Today’s Bible Verse
See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).
Colossians 2:8 (AMPC)
Evil Exposed
Wow! What a warning about the evil, anti-Christ spiritual forces that are trying to steal, kill and destroy our destiny in God. This verse lists several reasons why some of us have a desire to commit ourselves to God but we keep struggling. We’re lukewarm. Perhaps we know what the scriptures say but we have chosen not to consider that these warnings pertain to us. Or we have not yet transformed our thinking, thus remain conformed to the standards of this world (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).
Some of us may simply skim over today’s Bible verse and not realize that satan just had his way. The Bible says see to it that no one carries you off as spoil or a captive. God’s Word should be honored, by applying it to our lives as the final authority in how we conduct our lives. It is imperative that we do not lean on our own understanding. Instead, we must choose to lean on God with our entire human personality in His power, wisdom and goodness (Colossians 2:5b AMPC). We must keep our eyes wide open to avoid anyone sent by the enemy to have access into our lives through philosophy, intellectualism and vain deceit. Along with human traditions and teachings apart from the Bible. (Pastor Darlene Tsuha)
An Uncommon Life
Reflecting back, I can recall many people who I grew up with having an evil altar in their home. Businesses would display a ceramic cat that would supposedly bring good fortune. Family members would partake in chanting and the offering of food and incense to idols. I’d visit people’s homes and they’d have crystals that they used to ask, “Is this in the stars for me?” I also recall the neighborhood youth playing games involving the occult. Then there’s a list of the many superstitious stories people tell one another. For example, one’s feet could only face a certain direction while sleeping, or that misfortune would happen if a woman washed her hair at night and went to sleep with it wet. We had Hawaiian salt at our front door and we were instructed to throw it over our shoulders after attending a funeral to scare the evil spirits away so they would not enter our home. A very popular occurrence that people would dabble in especially when going through a difficult time of uncertainty of life would be to see a psychic, fortune teller, gods and goddesses, or cultural traditions. In my younger days, I’d check out the daily horoscope. Then while attending college, many instructors would try to con us students to believe in their philosophical beliefs and the universe. The list is endless that confirms why the instruction and warning of Colossians 2:8 is a true eye opener.
The Bible says in Leviticus 19:31 (TMB), “Don’t dabble in the occult or traffic with mediums; you’ll pollute your soul. I am God, your God.” When I was a new believer, the devil tried to convince me that I was naïve and innocent in when opening my life up to these things. That was a lie. My dabbling had opened an evil altar in my heart. How I rejoice and thank God for His mercy that caught me sooner than not as I may have gone all the way down the wrong path. God’s grace helped me to turn my back on the devil, by renouncing every evil door that I may have opened.
This spiritual battle that we are in is real and violent. Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage, according to Ephesians 6:12 from the Passion Translation Bible.
God in His merciful love for each one of us warns us through the scriptures how strategic the forces of darkness are. The first thing we must do is repent and ask God for forgiveness for associating and participating in “unholy alliances” whether by commission or omission. We must also renounce our participation and detach ourselves from them. Then we must bind the evil spirits and plead the Blood of Jesus over our lives and ask God to cleanse us and be filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. It is also vital that you choose to be willing to be discipled by a Life Group Leader so you can be established in the faith and surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This will help you experience the Uncommon Life! Hallelujah!
Today’s Declaration
Lord, open the eyes of my understanding. I refuse to be taken captive or become a prisoner-of-war. I repent and ask You for forgiveness for associating and participating in “unholy alliances” whether by commission or omission. In the Name of Jesus, I renounce all ungodly alliances and I command every evil spirit (call the spirits out such as the spirit of the anti-Christ, the spirit of religion, idolatry, rage, jealousy, unforgiveness, uncleanness, fear, sickness, depression, traditions, generational curses, etc.) and every evil snare and dart that the enemy has ever sent my way. I command all these evil spirits to be uprooted, bound and cast into the sea and never to return in the Name of Jesus. I plead the Blood of Jesus over myself (and my household) and loosen the ministering and warring angels now in the Name of Jesus to work on my behalf. I surrender it all at the altar of God and ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord, as You are; so am I in this world. That makes me uncommon, living an uncommon life In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Exodus 27-29; Psalms 33
- New Testament: Matthew 14:1-21; Acts 20:1-12
