Unwanted Company

Many years ago some relatives showed up at my dad's house and asked if they could stay there just until they got a place of their own, maybe a week or two. Dad, who had a very big heart, had no objections. Soon a week turned into a month and by the time they finally moved dad was very glad to see them go.

Unwanted company can create stress and a lot of it. Many people assume once they become a Christian their troubles are over and their life will be smooth sailing. Quite the opposite is true. Jesus did say His yoke is easy and the burden is light, but He was speaking of being yoked to Him. He will carry our cross if we let Him.

Satan is the ultimate unwanted company. He will attack a Christian mercilessly. He wants to plant the seed of doubt in our heart and in our minds so we will question God. He will be around every corner waiting to tempt us and hoping we will fail. As humans we do fail everyday. As Christians we are forgiven as soon as we ask for forgiveness. In Romans 7:23 Paul talks about the war being waged in him and against the law of his mind making him a prisoner of sin. Satan has declared war on all Christians, and he will use many methods to try and defeat us.

He will attack us at different times. When we are alone we are most vulnerable. After being baptized, Jesus was alone in the desert having fasted for forty days. Satan tried to tempt Him with kingdoms, food, and tempting God. Jesus rebuked him and Satan left, but not for good.

Unfortunately Satan never leaves for good. Sometimes he will use a person we have always trusted to deceive us. When Jesus spoke of going to Jerusalem and being betrayed, dying, and being resurrected, there was Satan again, this time in  Peter, one of the apostles.   A friend who may not be saved will try to persuade you to do something you never would dream of doing. Yielding to that temptation makes Satan dance with joy. But listening to Christ and refusing to give in may cause a rift between you and someone you've known many years. But if that person is not a child of God, perhaps you're better off without them in your life.

Think of your soul as a home. If you don't clean house from time to time, your home is going to get dirty. Using a spiritual broom sweep Satan out of your house along with all the dirt he brings in. Simply tell him he is trespassing and he is not welcome. Yes, you gave him a home once, but the welcome mat in no longer out. He is now trespassing on your Father's property and in the name of Jesus, get out! He will flee from you, but if you let down your guard, he will come in and try to make himself at home again.

When I hear people speak of having no troubles in their life and everything always goes their way, I can't help but wonder if they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Satan's time is valuable to him. He wants to spend it turning people against God. If a person isn't saved, why would he waste his time on them? After all, he already has them.