SATANIC DELICACIES: Open Heaven Daily Devotional, 7 July 2018

Memorise: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, and seeking whom he may devour:
1Peter 5:8

Read: Luke 4:1-8
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Bible in one year: 2Chronicles 7-8, Acts 23:12-35

Message
Delicacies are rich, luxurious or expensive food enjoyed by royals and the wealthy. Satanic delicacies symbolise worldly goodies and pleasures that appeal to the eyes and are deemed good for the body, which Satan and his agents craftily offer in exchange for a man’s soul. Such delicacies could be anything that feeds the ego, such as fame, power and access to wealth. 

They are labelled ‘satanic’ because the Bible contains several instances of the devil using them as bait while tempting children of God. For example, Adam and Eve fell because the devil convinced them that the forbidden fruit was delicious, beautiful to behold and would inspire knowledge and wisdom (Genesis 3:4-6). 

In the same way, the devil offered beautiful women to Samson in exchange for his great anointing, and unfortunately he fell for it (Judges 16:18-20). Similarly, the man of God from Judah was tempted to eat bread and drink water, in direct disobedience to God’s directive, and this ended his ministry abruptly (1Kings 13:11-22). 

In today’s Bible reading, the devil offered tantalising delicacies to our Lord Jesus Christ, but glory be to God, He triumphed over the devil by the power in the word of God. I pray that you will not become a victim of satanic delicacies in Jesus’ Name.

Satanic delicacies are often offered in attractive packages to simple minded people. However, full disclosure on the true contents of such packages and the consequences of accepting them are usually withheld. The same scenario plays out in every temptation – a person will only discover the consequences of his or her choices when it is virtually too late. 

I pray that you will not discover the truth about the satanic delicacies that are set before you when it is too late in Jesus’ Name. The good news is that despite the craftiness and deceptive schemes of the devil, the Bible has provided the means to overcome his wicked devices. Watchfulness, intensive prayer, total submission to God and resisting the devil are all key elements of this provision (Matthew 26:41, James 4:7). 

Abstaining from all appearances of evil is another effective means of overcoming satanic delicacies (1Thessalonians 5:22). Satanic delicacies are usually offered to seduced, persuade or cajole gullible people into sin. A Christian should never fall for this old trick or agree with the devil under any circumstance. Proverbs 1:10 says:

“My son, if sin sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

Above all, the Bible tells us that victory is assured because the devil is only fighting a lost battle (1John 4:4). I pray that you will never lose the victory that Christ has won for you in Jesus’ Name.

Action Point
Think over any satanic delicacy that is set before you and apply the appropriate divine provision to overcome them.

Hymn 18 – CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE

Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us we can never Fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty powe Can e’er prevail.

Chorus:
Conquerors are we, thr’o the blood of Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood of Jesus
Through the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

In the name of Israel’s God we’ ll Onward press,
Overcoming sin and all Unrighteousness;
Not to us but unto Him the praise Shall be,
For salvation and for blood bought victory.

Unto Him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm Shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden Crown shall wear.