Can we be real on this Monday? The enemy isn’t using new tricks but he’s using new treats. And you keep falling for it because it’s what you like. Take for a thought, chocolate. You like chocolate, it’s your weakness. When you go into a store, what do you see … all kinds of chocolate. Chocolate with peanuts, chocolate without peanuts, chocolate covered almonds, chocolate covered raisins, chocolate with caramel, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and plain ole chocolate. Candy makers know the world loves chocolate so all they have to do is change the treat and you’ll willing buy. And get this, sometimes it isn’t the treat that changes but it’s the packaging and because we are visible creatures, a new package catches our eye. This is why you have to know what’s on the inside even though the package may look different. Beloved, when the bible says in Second Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This isn’t talking about the outer but the inward. We don’t become new by putting on new clothes, we become new by an inward change.
Look, the enemy feeds off your emotions and desires. The smallest of these, he can sense and he waits until your guard is down. Bible shares in First Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Why compare him to a lion? Here is what I found out. Lions are great and hiding and are very patient. When a lion is hunting, they stalk their prey. They ensure there is an adequate hiding spot near their prey and at the last moment, they spring into action. Why do you think it took a year for old dude to show his true colors or eight months for old girl’s bad side to show? They were good at hiding. And they know what you like because they’ve either been close by and patiently waiting or they’ve stalked your social media. Beloved, be careful of tearing the package if you are not clear about the contents inside. The devils tricks don’t change, his treats do. All you have to do is look at the last few relationships you’ve been in and you will see; same tricks, new treats.
Lakisha, the Author 