Don’t Let Him In
“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
II Corinthians 2:10-11
I met a man who specializes in what he calls “exotic animal control.” He removes snakes, gophers, and the like from people’s houses.
This year, he said, snakes are more prevalent. New construction in our area seems to get them stirred up, as we are “invading their territory.”
He also teaches homeowners how to prevent snakes from getting into the house. One way is to put steel wool in the hole under the sink, where the pipes come in. On the outside of the building, steel wool can be put in the hole where electrical wires go into the house.
In the same way, we can prevent another snake, Satan from entering our lives.
James tells us how:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:7-8
Submitting to God, resisting the devil and drawing near to God are our “steel wool.”
The man I spoke to is not ignorant of the creatures’ devices, the way they try to get into our homes. In the same way, Paul said we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.
