Just One More: How Satan Twists Good into Evil

One of Satan’s oldest tricks is not to tempt us with something that looks completely evil, but to twist something good into excess. God made food, love, rest, wealth, and accomplishment - all as good gifts. But the devil whispers, “Just one more.” One more bite, one more glance, one more hour wasted, one more dollar hoarded, one more moment of pride. And before we realize it, what began as a blessing has turned into bondage.

How Satan Uses the Deadly Sins

Pride: God gave you talents and achievements. Satan whispers, “One more compliment, one more win, one more reason you don’t need God.” Pride makes us forget that every gift is from above. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6).
Greed: Earning a living is good, but Satan plants the lie that you’ll never have enough. He convinces you that security comes from hoarding instead of trusting God. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Lust: God created intimacy as a beautiful bond in marriage. Satan whispers, “Just one more look, just one more secret indulgence.” Soon desire turns to slavery. Jesus warned, “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Envy: Admiring someone’s gifts can inspire us. Satan twists it: “You deserve that instead. One more comparison, one more reason to resent.” Scripture says, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).
Sloth (Laziness): Rest is holy, but Satan urges, “One more hour, one more excuse to avoid prayer or service.” Proverbs warns, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a thief” (Proverbs 6:10-11).
Gluttony: Food is a gift, but Satan says, “One more plate, one more drink.” Instead of gratitude, we become enslaved. Paul reminds us, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Wrath: Righteous anger against sin is good, but Satan whispers, “Hold on to it. One more grudge, one more outburst.” Yet Scripture says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

What to Do to Stop Him

Be Alert. Scripture says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Recognize when “just one more” begins to creep in.
Practice Gratitude. When you thank God for what you already have, you stop Satan’s lie that it’s not enough. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Set Boundaries. Avoid what feeds temptation. Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29). He’s not calling for harm, but for seriousness in cutting off occasions of sin.
Pray for Strength. Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). Pray daily for protection against Satan’s subtle twists.
Rely on the Holy Spirit. We cannot resist by willpower alone. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Final Thought

Satan rarely attacks with open evil. Instead, he tempts us with “just one more” until good becomes corrupted. But through vigilance, gratitude, prayer, and reliance on God, we can resist his schemes. As James reminds us: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).