“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8
Have you ever been furious with your circumstances, or maybe your consequences of a not-so-stellar decision? Maybe you vowed to get even.
And maybe you vindictively vowed to strike against what was most important to those who hurt you: their status, their family, or, even, their children.
You are not alone, or even the first to deviously devise such a devilish deed.
In Genesis 3, in the Garden of Eden, there was someone just like that, who did vow just that.
Satan, once an angel, had a choice to make. That choice was given to him by God. Satan made his choice: he did not choose God. In fact, he refused to submit to God. After that choice was made, the consequences would follow.
And follow they did!
The consequences included irreversibility of the decision. So Satan decided if he couldn’t change his fate, he would take as many as possible with him. And he would choose what would hurt God most: Satan would attempt to lure God’s children away.
As Satan took in that lush garden filled not only with good things to eat, but also the promise of the beauty of children, he had a glimmer in his eye. As he gazed maliciously at mankind, he knew how to hurt God the deepest: distract and destroy His children.
Unfortunately for Adam and Eve, luring them into sin was rather simple. In fact it was just about as easy as taking candy from a baby.
It’s a retaliation in process for centuries now, but is still happening today.
Reflections:
Monday: Read Genesis 3:1-7 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
How do I make it easy for Satan to play me like a pawn?
Tuesday: Read Genesis 3:13b “Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’
The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’”
Confessing to God that ‘Satan snared me and I am truly sorry,’ may not always eradicate physical or emotional consequences, but honesty and a truly repentant apology always changes the spiritual consequences.
Wednesday: Our own pride is often what thwarts a true apology and consequently hinders forgiveness. How can I keep my pride at bay?
Thursday: In I Peter5:8 we read that Satan is like a prowling lion, looking for someone to devour. Consider your personal history. Identify what areas of obedience are a challenge both historically and currently. What temptation does Satan always use to ‘get you every time?’
Friday: Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, with the focus this week on Satan and his tricks, don’t allow me to become overwhelmed or discouraged. Your power is still far greater, and I must remember Your promise, “If God is for you who can be against you?” Thank You for always helping me, and providing me with what I need. Amen.
Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, September 8, for the next post.