We keep security cameras, bodyguards, security guards, police, and the armed forces on watch concerning things that are important and of excellent value to us. We must do the same with our inner man. We must keep watch because things can come at us immediately that we did not see coming. As soon as you get good news, hear an encouraging word from a speaker/pastor, or win a victory, something will come out of nowhere that can cause you to stumble, go into depression, cause paranoia/fear, cause anger, and another chain of negative emotions. We have to feed daily on the word of God to combat this.
Mark 4:15 NIV Version: Some people are like seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan takes away the word that was sown in them.
Satan comes immediately for the word. We must hold on and endure to receive, like the seed on good ground.
1 Peter 5:8 says Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The devil is looking for an opportunity to catch you off guard. However, if we stay connected to God, we can deal with the things that come at us.
Matthew 26;41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
A good example is Joshua after he won the battle of Jericho. After winning, he came under another attack: The battle of AI. Joshua did not stay connected to God and lost the battle.
Joshua 7:3-5 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” 4 So about three thousand went up, but they were routed by the men of Ai, five who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this, the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.
This is an example of when we do not stay connected. Joshua did not consult with God until after they lost the battle, and they trembled in fear.
We defeat the devil by putting on the whole armor of God (Read Ephesians 6:11-18)
John 15:1-7 is a fitting example of staying connected.
John 15:1-7 Easy Read Version:
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4 Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.
5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me, you will not be able to do anything. 6 If you do not stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me and followed my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father.
The word of God transforms, heals, delivers, sets free, and gives us joy. Stay joined with God, and you will see results. Without him, you can do nothing.
Things come unexpected; stay connected!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your power and wisdom. I stay alert, watch, and pray because the devil is like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. I put on the whole armor of God that I may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. I abide and you God and ask whatever I will, and it is done according to the word of God. In Jesus’ name! Amen.