KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:23 (KJV). “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

After the Lord declared vividly God’s agenda for His life, through suffering, death and resurrection, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him to stop saying such things. The Lord quickly reacted to Peter’s rebuke, identifying it as Satan speaking through him. This could casually be analyzed as Peter speaking from the flesh, without seeing Satan’s direct influence. This story reveals that most communications among friends, couples, and what have you, may be under the direct influence of Satan. “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” — John 13:27 (KJV). Satan or a demon can take over an individual when the conditions are ripe. In the case of Judas, he was very covetous and so had given over his heart to make money from betraying the Lord. Peter was an erratic speaker, who will not think over what he was saying. Check for any weakness in you.

Certain relations have been severed as a result of hash words that were used on one another. Culprits don’t know that devils have taken over their voice or tongues to dish out his mind and plans for such people. A person who has been hurt can be used by the devil to speak words of hatred and pain. Nations have been plunged into terrible wars, just by a comment from a political leader or a journalist. Such words may be demonic words. People pass negative comments about others that may spread like a wild fire. In 2 Kings 22, the prophets in Israel just wanted to please the king. God sent a lying spirit to speak through them, in order to deceive the king. 2 kings 22:23. “And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.”

How can one detect that Satan or a demon is speaking through a human?

1.Any statement that opposes the will of God. (Matt 16:23)

2.Words that are meant to injure or hurt the victim (1 John 2:11,3:15)

3.Words that are lies. John 8:44

4 Words that challenge the authority of God (2 Corinth 10:4-5

5.Words that express gross unbelief in God and His word (Numb 13:31)

6 Words that challenge the existence of God are from demonic sources (Psalm 14:1)

HOW can one keep himself from being used by the devil to speak?

1.Feed your heart with the scriptures, as well as spend time to meditate on the scriptures. (Col 3:16, Joshua 1:8)

2.Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath. James 1:19

3.If what you wish to say is not true, don’t say it.

4. Be careful not to promote the flesh, but the way of Spirit always.

5.If it is a word of unbelief, then refuse to give your voice to it.

6 Let the love of God fill and control all you do and say. Gal 5:22

CONFESSION

I am given to God. My heart is filled with love for all and so I give no place to the enemy to speak through me.

FURTHER STUDIES

 1 John 2:11 (KJV). “But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

 John 8:44 (KJV). “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”