BEWARE WHEN THE ENEMY TRIES TO CHANGE YOUR NARRATIVE

CHRISTIAN TREASURE DEVOTION

BEWARE WHEN THE ENEMY TRIES TO CHANGE YOUR NARRATIVE

Anchor Scripture: John 6:15 KJV

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."*

INTRODUCTION

Behind the seed of greatness in anyone called to achieve significant things, there often lie the challenges posed by the enemy's desire to rewrite or change the narrative. Here, we explore this through various stories.

Several years ago, before the rise of social media, a prominent government official in an African country granted an interview to a newspaper. He discussed the state of his nation, particularly the level of hunger and hardship faced by its people. When asked about the situation, he stated, “People are not eating from the dustbin, so what is the fuss?” However, his political enemies twisted his words and had another newspaper publish a distorted version. In this altered version, the minister was quoted as saying, “The people are not yet eating from the dustbin, what is the fuss?” Notice how the addition of the word "yet" changes the entire narrative.

The version circulated by his enemies became a heavy burden for him. Despite his attempts to explain that this was not what he originally said, people refused to listen; they were too angry and clung to the version propagated by his adversaries. This misrepresentation was widely spread as a statement of insensitivity towards the suffering of the people, ultimately leading to his removal from office. Even evidence of his original interview became difficult to produce, allowing his enemies to achieve their goal.

WHY DID JESUS AVOID THE PEOPLE? (John 6:15 Explained)

As noted in our anchor scripture, Jesus became more popular as His ministry thrived, gaining influence among ordinary people. They believed a leader had finally emerged to rescue them from their suffering under Roman rule. However, once Jesus realized their intent to force Him into earthly kingship, He withdrew to a mountain, leaving even His disciples behind.

WHY MIGHT THE ENEMY WANTS TO REWRITE YOUR NARRATIVE?

1. Perceived Threat: If the enemy perceives you as a threat to his plans or kingdom, he will do everything in his power to deter you. This may include using discouragement or scandal to place obstacles in your path.

2. Becoming a Voice: As you grow in influence and confidence, your voice becomes more prominent—drawing scrutiny from your enemies. What gives you the authority to speak on certain issues? When Jesus’ teaching resonated differently from that of the scribes, it unsettled them (Matthew 7:29). They discussed amongst themselves, we had never had it in this fashion, by which Authority was he teaching, they were rattled by his teaching, which was more refreshing to the soul and relatable to the people.

3. Growth and Influence: As you advance in your career or life, peers may feel threatened, leading to unhealthy rivalry. Questions about your nationality, tribe, gender, and race may arise, as the

The perception they had of you starts to fade

.

No Weapon Fashioned Against Me Shall Prosper

(Isaiah 54:17 KJV - Enemy Strategies)

- SLANDER This refers to the spreading of misinformation to undermine your credibility. It is a significant weapon used against anyone perceived to be growing in their endeavors by evil people

HOW TO STOP A WRONG NARRATIVE

1. Build Trust Cultivate trust by being authentic—who you say you are should align with your actions.

2. Avoid Gossip: If you wish to prevent negative talk about you, refrain from speaking ill of others. By doing so, you establish a positive identity.

3. Live an exemplary life worthy of admiration, ensuring that even your enemies must acknowledge your integrity. This diminishes their ability to spread slander against you.

CONCLUSION

Be aware that once you commit to fulfilling a purpose, the gates of hell will attempt to resist or stop you if they can. Stay prayerful and tenacious in your journey.