The devil doesn’t give up. If he sees something isn’t working, he will quickly find another area of enticement. I know that James assures us “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jam. 4:7), but don’t fool yourself into thinking he will run very far away. Even when Jesus resisted every temptation in the wilderness, we are told that Satan left Him “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). As soon as you defeat him on one side, you best prepare for his second attack on the other.
How fitting that this same Jesus would later ask, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt. 16:26)
