The Devil is a Sportsman...

The devil loves a challenge; yes, and decorates the sin

Where with his lariat of lust might draw his victims in

Or with the boast of busyness or with the idle mind

For lust of eye and flesh, or pride of life can deftly bind

The best of good intentions to the worst outcome of all

Too wrapped in Self-attention to surrender to God’s call

The devil sets a snare where weakness eyes temptation’s tray

And all who dare to live without God’s armor will fall prey

There is no halfway in between; no one can serve two Gods

And evidence is always seen where Choice outweighs facades

Then pray that the confession of our faith will shed the old

As the new man seeks treasure greater than silver and gold

The devil knows that pleasure for the moment will appease

The guilt, and gloats as longing yields to evil’s expertise

Where what seemed good at first did not supply true happiness

Hunger and thirst is cursed until it craves God's Righteousness

Then as we trust Him and obey His power is unfurled

Greater is He within us than He that is in the world

© Janet Martin