HANDLING HURTS (9): DO NOT ALLOW MISINTERPRETATIONS OF INTENTIONS

Almost ten years ago, I was attending a major conference hosted by my grandfather-in-the-faith. Just after one of the morning sessions, I was finding my way to the carpark. He spotted me while he was walking with some of his guests and he said, “Son, wait to see me”. 

It was quite tasking going through protocol to access the waiting lounge of his office. I eventually succeeded. I held on to a seed to give to him personally. The waiting began. 

The first hour seems like the normal waiting. I knew it was a busy season. But after the third hour, thoughts began to travel through my mind. 

“Why did he ask you to wait when he knew he would be so busy?”

“Does he even value my own time?” 

I kept fighting those thoughts in my head.

Eventually, his secretary walked into the lounge and called me. My heart leaped with “At last, I will see him”. 

The secretary said, “Are you Pastor Temi? Baba said I should tell you to go. He would see you some other time”. 

It was a shock but I dug my hands into my pocket and handed over the seed to her saying, “Please help me hand this over to him. I pray that the Lord renew his strength this season”. 

When I stepped out, I shut the devil up immediately. I refused to be hurt. 

Why? First, it was an honour that he even spotted me in a crowd. Second, it was an honour that he asked to see me in the middle of such a hectic schedule. At least, he showed he had me in mind. 

Listen, the devil wants to play at least two roles in your life: 

First, the supplier of information. He wants to load you with lies, assumptions, and other strange philosophies. 

Second, if he does not succeed at first, he wants to be the interpreter of information. Why? He wants to misinterpret it. He can use misinterpretation to poison a soul. 

He is skilled in the second version. Think about it- you want people to judge you by your intent (even when it seems to come out or it is perceived the wrong way) but you are always quick to judge others by their actions. 

Dear husband or wife, how many times have you had to explain to your spouse using these words, “That is not what I mean”, “That was not my intention”, or “I will never intend to hurt you or say things that will make you sad”. The misinterpreter is always close by. 

He can turn words of appreciation into weapons of condemnation. He can turn good intent into evil content. 

Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians and my extension us also: 

lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

II Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

What has the devil misinterpreted to you in your marriage, church, business, or family? Kick him out! 

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa