John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”
The devil and his team of demons are ruthless and relentless thieves. They come to steal, kill and destroy. The demonic ghetto is divided like an army into brigades, regiments and battalions. The gangs of demons are given specific tasks. While one group of demons is sowing deception, the other will be injecting envy, anger and pride. There are distracting demons that push us into the rut of worry. There are other gangs that goad hatred in the family and drive them towards divorce. There are demons that insinuate wrong habits and hobbies to destroy our character and mutilate our conduct. The same demons that urge us to sin are the ones that hurl condemnation, guilt and shame. It is important to understand the spiritual realm and identify the barraging demonic thieves.
In this fast paced millennium the demonic thieves that are most rampant are the “time thieves”. Time is like money: you can either spend or invest! The demons are active to steal our time. They lure us into a tedious and busy lifestyle. “If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy” – Corrie Ten Boom. Say ‘no’ to those gossip phone calls that sow bitter seeds or clutter us with bad reports about others. Keep away from associations that would take you into the whirlpool of loathsome habits. Sever unhealthy connections that make you fumble in holiness. They are distracting time thieves in human suits.
The time thief:
1. Worry: A survey says that 86% of people worry at least 12 hours a week which is about 4 years and 11 months in a lifespan of 64 years. It also says that 91% of worries are false alarms! Jesus said, Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26). Why worry about something you have no control about? So stop worrying and start worshiping.
2. Work: Research indicates that about 30% of the population are workaholics. When work eats into our prayer time, personal time and family time, the time thieves are ravaging our daily schedule. Work-life balance is crucial and busyness should never devour our prayer-time.
3. Waste: Friends, habits and hobbies are important but corrupt company and erroneous habits can trap us in trouble. Our associations must be investments; it must build others and benefit us. It must not damage our character. “You can’t keep a clean reputation hanging around messy people.” Entertainment cannot become addictions. Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).
Watch out for the time thieves. They attack as worry, over working or wasting habits or hobbies. Don’t spend time, invest it.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Prayer: Father God, give me the discernment to identify the time thieves and help me to invest and not expend my time. Amen.
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