While it’s not pleasant to think about, it’s important to remember that there is a kingdom of darkness surrounding us and that as Christians, we have an adversary named Satan who is serious about wreaking havoc in our lives. Though we often envision the forces of hell warring in acts of blatant evil, violence, or malice, the primary strategy of the devil is always deception. The enemy is an angel of light, and he is really good at slyly deceiving us so that we begin to fall away from abundant life. He knows that if he can get us to doubt the Lord’s love in any fashion, he gains a foothold, and we start to suffer. By convincing us ever-so-subtly that our best existence is found somewhere other than in divine truth, he gets us upset, envious, and insecure, and this emotional dissonance inevitably leads to sin. That said, one of the best ways to stand against his attacks is to practice contentment. We can do this by embracing Biblical promises that affirm our position as Christ’s beloved, regularly recounting what we’re grateful for, and being mindful of our many blessings. Even when he whispers something different in our ear, the fact is that our gracious Heavenly Father has already given us everything we need to have fruitful, exuberant, and Godly lives.

My friend, I declare to you today that you will not be deceived by the enemy! You have the mind of Christ, and the Holy Spirit lives within you to illuminate truth and make you aware of Satan’s schemes. As you look to Him, He will show you what’s good and evil, what’s right and wrong, and most importantly, what’s real and what’s a lie. Your Savior is inviting you to rest safely in His love so you can freely enjoy every good and perfect gift He graciously bestows. As you lean on Him instead of your own understanding, He will fill your heart with contentment and give you the authority of the Name that makes darkness flee!