AS CHRISTIANS we are encouraged to live for Christ. We are given instructions to put our trust in God and Him only should we serve. However, while we are living in this world we are bombarded from all sides to enjoy this life to the fullest by submitting to the pleasures afforded us while we tarry here! We are encouraged to drink this; try that; it won’t hurt; once is not a habit; this will make you feel good; and so on!
WHEN WE ARE DECEIVED we submit to the whims of what the world offers, we show our lack of respect of fear toward the Lord. Instead of walking as Jesus walked we find ourselves following the antics of Satan. You say that is ridiculous! Perhaps; but when we are not following in Jesus’ footsteps we are walking in Satan’s.
RECENTLY I heard a story. ‘A snake was lying along the path as the girl walked by. He said; ‘I am so cold, please pick me up and put me inside your coat so I can get warm.’ She replied; ‘NO!’ He begged; ‘please, please; I am so cold.’ She said; ‘NO!’ After a few more times of his begging her, she gave in and picked him up and put him inside her coat. After a while he bit her! She stopped and said; ‘why did you do that?’ He said; ‘you knew what I was when you picked me up!’
SATAN is the author of destruction. He is the darkness of death! We like to say that when we do wrong or get caught in a discretion, ‘the devil made me do it!’ Did you know that Satan can’t make you do anything? He can tempt you but He does not have the power to either make you or harm you. You choose to allow him to tempt you into submission.
‘BE SOBER, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of our brotherhood throughout the world.’ 1 Peter 5:8-9 Satan is the trouble maker and he looks for those who are vulnerable to him. We don’t need to get caught in his traps, nor should we leave our selves wide open giving him room to pounce.
THE PROBLEM with Satan, is that, this is his home. He lives here! He believes that the world is his oyster and he is free to roam and entice all who live here. But when Christ came He freed us from being under the auspicious behavior of God’s problem angel! Living with Satan brings death; living with Christ brings life everlasting! We must fight to live!
REMEMBER we know when we sin! We should become afraid and run for our life! Many places in Gods Word tells us to seek His face. I found another one in Isaiah that a repentant sinner is to do. ‘Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!’ Isaiah 55:6 God is always near His children. He waits with baited breath for us to call upon His name. We are free to choose his freedom. While there is breath, there is hope!
‘BEHOLD, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’ JOB 28:28 Yes, we are to fear the Lord! God has said that we need not fear the one that can kill the body, but the one that can kill the soul! What do you think? We are to be mindful of what we say; where we go and what we do! Satan is always waiting to move in when we loose sight of our Lord.
‘THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ Psalms 27:1a In Christ we need not fear Satan. ‘For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent, He will set me high upon a rock.’ Psalms 27:5
WE KNOW that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! We also know that God has made a way of escape from eternal damnation. We only have to choose His SON and take Him as our Savior. And, oh, what a Savior He is! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/19/15
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