Shame the devil

Psalm 52:2-3 (ESV) – “Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.”
    It has been many years since I have sat down and routinely watched the television news. I stopped allowing the mainstream media to pour into my spirit the negativity and debasing characteristics of our degrading society. I still stay on top of what is happening and I usually keep abreast of world events, but I decide what I will allow to bombard my soul and my spirit and through what means.  I encourage you to always look beyond the obvious. Remember they call a news story a "news feed".  Be careful what you feed your soul. Th devil always plays against our emotions, We must stay in prayer,  Our God is a God of purpose and this blog medium  is used to uplift the kingdom and to empower the saints. I share what God puts in my heart and on my spirit for the day. And today the main message is "don't be fooled by lies- the revolution will not be televised!"
    With the social unrest that is brewing around our country and the plights against human dignity that surge around the world; we must not lose sight of that fact that there are dark forces at work. Evil is real; demonic influences are real. People are vulnerable, weak and naïve. As Godly people we must be alert, prayerful and fearless in trusting God.
   Older members of my family used to taunt one another when they were spinning tales of unbelievable exploits or fabricating details of ordinary events. When one of them caught another stretching the truth a bit they would quip – “Tell the truth and shame the devil”. We need to follow this example even more stridently. We must endeavor to squelch the propagation of falsehoods, lies and deceit. The devil loves gossip, slander, lies and misdirection and will use these tools to bring division and derision to those who love the Lord.
    Small indiscretions can lead to full blown mockery if we do not nip it in the bud. Our scripture tells of how the evil one can influence deceit and thrive on controversy. When we make a conscious decision to tell the truth, stop slander and ignore gossip; we stop the devil in his tracks. He comes only to kill, steal and destroy. He wants to kill relationships; steal our joy and destroy our destinies. He will not stop; so we must be ever vigilant to his crafty and sly ways. Tell the truth. It takes work to remember lies; but the truth is always the truth and easy to recall. Exercise discretion and live in the freedom of doing the right thing; shame the devil.
   Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted; stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn