Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner and the Devil

Written by Johnathan Armstrong

The Road Runner versus Wile E. Coyote is a cartoon theme that many have enjoyed. We are like the Road Runner because we are constantly being pursued by an enemy.

Many of us grew up watching Looney Tunes and enjoyed watching the cartoons that pitted the Road Runner against Wile E. Coyote. You may recall that the coyote is constantly chasing the Road Runner. The coyote is hungry and driven to eat the Road Runner! The coyote devises very intricate plans, occasionally with complex machines, to catch the pesky Road Runner—but always fails in the end!

Like the coyote chasing the Road Runner, we have an enemy who is chasing us. But he is not a cartoon or a fictional character, he is the real-life Satan the devil.

We are told: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Christians are warned to recognize the danger of this enemy whose sole purpose is to thwart our opportunity to be a part of God’s family (Hebrews 2:10).

Wiles of the devil

Like the coyote, the devil has many wiles—or tricks—to capture us (Ephesians 6:11).

Satan is a tempter. Satan is constantly looking for ways to attack us through temptation. Satan is aware of our weaknesses. He is constantly on the lookout for ways to attack and tempt us to sin (Mark 1:13). The Bible explains how temptation leads to sin: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15).
Satan is a liar. One of his biggest tools to draw people away is deception. He makes good look evil and evil look good. He is the master of the lie. “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). We should always seek after God’s truth.
Satan uses emotions. One of the biggest pulls Satan has on people is through their emotions. Logically, we may know the difference between right and wrong. But our emotions can often cause us to ignore logic. Satan can use emotions, such as pride, desire, lust, anger, doubt, fear, bitterness, envy, despair and depression. Satan will often attack us where we are emotionally weak.

We must do our part

We are like the Road Runner—constantly being pursued by the enemy. We must be both unlike and like the Road Runner.

Don’t run! Instead of constantly running from Satan and his wiles—we are told to “stand” (Ephesians 6:14). That means we are to spiritually strengthen ourselves to withstand him through putting on “the whole armor of God” (verse 13). We need to be aware of Satan’s tactics and where our weaknesses are. From there we stand against Satan. We hold him off and do not allow him or his tactics to influence us.

Run! There is a way we are to run from our adversary. We are told to flee from sin and pursue righteousness (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). We must overcome our sins and build a life of righteousness. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, emphasis added).

Look to God for help

Unlike the cartoon, a coyote would actually have no problem chasing down and catching a Road Runner. And we, by ourselves, are easy prey if we don’t have God and His help. It is necessary for our survival that we maintain a close, personal relationship with God. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7).

Ultimately, Jesus Christ will bind Satan and stop his evil influence over human beings. Until that happens, we have to rely on God’s help now: “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).