DATE: FRIDAY APRIL 25TH 2025

MEMORISE:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,1 to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”2 – (Isaiah 61:1)

READ: JUDGES 16:1-3 (KJV)

1 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in3 the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

3 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went4 away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.5

MESSAGE:

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare and the Need for Divine Power

We live in a world where the reality of spiritual warfare is undeniable. Forces of darkness are constantly at work, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). They seek to keep humanity in bondage, blind eyes to the truth of the gospel, and hinder the advancement of God’s kingdom. Against such a formidable, invisible enemy, how can ordinary human beings hope to stand, let alone prevail? How can we not just resist, but actually become a force that causes the kingdom of darkness to tremble? The answer lies not in our own strength, wisdom, or cunning, but in a divine empowerment – the indwelling and operation of the Holy Spirit within the life of a yielded believer. This is the key to “Becoming a Terror to the Devil.”

Understanding “Becoming a Terror to the Devil”

To become a terror to the devil is not about adopting an aggressive or confrontational personality in the natural. It is about possessing a spiritual authority and power that the devil and his agents recognize and fear. It is about operating from a realm of divine influence that disrupts the plans of darkness and establishes the purposes of light. It’s about manifesting the presence and power of God in such a way that the enemy’s strongholds are dismantled, captives are set free, and the gospel advances unimpeded.

A Biblical Illustration: Samson and the Gates of Gaza

Consider the passage we read in Judges 16 concerning Samson in Gaza. Here was one man, a judge of Israel, who possessed extraordinary physical strength granted by God. When the Gazites discovered he was within their city, their immediate reaction wasn’t to storm his lodging immediately, even though he was in a compromising position. Instead, they decided to wait until morning. Why? The text implies they “compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.”⁶ This cautious, delayed approach reveals something significant: they were afraid of him, even in the darkness. They knew his power was immense and unpredictable. They wanted the safety and visibility that daylight provided before attempting to engage him. This fear, instilled by the presence of God’s power (even in Samson’s flawed life), is a shadow of what happens when a believer is genuinely empowered by the Holy Spirit. The enemy knows the power of God; he fled from Jesus, and he flees from those in whom Christ dwells and through whom the Spirit operates powerfully.

But Samson’s strength, while divinely sourced, was primarily physical and was tied to specific conditions. While he could tear apart a lion, defeat armies with a jawbone, and carry city gates, his life was ultimately marked by personal failures due to a lack of spiritual discipline and intimacy with the source of his power. This serves as a crucial lesson: while God’s power can manifest even through imperfect vessels, sustained impact and true terror to the devil come not just from sporadic demonstrations of power, but from a consistent, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit Himself. Samson’s feat of carrying the city gates symbolises the potential for a Spirit-empowered life to break through barriers and open the way for God’s purposes, like the gates of a city being opened for the light of the gospel to flood in.

The Limit of Human Effort: Lessons from Early Ministry Challenges

My own journey in ministry has profoundly illustrated the stark difference between attempting to do God’s work in human strength and operating under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit. I recall vividly the early days of our crusades across Nigeria. We had a burning hunger to see souls saved and lives transformed. We would announce meetings, gather local ministers, share our vision, feed them, and secure their promises of cooperation and support. Yet, time and again, we would arrive at the crusade ground to find a sparse crowd. We discovered that many of the local churches, perhaps feeling threatened or simply lacking the same burden, would schedule their own programmes concurrently, effectively diverting their congregations away from the crusade.

This pattern repeated itself, leading to deep frustration. We were spending time, energy, finances, and pouring ourselves out, yet the visible results were minimal compared to the effort. It felt like hitting a wall. In a moment of desperation and weariness, I cried out to God, “Father, I genuinely want to do Your work. My heart’s desire is to see Your kingdom advance, but I am spending and being spent, and it seems we are not getting the results that match the effort. What am I doing wrong?”

And the Lord, in His gentle yet clear voice, responded, “The fault is yours. You are trying to do My work without the Holy Spirit.”

That word was a revelation. It cut through the human logic, the strategic planning, the reliance on organizational efforts and human promises. It highlighted a fundamental truth: God’s work, done God’s way, requires God’s power. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is intrinsically linked to the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) – the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself waited for the Spirit before commencing His public ministry, and He instructed His disciples to do the same. How could I, or anyone else, expect to achieve supernatural results against spiritual forces using only natural means?

The Indispensable Power of the Holy Spirit: The University Holy Ghost Service Testimony

This understanding marked a turning point. It shifted the focus from what we were doing for God to allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. It wasn’t about better strategies or more persuasive invitations; it was about yielding to the divine Partner who alone possesses the power to convict, convert, heal, and deliver.

A powerful demonstration of this truth occurred when we began taking the Holy Ghost Service, which had become a significant platform for God’s power, to the university campuses. At that time, secret cults were gaining a disturbing foothold in Nigerian universities, sowing fear and perpetrating violence. The atmosphere on many campuses was one of spiritual oppression and intimidation. The Holy Spirit ministered to me to specifically target these institutions. We planned a Holy Ghost Service at the University of Ibadan, a premier institution, which was known to have a significant cult presence.

