Genesis 38:18 (NKJV)

“Then he said, ‘What pledge shall I give you?’ So she said, ‘Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.’ Then he gave them to her, and went in to her…”

For the sake of some fleeting moments of pleasure, Judah let go of his staff of authority and his signet of identity. He lost both his authority and his identity to partake in a selfish activity of crass pleasure. What loss! What foolishness! She gave him what he wanted, but she took what she wanted. By that exchange, he lost, and she gained.

The vital lessons here are: you will always lose in any exchange you make with Satan. Even if you seem to enjoy for a fleeting moment, you will always end up with a bitter taste in your mouth. Satan is targeting your authority and identity: for this, he will offer you any pleasure of your choice. Be vigilant. Resist not just the devil, resist yourself. Resist your personal desires and aspirations that don’t sync with God. Resist pleasure seeking. Resist fleeting satisfactions that have no authorization from Christ.

All the greatness and progress you have achieved through Christ can be lost in a moment of carelessness. Satan knows you and wants to take what you have. Resist the trade by barter he’s offering because you’ll never get a good deal.

“Father, please protect me from exchanging Your power in me and my identity in You, for something that has no real or eternal value. I don’t want to lose ground and lose out just for some fleeting, temporary pleasure. I ask these, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”