The devil is a master at using weaponized truths to compel people to take steps outside of God's instructions and His will. A weaponized truth is something, typically an expressed communication, that is true on its face, it also looks and feels real at first glance. However, if you slow down and linger on the statement or idea, you quickly realize that its foundation is deception. It's mission is to propel action that disobeys the Lord and causes an individual or a group of people to sin and thereby deprive God of His glory in their lives. In this sense, it is very different from a Gibeonite Deception, which is a lie that is excellently packaged to appear true and cause sin.
Have you ever met someone who shares the issues they are facing, never once asking for help. Yet, somehow, by the end of the conversation, you've taken on their problems and added them to your to-do-list? In many cases, this individual is a friend or loved one, and you want to help them. The desire to help others is a good thing because Believers must apply the Royal Law. Unfortunately, those who lack the Holy Spirit can fall prey to those who share truths in order to manipulate them into an act that may not be God's will. Yes, what was shared was true but at the very heart of this exchange was coercion and manipulation. The need to take advantage of a person's emotions and sometimes their logic. This is not godly behavior because God does not abuse free will and does not seek to domineer any human being.
Satan, on the other hand, has used this technique coerce, domineer, and manipulate for centuries. It did so with Eve, suggesting that God didn't want her and Adam to eat from the tree so they would not be like Him (Genesis 3:5). This was true, but, there was a very good reason. God wants His creations to rely on Him and not their own intelligence (Proverbs 3:5-6). Sadly, Eve experienced what we now call the 'fear of missing out' and sought to have the knowledge of God without receiving it from the Lord. She thereby disobeyed God's instruction, ate the tree's fruit and suffered the consequences. Consequences the serpent knew would come but it never shared because its goal was to deceive. Had she taken the time to process what the devil said and even ask the Lord for guidance, the story would have ended very differently.
Consider when Jesus was tempted by satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). At no point did the devil lie during that exchange. It tried to trigger pride in Jesus by telling Him that if He was the Son of God, He would jump off a cliff. The devil went on to accurately quote scripture in order to goad the Savior into stepping outside of God's timing for His life and ministry. Instead, Jesus applied what He knew of the Lord and maneuvered Himself out of the devil's trap. If Jesus had been an ordinary man separated from the voice of God, He likely would have felt the need to prove Himself and His God. After all, the devil spoke scripture and essentially challenged Him with it.
However, Jesus did not fall for the serpent's tricks and neither should we. Jesus insisted that those who believe in Him would be able to do even greater than He did while on earth (John 14:12). Besides, Believers also have the mind of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 2:16. And, don't forget, Jesus said in John 17:22 that He gave Believers the glory He received from God, so the glory of God is upon each of us. Thus, each believer has the capacity to silence the serpent when it speaks. Every Believer is empowered by God's word in the Bible. One such scripture asserts that we are not unaware of the devil's tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11). This is something we cannot forget. Through the Bible we have the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17) to protect us from the weaponized truths and the truthful lies sent by the devil to steal, kill, and destroy our lives (John 10:10).
In order to actually not be ensnared by the serpent, we must spend time in God's word and let God teach us how to distinguish His voice from that of the serpent. Especially because of the words of Jesus in John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. He also said in John 10:5 - But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” We must want to be His sheep who hear Him and do not heed when satan speaks.
The Lord will help us all, IJMN, Amen.
For more on the How satan speaks series, please consider the following:
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
How has God been faithful to you? It's time to share so others are encouraged. That way their hope in the Lord will not dim.
We are instructed to share our testimony as believers. In fact, doing so allows us to overcome satan according to Revelation 12:11 - They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
You can also share testimony in the Testimony Gala Thread - Testimony Gala | The Miracle Alley.
FINAL MESSAGE
Come on back on Friday, when we'll pay close attention to Jezebel and how her speech reflects how satan speaks.
Till then, refresh your memory on Jezebel and what we've learned about her and all that she represents with the following posts:
Jezebel: An Introduction
Again, On Jezebel
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You have done great things for us. Thank You for the privilege of gathering here today. Thank You for those You brought to fellowship. Help each one of us who honored You this way to remain in Your light and walk with You till the end. You are He who will keep His faithful servant from stumbling and so we rely on this promise, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Since this series began, has God revealed anything to you about how satan speaks in your life? What about in the lives of others? Are you noticing the serpent more than you used to?
