Crafty Devil

Snake


(Adapted from Inspiration Ministries)


Two brothers were getting ready to boil some eggs to color for Easter. “I’ll give you a dollar if
you let me break three of these raw eggs on your head,” said the older one. “Promise?” asked
the younger. “Promise!”


Happily, the older boy broke two raw eggs over his brother’s head. Standing stiff for fear the
gooey mess would get all over him, the little boy asked, “When is the third egg coming?” “It’s
not,” replied his brother. “That would cost me a dollar.”


To say the least, that older brother was a crafty devil!


In C.S. Lewis’ classic book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, one of the characters,
Edmund, entered the imaginary kingdom of Narnia alone. There, he encountered the White
Witch, who used her magic to produce a wonderful-tasting drink. When she asked what food
he’d like, Edmund requested Turkish Delight. She produced a fancy box containing a dessert
that tasted better than anything he had ever eaten.


As he gorged himself, she pumped him for information about his siblings. When he wanted
more Turkish Delight, she promised to give him all he wanted, if he brought them to her. Only
later did he realize that he had betrayed his siblings and had been manipulated by the Queen’s
craftiness.


If you think about it, this story can help us to see how crafty Satan can be. We see this when the
serpent twisted God’s words and enticed Eve to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil. Like Edmund looking at Turkish Delight, she saw only a tree that “was good for
food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom.” The serpent promised
only good things and Eve believed his lies.


If you would only look, you can see the devil’s craftiness all around us. As the Apostle Paul
said, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). His ideas can
seem so beneficial and appealing, but the damage can be devastating.


As you go about each day, be on guard against Satan’s craftiness. He is at work in the world,
constantly looking for ways to deceive you. Be ready for it! Fill your heart and mind with God’s
love, faithfulness, and assurances.


God’s Best…Pastor Steven