"Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."

2 Corinthians 2:11

 

We are in a time in the world right now where the devil's campaign on the subject of fear is on the rise. More people in the world right now are afraid than ever before because of the spread of Covid-19 and so, many people are looking up to their governments for assurances that they would be fine. Why? Because they are really afraid! I read online how Nigerians are still angry at the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has not addressed the nation over the incidences of Covid-19 in Nigeria. As at the time of putting this writing together, 30 cases have been reported and are currently being examined across the nation. Yet, the president has not utter a word by himself apart from what his media aides put out on social media. This shows how desperate people are in getting assurances from those they have elected as leaders at such a time as this.

 

Businesses are shutting down, schools are shutting down, religious activities that usually have large numbers in attendance are being asked to put on hold their gatherings or reduce in size; people are being asked to maintain social distancing, people are being asked to stay indoors, work from home and all of that in order not to fall victim of the deadly pandemic. The world would never be the same again when this is over really. Certain countries aren't finding it funny in trying to contain the pandemic. In Europe for instance, Italy is the worst hit. More cases are being reported almost daily and death toll is on the rise. the United States of America too is doing all it can to stem the spread of the virus.

 

The world economy is crumbling, price of crude is rising and falling, stock market has never been the same; and the biggest economies are being put to strong test at this time. Many people are wondering what really is going on in the world. I even read some funny comments like "this year should just end already", "can we go to 2021 like really fast"; "Is this virus planning to end the world with little or no notice?" Many health practitioners didn't see this coming, the virus had revealed the weaknesses of many nation's health care system. It is really a wonderful time in the world at the moment, not to say the opposite.

 

But there is definitely a being that is happy with all that is happening in the world at the moment. In case you haven't thought about it, this is exactly what the devil want really. Because  one of the weapons in the hands of Satan is chaos. The devil thrives both in chaos and isolation. This is why the saying "an idle hand is the devil's workshop" is often said. Aren't you surprised everyone is being asked to keep a distance and be isolated if they notice anything strange in their health? The devil knows that if he can get a man or a woman isolated, he can carry out his enterprise in their lives and through them. Let me give you some biblical examples.

 

Look at Eve for instance, Satan did not go to her when her husband was with her. He had to visit her when she was alone. 1 Timothy 2:14 (NLV) says "Adam was not fooled by Satan; it was the woman who was fooled and sinned." That showed clearly that Adam was not in the picture when that temptation took place. Apart from Eve, Satan tried the same gimmick with Jesus too in the wilderness. Jesus was alone at the time; no disciple was with Him. As a matter of fact, He had not even chosen any disciples yet at this time.

 

He went to tempt Him at a time when He believe that Jesus would be vulnerable. That tells you that isolation can make people vulnerable to certain things. Think about this for a moment; there are certain things you wouldn't do for instance because you know that people are watching and around you. But what happens when you are alone? It means you are prone to doing that thing. So, what is happening in the world right now is to the delight of the devil because he thrives more in this kind of chaotic situation as the world is experiencing right now. But our God will give us victory over him in Jesus name.

 

In this piece, I want to share with us how and why we must never give in to Fear. Many people aren't living optimally right now or at their full capacity simply because fear has taken over their lives. It is understandable why people should be afraid at such a time as this because there is virtually no good news out there other than the spread of Covid-19. These news alone are enough to minister fear in peoples' hearts really. However, you must also never forget that this is what the devil wants actually. 2 Corinthians 2:11 we quoted above said "Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."

 

One of the devices of the devil actually is fear, and his plan for now is to spread that fear across the world through this deadly virus. Fear is not associated with God.  The Bible says God has not given us the spirit of fear. Anywhere fear prevails, the devil is much more present in that place. We can actually forget for a moment whether this pandemic is God's way of punishing the world as postulated by some clergy, this would be a matter to be discussed another time. We can also do ourselves some good by forgetting that this virus is the creation of the Chinese. This still remain at best a conspiracy theory, even though the virus came from Wuhan in China.

 

But the ground agenda of the devil at a time like this is to create fear and panic, and this is exactly what he is doing. The devil believes if he can succeed in making some afraid, then he would be able to penetrate their defenses. He would be able to penetrate their health, penetrate their businesses, penetrate their families; just as we have it in the world right now. People are losing their health, losing their businesses, losing their family members since this pandemic began. Don't forget that apostle Peter in the Bible was actually walking on water until he was afraid because he saw the boisterous wind. Many people who had never been scared of anything before are now scared of Covid-19.

 

How best can you live at such a time as this? The best way actually is to take away your gaze from this Covid-19. Even though the world wants you to pay attention to it, but the more you do so, the more you become afraid. Almost everywhere you turn to right now, people are aware of this Corona virus. The news media, both local and internationally; have amplified this virus enough and this alone can create fear and panic. But focus on Jesus and not the virus. When you focus on Jesus, you will receive faith and not fear. Hebrews 12:2 says "looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith."

 

With the same vigor that the world wants you to be safe from this virus, channel that same vigor to look unto Jesus. Jesus is the only direction we have right now if we are ever going to overcome and live above the fear that the devil has released into the global atmosphere through Covid-19.

 

Stay Blessed!

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!

Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!