Title furaha nchimbi

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Introduction
Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this study, we’re addressing a spiritual reality that is often ignored or misunderstood the unique spiritual vulnerability of women to deception and demonic influence, and the biblical call to vigilance.

1. The Origin of Deception: Eve in the Garden

1 Timothy 2:13-14 (NIV):

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”

Paul’s instruction to Timothy connects spiritual authority and vulnerability to the creation order and the events of the Fall. Eve was deceived first, and this was not incidental it reveals something crucial about the human susceptibility to spiritual deception.

Theologically, this does not make women inferior in worth or dignity (see Galatians 3:28), but it does underscore a particular vulnerability in spiritual discernment, especially when outside of God’s order and Word.

2. Saul and the Medium of Endor: A Spiritual Warning

1 Samuel 28:7 (NIV):

“Saul then said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.’”

When King Saul turned away from God’s voice, he sought answers from a medium. Notably, he asked for a woman. While men also practiced sorcery (see Exodus 7:11), women were commonly associated with mediumship in the ancient Near East. Saul’s request reflects this cultural and spiritual reality.

In Scripture, mediums are condemned (see Leviticus 20:6, Deuteronomy 18:10-12), yet the fact that a woman was the one Saul sought out shows a pattern of spiritual susceptibility and involvement that continues to this day.

3. The Slave Girl in Philippi: Possession Through Divination

Acts 16:16-18 (NIV):

“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future…”

Paul and Silas encountered a young girl who was exploited by her owners through a spirit of divination likely a python spirit (Greek pneuma pythōna), associated with false prophecy and occultism. Even though her words sounded affirming (“These men are servants of the Most High God…”), Paul discerned the demonic source and cast it out.

This example shows that demonic spirits can speak religious truths, but they operate from a place of deception and bondage. The girl’s gender is again noted not because men cannot be possessed, but because women were culturally and spiritually more often used by such spirits.

4. The Witch of Endor and the Exodus Law

Exodus 22:18 (KJV):

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Note: NIV translates this more broadly as “Do not allow a sorceress to live.”)

While both genders are capable of practicing witchcraft, the Bible specifically identifies sorceresses female practitioners as especially dangerous. This reflects a theological pattern: deception often gains a foothold where discernment is lacking, and in biblical history, women were often entangled in such spiritual roles due to societal marginalization and spiritual exploitation.

5. Why Are Women Still the Primary Target?

In the modern world, many women though not all remain spiritually vulnerable due to an emotional, intuitive nature that, while God-given and valuable, can be exploited by deceptive spirits when not grounded in the Word.

Women may be:Quick to believe spiritual-sounding messages,Drawn to emotional religious experiences without discernment,More easily influenced by trends or popular teachings without testing them.

This is not a condemnation, but a call to rise in spiritual maturity and discipline.

6. The Call to Spiritual Discernment

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV):

“But test them all; hold on to what is good.”

1 John 4:1 (NIV):

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

John 6:63 (NIV):

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you they are full of the Spirit and life.”

Jesus Himself confirmed that His words are Spirit and life. Therefore, any word we receive, any teaching, and even any dream or vision must be tested against the Word of God.

7. The Word of God: Your Only Safe Filter

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV):

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit…”

If you only rely on sermons or social media teachings without reading the Bible yourself, you’re spiritually unarmed. The Bible is your lens, filter, and spiritual weapon. Without it, you are spiritually blind.

Women who don’t study Scripture for themselves often end up believing lies, getting caught in spiritual confusion, and even being used unknowingly by the enemy.

8. Conclusion and Exhortation

Dear sister in Christ, understand this: the devil sees you as a high value target. He knows that by deceiving one woman, he can influence a household, a church, even a generation.

But you are not powerless. You are not weak in Christ. You are fully capable of growing in wisdom, discernment, and power through the Holy Spirit.

James 1:5 (NIV):

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Let this be a call to serious discipleship. Study God’s Word. Pray daily. Test every teaching. And walk in the power and authority of Christ.

May the Lord bless you.

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Salvation and the joy that accompanies it are inseparable realities in the Christian life. Scripture teaches that salvation is not merely a legal standing before God but a dynamic, transformative experience filled with joy. Psalm 51:12 reminds us to pray,

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation”

(ESV), implying that this joy can ebb and flow and sometimes needs to be restored.

