The
Devil is no fool. How often we underestimate his cunning and crafty
nature. The Scriptures warn of his “wiles”
(Eph. 6:11)
and
tell us of his devices (2
Cor. 2:11).
“Wiles” have to do with the Devil's abilities--abilities to concoct
methods, plans, strategies for deceiving us. He's good at it. Real good.
“Devices” are the tools he uses to make his plans work, to cause us to
move toward evil. He's good at that, too. Real good.
Peter
tells us in
I Peter 5:8,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
This
passage should lend a sense of urgency to our situation. It should tell
us that we're at war and there's not time for civilian activities, only
for constant vigilance and complete concentration as to the whereabouts
and stratagem of the enemy.
Be sober.
That
means be serious about his possible invasion. He is.
Be vigilant.
That means watch out. He lurks in the shadows, moves in the dark, skirts
the periphery all the time, looking all the while for a chance to
strike. Look out.
Your adversary.
He is
the enemy. We best not associate with him. When we fraternize with the
enemy we are apt to become like him. Best be careful about that. It's
hard to recognize him when you look so much like him yourself. Be
careful.
Walketh about.
He is not passive. He doesn't work a forty-hour week, nor does he take
any time off. He's always on the job, working to do us harm. Where is
he? Right now.
As a roaring lion.
A lion
stalks his prey for days until such a time as he finds it in a
vulnerable position. Then he lets out a gargantuan roar, thus freezing
the prey in its tracks. It's easy from there on. There's a place where
you can no longer turn back, folks. Be careful how close you allow him
to get.
Are
there some things we can do to combat the devil? You better know it. God
has provided an apt description of the enemy. He knows his plans, has
intercepted his codes, and deduced his projects. He'll help us if we'll
just pay close attention to what He says.
We are not ignorant of his devices
(2 Cor. 2:11).
God knows. We don't--not yet anyhow. We must learn. We need to read the
Bible, study the word, search the scriptures. They will inform us of his
wiles, how he works. We can know, but only if we want to. Do you want
to? It sure helps to know.
God will provide a way of escape
(I Cor. 10:13).
But God's faithfulness to provide does not equal our having the
information automatically. We must look for the way of escape. It's in
His word. Remember Jesus. “It is written” was his answer to the
Devil's temptations. It's ours as well.
Resist him and he will flee
(Jas. 4:7; I Pet. 5:9).
Resistance is hard. It takes resolve. It takes steeling your nerve. It
takes hurting sometimes. But resistance is the key to conquering the
Devil. He can't win if you resist.
Give no place to him
(Eph. 4:27).
You
can't keep the Devil from wandering through your mind now and then but
you don't have to give him a place to stay. Kick him out. Make him go
someplace else. Tell him he's not welcome. If you give him a room,
before long he'll own the house.
Don't let him win the war, even if he wins a battle now an then
(2 Pet. 2:26).
Because he's likely to win some doesn't mean you have to just give up.
Repent and start again. Repent and get up. Repent and pray God for help.
Repent and regroup.
“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who
are taken captive by him at his will” (2
Pet. 2:26).
That ought to restore your broken spirit. You can still get out of
there. You can still run. Just do it.
I hate
the Devil. I mean I hate him! Don't you? And I don't know for the life
of me how you could possibly have any trouble with him when he's over at
my house nearly all the time.
Other Articles by
Dee Bowman
The
Problem of Moral Insensitivity
Influences
Intentions Won't Get It!
Restoring
Restoration
The Book Momma Read
Its You're Life, You Know
How to Build a Good Character
Today is Today
Different by Design