Aware Of My Spiritual Surroundings (1 Peter 5:8)

One skill I learned from my martial arts training was the importance of always being aware of my surroundings. Every corner, every step, every person, an attack could emerge. I had to remain vigilant, but also be ready to respond in an appropriate manner. The danger was not in the seen, but the unseen.

Good advice for life and for my spiritual walk with God. I can avoid the obvious temptations of visiting a strip joint or shooting up heroin, anyone can see these dangers. It is the unseen that is more insidious and far more deadly. An innocent browse for information in the internet may lead to a pornography site. A simple loophole in the tax code may lead to fraudulent reporting of deductions. Unsuspected and unseen dangers may emerge from seemingly innocent activities and doorways.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

The Bible reminds all believers to continually be aware of their spiritual surroundings. Satan devotes his existence to derail my life, causing me to look away from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He wants nothing more but to convince me that God does not love me and my salvation is not eternal and secure. He wants to compromise myself and listen to what the world can offer, not what Jesus Christ continually offers me.

I accepted the offer of Jesus Christ by confessing and repenting of my sins, and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  He has given me His Holy Spirit to indwell within me so that I am more aware of my spiritual surroundings. It is a dangerous world in which we live. Thanks be to God that He is always protecting me.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.