Let's Become a Believer Who Catches Snakes

Bible passage: Mark 16:16~18
“16. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18. they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. "

The sermon title is “Let’s Become a Believer Who Catches Snakes.” 

More precisely, it is “Let us not become those who get bitten by snakes, but become those who catch snakes.” When we say “Let us become those who catch snakes,” people say “snake catchers,” as you may know, there are those who make a profession out of catching snakes, but I am not saying to become such snake catchers. Here, the snake signifies Satan. In Genesis Chapter 3, a snake appears. 

The Bible calls this the old serpent, and in the Garden of Eden, the snake, having received the instigation of Satan - the thought of Lucifer and the dragon - tempted Eve, causing her to commit the sin of eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Revelation 20:2 says, “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” Thus, over the past two Sundays, we have studied Lucifer and the dragon. Today, we will explore what Satan is, and how Satan brings trials and tribulations to the saints. I hope that you will become ones who, to the great strength of your souls, catch and defeat Satan - that is, the snake. They do not have God, but we have God, so we can win in the spiritual war. 

1. Let us examine who is Satan, and what kind of being is he.

 Satan can be briefly described as the heart and thoughts of Lucifer, the head of the evil spirits. Satan is a spiritual entity that holds the same heart and mind as Lucifer; fundamentally one with Lucifer, but still distinguishable as another entity. Satan possesses the dark power that Lucifer has and leads people to have evil thoughts and hearts, driving them to commit wicked deeds. However, the practical power that causes people to live in darkness comes from the dragons who hold the power in the air. 

Therefore, Satan can also be said to be the mind and thoughts of the dragon. Since the dragons also have Lucifer’s thoughts and mind planted within them, we can ultimately say that "Satan is the mind and thoughts of Lucifer and the dragon." Job 1:6-7 says, [6] Now there was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. [7] The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” In both Job Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, there is an appearance of Satan speaking with God. 

So how is it possible for Satan and God to talk? How could such a thing happen? Satan and God can converse because both the Holy Spirit and Satan are equal in rank. The Holy Spirit and Satan function oppositely; the Holy Spirit represents righteousness, while Satan represents wickedness, forming an opposite pair. Understanding this will clear up any doubts regarding these verses. Satan’s prompting of the snake can also be understood in the same light. How could Satan incite the snake? The Garden of Eden, as recorded in Genesis 2:15, was being guarded by Adam at the time. While Eve and the snake were in the Garden, Lucifer and the dragon were outside. 

However, the thoughts of Satan, as the influence of Lucifer and the dragon, reached the Garden via transmission, and Satan used the snake to tempt Eve. Even if people are far apart, they can communicate over the phone or radio by matching frequencies. Nowadays, with cell phones, people can easily communicate with others in different cities or even countries. Lucifer, desiring Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and rebel against God, knew that she couldn’t enter the Garden but used the medium of thought - the transmission, namely Satan - to plant hers and the dragon's thoughts into the snake, which was next to Eve. 

But why did God permit the existence of such evil beings as Satan? In order to become true children of God through human cultivation, one must experience untruths that are contrary to the truth and, through them, come to realize the true truth. One must know evil that opposes goodness, hatred that opposes love, betrayal, and injustice that opposes righteousness in order to truly understand from the depths of one’s heart how precious the truth is and become a child with an unchanging true heart. For this reason, God knew that there must be beings who govern untruths, and within His plan, He allowed the existence of the world of evil spirits and granted them the authority of darkness. 

There is a term called the "Catfish Effect." It is the theory that when there is a powerful competitor in a group, the other members in the group also awaken and improve their abilities together. The origin of the "Catfish Effect" comes from a long time ago when a Norwegian fisherman put a catfish into the aquarium used to transport sardines. At that time, fishermen would catch sardines in the open sea and transport them back to the harbor in tanks, but because the journey was so long, most of the sardines would die, resulting in significant losses. 

However, one particular fisherman managed to bring his sardines to the harbor alive each time and made a great fortune. Everyone was curious about his secret, but he never revealed it. After he passed away, the secret was finally discovered - it was that he placed a single catfish in the tank with the sardines. Fearing being eaten by the catfish, the sardines continuously moved until they reached the harbor, which kept them fresh and alive. Likewise, the enemy devil and Satan may seem like a harmful being that we might wish did not exist, but because Satan exists, we experience relativity in this world, undergo human cultivation properly, and emerge as fully matured, fruitful grains. Thus, Lucifer, the dragon, Satan, and the devil serve roles similar to catfish in human cultivation. Therefore, by properly understanding their identity and equipping yourself with God’s word and fiery prayer, defeating Satan may you all emerge as God’s good fruit. 

