When the enemy "Ups the Ante"

up●the●ante  

To raise the stakes; to make something more desirable

I'm going to pray more this year...
I'm going to church more often....
I'm going to change my attitude....
I'm going to leave him alone.....
I'm going to quit cursing....
I'm going to lose weight....
I'm going to go back to school....
I'm going to save more money...

Do these "resolutions" sound familiar? If you're like me, you've made countless resolutions, commitments and promises to change and get better. And it never fails that, whether it is right as I am gearing up to take on a new committment, or after I've made some significant progress towards my goal, or better yet, when I'm just about to get to the end of the process, the enemy always "ups the ante" with a brand new, stronger, more desirable distraction.  Has this ever happened to you? And I'm not talking about just any ole' distraction. I'm talking about a test-my-ability-to-stay-focused-and-committed DISTRACTION! The kind that makes you almost forget or doubt the commitment you  made! How does he do that???

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" gen 3:1

Recognize the enemy's tactics....do you see how the enemy was able to call into question God's Word or Eve's obedience & commitment?  And despite Eve's knowing what was right....knowing what God had commanded....knowing what was the only choice she should make...she made the fatal mistake of actually entertaining the idea of his alternative as she begins to reason with him.  Have you ever tried to reason with the desires of your flesh?

2The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;3but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”4The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!5“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.


We are not much different from Eve.  We suffer from the same vulnerabilities that made it difficult for Eve to choose obedience over her temptations.  The enemy's tactics for distracting God's people have not changed! Indeed, he remains steadfast and committed to his goal of stealing your promise from you.  He knows that just like Eve, if you actually go through with your commitment, you just might make it, beat him at his own game and actually receive God's promises for your life.  He knows when you're just about there so he will do everything in his power to distract you from staying focused.  He will up the ante! Your responsibility is to stay alert and focused.There is much at stake. Be on guard for distractions that are cleverly disguised as viable alternatives.  Protect what and who you allow in your environment. 

And lastly, stay close to your accountability partners. One of the reasons Eve was vulnerable in the garden was because she was alone when the temptation came.  Don't make the same mistake! Always have at least one person close enough to encourage you, correct you and hold you accountable.  The stakes have been raised and your purpose & destiny is on the line.  Don't let him beat you!

 In your quiet time, consider these questions:
- How has the enemy "up'd the ante" in your life?
-Are there are distractions in your life that have caused you to become unfocused?
-Are you entertaining the enemy as he tries to convince you to lower your standards?
-Has he offered you an easier, more desirable alternative?
-Has he caused you to question your committment to God or doubt His Word &His promises to you?