The value of your soul--the richest part of your body!

Your soul is the most important asset you have in this life! Since, many times we cannot see what goes on in the supernatural realm, as a result of that we tend to underestimate the value of the soul.
The soul of a man is so important to God and to the devil such that, the enemy of our souls (the devil) wages war day in and out for the soul.
The devil is not after your belongings. He does not care about your university degree! The devil is not after your house! He is only using that property as a bait for something bigger! That is your soul! The devil does not care about what you drive! He is only using the car to seduce your soul. He knew that once he can get your soul, that car is no longer yours to drive! The day he has access into your soul, all is over from that day on! This is why you are facing many attacks on your life! The day you understand the reason for these plethora attacks that is when your victory comes. The night is never too dark. The rain never falls too hard. But the fight is over your soul.
The devil wanted to sift Peter despite all his ranks and file within the twelve disciples of Jesus. Despite, his theological stance, his wealth of understanding and strong loyalty to Christ. The devil almost had Peter!Thank God for the prayer of Jesus!
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32)
Some people don't understand that the devil prays! And one of the prayer requests of Satan is for sifting people away, and separating them from God!

The value of the soul
"Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life."(Job 2:4).
This scripture gives us a window into the level where the soul is held in high esteem by Satan; such that he is bent on fighting tooth and nail to get as many souls as he can get!
Sadly, some people have sold their own souls to the devil.
"Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:37).
The soul of a man is so important to God that scripture says that there is joy in heaven over one soul that repents."I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."( Luke 15:7).
The writer of Psalm 124 expatiate on the war over the soul when he likened the soul of a man to the man himself:
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side,”
         Let Israel now say,
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side
         When men rose up against us,
Then they would have swallowed us alive,
         When their anger was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have engulfed us,
         The stream would have swept over our soul;
Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.”
Blessed be the LORD,
         Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;
         The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:1-8)
You can count the number of times the Psalmist represented people with the word: soul  in the above text.
The soul is so paramount to God such that Jesus asked: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"- Matthew 16:26
The question: what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul means that nothing in the whole world can be likened to the soul. No wealth, no achievement can be compared to the soul of man!

So, what is the soul?
What is the soul? This is the mind...the center of all knowing, the center of cognition, the seat of awareness, and the seat of salvation! For it is with our whole mind, we worship and serve God!
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."(Deuteronomy 6:5).
"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
(Matthew 22:37)
"You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness." (Exodus 23:25).
Due to the fact that the soul is in connection with God, it is the richest part of the human body! Why because nothing contacts God and remains the same! God is too rich that the soul that encounter Him, becomes rich as well! "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7). It is so important to know that everything that a man will accomplish in the earth has been deposited by God in the soul. All you have, and all what you are going to become have been kept in your soul. That is the deposit of plethora resources. That is why when a person dies, what died is more than a mere human being! A nation has died! A universe has been killed. The world has been robbed.
The devil understand this and that is why he is trying to steal the treasures from the soul of as many men and women that does not know this! The human-spirit is so locked up with treasures as a bank's vaults. The soul is so rich that only when we open our mouths and hearts is when other people can see through into our soul. Even then, it is only a glimpse of what is really inside of our hearts, is seen! Nobody can see all that is really inside the other's soul. Although, through discernment, we can still perceive what is in the souls of others. Yet, not very many people operate in this gift of discernment. Nevertheless, the soul is rich. And we can seen through into the souls of people through their faces. We can see through the eyes. That is why psychology enables mind-reading, whereby we can understand people's mind by mere looking on their countenance.
The writer of the book of proverbs proved that there is a connection between the soul and the eyes:
"Bright eyes gladden the heart;Good news puts fat on the bones." (Proverbs 15:30)
The joy of the soul radiates on the face of the man and woman who is carrying treasures.
And Satan being a thief (John 10:10), he is all out to steal and to kill and to destroy all that is hidden in that soul. Satan wants the treasures on the inside.

