In the last few years everything has seemed to have rapidly shifted in this nation and across globe. There is no doubt that the labor pains of the return of Jesus Christ is upon us and the enemy knows that his time is short. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ has the responsibility to occupy until Jesus comes no matter what the atmosphere looks like around us. We must be walking, living, breathing advertisements of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. We cannot afford to be ignorant of Satan’s devices in the last days, therefore we must expose and destroy them.
Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. As we live our lives stewarding every second, minute, hour, day, month and year as if Jesus could crack the clouds at any moment, we must know that we only have one lifetime to do exploits for God. We must walk circumspectly which carries the meaning of walking through this life extremely careful, accurate, gaining exact information with the highest level of accuracy. The devil is walking about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and we must be very discerning in these last days. Allow me to give you 5 strategies of the enemy that you must expose and destroy with the Word of God. I have written entire sermons on each of these but the goal of this article is to alert you these destructive devices to be aware of in the last days.
- Deception
Matthew 24:4 says, “And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.” “The word deceive you means to cause a person to stray. To lead away from the truth and lead into error and sin. To seduce! Beware of the antichrist agenda in the last dat as it works through the political arena and other delivery systems that has a purpose to deceive people.
- Distraction
Mark 4:19 says, “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” The enemy is on a mission to use anything and everything including people to distract you from your divine purpose. Set your eyes on Jesus and let nothing come between you and your calling.
- Delays
Daniel 10:10-13 says, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” There may be moments in which the enemy has sent demonic forces in an attempt to delay you, but the key to overcoming delay is submission to God. James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
- Discouragement
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The enemy has been known to use big things and the smallest of things to sow a seed of discouragement into your life in the last days. You must overcome by taking your eyes off of the things that are to the left or to the right and strengthen yourself in the Lord.
- Depression
Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” I remember reading an article one time where the World Health Organization mentioned that by 2030 they believed depression would be the second highest medical cause of disability. This is unacceptable in the Kingdom of God when you have access to the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Psalm 16:11says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”
Science reveals that laughing doesn’t just lighten your load mentally but actually induces physical changes in your body producing short-term and long-term effects. Laughter stimulates your organs because it enhances your oxygen intake, positively impacting your heart, lungs and muscles. It also has been known to increase endorphins that are released in the brain. Finally, laughter has been said to medically reduce stress in the human body, improve the immune system, relieve pain and improve your mood. God knows everything about the human body. As you know, He created us and provided joy in His presence as a powerful weapon against the plans of the enemy. I believe the joy of the Lord has such power and strength that all five weapons of the enemy could be destroyed by the fullness of joy found only in His presence!
