WHEN OPPOSERS COME AS FRIENDS 2

1 THE ENEMIES OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “LET US BUILD WITH YOU, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “YOU MAY HAVE NO PART IN THIS WORK. WE ALONE WILL BUILD THE TEMPLE FOR THE LORD, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”
4 THEN THE LOCAL RESIDENTS TRIED TO DISCOURAGE AND FRIGHTEN THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH TO KEEP THEM FROM THEIR WORK.
5 THEY BRIBED AGENTS TO WORK AGAINST THEM AND TO FRUSTRATE THEIR PLANS. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne."
Ezra 4:1–5 (NLT)

• At the initial stage of the new work of ministry, some people would come as friends and loyalists and pretend to want to build with you; but they are adversaries or enemies of the work (Ezra 4:2).

• Do not accept an enemy as a friend. Remember, there are wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15; 10:16). They might come with sweet words, pretending to offer help and support, do not allow them.
• How would you know them? Your spiritual antenna must be honed; be made more acute, intense, or effective— made keen.
• When the adversaries of the Jews discovered that their schemes failed, which was meant to deceive the elders of Jews; they hired agents to work against the Jews and the progress of the work—the building of the temple (Ezra 4:5).
• The devil's goal, who is the chief opposer, is to frustrate your aim, make the vision unachievable. He would not want it to be a reality (John 10:10; Revelation 12:17).
• You should not be naive and insensitive as a believer or a leader in the discerning of the schemes or wiles of the devil, the adversary: "PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD [for His precepts are like the splendid armour of a heavily-armed soldier], SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO [successfully] STAND UP AGAINST ALL THE SCHEMES AND THE STRATEGIES AND THE DECEITS OF THE DEVIL" (Ephesians 6:11 Amps).

• Do not believe the story of every person who comes to you, especially those you do not know where they are coming from.
a. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, about the person.
b. A strange hand, a person you do not know, whom you have not taught, tested and trained; you should be careful of.
c. Let whoever would work with you be someone you had taught and trained. Someone you had taught your vision and made to know the core values of your ministry or assignment.
d. Do not be cajoled or carried away by someone's sweet words.

• The agents were bribed to work against the Jews and frustrate the plans of the building of the temple (Ezra 4:5).

• You would need to beware of the hired agents of the devil, who might want to work against the fulfilment of your vision or ministry or assignment.
• If you are carefree and insensitive, they may succeed in causing the vision to be dragged, and bring the work to a halt or a complete stop.
  a. Deal with the human agents of the devil that may surface in the process of the building of the work—the assignment or ministry given to you by God—in prayer.
  b. Bind, resist, and dislodge the demons that might be working with such agents to fight against your work—the ministry or assignment given to you (Matthew 16:19; James 4:7).

• Note:
a. Do not allow any sentiment when you are on the heaven sent assignment. Do not take anything for granted as well.
b. Do not deal with strife and rebellion with a kid gloves. Unruliness and conspiracy found in anyone should not just be overlooked but should be addressed and be handled wisely. The person or people involved should be disciplined: "DRIVE OUT THE SCOFFER, AND CONTENTION WILL GO AWAY; EVEN STRIFE AND DISHONOR WILL CEASE" (Proverbs 22:10 Amps).

"THROW OUT THE MOCKER, AND YOU WILL BE RID OF TENSION, FIGHTING, AND QUARRELS."
Proverbs 22:10 (the Living Bible)

"IF SOMEONE LAUGHS AT WHAT IS RIGHT, SEND HIM AWAY. THEN THERE WILL BE NO MORE ARGUMENTS, QUARRELS AND INSULTS."
Proverbs 22:10 (EasyEnglish Bible)

"ARGUMENTS AND FIGHTS WILL COME TO AN END, IF YOU CHASE AWAY THOSE WHO INSULT OTHERS."
Proverbs 22:10 (Contemporary English Version)
READ: Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 19:25

• It is my prayer that you will not miss it in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any sickness in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• Whatever would not give you peace, working against your health, such is uprooted in your body now, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!