The other day I was walking through the Family Center at Faith Village where I preach, and I noticed an unusual sign in the kitchen.
The purpose of the sign is a good one.
With a membership of 700+ at Faith Village, our Family Center is used almost daily for different events—as it should be—that’s the purpose for having it! But with that much usage, by that many different people, there have to be guidelines and policies for cleaning the kitchen after it’s been used. On the wall is a policy sheet with several different “rules” that must be abided by. But next to those rules, is one sentence that I think says more than all of the rules combined…
“A mouse isn’t picky about where he eats.”
Truer words are rarely spoken.
But that picturesque description of the “open-minded” mouse got me to thinking about Satan. That’s exactly how Satan is described in Scripture. As a professional deceiver, he isn’t picky about where he tempts us—or even how he tempts us—he just wants to tempt us. Sometimes it will be through our friends. Sometimes it will be through the media. Or electronics. Or food. Or drinks. Even our own church family! Satan isn’t picky. He just wants to throw us off the narrow path which leads to the Father. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Peter, a man who had personally witnessed Satan’s power of temptation, gave this commentary in 1st Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I appreciate Peter’s description of Satan because if you notice, Peter gives two tips for success. First, Peter says to be “alert.” Just like a mouse eats from anywhere, as already said, Satan tempts from anywhere. When we least expect it. In a place or time that we can’t even imagine in our wildest dreams. Therefore, we have to always be watching for what he’s trying to do, and mindful of what he’s currently doing. Secondly, Peter says to be “self-controlled.” That’s also a powerful reminder. Satan won’t always use other people or external forces to tempt us—many times he uses us and our internal desires. You see, Satan has many tools in his toolbox to run us away from righteousness. But we can take heart, because we aren’t the only ones who face this undesirable challenge. That’s why Peter says in the very next verse, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
It was that way then. It’s that way now. It will be that way tomorrow.
And just like leaving crumbs on the floor will attract a mouse, leaving your heart unguarded will attract Satan. The best way to guard yourself is with the Armor of God, which Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-18; things like “the belt of truth”, “the breastplate of righteousness”, “the gospel of peace”, “the shield of faith”, “the helmet of salvation”, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”, and “prayer”. These spiritual weapons arm us with righteousness. And Paul introduces his treatise by saying, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Well, you get the idea. A mouse isn’t picky. He will scurry into any part of your house for a good meal. But neither is Satan. He will prowl into any area of your life for a good temptation, and he plans to enjoy the dessert of victory as well. Don’t let him.
Keep your heart not only clean, but guarded.
For if you give a mouse a cookie…