Easy Target

Today's blog post is contributed by David Trotta:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

Lions will always look for a weak member of the pride to attack. They will look for prey that is slow, weak, away from the pack and alone.

Our spiritual enemy – Satan – operates in the same way.  He waits for times when we are discouraged and tired.  He waits for pressures of life to wear us down and leave us unprotected and vulnerable to attack.

It may be a period in our lives where we feel distant from God and the pleasures of this world are filling more and more of our time, energy and thoughts.  Maybe our prayer life has dwindled to an occasional, forced prayer in the morning.  It may be a time when desire to study God’s word becomes something “I’ll do tomorrow,” but tomorrow never comes.

During those times we can be most vulnerable to our enemy.  We can all go through periods like that in our walk with the Lord, but it is during those times that we need to be extra sober and alert.

When we hear the word sober, we often think of staying away from alcohol or drugs, but many things can be intoxicating.  We can be intoxicated by money, power, influence, lust.  All those things can dull our spiritual senses and keep us from clearly seeing traps set by the enemy.

So, how do we keep from being a prime target for the enemy?  First, make the renewing of your mind a priority.  If you are going to become intoxicated by anything, become intoxicated by the word of God.  Drink heavily from scripture.  The truths of God’s word will keep you alert and able to easily spot the snares of the enemy.

Secondly, develop transparent and lasting relationships with other Christ followers who will encourage you and cheer you on in your walk with the Lord.  Don’t stray away from the pack.  Have the back of other Christians and let them have your back.

Don’t be an easy target for the enemy.