I have an independent personality that is not easily swayed. When I believe in something strongly I dig my heels deeply into the turf of "non-mobile" response. I become set in my ways and it is hard to move me off the dime of hardheadedness, especially regarding things that are right and above reproach.
Having strong convictions, I demonstrate these important qualities by standing firmly against the attacks of the devil, which saves turmoil when choosing between right and wrong. Compromising temptations bombard me from time to time, but the Holy Spirit gives me strength to stand for what’s right.
There are days when Satan tries to convince me that momentary pleasures should be enjoyed in the present rather than waiting for God to give them to me sometime in the future. The devil has a counterfeit for everything that God promised to those that seek His kingdom. God’s best is worth the wait.
(Matthew 6:33-34), “But seek first the kingdom of God
When we put God first, before any person, place, or thing, He meets our needs and gives us the desires of our heart. Our Heavenly Father wants to bless His children, and does, as long as they walk in His statutes and live for Him.
Unlike non-believers, Christians have a promise and undaunted hope of spending eternity in heaven with Jesus and living a blessed life on earth. Satan will take everything from us that he can and give nothing in return. He steals dignity, honor, self-esteem, and self worth when people allow him to do so.
Satan is the father of lies and deceives those that lack dedication to God. As an example, many people view sex outside of marriage as fun and having no commitment. It is considered exciting and glamorous, because of little responsibility that accompanies a non-binding relationship.
Some of the hidden factors that the devil obscures from people that practice premarital sex are: the increasing number of unwed mothers, countless abortions, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases that can cause premature death. And how many times have you read about an individual killing someone in a jealous rage, because of infidelity? Life is too precious to throw away, because of sin.
A way to escape the reality of pressured living is sometimes accomplished through foolish choices. A chemically induced euphoria of peace and tranquility can be achieved with illegal drugs bought on a street corner for a few bucks. All that a person needs is a drug dealer, dope, a spoon, syringe, needle, fire and finding the right vein; ecstasy is just a push away—a sad state of affairs.
There is a huge problem that accompanies this kind of lifestyle that Satan purposely blinds the eyes of users not to see, while withholding end-result-affects from their drug wasted brain—like hepatitis and drug overdose.
It is too late for some people that have fallen victim to the devil’s schemes and tricks. They are laying on a cold slab in a city morgue somewhere, because of stupidity and taking their eyes off of God. Reality checks are seldom made when users think it won’t happen to them. This is another lie that Satan has convinced them to believe.
Alcoholic beverages are deemed by drunkards to calm nerves and smooth out the rough edges of life. Seldom does liquor prevent them from crossing over solid double lines on the roadway and crashing head-on into an oncoming car full of innocent victims.
Drinking and driving is like playing Russian roulette—sooner or later the hammer of irresponsibility falls on a live round, called destiny. The odds are against those that drive, while intoxicated. Their addiction will one day catch up to them.
Living on the edge of danger through certain sports that bring an adrenaline rush, create thrills of a lifetime, but luck can change at any moment; bringing heartache to families and friends. Loved ones have been so badly injured that only their brain function operates normally, while their body remains motionless in a hospital bed, because of total paralyses. Life is too short to take unnecessary chances.
The irreparable damage caused by the accident is devastating. The thrill seeker now seeks a miracle for recovery. We cannot tempt fate without the probability of an accident occurring; bringing suffering and the question, “Why?”
20/20 vision can be worse than total blindness if the person observes wrong things. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. The reason it may seem greener is because there is probably more dung on that side of the fence.
I remember a song from my youth that was sung by The Flamingos—“I only have eyes for you.” It was one of my most favorite songs that I could apply to life. A married couple should write these words with indelible ink across the tablets of their heart and see their mate with clear vision rather than allowing Satan to place shaded lenses in front of their eyes, thus, obscuring sight. They need not look across the fence to find satisfaction when it resides in their own backyard.
Satan has a bag full of tricks and schemes that entice people to get caught in his web of vice. Captivity may become certain as a result of allowing eyes to stray. The devil has the most gorgeous women and handsome men at his disposal to use when tempting a husband or wife to be unfaithful to their mate.
His tactics are cunning, but he is not limited to attractive people that are pleasing to the eyes. A flame of passion can ignite when a person has a need to be noticed and appreciated by others—someone at work or the person next door, because they lack attention at home. Compliments are flattering, which may cause one’s guard to lower. Satan uses any deception he can to steer us in the wrong direction.
Simple fraternization with close friends of the opposite sex is commonplace, which the devil will use against a marriage if we are not careful. Familiarity sometimes breeds feelings of lust when fantasizing about things that should not be considered.
We must dig in our heels and resist the devil’s temptations. Living for God requires a made up mind to serve Him and not become easily swayed when Satan comes banging at our door. He will try to peddle his bill of goods and deceptive trickery to anyone that listens and allows the door to become ajar.
It’s like buying a pig in a poke, or allowing the blind to lead the blind when giving attention and credence to the devil’s wooing. Anyone doing this is asking for trouble. How can God’s blessings be manifested when eyes and ears are tuned into worldly pleasures? They won’t!
We must be wise and diligent with our affection toward the Lord and recognize that He will never deceive or deliberately lead us astray like Satan tries to do. I’ll take it God’s way rather than settling for Satan’s counterfeit any day. God alleviates heartache and sleepless nights that are brought on by worry and sinful living. God is peace without despair and joy without hopelessness.
In God there are lasting highs and pleasurable rushes that anyone can have. The world’s pleasures cannot compare to the things of God, because they are only counterfeits of the real thing that God has promised to those that believe on His name.
God’s promises are lasting and sure. They are not seasonal and temporal like Satan’s menagerie of non-truths, which are only smoke and mirrors. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; anyone walking with Him can expect good things to come their way.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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