John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
It is important to understand the schemes and strategies of our enemy, the devil. The innate nature of the devil and his demons are to pilferage, loot, and steal. It always starts small like shoplifting, pick-pocking which turns into plunder and ransacking. The demonic thieves are not like the burglar who breaks into homes or banks. They don’t break-in with guns and ammunition. They slither in as modestly dressed advisers, well wishers or fake friends. We must be cautious of counsel that distracts us from obeying God’s Word. When righteousness, justice, truth, love, and faithfulness is missing, we must become vigilant. Our spiritual antennas must be alert and vigilant to the slimy snakes.
Balaam, the pagan sorcerer, was hired by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites. Yet, the LORD tied his tongue, and hence he could only bless and not curse Israel, however, he implanted toxic advice in the mind of the Moabites to loot the purity of the Israelites. “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the Peor incident, so that a plague struck the Lord’s people (Numbers 31:16). Balaam advised the Moabite women to entice the men into idolatry, revelry and adultery which killed about 24,000 men. Any distractions that steal our time, kill our joy and peace will ultimately bring destruction. It could be a habit, a relationship or even entertainment. The demonic schemers will wait for an opportune time to slither into our home to pander and plunder.
Our physical body has ‘alarm points’ in the chest and the abdomen which correspond to different organs. As these alarm points are used in diagnosis and treatment of these organs, our soul has alarm points that alerts against the demonic intruders.
Three alarm points:
- Sleep: The Word of God alerts us to be spiritually awake and alert.So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6). We must be sensitive 24/7 to the alarm points of the soul. We will not hear the warnings from the Holy Spirit if we do not have a regular time of prayer every day. If we neglect our daily time of prayer, we will dismiss the ringing spiritual alarm warning us about the demonic incursion.
- Slack: Lack of attention to “the don’t” warnings in the scripture will make us slack and stagger. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). Careless living will open the door to the diabolical looters to ravage our lives.
- Slumber: Lethargy and languor lead to licentiousness. Before the diabolic burglar steals the peace, unity and joy, they will steal our attentiveness. Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18). Remain in a mode of prayer and pray about everything. Spiritual laziness will unleash demonic assault.
Be watchful, prayerful, and sensitive to the alarm points of the soul.
Matthew 26:41 Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation.
Prayer: Father God, may I be alert and awake in prayer against the cruel diabolical plunderers and secure my boundaries with the blood of Jesus. Amen.
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