2. How does Satan work in people? 

He works in various ways, but today I will share just three. (1) Satan Works Through People’s Thoughts Satan is the mind and thoughts of Lucifer and the dragons, as previously mentioned. Because of this, Satan sneaks through people’s thoughts, polluting the hearts of believers with untruth, which ultimately brings trials and suffering to their faith. Your thoughts become the very pathway through which Satan comes and goes, working within you. This means that depending on what kind of thoughts you have, Satan can operate. Satan is like countless radio wave signal waves spread throughout the air, as Lucifer and the dragons continuously spread their dark thoughts and minds, as well as their power to commit evil, throughout the air. 

These dark thoughts and minds of Lucifer and the dragons that fill the air are what we call Satan. Just as a radio or TV immediately connects when it matches the frequency of a wave in the air, spiritually, when a person’s thoughts align with the evil thoughts that Satan has spread in the air, they instantly connect. At that moment, Satan forcefully breathes his dark power into that person’s thoughts. The stronger the darkness in one’s heart, the more power it gains, and it begins to act. This is what we call being influenced by Satan or hearing Satan’s voice. There are various types of people in the church. 

Some feel jealousy and envy when they see someone dressed better than them or in better circumstances. If that person has a slightly different way of thinking or behaves differently, they dislike and criticize them. Yet, if someone harbors the sin of jealousy within, their thoughts align with Satan’s, and Satan’s influence strengthens that sin, which then manifests outwardly as jealousy and envy. If I hate someone, it is not because they did something evil, but because the sin of hatred exists within me. If someone commits evil, we should not hate them but feel compassion and pray for them instead. It is not a matter of hate.

 However, if hatred arises, it means there is untruth called “hatred” within me. When I see that person, thoughts of hatred arise, aligning with Satan’s thoughts in the air, and by receiving Satan’s power, hatred flares up like a fire. Here is an interesting story that illustrates how Satan operates: One day, Satan displayed his tools on a shop counter and advertised that he was selling them at a discount through an auction. Many people gathered, intrigued by this unusual and fascinating sale. Among the many tools, there was one oddly shaped tool marked “Not for Sale.” A gentleman, curious about this, asked Satan: “Satan, What is this tool used for? 

And why does it have a ‘Not for Sale’ sign?” Satan replied: “Oh, this one is very precious. It’s the most valuable tool I have. While I can sell all the other tools, this one is off-limits. This is the most useful weapon in my arsenals.” Then he continued his explanation: “This tool is called ‘Despair.’ With it, I can penetrate any human heart - even those I cannot access through other means. The moment I place this in a person’s heart, I can control them however I want.” Hearing this explanation, the gentleman nodded in agreement, realizing its validity. 

This teaches us that the most effective weapon Satan uses to bring down humanity is to first attack people's thoughts and emotions. Therefore, it is extremely important to abandon evil in the heart and focus on spiritual thoughts rather than fleshly thoughts. Romans 8:6-7 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” When we engage in fleshly thoughts, it is like saying, "Mr. Satan, Come and torment me," opening the way for Satan to work. and 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Avoid every kind of evil.” Above all, to prevent Satan from working in us, we must remove the dark, untruthful thoughts from our hearts. 

This is because the more untruthful thoughts a person has, the easier it is for Satan to operate. Only when we thoroughly destroy our sinful nature and stand firmly in the truth can we experience complete freedom. John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (2) The second was Satan works is this. Satan Accuses the Believers Before God, Bringing Trials and Suffering Satan accuses the believers before God, filing charges against them. In the Bible, we see a scene where Satan accuses Job. Job 1:9-10 says, [9] Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? [10] Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. Satan claims, “Job fears God and gives Him glory only because God has blessed him with material wealth.” 

In response, God allows Satan’s accusation and grants him permission to test Job. Although Job ultimately triumphed through faith, he endured an immense trial - losing all his children and possessions. Why does God allow Satan’s accusations and trials upon His children? God wanted to demonstrate that human cultivation is conducted with justice and righteousness. Additionally, through trials and refinement, God allows people to recognize and overcome their shortcomings, just as Job ultimately became a greater vessel of faith and received even greater blessings. Since higher-dimensional beings can govern lower-dimensional ones, evil spirits can perceive the justice of the first heaven. Thus, when people of the flesh violate the justice of the first heaven, the evil spirits of the second heaven immediately recognize it and bring accusations before God. However, Jesus, who possesses dominion over the entire fourth heaven, can easily destroy the strongholds of Satan and his forces in the second heaven. 

