Spiritual Security 2-11-2019
Have you ever noticed how much effort there is to hack your computer related tools? How they are becoming more and more sophisticated. Don’t think that Satan and his minions aren’t hacking into your spiritual life in even more sophisticated ways. The result is not that you will lose your salvation; but you can be rendered more and more ineffective in your witness. I Peter 5:8 “be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, stand firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” He will take advantage of your hunger, tiredness, loneliness, anger, frustrations, your natural drives, etc. he is always tuned in. Be in God’s word always-know what it says and means. Notice what happened in life situations in the Bible both positive and negative. It is always wise to learn from the mistakes and bad judgments of others. You do not have to make them all yourself.
Be very careful: one can never un- hear, un-do, un-say anything. What is said in anger or frustration almost never has positive consequences. If it didn’t work in Bible situations or in the lives of people that you know, it is probably not a good idea to go there. I have found it a good rule of thumb to think a couple seconds before you open your mouth there is much less chance of putting your foot in it.
I had a history professor in college who often said, “the most important thing one can learn from history is that people do not learn from history.” As you read the Scriptures and history books you will discover that clothing and language and tools change; but human emotions, desires, challenges, and temptations remain the same.
The Internet, social media, movies, and music can provide awesome tools for us to work with. As you use them however, it is wise to put on your spiritual armor and watch for spiritual danger flags because you’re walking in enemy territory- check back with I Peter 5:8. A soldier in battle in a foxhole can never relax and assume that the enemy is resting-he is not! On social media, just as in a court of law, whatever you say, can and will be used against you. Those of us who are older – beware, many words do not mean the same today as they always have for us.