Good morning! I’m finally back with an actual “Weekly Blessing!” Get excited!
The idea for this post came to me while I was on the plane to Vegas. I’m not sure if the Holy Ghost just decided to throw something at me at that moment, or I was just scared and trying to focus on the Lord for the rest of the ride. I dunno, but here’s what I was given! Lol.
Today we’re going to talk about the devil. He’s a nasty little trickster, isn’t he?! Can’t stand him!
When I think about the ways the devil has tricked me and everyone else, I think of him as a pimp or a no-good man:
He sees you, looks you over a little bit, and decides to approach you. He talks to you a little bit and learns your weaknesses. Just when you begin to trust him a little bit, he asks you for some kind of favor. Either you give in or you don’t, but in order to persuade you, he tries to reassure you, telling you things like, “Oh, just this once won’t hurt,” “We won’t worry about tomorrow, just focus on today,” or “You won’t ever do it again – you can repent later!” He tries to butter you up and butter you up until you finally give in. Then when he uses you up and you’re in a mess, he’s nowhere to be found. Then it finally hits you….
….he never really cared about me in the first place…
Catch my drift yet?
Satan is exactly the same way! He approaches you with all these compliments and promises, only to drag you into some sort of sin that gets you into trouble that only God can get you out of. Then when you’re crying out for God’s mercy, satan is standing back there laughing!
Let me give you a classic example:
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
~ Genesis 3:1-4
You see what satan did there? He told Eve the exact opposite of what God said! He told her it was okay, that she’d be fine. And I’m sure you know the rest of that story.
Here’s another great example:
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
~ Acts 5:5-11
What you think about this one? Satan convinced Ananias that he could deceive The Holy Spirit – of all things, The Holy Spirit! And thought he was going to get away with it!
If satan would try to tempt Jesus to go against God – His own Father – what makes you think he wouldn’t come for you?
God created us all for a specific purpose to further His Kingdom. God has a special love for each and every one of us because we are his children, his special and specific creation.
Satan envies all of us for being able to have the opportunity at the relationship with God that he used to have. As a result, he will try to take us out any way that he can! That’s why it’s so important to stay prayerful and protect yourself at all times. Because satan is always lurking around, trying to find a weak spot where he can get you – don’t let him see you sweat! Don’t fall for his tricks!
Have a blessed week, in Jesus’ name!
If you’d like to share something (Bible verse, a song, or a message…anything!) that God has put on your heart or have a question or comment you would like to share, you’re more than welcome! If you’re interested in writing a post for “Weekly Blessings,” or offer an opinion or topic suggestion, get in touch with me via Facebook, Twitter, or Email; you can also simply comment below and I’ll make sure to get back with you!
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