[ 2015-11-20 ]

Many Christians Are Too Focused On The Devil – Pentecost Pastor
Christians have been told to stop attributing all
life challenges they face to the devil, but rather
rely on the sovereignty of God, knowing that God
is in total control of their lives.

“For us Christians, the sovereignty of God
should make us rest, knowing that God is in total
control of our lives. Even when it hurts, He works
it out for our good (Romans 8:28),” said Pastor
Samuel Gakpetor, the Walewale Area Head of The
Church of Pentecost (COP), when delivering a paper
on day three of the on-going Heads’ Meeting of
the leadership of the COP at the Pentecost
Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh, near
Kasoa on Thursday, 19 November 2015.

The five-day meeting which started on Tuesday,
November 17, 2015, is being attended by about 300
participants from all the 91 countries where the
COP has branches. The participants include
apostles, prophets, evangelists, national heads,
area heads, directors of ministries under the
Church, leaderships from the Church’s autonomous
countries, among others. The annual meeting is
specifically organised for the leadership of the
COP to strategise for the coming year through
fasting, prayer and the sharing of the word of
God.

Speaking on the topic, “The Christian’s
Response In The World Of Different Voices” with
scripture references from 1 Samuel 3:9-10; Job 1-2
and John 10:1-5 in line with the broad theme of
the COP for 2016, “Hearing and Obeying the
Lord’s Voice in my Generation”-1 Samuel
3:9-10, Pastor Gakpetor asserted that unless God
permits it, Satan cannot touch the Christian.

“Another voice that is speaking loudly today is
that which seeks to assert that Satan is
all-powerful. Indeed, once we attribute almost all
issues to Satan, we have made him all-powerful
already. But the Bible is clear that ‘the Lord
He is God, the one true God, with overall
supremacy over all spiritual powers’
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Deuteronomy 33:2-3; 1 Kings
18:39; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 38:7; Psalm 89: 5-8;
Psalm 148:2; Ephesians 4:4-6).

“An understanding of the sovereignty of God will
correct this error. The sovereignty of God is the
biblical teaching that all things are under God's
rule and control, and that nothing happens without
His direction or permission. In the Bible, God has
overall supremacy over all spiritual powers and
Satan is simply one of the spirits under God’s
authority (Job 1:6-7). These spirits, whether good
or evil, remain under God’s sovereignty,” he
stated.

He therefore stated that “the focus of believers
on Satan is misguided and not necessary.” In the
case of Job who went through so many trials, he
said, God permitted the suffering to proof to
Satan that His servants believe Him not because of
what they get but worship Him because they love
Him.

Pastor Gakpetor through this powerful presentation
revealed three possible sources of suffering,
namely Nature, Satan and God.

“Satan’s loudest voice is heard during the
vulnerability of men including times of suffering.
During those periods, he throws a lot of doubts in
the heart of believers. In moments of tragedy and
pain, Christians have asked “why did God create
man if He knew he would suffer”? Why does God
allow evil if He is a good God? If he cares, why
doesn’t he do something?

“Unfortunately in our part of the world, all
kinds of calamities and sufferings are attributed
to the works of sorcery, witches and the Devil.
This has led to the situation where many
Christians have become so focused on the Devil
that sometimes when prayer meetings are not
focused on dealing with the enemy, attendance is
low. Sadly, some ministers have taken advantage of
the situation to exploit church members. This is
not right,” he indicated.

He therefore stated the need for Christians to
understand the purpose and sources of suffering so
that when they come, they will not listen to the
wrong voice.

Source - Peacefmonline

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