Christians have been told to stop attributing all life challenges they face to the devil, but rather rely on the sovereignty of God, knowing that God is in total control of their lives.

“For us Christians, the sovereignty of God should make us rest, knowing that God is in total control of our lives. Even when it hurts, He works it out for our good (Romans 8:28),” said Pastor Samuel Gakpetor, the Walewale Area Head of The Church of Pentecost (COP), when delivering a paper on day three of the on-going Heads’ Meeting of the leadership of the COP at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa on Thursday, 19 November 2015.

The five-day meeting which started on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, is being attended by about 300 participants from all the 91 countries where the COP has branches. The participants include apostles, prophets, evangelists, national heads, area heads, directors of ministries under the Church, leaderships from the Church’s autonomous countries, among others. The annual meeting is specifically organised for the leadership of the COP to strategise for the coming year through fasting, prayer and the sharing of the word of God.

Speaking on the topic, “The Christian’s Response In The World Of Different Voices” with scripture references from 1 Samuel 3:9-10; Job 1-2 and John 10:1-5 in line with the broad theme of the COP for 2016, “Hearing and Obeying the Lord’s Voice in my Generation”-1 Samuel 3:9-10, Pastor Gakpetor asserted that unless God permits it, Satan cannot touch the Christian.

“Another voice that is speaking loudly today is that which seeks to assert that Satan is all-powerful. Indeed, once we attribute almost all issues to Satan, we have made him all-powerful already. But the Bible is clear that ‘the Lord He is God, the one true God, with overall supremacy over all spiritual powers’ (Deuteronomy 6:4; Deuteronomy 33:2-3; 1 Kings 18:39; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 38:7; Psalm 89: 5-8; Psalm 148:2; Ephesians 4:4-6).

“An understanding of the sovereignty of God will correct this error. The sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. In the Bible, God has overall supremacy over all spiritual powers and Satan is simply one of the spirits under God’s authority (Job 1:6-7). These spirits, whether good or evil, remain under God’s sovereignty,” he stated.

He therefore stated that “the focus of believers on Satan is misguided and not necessary.” In the case of Job who went through so many trials, he said, God permitted the suffering to proof to Satan that His servants believe Him not because of what they get but worship Him because they love Him.
Pastor Gakpetor through this powerful presentation revealed three possible sources of suffering, namely Nature, Satan and God.

“Satan’s loudest voice is heard during the vulnerability of men including times of suffering. During those periods, he throws a lot of doubts in the heart of believers. In moments of tragedy and pain, Christians have asked “why did God create man if He knew he would suffer”? Why does God allow evil if He is a good God? If he cares, why doesn’t he do something?

“Unfortunately in our part of the world, all kinds of calamities and sufferings are attributed to the works of sorcery, witches and the Devil. This has led to the situation where many Christians have become so focused on the Devil that sometimes when prayer meetings are not focused on dealing with the enemy, attendance is low.

Sadly, some ministers have taken advantage of the situation to exploit church members. This is not right,” he indicated.

He therefore stated the need for Christians to understand the purpose and sources of suffering so that when they come, they will not listen to the wrong voice.