01/11/11

Sift as wheat

Luke 22:31,32 - And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Firstly like to apologize for not sending mails for these few days, I was on a trip out of Mumbai in a remote town in Maharashtra and had an awesome time with many Men and Women of God ministering to the people there. Even after coming back I took 2 days to settle down.

In today's message Jesus tells Simon Peter about the plans of Satan to destroy him, but also informs us of how Jesus intervened to stop this plan. Jesus warns Simon Peter that the plan is not completely stopped but the results of the plan are; so Simon Peter would go through it a distance but would be saved.

What was Satan trying to do to Simon Peter and how did Jesus stop Satan in his plan?

The scripture tells us that Satan was trying to sift Simon Peter like wheat. Sifting like wheat did not mean to shake him. One needs to understand why wheat is sifted.

Wheat is sifted to remove the covering of it. It is the covering that protects the wheat within. Satan desired to sift Simon Peter to remove the covering around him which protected him and that covering was his faith.

Satan could not touch Simon Peter because his faith protected him. Satan put a request to get Simon Peter but Jesus countered that request with a request not to completely loose the covering.

When we have faith even Satan cannot touch us, for him to harm us he first tries to temp us / test us so as to fall by losing faith. Faith is a shield that does not let the plans of Satan to affect us, that is reason Satan first tries to shake our faith so as to bring our defence down.

Coming to the most important factor of how Jesus stopped this plan.

Faith is a Fruit as well as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith the Fruit is to be grown and nurtured by studying the Word and practising it. Jesus' prayer could not affect this but His prayer could the other kind of faith which is a gift. Jesus prayed for the gift of faith for Simon Peter so that he would be strong and come out of this sifting in one piece. That is why we see even though Simon Peter abandoned Jesus and denied Him trice yet all of a sudden he turned back and came out strong, strong enough to lead the others colleagues and face the people with boldness.

Let us remember this message always and let us pray for each other for the gift of faith so that none of us get sifted by Satan completely.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we pray for the gift of faith for our brothers and sisters and for ourselves so that we do not get sifted by Satan when he tempts us or tests us unto destruction. Lord, we especially pray for those who are leading your sheep, working in your Vineyard. We pray for abundant faith that protects them and shields them from every plan of the deceiver. Let your Truth protect all their 5 senses and fill tem with discernment to lead them and not let them fall...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)