Watch Out for the Devil


Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5:8)

I have to constantly be on guard. Satan does his best to tempt me with every material and carnal thing this world has to offer, because that’s all he has to offer. His enticements are always attractive which is why I desire them. As a believer, I’m supposed to deny myself of all my selfish longings. Sounds boring when compared to the glitz and glamor of the world but everything this world has to offer is fleeting.
I am not immune to anything the devil has to offer. I am tempted every day by his wiles. If I succumb, if I trip and fall into his snare, he will keep after me with even more earthly temptations. Once he sets his teeth into my soul, it’s very hard to get away. One reason some believers fall into the devil’s noose is, because they think they are immune or strong enough on their own. They try to rely on their own power to resist the devil.
I know I have to be vigilant, ever alert not to follow the devil’s offerings. I have to remember he cannot offer me anything beyond this world except an eternity in hell! That’s his only motive. He wants to make sure I turn my back on the truth of the gospel. He wants me to forget the free offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Father in heaven has so much more to offer me. He gives me a love that goes beyond the bounds of human love, a peace that goes beyond understanding and a hope that goes beyond death.
I know that Satan is my enemy. I know that he is, by orders of magnitude, more powerful than I am. I know he’s more dangerous than any human enemy I might have. On my own, I have no expectation of resisting his traps for me. I have to be constantly in prayer, following Jesus as closely and live as righteously as I can. My strength and my only hope is in Christ. I will always find victory if I abide in him!






Father God, you have our best interests at heart. You want us to be happy and have everything we need. You supply us with all we need to live. But that’s the rub. We want more than we need. Our wants are what gets us into trouble. The devil will sniff out those wants and find ways to entice us to go after them. He will be relentless in binging those desires to the front of our thoughts. He’ll whisper to us that it’s a natural desire and not really sinful at all. We are so weak, we’ll tell ourselves no one is watching or that it’s not that bad a sin. Once we take a bite of that sin, he’ll tell us we are unforgivable and tell we might as well continue eating that forbidden fruit. When we do fall prey to his deceptions, Lord help us to see our error and forgive us for our weakness. Keep us from the temptation to follow after the carnal things Satan will tempt us with. Father give us the strength to resist and help us keep our focus on Christ Jesus, then the devil will have no power over us. In the name above all other names, Amen!
Location: Kendall, NY 14476, USA

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