The Best Advice

• “Follow your heart.”
• “Everything happens for a reason.”
• “Be yourself.”
• “Never give up.”
• “Dream big.”

You would think the best advice I’ve received would be one of those. But the best advice I’ve received was actually a threat.

It’s not very cutesy but it is very mindful, very wise, and very divine.

The best advice I’ve received so far in life is a phrase that annoyed me to my core growing up. Nothing else would make me roll my eyes harder than hearing my mother tell me, “Don’t let the devil fool you.” Like girl what??? I mean EVERY time I was on the cusp of not doing the right thing my mother would blurt out, “Don’t let the devil fool you.”

I believe this was one of her favorite things to say to me, especially during the times when I was on the verge of catching an attitude after she asked me to do something. And as you could imagine, hearing those words would infuriate me even more. But in my adulthood I’ve grown to appreciate that phrase and sometimes even catch myself saying it, and lowkey probably some day will annoy my children with that phrase too. But back then I didn’t think much of this phrase, in fact I thought it was such a silly and provoking thing to say. Now that my frontal lobe has fully developed, I realize just how profound this phrase truly is.

There are two ways this advice can be interpreted:

1. A threat
2. A threat

(Yes, I said it twice.)

Growing up I saw it as a threat. A threat, with consequences of having my phone taken away or having to endure what seemed like a never-ending talk from my mommy about my actions. Today, I still see it as a threat. But wait, let me explain.

The phrase, “Don’t let the devil fool you” on the surface seemed like just a witty and snarky statement. The older I become the more I realize how weighted this statement truly is. It’s a warning against buying into the enemy’s plans and purpose. In fact, in some ways I think this phrase is divine protection. It’s a reminder to guard our hearts and mind against the wiles of the enemy and vain imaginations. It’s protecting us from those consequences that would happen if we were to be fooled. So…

When the devil tells you, you aren’t loved – Don’t let the devil fool you

“…I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

 When the devil tells you, you are all alone in this world – Don’t let the devil fool you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

When the devil tells you that something is impossible – Don’t let the devil fool you

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

When the devil tells us things won’t work out – Don’t let the devil fool you

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

When the devil tells you, you can’t make it – Don’t let the devil fool you

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

When the devil tells you, you have no future – Don’t let the devil fool you

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

When the devil tells you, you can’t have peace – Don’t let the devil fool you

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Whether it’s a threat or in our case divine protection the best advice out there is to not be fooled by the enemy. Our minds are battlegrounds. When negative thoughts try to creep in, we have to remember not to be fooled but rather replace those thoughts with the Truth.