“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
I lead a small group in our home called a metron group (Greek, a measure of influence or reach). We meet for prayer, discipleship, and fellowship with one another. One day after we finished teaching about overcoming spiritual stumbling blocks, I picked up in the Spirit so strongly that the devil is trying to steal their testimonies from them. You ask, “Can the devil do that, can he really steal my testimony?” Let me answer you by saying this: he has done it before. How many don't share their testimony at all today, and have lost the fire for sharing it? Perhaps because the enemy convinced them that no one would listen to them. Maybe he said to them or you, that you are giving glory to yourself. What about him putting fear in your mind that stops you from opening your mouth and boldly declaring your testimony? The devil can steal your testimony, if you let him.
Countless followers of Christ have gone before you, who have not allowed the devil to steal their testimony. They were persecuted, but didn't quit. Nothing could stop them from speaking of their testimony. They were even willing to die for it. Let's follow their example: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Revelation 6:9).
Jesus revealed that Satan is on assignment to "Steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10). In exactly that order, his first phase of attack is to steal. Once he has stolen, he brings further death and destruction. To have total victory, you must stop him from stealing first. The warfare intensifies when you allow the enemy to go unnoticed and unchallenged. The key to victory is to catch him in the act of stealing before he gains a greater foothold and brings destruction.
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Your enemy has many different strategies to get you to forfeit your testimony and what belongs to you. For example, when you receive your miracle, healing or breakthrough from God he will attempt to steal it from you by:
Chaotic Adverse Circumstances to Disprove What God Did in Your Life.
Right after your miracle, healing or salvation he attacks with negative circumstances that may discourage you and steal your joy. When that happens, keep your eyes on Jesus and what He did in you. Don't ignore the circumstances, but rebuke the enemy who wants rob from you. Tell him, "Devil, you're not stealing my healing or my breakthrough, God gave it to me! You are not stealing my joy, I will yet praise My God and speak of His Goodness." Now tell him, "get out of my circumstances in Jesus' Name." When you submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee from you. As the opposer of God, Satan attacks with adverse circumstances to accuse God and disprove His goodness in your life. Guard your mind and be anxious for nothing, but let all your request be made known to God with thanksgiving. (Philippians 4:6)
Reasoning
Many who received prayer for healing, obtained their healing only to lose it later because of reasoning. Reasoning takes place in your mind, the place the enemy uses as a battlefield. He can't read your mind, but he can suggest things to you, that are contrary to what God did in your life. Reasoning with your natural mind can cause you to lose your healing. Don't go tit-for-tat with the devil who is speaking to you. He's is liar and the father of lies. Step over into the Spirit and use the Word of God in the power of the Holy Ghost to refute every lie.
A demonic reasoning can be, "It was the drugs you were taking that healed you, not faith in Jesus." Doesn't that sound like the devil? He knows pain-killers don't heal, they only give temporary relief with many negative side-effects and can even be addictive.
Lying Symptoms and Signs
When symptoms appear they can fortify the enemy’s reasoning. When symptoms of disease come back after you've been healed, don't meditate on it. Demons are good at magnifying lying signs that things haven’t changed. In the natural, even if symptoms and signs don’t line up with what God did in your life, hold on to faith in God and be persistent in speaking your testimony. Remember, Satan wants to steal it, don't give him room. Keep thanking God that you are healed; rebuke the symptoms and the lying signs.
Your Tongue and Words
I don't have to tell you that your tongue is a powerful thing. It can be a tool that builds, and a balm that heals. It can be a sword that cuts and divides. It can also be an unruly member set on fire by hell. The Scripture says that, "death and life is in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Your tongue can speak words that can be either hurtful or helpful. Your enemy knows this. One of the evil purposes of chaotic adverse circumstances is to tempt you to change your confession and say the wrong things. As a Christian, your words contain power. So if the enemy can cause you to speak words of discouragement, doubt and fear, he can get you to prophesy your own defeat.
Stop The Devil From Stealing Your Testimony!
“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (John 12:9-11).
One of the most powerful works Jesus did was to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus showed up four days later to visit Lazarus who was deathly ill. God wasn't late, He arrived at the Holy Spirit's timing to do a great work by bringing Lazarus back to life. Lazarus was about to get a testimony he never dreamed of.
After Lazarus was raised everybody wanted to see both Jesus and him. What a way to testify! "I was once dead for four days, but Jesus raised me up." You can imagine that the enemy wasn't happy about that. He wanted to stop it and kill Lazarus' testimony.
The devil wants to stop your testimony, just like he tried to do with Lazarus, because it sets people free from the bondage of the enemy. Your testimony is your message and it has power.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).
Your Testimony....
- Is a personal witness you have of Jesus.
- Is your personal experience with Jesus.
- Speaks of God's glory in your life, and it glorifies God.
- Is a light that shines in darkness.
- Opens the way for others to come to salvation and faith in Jesus Christ.
Your testimony is what God directly did in your life. This is why the devil wants to steal it from you, because it contains the power to expand and advance the Kingdom of God on earth. And God wants to give you a testimony every day.
Keep Talking About What God Has Done
The best way to stop the enemy from stealing your testimony is to keep sharing it, and don’t stop. Your biggest testimony is when God transformed you, delivered you from deep darkness and sin. You know Him personally as both your Lord and Savior. This is the testimony the devil hates the most, the day he lost you. God wants to give you testimonies everyday through your relationship and walk of faith with Him. Expect miracles, breakthrough, and victory every day.
Yes, you will be persecuted when sharing your story. Some will reject you and try to hurt you, but remember this: you are a partaker of Christ's suffering as well as His glory. Don't stop sharing your message, it glorifies God.
Brian Burke International ministry exists solely by faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
If you are blessed by the podcasts and articles on this outreach, please consider sending your token of appreciation and encouragement. I believe that your financial contribution builds treasures in heaven for you, where neither moth, rust or thief can enter and steal.
I agree especially with your closing thought. You have to keep recounting those victories. Tell the world and ensure the enemy no foothold to grab your testimony with doubt!
This is really a reality. The devil is a thief. He steals unnoticed in the dark from ignorant and careless Christians
This article speaks volumes to me, I’ve recently felt the downward pull of Satan trying to take what I have gained. This really helped me feel not so alone. Thank you.
O Praise the LORD for this message!! I couldn’t do anything but shout HALLELUJAH!! GOD is so good and I thank you for allowing HIM to use you to share this message to remind us that we cannot allow the enemy to steal our testimony and that which GOD has given us!! PRAISE THE LORD!! Have a blessed day!