Read: John 8:42-59. 'Who do you think you are?' (v.53) sums up the consternation Jesus' antagonists felt about him. 'Before Abraham was born, I am!' (v.58). 'But you belong to your father, the devil', Jesus told his accusers. Each of us is a battle-ground where God and Satan vie for supremacy - God for our good, Satan for our harm. It's sometimes not sophisticated to acknowledge the existence of Satan: the two errors are denying his reality and subtle power, or giving him too prominent a place (finding demons nowhere, or everywhere!). Meditate:

# Imagine you are there, in the temple precincts, listening to the accusations against Jesus. A bystander asks you: 'What do you think?' (And remember there are loose stones around, which some are beginning to gather to throw at Jesus!).

# Think about the characteristics of someone 'from God' in this passage (loving Jesus, hearing his word, following the truth etc.) or 'from the devil' (wanting to rid our lives of Jesus, hating the truth etc.). Ask of each: Is it I, Lord...? Infantry soldiers are taught to anticipate what their enemy might do to destroy them. Satan has a particular plan to destroy your life, and a particular strategy for your family, church, nation as well. What are they? Talk to the Lord about your response.

James 4:7 is a text which has helped many in this cosmic battle: 'Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.'

Lord, may I never forget to do that - constantly, and occasionally when I feel attacked by the evil one. Amen.