August 24

To the Devil: No!

Do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27).

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-30

Song: “Abide with Me”

In high school I was an equipment manager for the football team. Between running washing machines, driving tractors, and hauling stuff in vans, we had a few close calls.

On the way to a certain road game, our trainer complained of the van’s engine running rough. One of the coaches got out to look at it and then marched straight toward us. The coach must have immediately assessed the problem as relating to the fact that teens tend to think that a governor on an engine is an unnecessary restriction of fun. Coach said he thought we could “fix” the engine—and in doing so, we wouldn’t get in trouble.

We nodded, and then I slipped outside. My mechanical skills are limited, but I can remove a shoestring from an accelerator rod. In life we sometimes let the devil pull our strings. He is not the imagined cartoon character with a pitchfork sitting on one of our shoulders. He is invisible, but leaves his mark in the schemes and situations we face. He throws different temptations our way. If we try to handle them on our own, we will sooner or later fall.

Like the trainer asking for help from one of the coaches, we need to depend on Christ to help us through the difficult times. The shoestring didn’t belong on the accelerator rod. No string, no problem. Similarly, do not let the devil tie you in knots. Focus on Christ; let in the Light and the darkness recedes.

Father,help me to handle the temptations that come my way. May I turn my attention to deeper desires, more powerful loves: the ones You give me. In Christ, amen.