SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:1-6
“Then Satan entered Judas…”
Satan did not force his way in, Judas finally surrendered to his subtle, sinister whispers.
Judas had long been struggling with doubts, and Satan was feeding them with lies.
This is how demons work, they enter our mind as thoughts that appear to be our own.
‘You’re no good, this is not real, there’s greener grass on the other side, you’d be happier if, don’t listen to him, you deserve to have that, everyone else is doing it, you won’t get caught!’
Subtle and sinister, and Judas has not fought them, but entertained them.
And Judas surrenders to the lies, and goes for the bait – quick and easy money for Jesus.
Of course the religious leaders were delighted – they had surrendered to the lies long ago.
What are the subtle, sinister lies that I am entertaining, that I am opening myself up to?
Where is Satan getting a foothold in my life, and turning it into a stronghold.
Fight the lies, refuse them boldly with the truth, listen to the Voice of Jesus in you!
‘You were made for more than this, there are no shortcuts, I am the way to hope and happiness, that thing is not worth it, you will regret it, listen to me and you will be find joy, obey me and life will turn out better, trust me and I will not let you down!’
Whose words are you listening to, who am I opening myself up to?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Judas was even with You in person, and still gave up on You. Help me to pay attention to the voices in my head, and to reject the lies of the enemy.
Observation/Application
Where is my allegiance?
Satan’s schemes are devious and still at work today. As in the garden, so too with the disciples, the enemy within is a great source of destruction. Satan still works that way within the kingdom and the its ministries. That method is powerful and many reject the Way because of it. Whose voice am I listening to?
Christ has said, this is the Way. Walk in it. I need to renew my efforts each day and ‘dress’ myself with the amour of God so that I may produce the fruit of the Spirit always.
Lord, help me this day to walk in Your SonShine in the narrow way.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.