Soul exchange!
In the olden days until now, wars have been fought based on the concept of soul exchange. It has always been soul for soul. Life for life. All homicide are a bet on the souls of humanity. "So they went in to make sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had posted eighty men outside with this warning: "If one of you lets any of the men I am placing in your hands escape, it will be your life for his life." (2 Kings 10:24).
Even, Satan understood this concept of skin for skin and life for life; when he  approached God concerning Job: "Satan replied to the LORD, "Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life." (Job 2:4).

So what must you do to preserve your soul?
Having read that Satan is after your soul, the smart question then is: what must you do to preserve your soul?
-Give your life to Christ!
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." (Acts 2:36-40).
And it is important to know that after surrendering your life to Christ, it is not over! You will have to continue in Him. Why because Satan will keep coming to check you out whether or not you are still in God? So that he (Satan) can steal your soul! How did I know that? Because scripture said so:
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him," (Colossians 2:6).
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:18).
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (Ephesians 1:17).

The Covetous Satan (Book excerpt).

Do not borrow yourself to Satan.
Satan needs agents. He has been advertising for ages! He needs agents: the people he can use (either temporarily or permanently) to execute his evil plans in this world. Do not borrow yourself to him. Just as we read about the people God used in the scripture; there are many who Satan used as well. The commonest traits, attributes of those who get used by Satan are those who covet other people's property, position, status, belongings, etc.
The opposite of covetousness is contentment. Contentment is satisfaction. Throughout the entire scripture, most of the operations of Satan through men and women had been through the sin of covetousness. One form of covetousness is envying what other people have, and wishing that they lose those things for you to have it. You can covet other people's achievements. You envy who they are, and wish that they become nobody for you to become somebody.
We read about Cain, who murdered his brother (Abel). "Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." (Genesis 4:8). It was because God had respect to the sacrifice of Abel. But God rejected Cain's offering. That was why Cain killed his brother. Cain envied his brother. He coveted what God did for Abel. He did not want such great thing to happen in the life of another person except him. So he killed his brother.

We also read of Achan, who stole accursed treasure from the camp of Ai:
"Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia,of two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” (Joshua 7:19-21).
Achan confessed to Joshua how he had coveted the accursed treasure of Ai.(Joshua 7:1-26).
Achan wanted to be rich. And he wanted it quickly! So, he stole what belongs to someone else.

We read about King Ahab and his wife (Queen Jezebel). King Ahab held the highest position in the country. He was the President. He had several landed properties. He had wealth. Yet he was not satisfied until he and his wife plotted to kill a poor man over some plots of land, meant for growing vegetables! Can you imagine killing someone over vegetables? The wife of Ahab (Jezebel) masterminded this evil. She controlled the entire kingdom with her witchcraft. She plotted against Naboth. She paid false witnesses to appear in court against Mr. Naboth. Thereby, the king and his wife strip Naboth of his vineyard due to covetousness!

"Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” (1 Kings 21 :1-7).  We can see how covetousness can destroy.

We were told the story of Judas who sought for an opportunity to betray Jesus: "...What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over". (Matthew 26: 15-16). "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over." (Mark 14:10-11). "He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present." (Luke 22:6).
The truth is that Judas has been a covetous person ever before he betrayed Jesus. It was because he had a trait of covetousness in him that the devil found him as his perfect candidate to be used against Jesus. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.(Luke 22:3). We were told that Judas has been stealing from the treasury ever before he even sold his loyalty for some pieces of silver. "Then Mary took about a pinta of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”(John 12:3-8).


The covetous Satan
It is almost impossible for the devil to operate through anyone who is contented!  
I said that for a reason which you will understand in the course of this study. Why do we have to learn from Achan's story? It is because that man died of covetousness. Why must we learn from Judas because it is not enough to carry the title of apostle! Covetousness crept into the heart of this apostle! Why do we have to learn from King Ahab's experience? Because you may be Mr President who have everything, yet unsatisfied!
It does not matter who you are (Whether you are ordinary man like Achan, or you are anointed Minister of the gospel as Judas. Maybe you are a royalty like King Ahab. Covetousness is subtle. And it can creep into your heart if you are not watchful. Satan himself fell from Grace because of coveteousness. He was cast out of heaven because he coveted the throne of God(Isaiah 14:12-19). He rebelled in an attempt to get the throne of God. He waged war against God and lost. "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back" (Revelation 12:7). So, what could have made this archangel rebelled against God? The answer is not far-fetched. It is called covetousness. Satan wanted to sit up there. He wanted to be the one whom all angels bow down to worship. He wanted all creation under his feet. He wanted to rule and reign in place of God. He envied how God rule magnificently in the affairs of men and of angels. He became resentful and prideful. He rebelled in heaven. He was beaten and cast down to earth!


