Devious Diversions
Theme of the Week: Satan: Scary but not Invincible
Dave Branon
Thursday, November 1, 2007
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). Bonus Reading: 1 Peter 4:1b-3
When my son Steve was learning to play soccer, we spent time kicking the ball around the front yard. As I passed on the little I knew about the sport, he developed his own strategy. "I know how to get past my man," he told me. "When I'm dribbling the ball, I say, 'Hey, look over there!' When he does, I dribble past him!"
Steve's simple scheme resembles Satan's tactic. He's developed hundreds of ways to distract us into doing something other than serving or glorifying God. It can be an attractive person. She walks by, and we hear this whisper, "Hey, look over there." It can be an object, like a car or a boat. Again, we hear that little voice saying, "Psst, look at this!"
We need a strategy to counter Satan's diversions; [today's Key Bible Verse] identifies it. We look away from Jesus when lust or envy captures our attention, when we put our attention on others to criticize them. We look away when we let everyday concerns make us worry, when we neglect His Word.
Satan is the great distractor. Let's ignore his urgings and keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Then we'll find it easier to live for God's glory.
—Dave Branon in Power Up!
My Response: What distraction currently threatens my focus on Christ?
Thought to Apply: There is no heaven with a little of hell in it—no plan to retain this or that of the devil in our hearts or our pockets. Out Satan must go, every hair and feather! —George MacDonald (Scottish pastor & author)
Adapted from Sports Spectrum Power Up! (11-12/04) by permission.
Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Deliver me, Lord, from the twin errors of underestimating Satan and being intimidated by him.
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