Today’s Devotional: “The Devil’s All About Opportunity”

The Bible tells us to make the most of every opportunity.

“Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The reason we need to be careful in how we live, i.e., “walk circumspectly,” and to redeem the time, or take advantage of every opportunity, is that Satan, our adversary, is taking advantage of every opportunity to mess us up.

After Satan was soundly and roundly defeated by Jesus in the wilderness, failing to tempt Him to sin, it says: “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13)

To say this more succinctly, the devil is all about opportunity. He will do whatever it takes, whenever he can, to get us to stumble and fall into sin. When Satan smells blood, he pounces and devours.

With this in mind, the Apostle Peter offers us the following advice.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a)

And the promise is that when we resist him by standing firm in the faith, the Lord God of all grace will restore us, making us strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

Jesus called Satan a thief, saying, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Let’s therefore trust ourselves to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and surrender fully to Him, standing firm in our faith, resisting the devil’s advances, and never giving him an opportunity to attack.

“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

But we always need to stay alert and at the ready because Satan will only stay away until he finds a more opportune moment to attack.