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    by Susan McGrath

Newton & Satan
Date Posted: March 11, 2006

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

This can be observed in the playroom at my house when one of my sons hits or pushes the other, he gets hit or pushed back. Then Mom's Law kicks in and there is more powerful action.

Remember the Newton's cradle? That metal frame with the balls suspended from nylon string. You pull out a ball at one end, let it swing into the others, and a ball on the opposite end is bumped out into the air. Then the process reverses itself over and over until all the energy has been spent and the balls stop.

That's the Third Law of Motion in action.

Could this translate to our spiritual lives? Perhaps.

When we work hard for the Lord, Satan has to work hard too. Every time we pray and ask God to give us the strength to avoid temptation, Satan has to find a sneakier tactic to try to trap us.

Because according to Romans 16:20, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet."

Each time we take a break from reading God's word, Satan gets a break from trying to wear us down. He doesn't have to try to discourage us if we don't seek the encouragement in the first place.

Mark 4:15 says, "Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." We need to not be like these people.

It may not fall under a scientific law, but I think it meets common sense criteria. Satan wants to undo what we do for the Lord. When we build each other up, Satan wants to tear us down. When we seek God's face through prayer and study, Satan wants to turn us the other way.

We can use this "law" in the other direction as well. When we see Satan working to undermine programs or relationships, we can redouble our efforts to bring them before the Lord and give a plea for protection and growth.

The formula is surprisingly simple. If we aren't acting for the Lord, Satan won't react to us. Let's stir him up and keep him busy!

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." - 1 Peter 5:8-9.

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Biography Information:
Susan McGrath is:

a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;

living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;

completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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