Before the advent of big bluetooth speakers, a person who wanted to amplify his voice and be heard by a crowd used a megaphone. It looks like a trumpet, and it makes the voice louder by speaking directly onto the back portion of it.
As present-day followers of Jesus we face the challenge of disallowing the enemy to use us to amplify its message to other people. If we are not on guard, we can be used to transmit messages of discouragement, judgement, and even lies. When we allow ourselves to be used, we hurt fellow believers who are just going about their lives of worship. When we become the enemy’s mouthpiece, we unwittingly hinder non-believers from coming to Christ.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
So how do we recognize the enemy’s attempts to use us and our words to hurt others? Well, when we insist on unforgiveness and speak our rage and hurt to the person who has hurt us. We also become a mouthpiece when we judge other people, and verbalize this judgement either to the person himself or to another.
Another way is when we lie and deceive other people. Whether it is to gain more friends, to project something that we are not, or to gain power, advantage, or money, a lie is a lie.
We also get to become an amplifier of the enemy’s message when we engage in gossiping, rumor-mongering, and backbiting. So when someone comes to us to talk about another person’s life, we should take the courage to say no to being involved in gossiping, and be strong enough to leave the conversation, the table, the group chat, or ignore the messages.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
We also become the enemy’s mouthpiece when we speak the truth in anger. Yes, we have the responsibility to correct people, especially our children or those close to us, but we should always do it in a gentle and respectful manner.
We should not resort to name calling, shaming, or guilt-tripping. As moms, we may be frustrated, but we should always remind ourselves that the Lord is pleased with a gentle and quiet spirit, and that we are called to follow our Heavenly Father’s example of being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
When we fail to dispense godly advice, we in effect also get to become the megaphone of the enemy. If instead of giving biblical guidance to someone seeking our wisdom, we give them worldly, practical advice, we get to become a medium of the enemy’s message.
As Christians we are called to live lives of worship that are consistent with the values taught to us by our Messiah, Jesus Christ. No matter how impractical it may seem, we should never allow worldly values to infiltrate the counsel that we give to someone seeking our guidance. We should be consistent with the biblical truths that we share, and the wisdom that we have learned from following and seeking Christ. We should not fail to point someone to Jesus when they need strength, guidance, and hope.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2
The best way to avoid being used as the enemy’s mouthpiece is to be consistent with seeking Jesus every single day. As we grow our faith, we become more equipped with the strength and knowledge to stay planted in Christ, and resist the temptation to be used to peddle lies, hurts, pains, and discouragement to others.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Ephesians 4:25-32 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Have you been unwittingly used by the enemy to transmit his messages of deceit and discouragement? What can you do to correct this, and avoid these situations moving forward?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being patient with me, especially during times when I have been unconsciously used by the. enemy to spread lies, rumors, judgements, and other discouraging words to other people. Help me have the strength to turn away from these things, and continue abiding to you. Amen.
