In “Choosing LIfe,” I told you that I was in my twenties when I began to believe that Jesus was real.  It took another twenty years to believe that the devil was real.  The best tactic an enemy can use against us is to convince us that he doesn’t even exist.  When I realized that the devil exists and is wrecking havoc in the world,  a lot of things started to make perfect sense.  Evil exists, and it does real damage.

The devil has three favorite weapons: temptation. accusation, and deception.  You know when you are being tempted.  You know when you are being accused.  (Now look what you did!)  But you don’t know when you are being deceived without help.  The devil is bigger and smarter than us.  But, friends, “Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world.”  We always have help at our finger tips.  Or on the tip of our tongues.

Temptation, of course, is our favorite.  The lure of pleasure, power, and riches.  Come on. Admit it.  It looks so good, so close, so easy.  But looks are what?  Deceiving.  The promise is there: satisfaction.  But after you go for it, you realize how empty it really is.  The promise is not met.  Instead the end of all these pretty baubles is loss.  Loss of health, friends, family, integrity, hope.  The devil lures you in, but the reward he offers never comes to pass.

Thank you, Jesus, that He is there to help us, to forgive us, and to give us hope.  Consequences and damage may remain, but Jesus restores us to Himself and gives us another chance.