unprofitable and careless word spoken (Matthew 12:36-37).

God also warns us not to allow unwholesome talk to come from our mouths, but only what is helpful and beneficial to those who listen (Ephesians 4:29 NIV). Those who consider themselves religious and do not keep a tight rein on their tongue deceive themselves and their religion is useless [because it is not a true reflection of Christ] (James 1:26 NIV).

Our mouths are either doors to access blessings or to produce curses. The words we speak and what we think impact our health, our behavior, and our relationships. Our words have power to destroy and power to build up (Proverbs 12:6). Therefore, as representatives of Christ, we are to guard our mouths and be careful of what we say.

It is important to know that Satan cannot read our minds; however, he and his demons listen to our spoken words and can take those words and use them against us or against the person or situation that we are talking about. King David knew the power of his words and prayed that God would help him keep from speaking anything that the enemy could use against him (Psalm 141:3).

There is great delivering, healing power in speaking God’s Word, for in speaking His Word, demonic forces are subdued, and angels are summoned to fight for us. Jesus told His disciples that to overcome things that hinder, speak in faith and they will be removed (Matthew 17:20-21).

Words have great power to be used for good or for destruction. Every day we see examples of how words spoken across the airways promote and drive hatred which leads to violent riots, attempted murders, murders, and destruction. For our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

What are the heavenly places? This phrase is translated from the Greek word epouranios, meaning “the sphere of spiritual activities.” Acts 7:55 and Isaiah 63:15 speak of God’s home as heaven where He is surrounded by worshipping angels who serve Him and minister to His saints. However, His place in heaven is not to be confused with “the heavens,” also called the “heavenly realms,” which encompasses all spirit beings both good and evil (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 148:4).

The heavenly realm is where Satan operates with his fallen angels (also called demons). When God cast Satan and his fallen angels out of heaven, they made it their mission to destroy mankind (John 10:10; Revelation 12:9). Therefore, we are to be serious-minded and vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about this earth like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).

Malevolent beings, described as “evil spirits” and “unclean” oppose God and His followers (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27; Acts 19:15). However, despite their formidable power and intent to lead people astray, demons are defeated enemies, because Christ defeated them at Calvery’s Cross. Victory over evil comes to those who believe that there is an invisible yet very real adversary. Hope and protection come from God, whose power far exceeds any threat posed by these defeated foes (Ephesians 2:15).

Unfortunately, there are Christians who have difficulty believing that Satan and his demons are actively working in this world? Jesus addressed the devil in the desert and He called out demons during His ministry. Though Satan is mentioned 40 times in the Bible, many find the very thought of Satan and his demons too frightening to consider and prefer to think of the devil as a fictional character.

Satan is real, alive, deadly and controls an army of demons who do his wicked bidding. His mission is to disguise and distort truth, so that the world will accept evil as good and good as evil. He, along with his demonic realm, are viable forces that daily seek, moment-by-moment, those whom they may destroy. 

Satan preys on the weak and unequipped who have little knowledge of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. Whether we believe Scripture or reject its truth, the fact remains that there is an ongoing, daily assault on humanity by spiritual forces. Unfortunately, the god of this world has blinded many minds, so that they cannot see the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

Evil is accelerating to a whole new level and people are asking why a loving God is allowing so much evil. The answer is found in the Garden of Eden where God gave Adam and Eve freedom to choose between blessings or curses, life or death.

God had warned Adam of the consequences of eating from the tree of good and evil and that their disobedience would bring death. Sadly, they did not realize that the death God was speaking of would be a physical and spiritual death. Their choice to listen and believe Satan’s lies and false promises forever gave Satan a foothold over the souls of humanity.

The apostle Paul warned of great evil in the last days. Truth will be rejected by many, because they will not keep (embrace) His Word (I John 2:4-6). People will be lovers of self, money, pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying Him as the Source of power (Timothy 3:1-3). We are witnessing Paul’s prophet warnings active today.

God spoke to the Prophet Hosea and said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NKJV). Without knowledge of truth, the door is opened to deception and lies, but those who know God’s Word can discern between truth and lies.

Words are powerful. The enemy twists words and uses them against us just as he did when he lied to Eve in the Garden. Thus, we must be careful that what we speak is biblically sound and truthful. That truth and revelation only comes by reading and understanding God’s Word, recorded in the Old and New Testaments. These historically accurate books validate one another.

Ignoring the Old Testament will pave a broad road to deception, because the Old Testament is mentioned in the New and is a key to understanding Revelation. For “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). Therefore, it behooves us to know the truth found in God’s Word, so that we are not manipulated by false narratives, false prophets, false information, and lies designed to manipulate minds, beliefs, and truths. 

PRAYER: FATHER, forgive me for unprofitable words that I have spoken. Help me to put a guard over my mouth so that what I say will encourage, uplift, bring hope to others, and represent You. Keep me from speaking words that open doors to the enemy and give me a heart to study and understand the truths in Your Word, so that I can recognize the many deceptions and lies of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.