Lesson 174: When You Dance With The Devil

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

When You Dance With The Devil

Mom used to say something which has always stayed in the back of my mind. I can hear her voice softly scolding me for something I had done wrong. “Now son, when you dance with the devil, you’re gonna to get burned.” Truer words were never spoken. We all on occasion have been lured by the seductive music of the devil and attempted to dance with the creature instead of the Creator. After all, is he not known as the great deceiver, whereas our Lord is known as the great enlightener? Many people have been fooled by him and follow him into pits of eternal flames. He knows our weaknesses and he is ever alert to finding a way of attacking us. So how do we deal with the devil? The answer is simply. We don’t!

The Bible is our refuge from this creature of destruction; for the Book of Books offer strategies in dealing with the evil one when he approaches. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” “Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” King David said in Psalm 13:5, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.” God hears our cries and lamentations. In Matthew 7:7, our Supreme Savior says for us to simply, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” So prayer changes things. Look at Mark 11: 24. “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” God hears the petitions of the people! In Isaiah 38:5, God states, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.”

Our warriors of yesteryear knew this. It is said that General Jackson sought God’s guidance and for the longest time would walk in the woods with his eyes closed praying feverishly for God to assist him in the victory. He was seen so many times on his knees praying to his God for help, as earnest tears fell upon the ground. Here was a Christian warrior. General Lee, General Pendleton, General Jackson, General Stuart and staff were noted to stop in the heat of the battle to join a small band of worshippers praying for deliverance. Look at our bishop general as well! They sought God in all things and God heart their petitions, according to His divine will. In all things they praised God and often were noted as saying, “It’s in God’s hands” or ‘God’s will.” They did not dance with the devil, or dance for the devil, but instead they resisted the devil and he was compelled to flee. Such is the power of faith and prayer.

God’s love is calling. It is unconditional and was purchased years ago on an old rugged tree, as the Son of man was suspended between heaven and earth for hours by three nails. It is He who is greater than the deceiver. It is He who will chase the devil from the dance floor. It is He who guides us when we earnestly seek His will for our lives. The road is not easy and at times the demon is upon you, as you may even be unaware of his presence, but in all things pray and watch how fast God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. He will bind the beast and you are free to dance to a heavenly orchestra and bask in the love of God’s amazing grace. Wishing never to dance with the devil again, I remain your obedient servant, The Old General