Where there is true salvation, there should also be joy reflecting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). If the joy is missing, it signals a spiritual problem, akin to eating food without salt something fundamentally lacking.

Many believers have accepted salvation, but not all experience the ongoing joy that should accompany it. Being saved means more than a one-time event; it is a continual experience of grace and peace (Romans 5:1–2). If joy is absent, something vital is missing in your spiritual walk.

1) Avoid Sin, Especially Sexual Sin

Sin damages our fellowship with God and robs us of the joy of salvation. David’s life is a biblical example. Despite being a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), David experienced deep sorrow and loss of joy after his willful sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). His repentance in Psalm 51 demonstrates a longing not just for forgiveness but for restoration of joy and fellowship:

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12, ESV)

Sin, especially persistent sin, hardens the heart and quenches the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Joy in salvation is not automatic but cultivated through holiness and obedience (1 Peter 1:15–16).

2) Read God’s Word Regularly

The Word of God is the source of spiritual nourishment and strength. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) states, “For the word of God is living and active…” It reveals God’s character, reassures our faith, and equips us to endure trials (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Neglecting Scripture leaves the believer vulnerable to doubt and fear (Romans 10:17). The Bible invites us to meditate on God’s commands and promises to experience life and peace (Psalm 1:2–3).

Proverbs 3:1–4 (ESV) beautifully connects obedience to God’s Word with long life, peace, and favor before God and man. Loving God’s Word is loving life itself.

3) Be a Person of Prayer

Prayer is the believer’s lifeline to God. Jesus taught the necessity of prayer to resist temptation: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). Without prayer, believers become spiritually weak and vulnerable.

Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will and invites His power into our lives (Philippians 4:6–7). A vibrant prayer life sustains the joy of salvation and builds resilience against trials.

4) Prioritize Worship and Fellowship

Corporate worship and fellowship are biblically mandated means of grace. Hebrews 10:25 (ESV) exhorts believers

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”

Worship is both an individual and communal act that nurtures joy and spiritual strength. The fellowship of believers sharpens and strengthens faith (Proverbs 27:17), and through it, God often ministers to our weaknesses.

Worship lifts burdens and fills hearts with peace and joy (Psalm 100). It opens us to the Holy Spirit’s renewing work, which sustains our salvation’s joy (Romans 15:13).

5) Keep Growing Spiritually

Sanctification is a lifelong process. The apostle Paul encourages believers to grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, ESV). Stagnation leads to spiritual weakness and loss of joy.

Just as a child grows beyond milk to solid food (Hebrews 5:12–14), Christians must mature by deepening faith, quitting sin, and actively sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20).

Daily progress in holiness and witness sustains joy and keeps the believer connected to God’s purposes. Without growth, joy fades, and spiritual vitality diminishes.

Final Thoughts

Evaluate these five areas honestly. Where have you become complacent? Take steps today to restore or deepen your joy in salvation. Spiritual decline is not inevitable; restoration is possible through repentance and renewed commitment.

Remember, salvation itself is secure (John 10:28–29), but the joy of salvation requires ongoing obedience, fellowship, prayer, and growth.

Shalom

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Question: Can the Holy Spirit actually leave a person? What does Psalm 51:11 say about this?

Let’s read the verse:

Psalm 51:11 (ESV):

“Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.”

The straightforward answer is yes  the Holy Spirit can depart from a person. When this happens, the person remains physically the same but spiritually diminished or vulnerable.

Biblical Example: King Saul

King Saul is a prominent example of someone from whom the Spirit of the Lord departed.

1 Samuel 16:14 (ESV):

“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”

This passage reveals a significant theological truth: The Spirit of God can leave a person due to disobedience, and an evil spirit can then trouble that person. This illustrates the spiritual consequences of rebellion against God.

The Reason for Saul’s Loss of the Spirit
Saul’s loss of the Spirit was a direct result of his rebellion and failure to obey God’s commands.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV);

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'”

Here, rebellion is equated with sinfulness akin to witchcraft and idolatry, showing the severity of Saul’s disobedience.

The Consequences of Losing the Holy Spirit

When the Holy Spirit departs, a person loses God’s favor, including peace, joy, and spiritual strength.

2 Samuel 7:14-15 (ESV):

“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.”

God’s steadfast love (or favor) can depart when one rejects His Spirit, as happened with Saul.

