Don't Let Your Guard Down

 We are in the fight of faith. We face many battles in life. The skirmishes surround us. We are hit from all sides, many times when we least expect it. It is imperative that we do not let down our guard. 

It happens though. We let our guard down after a victory. We celebrate the triumph and bask in the moment. We may not even realize we let our guard down. We may relax and be coasting through life on gentle breezes at our backs when suddenly tumultuous storms terrorize us and throw our world into upheaval. When we rested to celebrate our success the enemy sought to advance taking more ground. 

We must live with a war time mentality. We must not lose focus. The fight for our faith is ferocious and we face a fearless enemy. He seeks to destroy us and our faith relentlessly. He is dogged determined to take down as many as possible. We should expect this. We should anticipate His never ending assaults and wear the armor of God to stand firm against Him. We can fight back with the word of God and prayer. 

We also let our guard down when we are flat out worn out. Weary from the wrestlings. Tired from the struggle. Fatigued from the fight. There are times to rest. To retreat and regroup. That is not what I am talking about. I am talking about when we get so tired we quit doing the things so vital to our protection. Things like praying, Bible reading and meditation, corporate worship and fellowship just to name a few. 

You know exactly how it starts. You wake up tired. So tired you can barely concentrate. You compromises and sleep in rather than to have your devotion. The next day it is a little easier to sleep in justifying that you will have a devotion that night. Only that night you are so exhausted you neglect devotions again. This pattern repeats until one day you are blindsided by the enemy and fall wounded. Don't let down your guard. 

I have seen the same patter in worship attendance. One Sunday off can turn into months astray very easily as people let down their guard and fill their schedules with lesser important things. It is a slippery slope of the enemy. 

I exhort all of us to keep our guard up. Keeping alert. Being watchful for where the enemy is attacking. Vigilant in our devotions to discern God's clear paths. I pray none of us will become another casualty in this spiritual war. Never forget we are in a war and must live with a war time mentality. Don't forget to keep your guard up.