Did you ever have one of those days? You know, when things are going wrong, and you’re getting increasingly aggravated? Yeah, me too. The devil hates us and wants to do anything and everything he can to distract us and get us off the Path. He knows our weaknesses and will exploit them at every opportunity. But if we are vigilant and aware of his schemes, we can head them off. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8). He’s watching for an opportunity and knows how you’ve messed up before. Be aware of what’s happening.
I remember two instances with me that illustrate this point. I had gone to K-Mart during my lunch time to buy a gift for my wife. I went straight to the jewelry counter and found the piece I wanted to buy. As I looked across the counter to the other side, there was this woman talking to the associate. She was asking questions, looking at several pieces of jewelry and taking her time. I could feel my anger rising and thought, “Come on woman, hurry up and choose something. I have to get back to work!” But then I realized what was going on and declared in my mind, “No devil, I see what you’re doing and it’s not going to work. Not today!” As I made a decision and declared that I was not going to continue off on that path, my anger faded, and I actually laughed. The lady picked something, paid for it and it was my turn. Thank You God.
The other incident was a lesson for me that also involved repentance. I was trying to start my weed eater for the first time one spring and It wouldn’t start. I could feel that temper rising so, I decided to wait for a few minutes to try again. The devil was saying, “Ha ha, here we go.” I tried the second time to no avail, and I lost it! “Put the weed eater up and go get some gas for my lawnmower.”, I thought. The demons were probably high fiving each other. The first station I stopped at had all the pumps closed for some reason so I went further into town to another station and their pumps were out of order too! Here we go again! The third place was good and I got my gas. On the way home, I had to repent for losing my temper. Here’s how the conversation went: “God, I’m sorry, please forgive me.” He replied, “Well, you didn’t ask me to help you when you first tried to start it, did you?” “Oh no, I forgot to do that. I’m sorry. So, will you help me when I get back?” “Of course, and I forgive you” “Thank You God.” I got back home, put the gas can away and got the weed eater back out. “Here we go, God.” Three pulls and nothing. Three more pulls and a sputter. Three more pulls and it started. Thank You God for that lesson! “The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” (Psalm118:7). You thought you had me, devil, but not today!
If temper is one of your weaknesses or for any weakness you have, memorize these scriptures* and declare them when the devil seeks to devour you, (Some paraphrasing): “Shut up devil! Greater is He who is in me than you who are in the world! I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! I’ve submitted to God and I resist you so, get outta here! I’ve been given authority to trample on you and all your power and you’re not going to hurt me! I have on the full armor of God especially the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God! So go, I’m not listening to that!” *1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13, James 4:7, Luke 10:19, and Ephesians 6:11, 17. Not today devil!
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