Covetousness as a doorway of Satan.

Why do we have to take the story of Ananias and Sapphira seriously? It is because even in the happiest marriage, covetousness can creep in. A spouse may be thinking that s/he deserves more than what he or she is getting. And people don't realize what they have until they lose it. In the book of Acts 5, we were told of how the couple (Ananias and Sapphira) coveted what belongs to God. They lied to the Holy Spirit and died.
The profound thing is that in the case of Achan, God Himself said that Achan was not the only one who sinned. God saw the sin as a national sin. The surprising thing in the case of Ananias and Sapphira was that the Holy Spirit is unseen. Yet He saw everything that happened on that location. It was Peter and other church members who was physically present but judgement came down from God instantly! So much to prove to us that even in the new testament church, no covetousness was tolerated! Why will Peter say that they had lied to the Holy Spirit? Because the Holy Spirit was present with them. The Holy Spirit is present with us today as well. Remember that Jesus said that He will send us the comforter who will be with us. After His resurrection and ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to abide with the believers. Although, we may not see Him physically. He is here.
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26). This is why we were warned never to give room to the devil. It is because we can grieve the Holy Spirit of God. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30). "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Satan is covetous. And he would try to plant that seed of covetousness into your heart. You must watch out. Do not tolerate him. We must resist the devil and he will flee from us. "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). The first phase is to submit and surrender your life to God through Jesus who died and rose again for your sins. The second phase is to resist the devil. You cannot have the power to resist the devil if you have not surrendered your life onto God. This is the secret of dealing with the devil.

The Personhood of Satan (Book excerpt)

The Personhood of Satan

The characteristics of Satan as a person has been described here in order to show you that he (Satan) is a person. Let us consider some basic characteristics that exposed him as a person. They are the attributes of Satan based on the description that the bible gave us:

Satan was a created creature! He was created by God. Satan did not create anything!  How did I know? Because Colossians 1:16 reads: "For by him (Jesus Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Paul wrote in the book of Colossians that both visible and invisible things were created by God. And Satan happened to be one of those invisible things that were created by God. Although Satan can be seen with the eye of the Spirit. (I will explain this later on. Keep reading).Genesis 1: 1 reads: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Deuteronomy 4:19 reads: "...And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars--all the forces of heaven--don't be seduced into worshiping them. The LORD your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth" . Psalm 146:6 reads: "He [God] made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever."  2nd Corinthians 4:6 reads: For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness..."

Now that we have settled that aspect of Satan's Creator and Maker; let us consider some attributes of Satan that gave him off as both a man and a spirit-being!

Since we have established the fact that Satan was created by God. And himself (Satan) is not God. Then, who is he? Satan is both man and spirit-being. Since, he is not God, then, he must either be a man or an angel. Actually he is both. He is a fallen angel. He now goes up and down the earth like man.  Now, if Satan is a man, then, he must have all the characteristics of a man. So, let us consider all his characteristics with some scriptural backing.

Isaiah 14:16-17 reads: "Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert,who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”

The two phrases: "Is this the man?" and  "the man who made..." show us that Satan is a man. He is a man who brings fear to many! He shakes kingdoms with fear. He makes a fertile place of the world become like a desert. He is the destroyer epitomized!

The phrase: "those who see you", hinted that indeed Satan can be seen! Although it is not everybody who can see him, Satan can be seen indeed! Now, how can Satan be seen? He can be seen in the spirit realm. In the supernatural, with the eye of the Spirit. So, what is the eye of the Spirit? Let me simplify that by saying you can see Satan when you begin to operate in the gift of discernment. This a gift of the Holy Spirit of God which helps distinguish everything by breaking them apart into their tiniest molecules!