Announcing a major Christian gathering focused on the Holy Spirit on a university campus in that climate was, in itself, an act of faith. Yet, when the day arrived, the response was overwhelming. Students, lecturers, and even the Vice-Chancellor came out in large numbers. As I stepped up to the microphone to begin, the heavens opened, and rain began to pour down. We were in the open, exposed to the elements. In a normal circumstance, such a downpour would scatter the crowd, especially dignitaries like the Vice-Chancellor. But something supernatural happened. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so palpable, so powerful, that the physical discomfort of the rain became irrelevant. People stood there, captivated by the spiritual atmosphere, unmoving despite the downpour.

Then came a pivotal moment. Knowing the stronghold of cultism on campus and trusting in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, I made an altar call specifically for those involved in secret societies who wanted to renounce them and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous and a clear demonstration of the Holy Spirit making God’s servant a terror to the kingdom of darkness. Thousands of students, lecturers, and staff members came forward. These were individuals who had been bound by fear, initiation oaths, and demonic influence. But in the presence of the Holy Spirit, the chains broke, the fear dissipated, and they responded to the call of freedom in Christ. The sheer number and the visible transformation in people’s countenances were irrefutable proof that it was not human effort, but the power of the Holy Spirit, that had invaded that campus and caused the forces of darkness to lose their grip. The devil’s territory was being reclaimed for God.

The Holy Spirit: Our Source of Empowerment

This is the essence of becoming a terror to the devil. It is not about us generating power; it is about hosting and yielding to the One who possesses all power – the Holy Spirit. He is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son, the Executor of God’s will on earth. He is the Spirit of power (Acts 1:8), the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), the Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4), the Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2). When He is upon us, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 and fulfilled in Christ (Luke 4:18-19) and subsequently poured out on the church (Acts 2), we are empowered for specific divine purposes.

Empowered for Divine Purpose: Unpacking Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah 61:1, a prophecy Jesus read and claimed for Himself (Luke 4:18-19), outlines the Spirit’s empowering work and the resultant ministry:

To preach good tidings unto the meek: The gospel is good news, especially to those who recognize their spiritual poverty and need. The Holy Spirit gives us the boldness, wisdom, and the very words to effectively communicate this message of salvation in a way that convicts and transforms hearts. This message, empowered by the Spirit, is a direct assault on the devil’s lie that humanity is without hope.

To bind up the brokenhearted: The world is full of pain, grief, and emotional wounds caused by sin and the fallen world system the devil influences. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to minister healing, comfort, and restoration to those who are hurting. He gives us compassion and supernatural discernment to speak life and wholeness into wounded souls, counteracting the devil’s work of destruction and despair.

To proclaim liberty to the captives: People are held captive by sin, addiction, fear, demonic oppression, false ideologies, limiting beliefs, and the consequences of their choices. The Holy Spirit anoints us with the authority of Christ to declare and demonstrate freedom. Demonic strongholds crumble at His presence; the chains of addiction are broken; the grip of fear is loosened. This is a direct invasion of enemy territory.

And the opening of the prison to them that are bound: This speaks of release from various forms of bondage – physical, emotional, and spiritual. It goes beyond proclamation to active intervention. The Holy Spirit equips us with the power to confront the powers that keep people imprisoned and to see them released into the glorious liberty of the children of God. This tangible demonstration of God’s power leaves no doubt about the defeat of the enemy.

These are not mere human capabilities; they are supernatural outcomes resulting from divine empowerment. When we are operating in the fullness of the Spirit according to Isaiah 61:1, we are directly counteracting the works of the devil, who seeks to bring bad tidings, break hearts, keep people captive, and hold them bound in spiritual prisons. Therefore, a believer operating under this anointing is, by definition, a threat – a terror – to the kingdom of darkness.

The Early Church: A Blueprint for Spirit-Powered Impact

Think of the early disciples. After Jesus ascended, they waited in Jerusalem as instructed, not knowing exactly what would happen, but trusting His promise. When the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), everything changed. Fear was replaced with boldness. Confusion gave way to clarity. Hesitation was overcome by power. Peter, who had previously denied Christ, stood up and preached a sermon that led to 3,000 conversions. They went out “marching as to war,” as our hymn declares. Everywhere they went, they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and boldly proclaimed Christ even in the face of intense persecution. The kingdom of darkness was genuinely terrified of these ordinary people who were filled with an extraordinary power.

