“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT
Evil lurks around tempting the unaware heart to resent, criticise and become offended. Spirits of wickedness want us for breakfast. They want to live through us. They want us to adopt their evil ways. When we choose to be offended or to criticise they have us hook, line and sinker.
Yesterday, I spent the day with a friend attempting to build a puppet stage. We encountered all manner of problems, but we finally finished at dinner time. I fed my friend lunch and dinner and then sent him on his way.
My flatmates stayed in their rooms in bed, one stayed all day the other half a day. It is cold here and when we have nothing to do we go to bed. We do not have a TV and so mobile phones are the tool to entertain. I am not used to such a sedentary lifestyle. So I try to busy myself. I sew, paint, cook read or study. Yesterday was fun!
Criticism of my flatmates is ever tempting. I have to fight it as well as pride and self-righteousness. I cannot afford to live for evil spirits. Instead, it is best to seek the Lord and find my work.
Paul probably knew the same evil temptations. As children of God we cannot afford to give our bodies, souls and spirits to evil influence. I will not be Satan’s mouthpiece. He came to kill and destroy, he is the accuser of the church body and I cannot work for Him.
“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.”1 Timothy 4:1 NLT
Father may Your kingdom come, You will be done in and through me, lead me not into temptation and deliver me from all evil! Amen!
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