THE DEVIL TAKES NOTES

How our words and actions become invitations to the enemy.

We’ve all done it — vented in frustration, let a careless joke slip, or posted something online we later regretted. Upon reflection, we consider the human audience that heard or saw it. However, let's not forget another agency is always observing our words and actions — the kingdom of Satan.

Satan is not omnipresent. He can’t be in all places at once. He’s not all-knowing, and he certainly can’t read our thoughts.

Satan is not omnipresent. He can’t be in all places at once. He’s not all-knowing, and he certainly can’t read our thoughts; only God can do that (Jeremiah 17:10; 1 Samuel 16:7). But he does have a network of agents who are skilled observers. They’re watching our actions, taking notes on our weaknesses, and filing away every clue we unintentionally offer up.

A leopard stalking its prey doesn’t pounce at random. It quietly encircles the herd, observing which animals limp, which are drifting away from the group, and which seem distracted. Satan's strategy is similar.

The apostle Peter offered this insight: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV).

The enemy doesn’t need to read our minds to know our vulnerabilities. Our words and actions provide all the data necessary to help him construct his assault. When we complain about our employees, express bitterness in our relationships, and discuss unmet desires, we’re essentially broadcasting our vulnerabilities.

Jesus said, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 12:34). That’s both a comfort and a warning. Comfort — because if our hearts are full of faith, our words reflect it. Warning — because if our hearts are full of fear, anger, or lust, that will spew out too.

I am an amateur fisherman; there are no trophy fish hanging in my mancave. However, I know a few experienced fishermen. They have learned the art of choosing what the fish are biting. In the same way, Satan’s agents 'bait' us with temptations that match what we’ve already revealed through our speech and habits. If our online browsing or entertainment choices lean toward the unhealthy, they create algorithms that tempt us, patterns designed to predict and provoke our next click, thought, or compromise.

A few days ago, I was mindlessly scrolling through page after page of antique vehicles — a definite vulnerability in my life. For the next few days, my feeds were filled with links to antique vehicles, and before long, my heart was restless. I began to obsess with purchasing a vehicle that I have nowhere to store, and limited use for. The enemy had taken note: I had opened a door to my soul.

We call it harmless venting, but talking about painful betrayals only reopens the wound and pushes forgiveness further out of reach.

We call it harmless venting, but talking about painful betrayals only reopens the wound and pushes forgiveness further out of reach. One careless click into questionable content quickly triggers more suggestions tailored to our curiosity. In the same way, spiritual forces feed us more of what they see us linger on, deepening the cycle.

Closing the Door

Paul gave a simple but urgent instruction: “Give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). This isn’t just about avoiding blatant sin; it’s about refusing to leave small cracks in the door. Those cracks can be:

• Sarcastic or cutting speech that fosters bitterness.

• Complaints that reinforce discontentment.

• Careless actions that place you near temptation.

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James 3 warns us that the tongue is like a small spark that can set a vast forest on fire. Once spoken, words can’t be pulled back, and they can ignite problems far beyond what we intended.

Three Areas to Guard

1. Speech – Proverbs 18:21 says life and death are in the power of the tongue. Train our words to speak life, hope, and truth.

2. Conduct – Colossians 3:17 urges us to do everything in Jesus’ name. Every action should reflect His character, not feed the enemy’s narrative.

3. Consumption – Philippians 4:8 challenges us to think about what is true, noble, and pure. What we allow into our minds will eventually shape our words and behaviour.

The enemy can’t read our hearts, but he can read our patterns. Let's not give him the blueprint for our downfall. Let our life,  in word, action, and thought, tell a story of trust in God, not a tale of hidden vulnerabilities.