Why Do I Listen to the Devil?

This is Day 24 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

Everyone is talking about the slap heard round the world, so why should my Lenten Blog be any different? After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about Smith's wife's hair at the Oscars, Smith revealed that Denzel Washington had told him that the "devil comes at your highest moments."

And the devil has certainly come for Will Smith. That's why Smith was in the Church of Scientology. That's why Smith and his wife have an open marriage. That's why fame consumes him. Smith has been listening to the devil for years. Just like me.

The devil lies and is the Father of Lies, our Lord tells us. So why do I listen to him?

The Apostle Paul had a similar question for himself. "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." He tells us that when we do what we know is not good it is no longer us that are doing it, but the sin that dwells in us. (Rom. 7:15-17).

My base nature yearns for the evil and the devil stokes that yearning. When I continually give in to the devil, his power over me grows stronger and stronger. Even though I know what I am doing is evil, even though I hate it, I still give in. And when I do the devil becomes a stronger influence over me.

The only solution is to appeal to God's grace. I have to admit that what I am doing is evil. I must admit I am flawed. I must rely on God. Then He will keep the devil at bay. Not entirely. The devil is never entirely at bay. He was even allowed to tempt Christ Himself. But God will give me the strength to fight him.

So when I hear that whisper in my ear to do something I know in my heart is wrong, I must pray to God to protect me. The devil is stronger than I am, but he is not nearly as strong as God.

R.C. VanLandingham is the author of the Peter Puckett series, a Christian children's fantasy that explores what it means to know and love Christ through exciting adventures. His books and blog can be found at rcvanlandingham.com.