Acknowledging The Battle and Keeping Watch
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in
the faith… (1 Peter 5:8-9a, NIV).
Friend to Friend
We
need to be fully engaged and alert because our enemy is fierce. You
don’t have to wear camo but as a follower of Christ you do need a battle
plan. It begins with acknowledging that there is, in fact, a spiritual
battle raging all around you, and it requires you to keep watch.
I
was excited one evening because I actually had a fun dinner plan, which
isn’t always the case. Some grilled chicken was left over from the
night before, so I decided to bust out my griddle and whip up some yummy
grilled-chicken quesadillas. I know: it’s a crazy-easy make, but for
some reason, my kids think I’m a genius when quesadillas are on the
menu. Go figure.
I grabbed a knife, a chopping board, and the
leftover chicken from the fridge. Minutes later, the chicken was ready
for its cheese and tortilla companions. While the griddle was heating
up, I turned my attention to a few other family matters. I don’t even
remember what those matters were—just normal, ordinary stuff.
When
I turned back to the business of quesadilla making, an empty cutting
board glared at me. I raised an eyebrow and asked my husband if he had
moved my chicken.
“No, honey. I haven’t touched your chicken,” he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
Hmm. A chicken mystery. How odd.
I began to interview each of my children, “Did you take the chicken off the cutting board?”
“No, Mom. I didn’t touch the chicken,” they said one after another.
I
wondered, If I didn’t move the chicken and my family didn’t move the
chicken, then where is my chicken? I looked around the room once more
just to be sure that I hadn’t simply placed the chicken somewhere else.
Then I saw it … a look of guilt.
A
look that screamed and pleaded, Yes! I took your chicken, but please
don’t be angry with me. It smelled so good, and … and … I’m a big dog. I
need my nourishment. Was it wrong? Okay. I know it was wrong. Please
forgive me. I did it. I ate your chicken. I’m sorry. I’d like to go to
my crate now …
His hairy ears lowered as my eyes met his. My
brows furrowed. “Rocky! You ate my chicken! Bad dog!” I lamented in
frustration as I began to make a new chickenless dinner plan.
Rocky’s
just a dog. He’s not out to get me, and he didn’t mean to mess up our
dinner plans, but he did prey on our family meal that night. He came and
took what wasn’t his because I had let down my guard. I wasn’t watching
over my chicken.
As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I must
guard our hearts and watch over our homes. The Bible warns Christians to
keep watch. Beyond things seen, there are spiritual battles taking
place around us continually. Allow me to state this again: If you are a
believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then you have an enemy, and his
name is Satan. If you live to listen to the voice of Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, then strap on your battle gear, girlfriend, because your enemy
has a mission to destroy you.
Beware!
The Bible tells us
time and again to be alert to the schemes of Satan. To keep watch. “Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in
the faith” (1 Pet. 5:8–9).
Though we have an enemy who wants to
mess with our emotions, our health, our marriages, our children, our
relationships, our jobs, and our thoughts, we aren’t without help or
hope. We have both. Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to God’s
power and protection: “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you
and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).
I was caught
off guard the night our dog Rocky took the chicken off the counter, and
there have been times I’ve been caught off guard in the midst of
spiritual battles as well. As Christian women, let’s remember to call on
the Spirit of God to empower us to keep watch over our hearts, our
minds, and our homes.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You are
all-powerful and mighty to save. I praise you and delight in your plan
for me to have abundant life through Jesus. Please cover me in Your
Spirit today and equip me to fend off attacks from the enemy in your
power and help.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.