By Olubunmi Adebayo
*One great instrument in the hand of the devil against man is his power of MANIPULATION.*
*Manipulation is defined as “the usage of psychological influence over a person, event, or situation to gain a desired outcome”.*
*Looking at the definition above critically, one key thing about manipulation is the ability of the manipulator to drive you towards his own preconceived end, while you are completely oblivious of such a drive or end. This is the power of the manipulator!*
*Having fasted for 40 days and nights, one would expect Jesus to be hungry and desirous of food. Therefore any suggestion in that line should be a good and welcoming one. But that is not the case with suggestions from the devil please.*
*When Jesus was hungry, and the devil suggested the change of stones to bread, it was with the intent to manipulate Jesus to use his fresh anointing from the fasting exercise for selfish interests. This would have paved the way for the devil to accuse Jesus before God. Please read the account :*
*Matthew 4: [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.*
*[3]And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.*
*Again look at the devil in the Garden of Aden : the devil craftily misrepresented the instruction of God to Eve.*
*The devil told her that she would surely not die if she ate the forbidden fruit God prohibited her and the husband from eating. But rather, that her eyes would be opened, and she would be like the gods, knowing what is good and evil.*
*Maybe the words of the devil that she would “be like the gods knowing what is good and evil” prompted her to let down her watchfulness, and disobeyed .*
*In the curiosity of finding out if this was true or not, Eve ate the forbidden fruit, forgetting that to eat the forbidden fruit is to disobey God, and face the consequences there of.*
*Please know this : it does not matter what justification you have for your involvement in that iniquity, you will never escape the punishment for such, no matter how smart you think you are or how powerful you may be.*
*Today, many are facing the consequences of their having been manipulated by the devil, with dire consequences following.*
*Let all men therefore be weary of the devil’s manipulation. It can come in various shades and dimensions. Your duty is to ensure that you do not become a victim, no matter how rosy the suggestions may be.*
*Can you imagine the devil telling Jesus he WOULD GIVE THE WHOLE KINGDOM SPREAD ACROSS THE EARTH TO JESUS, IF HE BOWS DOWN TO HIM?*
*Matthew 4: [8]Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;*
*[9]And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.*
*When the Bible says watch and pray, it is because of such manipulations as stated above from the devil :*
*Matthew 26:[41]Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.*
Join us for the grand finale thanksgiving service of our 20th Church Anniversary today at Riches of Christ Mega Parish, Tutugbuwa, Danjuma, Akure.
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
