How to overcome fear: 17+ bible verses when you are in fear
Fear is one of the most common battles believers face. Whether it comes through sickness, lack, uncertainty, or troubling circumstances, fear attempts to steal our peace and confidence in God. But the Word of God makes it clear: fear is a spirit, and it does not come from God. In this article, we will explore what fear truly is, the main causes of fear, and biblical ways to overcome it. You will also find 17 powerful Bible verses you can use to defeat fear in every area of your life. What Is Fear According to the Bible? 2 Timothy 1:7 shows us three things: Fear is a spirit. Fear does not come from God. God has already given us power, love, and a sound mind as the antidote. Fear often begins as doubt—doubting God’s Word, doubting His protection, or doubting His love. Many times it doesn’t appear as fear at first. It may show up as a “logical decision” that contradicts God’s Word, or a thought that challenges your faith. If left unchallenged, it grows and steals peace. Reasons People Experience Fear 1. Lack of Knowledge “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” — Hosea 4:6 (KJV) Not knowing who you are in Christ, what God has given you, or what God has promised you opens the door to fear. Many believers fear because they do not know the nature of God, the authority they carry, or the promises available to them. All of this knowledge is found in the Word of God. 2. Lack of Focus Fear grows when we entertain thoughts that oppose God’s promises. The enemy whispers confusion, discouragement, and lies. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7 (KJV) When you focus on God’s Word, fear loses its grip. When you focus on the enemy’s suggestions, fear multiplies. 3. Sin “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV) A lifestyle of sin brings guilt, shame, and fear. But Jesus came to deliver us from bondage: “…that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”— Hebrews 2:14–15 (KJV) Living a surrendered life produces confidence—not fear. How to Overcome Fear Biblically 1. Live According to the Word of God Fear is often based on a false perception. When we rely on human logic instead of God’s truth, fear grows. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), and the Word renews our mind so we can think like God and resist fear. You overcome fear by reading, meditating on, and applying the Word daily. 2. Recognize the Sovereignty of God God is not controlling everything that happens, but He is all-powerful. When you trust His plan, fear loses control. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” — Romans 8:28 (KJV)“…for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” — Philippians 2:13 (KJV)“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” — Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) Trusting God produces peace, not fear. 3. Live a Life of Love “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…” — 1 John 4:18 (KJV) Fear cannot remain where God’s love is active. When you receive God’s love and walk in love toward others, fear loses its power. 4. Resist the Devil Fear is one of Satan’s main strategies. You overcome fear by resisting his lies and standing firm on God’s truth. 17 Powerful Bible Verses to Overcome Fear Fear of the Future Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Isaiah 55:8–9 (KJV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Psalm 23:4 (KJV) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Psalm 84:11 (KJV) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Isaiah 43:2 (KJV) “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Fear of People or Rejection Psalm 27:1 (KJV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Psalm 56:3–4 (KJV) “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world…” Isaiah 43:1 (KJV) “…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Fear of Death Psalm 46:1 (KJV) “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
40 Powerful Prayer Declarations for Fertility
None shall lose her young by miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:26 AMPC.
Redeemed from the curse of the law
Here is the good news, in this dispensation under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus, obedience to the law does not mean anything to God (Galatians 5:6). We have been redeemed from the curse of the law.
