A Day-by-day devotional

February 16, 2023

Too much credit

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 4-6

Scripture of the Day: Luke 10:25-37

It is true that since the day that sin entered the world, it was the cunning devil who influenced it to happen. The enemy is also responsible for spiritual oppression, adversity and diseases that the world experiences. Nevertheless, like what happened on that day that Adam and Eve fell into his trap, they had to make a decision.

God did not make robots out of man. He created man with an own free will, able to decide for himself. When Adam and Eve said yes to the devil in the garden, it was of their own accord. They might have been tricked, but they were the ones who decided for themselves.

Often in this lifetime, we are giving the devil too much credit. Sure, he is evil and the concocter of many wicked things happening in the world today. But when it is something that calls for our decision, is it truly only the enemy that is to blame?

His influence may be upon people who murder, rape, rob, and the like. Nonetheless, it entails a resolution to do it, before the deed gets done.

Whenever we people do harm to other people, it may necessitate the influence of the devil. Still, in the end, it is us who have the final say in accomplishing an act.

We can decide to be kind or rude. We can decide to love or hate. We can decide to be compassionate or be indifferent. The list goes on.

The devil is not lord over us. He can influence the world. He can coax, tempt and convince us. But in reality, he can never fully control our decisions. In the end, what we decide to do would always be an act of our will. Moreover, our decision would be a manifestation of what lies in our heart.

Reflection: To whomever you give control over your life is lord over you. If we give Jesus that control, and He becomes our Lord, we would still undergo temptation and go through the cunning traps of the enemy. Even Jesus Himself did (Matthew 4:1-11). What sets us apart though, is we know whom to follow.

Prayer: Father, please keep me safe from the enemy’s traps. You are Lord over me, my decisions and act of will. Take control of me as I surrender my life into your hands. Help me be a neighbor. Amen.