The adversary wants to derail you from your destiny. You don’t want to go to Heaven and stand before Jesus only to realize you could have done more while you were here on earth. Neither do I!
The adversary wants to slow or delay your destiny. If that happens, you lose ground for the Kingdom and he gains ground for the kingdom of darkness. It is a very simple and subtle strategy. The adversary will seek to distort the Truth so that we are led astray without realizing it and it will be in a very clever manner.
There are two voices speaking to us: GOD and the devil. FATHER “stills” us and the devil torments us. FATHER reassures us and the devil threatens us. FATHER leads us and the devil pushes us.
FATHER enlightens us, the devil attempts to confuse us.
FATHER forgives us, the devil condemns us.
FATHER calms us, the devil stresses us.
FATHER encourages us, the devil discourages us.
FATHER comforts us, the devil promotes worry in us.
These eight comparisons ought to provide a simple barometer to help us determine who we are listening to on a daily basis. Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:
10 A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! 11 I am the Good Shepherd who lays down My life as a Sacrifice for the sheep.
Jesus makes an emphatic, unconditional statement that He is providing us life and abundance. Why is it that we would challenge these specific Words? Is it because we are entertaining another voice? One Voice leads to life and abundance whereas the other voice leads to death and destruction.
The adversary is crafty and will use willing and even unsuspecting vessels to lead us astray. After all, he deceived Eve in the garden. By The Holy Spirit, Paul wrote this warning in 2 Corinthians chapter 11:
1 Now, please bear with some of my “craziness” for a moment. Yes, please be patient with me.
2 You need to know that God’s passion is burning inside me for you, because, like a loving father, I have pledged your hand in marriage to Christ, your true Bridegroom. I’ve also promised that I would present his fiancée to Him as a pure virgin bride. 3 But now I’m afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s clever lies, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may lose your single-hearted devotion and pure Love for Christ.
4 For you seem to gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you preaching a pseudo-Jesus, not the Jesus we have preached. You have accepted a spirit and gospel that is false, rather than the Spirit and gospel you once embraced. How tolerant you have become of these imposters!
This is quite an indictment against these believers. Their thoughts may have been corrupted resulting in losing their pure Love and devotion for Christ. Is there anything more important for us to protect? Have I ever been led astray by clever, eloquent speakers? Sadly, the answer is yes and this is why I share the same concerns with Paul hoping to spare those who have ears to hear concerning the heartache that comes from being led astray, even in the slightest instance.
Anyone who leads us away from the devotion and pure Love of Christ is an instrument of the adversary and we must immediately distance ourselves from such teaching. This requires zero tolerance no matter who the person claims to be!
Paul continues:
5 Now, I believe that I am not inferior in any way to these special “super-apostles” you are attracted to. 6 For although I may not be a polished or eloquent speaker, I’m certainly not an amateur in revelation knowledge. Indeed, we have demonstrated this to you time and again.
7 Have I committed a sin by degrading myself to dignify you? Was I wrong to preach the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I received ample financial support from other churches just so that I could freely serve you. 9 Remember, when I was with you I didn’t bother anyone when I needed money, for my needs were always supplied by my Macedonian friends. So I was careful, and will continue to be careful, that I never become a burden to you in any way.
Paul eliminates any discussion of greed or extraction of money from these believers. Obviously, one of the adversary’s devices is to get greed into the equation when men succumb to his leading.
10 As the reality of Christ lives within me, my glad boast of offering the Gospel free of charge will not be silenced throughout the region of Achaia. 11 Why? Is it because I have no Love for you? GOD knows how much I Love you! 12 But in order to eliminate the opportunity for those “super-apostles” to boast that their ministry is on the same level as ours I will continue this practice. 13 For they are not true apostles but deceitful ministers who masquerade as “special apostles” of the Anointed One. 14 That doesn’t surprise us, for even Satan transforms himself to appear as an angel of light! 15 So it’s no wonder his servants also go about pretending to be ministers of righteousness. But in the end they will be exposed and get exactly what they deserve.
Let us not allow ourselves to be taken in by “deceitful ministers” who are like clouds without rain. They promise the world but deliver nothing in return. They simply extract your time and money resulting in derailing your destiny.