…be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith… 1 Peter 5:8–9 (NKJV)
I remember watching a scene in a war movie where one soldier falls on his back while in close combat with the enemy. The enemy jumps on top and tries to slowly drive a knife into his chest. Deadlocked, the enemy suddenly starts speaking soothing words to the young soldier on the bottom, who slowly gives in as the knife sinks in and kills him.
Watching that horrible scene, it occurred to me: that’s what Satan is like in our lives. He tries to “soft-talk” us into doing something wrong or gets us to allow negative thoughts and beliefs to come into our lives. In fact, the enemy is often more effective at talking us into distancing ourselves from God and His will than he is at getting us to give in to his schemes .
Because Jesus destroyed all of Satan’s works at the cross (1 John 3:8), the devil has no power to destroy your life. He walks about like a lion, but he isn’t one. He’s simply a deceitful, fallen angel. So all he can do is try to deceive you into submitting to his thinking rather than God’s.
Every day, we’re subjected to countless ideas, thoughts, beliefs and actions. Resist whatever slips in casually because the enemy just might be trying to “soft-talk” you into something: “Hey, it’s ok. Relax, it’s no big deal.”
It’s the little things we submit to or resist every day that matter. Resist listening to any of the devil’s lies, pedalled off as the truth. Submit only to God’s Word and what He says is yours in Christ!