Monday, February 10, 2014

Fighting the Enemy (Psalm 57:4)



Today's scripture: Psalm 57:4

I have been very blessed in so many ways. One way is that I've never really had any enemies. Oh, certainly, I have had people around me who haven't liked me much, but—at least to my knowledge—no one has ever come after me with sharp-sword tongues or teeth of spears and arrows.

However, there is one enemy who would love nothing more than to steal my joy and shake my faith. The "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2) is intent on keeping God's children from fulfilling their God-given purpose. He knows he's lost the war with us, but he still wants to win as many battles as possible. He often works through the enticements of this world to take our focus off of God.

He's the "father of lies" (John 8:44), and we must "be alert" because he's wandering about like a "roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). One of the biggest lies he's telling now is that lust is good. So many people who follow Christ don't see anything wrong with pre-marital (or even extra-marital) sex. And when the enemy undermines God's commandments in one area, it makes it somehow easier for us to ignore God's other commandments.

We may not be surrounded by human enemies, but we are definitely surrounded by supernatural ones. We need to be God-focused. We need to know His word and surround ourselves with godly people. We need to seek God's will and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). We need to dwell on those good and right things (Philippians 4:8).

Only then can we combat the lies of the enemy.

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