Satan has body!

Isaiah 14:19 reads:"But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain,with those pierced by the sword," . If Satan can be covered. It means that he has a body just like human being. Satan has a body. How did i know that? Isaiah 14:19b reads: “You are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit, like a corpse trampled underfoot". The picture of a corpse trampled underfoot is enough to show us the figure of a body.

Satan has buttocks!

Satan has buttocks and he can sit down. How did I know? Because Isaiah's account said Satan thought of sitting on God's throne. If Satan dreamt of sitting on the throne, if he aspired to sit on the throne; then, he must have a "bum-bum" (buttocks) with which to sit. "I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly..."(Isaiah 14:13).

Satan has a heart! 

Isaiah 14:13 reads: “I will ascend to heaven..." "How did I know that Satan has a heart? Because Isaiah wrote how Satan said in his heart that he would ascend to heaven. (Isaiah 14:13).

Satan lives in a city!

If Satan lives in a city, then, he must have an address! How did i know? Because the Bible said:

"...even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives." (Revelation 2:13b). So the question is: in which city does he live? Where does he sleep and wake up in that city? What is his address? What is Satan's postal code? Well, Satan's address and location are not traceable by ordinary human mind. He lives in a spiritual location that cannot be seen with the naked eyes. Except through the eye of the Spirit.

Satan has a throne!

Satan has a throne just like royalties sit on their thrones. How did I know? Because Satan said in his heart that: "...I will raise my throne"  (Isaiah 14:13). The word: "my" shows that he has a personal throne that he sits on. Moreover, in the book of Revelation, we read how Jesus said to the angel of the church in Pergamum that: "I know where you live--where Satan has his throne..." (Revelation 2:12-13a). This proved that Satan has a throne and this throne has a location. The throne is situated somewhere. That was why the word "where" was used in that statement of Jesus to the messenger of Pergamum!

So where is the geographical location of Pergamum? It is not so much about a geographical place on the map. It is a spiritual location. As a result, that place may not be seen with a naked eye.

Satan has wings!

This is one of the features that made him a spirit-being. Remember that angels have wings. And he (Satan) is a fallen angel. So if he is a fallen angel. It means that he had wings before he fell. Yes. He still carry his wings around till date. Since, Satan has wings and he can fly. He is able to hide away from sight of human being. That way, he can deceive men and women that he does not exist. Isaiah's account captured his wings when Satan thought of ascending into heaven: "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds..." (Isaiah 14:14).

Satan can be seen!

Satan can be seen with the eyes of the spirit. And reading this book will really show you that. Because the imagery of Satan has been shown (to us) in the Bible. Isaiah's account captured how Satan became visible upon his fall. "...Those who see you stare at you..." (Isaiah 14:16).

Satan has feet! 

Satan has feet and he can step on the ground. Remember that buttock is attached to the pelvis. And the pelvis is supported by the legs. Yes, we are not in human anatomy class. I want you to see the features clearly. Satan can step on the ground and that is why he could destroy the lands, kingdoms and ruin cities. How did i know? Because Isaiah's account captured how Satan is a destroyer and a murderer. "...for you have destroyed your land and killed your people." (Isaiah 14:20). The account of John 10:10 also said that Satan comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. 

Now, looking at all the listed attributes of Satan. Looking at someone who has a body, someone who lives in a city, someone who has buttocks, someone who has a throne, someone who can dream, someone who can imagine high and lofty things, someone who can plot to dethrone God (the King of kings and the Lord of lords). Can such a person be an abstract? No! Satan is a person. Don't be fooled! He is someone who has a heart. He could think. He could imagine. He could plot and strategize. And all what Satan think in his heart are evil. Now, what does these information tell us about Satan? It suggests that we should no longer have a foggy viewpoint of the devil. He is not those pictures that some folks paints in the comic book with black crayon. 

