April 13, 2013

  • ON GUARD

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6: 10-11

    When spring arrives, my husband and I love to walk on the nature trail at the park. We meet there each day to shed off a layer of our winter coats until a fit look for summer is accomplished. One day, we were on our last lap when, suddenly, I noticed a long, black, snake poised on my side of the trail as if he were simply a stick. I stopped dead in my tracks and let out a piercing scream. The snake kept his position, while my husband turned and ran the other way. I knew then it was everybody for themselves!

    Of course, my husband remembers the event quite differently in his mind. He recalls protecting me from the snake by fearlessly attacking it with his bare hands. Next, he remembers how he whirled the snake around and slung it back into the woods. Then, he reminded me how I rushed him with rewards of hugs and kisses while exclaiming, "Oh, my beloved hero, you saved me from that evil snake!" I recalled that it always puzzles me how two people at the same event can walk away with two different stories!

    After I returned home from our walk, I wondered how many times we had passed that snake while being unaware of his presence. Now when we walk, I'm on guard looking for the snake behind every bush, every pile of leaves and every tree. While it's good to be on guard for snakes while walking through the woods, there's another snake we should be aware of as we walk through the Christian life. He is described as the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (Rev.12: 9b).

    As you and I serve the kingdom of God, the enemy is going to be found in our path from time to time. He knows that we are a threat to his kingdom and he intends to try stopping us just as he tried to stop Christ. During our Christian journey, he may show up in all kinds of forms such as trials, broken relationships, and temptations. Yet, our Lord has provided a way for us to stand guard against the devil's tactics.

    First, we can guard ourselves against the devil by remembering that Christ conquered him on the cross. He no longer holds us in bondage to sin nor can he hold death over our heads.

    Secondly, we can guard against the enemy by resisting him. While he still has the power to tempt us, we can experience victory as we submit to God and resist the devil; [then] he will flee from you (James 4: 7).

    Finally, be on guard by dressing daily in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). When we dress ourselves each day in the armor of God, it acts as a hedge of protection that keeps the enemy from showing up on our path and bestowing hardships on us.

    During my walk with Christ, the "snake" has crossed my path many times with trials and temptations, as I'm sure he has in yours. However, if we are wise, during those times we will cling to our Protector and allow Him to guard us from the enemy's schemes. As we stand firm in the Lord, we will find that our God is able to defeat the serpent of old. Then, with praise due Him, we will proclaim the victory of our Defender!  Micca Campbell