The question is somewhat academic since the devil would not engage in such a discussion or game-play with you. And in any case, in this day an age not many people believe in him anyway; (to his undoubted delight). They see him as a euphemism for evil rather than an actual living being, albeit in a spiritual sense.
The devil exists all right. We cannot possibly believe in God and not believe in the devil. But he is cunning in camouflaging his existence from a sophisticated modern world which does not know what to believe any more.
The devil will use your past and your future to ruin your present.
He will take an instance or an event from the past and let it prey within your mind weighing down your progress and enjoyment of life today. Say for example you have had a disagreement with someone in the past. Something serious that has hurt you badly and has been left unresolved. The devil will use such hurt to make you resent what has happened and perhaps withdraw any forgiveness you might have given. Or, if you have indeed forgiven, he will use such hurt to remind you that the other person has never sought, nor cared for, your forgiveness. This is particularly poignant if such a person has passed away and therefore there is no opportunity for reconciliation.
But you must remember this, such a person is now in another spiritual world and has seen the instance of disagreement in all its clarity. If indeed he has been in anyway remiss, this is now a matter between him and God; and has nothing to do with you. There is no profit in allowing the devil to torment you further. If, on the other hand, some blame is attributable to you, then admit it and seek forgiveness from God; and accept such forgiveness lovingly given. To do otherwise would allow the devil an opportunity to overcome you; for our regrets of the past are the toys he uses to suppress us.
As for the future, we all have our doubts, fears or concerns as to what will happen then. Be they worries about old age, sickness, or our fears for the safety or well-being of our loved ones. This too is fertile ground for the devil to manipulate and lead us astray from God our Creator; and to spoil our enjoyment of the present. Giving way to such fears is both playing poker with the devil and a great disservice to God Himself, since it betrays a lack of trust and faith in Him on our part.
Christ too was tempted and tormented by the devil many times. He overcame such attacks through prayer and strengthened faith in God His Father. Let that in itself be an example for us.
The devil will never show his poker hand, but rest assured he is holding at least six aces!
...short and sweet, I wouldn't play poker!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom.
DeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteNo, one should never defy the devil for starting such a poker game...!
Hugs,
Mariette
You are right, Mariette.
DeleteGod bless you.
should ever defy...😉
DeleteYes, the devil will remind us of painful things in our pasts that threaten to rob our joy in the here and now. Let us resist him at all costs!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Victor!
It is always the bad and sad memories that come back to haunt us and drive us away from God.
DeleteGod bless you, Martha.
Very good entry. Truth. I just start praying when those thoughts come to mind, and ask the Lord to help me and thank the Lord for all He has done in my life. If there was something in my life, I repent right then and there asking God to forgive.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your blog Victor, I bought your book fyi but life is crazy and I haven't been able to do much non fiction reading except for my Bible and devotionals.
Blessings!
We are often tempted by the devil using our past memories and experiences, Amelia.
DeleteThanx for buying my book. Which one did you buy? Let me know what you think of it when you've read it.
God bless.
No!!!
ReplyDeleteIf one decides that playing games with the keeper of the fires of Hell is sporting and can win the odds of said game...prepare to lose your soul for eternity...as befits the sinner.
Thank you for the reminder Victor.
God Bless 💮
Amen Jan. Don't let the devil win.
DeleteGod bless.
Why play a game you'll lose.
ReplyDeleteExactly right, Bill.
DeleteGod bless you.
Sounds like the title of a good book! 😉
ReplyDelete"... let it prey within your mind weighing down your progress and enjoyment of life." Your 5th paragraph certainly resonates. I needed that.
What do you think of this bit of advice I once received? "Worry is like a prayer to Satan."
The nearest title to this I used, Mevely, is: Don't let the devil win! See the notice about it on the right column here.
DeleteI believe that the devil does let us remember past bad situations and uses them to slow us down and take us away from our path towards God. The advice you mention is totally correct. He uses worry to gain his own aim in life. To divert us away from God.
God bless you always my friend.
No playing with the Devil for me!!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless.
Excellent points, and yes, the wicked one does exist. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteAmen Mimi.
DeleteGod bless.