The Open Heavens 13 August 2026 devotional for today is UNDERSTANDING COVENANTS.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 13 AUGUST 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING COVENANTS
MEMORISE:
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 7:9
READ: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 13 AUGUST 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
To understand what a covenant is, it is helpful first to understand what a contract is, as it is a more familiar concept. A contract is a written and signed agreement between two or more parties which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of all the parties involved in an interaction.
The moment a contract is signed, all parties involved are bound by it, and typically, the contract will outline the consequences of what will happen if any party breaches the agreement. Such consequences may include penalties, damages, and other similar outcomes.
A covenant is also a contract, but one that is signed with body fluids, mostly blood. This means that when body fluids, especially blood, are involved in a contract, a covenant has been established.
For example, in Genesis 17:1-14, God entered into a covenant with Abraham, and to sign that covenant, every male that was born into Abraham’s household was to be circumcised, beginning with Abraham himself, even though he was almost 100 years old at the time. A covenant is no joking matter, primarily because the penalty for breaking it is usually death. This is why today’s teaching is very important.
When a man and a woman come together to exchange body fluids, particularly through sex, they are entering into a covenant. They may not know it, but they have become bonded with each other.
This is why it is important for a husband and a wife to only have sexual relationships with each other, because the devil usually takes advantage of extramarital sexual intercourse to pass on demons between those who indulge in it.
Many years ago, a boy was barking like a dog and was brought to me for deliverance. When I investigated the matter, I discovered that he had been sleeping with a dog in his house. In other words, he had entered into a covenant with that dog, and the devil had obviously attacked him through that. In the same vein, when a fellow sleeps with someone who is not his or her spouse, certain things will be passed from that fellow to them, and you can be sure that they are not good things because the act that was committed was contrary to God’s will.
Beloved, do not neglect the Almighty God’s instructions about keeping yourself sexually pure.
Do not allow the devil access into your life by engaging in illicit sexual acts. I pray that the Lord will continually empower you to overcome all forms of sexual temptation, in Jesus’ name.
KEY POINT
Illicit sexual relations establish covenants that the devil can exploit.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 31-32
HYMN 34: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 13 AUGUST 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Deuteronomy 7:9
“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”
God is a covenant-keeping God. He is faithful to His agreements. When He enters into covenant, He does not break it. Understanding covenant helps us understand why sexual sin is so serious—it involves a covenant bond that God designed for marriage alone.
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Paul commands believers to flee fornication. He declares that every sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral sins against his own body. The believer’s body is not his own—it is a temple of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price. Therefore, we are to glorify God in our bodies.
Contract vs. Covenant: Understanding the Difference
“To understand what a covenant is, it is helpful first to understand what a contract is, as it is a more familiar concept. A contract is a written and signed agreement between two or more parties which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of all the parties involved in an interaction.”
| Contract | Covenant |
|---|---|
| Written and signed agreement | Agreement signed with body fluids, mostly blood |
| Outlines expectations and responsibilities | Establishes a life-bond between parties |
| Penalties for breach may include damages | Penalty for breaking is usually death |
“A covenant is also a contract, but one that is signed with body fluids, mostly blood. This means that when body fluids, especially blood, are involved in a contract, a covenant has been established.”
The Covenant of Circumcision (Genesis 17)
“For example, in Genesis 17:1-14, God entered into a covenant with Abraham, and to sign that covenant, every male that was born into Abraham’s household was to be circumcised, beginning with Abraham himself, even though he was almost 100 years old at the time.”
| What God Did | The Covenant Sign |
|---|---|
| Entered into covenant with Abraham | Circumcision (shedding of blood) |
| Promised to be God to Abraham and his descendants | Every male was to be circumcised |
“A covenant is no joking matter, primarily because the penalty for breaking it is usually death. This is why today’s teaching is very important.”