How Can We Overcome Satan’s Accusations? If we completely forsake the sin and evil of the first heaven and enter into the spirit through goodness and love, we become believers of the third heaven, gaining the authority to overcome all the evil spirits of the second heaven. I believe that today, the divine power of the third and fourth dimensions will manifest, breaking all the schemes of the enemy Satan in the second dimension, healing every disease, and answering every difficult problem! (3) Satan appears in various forms of evil spirits and works in many different ways. The Bible lists various types of sins and evils, and it informs us that behind all these evils, there are evil spirits controlling them. For example, some people simply drink alcohol, but once they are drunk, they become extremely violent, breaking things and attacking people. 

These actions go beyond human reasoning and indicate the work of evil spirits behind them. Satan works in people who have darkness in their hearts. He works as a lying spirit in those who frequently lie, as a divisive spirit in those who enjoy causing division, and as an unclean spirit in those who delight in immoral acts. For example, the deceiving spirit mainly works through false prophets, leading them to teach falsehoods and misguide entire groups. Deception often appears in a convincing and seemingly righteous form, making it easy for people to be misled. For example, false claims about the Second Coming of the Lord have led many believers astray. 

These false teachings, influenced by evil spirits, seemed truthful and reasonable but ultimately brought disgrace to God’s name and caused many to stumble. If someone claims to be a prophet or even calls themselves God, we must be cautious and not be deceived. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” The spirit of deception primarily works through false prophets, causing them to teach falsehoods and mislead groups of people, whereas the lying spirit influences individuals to deceive others for personal gain. 

The lying spirit mostly affects those filled with pride and vanity, leading them to deceive others to elevate themselves. For example, in one church, a woman was possessed by a lying spirit. Although she outwardly acted holy and righteous, she harbored great evil in her heart. When pride took hold of her, the lying spirit entered, and she began spreading falsehoods, deceiving believers, and causing confusion in the church. Unclean spirit is that For instance, a man who commits a crime of violating a woman has already committed evil. However, if he engages in perverse and depraved acts during the crime, performing unspeakable filthiness, that is not just evil - it is the work of an unclean spirit. These unclean spirits can operate at the national level, in organizations, in families, and in individual lives. When war breaks out between nations, the victorious country often kills, rapes, and plunders the defeated nation. In the past, many people were taken as prisoners and enslaved. 

Acts such as annihilating an enemy nation or leading a nation into various forms of debauchery can be referred to as the workings of political unclean spirits. The Bible specifically mentions unclean acts. Leviticus 18:6 says, “No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.” It also states that a man should not lie with another man as with a woman, calling it detestable. This clearly prohibits homosexuality, declaring it unclean and abominable. Furthermore, it prohibits bestiality, saying, “Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it.” Leviticus 19:31 states, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” We need to know this, someone who rejects order and discipline, lives recklessly, indulges in promiscuous behavior, and enjoys deviating from normal life is an easy target for unclean spirits. 

How Can One Remove the Influence of Unclean Spirits? If there is even the slightest opening within us that could allow unclean spirits to work, what should we do? Our Lord did not come to call the righteous but to call sinners to repentance. If you recognize these influences in your heart, you must engage in fasting prayers, dedicated prayers, and all-night prayers to completely remove such uncleanness from within. Since our hearts and bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, if we defile them, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. After David committed the unclean sin of adultery with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan rebuked him harshly. 

David fell to his knees in repentance, crying out in Psalm 51:10 confessing, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” May you also seek to be pure and clean in spirit, breaking Satan’s evil schemes, and always living in victory. 

Conclusion 

Today’s scripture says, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” As Jesus said, believers can cast out demons and pick up snakes, meaning that we should not be those who are bitten by snakes, but those who catch and crush the head of the serpent. 

When we break the strongholds of the evil spirits - Lucifer, the dragon, Satan, the devil, and demons - all curses will be removed. Even if we drink poison, it will not harm us; diseases and sicknesses will be cast out, poverty and problems will flee, and only healing and blessings will remain. There was a small church in a village, and a woman who attended that church became possessed by a demon. The church elders and deacons attempted to enter her room and pray for her, but she would scream, attack them, and drive them away. One day, a young girl from the Sunday school said, “I will go in and pray for her.” 

The adults stopped her, saying, “Even grown-ups cannot handle her. What can you do? You will get hurt! Don’t go in.” But the girl confidently replied, “Do not worry! Jesus is with me!” and entered the room. The adults stood outside, trembling with fear, worried about the child. Suddenly, there was a loud crash - then the door burst open, and the oncepossessed woman came out gently, led by the little girl, as meek as a lamb. The demon had left her completely after the little girl prayed. When asked about what had happened, the healed woman explained: “When the church elders and deacons came in and pointed their fingers at me, shouting, ‘In Jesus’ name, come out, demon!’ it only felt like they were holding thin twigs in their hands. It was not frightening at all, and their actions even seemed laughable. But when the little girl entered and prayed, saying, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, come out, demon!’, I saw a flaming sword in her hands, and it terrified me. 

