MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
DARKNESS IS A GOVERNMENT ON ITS OWN
🔑 ANCHOR SCRIPTURE
«“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
— Colossians 1:13 (KJV)»
MESSAGE
Beloved, darkness is more organized than many people think.
Scripture presents darkness not merely as evil activity, but as a kingdom with authority structures, agendas, agents, territories and methods of operation.
Paul speaks about being delivered from the “power of darkness” and translated into Christ's kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Salvation, therefore, is not merely God making a bad person behave better. It is a change of spiritual citizenship and allegiance.
You have changed kingdoms!
Jesus called Satan “the prince of this world” (John 12:31), while Paul described him as “the god of this world” who blinds unbelieving minds (2 Corinthians 4:4).
This does not make Satan equal to God. God remains absolutely sovereign; Satan is a created and defeated rebel whose authority is limited.
Yet darkness works strategically through people, systems, cultures and institutions.
So Christians must not only ask:
“Who is attacking me?”
Sometimes we should ask:
“What system is trying to shape me?”
Because not every battle comes wearing a frightening face. Some arrive wearing a suit and tie, carrying a policy document!
1. WHEN DARKNESS ENTERS POLITICS
Pharaoh's Anti-Destiny Policy Exodus 1:15–22
Pharaoh ordered Hebrew male children to be killed because he feared Israel's growth.
The enemy was not merely attacking babies; he was attacking Israel's future. Moses had not yet become Israel's deliverer, but a system was already trying to eliminate the generation from which deliverance would emerge.
Sometimes darkness attacks tomorrow by legislating against today.
But the Hebrew midwives “feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them” (Exodus 1:17).
We need believers like Joseph, Daniel, Esther and Nehemiah, people who can enter governmental systems without allowing ungodly systems to enter their souls.
We cannot pray, “Father, take over the government!” and then declare, “Politics is too dirty for Christians.”
If everybody carrying soap refuses to enter because the room is dirty, who will clean it?
2. WHEN DARKNESS WEARS RELIGIOUS CLOTHES
Jeroboam's Counterfeit Worship 1 Kings 12:26–33
Jeroboam established alternative worship centres and unauthorized priesthood structures to protect his political interests.
Religion became an instrument of control.
Darkness does not necessarily mind you carrying a Bible if it can prevent you from obeying it.
It does not mind your shouting “Amen!” if your character replies, “Not applicable!”
And impressive religious titles mean little if Christ is not actually Lord of the person carrying them.
The answer is truth, repentance, sound doctrine and genuine devotion to Christ.
Repair the altar.
Return to Scripture.
Preach Christ rather than personality.
Build disciples rather than fan clubs.
3. WHEN DARKNESS ENTERS YOUR CAREER
Daniel in Babylon , Daniel 1:4–8
Babylon attempted to reshape Daniel through education, language, culture, food and even his name.
But Daniel demonstrated:
You can work in Babylon without allowing Babylon to work inside you.
Christian excellence does not mean being professionally incompetent and compensating within “Praise the Lord!”
If you are an accountant, balance the figures before binding the devil.
If you are a lecturer, prepare your lecture.
If you are a businessman, keep proper records.
The Holy Spirit is not a substitute for professional competence.
Daniel was spiritual and excellent (Daniel 6:3).
Be so competent that people respect your work and so principled that they cannot purchase your conscience.
4. WHEN SOCIETY NORMALIZES WRONGDOING
John the Baptist Before Herod — Mark 6:17–29
John confronted Herod's wrongdoing despite his political power.
Truth must not become silent simply because error has become fashionable.
But Christian engagement must combine conviction with wisdom, courage with love, and truth with humility.
Jesus said:
«“Ye are the light of the world.”
Matthew 5:14»
Light does not spend all night arguing with darkness.
It shines.
Christians should therefore build credible institutions in education, media, technology, business, scholarship, arts and public service.
Stop only complaining about what darkness is building.
Build something better.
DARKNESS WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
Perhaps the most dangerous darkness is not the one attacking the Church from outside.
It is darkness that has learned Christian vocabulary.
1. DOCTRINAL DARKNESS
When Scripture becomes secondary and personalities become unquestionable, danger has entered the sanctuary.
