Daily God Walk for Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. – 1 Peter 5:8-9
I have had many friends over the years who have been set free from drug addiction, but unfortunately, some of them have fallen back into the same behaviors which led them into that bondage. They were free, but they did not remain vigilant and alert to the enemy of their soul.
Jesus warned his followers to be alert to a number of potential dangers. He warned them to beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15); beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1); be alert to greed (Luke 12:15). He also spoke of the enemy coming in the night and sowing weeds among the wheat. All of this adds up to warning people not to succumb to a lackadaisical attitude.
The Apostle Paul warned us to be careful lest we be taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophies which project the traditions and principles of this world rather than the teachings of Christ (Colossians 2:8).
Not long ago I led a man in the sinners prayer and he was really touched by the Spirit of God. He was immediately changed, you could see it in his face. For about three weeks he was at every meeting and was very happy. Then he began to give more attention to the world around him than to his need to continue in his new-found relationship with Christ. Now he is not interested in going to meetings or being exposed to the Scripture.
This man was lulled into thinking that just because he had started his journey of faith that he didn’t need to go any further. I have known many people who have done the same thing. They start well, but they slowly drift back into the life they were earlier trying to escape.
Jesus and the other writers of the New Testament warn us again and again to be alert to the deceptive philosophies of the world and of the deception of our own heart. We must be vigilant and alert to the attempts of the enemy to destroy us.
Prayer: Lord, Help me to be alert to the deception of my enemy.
We would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org
Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html
Recent Comments