Where Am I Vulnerable? (2)

A spiritual battle takes place every day of our lives and, without God’s help, we are vulnerable to attack and harm.  

Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  (1 Peter 5:8, 9 NLT)

Staying safe, when we are vulnerable, is a two part strategy:  surrendering to God, and resisting the devil.  Sometimes we are better at one than the other but it takes both to be strong and healthy.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.  (James 4:7 NLT)

God is calling us to a life of joy and peace and blessing.  The devil is seeking to destroy us through pleasure, fear, and intimidation.  The tug of war goes on in our mind hour after hour.  God wants us to live well so He teaches us how to be “more than conquerors”.  The devil wants us to fail so he plants thoughts in our minds that either discourage or derail us into destructive self-will. 

The first decision for all of us when faced with temptation is to decide whether or not we are going to live for God. It has to be an all or nothing decision.  We can’t do some of what God says and skip the rest.  We have to resolve that everything we think, do, or say will be surrendered to God’s will.  Total commitment…..Total surrender.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.  You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss, for I am determined not to sin in what I say. (Psalm 17:3 NLT)

Who do I allow to govern and sway my thoughts and actions today?  Where am I vulnerable to self-will and temptation?  What would change if I were to allow only the word of God to be the foundation of everything I do?

©2015 Partners in Hope