The demon inside me became so afraid that it immediately fled, and I returned to my senses." Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We have been given the authority in the name of Jesus Christ to cast out Lucifer, the dragon, Satan, demons, and all evil spirits. We have been given the holy gospel of sanctification, and we have been given the power of fervent prayer. Especially through today’s message, may you understand how Satan operates through untruthful thoughts and accuses us before God.

 May you always think positively, hold onto the heart of the Spirit, and continually confess your faith to destroy the schemes of Satan, who spreads evil thoughts in the air. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will always triumph in the name of Jesus Christ! - END -

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Tuwe Waumini Wanaowakamata Nyoka

Andiko la Biblia: Marko 16:16–18
“16. Aaminiye na kubatizwa ataokoka; asiyeamini atahukumiwa. 17. Na ishara hizi zitafuatana na hao waaminio: kwa jina langu watatoa pepo; watasema kwa lugha mpya; 18. watashika nyoka kwa mikono yao; hata wakinywa kitu cha kufisha, hakitawadhuru kamwe; wataweka mikono yao juu ya wagonjwa, nao watapata afya.”

Kichwa cha hubiri ni “Tuwe Waumini Wanaowakamata Nyoka.” Kwa usahihi zaidi: “Tusiwe watu wanaoumwa na nyoka, bali tuwe watu wanaowakamata nyoka.” 

Tukisema “tuwe watu wanaowakamata nyoka,” huenda watu wakafikiria wawakamatao nyoka kama kazi yao. Lakini sisemi tuwe wawakamatao nyoka kitaaluma. Hapa nyoka anawakilisha Shetani. Katika Mwanzo sura ya 3, nyoka anatokea. 

Biblia humwita nyoka wa zamani. Katika Bustani ya Edeni, nyoka, akichochewa na Shetani—mawazo ya Lusifa na joka—alimshawishi Hawa kula tunda la mti wa ujuzi wa mema na mabaya na kutenda dhambi. Ufunuo 20:2 inasema: “Akamshika yule joka, nyoka wa zamani, ndiye Ibilisi na Shetani, akamfunga miaka elfu.” Jumapili mbili zilizopita tulijifunza kuhusu Lusifa na joka. Leo tutaangalia Shetani ni nani na jinsi anavyowaletea watakatifu majaribu na dhiki. Natumaini mtakuwa watu wanaomkamata na kumshinda Shetani—yaani nyoka—kwa nguvu ya roho zenu. Wao hawana Mungu, lakini sisi tunaye Mungu, kwa hiyo tunaweza kushinda vita vya kiroho. 

1. Tuchunguze Shetani ni nani na ni kiumbe wa namna gani.

Shetani anaweza kuelezwa kwa ufupi kuwa moyo na mawazo ya Lusifa, mkuu wa pepo waovu. Shetani ni kiumbe wa kiroho mwenye moyo na nia sawa na Lusifa; kimsingi ni mmoja naye, ingawa anaweza kutofautishwa kama nafsi nyingine. Shetani ana nguvu za giza za Lusifa na huwaongoza watu kuwaza na kuwa na mioyo miovu, kisha kuwatia kutenda maovu. Hata hivyo, nguvu halisi inayowafanya watu waishi gizani hutoka kwa majoka yenye mamlaka katika anga. 

Kwa hiyo, Shetani anaweza pia kusemwa kuwa nia na mawazo ya joka. Kwa kuwa majoka pia yana mawazo na nia ya Lusifa ndani yake, hatimaye tunaweza kusema, “Shetani ni nia na mawazo ya Lusifa na joka.” Ayubu 1:6–7 inasema wana wa Mungu walikuja kusimama mbele za BWANA, Shetani naye akaja kati yao. BWANA akamuuliza ametoka wapi, naye akajibu kwamba alikuwa akizunguka-zunguka duniani. Katika Ayubu sura ya 1 na ya 2, Shetani anaonekana akizungumza na Mungu. 

Shetani anawezaje kuzungumza na Mungu? Wanaweza kuzungumza kwa sababu Roho Mtakatifu na Shetani wako katika cheo sawa. Hata hivyo, kazi zao ni kinyume: Roho Mtakatifu huwakilisha haki, Shetani huwakilisha uovu. Kuelewa jambo hili huondoa mashaka kuhusu mistari hiyo. Kuchochewa kwa nyoka na Shetani kunaeleweka vivyo hivyo. Mwanzo 2:15 inasema Adamu aliilinda Bustani ya Edeni. Hawa na nyoka walikuwa bustanini, lakini Lusifa na joka walikuwa nje. 

