Question & Answer With Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Question 1 – Kingsley (The
Netherlands): Is the devil able to read the human mind? Why couldn’t the
devil read the mind of Jesus Christ to know that killing Him was to
save us from our sins and that this was for the good of the Christian?
Answer 1: He says, “Is the devil able to read the human mind?” The answer is no; he cannot read the human mind anymore than any intelligent person can guess what’s in your mind by reading [or trying to understand] your mannerisms and your body movements and so on…body language. So, that’s the way the devil also reads you, because he’s been in this world for many years and he can understand human beings by observing them. That’s how far because Satan, remember, is a created being and because he is a created being, he doesn’t have the power. He’s not omniscient. Only God is omniscient; Satan is not. So, Satan doesn’t know everything, and Satan doesn’t know what’s in your mind. And, you know that Satan doesn’t know everything because of a lot of things that happened in the Bible that he didn’t know and have the sense enough to tell. For example, how come Satan didn’t know that Jesus had been taken to Egypt when He was a baby? [Matthew 2:13-18] God asked the parents, that’s Mary - the mother of Jesus - and Joseph, the supposed father, to take the little child to Egypt and Satan didn’t know they had gone to Egypt and went ahead and moved the king to kill all the children from 2 years and down; he didn’t know. There are lots of things that Satan doesn’t know. He didn’t know much in the bible days and still doesn’t know today, because he is not omniscient.
Answer 1: He says, “Is the devil able to read the human mind?” The answer is no; he cannot read the human mind anymore than any intelligent person can guess what’s in your mind by reading [or trying to understand] your mannerisms and your body movements and so on…body language. So, that’s the way the devil also reads you, because he’s been in this world for many years and he can understand human beings by observing them. That’s how far because Satan, remember, is a created being and because he is a created being, he doesn’t have the power. He’s not omniscient. Only God is omniscient; Satan is not. So, Satan doesn’t know everything, and Satan doesn’t know what’s in your mind. And, you know that Satan doesn’t know everything because of a lot of things that happened in the Bible that he didn’t know and have the sense enough to tell. For example, how come Satan didn’t know that Jesus had been taken to Egypt when He was a baby? [Matthew 2:13-18] God asked the parents, that’s Mary - the mother of Jesus - and Joseph, the supposed father, to take the little child to Egypt and Satan didn’t know they had gone to Egypt and went ahead and moved the king to kill all the children from 2 years and down; he didn’t know. There are lots of things that Satan doesn’t know. He didn’t know much in the bible days and still doesn’t know today, because he is not omniscient.
Question 2 –
Arehone (UK): Dear Pastor Chris, is it right for a Christian to give up
her child for adoption even though she was despoiled? What does the Word
say concerning this?
Answer 2: Well, to give up one’s child for adoption is not wrong, but you have to make sure you’re giving up the child for adoption by the right people, who can bring that child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For example, Hannah in the Bible actually gave up her child for adoption to the priest, Eli. Samuel was adopted by the priest; she gave her son to the Lord. And so, that was an adoption; so, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s “who’s going to take care of this child?” that’s what really matters. Sometimes, someone can have a child without having the…biological ability to give birth should not be equated with the psychological, mental and emotional ability to raise the child. So, someone could have a child that she can’t take care of. And so, if that child is given up for adoption, it’s okay. But, like I said, it’s important who’s adopting the child, because the future of that child matters, and you would be held responsible for who you gave your child to for adoption.
Answer 2: Well, to give up one’s child for adoption is not wrong, but you have to make sure you’re giving up the child for adoption by the right people, who can bring that child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For example, Hannah in the Bible actually gave up her child for adoption to the priest, Eli. Samuel was adopted by the priest; she gave her son to the Lord. And so, that was an adoption; so, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s “who’s going to take care of this child?” that’s what really matters. Sometimes, someone can have a child without having the…biological ability to give birth should not be equated with the psychological, mental and emotional ability to raise the child. So, someone could have a child that she can’t take care of. And so, if that child is given up for adoption, it’s okay. But, like I said, it’s important who’s adopting the child, because the future of that child matters, and you would be held responsible for who you gave your child to for adoption.
Question 3 – Eunicia (South Africa): Is it wrong to get married without being blessed by your Pastor?
Answer 3: Well, if you belong to a church, which you should, why would you want to get married without letting your Pastor know? Even in a large church where it might be difficult for every member to get to the Pastor, there are leaders, there are structures, so if you use those structures, somehow, the Pastor will get to know. If He doesn’t know personally, through the structure, the leadership will be aware and you can have God’s blessings on that. It’s important, so don’t go ahead and get married without the church knowing; it’s not right!
Answer 3: Well, if you belong to a church, which you should, why would you want to get married without letting your Pastor know? Even in a large church where it might be difficult for every member to get to the Pastor, there are leaders, there are structures, so if you use those structures, somehow, the Pastor will get to know. If He doesn’t know personally, through the structure, the leadership will be aware and you can have God’s blessings on that. It’s important, so don’t go ahead and get married without the church knowing; it’s not right!
