In a painting called “The Lost Game” a boy is pictured playing a game of chess with the devil.
As is often the case when playing with the devil, the boy appears to be losing. That beaten look is portrayed in his face. One day a famous chess player looked at the picture. After carefully studying it, he exclaimed, “The boy isn’t beaten! In two moves I could win that game of chess with the devil”. He then explained how it could be done.
The central thought of the gospel story is that we can win the game of life from the devil. There is no question about his power to deceive and influence us. He walks about “seeking whom he may devour”. (I Peter 5:8) Many have become victims of his evil devices and snares. However, victory comes to those who obey the gospel and live by its precepts. But to win with the devil there are some things Christians must do.
(1) Realize – We must realize the importance of winning, and that we can win over the devil. Jesus showed us how in his own battle with him. (Matt. 4:1-10)
(2) Recognize – We must recognize him and those he uses to ensnare us. “…For Satan him-self transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works”. (II Cor. 11:14,15) Some simply do not recognize the work of the devil.
(3) Ready – We must be ready and willing to “put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. (Eph. 6:11ff) Some are just not ready.
(4) Resist – We must resist the devil, which will result in his fleeing from us. (James 4:7) Some are not willing to put up a strong resistance.
(5) Remember – We must remember that “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil”. (I John 3:8) Some forget the power of Christ in helping us resist Satan.
(6) Rejoice – We must rejoice that “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”. (Heb. 2:14,15) Some fail to rejoice in the victory they can have over Satan.
(7) Resolve – We must resolve never to “give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27) Some are willing to give the devil all the room he wants in their lives.
(8) Respect – We must respect God’s ultimate judgment, condemnation and eternal punish-ment of the devil and those who serve him. (Rev. 20:10-15) Losing with the devil is a serious matter, yet some fail to respect that fact.
There are reasons why people lose in playing with the devil. Some lose because they do not want to win. They are willing to play his game and enjoy the pleasures that come from it. Oth-ers lose because they do not believe they can win. The boy in the picture could win; he just needed to find the way. We also can win, but we must realize that the only way is complete surrender to Christ.
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