Hata hivyo, mawazo ya Shetani, yaani ushawishi wa Lusifa na joka, yalifikia bustani kwa njia ya mawasiliano, naye Shetani akamtumia nyoka kumshawishi Hawa. Watu walio mbali wanaweza kuwasiliana kwa simu au redio kwa kutumia mawimbi yanayolingana. Leo simu za mkononi hurahisisha mawasiliano kati ya miji na nchi tofauti. Lusifa alitaka Hawa ale tunda na kumwasi Mungu. Kwa kuwa hangeweza kuingia bustanini, alitumia mawazo—mawasiliano ya Shetani—kupandikiza mawazo yake na ya joka ndani ya nyoka aliyekuwa karibu na Hawa. 

Kwa nini Mungu aliruhusu viumbe waovu kama Shetani? Ili kuwa watoto wa kweli wa Mungu kupitia kulelewa kwa wanadamu, mtu hukutana na uongo ulio kinyume cha kweli na kwa njia hiyo hutambua kweli. Tunahitaji kujua uovu ulio kinyume cha wema, chuki iliyo kinyume cha upendo, usaliti na udhalimu ulio kinyume cha haki ili kuelewa moyoni thamani ya kweli na kuwa watoto wenye mioyo ya kweli isiyobadilika. Mungu alijua kwamba kungekuwa na viumbe wanaotawala uongo; katika mpango wake aliruhusu ulimwengu wa pepo waovu na kuwapa mamlaka ya giza. 

Kuna dhana inayoitwa “Athari ya Samaki-Kambare.” Inasema mshindani mwenye nguvu katika kundi huwafanya wengine waamke na kuboresha uwezo wao. Hadithi yake ni ya zamani: mvuvi mmoja wa Norway aliweka samaki-kambare kwenye tangi la kusafirisha dagaa. Wavuvi walipovua dagaa baharini na kuwasafirisha hadi bandarini, safari ndefu ilisababisha wengi kufa na hasara kubwa. 

Hata hivyo, mvuvi mmoja aliweza kufikisha dagaa wake wakiwa hai kila mara na akatajirika. Watu walitaka kujua siri yake, lakini hakusema. Baada ya kufa, siri iligunduliwa: aliweka samaki-kambare mmoja pamoja na dagaa. Kwa kuogopa kuliwa, dagaa waliendelea kusogea hadi bandarini na kubaki hai. Vivyo hivyo, Ibilisi adui na Shetani wanaweza kuonekana kuwa viumbe hatari ambao tungependa wasiwepo. Lakini kwa sababu Shetani yupo, tunapitia hali mbalimbali duniani, tunalelewa ipasavyo na kuwa nafaka zilizokomaa na kuzaa matunda. Hivyo, Lusifa, joka, Shetani na Ibilisi wana nafasi inayofanana na samaki-kambare katika malezi ya wanadamu. Muelewe vizuri na mjizatiti kwa Neno la Mungu na maombi ya bidii ili mumshinde Shetani na kuwa matunda mema ya Mungu. 

2. Shetani hutendaje kazi ndani ya watu? 

Hutenda kwa njia mbalimbali, lakini leo nitataja tatu. (1) Shetani hutenda kupitia mawazo ya watu. Kama tulivyoona, Shetani ni nia na mawazo ya Lusifa na majoka. Hupenya katika mawazo ya watu, huchafua mioyo ya waumini kwa uongo na hatimaye kuleta majaribu na mateso katika imani yao. Mawazo yako yanaweza kuwa njia ambayo Shetani hupitia kuingia na kutoka, akitenda kazi ndani yako. Kulingana na aina ya mawazo uliyo nayo, Shetani anaweza kutenda. Shetani ni kama mawimbi mengi ya redio yaliyoenea angani: Lusifa na majoka hueneza mawazo yao ya giza na nguvu za kutenda uovu kila mahali. 

Mawazo hayo ya giza yanayojaza anga ndiyo tunayoyaita Shetani. Redio au televisheni inapolingana na mawimbi ya angani huunganishwa mara moja. Kiroho, mawazo ya mtu yanapolingana na mawazo maovu ambayo Shetani ameeneza, huunganishwa papo hapo. Shetani huingiza kwa nguvu uwezo wake wa giza katika mawazo ya mtu. Kadiri giza moyoni linavyokuwa kubwa, ndivyo nguvu yake inavyoongezeka na kuanza kutenda. Hii ndiyo tunaita kushawishiwa na Shetani au kusikia sauti yake. Kanisani kuna watu wa aina mbalimbali. 

