1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