If that is the case, please do not be afraid. God is your Protector. His objective is to teach and empower each of His children that they stand in His army. If you believe in Jesus and have submitted your life to Him then these words are true for you - 1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. As such, there is no need to fear. Let God continue to open your eyes to what you need to learn.
The Lord will continue to protect us from the weaponized truths and truthful lies sent to do the devil's work, IJMN, Amen.
*From AC* - Adonai Yireh, I lift up in prayer before You those in financial need, struggling with inflation, debt, and a lack of necessities. Lord, we know that Your plan is to prosper and give hope and a future to Your children (Jeremiah 29:11). You are the God of provision, and we know that You provide in abundance, so I ask that You please open the storehouse of Your heavenly bounty and rain upon the needy a financial breakthrough (Deuteronomy 28:12) and lighten their burden during these difficult times. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Great God, mighty King, Impenetrable Light,
I lift up Your word in Isaiah 9:2. It is written: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
Lord I intercede now for LAK and V. I ask that You would remember the great plans You have for them (Jer 29:11). See the trap the enemy has made for them; bring them out of the darkness they are in. "Draw them out of the miry clay" (Psalm 40:2) and establish them on Your path. Have mercy on them Lord, bring them into Your light and redeem them, oh Great Deliverer! In Jesus name I have prayed for them, amen.
*From CEM* - Thank You God for this space, for this family, for the Peppers community. It is by no mistake that I found this forum and yet I feel like I’m at home.
It is by Your will alone that I stand here today, healthier and wiser than I was last week, when I thought it was the end. God You have shown me this is only the beginning, my life was spared for I am here for a purpose much greater than myself.
Thank You, thank You thank You!
Glorious God. You are the Preserver of life and the Mighty Creator. Thank You for being the I Am that I Am. He who we can depend on in every circumstance.
Philippians 2:27 - Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Good Lord, we know that satan aims to destroy communities and neighborhoods. Bringing chaos and sorrow to people through violence and more.
Heavenly Father, I call on You, dear Lord, to hear this prayer. Let not communities and neighborhoods be met with sorrow upon sorrow. Spare them, Lord. For the Bible tells us that Jesus came to destroy the woks of satan. He came to do so and thus the works of satan are destroyed in Jesus Name, Amen. I decree that satan's weapons poised to bring sorrow upon sorrow to neighborhoods and communities roll back like the stone spoken of in Proverbs 26:27 and destroy the enemy lying in wait to steal, kill, and destroy, IJMN, Amen.
*From AC* - Adonai Ropheka, You are the God Who heals! In Jeremiah 30:17 you declare that You will restore good health and heal all wounds of Your people, therefore I pray for Your divine healing and complete health restoration upon JAD, Mama K, Auntie S, my Pepper fam, and those who concern them for Your glory and victory. Free them from all health alignments, sickness, discomfort, and pain, and replace the spirit of fear, with Your transcending peace. In Jesus’ Healing Name, I pray, Amen.
*From M22* - Apologies if I am not consistent with prayers today. I am feeling drowsy and somehow dizzy. I'll be sure to pray offline once I can muster the strength to. Praying for everyone on here.
From DR14U -
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, please hear my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Please give people a desire for You. Whet their appetites for more of You. Let hearts clamor for You. Pour out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer, IJMN, Amen.
*From CS* - Thank You, Lord. I cried out to You for help Lord. ‘When I was in distress, I sought you. I remembered you Lord and I groaned. I meditated, I struggled and, yes, my spirit grew faint.’ But you were always there. You never left me.
Thank You, Lord.
Thank you lord for making a difference in my life. Thank you for making a way out of no way for me. Thank you for being constant. “Because of your great love, I was not consumed. For your compassions never fail.”
You have saved me. Filled me.
And my heart is so full. And I’m so glad. I am so happy at what I’ve found.
For “The kingdom of heaven is like —“
… a fine pearl of great price.
… a treasure hidden away in a field.
Thank you always for making yourself known to me. Thank you Lord for this faith.
May all who seek, find you, find love, find joy, find peace, find rest , find the truth that is you. As I did.
As I have.
Amen.
PRAYER TIME
At this point, we take the time to pray for people. We call on God to help them by meeting them at their point of needs. People we know are in need of solutions to the problems of life. Many need to get closer to God. Many we know are looking for finances. So many are praying for healing. Others just want peace in their lives and in their families.