Wengine huwa na wivu wanapoona mtu amevaa vizuri zaidi au ana hali bora zaidi. Mtu huyo akifikiri tofauti kidogo au akitenda tofauti, wanamchukia na kumkosoa. Lakini mtu akihifadhi dhambi ya wivu moyoni, mawazo yake huungana na ya Shetani, na ushawishi wa Shetani huimarisha dhambi hiyo hadi ionekane nje kama wivu. Nikimchukia mtu, si lazima iwe kwa sababu ametenda uovu; huenda chuki ipo ndani yangu. Mtu akitenda maovu, tusimchukie; tumhurumie na kumwombea. 

Chuki ikitokea, ina maana kuna uongo unaoitwa “chuki” ndani yangu. Ninapomwona mtu huyo, mawazo ya chuki huungana na mawazo ya Shetani yaliyo angani, na kwa kupokea nguvu zake chuki huwaka kama moto. Hadithi moja inaonyesha jinsi Shetani anavyotenda: siku moja aliweka vifaa vyake dukani na kutangaza mnada wa bei nafuu. Watu wengi walivutiwa na mauzo hayo. Kati ya vifaa kulikuwa na kimoja cha ajabu kilichoandikwa “Hakiuzwi.” Mtu mmoja akamuuliza: “Shetani, kifaa hiki kinafanya kazi gani, na kwa nini hakiuzwi?” 

Shetani akajibu, “Hiki ni cha thamani sana, kifaa changu bora zaidi. Vingine vyote naweza kuuza, lakini hiki siwezi. Ndicho silaha yangu muhimu zaidi.” Akaendelea: “Kifaa hiki kinaitwa ‘Kukata Tamaa.’ Kwa hicho naweza kuingia katika moyo wowote wa mwanadamu, hata mioyo ambayo siwezi kuifikia kwa njia nyingine. Nikikiweka moyoni mwa mtu, ninaweza kumtawala nitakavyo.” Yule mtu akatikisa kichwa, akatambua ukweli wake. 

Fundisho ni kwamba silaha yenye nguvu zaidi ya Shetani dhidi ya wanadamu ni kushambulia kwanza mawazo na hisia zao. Kwa hiyo ni muhimu sana kuondoa uovu moyoni na kuelekeza mawazo kwenye mambo ya kiroho badala ya ya mwili. Warumi 8:6–7 inasema nia ya mwili ni mauti, bali nia ya Roho ni uzima na amani; nia ya mwili ni uadui juu ya Mungu wala haitii sheria yake. Tunaposhughulika na mawazo ya mwili, ni kana kwamba tunasema, “Bwana Shetani, njoo unitese,” na kufungua njia ya kazi yake. 1 Wathesalonike 5:22 inasema tuepuke kila namna ya uovu. Zaidi ya yote, ili kumzuia Shetani asitende kazi ndani yetu, tuondoe mawazo ya giza na ya uongo mioyoni mwetu. 

Kadiri mtu alivyo na mawazo mengi ya uongo, ndivyo Shetani anavyoweza kutenda kwa urahisi zaidi. Ni tunapoharibu kabisa asili ya dhambi na kusimama imara katika kweli tu ndipo tunapata uhuru kamili. Yohana 8:32 inasema: “Tena mtaifahamu kweli, nayo hiyo kweli itawaweka huru.” (2) Shetani huwashtaki waumini mbele za Mungu na kuleta majaribu na mateso. Biblia inaonyesha Shetani akimshtaki Ayubu. Ayubu 1:9–10 inasema Shetani alimuuliza BWANA kama Ayubu anamcha bure, kwa kuwa Mungu alikuwa amemlinda yeye na nyumba yake na kubariki kazi ya mikono yake. Shetani alidai Ayubu alimtukuza Mungu kwa sababu tu alikuwa amebarikiwa kwa mali. 

Mungu aliruhusu shtaka la Shetani na kumpa ruhusa ya kumjaribu Ayubu. Ingawa Ayubu alishinda kwa imani, alipitia jaribu kubwa na kupoteza watoto na mali zake zote. Kwa nini Mungu huruhusu mashtaka na majaribu dhidi ya watoto wake? Alitaka kuonyesha kwamba malezi ya wanadamu hufanyika kwa haki na uadilifu. Pia, kupitia majaribu na kusafishwa, watu hutambua na kushinda mapungufu yao, kama Ayubu alivyokuwa chombo kikubwa zaidi cha imani na kupokea baraka zaidi. Viumbe wa ngazi ya juu wanaweza kutawala walio ngazi ya chini, kwa hiyo pepo waovu wanaweza kutambua haki ya mbingu ya kwanza. Watu wa mwili wanapokiuka haki hiyo, pepo waovu wa mbingu ya pili hutambua mara moja na kuwashtaki mbele za Mungu. Lakini Yesu, mwenye mamlaka juu ya mbingu yote ya nne, anaweza kuharibu kwa urahisi ngome za Shetani na majeshi yake katika mbingu ya pili. 

