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Friday, February 9, 2007

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Genesis 3:1-8
Psalm 32
Mark 7:31-37

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not on speaking terms

"Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made." —Genesis 3:1

Never get into a conversation with the devil. Refuse to speak to him. "He is a liar and the father of lies" (Jn 8:44); he's a fallen angel, superior to us in intelligence. You're a fool to talk with the accuser, adversary, and liar.

That's the mistake Eve made. The devil initiated the conversation, but "the woman answered the serpent" (Gn 3:2). It wasn't long before Eve thought God was depriving her of opportunities. She put faith in Satan's lies and withdrew her faith in God.

Don't get into a verbal or mental conversation with the evil one. Take authority over him and command him to leave in the name of Jesus. Don't dialogue, but take the sword of God's Word and attack the father of lies with the word of truth (Eph 6:17). That's what Jesus did when tempted (Lk 4:1-12). The only words Jesus had for the devil were: "Get out."

What good can it do to talk to a liar? Speak to Jesus, think of Jesus. Leave the devil out.

Prayer:  Father, may I not waste my breath on the devil but dedicate my voice and thoughts to praising You.

Promise:  "At once the man's ears were opened; he was freed from the impediment, and began to speak plainly." —Mk 7:35

Praise:  Matthew has learned to pray the news, not to get upset by it.

Reference:  (Make the sword of God's word your own by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006

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