FAITH CAPSULE: The heart of a man is a target for Satan’s strike.
Luke 22
The bible describes the heart, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that, they go to the dead.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3)
By the description of the heart in the Bible, the heart indeed is where the rise and fall of man begins.
What flows from the heart of a man is the testimony of a man.
The heart of a man will make or break a man.
The heart of a man is the target of the devil.
Judas spent time with Jesus but his heart demonstrated as a target for Satan’s act in his life. The Bible records, “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.” (Luke 22:3-4)
Satan went after the vulnerable heart of Judas and he was able to establish his plan to betray Jesus.
Invariably, faith will fail when the enemy attacks the heart.
Peter was close to Jesus but he was not the exception of becoming a victim of the devil.
Once Jesus said to Peter, “…Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
The heart of a man is a target for Satan’s strike.
Ananias and Sapphira were not forced to sell their possession but lied about the proceedings of their selling. Peter responds to the lying, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep part of the price of the land for yourself? (Acts 5:3)
A heart that is engaged by meditating the word of God is disengaged from negotiation with the devil.
Determination by a man, to keep focus from giving to Satan is not enough.
Why?
It was a determination that failed Peter in his attempt to deny Satan, not to deny Jesus.
Thank God that Jesus prayed for Peter because He knew that determination is not enough against the devices of Satan.
It is a wise thing to join King David in praying as Psalm 51:10 records, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
What is the state of your heart?
Meditate the word and keep your heart from the agenda of Satan.
God answers prayer.
Prayer for today: Ask from God to enable you to constantly against Satan’s devices in your heart.