My mentor always says that the first thing you must do daily is to seek stillness and talk to your Creator. I don’t always manage to do it right away. Sometimes I’m up too early and then I scroll through the day’s news to wake up. 

This morning, I was up again around 04:00 and only half awake, when I came across the news story about Herman Linde, a farm manager from Marloth Park, near Kruger Park. After dropping off his workers, he went to check how the office construction was progressing. 

While coming around a corner, he ran straight into an angry leopard. Herman says the leopard gave one loud roar before pouncing on him. Herman could quickly slip into a small building, but the openings in the security gate were too wide to protect him. 

The leopard tried hard to grab him and even tried to push its head through the opening at the bottom of the gate. Herman kicked him a few times on the nose, after which the leopard left.  

Admittedly, the leopard also received a few hits because of Herman’s defence. Fortunately for Herman, the male leopard was old and injured. The outcome might have been very different had it been a young, strong and healthy leopard,  

I close Maroela Media’s news and open my Bible on the screen. The verse I must read for the day: 8Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. 

I smiled at our Father’s timing and humour. I immediately understood what the verse meant. 

It’s so true! The devil walks through the world like a roaring lion or leopard. He’s angry and injured, which only makes him more dangerous. He’s going to try everywhere to overcome you. 

Temptations are all around. Physical temptations that try to tempt and provoke the flesh. Emotional temptations that create selfishness. Spiritual temptations that may lead to deception. 

That’s when we have to fight. We must stand firm and resist temptations. We must stand firm and strive not to be dragged off God’s path. We must fight back with everything in us.  

Don’t go through life blithely thinking the devil will ignore you. He’s got everyone in his sights. Expect him, and when he does arrive, put on boxing gloves. Drive the temptation out of your life with all your might, and if he tries to push his head through the gate, kick him on the nose. 

While in the desert, Jesus hit all the devil’s temptations for sixes. On the cross, Jesus defeated him, and that is why the devil could not imprison Jesus in the realm of the dead. He is now having his last convulsions and is going to try his best to get you and me off the road with his temptations. Know this, expect him, and when he does arrive, kick him on the nose with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

Scripture
1 Peter 5:4-7

Reflection
Where does the devil attack you?
What temptations show up at your door?
How can and should you oppose them? 

Prayer
Father, I realise that the devil is a reality and attacks us all too often. Help me stand up to him and kick him on the nose every time. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.