Hannah’s Story- A testament of trust in God
The story of Hannah and Penninah offers profound insight into the competition that often arises between women. This theme is not unique to their story—we see it echoed in the relationships between Leah and Rachel, Sarah and Hagar. It reflects a long comparison history among women, rooted in the human desire to prove oneself superior. It’s a battle of identity and worth, often driven by the need to feel better than the other. One remarkable characteristic of Hannah that stands out is her ability to take her burdens directly to God. She ran to the throne of grace before she ran to anyone else. She was deeply grieved—a level of anguish so profound that the priest, Eli, accused her of being drunk. Her sorrow was raw and overwhelming. Meanwhile, her rival, Penninah, taunted her cruelly, rubbing salt in her wounds and constantly reminding her that God had not given her children. Many women can relate to this kind of pain: crying out to God for that one thing their heart desires, pouring out tears until there are none left. Hannah’s devotion is inspiring. Despite her heartbreak and the limitations placed on her—her womb being closed by the Lord—she remained steadfast in her faith. Imagine a woman so faithful and committed to God, yet unable to fulfill what was seen as a fundamental role of women: childbirth. She was provoked to the point of despair, grieving so deeply that her demeanor was altered. Have you ever desired something so desperately from God that it changed your posture? When the usual way of approaching God no longer feels sufficient? That was Hannah. She was so consumed by her pain that Eli mistook her heartfelt prayers for drunkenness and rebuked her, urging her to get herself together and leave the temple. Year after year, she remained devoted, pouring her heart out to God, but still, no child came. How do you stay steadfast in your faith when you’re doing everything God asks of you, yet remain without the one thing your heart longs for? When God finally answered Hannah’s prayer, she didn’t cling selfishly to the blessing out of fear or insecurity. She honored her vow to God. She had promised that if God blessed her with a child, she would dedicate him back to the Lord—and she did. Hannah gave her son Samuel to God’s service and was later blessed with five more children: three sons and two daughters. Hannah’s story is a testament to trust. She was discouraged, filled with deep anguish and sorrow. But once Eli spoke a word of blessing over her, everything changed. She trusted that God had heard her prayer. Her sorrow lifted, and she went to eat, no longer sad. In just moments, she moved from being downtrodden and discouraged to being covered by the peace of God. Unlike the Shunammite woman, whose womb was opened through honor, Hannah’s womb was opened through unwavering trust in God. Deliberate Action: Go to God FIRST.Hannah’s example reminds us of God’s promise: Whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe we have received it, it will be ours. Her story is a beautiful reminder of faith, trust, and the peace that comes from surrendering our desires to God.
Can a Christian be gay?
Some years back, I was watching a video online about a man who previously lived a homosexual lifestyle. And how he found God and got saved. At that moment I felt the love of God well up in me as he shared his story. Indeed God`s grace is available to all. After this, I decided to go through the comments only to be met by some heartbreaking statements like, ‘you can be both, gay and Christian’. I was stunned at how the devil has deceived many to think that this statement is true and realized how it spoke volumes to the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:4: ‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.’ Remember, the enemy’s purpose is to taint God’s plan, and purpose for human beings. 2 Corinth 4:4 lets us know how he blinds the minds of unbelievers so they can stay where they are, with this skewed view of themselves, people around them, the world and God. Although it’s sad to comprehend the gravity of the deception of people who are dead set on this lifestyle, it’s a reminder to believers of our mission here on this earth. It challenges us to minister love and bring our brothers and sisters to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. In this post, I would like to address this notion from a different perspective. Most of us are broken, and our response to that brokenness differs. Some broken people abuse others, others will control, while others break down or become anxious or easily stressed, and others simply believe otherwise about their identity. Homosexuality is a coping mechanism that the devil uses just like drugs or alcohol or any other addiction. It introduces the enemy and demonic spirits that take control of your life and gives the enemy legal access. Having studied a number of people who no longer identify as LGBTQ, I have come to realize that this identity is as a result of trauma. Most of these individuals have experienced some level of trauma that has caused them to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Whilst we usually think of obvious trauma such as abuse, violence, loss of a loved one, what we do not realize is trauma can also come from other sources such as bullying, being reprimanded by a parent, and an overly strict upbringing or even severe illness. Our perspective of self can change because of that trauma. Even the not-so-obvious traumas as well. So what you will discover is as a coping mechanism our minds adopt an identity that looks safe. Because of the nature of trauma, the effects differ from person to person. So people take the relief route that the enemy introduces that has nothing to do with God. If one is not founded on the truth of God’s word, there is a tendency to explore other avenues that seem to make more sense. The enemy introduces an unnatural affinity that reshapes our identity. This is not new. The devil is not creative but deceptive. We see in the bible where people’s identity became what they experienced or did in their past 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. If there is no God and His Word, people will turn to the alternative. The counterfeit of love, stress relief, comfort, joy, and peace. The alternatives of the fruit of the spirit. Here is where it gets worse. Any form of relief outside of God’s word gives the enemy access and authority in our lives. This then introduces demonic spirits that possess and oppress an individual causing all sorts of problems in their lives. So those wounds become open doors that give the enemy access to build warped belief systems about yourself, others, the world, and God. Who is a Christian? The word Christian comes from the English translation of the greek word Christos meaning ‘the anointed one’. It is given toany who has surrendered their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And surrender means living by His standards clearly stated in His Word! What does being gay and Christian really mean? Now that we know what being a Christian means, what does being gay and Christian really mean? That’s a question we all want answers to. An attack on identity, relationship with God, and authority is an obvious trick of the devil that he even used on Jesus. It’s not new. He knows if he plants thoughts about your identity it will move you away from God and strip you of the authority you have as an heir in the Kingdom of God. See how the enemy tried to get to Jesus’ purpose through his identity. You might say that LGBTQ+ is a sexual orientation, not an identity issue. However, anything that supersedes the words I AM describing how you perceive self is an identity of sorts. Identity cannot be separated from the spiritual because of its association with God or the enemy. The root of identity is spiritual. Salvation, and redemption are all spiritual miracles. This explains how there is still a void even with the assurance of your identity being true. Unless your identity is in Christ the bible says we shall always thirst and hunger for more. Jesus Christ is the bread that fills us up and the living water that quenches our thirst, whatever that may be. What does the bible say about homosexuality? In as much as many people have mentioned how silent the bible is on homosexuality, tha is completely untrue. The bible is very clear in this. First the most profoud statement God gives in support to this is He created them male and female Genesis 5:2. There is no further evidence of any other gender being created, nor is there example of someone you transitioned. ‘“If a man practices
40 prayer declarations for health and healing
Many people who were in pain and suffering with every kind of illness were brought to Jesus for their healing—epileptics, paralytics, and those tormented by demonic powers were all set free. Everyone who was brought to Jesus was healed! Matthew 4:24 TPT Healing is a part of the blessing of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus. And this is echoed in our theme scripture. As we see in Matthew 4, it did not matter what sickness someone had, ALL WHO CAME TO JESUS WERE HEALED, powerful! This is true for you today as you make these prayer declarations of health and healing, remember the finished work of Jesus at Calvary. These declarations, grounded in Scripture, can be a powerful part of your daily prayer as you await the manifestation of your healing. 1. Declaration: I declare that by the stripes of Jesus, I am healed. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV) 2. Declaration: I declare that the Lord restores my health and heals my wounds. “‘For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 30:17, NKJV) 3. Declaration: I declare that the Lord is my healer and He removes sickness from me. “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” (Exodus 23:25, NKJV) 4. Declaration: I declare that my soul prospers and I am in good health. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2, NKJV) 5. Declaration: I declare that the prayer of faith will save me and the Lord will raise me up. All my sins are forgiven. “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:15, NKJV) 6. Declaration: I declare that the Lord has healed all my diseases. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” (Psalm 103:2-3, NKJV) 7. Declaration: I declare that Jesus has given me authority over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt me. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19, NKJV) [noptin form=12552] 8. Declaration: I declare that God’s Word is life and health to my whole body. “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22, NKJV) 9. Declaration: I declare that the Lord strengthens me and helps me. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NKJV) 10. Declaration: I declare that I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. “I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17, NKJV) 11. Declaration: I declare that God’s power is at work in me, bringing healing and restoration. “And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” (Luke 5:17, NKJV) 12. Declaration: I declare that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me and gives life to my mortal body. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11, NKJV) 13. Declaration: I declare that God sent His Word and healed me, delivering me from destruction. “He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20, NKJV) 14. Declaration: I declare that I am healed and made whole in Jesus’ name. “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’” (Luke 8:48, NKJV) 15. Declaration: I declare that the Lord will sustain me on my sickbed and restore me from my bed of illness. “The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.” (Psalm 41:3, NKJV) 16. Declaration: I declare that God’s Word is healing to my flesh and strength to my bones. “It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:8, NKJV) 17. Declaration: I declare that the Lord is my refuge and fortress, and I trust in Him for my healing. “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” (Psalm 91:2, NKJV) 18. Declaration: I declare that the Lord will give me a long and healthy life. “With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:16, NKJV) 19. Declaration: I declare that Jesus bore my sicknesses and carried my pains. “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV) 20. Declaration: I declare that healing is my portion, for Jesus healed all who came to Him. “And He healed them all.” (Matthew 12:15b, NKJV) 21. Declaration: I declare that God will strengthen my heart and my body as I wait on Him. “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14, NKJV) 22.
