“Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, MEV).

The enemy is “devilishly” crafty. He takes advantage of every opening you give him to enter your life. I am familiar with his schemes.

In my 50 years, I have given Satan footholds in my life—footholds that, unfortunately, became strongholds. And those strongholds have brought chaos and heartache for my family and me. I blame no one but myself for opening the door to the devil’s wiles.

The devil has already lost the war. It’s simply that you have to be intentional about the battle and take advantage of every weapon of spiritual warfare God has supplied you with to beat him down.

My friend and editor at Charisma, Jennifer LeClaire once wrote, “The Holy Spirit also showed me that we already possess every weapon we need for battle, but we sometimes don’t know we have them. He showed me that the fruit of the Spirit manifested can be a weapon against the enemy: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. It drives the devil crazy when you walk in love or remain at peace. It’s one way we submit ourselves to God; resist the devil and watch him flee” (James 4:7).

In other words, it’s up to you to take the battle to him and refuse to allow him to get his foot in the door of your life. “Do not give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27, MEV). He can’t work in your life if you don’t allow it.

The lion can roar and but he can’t devour.