When you reached over to turn off the alarm this morning, did you hesitantly place one bare foot on the floor and then the other, wondering what the devil has in his bag of tricks for you today? The evil one has had all night to plant a minefield of temptation. Did you wonder how it would begin today?

If you are like me, the temptation minefield has been filled with unexpected traps this morning. Have you been fighting them? Or have you been inviting them? The reformer Martin Luther once said, “You cannot prevent the birds from flying in the air over your head, but you can certainly prevent them from building a nest in your hair.” You can’t stop the temptations from coming, but today you can avoid inviting situations that you know will capitalize on your weaknesses. 

Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven . . . lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’” (Matthew 6:9,13). It is daunting to think that we are doing battle with the devil. But as daunting as that knowledge is, know that you are not alone in the fight. You have a Father in heaven who knows your weaknesses and will always provide a way out.

As he leads you through the devil’s minefield today, keep your eyes fixed on the cross of Jesus for the strength to resist the devil and for forgiveness when you succumb to him.