Tunawezaje kushinda mashtaka ya Shetani? Tukiacha kabisa dhambi na uovu wa mbingu ya kwanza na kuingia katika roho kwa wema na upendo, tunakuwa waumini wa mbingu ya tatu na kupata mamlaka ya kushinda pepo wote waovu wa mbingu ya pili. Ninaamini kwamba leo nguvu ya mbingu ya tatu na ya nne itadhihirika, ikivunja hila zote za Shetani adui katika ulimwengu wa pili, kuponya kila ugonjwa na kujibu kila tatizo gumu! (3) Shetani hutenda kwa namna nyingi kupitia aina mbalimbali za pepo waovu. Biblia inataja dhambi na maovu mengi na kutuonyesha kwamba nyuma yake kuna pepo waovu wanaoyatawala. Watu wengine hunywa tu pombe, lakini wanapolewa huwa wakali sana, huvunja vitu na kushambulia watu. 

Matendo hayo hupita akili ya kawaida na kuonyesha kazi ya pepo waovu. Shetani hutenda kazi ndani ya wenye giza moyoni: huwa roho ya uongo kwa wanaodanganya mara kwa mara, roho ya fitina kwa wanaopenda kugawa watu, na roho mchafu kwa wanaofurahia matendo yasiyo ya adili. Kwa mfano, roho ya udanganyifu hutenda hasa kupitia manabii wa uongo na kuwafanya wafundishe uongo na kupotosha makundi yote. Udanganyifu mara nyingi huonekana kuwa wenye kushawishi na haki, hivyo watu hudanganyika kwa urahisi. Unabii wa uongo kuhusu kurudi kwa Bwana umewapotosha waumini wengi. 

Mafundisho hayo ya uongo, yaliyoathiriwa na pepo waovu, yalionekana ya kweli na yenye mantiki lakini hatimaye yalilitia jina la Mungu aibu na kuwafanya wengi wajikwae. Mtu akijidai kuwa nabii au hata Mungu mwenyewe, tuwe waangalifu tusidanganyike. 1 Timotheo 4:1–2 inasema Roho asema wazi kwamba nyakati za mwisho wengine wataiacha imani na kufuata roho zidanganyazo na mafundisho ya pepo, kupitia wanafiki wasemao uongo ambao dhamiri zao zimechomwa kwa moto. Roho ya udanganyifu hutenda hasa kupitia manabii wa uongo na kupotosha watu wengi; roho ya uongo humshawishi mtu mmoja kudanganya kwa faida yake. 

Roho ya uongo huwaathiri hasa wenye kiburi na majivuno, na kuwafanya wawadanganye wengine ili wajiinue. Katika kanisa moja, mwanamke alikuwa amepagawa na roho ya uongo. Kwa nje alionekana mtakatifu na mwadilifu, lakini moyoni alikuwa na uovu mwingi. Kiburi kilipomtawala, roho ya uongo ikaingia; akaanza kueneza uongo, kuwadanganya waumini na kuleta machafuko kanisani. Roho mchafu hutenda kwa namna nyingine. Mtu akimdhulumu mwanamke tayari ametenda uovu; lakini akifanya vitendo vya upotovu na uchafu wa kutisha wakati wa uhalifu huo, hayo ni kazi ya roho mchafu. Roho hawa wanaweza kutenda katika taifa, shirika, familia na maisha ya mtu binafsi. Vita vinapotokea, taifa linaloshinda mara nyingi huua, hubaka na kupora watu wa taifa lililoshindwa; zamani wengi walitekwa na kufanywa watumwa. 

Kuangamiza taifa adui au kuliongoza taifa katika upotovu mbalimbali kunaweza kuitwa kazi ya roho wachafu wa kisiasa. Biblia hutaja wazi matendo machafu. Mambo ya Walawi 18:6 inasema mtu asimkaribie jamaa yake wa karibu ili kufanya naye tendo la ndoa; BWANA ndiye. Pia inakataza mwanamume kulala na mwanamume kama alalavyo na mwanamke, na kuita jambo hilo chukizo. Inakataza pia kufanya tendo la ndoa na mnyama na kujitia unajisi. Mambo ya Walawi 19:31 inasema tusigeukie waaguzi wala kutafuta waganga wa pepo, tusije tukajitia unajisi kwao. Tunapaswa kujua kwamba mtu anayekataa utaratibu na nidhamu, aishiye hovyo, afurahiae uasherati na kupenda kupotoka katika maisha ya kawaida ni rahisi kushambuliwa na roho wachafu. 

