Day 7: Did the devil make you do it?
Ephesians 6:12,
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
In the 1970’s a comedian named Flip Wilson created a female alter ego named Geraldine Jones. Whenever Geraldine would do something she knew to be wrong, she would boldly proclaim “the devil made me do it.” Geraldine’s tag line would become a national sensation and excuse for every bad behavior of the day.
Although considered original for the time, “the devil made me do it” is actually the second excuse in human history. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the devil. Genesis 3:13, “Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Surely you wouldn’t fall for the old talking snake trick, would you?
The evil we experience on a day-to-day basis is just as dangerous as the temptation in the garden. In the same way Satan tempted Eve, he transforms himself into a modern-day serpent and slithers his way into our lives. Television, radio, internet, and social media are all representative of the tools used to guide our minds and thoughts. Mentally, most people are overwhelmed, over-stimulated, and overworked. A chaotic mind is the perfect place to sow lies, doubt and deceit. In the military this is called the fog of war. As a result, many people find themselves subject to the lie of the day with no idea of how they were deceived.
The devil is the father of lies and it is hard for us to recognize him when he tempts us. To clear the fog of war, we must remember to be still. God is a God of order and peace. And when your mind is orderly and peaceful, you can then set your mind on the things of God, so you are not outwitted by Satan.
I Peter 5:8
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Action: Take time to be still today.