Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

— James 4:7

3 I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

— 2 Corinthians 11:3, 14-15

And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

— Revelation 12:9

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

— John 8:34

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

–1 Peter 5:19

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

People fall prey to Satan’s masterful deception when they fail to understand his insidious nature. He knows the sinful appetites of fallen humanity and seeks to turn people away from God. With cunning strategy and manipulation, Satan makes sin look appealing and following God appear foolish. He does everything he can to keep people enslaved to sin and to his power. His evil influence should not be underestimated, especially when we know Satan the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy humans created to bear God’s image and reflect God’s glory.

God’s people should guard against Satan’s deception but primarily focus on God’s overcoming power. Aware of Satan’s temptation and wily ways, God’s people trust the Holy Spirit for power to resist him. God will prevail over every deadly strike of Satan, the already defeated foe. Let’s trust God as we seek to live unswervingly for Him in this world. God is stronger than Satan. God lives within His people. In His power, we can overcome.