Sexual Intercourse: A Covenant of Body Fluids
“When a man and a woman come together to exchange body fluids, particularly through sex, they are entering into a covenant. They may not know it, but they have become bonded with each other.”
| What Sex Is | What It Is Not |
|---|---|
| A covenant exchange of body fluids | Just a physical act |
| A bonding of two souls | A casual encounter |
| A sacred act designed for marriage | A recreational activity |
“This is why it is important for a husband and a wife to only have sexual relationships with each other, because the devil usually takes advantage of extramarital sexual intercourse to pass on demons between those who indulge in it.”
| God’s Design | The Enemy’s Counterfeit |
|---|---|
| Sex within marriage—a holy covenant | Sex outside marriage—a demonic door |
| Bonding and blessing | Bondage and curses |
| One flesh union (Genesis 2:24) | Unholy soul ties |
The Danger of Unholy Covenants
“Many years ago, a boy was barking like a dog and was brought to me for deliverance. When I investigated the matter, I discovered that he had been sleeping with a dog in his house. In other words, he had entered into a covenant with that dog, and the devil had obviously attacked him through that.”
| The Act | The Consequence |
|---|---|
| Sexual intercourse with a dog | He began barking like a dog |
| Entered into a covenant with an animal | Demonic attack manifested |
| Violated God’s design | The enemy gained entrance |
“In the same vein, when a fellow sleeps with someone who is not his or her spouse, certain things will be passed from that fellow to them, and you can be sure that they are not good things because the act that was committed was contrary to God’s will.”
| What Is Passed Through Illicit Sex | The Source |
|---|---|
| Demonic transfers | The enemy uses the act to pass on spirits |
| Unholy soul ties | Bondage to the person and their spiritual baggage |
| Curses and generational iniquity | The act opens a door to the demonic realm |
How to Protect Yourself from Unholy Covenants (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Scripture, here is how to guard your body and remain sexually pure:
1. Recognize That Your Body Is Not Your Own
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost… and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
| Your Body Is | Therefore |
|---|---|
| A temple of the Holy Spirit | Do not defile it with sexual sin |
| Bought with the blood of Jesus | You belong to God |
| Meant to glorify God | Do not use it for unholy covenants |
2. Flee Fornication
Paul does not say “resist” or “argue”—he says flee. Run from sexual temptation. Do not put yourself in compromising situations. Do not flirt with sin.
3. Keep Sexual Activity Within the Covenant of Marriage
God designed sex to be enjoyed within the safe boundaries of marriage. It is a holy covenant that blesses and unites. Outside of marriage, it becomes a curse that binds and destroys.
4. Break Unholy Soul Ties
If you have been involved in sexual sin, confess it to God. Ask Him to break every unholy covenant you have entered into. Renounce the sin and receive His cleansing.
5. Guard Your Heart and Mind
Temptation often begins with the eyes and the mind. Guard what you watch, what you read, and what you think about. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your thoughts pure.
Warning: Ignorance of Covenant Is Not Protection
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: many people enter into covenants through sex without knowing what they are doing. But ignorance does not protect you from the consequences.
| If You Do Not Know | The Consequence |
|---|---|
| You still enter into a covenant | The bond is still formed |
| You think it is just a physical act | Spiritual transfer still happens |
| You think you can walk away | The soul tie remains until broken by God |
Conclusion: Your Prayer for Sexual Purity
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that the Lord will empower you to overcome all forms of sexual temptation. Do not let the enemy gain entrance through illicit sex.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for any time I have used my body in a way that dishonors You. Forgive me for any unholy covenants I have entered into through sexual sin. Today, I renounce every soul tie that is not of You. I break every covenant formed outside of Your design. I repent and turn away from sexual immorality. Cleanse me with Your blood. Protect me from the enemy’s traps. Help me to flee temptation and keep my body pure for Your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Covenant Check: If you have been involved in sexual sin outside of marriage, ask God to break every unholy soul tie. Confess it. Renounce it. Receive His cleansing.
- The Flee Commitment: Identify situations, people, or media that lead you into sexual temptation. Commit to fleeing from them immediately.
- The Body Stewardship: Remind yourself daily: “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I am bought with a price. I will glorify God in my body.”
Read RCCG Open Heavens Devotional for Tomorrow
Download Open Heavens 13 August 2026 Devotional PDF
Leave a Reply