1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof
of thy ministry
The First Time we are introduced to the Devil was when he tempted Eve.(He was trying to break the
relationship between Adam and Eve and God.
The second time we are introduced to the devil, he was working hard on the mind of Cain to kill his
brother Abel.
The third time we are introduced to the devil was when righteous Noel was having a wonderful
relationship with his God and how the people laughed him to scorn when he obeyed the Lord to
build an Ark to the Lord.
Look at these examples, what do they all have in common, the devil came in the first instance, with
Adam and Eve and successfully broke their relationship with God. The world is suffering today
because of that broken relationship. Sin and death can be traced to that broken relationship.
The second case is the beginning of murder in the world, it seems that the devil has a foothold on
breaking relationships, whether it is when Cain killed his brother or when Noel was laughed to scorn
when he maintained his relationship with God.
The Fourth time the devil appeared in the Bible was at the tower of Babal when the devil
manipulated the people again to rebel against God by building a tower to reach God.
I can go on and on……
I look at society today; almost everyone reading this knows a couple, we attended their wedding..
but now, the are divorced… broken marriage, broken family, broken relationships, two brothers or
the whole family fighting, they do not talk to each other.
Why does the devil fight relationships?
Because he lost his opportunity with God, he once enjoyed sweet fellowship with the Lord, now he
lost that and he does not want you to enjoy that. He is aware of the importance of a relationship
when God comes down to commune with an ordinary man on a ordinary day, in an ordinary house
or apartment, and an ordinary MAN DOES SUPERNATURAL THINGS WITH God…. when you are used by God to minister to people.
Because of man`s relationship with God, man is able to receive strength and GRACE AND POWER TO STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL……Now do you see why the devil wants to destroy our relationships with God!!!!
The devil does not really care about your gifting, he does not really care about your anointing, he
goes to the root of the operation of your gifting- your relationship with God, once he can cut you
from God your gifting will be meaningless.
The gifting is perfect but the man is not perfect….
Four Major Areas the Devil Fights your Relationships.
1) Your Prayer Life. You can be so busy doing the right things, but you forget to pray.
Now look at Acts 16:16.-23 Look at this very carefully. The disciples were going to the house of
Prayer. Now, read all these verses. The question for you my brothers and sisters is, did the disciples
go the house of prayer?
They were hindered by a demonic woman. Now watch this. The devil will do all to hinder you from
prayer. Note how the phone rings when you want to pray, how the news comes on, how the nice
smell of food gets you up from praying!!!!
2) Your Bible Study Life. When you study the bible God speaks to you and thereby you know his plan for your life Ps 119:9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto
according to thy word. Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
That Relationship between Father and Son in Bible Study is very precious. We have Sunday Bible
School of the Word. Only a few attended .
3) Your Marriage Life. There is no greater relationship than marriage; it is not good for the man to be
alone- physically (sexual relationship, this bonding is very important to MAN AND WOMAN) a help
mate…fit for him. Not the Dog!!! How many marriages have ended in divorce court today.
4) Your church life. As you go home and find refuge, so your church should be. It should be a place to
relax and enjoy the presence of the Lord. Church brings, security, protection and a dwelling place to
the believer. I found that the church is God vessel to reach this generation. ….1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour: over the past three decades, look at all the problems satans throws at the church, look at
our society, only 10% of Australians attend church. People only call upon the church during a
football club dedication, a funeral and when dedicating a boat or airplane. This society has
successfully alienated the church from their way of life. And even look inside the church: we see
hypocrisy…. Look at her, how can she be leading that group.. I am a better leader, I should have been
the one … I wont talk to Sister Mary today.. we keep ten year old grudges, we keep malice. We
assume things that are not there. .. The church of Jesus is not perfect.. but it still the place where
God decides to manifest his power. Church problems are every where, there are people you click
with in church and there others you wont click with… God never told you to like your pastor, he told
you to Honour them…
5) Children and youth…
We have lost the children today, because we adults cannot stand children with us, mentor is now a
far.. Where are the fathers in this house?.. Fathers arise, my son is not just my son, he is your as
well.. let us rise and mentor them.. Many people call me their father, many people. Many church
kids are looking for a father.. Let us stop looking at our selves and our needs and our interest.. there
is a child here, a young man a young woman here, you can mentor.. build relationship with them and
start to help them today. Let us tolerate them… Story of young Billy who lost his father and only
fathers at church brought him up.
How to get out of the devils trap
Now you know how vital a relationship is to God and yourself. So we need to develop a personal
strategy to get out of this trap: Note that is is a personal Strategy .
1)Don’t be offended (remember offense is the greatest trap of the devil.)
2)Don’t open any door(seek a peaceful solution immediately)
3)REMEMBER (Lest you forget)the real reason for the attack
4)Singleness of heart. 5)Fighting hatred with love
6) Couples talk about issues, do not sweep them under the carpet. I believe couples should engage
in eyeball conversation at least 20 mins each day. Leave the dishes, leave the clothes and just spend
that time with each other.
I cannot tell you how to protect your house, your car, your investments and you work. But if I were
to tell you something today, is this guard your relationship with your GOD, your FAMILY and your
CHURCH.
Let me take you back in History to November 9th 1989, when the Berlin wall came down, the wall
that separated the West Germans from the East Germans, it was a relief and many were reunited
with their lost families.
Friends more than 2000 yrs ago Jesus broke down the walls that separated you and I from God.
Today, you have free access to GOD, YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONFESS TO THE PRIEST.
You can have your lost or broken relationship with God restored right now. All you need to do now is
to get on your knees and turn again to God. Ask your spouse to forgive , reconcile be like what Jesus
said ..
Mt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Rev. Dr. William Osagiede