The Open Heaven 27 January 2026 devotional for today is UNDERSTANDING SATANIC TRAPS I.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 27 JANUARY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING SATANIC TRAPS I
MEMORISE:
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1 Peter 2:11
READ: 2 Timothy 2:19-22
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 27 JANUARY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Hunters usually use the favourite foods of their targeted animals as bait in the traps set to capture them. Once the animals see the food, they rush towards it, and as they begin to eat it, the traps capture them.
This is the same way the devil traps humans; he studies those he wants to trap to find out the things they usually lust after. Then, he provides those things to them on a platter of gold. If they are not discerning, they will get carried away by their lust, and while they are ‘enjoying’ what the devil has provided, they will suddenly find themselves in bondage, and it will take only the grace and mercy of God to bring them out.
I will turn 84 years old in a couple of months, and believe me, I have seen many great destinies that have been entrapped and destroyed by the devil with this method. I pray you will never be entrapped by the devil, in Jesus’ name.
I have always told my biological and spiritual sons, “If a lady smiles at you seductively, run as fast as you can in another direction.”
Today’s Bible reading says that you should flee youthful lusts. Flee means that you should run as if you are terrified. Don’t wait around to see what will happen; just run! Yoruba elders have a saying, “What you must not taste, you should not smell.” No matter how sweet poison smells, once you know it is poison, you will not sniff it. Likewise, once you see something that can destroy your destiny, flee!
Some people might say, “I gave in to temptation, but nothing has changed. In fact, things are getting better for me.” They should not be deceived; the devil is only doing everything to make them relaxed in the prison he has built for them.
When you buy a chicken with the intention of killing it and preparing it for a special occasion, you will likely feed the chicken very well in order to fatten it up. The chicken might think it is enjoying, but you know that you are fattening it until the day it will be slaughtered.
This is what the devil does; he ensures that his victims feel relaxed until the day of slaughter because he doesn’t want them to seek help. He always collects more from his victims than he gives them.
Beloved, all gifts from the devil have sorrow attached to them; only God’s blessings come with no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).
KEY POINT
Flee youthful lusts.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Exodus 38-40
HYMN 34: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 27 JANUARY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: 1 Peter 2:11
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”
This apostolic plea frames the Christian life as that of a temporary resident in a foreign land. It identifies “fleshly lusts” not merely as personal failings but as active, hostile combatants waging war against the eternal core of our being—our soul. To entertain them is to side with the enemy in a spiritual conflict.
BIBLE READING: 2 Timothy 2:19-22
This passage provides the strategy for victory. It begins with the foundation of God’s seal on His own, moves to the call for personal purity (“depart from iniquity”), and culminates in the command to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness. It is a two-part motion: a violent departure from and a passionate pursuit of.
The Anatomy of a Trap: Lust as Satan’s Bait
Daddy Adeboye, speaking from eight decades of spiritual observation, delivers a grave and urgent warning. The devil is a strategic hunter who personalizes his bait, studying individual vulnerabilities. The “enjoyment” he offers is the prelude to a cage, and his temporary blessings are merely fattening agents for eventual slaughter.
1. The Hunter’s Strategy: Personalized Bait
Lust is the Universal Hook:
The devil’s method is consistent: identify a God-given desire (for love, significance, pleasure, provision) and pervert it into a fleshly lust—an inordinate, selfish craving. He then presents a tantalizing shortcut to fulfill it, outside of God’s will and timing.
The Illusion of the “Platter of Gold”:
The bait is not presented as ugly sin, but as a glittering opportunity, a “deserved” reward, or a harmless pleasure. Its attractiveness is its disguise. Only spiritual discernment can see the hook beneath the bait and the cage beyond the threshold.
2. The Only Wise Response: Strategic Flight
“Flee” is a Divine Command:
The Bible does not say “resist” or “debate” youthful lusts; it says FLEE (2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Corinthians 6:18). This is a military command for a tactical retreat. You cannot win by standing close and admiring the bait. Joseph in Potiphar’s house is the classic example (Genesis 39:12)—he ran.
The Wisdom of “Don’t Even Smell”:
The Yoruba proverb captures holy wisdom. Curiosity is the first step into the trap. To “see how far you can go” or to “test your resistance” is to already sniff the poison. Victory is secured by refusing the first look, the first conversation, the first “harmless” interaction.
3. The Devil’s Deception: The Fattening Period
The Lull Before the Slaughter:
Many fall into the delusion that because immediate judgment didn’t fall, God is indifferent or the sin is harmless. Daddy Adeboye’s chicken analogy is chilling. The devil’s “blessings” are fattening feed. He allows temporary comfort to breed complacency, making the victim feel secure in their prison, silencing their cry for help.
The Ultimate Transaction: Your Destiny for a Moment:
The devil’s economy is one of brutal exchange. He gives a moment of pleasure to steal a lifetime of purpose; he offers a temporal thrill to claim an eternal destiny. He always collects more than he gives. The “sorrow attached” (Proverbs 10:22) is the inevitable, crushing interest on his loan.
How to Live as a Discerning Pilgrim
Know Your Vulnerabilities:
Be ruthlessly honest with yourself. Where are you most susceptible? Is it pride, sexual lust, the love of money, the need for approval? Knowing your weakness helps you spot the bait from a mile away.
Cultivate a “Flee Reflex”:
Pre-decide your boundaries. Determine in advance what you will run from. When the seductive smile comes, when the shady deal is offered, when the gossip begins—your pre-set decision should trigger immediate flight, not deliberation.
Pursue Righteousness with Equal Intensity:
You cannot flee into a vacuum. 2 Timothy 2:22 pairs “flee” with “follow.” You must passionately pursue God, righteousness, faith, love, and peace. A heart and schedule full of holy pursuits leaves little room for bait to even look appealing.
Warning: To Underestimate the Trap is to Be Caught By It
Thinking you are strong enough to handle the bait is the surest sign of weakness and the fastest path to capture. Your confidence must never be in your strength, but in your speed to obey the command to flee.
Conclusion: Pray for Discernment and Swift Feet
Pray this:
“Heavenly Father, I am a stranger and pilgrim here. Open my eyes to see the devil’s baits and traps set for my soul. Where I am vulnerable, cover me with Your grace. Instill in me a holy terror of sin’s consequences and give me the swift feet of Joseph to flee at the first sign of temptation. Let me not be deceived by seasons of fattening; keep my spirit sensitive to any cage. As I flee lust, let me pursue You with all my heart, that my soul may win the war waged against it, in Jesus’ name!”
Action Steps:
- Vulnerability Audit: In your journal, answer: “What is the ‘bait’ the enemy most often uses to tempt me?” Write a scripture to counter it and a practical flee plan.
- Establish Flight Paths: Identify 2-3 specific situations you need to flee from (e.g., certain websites, compromising friendships, conversations). Commit to an immediate exit strategy for each.
- The Pursuit Plan: Choose one “righteousness” to pursue this month (e.g., consistent prayer, scripture memorization, serving the poor). Schedule time for it.
- Accountability: Share this devotional with a trusted same-gender friend. Give them permission to ask you monthly: “Have you had to flee from anything lately? Are you pursuing righteousness?”
Remember: Your soul is the prize in this war. The enemy uses customized bait. Your victory lies not in your willpower, but in your willingness to run.
“Dearly beloved… abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11). Guard your soul with your life.
Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow
Download Open Heaven 27 January 2026 Devotional PDF
Leave a Reply