Tunawezaje kuondoa ushawishi wa roho wachafu? Tukiwa na mwanya hata mdogo unaoweza kuruhusu roho wachafu kutenda ndani yetu, tufanye nini? Bwana wetu hakuja kuwaita wenye haki, bali wenye dhambi wapate kutubu. Ukiona ushawishi huu moyoni mwako, fanya maombi ya kufunga, maombi maalumu na maombi ya usiku kucha ili kuondoa kabisa uchafu huo. Mioyo na miili yetu ni hekalu la Roho Mtakatifu; tukivitia unajisi, hatuwezi kuingia katika ufalme wa mbinguni. Daudi alipofanya dhambi chafu ya uzinzi na Bathsheba, nabii Nathani alimkemea vikali. 

Daudi akapiga magoti kwa toba na kuomba katika Zaburi 51:10: “Ee Mungu, uniumbie moyo safi, uifanye upya roho iliyotulia ndani yangu.” Nanyi tafuteni kuwa safi na watakatifu rohoni, mkiyavunja hila mbaya za Shetani na kuishi katika ushindi daima. 

Hitimisho 

Andiko la leo linasema ishara hizi zitafuatana na waaminio: kwa jina la Yesu watatoa pepo, watasema kwa lugha mpya, watashika nyoka kwa mikono yao, hawatadhuriwa wakinywa sumu ya kufisha, na wataweka mikono juu ya wagonjwa nao watapata afya. Kama Yesu alivyosema, waumini wanaweza kutoa pepo na kushika nyoka. Maana yake tusiwe watu wanaoumwa na nyoka, bali tuwe watu wanaomkamata na kumponda kichwa nyoka. 

Tukivunja ngome za pepo waovu—Lusifa, joka, Shetani, Ibilisi na mapepo—laana zote zitaondolewa. Hata tukinywa sumu haitatudhuru; magonjwa yataondoka, umaskini na matatizo yatakimbia, na uponyaji na baraka zitabaki. Kulikuwa na kanisa dogo kijijini, na mwanamke mmoja aliyelihudhuria akapagawa na pepo. Wazee na mashemasi walijaribu kuingia chumbani mwake na kumwombea, lakini alipiga kelele, akawashambulia na kuwafukuza. Siku moja msichana mdogo wa shule ya Jumapili akasema, “Nitaingia nikamwombee.” 

Watu wazima wakamzuia: “Hata watu wazima hawawezi kumdhibiti. Wewe utaweza nini? Utaumia!” Lakini msichana akajibu kwa ujasiri, “Msijali, Yesu yuko pamoja nami!” akaingia chumbani. Watu wazima walisimama nje wakitetemeka kwa hofu na kumwonea wasiwasi. Ghafla kishindo kikubwa kikasikika, mlango ukafunguka kwa kishindo, na yule mwanamke aliyekuwa amepagawa akatoka kwa upole, akiongozwa na msichana mdogo, akiwa mpole kama mwana-kondoo. Pepo lilikuwa limemtoka kabisa baada ya msichana kumwombea. Alipoulizwa kilichotokea, mwanamke aliyeponywa akasema: “Wazee na mashemasi walipoingia na kunyooshea vidole wakipiga kelele, ‘Kwa jina la Yesu, toka pepo!’ nilihisi kana kwamba wameshika vijiti vyembamba tu. Sikuogopa; vitendo vyao vilionekana hata vya kuchekesha. Lakini msichana mdogo alipoingia na kuomba, ‘Kwa jina la Yesu Kristo, toka pepo!’ niliona upanga wa moto mikononi mwake, nami nikaogopa sana. 

Pepo lililokuwa ndani yangu liliogopa sana, likakimbia mara moja, nami nikarudia fahamu.” Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo, tumepewa mamlaka kwa jina la Yesu Kristo ya kutoa Lusifa, joka, Shetani, mapepo na roho wote waovu. Tumepewa Injili takatifu ya utakaso na nguvu ya maombi ya bidii. Kupitia ujumbe wa leo, eleweni jinsi Shetani anavyotenda kupitia mawazo ya uongo na kutushtaki mbele za Mungu. 

Daima fikiri mema, shikilia moyo wa Roho na ukiri imani yako bila kukoma ili kuharibu hila za Shetani anayeeneza mawazo maovu angani. Katika jina la Bwana, nawaombea mshinde daima kwa jina la Yesu Kristo! — MWISHO —

Rudi kwenye Hubiri