Scripture: James 3; Revelations 12 v 9-10.
The meaning of the name Satan is the Accuser of the
Brethren or Slanderer. He spends most of his time accusing us of evil and error
before God and demanding the death penalty. Thankfully Jesus is our Advocate (1
John 2v1) and He tells the Father You laid that sin on Me, I died, and You
forgave Me and raised Me to life. Therefore the accused is not guilty. Case
dismissed.
The Slanderer keeps on accusing us before God hoping he
can kill just one of us and take us to Hell. He knows that the consequences of
sin is death and ultimately eternal death which is total separation from God
forever.
Satan really enjoys it when we are enticed to slander
each other and break each other down. When we accuse and spitefully abuse each
other Satan is very pleased. James says our tongues are a fire, a world of
iniquity, an unruly evil full of deadly poison. The malice comes from
bitterness, envy and strife in our hearts and is called devilish.
The wisdom that comes from above is pure, peaceful,
gentle, full of mercy and good fruits especially the fruit of righteousness.
Righteousness is being able to confidently stand in the presence of Almighty
God. Our own righteousness was unacceptable so when Jesus took on the filthy
rags of our unrighteousness He gave us His white robes of righteousness. His
access to the Throne of Grace enabled us to approach the Father and our prayers
be heard.
At the moment of Jesus's death on the Cross, the 4"
thick curtain of interwoven gold that protected the Holy of Holies, the Ark, in
the Temple, split from top to bottom (Matthew 27v 50-51). Only the Jewish High
Priest was allowed in there once a year on the Day of Atonement. The splitting
of the curtain meant that all could freely enter into God's presence without
any religious rituals whatsoever.
So be careful when you are talking about someone to
uplift and bless them and never slander or bring false accusation against them.
The Devil does that and why should we be like him who deceived us and did so
much damage to us and our relationships.
Be a blessing to your brothers and sisters in the Lord
and protect them from malicious words. Spite, malice, slander and venom are the
serpent's tools for our destruction and we should shun any alliance with the
one who lies and undermines our confidence continuously.
Philippians 4 v 7-8 says "And the peace of God,
which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely,whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Prayer: Heavenly Father You are altogether all those
things and we are made in Your likeness so we must think and be as You are!
Help us to attain this height and put away spite, malice, slander, gossip,
venom, hatred, bitterness from within us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father put a guard over our mouths to
prevent us from breaking down the brethren through gossip and slander. Start
with us today to speak the truth in love so that all may be blessed. In Jesus'
name. Amen.