Buyer Beware

Beth Moore, in her Bible Study, “Jesus the One and Only” describes Satan as a “planner and a user.” She continues, “he capitalizes on our lusts – whether for greed, power, control, or sensual pleasure. Let’s be careful not to sell out for personal gain, betraying the fact that we have been called to be Christ’s disciples.”

Moore’s final statement: “He’s the betrayer’s betrayer. Buyer beware.”

Buyer Beware. That’s the first time I’ve connected that catchphrase with the devil. Interesting, isn’t it? It puts a little responsibility on our shoulders, it denotes action on our part. May I suggest we may not always be an innocent victim who shrugs, “The devil made me do it.”

Dictionary.Com compares “buyer” to “purchaser” and here’s what they had to say about a “purchase:”
------ -- to acquire by the payment of money or its equivalent; buy.
------ -- to acquire by effort, sacrifice, flattery, etc
------ -- acquisition by means of effort, labor, etc
------ -- a firm grip or grasp, footing, etc., on something.

When temptation results in sin and I look back to see where exactly I lost my footing, I often observe a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice, and definitely a firm grasp on or toward the forbidden object, thought or word. That completely qualifies as a purchase. I am then a buyer and I have bought into Satan’s deception. It’s so easy to lay it out in black and white with 20/20 hindsight and so difficult to navigate while in the midst of temptation. God calls us to prepare ahead of time, build up our reserves so we might resist the devil in our time of weakness. He has a lot to say about temptation. --- Let me just leave you with my prayer for you today.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” - Ephesians 6:12-14 (NIV)