26 OCTOBER 2014
Ministry of the Word(MOW):True Spirituality(TS)Improving our Spiritual Understanding.Theme: Resisting the Devil.Memory Verse:Resist the devil, and he will flee from you ( James 4:7).BelovedDraw near to God, and He will draw near to you. When you are closed to God in Christ, it becomes easier for you to resist the devil. Every true believer should first and foremost submit himself or herself unto God in order to get the strength to resist the devil.Who is the devil? Based on my understanding of the word of God, the devil is a spirit. The devil represents everything contrary to the word of God and is the origin of all evil. The devil is primarily destructive and has many evil spirits operating with him. Evil spirits are the architects of man’s problems, including diseases , sicknesses, fear, bondage, ignorance etc. It is easy for a person to be evil without being fully aware. Evil often start at the level of our thoughts and beliefs, before actions. Prophet Isaiah says:“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts”.( Isaiah 55:7a).Thus, evil often begins at the level of our thoughts. Our attitudes, behaviours and actions are often external expression of our thoughts and beliefs. Jesus in His teachings says: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt 15:19). Jesus has also enabled us to understand that the words we speak are a reflection of our thoughts and hearts:“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt 12:34).Apostle Paul admonishes us: “Recompense to no man evil for evil”( Romans 12:17). He also warns us: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). No wonder our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ summarises it very profoundly: “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt 5:39). Please, be honest, how easy is it for a true believer in Christ to obey this? “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).Please, note here that the word of God is directing us to resist the devil (James 4:7), but not to resist evil (Matt 5:39). Resist the cause (evil spirits) but not the effect (harm). This calls for increasing spiritual understanding. It may appear contradictory to the undiscerning mind.The Bible tells us that Jesus, the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil:“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil ” (1 John 3:8). Sin is disobedience to the word of God. Sin automatically separates us from God ( Isaiah 59:1-2). Sin makes it impossible for us to resist the devil. You need to put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18)According to Apostle Paul, we are to: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” ( 1Thess 5:22). Even in the secular law, we are told that ignorance is not an excuse or good defence. But can you imagine the level of spiritual ignorance existing within the body of Christ (the church)? You may say you have no evil, but how TRANSPARENT is your heart? Be sincere enough to examine your heart and get rid of any anger, bitterness, resentment, gossip, hatred, unforgiveness, deceit , seduction, manipulation etc.Never forget that ignorance, fear, doubt, anxiety, bondage, insincerity, coldness etc are linked to evil.Daily pray for the grace to close the door of your heart against bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, fear, miserliness, coldness, laziness, spiritual ignorance etc.“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” ( Matt 5:48).To grow spiritually increasingly requires daily meditation in the word of God.Prayer: For the reader of this message, receive the grace to RESIST the devil in Jesus mighty name. Amen.Yours in the Vineyard of Jesus Christ. Bro Ben Bassey, Iyobosa, & the MOW family.Spiritual Counselling Helpline:+447404624293. Dr Ben Bassey is a psychiatrist & a spiritual health counsellor, who ministers to people regularly through the MOW, the spiritual arm of AHF.To further enrich yourself with spiritual materials and health information, please visit: www.ministryoftheword.org; In the Ministry Of the Word (MOW)-Acts 6:4, we primarily encourage and empower believers to be rich in the words of God: “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col 3:16). The entrance of the WORD is the true source of LIGHT in a dark world(Ps 119:130). We also encourage believers to speak to one another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs(Eph 5:19). We encourage everyone to “seek first the kingdom of God his righteousness”..Matt 6:33). We stress that: Righteousness exalts a person (Prov 14:34). We emphasize that pure Christianity is about True Spirituality in Christ Jesus. It is total obedience to the word of God in Christ Jesus. We emphasize that the POWER in the blood of Jesus has set us FREE from all forms of bondage, ignorance, disease and that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor 3:17). Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John 1:1; Rev 19:13). We emphasise that Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). The words of God are spirit & are Life(John 6:63). We allow the Scriptures to answer all questions. We avoid the dilution, misinterpretation or deliberate corruption of the words of God. We condemn the use of the words of God out of selfish interest to make money. We create the awareness that Jesus has made all true believers kings and priests unto God and his Father(Rev 1:6). In addition, aside from soul winning, as a spiritual body, we also empower unbelievers with knowledge using the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ with the understanding that when they witness the power of the living God, they will be compelled to believe and exalt His holy name (Psalm 46:10).One major objective of MOW is to increasingly improve everyone’s spiritual understanding! Spiritual ignorance is a major cause of human destruction(Hosea 4:6). Indeed, many children of God have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge (Isa 5:13). Also, “through knowledge shall the just be delivered” (Prov 11:9). We are established by the righteousness in the word of God (Isa 54:14).Please note that the MOW is an initiative and the spiritual arm of Abasi Health Foundation (AHF). AHF is a registered NGO in Nigeria , with the primary objective of empowering all groups of people to optimize their health. It is aimed at encouraging everyone to have increasing awareness of three broad levels of health: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. May God give you the grace of increasing understanding in Jesus Name. Amen. Websites: http//www.ministryoftheword.org; http//www. abasihealthfoundation.org All scriptures are taken from KJV, unless if otherwise specified. Please, indicate if you would like your Email removed from the spirituality group list.Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8).