Given January 11, 2009
Like the song by Casting Crowns, this is usually the way it happens. Change in our lives happens slowly. Bad things slowly sneak up on us, making small, almost secret changes so that we hardly even notice. What we have that’s good, slowly fades and is replaced by something bad. That’s the devil’s strategy; he knows what he’s doing. He not only slowly deceives us into going his way, but he does it while looking good. “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14. He is really into deception.
If the devil showed up at your door as the ugly, red, horned, pointy tailed creature we’ve seen pictured, you’d slam the door in his face and call 911. If you knew who he was, you wouldn’t let him on your property, much less your porch. But he doesn’t show up that way. He comes to you looking pleasant. He comes into your house through your TV, computer, phone, (gossip), or printed material. And, when he gets in, he doesn’t dump his whole load on your at once. He does it slowly and you begin to fade…slowly. The devil’s offer looks real good at first but it’s not worth it. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.
A wise friend told me once of a black dog. The little black puppy is so cute, cuddly, and playful. You willingly take him into your house, give him a bed, feed him, and make him part of your family. You don’t even notice it but, as you feed and nourish this little black puppy and keep him around, he grows. Soon you have on your hands a big, mean, uncontrolable black monster who bites and is wrecking your life. It all started innocently and progressed slowly. Devil’s strategy!
Maybe you have some things in your house right now that are potential problems. They began innocently but are growing. Your family or personal peace is slowly fading. Look and see what it is. Ask God and He will reveal what it is. We have the authority in God and the name of Jesus to kick the devil out of our affairs. And, concerning the black dog, no matter how big it is…don’t feed it and it will die!