July 30

Depression is one of Satan's most dynamic weapons to divert you from God's purpose for your life. If he can scatter a little dejection here and there in your thoughts-- and even in your prayers-- he can convince you to remove your breastplate of righteousness because it is too cumbersome and will go against your material and temporal interest. Do not give in that easily! First let me describe some of the devil's weapons for wearing down the saints. Then I want to lend you a little help in making him drop his weapons at your feet. God wants you to know that because of the breastplate of righteousness He has provided, "no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;... this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 54:17).

Satan says righteousness hinders pleasure. The devil works to picture a holy life with such an austere, sour face that a person could not possibly be in love with it. "If you intend to be this righteous, then say good-bye to joy," the deceiver skillfully counsels. "People who do not have such straight-laced consciences enjoy all kinds of good times-- but you are missing them all." The truth is, Christian, if you want to see the countenance of holiness in its actual color and vitality, do not trust Satan's carnal talents to paint the portrait.

Now I agree that some pleasures are inconsistent with the power of holiness; and whoever purposes to live righteously must know what these are.

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