one lie at a time

St Cyril of Alexandria talks to us today about Judas and Satan in A Year with the Church Fathers. He says that Judas started off hearing Satan's lies, and gave in a little at a time. Eventually, in the words of the New Testament, Satan entered him.

The enemy lies to us, too. He lies every day. He tells us that our pride is more important than loving that annoying person. He tells us that making money is more important than prayer. He tells us that we're missing out if we're not popular and famous. He tells us that we have to have power, and make sure others know about it, or we're nothing.

Every day he lies. And every day we have to steer our course straight again. We have to correct our course from where he has caused us to stray. He's been at this game for a long time. He's much smarter than we are. The only way we can resist his lies is by focusing our minds on Jesus. When we allow the love of Christ to fill our hearts, it pushes the lies of Satan out of our minds, and helps us to steer straight again. He lies to us every day... it's important that we repent of the sins that so easily entangle us... every day. One lie at a time he ensnares us... one repentance at a time, we're set free.

He's lying to you today. Set your focus on Jesus.

God, thank You for helping us to turn away from the lies of the enemy, and focus on You.