Bible Reading: Zechariah 1; 2; 3; 4, Revelation 18.
Memory Verse: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” Zechariah 3:1 (KJV)
Satan is the accuser of brethren and he is a double dealer. He encourages you to do evil and thereafter he will stand by you to give evidence against you that you did what he is accusing you of. So whenever a man commits sin, Satan takes note and is ready to accuse the person in the presence of God Almighty. The bible says he accuses brethren day and night! ( Revelation 12:10).
This is why we need to study the word of God regularly. John 17:17 (KJV) says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” When you read the word of God regularly, you get used to it and you begin to see everything through the glass of the word. Even your speech and actions begin to reflect the word of God because your behaviour will through this be cleansed. No wonder Ephesians 5:26 (KJV) asserts, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” This is why the bible itself enjoins Christians in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It is also important that as you study the word, you choose some verses of the bible for memorization and meditation so that you get more understanding of the truth as embedded in the scripture. When you do this regularly such that it becomes part of you, the devil will not be able to misdirect you because whenever he suggests anything unrighteous to your heart, the word of God that has filled you will remind you of the path of God and you will be able to resist its subtle plans.
However, you should note that the devil can only be resisted by the power of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. This can only be done by one who has given his life to Christ as Christ is always acting as the solicitor and advocate of his followers. Thus, the bible says in Zechariah 3:1 (KJV), “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” The Lord Jesus came to his rescue as shown in the next verse: Zechariah 3:2 (KJV), “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”
The Lord Jesus has since taught us the weapon to overcome Satan. This is stated in Revelation 12:11 (KJV), “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” When you are born again, you are cleansed by the blood of the lamb and when you are sanctified by the word of God which you study, memorise and meditate upon, your testimonies will be filled with the word of God and you will easily use these weapons to conquer the greatest enemy of man!
Action point: Study a minimum of one chapter of the bible everyday.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero