Be Aware of Surrounding Dangers
One morning I looked out the window
and spotted a deer in our backyard. A few minutes later I quietly made my way
outside hoping to get a better look at our visitor. By that time it had made
its way into my neighbor’s yard where it was grazing on some vegetation. As I
observed the deer for several minutes, one aspect of its behavior became
especially evident. The animal was incessantly looking around, cautiously
taking note of its surroundings, and prepared to take action at any sign of
danger. While enjoying its meal, it would pause between bites to peruse the
area yet again. It continued in its vigilant mode until some popping sound
nearby caused it to leap over a fence and disappear into the nearby brush.
It might be helpful if some of us
were a little more like that deer. No, I am not suggesting that we should be skittish
and fearful about all the spiritual dangers lurking around us. However, many of
us could probably benefit from being a little more vigilant than we tend to be.
God’s Word points us in that direction. Jesus encouraged His disciples to “watch
and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Peter encouraged his
fellow believers to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). How mindful
are we of what is taking place around us? Do we see those temptations coming
and prepare ourselves to deal with them? Are we watching and ready when the
enemy of our souls launches an attack? Or are we caught off guard, unprepared,
and vulnerable to being deceived or to taking a spiritual tumble?
Too often we are guilty of letting
our guard down. We get complacent or fall into a false sense of security. We
get wrapped up in our activities, even in our service to God, and lose sight of
the reality of the dangers surrounding us. We may grow over-confident in our
own ability to withstand such attacks that we open ourselves up for a fall. It
is one thing to have a settled peace in our hearts and assurance of God’s help
and protection. It is another to get cocky and consider ourselves beyond the
reach of temptation and the deceptive tactics of the devil. We need to stay
vigilant.
If we will be as watchful as that
deer, maybe we can avoid succumbing to the enemy’s attempts to harm us or hinder
us. While we don’t have to be afraid and run away from every danger, there are
times when the wise course of action is to flee temptation. When we see certain
enticements coming, especially ones in which we have faltered in the past, we
would do well not to toy around with it or let it gain any entrance into our
lives. It may be best in some cases just to turn and run from it.
In other situations, if we are being
vigilant we might see the attack coming and can hold up our shield of faith in
order to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). Or we
might be ready to do as Peter suggested immediately after warning about our lion-like
adversary – he said that we should “resist him” (I Peter 5:9).
We need to watch, but we don’t need
to be scared. We simply need to be prepared. We need to be ready to run, to
stand, to fight, to overcome, or whatever the situation calls for. Let’s just
not be caught by surprise and stumble as a result. Be aware of what is going on
around you. Watch out for the enemy. Dangers are lurking. Be ready.
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