The Biblical financial principles that are hidden in Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
The Word of God is filled with wisdom guiding us on the various aspects of life, which include finances. One thing is for sure, you can never be wealthy off a paycheck alone. This is why God gives us these amazing kingdom principles from the book of Ecclesiastes, that can help individuals achieve prosperity. In this post, we will explore these financial principles in the bible that are hidden in Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. Biblical financial principles for wealth and abundanceFinancial Principle 1: SavingFinancial Principle 2: InvestingFinancial Principle 3: UpskillingFinancial Principle 4: Leaving a legacyFinancial Principle 5: Taking risksFinancial Principle 6: Trusting in GodFinancial Principle 7: Working hard Financial Principle 1: Saving ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:1. This bible verse teaches us the power of saving. Whilst bread is made for eating, similarly with money, sometimes sacrifices can be made to store it up for it to be available for later use. In this century, with many people in some developed countries plagued with debt, this may seem like an insourmantble endevour. However, getting into debt is slavery, as the bible says in Proverbs 22:7. Financial Principle 2: Investing ‘Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:2. The economies of this world are unpredictable. However, it is wise to invest in multiple sources of income so that you have a fallback in times of crisis. Yes, having multiple sources of income is a biblical principle of wealth, not just a trend. When we understand and apply our God-given gifts in the areas of finances, we are setting ourselves up for wealth and abundance as the bible explains in Proverbs 18.21 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. Take the parable of the talents for example. Their master went on a journey and entrusts his property to his servants. He gives five talents to one servant, two talents to another, and one talent to a third, each according to their ability. Upon the master’s return, the servants who received five and two talents have doubled their amounts through trading and are rewarded. The servant who received one talent, however, buried it out of fear and returned only what he was given. The master rebukes this servant for his laziness and takes away the one talent, giving it to the servant who has ten. This is the same expectation that God has for us even with our gifts. There was a reward for each of those who invested and got double for their investment. A great place to start is undersatnding time-tested biblical principles of investing. Financial Principle 3: Upskilling ‘If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth’ Ecclesiastes 11:3a. Seek to become a person of value in whatever pursuit you endeavor in. That way when you offer that value and solutions to people`s problems, your income will increase. Many unbelievers understand this. When you strive for mastery in an area of passion and gifting, the value you have built is sought after, and highly priced. Financial Principle 4: Leaving a legacy ‘And if the tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:3b Wealth acquired through get-rich schemes will soon fade. Instead, a man who seeks to leave a legacy living out god’s purpose for His life will prosper. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” as stated in Proverbs 13:22. This verse emphasizes the virtue of providing and planning for future generations, ensuring that one’s legacy benefits not just their immediate offspring but also generations to come. With this instruction in mind, one can start to build systems and business that are bigger themselves. Implementing God sized ideas, that are backed up by the Holy Spirit. Financial Principle 5: Taking risks ‘He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:4 This is a very interesting financial principle that very few people really action on. As you may have observed, no man ever made substantial progress or great exploits by staying in their comfort zone. If you want to make great strides in life, you have to take risks. Every great man I have known that ever lived has taken a risk, one way or the other. Financial Principle 6: Trusting in God ‘As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:5 This verse highlights the mystery and incomprehensibility of God’s works and the natural processes He orchestrates, emphasizing human limitations in understanding the intricacies of life. Whilst this is a rare but simple principle, that many do not seem to understand, trusting God in your financial decisions can make or break you. At the core of trusting God is an understanding of the limitations of man. The Bible tells us to ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. Our own understanding can be skewed, corrupt, and lead to death Proverbs 14:12. Financial Principle 7: Working hard ‘In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. ‘ Ecclesiastes 11:6 Whilst this verse encourages continuous effort and productivity throughout the day, it is also very symbolic. The terms “morning” and “evening” symbolize different times and opportunities in life, suggesting that one should take advantage of every moment to work towards their God-given vision. Again, verse 6 highlights the uncertainty of outcomes and seasons and acknowledges how unpredictable the outcome of
