Be Alert!

As Christians we are in a constant wrestling match. But our opponent is in the spiritual realm. His mandate is to "kill, steal and destroy" (John 10:10).

Scripture tells us to "be alert", "resist the enemy" (1Peter 5:8,9) be on your guard and "stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). So when problems strike ... know immediately who your opponent is ... know immediately he has schemes and plans in place that will at best steal from you and at worst destroy you and your effectiveness.

Any pervasive, downward spiral needs to be called what it is. Be alert to the red flags. Our human nature wants to defend and justify ourselves. God knows we are a selfish people. That is why He calls us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and to do good to those who spitefully use us (Luke 6:27). (The trademark of love, remember?) Only the "God strength" in our lives, His strength invited in at our point of weakness and frustration, can remedy this battle.

"Be alert and always keep on praying" (Ephesians 6:18) When prayer is no longer the oxygen of our spiritual soul or the heartbeat the Central Church, our defense is down. Praying for those who hurt us becomes something we don't even want to do. Neglect in prayer and in the spiritual training of the Word leaves us with open doors for the enemy to turn the wrestling match on one another.

The stealing and robbing is done long before we have even recognized the enemy was at the door. Knowing he is prowling the neighborhood (even the flock at Central) keeps us in a proactive state and able to recognize and withstand his tactics.