What could be further from the truth? How can someone like the person Isaiah describe has two horns? He is not an animal. He is a person. Henceforth, that wicked guy should no longer deceive you concerning his personhood! 

Ambition, plot and defeat of Satan

The ambition, the plot, and the defeat of Satan.
Some people will not believe that Satan is a very ambitious spirit being. The plot to dethrone the King of Glory has been on the mind of Satan for a very long time. He had observed how the angels worshiped God in heaven. He saw how the King of glory adorned His throne with an aura that cannot be captured in human language. Satan watched the level of order that was at play in heaven. He thought within himself. "How will it feel like to be the one who is sitting right there on that very throne in the place of God?" The King of kings and the Lord of lords knew all what was in the heart of the devil all along. Yet he tolerated him without a hitch! How did I know that God knew the thoughts of the devil. Because God is all knowing. And the scripture mentioned how Jesus knew what people were thinking. (Matthew 9:4, Mark 2:8,  Luke 5:22,Luke 9:47). If the God of the universe walked the planet earth as mortal, knowing what people were thinking about in their hearts; how much more the thoughts of Lucifer who was serving before His heavenly throne? 
The thoughts of Lucifer could not escape God who was too big to be careful!
An account of Isaiah 14:12-19 captured the biography of Satan just before human time piece began ticking. Let's read it in New American Standard version of the Bible:

“How you have fallen from heaven,
         O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
         You have been cut down to the earth,
         You who have weakened the nations!
“But you said in your heart,
         ‘I will ascend to heaven;
         I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
         And I will sit on the mount of assembly
         In the recesses of the north.
‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
         I will make myself like the Most High.’
“Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol,
         To the recesses of the pit.
“Those who see you will gaze at you,
         They will ponder over you, saying,
         ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
         Who shook kingdoms,
Who made the world like a wilderness
         And overthrew its cities,
         Who did not allow his prisoners to go home?’
“All the kings of the nations lie in glory,
         Each in his own tomb.
“But you have been cast out of your tomb
         Like a rejected branch,
         Clothed with the slain who are pierced with a sword,
         Who go down to the stones of the pit
         Like a trampled corpse...”
So, God knowing the intentions of the devil, allowed him to throw his best shot. Needless to add, Satan attacked God's throne and failed. He lost in heaven because he was no match for God. God allowed him to try and fail because God is very tolerant. He accommodated Satan inspites of his evil intentions. And if God can allow Satan try his best by attacking the Most High over His throne, how will He (God) not encourage you concerning your holy intentions and ambitions? That is just a food for thoughts. If God can give you Jesus, how will He not give you all things? In order to show the devil that nothing hits God by surprise, God allowed the Lucifer's rebellion to begin. Then, failed. Nothing is beyond Him (God).  He loves to demonstrate His power and awesome personality. He proved it to Satan that he was no match. Satan does not have what it takes to stand against him. And If Satan could not stand and win the throne of God; when he was still living in the heaven; do you think he (Satan) will be able to win over God when he (Satan) has been cast out of heaven? Let us not start measuring the distance from heaven to earth. Can you imagine that proximity? Will Satan be able to reach God's throne right now? The answer is no. He cannot come close!