The secret to their impact, and the secret to becoming a terror to the devil today, is the same: the Holy Spirit. He empowers believers to destroy the works of the devil. This power is not limited to a select few; it is available to every born-again believer who is willing to yield their life fully to Christ and cultivate an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

From Fear to Authority: A Personal Transformation

Before I became born again, like many, I lived with various fears. Growing up, there were certain places, like my village, that I approached with apprehension due to the prevalent belief in and practice of dark spiritual activities. The fear of the unknown, the fear of evil forces, was a constant undertone. However, receiving Jesus Christ and subsequently being filled with the Holy Spirit completely transformed this. The light of God within dispelled the darkness of fear. The authority of Christ, exercised through the Spirit, made the devil and his agents powerless over me. Nowadays, far from being afraid to visit my village, I announce my visits ahead of time. Not out of arrogance, but out of confidence in the One who goes with me and lives in me. My presence, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is meant to be a beacon of light and a challenge to any darkness that may be operating. This personal transformation from living in fear to living as a carrier of God’s presence and power is a tangible result of cultivating intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

Cultivating Intimacy with the Holy Spirit: Practical Steps

How then does one cultivate this intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit? It is not a mysterious, unattainable goal, but a journey of yieldedness and pursuit.

1. Surrender Your Life Fully to Jesus Christ: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). He is given to those who belong to Jesus. The foundational step is genuine repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. This makes you a child of God, a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). If you haven’t made this commitment, do so today. Surrender your will, your plans, your fears, and your future to Him. This initial step is crucial; you cannot host the Holy Spirit effectively if you are still trying to live life on your own terms or are holding onto sin.

2. Recognize and Acknowledge the Person of the Holy Spirit: He is not just a force or an influence; He is God, a divine Person with a mind, emotions, and will. He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30) and quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Develop an awareness of His constant presence in your life. Talk to Him, invite Him into every situation, acknowledge His work in and around you. Learn to listen for His still, small voice.

3. Study the Word of God: The Bible is the inspired Word written by men moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Word is one of the primary ways the Spirit communicates with us, reveals Christ, and transforms us (John 17:17, Romans 12:2). Spend consistent time reading, meditating on, and studying the Scriptures. The more you immerse yourself in God’s Word, the more clearly you can hear the Spirit’s voice, understand His will, and be empowered by the truth.

4. Engage in Prayer and Worship: Prayer is a two-way conversation with God, facilitated by the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20) or praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) is a powerful way to build yourself up spiritually, pray according to God’s perfect will, and connect deeply with the Spirit. Worship creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit’s presence to manifest powerfully (Psalm 22:3). Prioritize spending time in heartfelt prayer and worship, both individually and corporately.

5. Obey His Leading: Intimacy with the Holy Spirit grows as you learn to recognize His voice and promptly obey His instructions, whether they come through the Word, a gentle nudge in your spirit, or through wise counsel aligned with Scripture. Obedience is a demonstration of trust and love, and it opens the door for greater levels of His presence and power in your life (John 14:21). A yielded life is a powerful life.

6. Seek to Be Filled (and Refilled): While the Holy Spirit indwells every believer at conversion, the Bible also speaks of being continually filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This is not a one-time event but an ongoing experience, a continuous yieldedness to His control and power in every area of your life. Just as you might need to refill a lamp with oil to keep the light burning brightly, we need to continually yield to the Holy Spirit to be empowered for life and service. Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts that the Spirit gives for the building up of the church and for effective ministry against the forces of darkness (1 Corinthians 14:1).

The Results of Spirit-Filled Living: Character and Power

As you cultivate this intimate relationship, the Holy Spirit will not only empower you with divine capabilities for ministry and spiritual warfare but will also transform your character. He produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.⁷ This transformed character, marked by Christlikeness, combined with spiritual power, makes you a truly effective and credible witness for Christ, further impacting the kingdom of darkness by demonstrating the reality of God’s transforming power. Your life itself becomes a testimony that intimidates the enemy.

Conclusion: Embracing the Call to be Spirit-Empowered

Becoming a terror to the devil is not about developing a fearsome reputation in the natural realm. It’s about being so filled with the presence, power, and character of God through the Holy Spirit that the enemy cannot stand against you. It’s about living a life that consistently demonstrates the victory that Christ won on the cross over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14).

The Hymnal reminds us:

“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle, see his banner8 go!”

Our warfare is spiritual, and our victory is assured because our Royal Master, Christ, leads us, and the Holy Spirit empowers us.

“At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!”9

When we operate in the power of the Spirit, lifting high the name of Jesus and offering genuine praise, the enemy’s foundations are indeed shaken.

Beloved, the call is clear. The resources are available. God desires to empower you by His Spirit to live a life that not only withstands the attacks of the enemy but actively dismantles his works. He wants to use you to preach liberty, heal the broken, and open spiritual prisons. This divine commission is fulfilled through divine enablement.

Surrender your life unreservedly to Jesus Christ today if you haven’t already. Then, earnestly seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Yield to His leading, study His Word, pray in His power, and walk in obedience. As you do, you will find that the fears that once held you captive will dissipate, and you will begin to operate in a dimension of spiritual authority that makes you, in the most profound and Christ-like sense, a terror to the devil and a powerful instrument for the advancement of God’s glorious kingdom. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to destroy the works of the devil. Embrace this truth and walk in the fullness of your divine inheritance.

KEY POINT:

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to destroy the works of the devil.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 11-13