14 bible verses about finances (that can help triple your income)
If God did not want his children to succeed, prosper or be wealthy, why would He give men bible verses about finances, money, and prosperity in His word? Many believers try and shy away from issues to do with money, with their reasoning based on 1 Timothy 6:10. Just like most scripture has been misinterpreted, this verse talks about the ‘love’ of money, and not money itself as the root of all evil. The Bible tells us that the children of this world are wiser Luke 16:8. How come this is so when having Jesus Christ on your side is the greatest advantage known to men? This is because they understand biblical laws and systems and apply them better than the children of light. This is why many in the world prosper, yet people in the church and believers struggle. Laws are not exempt from whom they can benefit. If they are applied correctly, anyone can benefit from them. The Bible contains many teachings about money and finances. From the principles of stewardship and generosity to the dangers of greed and materialism, the Bible offers a wealth of guidance for those seeking to manage their finances wisely. In this post, we will explore 11 Bible verses about finances that can help you triple your income. There are key elements that account for financial breakthroughs and success that the world teaches but have been adopted from the bible. Bible verses about finances when understood and actioned on can bring great success for believers. Here are some bible verses about finances and money that you too can start applying today. Bible verses about finances and moneyHonor the Lord with your wealthBring the full tithe into the storehouseWealth gained hastily will dwindleThe borrower is slave to the lenderA faithful man will abound with blessingsTrust in the Lord with all your heartFor the love of money is a root of all kinds of evilsGive, and it will be given to youWhoever brings blessing will be enrichedHe who loves money will not be satisfied with moneyMy God will supply every need of yoursBe fruitful, and multiplyA man’s gift makes room for himMind your own business and work with your hands Honor the Lord with your wealth In Proverbs 3:9-10, we read, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” This verse teaches us that we should give the first and best of what we have to God. When we honor God with our finances, He blesses us with even more. This verse has been misconstrued making people believe God wants to leave one broke. That is clearly not the case. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Tithing is a powerful way to honor God with our finances and to trust in His provision. When we give generously, God promises to bless us in return. Tithing has more to do with obedience rather than money itself. There are many debates about whether a Christian should tithe as there isn’t much mention of tithing in the New Testament. However, the Bible does tell us that God has exalted His word above His name, and tithing is the security our money needs that no economic crash can destroy. Wealth gained hastily will dwindle Proverbs 13:11 tells us, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” With more and more get-rich-quick schemes and more content on how to make money online fast, it is a great temptation to want to ride the wave. True wealth is built over time through diligence and hard work. If we try to get rich quick, we are likely to lose what we have gained just as quickly. Wealth is built off biblical principles, and those who understand those principles are able to rebuild their wealth even after losing it. The borrower is slave to the lender Proverbs 22:7 warns us, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 reminds us of the dangers of debt. Debt will enslave you. Good debt is Satan’s way of encouraging you to borrow. If you want to be prosperous God’s way, you do things God’s way, and that is living a debt free life. When we owe money to others, we are no longer in control of our finances. Instead, we become slaves to our lenders. This verse echoes the scripture in Romans which says ‘Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. ‘ Romans 13:8 This is what is expected of believers. A faithful man will abound with blessings Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” This verse reminds us that we should be patient and faithful in our financial pursuits. When we seek wealth at any cost, we are likely to experience negative consequences. Everything we do has consequences. It is important that we understand that becoming wealthy is not just a result of witty ideas and hard work. Relationships, and faithful stewardship of what we have helps grow our wealth Trust in the Lord with all your heart Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” We are reminded here to trust in God’s wisdom and guidance when it comes to our finances. When we acknowledge God in all our ways, He directs
The enemy’s strategy in spiritual warfare: 3 top things you need to know
