According to Webster, a pawn is someone used by others for their own purpose. Pawns vary from a dupe to a puppet and in extreme conditions, a hostage. When you consider Jesus’ insight in John 10:10, there are 3 stages to pawns of the Devil. Initially, time is used to steal children away from God. To further this separation, ambitions, dreams and goals are plucked, one by one, killing any hopes of emotional, physical and spiritual prosperity. Finally, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, lives are destroyed figuratively and literally.
Pawn #1 is subtle, using amusement, entertainment and obsessions to lure committed followers off the narrow road. Throw in a little compromise, enjoyment and worldly pleasures and before long, priorities began to change. One of the signs of Satan’s success is a lukewarm spirit, causing souls to lose focus of what’s truly important in life. Add an onslaught of trials and those pure in heart wander into uncharted waters, opening their eyes to a whole new world like Eve. If you look across the fence long enough, you might find yourself on the other side.
Pawn #2 is merely a byproduct of time. Once temptation begins to dig its claws deep into hearts and minds, the outcome shouldn’t be surprising. Spiritual neglect is replaced by bad habits, careless behavior and loose lips. The presence of a disciplined life is a distantly memory, kicked to the curb by fleshly desires. Hooked, lined and sinking fast, the light of Christ fades into addictions of darkness. At some point, individuals become puppets of the Devil, accomplishing his will through a hypocritical and tainted testimony.
Unless intervention occurs, Pawn #3 resembles a tsunami. The first wave starts by destroying marriages and or relationships near and dear to your heart. Isolated, the second wave brings financial ramifications as consumption, gambling and waste make their way to your shores. Just when you think the storm has subsided, the surge is relentless building in size and wrath. If you survive, a pitiful soul remains, a shell of the person you were before the pawns of the Devil entered your life. For those still standing, remember the words of Peter, a failure himself, resist the devil by keeping the faith, 1 Peter 5:8-9. May this revelation encourage hearts to draw near to the One true God, 1 Timothy 2:4.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 