We go against everything the devil is enticing the world with…
“For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world.”
(1 John 2:16 NIV)
If you oppose the works of the devil, he will go out of his way to make life difficult for you… and as it is, you decided to oppose him at every corner, blocking his access to your family and fighting for your husband, and fighting for your wife. You stand like fortress in front of your son, and a wall between the devil and your daughter.
And you open the gates to every person God brings into your circle. Inviting them to sit at your fire… and be safe for tonight.
“In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.”
(1 Thessalonians 3:4 NIV)
But consider… The devil has been at this for a long time. His tricks aren’t new, but they are effective. The strongest man gets crippled by a small Lego piece under a bare foot! He catches us with the things we don’t expect, and by direct opposition.
No one likes getting kicked in the shins. I for one, will try to avoid it as much as possible.
So this morning, I had the thought. Maybe I shouldn’t avoid conflict with the devil (It’s going to come, whether I like it or not…)
Maybe I must just learn to fight better?
As Bruce-Lee’s vegetarian brother, Broc-li, said:
Better a Warrior in the garden than a Gardner in the war…
Jesus went toe-to-toe with the devil after a 40-day fast, and he sidestepped the first attack, redirected the next and then went straight for the source of the problem.
This is our example.
Meditate on the Word, day and night. Do not let it go. (Dramatic theme song in the background…) Train your mind, train your body. Control your tongue and take every thought captive… people depend on you.
Be blessed and be a blessing to others today!
