The Open Heavens 1 August 2026 devotional for today is OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS II.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 1 AUGUST 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS II
MEMORISE
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:16-17
READ: Psalm 119:9-17
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 1 AUGUST 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
A believer who does not study the Bible regularly will not know the right way to respond to temptations, and hence, will keep falling in and out of sin.
I know this because Jesus overcame all the temptations of the devil by quoting the Scriptures (Luke 4:1-12). From our memory verses for today, we see that after faith and salvation, a believer needs to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Any Christian who does not study his or her Bible regularly is a soldier who is without a sword. The word of God is both a weapon of offence and defence against the temptations the enemy throws at you.
David said in Psalm 119:11:
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The verse above tells us that to overcome sin, a person’s heart must be filled with the word of God; therefore, you must keep studying the word of God and meditating on it at all times.
Living according to the word of God sets us apart from the world and makes us sanctified vessels unto God (John 17:17). As you keep studying God’s word and obeying it, you will discover that the things of the world that used to entice you are no longer enticing to you.
When the devil comes to offer you those things, you will be able to respond, “It is written,” and he will have to leave you alone for a while. God’s word empowers you to be sensitive to the traps of the devil and overcome them. The more you immerse yourself in God’s word, the more fortified you will become against the devil’s attacks.
Proverbs 1:17 says that it is vain to spread a net in the sight of any bird. Just as a bird will not enter a net that it knows to have been spread to capture and kill it, God’s word will make you sensitive to see the traps of the devil. It is your victory kit over satan’s wiles.
Do not neglect your weapon of victory; study your Bible constantly. Know God’s word concerning every aspect of your life so that when the devil tries to deceive you in any area, you will know what has been written about it and be able to use that knowledge to shut him up. At that point, sin will no longer have any power over you.
Key Point
God’s word is your defence and victory kit over temptations.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Isaiah 60-63
Open Heavens HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORDS
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 1 AUGUST 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Ephesians 6:16-17
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The word of God is both your defensive shield and your offensive weapon against every attack of the enemy. Without it, you are defenseless in spiritual warfare.
BIBLE READING: Psalm 119:9-17
This passage reveals that the key to keeping your way pure is hiding God’s word in your heart. The psalmist declares that he has not departed from God’s judgments and delights in His statutes. God’s word is the cleansing agent and the preserving power for the believer’s life.
The Unarmed Soldier: Believers Who Don’t Study the Bible
“A believer who does not study the Bible regularly will not know the right way to respond to temptations, and hence, will keep falling in and out of sin.”
| Without the Sword | With the Sword |
|---|---|
| Defenseless against temptation | Armed to overcome every attack |
| Falls repeatedly into sin | Stands firm and resists |
| Cannot recognize the devil’s lies | Detects deception immediately |
| Weak and vulnerable | Fortified and victorious |
“I know this because Jesus overcame all the temptations of the devil by quoting the Scriptures (Luke 4:1-12).”
| Jesus’ Response to Temptation | Your Response Should Be |
|---|---|
| “It is written” | “It is written” |
| Quoted Scripture to Satan | Use Scripture to silence the enemy |
| Did not rely on feelings or reasoning | Rely on the unchanging word of God |
“From our memory verses for today, we see that after faith and salvation, a believer needs to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The sword is not given to you to admire—it is given to you to use. A soldier who carries a sword but never draws it is as useless as one who has no sword at all.
The Soldier Without a Sword
“Any Christian who does not study his or her Bible regularly is a soldier who is without a sword. The word of God is both a weapon of offence and defence against the temptations the enemy throws at you.”
| A Soldier Without a Sword | A Christian Without Bible Study |
|---|---|
| Cannot defend himself | Cannot resist temptation |
| Cannot attack the enemy | Cannot defeat the devil’s schemes |
| Is easily captured | Is easily led into sin |
| Is a liability to his army | Is ineffective in God’s kingdom |
Ephesians 6:17 – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The sword is the only offensive weapon in the full armor of God. Without it, you can only defend—and even that poorly. With it, you can attack, counter, and overcome.
Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart (Psalm 119:11)
“David said in Psalm 119:11: ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’”
| Hiding the Word in Your Heart | What It Produces |
|---|---|
| Memorizing Scripture | Immediate access in temptation |
| Meditating on Scripture | Strength to resist sin |
| Loving God’s word | Desires shift away from the world |
| Obeying God’s word | Sanctification and purity |
“The verse above tells us that to overcome sin, a person’s heart must be filled with the word of God; therefore, you must keep studying the word of God and meditating on it at all times.”
| A Heart Filled with the Word | A Heart Empty of the Word |
|---|---|
| Resists temptation | Yields to temptation |
| Discerns truth from lies | Believes the devil’s deception |
| Desires holiness | Desires worldly pleasures |
| Strengthened in trials | Crushed by trials |
The Sanctifying Power of the Word
“Living according to the word of God sets us apart from the world and makes us sanctified vessels unto God (John 17:17).”
