The Devil on My Shoulder

For the past few weeks I have been reading a novel regarded as an American classic by an author whose writing skill is unquestionable.  It is on everyone's "should read" list so I decided it was time.  Three hundred pages into the six hundred page journey, I laid it down, closed it, and decided I could read no more.  It was a strange decision since it was a real page burner.  I could not lay it down, but then I came to a place where I had to put it aside.   

The reason may seem strange to some.  One of the primary characters, was in the book described as a monster, and the evil unleashed by this character finally became too much.  I came to a place where I felt like the devil was sitting on my shoulder.  I was so caught up in the unfolding tale that I was carrying the book with me.  I was picking it up in the morning before the Scripture.  I felt the evil depicted by this evil character was becoming a part of me.  My spiritual life was drying up and the inspiration for writing my blog was slipping away.  I realized last night at three o'clock when I woke up and grabbed the book that it had too much of a hold on me and maybe the same could be said of Satan.  So, the book is closed for the last time.  

I do not name it lest I encourage someone with curiosity to check it out.  Maybe it would not effect anyone like it has me, but I know the subtle power of Satan is using it to get a hold of a heart that I want to be controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit.  I want to do my part to make the heart He seeks to use for the good of Christ completely available to Him.  "Discipline yourself, keep alert.  Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.  Resist him."