Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. I Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)

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I like my car but I know nothing about the workings of the engine and depend on the service guy to keep me going.

I often listen to the local radio station when I wake up to get the news and weather. On Saturdays, the show that follows is called, “Simmons Car Care.” The two hosts banter back and forth about car things but the subject this morning was pack rats. At first, I couldn’t figure out why this was the lead story. To my amazement, this is a problem in Tucson. Pack rats look for safe, protected places to build their nests. Who knew that a car engine was a good place? They bring in bits of cholla cactus, mesquite beans, the insulation from the hood of the car, and build a nice comfy home for their babies. You notice the problem when suddenly your car won’t start. They create chaos for the wiring from all the junk and gnawing around and completely disable your car.

So how do you fix it? Not easily. It’s necessary to physically remove all the debris and excrement, lysol the area, and add a predator scent, i.e., coyote or fox. Sometimes, a light is required to scare them off. One car was totaled by the insurance company due to the amount of debris and damage. And the worst part is that they return every year now that they have found such a nice place to stay. They also recommended a 40 yard perimeter of clearing around the area where the car is parked. Feisty critters.

Why am I telling you this story? Because the Devil is out and about, checking for openings where he can settle in and destroy your heart. He will test you with a little temptation or lie to see if he can get your attention. Nothing big. After all, he doesn’t come as a red devil with a pitchfork that would frighten us but rather as the Angel of Light to deceive us. He grabbed Eve and offered her power he didn’t have to give. One tiny opening is all he needs to gain access and the next thing we know, our heart and life are full of lies, anger, bitterness, and death.

Our cleansing process is much like the car. God has promised to give us a new heart when we confess our sins to Him, and turn around and go back the right way. He may not use Lysol but His blood washes away every bit of filth that has interfered with our relationship with Him. He jumpstarts our life so that life replaces death, and lights our way showing which path to take. That engine has sparked to life.

It might be a good idea to put up some boundaries for that scamp, the Devil. Be careful about what you read, view, listen to, where you go, who you spend your time with. Be on guard. Be vigilant. Don’t be afraid.

Remember, “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.