Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. — 1 Peter 5:8-9
One famous effective tactic thieves often use to rob a store is to distract. They enter the store as a group. Then, one or two separate themselves from the group while the others start a loud commotion in another section of the store. This grabs the attention of the customers, as well as the store clerk.
As all eyes are turned to the disturbance, the accomplices fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and then leave the store begore anyone even suspects what happened. Hours, or even days later, the merchant realizes things are missing and calls the police. But it’s too late… the thieves are long gone.
This strategy is effective for stealing—as well as for tempting! You see, the enemy loves to seduce us into paying attention to the distractions of life, all the while causing havoc unnoticed in other areas. And if this tactic is successful, we don’t realize it before it’s too late and sin has already taken hold of our lives!
It’s crucial we check our spiritual pockets now and then to stay on-guard against Satan. It’s helpful to have others in our lives who can point out weaknesses in our defense as well. When you keep watch against the enemy, you’ll be better positioned to fight off temptations to sin and experience victory in your daily spiritual battles!
Prayer Challenge
Pray the God would give you the soberness of mind to stay alert and identify when the enemy is trying to distract you from obedience.
Questions for thought
Why do you believe the enemy wants to see you fail spiritually?
Who are some people you can talk with regularly about areas of spiritual vulnerability in each other’s lives?