The Craftiness of Evil

Today’s scripture:

“For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs 7:26,27)

“Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life.” (Proverbs 7:22,23)

Just like many scriptures in God’s Word, these are very sobering and frightening verses… BUT VERY TRUE! All too often I overlook the importance of the Lord’s guidance and discount the severity if I choose not to walk in His way, even for a quick moment. Please understand, the severity I’m speaking about isn’t so much God’s correction or discipline. It’s just what happens when we choose a different path that is not safe. See, God’s ways and His commandments are safe.  They are boundaries to keep us from harm, from the one who rules this earth as well as from our own nature of pleasuring self. If you choose to cross over the double yellow line on the freeway, you will die! If you choose to step in the line of fire, you will get shot! If you choose to play with fire, you will get burned! And, if you choose to follow the seducing words of evil, you will be destroyed with shame, guilt, despair and even sickness or death!

…It’s just what happens when we choose to be unsafe.

Some may read this and say quietly to themselves, this is for those who have totally lost control of themselves and have given over to whatever evil comes their way. People like thieves, murderers, rapists, child molesters or that one who is considered to be a sex craved maniac willing to be with anyone no matter what the cost.

Oh, dear ones, please do not fool yourselves!!! This is for ANYONE and EVERYONE! Anyone can be deceived. Remember, it is in our nature to serve self. To take pleasure of what feels good to our flesh. This is even for the one who is desiring God and seeks Him daily. He too can and will be deceived.

I have recently taken on a new kind of lifestyle to provide for my family. It is something both my wife and I know this is what God has called me to do. I am now driving a big rig across the country delivering loads to different companies. I am away from my loving family weeks at a time. Needless to say there are tons of temptation out here on the road for lonely men that are away from their loved ones. In my old life before being born again to Jesus Christ, I lived a double life of serving myself always without regard of anyone or anything, even the ones I loved the most. I was willing to give into any kind of seduction that would make me feel good. I would even ask satan to give me things I wanted because I knew God wouldn’t.

A couple of weeks ago, I pulled into this truck stop to get some coffee in Kentucky outside of of Cincinnati, OH which was on my way to Michigan to deliver a load. As soon as I parked, this lady walks right up to the cab of my truck and climbs up with a map. She asked me to help her read the map being that I was a truck driver and looked at maps as part of my job. As she was pointing to the map, she very boldly physically advanced herself onto me. She used the map as a crafty way of getting close to me so that I wouldn’t be hesitant. Without any details, I had a very quick decision to make. Now at this point I had been away from home almost a month. I was missing my family and was feeling lonely. Satan knows just when to strike and how to strike, doesn’t he? I had just came off of a fast and seeking the Lord desperately two days before.

As she talked the Lord revealed to me the scriptures above but yet I was still very enticed to be ohnest. Her words were smooth as silk and inviting but the gracious and loving Lord Jesus reminded me what my life was like before when I gave into such temptation. I destroyed my marriage and relationships and mostly destroyed my desire for the Lord! I didn’t want that anymore. I told her I am married and she needs to leave and then I got out of there and started calling everyone I knew within the brotherhood of Jesus Christ.

It can happen to anyone at any time anywhere in any way. Please be aware of those tiny little steps that walks ever so slightly away from God. It usually doesn’t start out so bold, it usually and gradually starts with little and subtle things like a look or a thought. Do not be fooled! These are not little things because they will lure you away from a safe and loving God and onto a path that is DESIGNED to destroy you! It can and will destroy you!

Reflection:

The ways of God are safe. They can be difficult to follow even though they are so simple. Remember, they are difficult because we make them difficult due to our nature of always wanting to serve self. Never forget that! If you get only one thing from this reading, let it be this… Never, ever think you are strong enough or too close to God for something to lure you away. Remember, it starts out ever so slightly and subtle. The devil is very crafty and knows you are weak when you are left to yourself. He knows you like pleasure. Pleasure is not wrong as long as it is directed from our Lord Jesus.

Challenge:

Before you go any further today, be aware that there is one looking to devour you and rip you to shreds and he will use anything to get to you (1 Peter 5:8). Be mindful of what your next steps today will be. There is no in between, they will either be from the Lord or from the enemy. Press into the Lord pleading Him to keep you.

-Doug McGowan