“The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, kill and destroy.” John 10:10 (ASV) In this narrative Jesus teaches us the predictability of the enemy. He illustrates how the enemy is like a thief and what his intentions are (to steal, kill and destroy). Having knowledge and understanding about the enemy’s strategy, helps prepare us for battle. A lack of this wisdom can lead one to death on the battlefront. Spiritual warfare is made up of two fighting positions, the offense and defense. What Paul describes to the church in Ephesus when he talks about the whole amour of God, is all used in defense except for one, which is the word of God. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon we can use to counter the enemy’s strategy as illustrated by Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. 2 Corinthians 10:4 states that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, by mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. This means none of our fights are physical. Another version says, “Our tools (weapons) are to demolish the massively corrupt culture, for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God and fitting every loose thought and emotions and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” Culture, philosophies, barriers and thoughts are intangible, and although they can be seen or expressed, they are in their very nature spiritual. Here are four predictable strategies you need to know always: The enemy’s strategy is to silence you The enemy is out to shift your focus to self The enemy will always offer the opposite of what God has already done or give The enemy will do everything in his power to isolate you during spiritual warfare Enemy’s strategy number 1: To silence you “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 MSG One once said, you cannot fight a devil you do not know. The enemy is very predictable, and his mandate is to steal, kill and destroy. He can do either of the two, lead you to speak works that kill or stop you from speaking words of life. His goal is for you to profess what is contrary to Go’s word about your life. Never allow the enemy to silence you. The greatest weapon of our warfare is the sword of the Holy Ghost- the Word of God. It is His words that are life (John 6:63), not ours! However, the outcome is in our hands, or should I say hearts. We make the decision. Learn to pray and speak His Word. Enemy’s strategy number 2: To shift your focus from we to me “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”” Matthew 20:26-28 AMP Ever noticed how every sin listed in the bible centers around ‘me’. Greed, gluttony, envy, pride, lust, sloth, sexual immorality and wrath. It’s all about ‘me’. The devil knows that too and therefore he will creep in so that we shift the focus to ‘me’. Notice how even when you fight with someone you love, you always try to have your way? Even the fighting is centered on self. But Jesus says, for you to win the argument, be first and be great, you should serve first. When you find yourself concerned about just you, know that the enemy is starting to move in on your family and relationships. Don’t let him leverage on your vulnerabilities. Choose to forgive even when it’s hard to, choose to love the unlovable and choose to extend the same measure of grace that Jesus Christ has showed you. Jesus himself exemplified that and exhorts us to imitate him. It was because of His service that we were set free from sin. Selflessness has power over sin. Choose ‘we’ over ‘me’. Enemy’s strategy number 3: He deceives Here is what you have to know about the enemy you are fighting, he is a deceiver. He doesn’t come up with anything new. He takes what’s existing and alters it. The enemy is very predictable so take note of his devices and how he operates. Jesus here tells us that he(the devil) is the father of lies. He is the best at lying and give birth to lies. Everything about him is a mirage of what God has already given us.“You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father’s desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies.” John 8:44 GNB Enemy’s strategy number 4: To ISOLATE you Be careful when you do not ‘feel’ like being in the presence of other believers or going to church. I’m not talking about a season where God may be shifting you, or where God may be pulling you out of the crowd for His work. I’m talking about feelings. Here is the thing, our souls are made up of our mind, will and emotions. And being born again our souls are not changed, but we are admonished to deliberately and continuously renew our minds [with the Word of God] so that we may know His will. Take control of your emotions. Because once your emotions control you, the enemy will plant thoughts that discredit Gods ability and character. When you are in a state of vulnerability, with your back against wall, it’s imperative to seek help.
Idol worship in the 21st century: Alarming facts every believer needs to know
A modern day idol is not a graven image. The danger of these is that, if you are not conscious of this fact, you may be drawn into idolatry without knowing it. Idols mimic what God offers without fully satisfying and the church is not spared in this nature of worship.
