American Badger

The badger is one of North America’s lesser-seen animals. It usually spends daylight hours in its deep underground burrow, then hunts at night.

Built low and wide, this animal has small, rounded ears, a strip of white fur running along its back to its nose, and white stripes on its cheeks. It also has strong legs and sharp claws that allow it to burrow faster than a human can dig with a shovel.

Badgers are loners except during mating and cub-rearing season. Each animal stakes out its own territory and leaves a scent to warn other badgers away. If another animal approaches, the badger growls and snarls and fights it off.

Crafty hunters, badgers chase and catch small mammals, dig them out of their burrows, and sometimes hide in an animal’s burrow until it returns. They even eat snakes, because the venom is harmless to a badger unless it’s bitten on the nose.

Have you heard the expression “He badgered me”? Badgering means pestering people until you finally wear them down. That’s what Satan does. He repeatedly tempts you in the areas of your weaknesses, hoping that you’ll give in and do wrong.

But you have a promise: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” With God’s help you don’t have to give in!

TALK BACK: What things can you do to make sure Satan doesn’t badger you into sinning?