There are many ways to be foolish in life. We can run across a busy road without looking both ways; we can jiggle the lock on the cage of a bear; we can tramps about the nest of snakes; we can fling open our car door without checking for cars driving by.
But there are worse ways to be foolish. We can go to church every time the doors are open, but only hear the word; we can walk in the flesh and expect everything to go alright; we can live flippantly with God; we can walk without caution through life while the raging lion--the devil--seeks to tear you to pieces.
The last is going to be the main focal point of this entry. Though everything said is highly stressed.
We need to stop living as if we don't have an enemy. We need to stop living on cloud nine.
There are various things we can do to prevent attacks from Satan. And there are various things to do when attacked. But until we stop in our tracks, look around, and be vigilant we will constantly be a target for the devil.
If you found yourself in the zoo, hearing the nervous tone of the zoomaster over the intercom system announcing to everyone that the cage to the lion exhibit was broken and the lion had escaped, then you would drop that ice cream cone, forget about seeing the monkeys, and take off your sunglasses to peer around you. You will not be careless, you will not flail your arms in careless frivolousness as you walked to the snack bar.
So why do we do that in our spiritual lives? God has announced to us that there is a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour. We may even have seen him prowling in the distance. But we turn our noses up into the air and go with out routine. How foolish!
We need God's presence, God's direction, God's protection. We need help from the Bible. We need help and wisdom from other Christians. We need our minds saturated with God. What are we reading, watching, listening to, being a part of? Is it God and His Kingdom and His desires? Or is it the devil's kingdom?
Even the purest of TV shows, music, or books can have adverse affects. Not because it is sin, but because it's not God.
A slice of apple pie isn't bad to eat. Having it every day, every meal, is bad. It's not poison, and it has some good elements to it, but it's not what sustains your life. When you eat your veggies and fruits, and when you drink you water and milk you will be far better that if you ate just apple pies.
Same with God. Just because you listen to classical music, watch 1960's TV shows, or read historical books(on man's first flight, for sake of illustration) doesn't mean you are living a right, victorious Christian life. It just means you're not drowning in poison.
But you're not getting the right stuff in your life. You're not saturating yourself with God. When you don't listen to His music, when you don't read about His love--or just Him--or when you don't watch how He is omnipotent, all-caring, or bearing victory...when you neglect God, then you are a sitting duck for Satan. You can't possibly expect to live a righteous, victorious life. You can't possibly expect to walk in the Spirit if you are walking in the flesh. You can expect to be pure if you are soaking up God's purity.
So pray. Read God's word. Learn His principles. Follow His word. Listen to His music. Know more about Him. Live as if you were in God's physical presence. Constantly push yourself to swim further in the ocean of God's love. It's one ocean you won't regret drowning in.
So, be sober. Be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour.
Don't be foolish, but be wise. Walk circumspectly, with your head and eyes ever observant. Be a sponge and soak up God's love.
But there are worse ways to be foolish. We can go to church every time the doors are open, but only hear the word; we can walk in the flesh and expect everything to go alright; we can live flippantly with God; we can walk without caution through life while the raging lion--the devil--seeks to tear you to pieces.
The last is going to be the main focal point of this entry. Though everything said is highly stressed.
We need to stop living as if we don't have an enemy. We need to stop living on cloud nine.
There are various things we can do to prevent attacks from Satan. And there are various things to do when attacked. But until we stop in our tracks, look around, and be vigilant we will constantly be a target for the devil.
If you found yourself in the zoo, hearing the nervous tone of the zoomaster over the intercom system announcing to everyone that the cage to the lion exhibit was broken and the lion had escaped, then you would drop that ice cream cone, forget about seeing the monkeys, and take off your sunglasses to peer around you. You will not be careless, you will not flail your arms in careless frivolousness as you walked to the snack bar.
So why do we do that in our spiritual lives? God has announced to us that there is a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour. We may even have seen him prowling in the distance. But we turn our noses up into the air and go with out routine. How foolish!
We need God's presence, God's direction, God's protection. We need help from the Bible. We need help and wisdom from other Christians. We need our minds saturated with God. What are we reading, watching, listening to, being a part of? Is it God and His Kingdom and His desires? Or is it the devil's kingdom?
Even the purest of TV shows, music, or books can have adverse affects. Not because it is sin, but because it's not God.
A slice of apple pie isn't bad to eat. Having it every day, every meal, is bad. It's not poison, and it has some good elements to it, but it's not what sustains your life. When you eat your veggies and fruits, and when you drink you water and milk you will be far better that if you ate just apple pies.
Same with God. Just because you listen to classical music, watch 1960's TV shows, or read historical books(on man's first flight, for sake of illustration) doesn't mean you are living a right, victorious Christian life. It just means you're not drowning in poison.
But you're not getting the right stuff in your life. You're not saturating yourself with God. When you don't listen to His music, when you don't read about His love--or just Him--or when you don't watch how He is omnipotent, all-caring, or bearing victory...when you neglect God, then you are a sitting duck for Satan. You can't possibly expect to live a righteous, victorious life. You can't possibly expect to walk in the Spirit if you are walking in the flesh. You can expect to be pure if you are soaking up God's purity.
So pray. Read God's word. Learn His principles. Follow His word. Listen to His music. Know more about Him. Live as if you were in God's physical presence. Constantly push yourself to swim further in the ocean of God's love. It's one ocean you won't regret drowning in.
So, be sober. Be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour.
Don't be foolish, but be wise. Walk circumspectly, with your head and eyes ever observant. Be a sponge and soak up God's love.
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