God's people are taught that the devil, the spirit of evil, exists. He is wicked and desires to harm everyone, including those who walk uprightly. Ever since Adam opened the door to him, the evil one works night and day, with all his hatred, to separate friends, destroy families, and bring disaster to those who accept his suggestions (John 8:44; 10:10a). Unfortunately, many people do not seek the Lord when they are tempted and, allowing themselves to be deceived by the enemy, fall into sin.

Is it not the devil who makes a husband and wife become upset with each other, until one of them decides to give in to sin? Isn't it he who causes a child raised with love to rise up against his parents, to the point of hiring someone to kill them? Yes! Know that failing to seek God at the moment of temptation will cause us to fall into it (Matthew 6:13). This gives the adversary permission to oppress and destroy us.

The evil one strives to open breaches in our communion with the Lord, which operates through faith in Christ. We must watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). If we do not turn to Heaven for guidance to make the right decisions, we will give the devil an opportunity to act among us. The result will be clear: decline and failure in the faith.

Lot, for example, studied at the best “university” of that time, directed by Abraham, who, through the experiences of daily life and the Lord’s guidance so that he might succeed in everything, knew how to teach his nephew, raising him as a son. However, since faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17), Lot showed that he still needed to learn more so that the enemy would not use him to disrupt his uncle's life.

Abraham's proposal would put an end to the quarrel between his shepherds and Lot's. The patriarch realized that this strife came from the devil, and after praying, he concluded that it would be better for them to separate. So, he told Lot to choose his path. If his nephew went to the East, he would go to the West, and vice versa. Lot showed no love for his uncle. Instead of leaving, he could have considered selling his flocks and dismissing his shepherds. Do not act like him!

Uncle and nephew lived near the Canaanites and Perizzites, peoples who should have seen their good example—as servants of the Lord— so that they might renounce their idols and worship only the true God. However, because of the quarrels they witnessed, they would not think about such a possibility. The success of the Church is due to the fact that its members serve the Creator of all things. What do you say about this? Pray and act according to the Scriptures!

The Gospel needs the faithfulness of the saved at all times, so that no one has any reason to speak ill of them (1 Peter 2:12; 3:16). Even the way the Lord's servants walk is important. We cannot cooperate with the father of lies, who will accuse us if we cause scandals against the Kingdom of God.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares