Pingstkorren

The word translated “devices” here also means “thoughts” in the original text. So, it will also be proper to render it as “…for we are not ignorant of his THOUGHTS.” It is very clear that the primary way Satan influences lives, both then and now, is through thoughts and we must be careful not to entertain his suggestive thoughts, else, we would give him room to take advantage of us. You see, several folks in the Church today get into such critical conditions in which they keep entertaining one suggestive thought of the devil upon another until it becomes a stronghold in their minds. This is how many end up in depression, divorce, murder, suicide and many other terrible things. This has to do with the connection between thoughts, feelings and actions, and the enemy will take advantage of unguarded hearts and sweep through into the mind to plant corruption and build evil imaginations and strongholds. Thank God that we have the solution; it is constantly applying the Word of God into our hearts and minds; it is the washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:26). It is pulling down the antichrist strongholds in our thought-lives:

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 

We must learn to always resist the devil because one time prayer will get the devil behind us but not forever. Satan loves coming back! He is a raving opportunist who strikes at the slightest chance. That is why there is no amount of spiritual warfare that can take the devil out forever at once. Satan himself is not omnipresent (everywhere at all times) or omniscient (all knowing) but he has unclean spirits all around that transmits unclean thoughts and initiates several evil actions. When Jesus used the Word of God against satan in His temptation, satan left Him for a while; until he got another opportunity to come back:

 

LUKE 4:9-13 (The Message Bible)

For the third test the Devil took Him to Jerusalem and put Him on top of the Temple. He said, "If you are God's Son, jump. It’s written, isn't it, that 'He has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?" “Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'" That completed the testing. THE DEVIL RETREATED TEMPORARILY, LYING IN WAIT FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.

 

After the temptation, the next time that satan came to Jesus, he came in another form. Satan came to Him through Peter, His very close disciple. It was in this same disciple that God the Father had earlier come to Jesus in that same day to confirm His Sonship. If satan stops finding direct access into your own thought life, he may try to highjack someone else’s thought life and use them as channel to get back at you. So, you have to be careful what you tolerate and stomach from what people say. Satan can come to you in any body that yields to him no matter how close they may be to you but you will recognize him because he will speak against the Word of God or twist the Word to mislead you away from God’s will. You will know by the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is within you and by the Word of God (1 John 2:20).

PETER'S THOUGHT FROM GOD

MATHEW 16:16-17

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

PETER'S THOUGHT FROM THE DEVIL

MATHEW 16:21-23

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

At other times, the thoughts that come to you are not from God or the devil; they are just simply YOU. In Mathew 16:16-17 it was clear that the thoughts of Jesus as the Son of God that came into Peter’s  mind which he spoke were from God the Father. In the next few verses (21-23), the thoughts that came to Peter’s mind that Jesus should not suffer for the salvation of the humankind were from the devil and he spoke them like he did the other times. Jesus was discerning enough to know that it was satan taking opportunity in Peter to tempt Him again and He rebuked satan.

In the next chapter, (17) Jesus took peter James and John to the mountain to pray and He was transfigured before them. The Bible said that Moses and Elijah appeared and stood beside Jesus. This time around Peter also had another thought in his mind, it was that they should build three tabernacles or booths in that mountain; one for Jesus and the other two for Moses and Elijah. That thought sounds good but it was not from God or the devil, it was just from Peter. You may check it out in the Mathew account (Mathew 17) but we shall consider the Mark’s account and pay a closer attention to it because it has something very important to say which is the clue that Peter spoke from a thought that was just generated in his own brain, other-than from God or the devil.

PETER'S THOUGHT FROM PETER

MARK 9:2-6 (The Message Translation)

Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus. Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials--one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." HE BLURTED THIS OUT WITHOUT THINKING, STUNNED AS THEY ALL WERE BY WHAT THEY WERE SEEING.

 

MARK 9:5-6 (Young’s Literal Translation)

And Peter answering saith to Jesus, `Rabbi, it is good to us to be here; and we may make three booths, for thee one, and for Moses one, and for Elijah one:' FOR HE WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT HE MIGHT SAY, FOR THEY WERE GREATLY AFRAID.

Thoughts from God:

• Lines up with God's Word
• Lines up with God's nature
• Promotes God's interest
• Not selfish
• Not rebellious
• Not confusing
• Orderly
• Never contradicts God's plan and purpose for our lives
• Brings us peace
• The Holy Spirit bears witness in our heart that it's right.

( See Gal.5:22-23 for the spiritual fruit God's thought promotes )

Thoughts from the devil:

"Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men" (Mat.16:23)

• Contradicts the Word
• Manipulates the Word
• Brings confusion
• Disorganize your life
• Makes us restless within us
• Brings us fear and torment
• Contradicts God's plan for our live
• Divert the wheel of our lives from God
• Promotes selfish human interests
• Promotes the lust of the Flesh
• Promotes the lust of the eyes
• Promotes the pride of life

( See 1John 2:16 )

Thoughts from self:

• Often promotes selfish interests
• Often builds anxiety
• Often builds envy
• Often stirs discontentment
• Sometimes, just empty thoughts

( See Gal. 5:19-21 )

Spiritual Maturity

When we have learned to yield fully to God's love and walk closely within His Word, we will be able to discern the difference. We must learn to exercise our spiritual senses to differentiate between good and evil. When someone has walked so deeply in the light for so long, they can identify darkness in whatever forms it comes.Discernment isn't learning about the dark but walking in the light to the degree to which darkness can no longer disguise itself for us.

 

 "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use (constant practice) have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:13-14 NKJV).

Screen the Thoughts and Reports You Entertain:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

Notice the Scripture above gave no room for vain thoughts, evil speaking, backbiting, gossips, selfishness and so on. Just walk in love and think in love and you will never have problem screening your thoughts