Tägliche Andachten

Love is the real secret of our success. That’s why Satan is working furiously day in, day out to deceive and pressure us into stepping out of love. He is constantly sending situations our way to tempt us to stop yielding to love and to yield to the “enemies of love.”

It’s vitally important that we not be ignorant of the devil’s devices, because when we’re ignorant or unaware, we’re more likely to fall prey to them.

It is important for us to study the Word to know what love is and what it is not. We need to study the enemies of love so that when the devil tempts us with them, we can quickly recognize his strategies and say, “No, devil! I refuse to do that. It’s unloving, and I choose to walk in love!”

Some people don’t realize that resisting temptation is that simple. (Notice, I didn’t say easy. I said simple.) But it is! Temptation is nothing more than a solicitation to do evil. In times of temptation, the devil comes to you like a solicitor or a salesman and makes you a presentation. He brings an influence into your life and puts an opportunity in front of you to sin. One reason we fail to reject the devil’s solicitations at times is because we don’t recognize temptation for what it is. We buy the devil’s line before we even realize he’s selling it to us.

So we have to learn his devices.

The enemies of love are things such as envy, which the dictionary defines as “a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another’s advantages, possessions or success.” Jealousy, which is a little stronger than envy is also an enemy of love. To be jealous is to be “suspicious, apprehensive of rivalry or resentfully envious”. Proverbs 6:34 says, “Jealousy is the rage of a man.”

Pride, too, is listed in 1 Corinthians 13 as an enemy of love. It is an overly high opinion of one’s self, exaggerated self-esteem, or conceit—and it shows itself through haughty or arrogant behavior. Pride is something we have to watch for in our lives. The moment we start to think more highly or ourselves than we ought, we need to humble ourselves before God and repent of pride.

Other enemies of love include bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Those three things are among the biggest obstacles to walking in love, especially among people who have truly been hurt or abused.

Examine your heart. Listen to your mouth. Are you walking in love, or in the enemies of love? Love is the real secret to your success in relationships, on the job, in your marriage, everywhere. Make a quality decision today: I will walk in love!

Speak the Word

I am not ignorant of Satan’s devices. I determine to walk in love and refuse to allow him to take advantage of me.   2 Corinthians 2:10-11