…and do not give the devil a foothold.  Ephesians 4:27 

 

There’s power in peace! If the devil can’t get you upset, he has no power over you! He gains control only when you ‘lose it’. He’ll actually set you up to get upset; that way he can steal your peace, confuse you and make you run in circles. Ever get into an argument just before church, then feel ‘hypocritical’ while you were there? And all the while the devil is smiling and saying, 'Gotcha!' That’s because he knows God’s Word can only be 'sown in peace' (James 3:18). If he can keep you from receiving the seed of God’s Word, he can rob you of the harvest of blessing that comes from it. That’s why you must stay in peace. Listen, 'The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness' (James 3:17-18). Next time you get all worked up, ask yourself, 'What’s the enemy trying to do here? If I give in to these negative emotions what will the result be?' When you’re upset you lose your joy, and when you lose your joy you lose your strength, because '... the joy of the Lord is your strength' (Nehemiah 8:10). So today, do your utmost to exercise self-control, and remain at peace!