Guarding against carelessness in the battle against sin

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”— 1 Peter 5:8

Steve Green, the famous Christian music artist, once told about getting to know some of the work crews in the large auditoriums where his concerts were held. The “riggers,” as they were called, would walk on four-inch rafter beams—often a hundred feet or more above the concrete floor—to hang sound speakers and spotlights. Green recounts,

“The fellows I talked to weren’t bothered by the sight of looking down a hundred feet…. What they didn’t like were jobs in buildings that had false ceilings—acoustical tile slung just a couple of feet below the rafters. They were still high in the air, and if they slipped, their weight would smash right through the flimsy tile. But their minds seemed to play tricks on them, lulling them into carelessness.”

The most sinister and attractive sins are the ones that you fall into thinking you were completely secure. Many Christians don’t really believe they struggle with things like materialism, promiscuity, or hatred. And that’s what makes these sins so dangerous… they can be missed!

Just like those riggers, we can’t let ourselves become caught up in a false sense of security against sin. So be on guard, watching yourself at every turn, and you’ll stay on the straight path which leads to life!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would keep you alert in the battle against sin and the enemy!

Questions for thought

What are some sins you’ve fallen into as a result of having a false sense of security?

How can you involve others in holding you accountable and keeping your guard up so you won’t fall into those same sins again?