Our job is to pray for these people and ask the Lord to help them. This way we bless them and receive blessings in return.
Hallelujah to the Lord Most High!
*From CS* - Hey FFJ.
About the temptation of Jesus - just sharing some insight and a little knowledge nugget that I got from one of my books.
Notice that the devil took Jesus to a ‘high’ mountain to tempt Him with the power and riches of the world. If you recall from the OT, the ‘high places’ were sites of pagan worship.
Just another way that the devil deceives….
(Here’s the scripture for ref:
5 And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Luke 4:5)
Thank You Abba! I love You but thank You for demonstrating Your love to me so much.
That You for providing not just our needs but also our wants. Thank You for showing us grace and giving us strength even through our weaknesses.
Praise be onto You Sovereign Lord. Praise be onto You, the God who brought water from a rock. Praise be onto You, the God who destroyed an army of over 185000. Praise be onto You, the God who split a sea. That same sea not only acted as a highway for the salvation of Your people and a watery grave for their pursuers.
Praise be onto You, the Covenant-keeping God. You are merciful and kind. Loving and gracious. Thank You for all You do and all You are.
Lord, I thank You for children. God, children are a blessing and they come from You. I call on You to cover the children tied to this fellowship. I pray for their protection. I pray that they be enlightened in You and filled with Your Spirit.
Let Your love cover and overwhelm them that they know how much You care for them. Let Your hand be upon them for good and Your righteousness and salvation grow in their lives, IJMN, Amen.
*From CEM* - Thank you Baba for helping me find my way back to You. I’ve been on autopilot and lost for so long yet You never gave up on me. Again, I say thank You and exalt your name. Thank you @FFJ for today’s message. My heart is ready to receive.
*From AC* - El Elyon, Mighty God, it is an honour to praise you and pour my affection at your feet. 'Thank You' is insufficient for the deep gratitude I feel for what You have done. I bless You Abba, for the encouraging news I received from my test results. Thank You for comforting me and reassuring me, that all was well these past few weeks when my anxiety became overwhelming. Thank You for Your continued healing and for providing a solution to this issue. Thank You for the beautiful souls You surrounded me with, including sister @FFJ and my Pepper fam that prayed for me and kept me strong in my faith. May You reward them and consume them with special gifts and surprises for their kindness towards me. I declare Your goodness and faithfulness, and I worship You not only for what You do but because of who You are and Your glory. All praise and honor belong to You, my Elohim! In King Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Father, thank You for all the mothers that were feted on Mother's Day recently. Lord, we thank You for mothers and the love and power You have placed in them. Thank You for praying mothers who nurture their children in Your love and Your word.
Please bless these mothers. Cover them with Your grace from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet. Bless those who are not yet mothers but serve as maternal figures to others, speaking Your word and feeding it to the next generation.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
*From AC* - Thank You Father for another day in Your divine presence, I rejoice and I am glad in it. Thank You for Your mercy and grace which renew each morning and thank You for taking such great care of us and loving us, in the way that only You can. To You be the power and the glory. Amen!
Thank you for today's message sis @FFJ The devil is a liar and there is NO truth in it. Praise God that we are not defenseless! Through Jesus, we have victory over darkness, for He has empowered us with the authority (Luke 10:19) and divine weapons to render the enemy powerless (2 Corinthians 10:4). May we all stand firm in our faith and stay rooted in the Word of God - which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and our offensive weapon to defeat the evil one, in Jesus' victorious name, Amen
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for letting me see this great day that You have made, I will rejoice and give praise in it. Thank You for all You do for me. I marvel at Your grace and mercy for I am not worthy. Thank You for being a marvellous Father to me.
Thank you for today’s word sis @FFJ. May the Holy Spirit guide us to have self control and say no to temptations. May we be discerning and choose God always. May God grant us the strength to resist the enemy and help us to walk in the Spirit IJMN Amen.
*From M22* - Thank you so much for today's word sis @FFJ. The devil is a liar. He always runs from pillar to pillar looking for ways to discredit God's glory in our lives. From making us create worst case scenarios while waiting on God to falling for his deceptive and so called truths. My prayer is that God continues to help us seek him above everything else and to focus on his word because that is our true weapon against the spirit of this world.
Thank you Lord for reminding us of your word in Jeremiah 17 vs 7 to 8, that we are rooted in you and we will never be shaken no matter what the devil tries. We give you all the glory. IJMN amen