The Right Volume

The age-old story of good versus evil has always fascinated me. Jon and I went to see the Batman movie on a recent date and, although some of it went right over my head (having not seen a Batman movie since Michelle Pfeiffer played Catwoman), I nevertheless was glued to the screen–particularly in the battle scenes.

I kept hoping Bane would be unmasked. An archenemy of Batman, he has a gladiator-like body whose mouth, cheeks and jaw are completely covered by a weird metal contraption. His voice is altered by the get-up and I always suspected he’d be much less menacing if someone would just rip that thing off him. Expose what he’s hiding. Reveal his weakness.

And so it is with our own enemy. What’s he hiding? What tricks does he have up his sleeve? Having his playbook sure would weaken his offense and put the power back in our corner.

When the Lord first whispered this word “enough” to me, I didn’t fully grasp all the layers of meaning contained therein. Or the importance of those layers and how they play into my faith. Do I go through my day thinking the things of this world are enough to fill me up? Do I know, in the core of my being, that no one else will truly satisfy except Jesus? Do I trust–fully trust–that what my Father gives me is enough? That His Presence and His provision are enough to sustain me, no matter what circumstances come my way?

I’d love to say I wrote this series for you, but I’d be lying. It’s for me. No matter how long I walk with God, I still need to be reminded of the basics. We all do. Repetition is key. Along with the truths about myself, my relationships, and God, I also need to be reminded I have an enemy. And he’s doing everything in his power to oppose me and sabotage the truth that sets me free. So I got to wondering about his methods.

I noticed the tactic he used in his temptation of both Eve and Jesus was the same: he told them what they had wasn’t enough. To Eve he said, “You will not surely die!…[When you eat the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Put another way, “The way you are now, the knowledge you have, it’s not enough. You need more!” And with Jesus, he “took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said….it will all be yours” if only he’d bow down and worship him. He insinuated what his Father had given him wasn’t enough.

Some days I don’t give the devil a thought. Others, I feel like he’s on me like a dog on a bone. Knowing how to respond to Satan’s advances is critical to living a life that’s not constantly burdened by his wily ways. Unlike Eve, Jesus responded with the truth. In the scene where he’s tempted by Satan, to each of his three advances, Jesus responded with scripture. His responses were simple and basic. No fancy moves, wordy prayers, or intimidating metal gadgets.

It’s great to know the fundamentals still work.

In a world where my phone or social media could keep me busy all the time, it’s comforting to think that quiet moments alone with my Bible and listening to the Lord is time well spent and should be a priority. It’s worth it to seek out God’s truth.

“Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth….” What does a belt do? It holds your pants up so your butt’s not naked and exposed, vulnerable to a whipping. We avoid getting caught with our pants down in front of Satan by girding ourselves with truth.

So I shout, “Enough is enough!” Translated: I’m sick of the devil and his sneaky ways. I’m tired of seeing how he’s worked his way into our culture, hypnotizing everyone with his “do more. be more. have more.” Just like I felt with Bane, I’m ready for him to be unmasked.

And “Enough is enough!” Translated: my God is Enough! His ways are perfect. His faithfulness endures forever. His provision for me each day is enough. If only I have eyes to see and ears to hear Him. If only I stand firm, stay the course, and remember the fundamentals. Victory has already been promised. Our job is just to stand firm.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against…the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:10-12

This was the conclusion of a five-part series. If you’d like to catch-up, here are the others:

1. Are You Enough?
2. Are They Enough?
3. Is He Enough?
4. Is God Enough?
5. Enough is Enough!

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