Now, if God could see such evil intention of Satan then; yet he was immovable. Do you think that God will become paranoid because of your present circumstances? Will your challenges move him off his throne right now? The answer is no! Because nothing is beyond God and nothing is hidden from Him, we were told to be still and be at peace. 
I always remind myself something significant whenever anything happen that may want to trouble my peace. I always ask myself a question that if Jesus was to be here right now by my side in the physical; what will he say to me? Will Jesus be shaking like a chicken in a hot water? No way! That means case closed! What Jesus will say to me concerning this kind of situation will be: Peace be still. And that is how we are supposed to view every matter that tends to shock our faith.
So, whenever an attack happens in our lives that may shake our faith, they are not a surprise to God. No accident has ever hit God. He uses the worst of all attacks for our good, reminding the devil that this is another loss for him (Satan). He just lost once again in the life of God's children. He (devil) does not have what it takes to stand against God. Not even God's children who are the saints. Nothing ever takes God by surprise. God will never show up late after the attack of the enemy and begin to cry with regrets and disappointments. God will never, He can never be a victim of any circumstance. Such statements that we hear from the mouths of victims such as: "what are we going to do now?", cannot be heard from God. In points of fact, God will never say: "O! I am so sorry for what happened to you. I did not know that the devil was coming after you. I would have rushed down here on time through those hectic traffic and harsh weather to protect you." No! No!! 
God is not a man. He is All-knowing. It means that He knows all things. He can see both the beginning and the ending at the same time. He can see the glitches and hic-cups along the way. He can see the journey from beginning to its end. He understands the extent of the impacts. He knew what was coming. He saw what was going to "befall" you. He knew the depth of the scar. He knew how it will look on you?, what impact it will leave on you? He knew when the wounds will heal. He knew how to heal the wound. He knew what purpose that injury will serve in the grand scheme of things. He knew how to make all things work together for your good. He knew why preventing the attack may not be more glorious as actually going through the afflictions and coming out stronger! He knew! He knew!! O! He knew!!! He knew what was coming, ever before those things happen at all. God has the big picture in His mind. He has the complete map of the journey. God can see every lap of the race, ahead of time.  So, because he can see into the next decade, and beyond that; He is not moved. He is not intimidated. This is why we are told to stand and be immovable as well. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58).
So, the fact that something bad may have happened to you, is to validate the loss of the adversary. Why because the devil does not have what it takes to stop the eternal purpose of God.

So why the study of Satan?

So, why the study of Satan? Why a book about Satan? Why study Satan for crying out loud? This is probably what is going on in the mind of some well intentioned people. Well, i will tell you why. The reason is not far-fetched. I had lived under the ignorance that Satan does not know me. And if he does, he did not have my time. In points of fact, i once told a friend of mine during our undergraduate days that Satan is too busy to have my time, or come after me. I recalled saying that there are great, noble men and women in this world that he would love to go after. So, why will he come after someone like me when his hands are full? Afterall, he is limited and does not have the power or ability to be everywhere at the same time. Unlike God, Satan is not omnipresent (he is not everywhere at once). Although, Satan is not omnipresent, that is why he has agents all around us. That is why his name is called the prince of the power of the air. "You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God" (Ephesians 2:2). So, I was wrong! As i grew in Grace and Faith, i came to understand that the first trick or weapon of Satan is deception. He makes you think that he does not exist. He makes you trivialize his abilities, he makes you underate his extents of operations. He makes you ignore his promptness to steal, to kill and to destroy. The devil wants you to misunderstand his craftiness. That is why i wrote this book. 
I wrote this book for several other reasons. One of those reasons is to let you know who is after your life. It is to let you know who is fighting you. If you do not know who your enemy is, and what are his strategies to destroy you; then you are his easiest prey! I wrote this book to deliberately expose Satan and his works. I also wrote this book in order to swim against the statusquo, against religion, against ignorance and more. I remember several years ago, how a certain pastor once warned me to stop talking against the devil because he (Satan) will hear. He said Satan might launch an attack against me for talking about him. He was scared for me that Satan would come after me. That experience made me realize that it was not just those who are young in the faith that is afraid of Satan. There are many pastors who are afraid of Satan as well.
This is why I wrote this book. I wrote this book to break that fear. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! This book will set your heart free from all forms of satanic fear. It is my intentions and prayers that this book will also show you the victory that Christ has already won for you through his death and resurrection on the cross. 
Friend! You can no longer continue to live your life under the fear of the evil one and his hosts of darkness. Let's not shy away from this teachings at all. The 21st century church need to hear this. We do not have to be "spooky".But we must expose the devil! Even Jesus danced and rejoiced greatly in the spirit after watching Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (Luke 10: 17-22).
In this book, I am going to show you how Satan is amongst us! I will walk you from the beginning of time, right unto the old testament, and through the new testament. By the Spirit of God and His plethora Grace, every operations of the devil shall be revealed in your life!
 I am sure that by now, some well-intentioned people will be expecting me to prove this teachings from the new testament angle? I will do so by the grace of God. I want you to open your mind as we travel the scripture together. If i could not justify my teachings from the bible, please do not believe me or accept whatever you read here. However, if i can prove it to you through the bible? It will be wise to believe what you read here. I want you to understand that this book is about the victory of Jesus. It is all about what Jesus did to deliver you from the works of darkness. It is about the greatest Gift that God gave. It is about the defeat that Satan experienced at the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is what this book is all about. It is not intended to give recognition to the devil at all. This book was written to bring the glory to God. He is the one who influences all things. He is the one who effects His will. He is the Father of all lights. He is the Jehovah who created that little boy called Satan. 

