Crafty Wiley Serpent

CRAFTY WILEY SERPENT

Genesis 3:1

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

“Did your parents forbid you to go to my party?” Michael’s friend asked. The fourteen year olds planned to go to a baseball game, but Michael was grounded. (See Magnificent Grace and God’s Ways=Best devotions).

Michael popped the top off a can of blue paint. He replied, “Mom and dad didn’t even know about your party. I made the stupid decision to attend, and won’t disobey my parents again.”

Good for you, Michael. The devil has a three-fold agenda. His plan is to drive believers away from God, stop their Spiritual growth, and minimize their impact on others for God’s kingdom. Because Satan knows people’s weaknesses, he uses different tactics to gain advantage in believer’s lives. Among them are the elements of surprise, bait whatever attracts attention, and smokescreens that disguise danger, tricking people to fall into temptation.

Satan is persistent. If he can’t get someone to sin one way, he’ll attack from a different angle. That’s why it’s so important for believers to be armed with an abiding friendship with Jesus, our safe haven. Belief in God makes faith a shield during daily warfare. God’s Word extinguishes Satan’s fiery arrows. Don’t forget, the devil declares war on believers every day.

The Lord God is holy; Satan is pure evil. It’s believers’ job to learn how to react to temptation. Because the enemy wants to steal your joy as God’s kid, he’ll stop at nothing to accuse you of wrong doing. It begins in the mind. Forgiven children of God—those who believe in God’s Son Jesus—are seen as righteous before the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21). But the devil reminds you of past mistakes that Jesus has already paid for. They’re forgiven AND forgotten in God’s eyes (Psalm 103:12). Don’t grieve over forgiven sins. Let them go!

The devil is an evil enemy bent on stealing your joy in Christ. Run to Jesus, and He’ll help you overcome the devil. He’s both able and eager to bring you victory. Remember: “Greater is He who is in you [Holy Spirit] than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4).

Take Home Nugget

“So, you’re just going to paint this wall blue, instead of hanging out with your buds all weekend?” Michael’s friend asked.
“Yep, that’s exactly my plan!” Michael answered.

Holy, faithful Father, Thank You that You won’t let me be tempted beyond my ability to resist—AND offer me another way out so that I can stand tall during this trial! In Jesus’ precious name and authority, AMEN.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, USA!

J.D. Griffith

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