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In the rising sun of an early spring day, I noticed a thousand silvery strands covering my yard.

Although my grass was still more winter brown than spring green, the spiders were out forming their webs. Sticky strands that would be death traps for the thousands of insects soon to emerge as the weather warmed.

Satan has laid his sticky webs, his death traps, across my life as well. I’m sorry to say, I’ve managed to get entangled in them with a repetition that might be funny if it weren’t so life-threateningly sad.

First example. Halfway through college, on an end-of-year beach trip, a friend handed me a Rum and Coke—my first taste of liquor. The next few days in Myrtle Beach were fantastic. My natural shyness was washed away by the Rum. I discovered I was pretty smooth when I was not being shy. I got the prettiest girl (her name was Toni) on the beach and fell head over heels over her. Of course, I wanted that feeling to continue.

But in three months, I was an alcoholic, living to drink. In another month, as I read the inevitable “Dear John” letter from Toni, I heard Satan laughing. I was trapped in a hell that didn’t stop until I was on my knees before God in a jail cell.

Another example. I dated the same girl throughout my junior and senior years of high school. Her name was Cathy. She was the first girl I had seriously kissed. I took her to both the Junior and Senior Proms. We were a good match, comfortable with each other. She was a sweet, innocent soul.

But then Satan sent another girl across my path. This girl was not so innocent. And I, being the fine, upstanding guy I was, dropped Cathy without so much as a goodbye so I could chase after the lusty new girl. I will forever hear Cathy’s last words to me, speaking through tears over the phone: “What did I do?” And I heard Satan’s hideous laughter.

Lately, Satan has tried a different tack. He whispers in my ear: “Look at how good a writer you are! Look at how people love your writing. You’re the greatest!”

No, I’m not. The truth is, I only try to write what my Lord tells me. These are His words, graciously given to me to put down on paper. If my devotions move people, and I hope they do, then I want them to praise Him and give Him the glory.

The Lord gave us an instruction manual: His Word. We should use it. For a long time, I didn’t do that, and I paid the price.

Please put His words in your heart today. Arm yourself against Satan’s laughter.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)