The study of Satan

As promised, I am giving away this book free of charge. I am giving you the privilege of a foretaste here. Follow my Blog posts to read and download the complete version of the book. Happy reading!

Operations of Satan via the heart.
"Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died...“Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not having learned of what had happened. And Peter said to her, Tell me; did you sell the land for so much? Yes, she said, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed and conspired together to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [also]. And instantly she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men entering found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband”( Acts 5: 3-5, and 7-10).


Matthew 12:43-45 reads: "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

There are countless stories in the Bible where Satan influenced people. He filled the hearts of good people, bad people, ordinary people and great people. It is good that the scripture did not leave us in doubts as concerning the operations of Satan and how it is possible for human being to be used by Satan in carrying out evil deeds. We have numerous examples in both the old and new testaments of where Satan influenced people's decisions and actions. Some examples are: the account of Ananias and Sapphira when they lied concerning the price of a plot of land sold (Acts 5: 1-11) , when Satan moved King David to take a Census of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1), when Satan filled the hearts of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus (Matthew 27:3), when an evil Spirit from the Lord torment King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14), when a seducing and lying spirit from the Lord went out through the mouths of the 400 puppet Prophets of king Ahab in the days of Micaiah son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:1- 38), and so on.

How can i know a person whose heart has been filled by Satan?
It is through a gift of the Spirit called discernment that we can know. We can also know through the actions of the person. Every word has a spirit behind them. So when people speak. We must learn to listen to their hearts more than we swallow their cherry words.
Taking a cue from the story of Ananias and Sapphira, these are some of the attributes of the person who Satan has filled their hearts:
They tell lies, (See Acts 5:3 Amplified)
They deceive, (See Acts 5:3 Amplified)
They conspire, (See Acts 5:9 Amplified)
They violate their promise, (See Acts 5:3 Amplified)
They withdraw from covenant secretly,(See Acts 5:3  Amplified)
They betray in their relationships. (See Matthew 26: 14-16, Acts 5:3 Amplified)

It is important to understand that there are spirits behind every word. People can say lovely words with evil intentions. And it is possible to hear people speak in strict tones out of tough love. "An open rebuke is better than secret love."
Upon hearing the words of Peter, Ananias fell down and died. Why will such words kill a man? And then, his wife also died for hearing similar words? Truly there must be power in words! Much more, the secret to the death of Ananias and Sapphira is hidden behind their hearts. In conversation, both the heart from which word was spoken and the heart that received that word, go through invisible transactions. A weak and deceptive heart will likely rupture in the presence of "stronger" heart. That is why we experience conviction.
The words of Peter cut through, searing Ananias' heart asunder. Needless to add, those words caused laceration of Sapphira's heart. The openings created by the word caused a penetration of light that revealed the deception of the couple. "The entrance of thy word, giveth Light and understanding to the simple." But in this case, the Satan who has filled these couple's hearts was exposed. There was no time for repentance. It was a plot. And the deception was unexpectedly uncovered. Immediately that happened, the devil in these hearts fled. He had to run because he has been exposed! But it is sad to say that the devil ran out of Ananias' heart and from Sapphira's heart with the substance of their hearts. The spirit of deception fled with the content of their hearts. This was substance that cannot be bought with money. This was the content the writer of Proverbs called "wellspring of life".
Remember that according to John 10:10, Satan is a thief. "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy." As the thief fled the pricked hearts of Ananias and Sapphira, he fled with their hearts' arteries. Now, with stolen arteries, their hearts cannot function. Hence, death! Although, I am not a heart surgeon, but I know that Ananias and Sapphira died for allowing Satan fill their hearts. The state of the heart is so crucial in everything of life. That is why the scripture said: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23). It is because the heart is so vulnerable that we were warned to guard it. Light can fill it and darkness can fill it as well. It takes either light or darkness of the heart to initiate action per time. And the heart can be judged by the fruits that proceed out of it. That is why Matthew 7:18 says: "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit". When darkness fills any heart, the fruits that come from such life will be evil.