The loss of the Spirit leads to inner turmoil, spiritual vulnerability, and susceptibility to evil influences, as demonstrated by Saul’s increasing jealousy and cruelty.

1 Samuel 22:11 (ESV):

“Then the king sent to summon Ahimelek the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s household, the priests who were at Nob; and they came to the king.”

Saul’s evil actions culminated in the killing of God’s priests, showing the deep spiritual decline resulting from losing the Spirit.

Distinguishing the Fruit of the Spirit from Spiritual Gifts

It is important to understand that losing the Holy Spirit does not mean a person stops performing supernatural acts such as speaking in tongues or prophesying.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV):

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

The fruit of the Spirit reflects a person’s character and holiness   the inward evidence of the Spirit’s presence. In contrast, spiritual gifts (such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, or miracles) are manifestations of the Spirit that can, according to scripture and church history, sometimes occur apart from genuine spiritual fruit (cf. Matthew 7:22-23).

1 Samuel 18:10 (ESV):

“The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved inside the house. David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had a spear in his hand.”

Even after the Spirit of the Lord departed, Saul continued to prophesy under the influence of a different spirit, proving that the presence of spiritual gifts alone is not evidence of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.

Jesus’ Warning

Jesus warned that many would claim spiritual works but be rejected because they lack true relationship and holiness.

Matthew 7:22-23 (ESV):

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”

This highlights the essential nature of the fruit of the Spirit true holiness and obedience over mere spiritual activity.

How Does the Holy Spirit Leave or Depart?

The Holy Spirit can depart when we grieve or quench Him.

Grieving the Spirit:
Ephesians 4:30 (ESV):

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Disobedience and persistent sin grieve the Spirit. Like Saul, when we reject God’s Word and continue in sin, we risk losing the Spirit’s favor.

Quenching the Spirit:
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV);

“Do not quench the Spirit.”

This means suppressing or extinguishing the Spirit’s work by neglecting spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, obedience, and holy living. Quenching the Spirit leads to spiritual dryness and ultimately may cause the Spirit to withdraw.

God bless you.

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Mark 5:12–13 (NIV)

12 “The demons begged Jesus, ‘Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.’
13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.”

This striking passage occurs just after Jesus confronts a man possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes. The demons, identifying themselves as “Legion” (Mark 5:9), begged Jesus not to send them out of the area but into a herd of pigs. Jesus, demonstrating His absolute authority over demonic powers, granted their request. What follows is a dramatic and symbolic event: the entire herd of pigs about two thousandimmediately rushed down a steep bank and drowned in the Sea of Galilee.

In Swahili, the word used for “steep bank” is genge, which doesn’t refer to a marketplace as some might assume, but to a rocky slope. Specifically, it’s a steep, stone-covered decline often slippery and dangerous. Unlike soft, earthen slopes, a genge made of rock allows for almost no traction. Once anything begins to descend, it picks up speed rapidly and is difficult to stop.

Theological Implication:
This image is more than dramatic it’s deeply symbolic. The pigs, once possessed by the demons, rushed headlong to destruction. This portrays the inevitable trajectory of demonic influence: it leads swiftly and decisively to ruin. The slippery slope symbolizes how sin and spiritual bondage can lead people rapidly toward spiritual death.

Romans 6:23 (NIV) confirms this:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Just like the possessed pigs, people under demonic or sinful bondage are on a path toward destruction unless they are delivered. But thanks be to God deliverance is possible through Jesus Christ! No demon is too powerful for Him, and no bondage too deep. Jesus not only has authority over demons, but He also offers complete restoration and freedom.

1 John 4:4 (NIV):

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Our bodies are not meant to be vessels for demonic oppression. The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV):

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

Therefore, we are called to seek the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies, empowers, and leads us into life. But how do we receive Him?

The Path to Receiving the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:37–39 (NIV):

37 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’
38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”

This is the biblical formula for receiving the Holy Spirit:Repentance: Turning away from sin and surrendering to God.Baptism: A public declaration of faith and cleansing from sin.Faith in Jesus Christ: The only name under heaven by which we are saved (Acts 4:12).

When these steps are taken with sincerity, the promise of the Holy Spirit becomes a reality transforming the believer from the inside out.

Maranatha.

Let me know if you’d like this prepared as a sermon outline, Bible study guide, or shareable blog post.

