The Sifting Work Of Satan

TEXT: Luke 22:31-34 (NLT)

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

SATAN, THE SIFTER

You are on Satan's sifting list. Every believer must pass through the sifting process as God gives the devil permission to test his children. Jesus assured Peter that he had already prayed for him so that his faith will not fail in the period of trial. Faith is what you need to fight Satan. 1 Tim 6:12 says, "Fight the good fight of faith..." The fiery darts of Satan will not strike you down in Jesus name.

Satan's ministry is to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ came to give abundant life. Whatever charges Satan lays before God concerning you, know that you have an advocate in heaven interceding for you - Jesus, the son of God. Romans 8:34 tells us: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Satan's sifting work is thorough as he will seek every means to pull you down with his deceptions. He succeeded with Judas Iscariot, Ananias, Saphirra and Demas. He almost succeeded with Peter, but the prayer of Jesus kept him. The Lord will intercede for you in your hour of need in Jesus name. Apart from Jesus, the Holy Spirit is also involved in interceding for believers: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom 8:26).

JESUS, THE LIFTER

Satan sifted Peter thoroughly: He denied knowing Jesus 3 times, temporarily abandoned his duty post and went back to fishing, but through it all, the prayer of Jesus sustained him as he came back stonger. Peter led the early church powerfully and we still enjoy the fruit of Jesus prayer for Peter today. Satan tempted Jesus but failed (Matt 4:1-11).

The tempter will tempt you, but Jesus will lift you up. God promised to provide a way of escape for you: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). Even if you fall, get up and repent; the Lord will restore you. Satan is the sifter but Jesus is the lifter. He is able to restore all who cry unto him. The Lord's intercession on your behalf will not be in vain in Jesus name.

WATCH AND PRAY

Peter boasted that he will never deny Jesus, but we all know what happened. When Jesus was praying for the fulfilment of his destiny; Peter, James and John were busy sleeping in the prayer mountain. We are prone to boast like Peter and like him also, we sleep, when we ought to pray.

You are on Satan's sifting list, but Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for you; therefore fight the good fight of faith, resist the devil and he will flee with his chief sifting instrument (deceit). Jesus said to the disciples in Luke 22:46: "Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Arise now, let's pray:

PRAYER:

*O Lord my God strengthen me by your mighty hand to fight the good fight of faith.

*When the tempter comes, Lord intercede for me.Open my eyes to see the way of escape provided. *Lord, help me, do mot let my faith fail, rekindle and revive the fire in my prayer life in Jesus name.

CONFESSION: I am who I am, what I am and where I am by grace of the son of God, who died for me.

God bless your day. Shalom.