Fruitful Living
Who are the targets of satanic deception? (Part 2)
Unfortunately, what he thought he knew, did not stop him from backsliding for a period of time. Obviously, he forgot the Scripture that says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), and “…let a man that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall” -1 Corinthians 10:12. Those who find themselves in this condition ultimately open themselves up to biblical complacency. Which is the false state of believing that we know enough to get by.
Is that the goal of the Christian life, just to get by? Of course not; the goal is to grow up to be like Christ. We should never rest on our laurels, and believe that what we know will suffice; there is always more at the table of His Word to be eaten. We remember the words of the angel of the Lord to the prophet Elijah:
“And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you. So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God” – 1 Kings 19:7-8.
As Elijah needed food for his journey, so we too need the spiritual food, that is God’s Word, for our life’s journey. However, unlike physical food, when there are times we ought to be pushing ourselves away and know when we’ve had enough, we should never decide that we’ve had enough of His Word. The enemy can sense complacency as he observes our daily biblical habits.
DO YOU SPEND TIME IN THE WORD IN BETWEEN SUNDAYS?
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND IN THE WORD ON A DAILY BASIS?
ARE YOU EASILY DISTRACTED FROM IT?
These all serve as barometers to your dedication to the Word. Let the enemy see and know that there is no place for biblical complacency in you.
THE BIBLICALLY UNFAITHFUL
To be biblically unfaithful does not just consist of not doing what the Bible says, but it also means to believe something that the Bible doesn’t say. When Christians reach beyond what is written, and buy into error over truth, they have become unfaithful to it. Satan promotes this type of unfaithfulness relentlessly by using those who have gone astray by looking for something new or something deeper, rather than taking the Word as it is.
Why does this happen? Because on a certain level, they are dissatisfied. There is nothing wrong with desiring more of the Lord. One of the ways we do this is by reacquainting ourselves with His Word. But some pastors and teachers, in an effort to give their respective groups or congregations something fresh, end up compromising Scripture in some fashion.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
We must all avoid the “itching ear syndrome”; desiring to be told good things alone, while disregarding weightier matters like sin, repentance and holiness. When this happens, inevitably both teacher and student or pastor and congregation will be the worse for it, for they have both become unfaithful to the Word. It is no wonder that Jesus spoke these words:
“But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch’” (Matthew 15:13-14).
This will be the miserable result of biblical unfaithfulness. This is why we must be careful not to become the targets of satanic deception. But it can be avoided.
CONCLUSION
HOW CAN I AVOID SATANIC DECEPTION?
Do you know how to treat biblical truth? The proper response to biblical truth, mixed with discernment, will begin to ensure that you don’t become a target of his deceit. Let me leave you with these three “anti-deception” questions:
“Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it” – Psalm 119:140 (NKJV)
Do you consider His Word to be pure, and do you love it?
“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
This is a difficult question to ask, but do you believe the truth you read? Is there a measure of doubt concerning any portion of His Word that lingers in your spirit?
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
Is His Word the absolute final authority for all matters in your life?
With the sword of the Spirit in hand, and remaining sharp, we can live deception-free lives, blessing the Lord along the way.
Stay Blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightgh.org
Spectator – Saturday 25th July, 2020
Fruitful Living
HAJJ: The 5th pillar of Islam, a sacred journey to the House of Allah: An elevated call to faith, sacrifice, spiritual renewal (Part 1)
ALL praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We glorify Him, seek His guidance, and ask for His forgiveness. We send peace and abundant blessings upon the noble Prophet Muhammad pbuh, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Introduction: A journey beyond space and time
Hajj is not merely a ritual—it is a divine invitation to spiritual rebirth. It is a journey that transcends physical movement and penetrates the depths of the soul. From every corner of the world, millions respond to the timeless call of Allah, gathering in Makkah in a powerful demonstration of unity, humility, and submission.
Clothed in simple garments, stripped of worldly distinctions, pilgrims stand equal before their Creator—an awe-inspiring reminder of the Day of Resurrection when all humanity will stand before Allah.
Hajj within the framework of the five pillars of Islam
The Messenger of Allah, Peace Be upon Him said:
“Islam is built upon five: the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find a way.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 8; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 16)
Hajj is therefore not optional—it is a defining pillar of the Islamic faith for those who possess the means.
Qur’anic foundations of Hajj
Allah says:
“And [mention] when We showed Ibrahim the site of the House…” (Qur’an 22:26)
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj…” (Qur’an 22:27)
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House…” (Qur’an 3:97)
These verses establish the divine origin, universal call, and obligatory nature of Hajj.
