Active Engagement

One of the reasons we’re unsuccessful against temptation and sin is we don’t take an active stance against it.

1 Peter 5:8-10 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

If you’ve ever watched a nature show with lions, you would witness how they select their prey. The female lions wait in a distance to select the weakest, youngest, animal that has strayed from the pack. They do not select the strongest, fastest, or one among the group. They choose the one they would have the most success in overtaking. Our adversary is the same.

He will wait for moments of weakness in our heart, mind, or lives to attack us and tempt us into sin. Honestly, you may notice that he uses the same tactics/things to get you over and over…and over again. Therefore, it is important that we understand what we must do to combat the attacks of the enemy.

Through the grace of God we always are given the strength to overcome, but in the times of our weakness, sadness, depression, OR EVEN IDLE TIME, do we seek to fill our lives with godliness?! Most of the time, we accept the fiery darts into our lives, and they begin to burn and spread throughout our lives, but we have to take an active stance against the devil and spiritual wickedness:

Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

Our lives are too important to allow any situation to steer our focus from the things of God. We cannot afford to wait for the fight to come to us before we’re willing to do something about it. We have to prepare ourselves with the armor of God and stand! This would include keeping ourselves from being stained with the world:

2 Timothy 2:4 – No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

What are the affairs of life?

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Many times, it is these very things in the world that cause our minds to wander from pleasing the One that chose us.

Since the beginning of the earth, Satan’s tactics have not changed (compare Genesis 3:1-24 and Matthew 4:1-11). Equip yourself and take your stand. Do not give a place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Renew your mind (Romans 12:1-2).

2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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