“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Have you ever watched a lion hunt? He silently stalks, keeping his eyes on his prey, pacing and waiting until the perfect moment to POUNCE! His prey are typically unsuspecting, distracted and unaware that they are about to be killed. And this is the exact picture the Bible paints of the devil.
We’re in the middle of a battle, facing three distinct enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world is our enemy because it constantly communicates that personal glory and fulfillment can be attained apart from the eternal Christ, in temporal things such as fame, sexual immorality, money, and power.
The flesh is our enemy because it naturally gravitates toward these very same things, trying to fulfill its sinful desires. In other words, the world offers, and the flesh wants, tempting us to please ourselves instead of Christ.
The devil is our enemy because he has been given power in the world. He heightens the preoccupation of self in order to distract, distort, and oppose the message of Christ. This life is not a game or a joke. It’s a battle against the devil and his agents who wish to destroy us.
In the midst of this battle, the enemy knows he can’t touch God and is powerless against Him. But I think one of the worst things the enemy tries to do in an attempt to hurt God is to attack His kids. I know that in my own life I can handle just about anything said or done against me, but nobody better touch my kids! Likewise, the enemy does all he can to distract and deceive all God’s children.
And where is the safest place in the world for a kid? Right next to his dad! And it’s the very same for all Christians. The safest place in the middle of the battle field is as close as we can possibly get to God! He’s our defender, protector, and strong tower.
Are you hearing me? Are you prepared? Are you close to the Lord, regularly communicating with Him, armed with the power that comes only from Him?
When you’re tempted, distracted, complacent, or tired, your refuge and strength is the living God. RUN to Him! He’s a good Father, with unbeatable, unbreakable, unstoppable power!
Steele
Posted in A Word from the Pastor