Set Me Free

I shall return to my home from which I came. 

We have all experienced it.   The frustration of a besetting sin or a difficult relationship dynamic that keeps popping up.    Just when we think we’ve got it licked, a stronger temptation arises, or an upsetting conversation occurs.   We suddenly feel as though we’re right back where we started.   It’s no accident.   That’s just the way the devil works.

Do we need any more proof that the devil never takes a vacation?   Satan is relentless.   He never stops harassing us and trying to trip us up.   He never stops trying to return to his old homes.   The weak spots in our character, our habits of sin, the hurts caused by broken relationships.

That’s why Jesus cautions us against settling for just being “swept clean and put in order”.   Yes, baptism washes us clean of original sin, and Confession cleans us up again after we have sinned.    But what about the time in between confessions?   As relentless as the devil is, he will always be looking for openings to come back and harass us.   He will always be alert for a new opportunity to tempt us and draw us away from the Lord.

This is why St. Peter urges us to be “sober and vigilant”.   He knows that our enemy, the devil, “is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”.   How can we be vigilant?   By paying attention to the thoughts that arise in our hearts.   If anything leads us to become judgmental, resentful, or lustful, we can be sure it’s coming from our enemy.

So how do we deal with these devilish tactics?   By following St. Paul’s example and taking up “the armor of God,” especially the “shield” of faith and the “sword” of God’s word in Scripture.

All this talk of the devil can seem frightening, but we can take heart.   God hasn’t left us defenseless.   He has given us all the tools and all the armor we need to guard the “home” of our hearts.

The devil never takes a vacation, so don’t make yourself an easy target.

word among us