The most dangerous person in the world.

The most dangerous creature in the whole wide world is not a terrorist who straps an explosive (bomb) unto his chest. (Although, such men are dangerous).  The most dangerous creature is that man or woman who has refused to die despite all that life has thrown his/her way! Are you going through unfavorable situations? Are you tempted to give up? Do not give up! I dare you to stay alive! The meaning of death is not limited to being nailed down in a coffin, or being lowered down six feet. Death could mean loss of one's soul...and there are several dead souls all around us today. At times when there is nothing to challenge the soul, it goes cold. Cold souls walk through life like zombies. When the spirit is quenched, there is nothing to live for anymore! 

That is why you must keep the fire of your soul aflame irrespective of whatever life throws at you! The center of your life is your spirit...the essence of your life is what the enemy is after. The enemy wants to crush you to the point of no return. He wants to steal the energy in your soul. The writer of proverbs said that the spirit of a man sustains him in infirmity, but a broken spirit, who can bear? Today, some people are walking corpse because they have lost the energy in their soul. There are people who have lost their passion to move on and they are ready to frustrate you from chasing your destiny as well. If the desire to make a difference is killed in someone, nothing is left but empty shells. There must be some thirst to succeed so that you can be of immense help to other people. 

At times, disappointments, broken dreams, adversities, etc; can weigh the spirit down. Irrespective of whatever you might have been through, you must stay alive! You have every reason to live! And the reason is because Jesus Christ died and rose again for your redemption. What is redemption? It is the process of buying back someone from doom! The fact that God killed his only Son for you is enough to stay alive for.  Always remember that the hunger to live for an extraordinary life is what the enemy is after. That is why he is hunting you.  This is why you are fighting some battles. The adversary wants to kill that spirit in you. The enemy wants to quench that vigor and vibrancy. He wants you to lose that essence that God has placed in your heart. The devil knew that God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. And he just wants to steal this treasure at all cost. That is why you must not allow him. The reason why the enemy wants to break you is simple. He is scared of you. He knew what you carry in your heart. He is not fighting you because of your skin color or your externalities. He is fighting against you because he could see the treasure that is hidden in you by God. All hell would not have broken lose on any man or woman who is carrying nothing. It is what you carry that the enemy is after. This is why he wanted an access to your heart. And he will attack everything closest to your heart just to get to that treasure in your heart. So brace up! Get ready! He knew that the treasure is locked up in your heart. And the only way to reach the treasure is to break your heart. That is why you must guard your hearts with all diligence, for out of your heart flows the issues of life. Always remember that your best days are ahead of you. They are not behind you. So, stay alive. Keep up hope. The moment you make up your mind to live, you will find reason to live. You will find favor and hope. You will find life and peace. 

Part of making up your mind to live, is by giving your heart to the greatest Security personnel who is able to protect that treasure for you.You will find breathe to push on with His help. You will find Peace. For this cause (that you might live) was the son of God crucified, that He might destroy every works of darkness. Death is a work of darkness. Theft is a work of darkness. This is why you need God. Why because strong will is not enough. Good intentions are not enough. All personal determinations are short-spanned. And vain is the help of any man...this is why the Son of God (Jesus Christ) died so that you might live.

And the life he intended for us to live is abundant life. This abundant life means the life without end. It is multi-faceted, multidimensional life. It is an enriched life that cut across every aspect of human endeavour. In points of fact, this abundant life has provision for your white collar jobs, as well as your boring, dreadful Monday morning routines!