Be Vigilant
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9
My husband and I enjoy watching a show called The Musketeers. The show takes place in Paris during the reign of King Louis the XIII. It's entertaining to watch the musketeers fight a battle. They always have their heads on a swivel anticipating their adversary's next move. Their courage to face each obstacle is astounding.
As Christians, we are to act the same way. Whether we like it or not, we fight a battle every day in the Lord's army. Part of our job as warriors is to be sober and vigilant of our enemy, the devil. We need to recognize his moves and anticipate where he might strike. It's really not too hard to figure out since he's been using the same tactics from day one in the garden. We need not get too complacent in our lives so we aren't aware of the enemy creeping in slowly.
There is a song by Casting Crowns called Slow Fade. It describes what happens when we are not vigilant. We slowly get lulled into thinking things are okay. When you compare TV programming from the 50s to today, it is undeniable there has been a slow fade of what is considered "TV appropriate."
That's why we can't use society as our guide to what is right or wrong – it will continually change for the worse since the devil still rules the earth. Therefore, we must use the Word of God as our compass. His Word never changes and will always point us in the right direction.
Be vigilant over your life. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas you have let slip or where you need to be more watchful. Our enemy is roaming about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Don't let him find you as easy prey.
Dear Lord, show me areas that I have let slip in my life. Help me to stay vigilant in my life. Amen.