Helping the Devil

In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, there's a heart-wrenching line that should shoot straight to the core of any Christian. Edmond is defending the purpose of the final battle against evil when his older brother wants to send his younger siblings home.

"I've seen what the White Witch can do. And I've helped her do it," Edmond says.

Even when we're blinded by pride, anger, bitterness or jealousy, we generally know when we're helping the devil with his plans for the day. It definitely isn't of God when we apply those evils, hurting those around us and ultimately ourselves.

Oh, the devil hasn't used me for any of his schemes. I'm too mature of a Christian for that.

But have you ever:
* Said something nasty out of anger?
* Accused someone without knowing all the facts?
* Neglected someone's needs even though you knew about them?
* Said, Just this once?
* Treated a loved one disrespectfully?
* Done your day-to-day tasks with less than your best?
* Set someone else up to fail?
* Used words that aren't uplifting and edifying?
* Took someone special for granted?
* Ignored the leading of the Holy Spirit?
* Chosen selfish pursuits instead of following God's Word?

We can all answer yes to some of these, and probably to many more. When we're not solely focused on doing the work of our Heavenly Father, the devil finds ways to use us for his plans. A little nudge there or a little prodding here and soon we've gone down a road we never planned to travel.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

I pray today that we'll be on the lookout for the devil's evil tactics, staying as close to the Lord as we possibly can. The opportunities will arise, as they always do, to be used for something ungodly. That's when we stop, pray and listen for the guidance we need to stay far away from circumstances better left untouched.

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