Who is qualified to perform Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory upon a Muslim who is:
• Of sound faith, maturity, and sanity
• Physically capable
• Financially able
• Able to travel safely
• For women, accompanied by a Mahram (according to the majority opinion)
Financing Hajj: A matter of purity
The Prophet Mohammed pbuh said:
“Indeed, Allah is pure and accepts only what is pure.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1015)
Hajj must be financed with halal earnings. Sponsoring others is highly rewarded, while performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased or incapacitated is permissible.
The sacred timing of Hajj
Hajj is observed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, from the 8th to the 13th, with the Day of Arafah (9th) being the climax of the pilgrimage.
Preparation includes repentance, sincerity, settling debts, seeking forgiveness, acquiring knowledge of rituals, and ensuring physical and financial readiness. Hajj begins with the purification of the heart.
Pillars of Hajj (Arkān al-Hajj)
• Ihram
• Standing at Arafah
• Tawaf al-Ifadah
• Sa’i
These are indispensable acts that validate the Hajj.
The rituals of Hajj (Manāsik): A living legacy
The Prophet Mohammed pbuh said:
“Take your (Hajj) rituals from me.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1297)
Hajj rituals—from Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, stoning of Jamarat, sacrifice, and farewell Tawaf—are deeply symbolic acts rooted in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). They embody submission, sacrifice, patience, and unwavering obedience to Allah.
Prohibitions during Hajj: Preserving sanctity
Allah says:
“There is no sexual relations, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj.” (Qur’an 2:197)
Prohibitions include marital relations, use of perfume, cutting hair, arguments, and sinful behavior. These restrictions discipline the soul and elevate spiritual consciousness.
Author’s profile
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imam
Governance Expert and Islamic Scholar
Imam Saeed Abdulai is a distinguished Islamic scholar and community leader known for his impactful teachings on faith, governance, and societal development. He actively contributes to religious education and public discourse in Ghana and beyond.
References
• The Noble Qur’an (2:197, 3:97, 22:26–27)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
• Sunan al-Tirmidhi
• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim
• Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone
“…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” – Romans 5:6 (NIV)
Introduction
JESUS Christ shed His blood on the Cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation.
The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and we are baptised in Him into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God.
The Holy Spirit also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
What does Easter mean to Christianity?
Easter is the celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. God sent His Son to earth to die as a sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus died on the cross to forgive everybody for all the sins we have committed.
Jesus’ blood covered everybody from the beginning of time and to the end of the world.
He died for all of our sins. On the third day, Jesus conquered death, and rose from the dead. Jesus is the only God who has ever risen from the Dead. He is the Saviour of the world. Without Jesus, we could not have ever been Christians. He died so that everybody who believes in Him could live forever and everybody on the face of the earth can become a Christian.
All you have to do is accept Him as Lord and Saviour, confess your sins, obey Him, and live your life for Him.
“For all have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23. However, because of Jesus, we have been saved! For the Christian, Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Before Jesus’ death
They slapped Him and pulled His beard;
They spit on Him;
They pushed Him around;
They stripped Him and flogged Him and tore out His skin;
They pushed a crown of thorns on His head – it drew blood;
They put a heavy cross on Him to carry to the place of His execution;
To Calvary He went.
There they pierced Him with nails and hang Him on the cross – naked!
Even at this stage, at the stage of absolute agony and humiliation, they sneered at Him and mocked Him!!
He had done no wrong. On the contrary for my sake, for your sake and for the sake of a sinful world – He accepted the will of His Father and endured this very shameful, painful death.
He said very little during His trial BUT on the cross He said seven things which we should meditate on.
Seven words on the cross
1. The word of forgiveness
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” – Luke 23:34. What an extraordinary love and mercy! I am saved – you are saved because Jesus asked for forgiveness for us!
2. The word of salvation
“I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43. Even in such an excruciating agony Jesus reached out to a sinner.
The songwriter Frances Jane Von Alstyne popularly called Fanny Crosby, the blind prolific hymn writer says it so well in the hymn we all love to sing – TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Stanza 2
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”
3. The word of love
“……Dear woman here is your son, and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” – John 19:26-27
Even in the agony of dying, Jesus was concerned about the welfare of His mother and appointed the “disciple whom He loved” (John?) to take care of her.
Then, and even now, children have a responsibility to take care of their dependent parents as stated in 1 Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
When we refuse to take care of members of our families, especially the immediate ones, we are worse than unbelievers.
Jesus is a perfect example of obedience to God’s word. He has given us power to do this as He did
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