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
| The Word Sanctifies | The World Corrupts |
|---|---|
| Sets you apart for God | Blends you into the world’s patterns |
| Purifies your desires | Pollutes your desires |
| Strengthens your resolve | Weakens your resistance |
“As you keep studying God’s word and obeying it, you will discover that the things of the world that used to entice you are no longer enticing to you.”
| Before Studying the Word | After Immersion in the Word |
|---|---|
| Worldly things were attractive | Worldly things lose their appeal |
| You struggled to resist | You desire holiness |
| The world’s pleasures called to you | God’s pleasures satisfy you |
Responding with “It Is Written”
“When the devil comes to offer you those things, you will be able to respond, ‘It is written,’ and he will have to leave you alone for a while.”
| The Devil’s Temptation | Your Response | The Result |
|---|---|---|
| “Eat this” | “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone” | He departs |
| “Test God” | “It is written, thou shalt not tempt the Lord” | He departs |
| “Worship me” | “It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God” | He departs |
“God’s word empowers you to be sensitive to the traps of the devil and overcome them. The more you immerse yourself in God’s word, the more fortified you will become against the devil’s attacks.”
| The More You Study | The Stronger You Become |
|---|---|
| You see the traps | You avoid the traps |
| You know the truth | You spot the lies |
| You are armed | You overcome |
The Bird and the Net (Proverbs 1:17)
“Proverbs 1:17 says that it is vain to spread a net in the sight of any bird. Just as a bird will not enter a net that it knows to have been spread to capture and kill it, God’s word will make you sensitive to see the traps of the devil.”
| The Bird | The Believer |
|---|---|
| Sees the net | Sees the trap through Scripture |
| Avoids it | Escapes it |
| Stays free | Remains free |
“It is your victory kit over satan’s wiles.”
Your Bible is not just a book—it is your victory kit. It contains everything you need to overcome every scheme of the enemy.
How to Use Your Sword Effectively (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to arm yourself with the sword of the Spirit:
1. Study Your Bible Constantly
“Do not neglect your weapon of victory; study your Bible constantly.”
| How to Study | The Result |
|---|---|
| Daily, not occasionally | Your sword is always ready |
| With prayer | The Holy Spirit teaches you |
| With application | You grow in obedience |
2. Memorize Scripture
“Hide God’s word in your heart.”
| What to Memorize | Why |
|---|---|
| Verses on temptation (1 Cor 10:13) | To resist when tempted |
| Verses on God’s promises | To fight doubt and fear |
| Verses on God’s character | To know who you are trusting |
3. Meditate on the Word Day and Night
Do not just read and close the book. Meditate. Chew on it. Think about it throughout your day. Let it shape your thinking.
4. Respond with “It Is Written”
When temptation comes, do not reason with the devil. Do not argue. Quote Scripture. The devil cannot stand against the written word of God.
5. Obey What You Read
Knowledge without obedience is useless. The word sanctifies you as you obey it. Do not be a hearer only—be a doer.
Warning: A Soldier Without a Sword Will Fall
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: neglecting Bible study leaves you defenseless.
| Without the Word | With the Word |
|---|---|
| You fall into sin | You overcome sin |
| You are deceived | You discern truth |
| You are weak | You are strong |
| The devil wins | You win |
“Sin will no longer have any power over you.”
Conclusion: Your Prayer for a Love for the Word
Daddy Adeboye closes with the call to study your Bible constantly. Do not neglect your weapon. Do not go into battle unarmed.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for the sword of the Spirit—Your living word. Forgive me for the times I have neglected my Bible and gone into battle unarmed. Forgive me for falling to temptations I could have overcome if I had Your word in my heart. Today, I commit to studying Your word constantly. Help me to hide it in my heart. Give me a love for Scripture that grows deeper every day. When the enemy comes, let my first response be ‘It is written.’ Arm me. Fortify me. Let sin have no power over me. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Bible Study Commitment: Set a non-negotiable time each day for Bible study. Start with 15 minutes. Guard that time.
- The Scripture Memory Plan: Choose one verse from today’s devotional (1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 119:11, or John 17:17). Memorize it this week.
- The “It Is Written” Practice: When temptation comes this week, deliberately quote Scripture aloud. Let the sword of the Spirit silence the enemy.
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