Now, the devil can’t devour just anyone he wants to. But those who aren’t careful about how they live are vulnerable to his attacks. For example, have you been offended recently? If so, that was a thorn. When we encounter thorns, if we are living carefully, we recognize what they are and resist them. So when an offense comes, we immediately decide, “I know what that is,” and purposely decide not to step on it. We’ll refuse to take offense and instead, forgive.
See Also: Fight The Good Fight, And YOU Shall Be Victorious!
The truth is the devil is always trying to steal from us, and he’ll take our joy, our peace, our time—anything we’re willing to give him. That’s why 1 Peter 5:9 says to “resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable].” We accomplish this as we “live purposefully … not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time” (Eph. 5:15-16).
