One morning just before dawn, I was startled awake.
I glanced around the dim, quiet room. All seemed calm and normal and yet goosebumps rose on my arms. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, climbed out of bed and padded down the hall to a window that overlooks our garage.
There was a man in our driveway!
He had a shovel in one hand and a rake in the other. I hurried back to the bedroom and woke up my husband, Scott.
Come to find out, we’d accidentally left our garage door open. On top of that, the kids didn’t put away their bikes and toys which were near the opening.
The man told Scott he thought we were having a yard sale. He promptly gave back the items and drove away. Yes, we thought it was suspicious!
There was no sign or advertisement for a yard sale. Nor was there a “Come on in and take our stuff” sign.
An open door was all that was needed.
It can be much the same with our spiritual lives. Let me tell you, carelessness, and complacency is an invitation for the devil and his demons!
My friends, this is war and the devil doesn’t fight fair!
I have found there are a few common ways we invite the devil and his minions into our lives. Last week (read post) I shared how ignorance of God’s Word is one way we invite the enemy into our lives. Let’s discuss another way.
The Mind
This mind is probably the main battlefield in the human personality. Scripture tells us that Satan is a liar—the “father of lies” (John 8:44). He’s been manipulating the truth since the Garden of Eden. He told Eve lies about God and he does the same thing to us today.
“But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.” 2 Corinthians 11:3
Demons cannot read your mind. But Scripture gives us a clear indication they are capable of planting thoughts in our minds (and without us knowing it!).
“But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:22-23
What we put into our minds and what we dwell upon are of utmost importance in this war.
Our first priority is to know God.
Christ is the focus of Scripture and should be ours as well. If we know the Word and the truth of God’s character, then we will be able to detect the deceptions of the father of lies.
A recent Barna poll reported 35% of U.S. adults read their Bibles weekly. And yet Digital 2019 reports Americans are spending on average 6 hours and 42 minutes online each day. Half of that is spent on mobile device.
According to LifeWay Facts & Trends, a third of Americans who attend a Protestant church regularly (32%) say they read the Bible personally every day. Around a quarter (27%) say they read it a few times a week.
Um, do you see a problem here? Dear ones, Americans (including Christian Americans) are biblically anemic!
We are throwing the doors of our minds wide open to the enemy to corrupt our thoughts.
Federal agents don’t study counterfeit money. They study and know the real thing, in order to detect counterfeit. However, to protect the public, they also study the ways counterfeiters work.
Know God, but know the Enemy.
We are at war against a crafty, experienced supernatural enemy. When we study the teaching and ministry of Jesus, we see that Satan and demons played a significant role.
Jesus did not ignore the enemy and neither should we.
A good way to begin is studying how Jesus handled the demonic.
To Know God is to Love God
I have a dear friend that has identical twin girls. If you saw them, you would not be able to tell them apart. But their mother can. Why? She knows her girls!
But a mother doesn’t just know her children—she loves them. As we know the Lord better and better, our love for Him deepens.
“The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.” ~Jen Wilkin
From knowledge, to love, to action.
Simply put: Love does.
When we love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength—our faith is fortified through our actions as we live out His commandments.
“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!” Psalm 119:5-6
A fortified mind says to the devil, “CLOSED. NO ENTRY.”
Are you fortifying your thoughts daily in God’s Word?
Learning and sharing the truth of God’s word is a passion of mine. I also want to bring awareness to the reality of the spiritual battles we face. One way I do this is through my books: Beauties from Ashes: A Spiritual Warfare Suspense Series.
I’m thrilled to announce with you the latest release!
Awakening is currently #1 on Amazon in Teen and YA Christian Relationship Fiction!
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I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Another great post surrounding spiritual warfare Ms. Beckie. I try hard to read and meditate on God’s word, even if just a small amount, each day. Something I read often, and perhaps should each day, is The Warrior’s Prayer. it reminds me to gear up for battle before entering the world.
JD, honored to stand beside you wearing the armor of God!
Blessings to you and yours.
Another powerful message on spiritual warfare, Beckie We need to get our heads out of the sand and realize the devi’s intent against us and battle him in our mind by knowing God and how Jesus battled the enemy, aware of his every scheme.
Amen, Karen! Let us put on the full armor of Christ and pray fervently.
I’ve no doubt that the devil is in a full out war in our country and culture, Beckie. We must put on the full armor of God, and that most definitely includes keeping His Word close to our hearts. Thank you for this most inspirational post today!
Blessings!
Martha, I’m glad to call you my sister and fellow warrior for Christ!