Christian Living

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The Power of Suggestion by Dr.Daniel Johnson

Introduction

The power suggestion, has on people's minds is often overlooked. For a long time, I've been trying to understand, why fortune telling, palmistry, card reading and other forms of divination seem to "work." In other words, I have observed that, many things these people say come to pass. They seem to know the future! But any Bible student knows that God, and only God knows the future. Now you might say, Satan knew about the birth of Jesus. Well that’s true. It also seems to be that he also knew about the birth of Moses. Satan can know what is revealed in the scriptures and what is made known by conversation. It had already been foretold by God that a deliverer for the Israelites would arise from among them. The time frame was also mentioned. But Satan did not know the details. He did not know the family into which Moses was to be born. That is why he tried to get rid of all the "possible candidates" for a deliverer. But as usual, God's plan and purposes stand. They will never fail or falter. Almost the same thing happens in Jesus birth. Herod comes to know about the birth, but doesn't know, where exactly or into which family Jesus was to be born. So here again, Satan tries to eliminate all the potential "babies". But glory be to God, the God I serve is too smart for Satan!
So be encouraged. The Bible says in Numbers 23:19 that "God is not a man that he should lie"
IF GOD HAS ORDERED, HE WILL PAY FOR IT!!!

The Suggestion

This Power of suggestion is subtly demonstrated in the Garden of Eden. Let’s turn our attention to Genesis Ch 3. This chapter gives the detailed account of the first sin. But what I want to look at carefully is the role played by the serpent. This is what he asked to Eve, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" Then Eve replies in the positive. Watch what the serpent says next..."you will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will surely be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Notice it seems more like a casual suggestion rather than any convincing theory or even a command! He puts in a suggestion and leaves!! He does not hang around to convince Eve and Adam. He knew that the "suggestion" had been put in. He also knew that given enough time, the suggestion would work its way to become a doubt and finally sin would be born.
Then it says (ch 3:6) "When the woman saw that the fruit..." Do you really think that she was seeing the tree for the first time at that moment? I would think not! It’s just that the "weed of suggestion" planted by Satan in her had now changed her attitude towards the tree and its fruit.

The Explanation

Here is the reason why fortune telling and all sorts of "divination" seem to work. Each individual has a PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. The past is history, it’s an open book. You know it, God knows it, a lot of people know it and Satan knows it. The present is happening now. But as far as the future is concerned, only God knows it.
Whenever a person or a medium foretells your future, he or she will tap into your past, to gain an entry into your mind. Let me state an example. Suppose an acquaintance of yours, just for fun, reads your palm. You do not have any inclination to believe what he's going to say. Then he starts telling you things which have happened in your past (for eg. that you had an accident about 10 years ago, from which you narrowly escaped,) which he could not have known. You are truly amazed and now your curiosity is aroused. Guess what just happened, you've opened up your mind for further suggestions. Now, using the past as a key to unlock your mind, the fortune teller, starts "foretelling" your future. Although he does not know anything of your future, he puts in suggestions. Since your mind is now open, you unknowingly accept the suggestion. The Bible teaches that, what you believe will come to pass.
This is the power of suggestion. The key is, to identify it as fast as possible, however "mild" the suggestion may seem. That is why it’s always better, for believers not to go to fortune tellers, even for fun.
You might have already understood that, it doesn't need a fortune teller for suggestion. It could come through a friend, an acquaintance, a false prophet or anybody. But most of the time, it comes as small whispers in your mind, put in by Satan himself!

The Solution

So what do you do, when these suggestions come into your mind? The worst thing, you can do, is to be casual about it.
Remember the story of Elisha following Elijah to Bethel, Jericho and Jordan? The passage is found in II Kings ch 2. It was common knowledge that Elijah would be taken to heaven that day. So the sons of prophets come to Elisha and say, "Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?" His reply is very interesting. He says. "Yes I know: but shut up!" He does not ignore the fact. In fact he faces the fact and denies its power thereof. Or in other words, HE FACED THE FACTS WITH FAITH!
Isn't that what Abraham also does? We read in Romans 4:19, 20, 21 like this, "..he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith..."
That’s what we've got to do. Don't run away from the facts, but face it with Faith.
When suggestions come, do what Jesus did; cancel it off with the written word of God. Don't let suggestions ruin your trust in God. If God has promised, he will definitely do it. May be the present circumstances would lead you to think otherwise. But we are people who do not look at the present and worry, we are a group of people who look at the future and rejoice.

So what do you do when Satan brings in a suggestion? Reject it, face the Facts and have Faith in God. May God Bless you.

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