Caution, Beware!

I often ride my bike through our community looking for a secluded spot on a lake to study, pray and write my devotion. As I sat here today enjoying God’s creation, I’m reminded that danger can lurk in even the most peaceful settings. Oh, I’m in no way fearful, but for the sake of this devotion let’s explore this a bit. Here in Florida, peaceful ponds can be home to poisonous snakes and alligators. As I sat here, I watched as a hawk swooped down and grabbed a hold of a fish and flew away with it hanging in its claws. Within moments a crane dove into the water and came up with a fish in its beak. It’s nature and all a part of God’s incredible plan, but there’s another predator that we need to be aware of that nips at our heals and plots our destruction...

The enemy's number one desire is to take your attention away from Jesus, stifle your growth and detour you onto a path that leads further and further from your source of peace, joy, growth, fulfillment and spiritual accomplishments. The last thing I want to do today is make you focus on the work of the devil in your life, but you must not be ignorant of his tactics.

He’ll use your insecurities, mistakes, sin, addictions, rejection, fear, sickness, guilt, and pain to cause spiritual paralysis, then hit you with a blow of anger, depression, anxiety, and despair. He knows what buttons to push and he’ll use anything and anyone to inflict the most negative and painful results. As you begin to take your focus off of Jesus and look to the source of the attacks, the ramifications will be magnified and your destruction inevitable.

There’s hope! Keep your eyes wide open! Beware and be cautious! As the attacks come... RUN TO JESUS! We must live in a place of walking very near to Him at ALL times, but the greatest blow to the enemy's plans is to resist the temptation to entertain the thoughts and desires he’s dangling before us and allow the pressure to push us deeper into the arms of our Savior! Sometimes desperation is exactly what we need to move deep into the Secret Place and immerse ourselves in His love. You have authority over every power of the enemy! It was given to you as you repented and surrendered your life to the Lord! We cannot live the victorious, Holy Ghost empowered life He’s called us to if we are living under constant manipulation of the enemy! Rebuke and resist him in Jesus name! Then take your thoughts into captivity! As your mind is drawn in a direction it should not go in, pull out your Bible and build your faith as you bathe it in God’s Word! Peace and victory are yours but be prepared to fight for it! Know the Word and who you are in Christ Jesus! Then take back what the enemy has stolen as you commit more of your life to the one who gave it to you!

1 Peter 5:8-10 (TPT) Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, He will set you firmly in place and build you up.

Luke 10:19 (TPT) Now you understand that I have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority.

James 4:7-8 (TPT) So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.