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What Is “Uchaga”? Understanding Luke 12:24
Answer: Let’s explore this Scripture together.

In Luke 12:24 (NIV), Jesus says,

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”

Here, Jesus calls our attention to the ravens, emphasizing their lack of food storage “storeroom” (a small place for grain) and uchaga (a larger granary used for long-term storage of grain and other provisions). The ravens have no barns or silos to store food for future seasons, yet God faithfully provides for their needs.

Theological significance:
Jesus uses the ravens as an example of God’s providence His ongoing care and provision for His creation. This echoes the biblical theme of God as the ultimate provider (Psalm 104:27-28; Matthew 6:25-34). The fact that ravens survive without storing food points to God’s sovereign power over creation and His ability to sustain life even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

Remember the story of Elijah during the drought (1 Kings 17:2-6, NIV):

“Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:
‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide by the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’
So he did what the LORD had told him. He went and stayed by the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”

During this time of famine and divine judgment, when “the heavens were shut” and people and animals were dying (v. 1), God demonstrated His care by commanding the ravens to feed His prophet. This miraculous provision shows God’s faithfulness even when natural resources fail.

Applying this to Jesus’ teaching:
If God can provide for the ravens who have no storehouses how much more will He provide for His children? Jesus reassures us that as His followers, we are infinitely more valuable to God than birds (cf. Matthew 10:29-31). This promise calls believers to trust God’s providence and reject anxiety about material needs.

Further assurance from Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV):

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’
So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

This passage reinforces God’s covenantal promise of His continual presence and support. Trusting in God’s provision frees believers from the fear and greed that so often dominate human hearts.

Invitation:
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you become His child? If not, understand that life apart from God offers no lasting securityonly death (Romans 6:23). The world values you less than the ravens in times of hardship. Those who trust in worldly things perish, but those who trust God endure and receive eternal life (John 10:27-28).

If you haven’t yet, receive Jesus today. Be baptized as a public confession of faith, symbolizing the washing away of sins (Acts 2:38), and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers you to live a godly life (Acts 1:8).

Maranatha! (Our Lord, come!)

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“to repay,” “to reward,” or “to compensate.” In biblical theology, this concept aligns with the idea that God, who sees the hearts and intentions of His people, rewards them according to their faithfulness, obedience, and sincerity. This reward is not always material it may be spiritual, eternal, or both.

Let’s explore how Scripture supports this principle:

1. God Rewards What Is Done in Secret

Matthew 6:2–4 (NIV)

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Jesus taught against ostentatious acts of charity. Giving is an act of worship and compassion, not a means of gaining public recognition. When we give discreetly, God, who sees beyond outward appearances, honors and rewards such integrity. This principle reflects God’s justice and omniscience He sees and evaluates the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

2. Prayer Is Personal Communication with God

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Prayer is not a performance but an intimate dialogue with God. The emphasis here is not just on secrecy but sincerity. God values genuine relationship over ritualistic repetition. The Greek word for “reward” (misthos) implies recompense from a just employer God repays with perfect fairness.

3. Fasting Is About Seeking God, Not Attention

Matthew 6:17–18 (NIV)

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;
and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Fasting is meant to humble the soul and seek God’s presence not to impress others with your piety. Jesus taught that spiritual disciplines must be God-focused. The reward for such fasting may be deeper spiritual insight, answered prayer, or personal transformation.

4. God Rewards Acts of Loyalty and Kindness

Ruth 2:11–12 (NIV)

“Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.
May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’”

Theological Insight:
Boaz recognized Ruth’s sacrificial love and loyalty. In blessing her, he acknowledges God as the ultimate rewarder of good deeds. The imagery of taking refuge under God’s wings points to God as a protector and provider (cf. Psalm 91:4). Ruth’s story foreshadows the redemptive inclusion of Gentiles into God’s covenant family.

Conclusion: God Sees and Rewards Faithfulness

The consistent message across these passages is clear: God sees everything done in secret, and He is faithful to reward those who seek Him with pure motives. Whether it’s through giving, praying, fasting, or showing kindness no act of obedience or love escapes His notice.

While some rewards may come in this life (such as peace, provision, or favor), others are stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Ultimately, our greatest reward is God Himself knowing Him, being transformed by Him, and spending eternity in His presence (Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 22:12).

All glory, honor, and praise be to the Lord who sees, rewards, and blesses His people. Amen

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