The Bereans examined even Paul's teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11).
If Apostle Paul could be examined, your favourite preacher can survive a Bible check!
Return to Scripture (Jude 3).
2. MORAL COMPROMISE
We cannot rebuke darkness publicly while negotiating with it privately.
Romans 12:2 commands believers not to conform to this world.
Before becoming God's policeman over everybody else, allow the Holy Spirit to inspect your own station!
3. COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE GOSPEL
Jesus said:
«“Freely ye have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8»
Scripture supports legitimate financial support for ministry (1 Corinthians 9:13–14), but supporting ministry is different from selling spiritual things.
When we begin seeing:
“Special prayer: premium package.”
“Prophecy: executive category.”
“Deliverance: VIP section.”
something is wrong.
The Gospel must never become merchandise.
4. CORRUPTED MEDIA CONSUMPTION
What repeatedly enters your eyes and ears eventually influences your imagination (Psalm 101:3).
You cannot feed your mind spiritual rubbish from Monday to Saturday and expect one Sunday sermon to perform an emergency spiritual detoxification!
Guard your gates.
5. PRAYERLESSNESS AND PERSONALITY WORSHIP
Some Christians have practically outsourced their spiritual lives:
“Pastor, pray for me.”
“Prophet, hear God for me.”
“Daddy, what is God saying?”
Receiving pastoral ministry is biblical, but Jesus did not die so your pastor could become your spiritual Wi-Fi router!
Build your prayer life. Study Scripture. Develop discernment.
Know God personally (Luke 18:1).
WHAT MUST THE BELIEVER DO?
«“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth... but the LORD shall arise upon thee...”
— Isaiah 60:2»
1. STAY ROOTED IN THE WORD
The Word exposes deception and renews the mind.
You cannot defeat what you cannot discern.
2. BECOME A REFORMER
Joseph influenced economics. Daniel influenced government. Esther influenced national policy. Nehemiah rebuilt infrastructure. Paul influenced cities through the Gospel.
Your Christianity should produce visible kingdom influence.
3. BUILD KINGDOM PLATFORMS
If darkness uses media, create godly media.
If education is failing, build excellent schools.
If businesses are corrupt, build ethical businesses.
If young people are being discipled by algorithms, create better content.
Don't only bind darkness. Build light.
4. ENGAGE SOCIETY RESPONSIBLY
Pray. Participate responsibly. Educate yourself. Serve your community. Promote justice and integrity.
Christianity must not produce people who know everything about heaven but cannot contribute meaningfully to earth.
5. REMEMBER WHOSE KINGDOM YOU BELONG TO
Colossians 1:13 does not say God is trying to deliver us.
It says:
“Who hath delivered us...”
Believers confront darkness from the position of Christ's victory.
Darkness may have systems, Christ has a Kingdom.
Darkness may have agents, Christ has a Church.
Darkness may spread deception, Christ is the Truth.
Darkness may boast about the night—
but morning does not require darkness's permission to arrive!
🙏 PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me discernment to recognize every ungodly influence seeking to shape my life and environment.
2. In Jesus' name, let every work of darkness operating against God's purpose for my life be broken.
3. Lord, make me a courageous voice of truth, wisdom and righteousness wherever You position me.
4. Father, deliver Your Church from compromise, deception, personality worship and spiritual commercialization.
5. Lord, raise me as a reformer and kingdom influence in my generation.
🗣️ PROPHETIC DECLARATION
I belong to Jesus Christ!
I have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son.
My mind will not become a colony of darkness.
My career will not become an altar of compromise.
My faith will not become merchandise.
My voice will not be purchased by fear.
Where God places me, I will shine.
Where there is deception, I will stand for truth.
Where there is corruption, I will demonstrate integrity.
I am salt. I am light. I belong to Christ.
And because Jesus Christ is Lord, darkness will never have the final word!
🎯 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Darkness does not always come carrying a demon; sometimes it comes carrying a policy, philosophy, trend, opportunity, promotion, microphone or even a Bible.
Therefore, discernment is not optional.
Do not spend your entire life merely shouting at darkness.
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC Ibudo Ònà Abayọ
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