The Satanic Philosophy

I have started reading a book called, "Let God be God: Life-Changing Truths from the Book of Job" by Ray Stedman. I am gaining MUCH from this fascinating study, and I was particularly touched be something he wrote:

Satan prowls the earth, seeking someone to pounce on and consume. He's always looking for vulnerable souls. He's always alert to the weak points of our spiritual armor. This is an apt and instructive image of the spiritual forces that are arrayed against us. In Ephesians 4, Paul warns us not to give Satan an opportunity to invade our lives: "In you anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (vv. 26-27).

When do we give our adversary an opportunity to attack? When we hold grudges, when we refuse to forgive others, when we nurse our anger and feed our wrath. Satan watches and says, "Aha! There's my chance! No I have them right where I want them!" Why does our anger give Satan a foothold in our lives? Because when we hold on to bitterness and rage, we are living out the satanic philosophy. We are aligning our thoughts with the thoughts of Satan.

What is Satan's philosophy? "Me first." It is a philosophy of the ego enthroned, the self deified. Selfishness is at the core of all hate, grudge bearing, and revenge.

As I read this, my eyes were spiritually opened to see how I had been nursing wounds and anger that I did not even realize were in my heart. The Lord used this message to pierce and convict my own heart, and I am truly thankful to the Spirit of God.

It is so true (take it from one who has recently experienced this!) that when we hold grudges or resentment toward someone, we will end up suffering within. I envision the foothold of Satan as a door that is being held open by a literal foot, not allowing it to close all the way. If that door is not shut and locked, things are able to keep creeping in; unwanted thoughts, rage, physical afflictions, etc. It is not a safe place to be.

What are the grudges you may be carrying today? Have you been nursing and entertaining some thoughts against a loved one? Have you been feeling justified in your anger and your reactions to this person or persons? We can't afford to allow Satan to have ANY place in our lives, much less a prominent one. May we surrender our wills, our grudges, our rights to our Lord today. He is our Protector, our Deliverer, and the one who is Just in all His Ways.