We learned yesterday that the devil often works through people to accomplish the goal of discouraging and upsetting others. This is why it’s prudent to stop battling reactively and instead, go immediately to prayer. Today, I want to expand further upon this point by sharing the fabled legend of St. George. The tale goes that he, a venerated Roman soldier, rode into Silene (modern-day Libya) in the 3rd century to slay a terrible dragon that had a taste for humans. After succeeding, he became famous and was lauded everywhere he went. However, soon after he killed the horrible beast, he got bored and wanted to kill another one. He searched high and low, but it seems he had taken down the only dragon on earth. Knowing this, he began hunting other kinds of violent animals — lions, tigers, and bears to name a few. After driving these species to extinction, he started taking on foxes, coyotes, and wolves. Then, when they were all gone, he slayed rabbits, rats, and bugs. Finally, when there wasn’t a single living creature left to kill, he stood alone in a field, slinging his sword at nothing. Taking into account the allegory, I wonder how many of us are like this today? We’ve become so zealous to make a point that we can’t stop fighting. For some of us, contention has become a way of life, and it’s robbing us of the opportunity to truly enjoy others.

My friend, even if you’re righteously indignant, stop slinging your sword! Slaying those with whom you disagree only leads to isolation, and it does nothing to solve your problem. Instead, if you’re upset with what’s happening around you, make Jesus your first line of defense. Rather than spewing careless words or doing something that you’ll regret later, put down your weapons and enter His presence. Seek the face of your Savior, submit the battle to Him, and let Him mobilize the forces of Heaven to come to your defense.