The Devil’s Invitation

Instead of taste and see the Lord is good,

the prowling begins …

“take a bite

stop the fight with that silent god

come this way, the wide side road, where more people trod

your wisdom and enlightenment

will be a welcomed testament

appreciated, rewarded

you won’t be alone, there’s more like you

building their kingdoms, brand spankin’ new

aren’t you tired, weary

you’ve got to be so over

the same ole, same ole

waiting

for nothing …

here, there is only your Self to revere

a relegation

in his church

wouldn’t god bless this delegation?

hear them? the oohs and ahhs

they love your ideas, so hide your faux pas

forget transparency

you are entitled to privacy

nobody wants to hear your pain

you are stronger than that, make sure your game face remains

god raises up leaders

look how well you walk as administrator

oh but are you ever enough?

no never

self-affirmation balances out the condemnation

you know god disapproves

of every mistake, every wrong move … ”

All this leading, twisting

misrepresenting

is the devil’s invitation to death

the wide road is where we lose our breath

sometimes satan crowds in

his minions look like you, worshipping

though their hearts lack truth

their encouragement offered is diffused

such that it slips under your nose

into your weak spots, soon exposed

God knows every devil trick

every son or daughter satan picks

God expects us to know

His truth to sow

into others

to grow in Him

and to come against every lie from outside and within

Proclaim who is Lord of your life

Praise the One who pulled you from that pit of strife

For you cannot save yourself

Nor can you create yourself

Our God reigns over all, from the unborn to those in graves

Our God knows every single child’s name

You are known

You are seen

Our job is to know Him

To call out the wolves in sheep skin

None of us will know every Word

Stop, be still, seek His truth

Lo and behold you will find God gives pride the boot

Over confidence in our own strength, our own wisdom

Looking down on others with less vision

That pride comes before every fall

Join me

in planting our feet

on His solid ground

where genuine humility is found

Let us thank Him

for every perfect gift

Let us save every message

to equip us for this pilgrimage …

every message written on the tablet

of our hearts’ pliable palate.

~~~

Thank you for joining me here. I just finished reading the book, The Gospel According to Satan by Jared C. Wilson. The reading inspired this poem.

I pray right now that if you listened to any of the enemy’s lies today, you rebuke him, proclaiming Jesus as Your Lord and Savior.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13).

According to the author, one of the tactics meant to empower us to refute the enemy is to use the words “It is written” before reciting Scripture. This is how Jesus refuted satan in the wilderness. The enemy cannot compete with the living, active word of God, though he will die trying.

I encourage you to read your Bible every day. I encourage you to spend time listening to God, as well as talking/praying. I encourage you to journal, recording ways God has answered prayer and/or moved in your life, often unexpectedly.

If you would like me to pray for you, please email juliedibblespeaks@gmail.com.

Or feel free to begin a conversation here in the comments.

You are all invited to join me for a live reading of this poem tomorrow at 10am Eastern time. You can go to https://Facebook.com/jdibble4Him to find me 🙂

In Christ,

Julie

https://juliedibblewrites.wordpress.com

https://Instagram.com/jayjule03