It is fall here in northeast Tennessee and it is beautiful! About half of the gold, orange, and crimson leaves are down, pumpkins are on our porches and in our ovens, and we have entered into the rut. I am not referring to the cycle of life where we feel that all is mundane and routine, but the time of year when deer are mating and hunting season is in full swing. Yes, this is hunting country. That all elusive buck is distracted by the drive to reproduce. He is compelled by his pursuit which often leads him right into the crosshairs of a motionless hunter. You might say, it is his pursuit of the flesh, if you will.
Aren't we all often distracted by the pursuits of our own flesh right into the crosshairs of the one who is seemingly sitting motionless just waiting for the perfect opportunity to destroy us? My friend, Satan may be silent, and he may be perfectly camouflaged, but he is by no means motionless. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8. Most of us have heard this verse before but what does it really mean? The word sober here comes from the Greek word nephalios meaning circumspect or to be careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences. Vigilant here comes from the Greek word gregoreuo meaning, to keep awake or to keep watch. So this verse is telling us to consider all circumstances and possible consequences while being awake and keeping watch.
We spend so much time distracted by the minutiae of this life. We are unaware of the spiritual warfare that is going on around us. You may be thinking, "Jill, that spirit stuff was in the old testament." This is not Ouija boards and séances I am talking about. These are real powers and principalities that are in our midst. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.
Our "adversary the devil" is actively pursuing us with the ferocity of a lion! We cannot take that lightly. When we, like that buck, are going through our days compelled by what satisfies our desires, or fills our mind with thoughts that amuse or entertain, and are not actively pursuing our Savior in everything we do, we are walking right into the crosshairs of Satan himself. Satan is the master manipulator. We may arrogantly think that we recognize him in all of his beguiling and seductive ways but he has been at his craft for centuries and it is only Christ who is capable of defeating him. The only position that is secure, is our position in Christ. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
The only sanctuary we have is drawing closer to Christ; living in His very presence and occupy every thought and action on Him for His glory. That does not mean to spend every productive moment sitting in our prayer closet with no distractions. That does mean praying through every productive moment God has called us to so our focus is sharp and we see our attacker as he lies in wait for us.
We spend so much time distracted by the minutiae of this life. We are unaware of the spiritual warfare that is going on around us. You may be thinking, "Jill, that spirit stuff was in the old testament." This is not Ouija boards and séances I am talking about. These are real powers and principalities that are in our midst. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.
Our "adversary the devil" is actively pursuing us with the ferocity of a lion! We cannot take that lightly. When we, like that buck, are going through our days compelled by what satisfies our desires, or fills our mind with thoughts that amuse or entertain, and are not actively pursuing our Savior in everything we do, we are walking right into the crosshairs of Satan himself. Satan is the master manipulator. We may arrogantly think that we recognize him in all of his beguiling and seductive ways but he has been at his craft for centuries and it is only Christ who is capable of defeating him. The only position that is secure, is our position in Christ. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
The only sanctuary we have is drawing closer to Christ; living in His very presence and occupy every thought and action on Him for His glory. That does not mean to spend every productive moment sitting in our prayer closet with no distractions. That does mean praying through every productive moment God has called us to so our focus is sharp and we see our attacker as he lies in wait for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment