I remember a visiting prophet once came to a church I was attending. He spoke at length about how God was releasing something new in the Church and taking us to Another Level. For statements like this, in a church I’m visiting, I keep my mouth quiet.
In the midst of these Declarations, he shared a testimony about a car crash that he was involved in that was quiet serious. I was relieved that he got out of it without a scratch. But then he made a statement that is very common in the Church today, “The Devil is attacking him because He is moving to Another Level.”
That subtle message takes many forms. Another way to say it is, “The devil on attacks you because you are Dangerous to him.” Or “It’s a reflection of the Anointing upon you life, how much the Devil Troubles you.” The thinking always follows the same lines linking the Devil’s Attacks somehow to how Spiritual we are.
Now I’ve been guilty of saying this same thing in the past, so I understand the reasoning. But in the light of scripture, this is purely a Man’s Tradition, and actually a very dangerous way of thinking.
If someone wants to measure the level of their Spirit Life, it is not measured by how much tragedy and mishaps occur in your life. On the contrary, the Bible tells us the measure of a person’s Spiritual Maturity is the Fruit of the Life. (Matthew 7:16) If a person is doing the will of God by destroying the works of the enemy, praying for the sick, casting out devils or preaching the Gospel, those are very good measures of Spiritual Maturity.
Now I am not talking about genuine persecution for your faith. When you speak the truth, you will have religious spirits coming after you to speak against you and possibly kill you. On the contrary, that kind of persecution is a very good sign that you are walking in the Truth. Instead I’m talking about attributing all the other manner of tragedy to the Devil as a sign of your Maturity; everything from a Stubbed toe to Sickness and death. Those are NOT signs of your Spiritual maturity by any biblical measure.
This kind of Teaching gets people to put faith to expect bad things to happen in their Lives. I once heard a lady say she was afraid to pray for her son, because she knew the devil would trouble him and her for it.
This is all the side effect of a Tradition that has gone totally out of Control. If you believe this line of reasoning, let me be the first to tell you, Your Devil is too big, and your God is too small.
I believe that the Bible actually teaches the complete opposite, that we are to walk untouched by the Devil through this life. Even under the old Covenant this was a reality;
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
These are great promises that existed under the Old Covenant. How much Greater should the protection be under the New Covenant?
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
ALL the fiery Darts of the Wicked one means All. If fiery darts are hitting you, that’s not a sign of Spiritual Growth, it’s a Sign of your lack of Faith.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
These are great promises under the New Covenant, but we don’t see the fullness of these truths in our life, because we hold the traditions of men above scripture, making the word of no effect. (Matthew 15:6)