Dont let the devil steal from you! [Book Excerpt].

It must be noted that if the devil is allowed, he is ready to steal the following "things" from you:

#1. The devil wants to steal your soul. 
What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Your soul transcends place and time. When you die, it will show up before God. Salvation of your soul  is very important.
"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37).

#2. The devil wants to steal your time.
If the devil can steal your time. He has stolen a vital part of your life. He has shorten your life-time.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. “When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. “And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. “Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. “And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ (Matthew 20:1-5).
This parable told by Jesus show us how able-bodied men were hanging out in the center of commerce without experiencing industriousness. Young men with strengths were standing in the marketplace without any business.Devil wants to strip you of dignity. He wants to waste your time. Notice what time the Landowner went out. Early in the morning. Notice when he saw jobless people who he hired as his laborers. All through the day.Jesus wants to invest your time. The devil wants to see you loitering, jobless, purposeless. But Jesus  wants to see you doing something. The devil wants to see you rejected by all, un-needed by every employer or establishment in town, Jesus wants to hire you.Is it not surprising how the way you spend your time changes after the discovery of your purpose?


#3. The devil wants to steal your youth.
The youth is synonymous with energy. If the devil can succeed in stealing your youth, he has wasted your life. The time of youth is the most significant time of your life.If the devil can steal your youth, he has stolen one of the most significant things from you. If the devil can succeed in wasting your energy on wrong things, he has already robbed you of your entire destiny."Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

#4. The devil wants to steal your glory.
"The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair." (Proverbs 20:29). Since the glory of the youths is their strengths. The devil wants to steal your vigor. Time would fail me to delve deeper into this aspect of the study. Vigour was what men of old used in fighting their enemies at the gate. All the wars that was ever fought since the beginning of time till now were fought with vigour. Old men and old women will never be deployed to go to war. Even technology in all its finest form has not, and cannot replace the essence of vigour. Rather, Technology has enhanced vigour. "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength" (Proverbs 24:5).

#5. The devil wants to steal your potentials.
Your ability is very important and so strategic to where you want to get to in this life. The devil wants to make you lazy. Take it easy, relax, rest. A little sleep, a little slumber, so shall your poverty come like a armed men. The attitude of hard work, will make you maximize your potentials. This is what the devil wants to steal from you.

#6. The devil wants to steal your anointing.
"And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." (Colossians 4:17).

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 
( 1 John 2:20).
"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him." (1 John 2:27).
If you are called into the ministry, you will understand what i mean by anointing. It is the unction to function. It is the aura of God you carry. It must be preserved, jealously guarded. If you will do exploits in the kingdom, you must protect the anointing. You must guard it with your very life. The devil will try to encumber you with things that does not matter so that you wont be able to cultivate the anointing. Sin that easily besets men. The devil will introduce permissible things that will stop you from investing adequate time in God's presence. Creating an atmosphere of worship around you continually will help grow this unction of God. Many things about the anointing cannot be taught. They can only be caught. So do not be deceived! The devil will wants to turn you into piece of bread through sinning in the office of the anointed. Beware! It is better to be openly disgraced and keep the anointing than to cover your sin and be destroyed. Do not lose it. It is too precious. "Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him." (Judges 16:20). Many times when the anointing leaves, the people who lost it, do not know until they are disgraced. Many ministers who have been disqualified, issued RED-Card, and "benched" by the court of heaven are still operating in most pulpits all across the world. Most of the "rejects" are still carrying the title of the anointed. They did not know that the Lord has left them. The Oil of anointing flows in very strange ways, and in supernatural forms. That is why you cannot predict it. And what you cannot predict is what you should be careful of the most! What you did not create is not under your control. Since it is something you cannot explain, in how it entered into your life; you must be careful in handling it. You only know it is there. So, do not toy with it. And it must be noted that you do not need anyone to tell you that you  are anointed. You know it if you have got it. It is a gift from God. And you cannot afford to mess with it. Since it cannot be bought with money, do not trade it for anything in this world! King Saul lost it. He went after witchcraft peradventure he might get a glimpse of it. Prophet Eli lost it, he had to creep up beside a young prophet called Samuel to hear what God is saying. Little wonder that David cried: renew your spirit within me! (Psalm 51:10). The devil is after your anointing. He wants to steal it. Beware!

#7. The devil wants to steal your birth-right.
Your right of son-ship in God is your birthright. This is what the death and Resurrection of Jesus gave to you. This is what the devil wants to steal from you. He wants to steal your access to the throne of Grace. He wants to steal your right to approaching God. He wants to steal  access to God from you through guilt and condemnation. The bith-order is so significant in some culture. The story of Jacob and Essau told us how important it is to be the first born child. Jesus has become the first born among many brethren for you and myself. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29).

#8. The devil wants to steal your blessing.
Many people have various definition for the blessing. Whatever you call it; I will let the scripture define it here.
"The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it" (Proverbs 10:22).
Through deception and conspiracy, Essau's blessing (the divine ability that makes rich without sorrow which was meant for Esau) was stolen by Jacob his younger brother. I hope you still remember that Satan is a thief ."The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"  (John 10:10). So, Satan influenced the plot of deception that led to stealing of Esau's blessing. Why? because God does not deceive or manipulate. And he (God) will never use manipulation or deception to initiate favour. He will not rely on deception to bless His creation. His heavenly tool-box is not deficient in kits! He (God) does not need extras or external help to carry a man He has made unto that man's destined end.... "When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." "Here I am," he answered. Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die...After Isaac finished blessing him and Jacob had scarcely left his father's presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting.He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, "My father, sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing."His father Isaac asked him, "Who are you?" "I am your son," he answered, "your firstborn, Esau." Isaac trembled violently and said, "Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him--and indeed he will be blessed!When Esau heard his father's words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me--me too, my father!But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." (Genesis chapter 27).
"So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and commanded him" (Genesis 28:1).


#9. The devil wants to steal your vision.
 "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison." (Judges 16:21).Do you still remember the warrior called Samson who lost his eyes/sight? Have you ever wondered why Samson eyes was plucked out and not his teeth or some other part of his body? Why did they gouged out his eyes and not his tongue? What did those Philistines see in his eyes? What made them pluck out his eyes? Why did they cut off his sight, rather than his genitals? Why not cut his throat? Why not cut his ears off? Why his eyes of all the organs of his body?The reason is not far-fetched. The enemy plucked out Samson's eyes because they saw fire in his eyes. The fire they saw in Samson's eyes was as a result of his vision which was burning inside his heart! The power of vision rests upon the eyes of every visionary. And the eye represent the ability to see farther than what your ordinary eyes can see. Is it possible that by gouging out his eyes, the enemy was attempting to destroy his very essence? His soul? His entire being? His inner self? The eyes is the light of the body. Little wonder that Jesus said:"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness".(Luke 11:34).
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light."(Matthew 6:22 ).
"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat."(Proverbs 15:30).
Could it be that it is these attributes of the eyes that made the enemy gouge out Samson's eyes? Can you see why the devil will do anything to attack your sight/vision (ability to see far!). Since, the inner eyes of vision was not accessible, the outer eye-sight which is closer and accessible was removed. It  must be noted that every eye-disease are caused by the devil. And they all have inherent attempt at killing your vision. The eye-complications are only symbolism of his (satan's) real intentions!

#10. The devil wants to steal your confidence.
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35).And do not cast away your confidence, which has a great recompense. The devil wants to use doubts and self-insecurities to steal your confidence from you. Once he can succeed in robbing you of your confidence. He has reached his goal!

#11. The devil wants to steal your FOCUS.
 Focus is power. Focus is everything. You have heard these sayings several times.If the devil can succeed in bringing you distractions, he would be able to change your life course.
"For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50:7).
 All the devil need do, is create another interest. All he need do is simulate another interesting course to follow. Thereby steering your ship far away from course. The devil wants to prevent you from reaching the destination of your dream. Your divine destiny is why you are facing some distractions you cannot explain.
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."(Matthew 6:22).

#12. The devil wants to steal your life.
The devil want to steal your life. The devil wants to kill you and then destroy your record of ever existing. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"  (John 10:10). When the devil killed Lazarus, Jesus wept. (John 11:35). Although Jesus rose Lazarus up from the dead, He (Jesus) wept because someone's life was stolen! All other dead were raised because it brings God some glory when you live longer to fulfill purpose. The plan of God for people is to live and fulfill their days on earth!

#13. The devil wants to steal your Joy.
Have you ever been in the midst of celebration and someone brought a bad report that saddens your heart? Have you ever heard of someone rejoicing over a particular success or victory and an accident happened that contaminated that celebration? The devil is behind it all. He (the devil) is always trying to remove people's joy because he knows the power of joy. "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3). Water symbolize Spirit and life. Your life is what the devil is aiming at; but he would try to attack your joy. If the devil can succeed in stealing your joy, he can make you commit suicide.Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). When you understand God's word, it should bring you joy not despondency. If you have given your life to Christ and confessed him as your Lord and personal Savior. Then, there must be JOY! This is one of the evidence of salvation. This is what should happen: joy unspeakable! Why? Because God is not boring. The Psalmist says "in His presence there is fullness of Joy; at His right hand, there are pleasures forever more."(Psalm 16:11 ). "...Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them." (Nehemiah 8:12). Since Joy is associated with salvation and understanding of the scripture, the devil wants to steal that experience from you by preventing you from reading the Bible and encountering Light and Joy therein. 

DEVIL'S WEAPONS OF THEFT.
These are some of the weapons that the devil uses to steal from you.Viz:
#1. STRIFE:-
--This is why you cannot, and you must not tolerate drama, quarrels, fights, arguments of any kind! Anything that will waste your time are plots of the devil! "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."(James 3:16 ).
#2. WRONG ASSOCIATION:-
--"Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."(1 Corinthians 15:33).
That is why you must avoid wrong relationships. Avoid anyone who does not see what you see.
#3. WRONG ATMOSPHERE:-
--Every place carry a spirit, an ambience of its own. That is why you must avoid wrong places. Avoid wrong atmosphere. Be conscious of your locations."Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."(1 Kings 17:9).
"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."(Exodus 3:5).
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--"(Matthew 24:15).
"Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name--there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD."(Deuteronomy 12:11).
"If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put his Name is too far away from you, you may slaughter animals from the herds and flocks the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you, and in your own towns you may eat as much of them as you want." (Deuteronomy 12:21).
"Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground."(Acts 7:33).Anywhere that does not inspire your creativity, or support your talents and enhance your productivity must be avoided at all cost. Life is too short to waste it.