“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.”

No one is going to walk up to you and say, “I think you should do this evil, wicked, soul-crushing, life-destroying action.” I wish they would—it would be much easier to say no. But Satan is far more creative and sly than that. Scripture tells us that he masquerades as an angel of light. That’s actually frightening to consider. It should be. We have an important responsibility to know the Scriptures, to discern what is of God and what is not, and to listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit whose specific role includes pricking our conscience when we are tempted. God knows exactly how creative and wily Satan is. He has not left us defenseless against his schemes. Paul reminds us that there is no temptation we face without God providing a way out. He also reminds us that Satan tempted Jesus in every way possible, and Jesus modeled how to resist sin. One of Satan’s greatest tools is getting us to flirt around the edges of sin, convincing us it can be safe and fun at the same time. It can’t. We’ve all heard of “gateway drugs.” Well, Satan is the master of gateway temptation. Those first glances at sin that turn into lingering looks. James describes the process in his first chapter. He reminds us that we are dragged away into sin by our own desires. Today, recognize the desires within you that are not from God—and run. #BeTheEdge

“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15 NIV