In John Grisham’s The Firm, the main character (who is married) is propositioned at a bar on a business trip far away from home, and he nobly turns the girl away. He wins the battle, he goes for a walk on the beach, and rescues another girl from a (supposed) attacker. But his guard is down, and he succumbs to lust and adultery in a most unexpected and unanticipated scenario.

We think of Jesus’ victory over Satan’s temptation in the wilderness a time of great triumph, and it is. But Lk 4:13 contains a chilling phrase I do not remember seeing before: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Jesus…until an opportune time.”

For the Christian, “Greater is he who is in you (Jesus) than he who is in the world (Satan),” but Satan is still very real and very powerful. Another chilling phrase is that he “prowls about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). This verse confuses me because Satan is as shrewd as a serpent but gives the appearance of an innocent dove. He doesn’t usually make a frontal assault with guns blazing, he tends to come in behind the lines after the battle is over to offer fruit to a hungry, tired soldier.

What is his most opportune time with you? Maybe it is when you are sick, maybe after a spiritual high. Perhaps when you have had a fight with your spouse, on a business trip, or watching the morning soaps on the phone with a friend. Satan will wait for the most opportune time.

Father, help me to be alert, save me from myself, the world and the Devil. By grace through faith, strengthen my resolve, my dependence upon you, my defenses. May Satan’s attacks fail to knock me over because I am on my knees before you, my God, my Deliverer.