Deliverance from evil

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, it incorporated: ‘deliver us from evil’. Deliverance from evil involves protection, illumination and discernment about the evil in others who we associate with both inside and outside the church. Our enemy, the devil, seeks to destroy us and will use any means at his disposal. If he can plant offence in the hearts of anyone, he will.

We must be sure that we do not let offence crowd our own lives, through critical thoughts about others. He will seek to infiltrate and destroy any relationship. Diligent prayer for the significant others is important. Paul had asked for prayer for he and his colleagues that they would be delivered from the evil in others in the previous verse. He stated: ‘for not everyone is a believer’. Non-believers are also inside the church. They were in Jesus’ day. He had to contend with non-believing Pharisees and Saducees. Both of these groups were jealous of Him and threatened by His authority. Jealousy will cause people to be offended. He even had an enemy in His 12 disciples, that one betrayed Him for money.

Therefore, pray for your leaders and others and deliverance from evil. Amen!