Arguing with the Devil

Daily Reading: Isaiah 36

Scripture Focus: But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, “Do not answer him.” (Isaiah 36.21)

Devotional Thought:  The coronavirus press briefings were nothing if not entertaining!  I watched them with amusement and some measure of chagrin as reporters and President Trump argued.  Neither side seemed able to back down.  I was shocked at one retort of the President to a particularly insistent reporter: "That's enough!"  I used to say that to my children!  I also tried to teach my kids that often the best response to an argumentative person was to just not respond to them.  The best comeback is often no comeback.  (I wish someone would teach that to today's politicians and pundits.)

When Hezekiah was the king over Judah, the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem.  The enemy commander wanted to engage the defenders of Jerusalem.  But, King Hezekiah had told them "Do not answer him."  So, "they were silent and answered him not a word."  Sometimes the best comeback is no comeback, the best argument is no argument.

That is especially good advice when dealing with our spiritual foe.  Arguing with the devil can lead nowhere positive.  As we know, the devil is not one to give up easily.  He will do anything he can to get our attention on him and away from God.  He doesn't really want to debate you.  He just wants to confuse you.  He will lie to you and try to intimidate you.  He will make you promises he has no intention of keeping.  He will cloud your vision of God and fill your head with doubts.  Don't even talk to him!  Jesus already won that argument on the cross and at the empty tomb.

So, if you find yourself in an argument with the devil, just tell him to speak to your Attorney.  Let Jesus Christ be your argument!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, you are my advocate, my helper, my paraclete.  Help me to depend on you to speak Jesus into every situation and temptation.  I'm not going to argue with the devil.  I'll let you do that.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 65.1-8

1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed.

2 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;

7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,

8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.