In Matthew 13:28, the Master of the Vineyard answered: 'He said unto them, an enemy hath done this.' The servants asked if they should gather the tares. Many troubles stem from the enemy's schemes, which often involve altering a person's identity to achieve evil goals.
How the Enemy Changes Identity
- Spreading unverified rumors
- Fostering hatred against someone
- Promoting detrimental stories
- Using derogatory names
- Associating with wrong motives
- Destroying security and identity
- Taking away self-esteem
Note this and find peace: The enemy prevails when you are off guard, altering your spirituality, psyche, emotion, personality, or esteem without your consent. The wicked understand the power of identity. I declare every evil name attached to you silenced permanently. May God defend and vindicate you.
John 10:10 says the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Some approach with these intentions. Pray with me: 'Oh Lord, every evil personality around and within, ear-dropping to trap and ruin me, arise! Jesus, expose and destroy their evil plot. In Jesus Christ's name. Oh Lord, every personality seeking to destroy me, arise and disappoint them; frustrate their evil scheme, in Jesus' name.'
1 John 4:4 declares: 'Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.' The devil plots, steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10), but with Jesus Christ, victory is guaranteed.
How the Devil Sows Tares
- Bringing evil laws and decrees destructive to faith
- Insisting on obnoxious traditions without value
- Presenting evil views with fallacious truth
- Creating harmless-looking satanic decoys
- Using kings and leaders to label you rebellious
The devil aims to enslave souls and turn them into God's enemies. In Daniel 3:11, the devil's plot is scary, but Matthew 10:28 says: 'Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.'
Isaiah 43:2-11 assures: 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee... Fear not: for I am with thee... Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord... I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.'
The enemy is the accuser of the saints (Revelation 12:10). May God silence every evil accuser. In Daniel 3:8-16, accusations came against Daniel, but who can curse whom God has blessed? The enemy sometimes underestimates your God (Daniel 3:15-20). Beloved, fear not; you are not alone. The Lord is with you, for we have a high priest (Hebrews 10:19-23).
The Ven. Stephen Wolemonwu, Rector, The Ibru International Ecumenical Centre.
