Shields Up

SCRIPTURE: “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23  

As the fictional space-traveling vessel journeyed through space, approaching another familiar-looking vessel, the villainous leader of the former nefariously and sarcastically remarked that they were all just ‘one big happy fleet.’ His wicked plan was to blast the more benevolent and unsuspecting vessel of souls into smithereens! However, the occupants of the latter vessel, believing the occupants in the first spacecraft to be in imminent danger, did not raise their defense shields. Shortly thereafter, all their naivete quickly dissolved under the evil aggressors’ attack!

Time and experience have taught me that no matter how long one has been trusting in Jesus, we should never proceed through our days on “automatic pilot,” or with “shields down!” You may be at work, or retired, in the supermarket, or even at church—it doesn’t matter. Matthew 26:41 and 1 Corinthians 16:13 both admonish us to watch and pray, to be on the alert; [Satan’s emissaries have always hung out amongst the saints; let’s not be naïve].

In an unguarded moment, any of us can allow incoming remarks and thoughts, and a multitude of carnal acts coming from human vessels of the enemy to throw us off the Christ-pleasing pathway. Is not this to be every Christ follower’s highest goal—to live a life that gladdens, rather than saddens, the heart of our God our Savior? PUT ON THAT HOLY ARMOR every weekday morning—and SUNDAY mornings, TOO! If we, like the Apostle Peter in the title verse, are not thoughtful prior to speaking, or fail to pass the remarks or not-so-subtle offenses that others may make toward us through our shield of spiritual discernment, through our shield of faith [in ALL that our Lord has declared], we, too, may easily be blown off-course saying and thinking things that grievously misrepresent our Lord! Shields UP, saints of God! Praise the Lord!

PRAYER: Dear Father, since You’ve described us each as “fearfully and wonderfully made,” we Your twice-born children have the capacity to practice the use of spiritual astuteness every day. Help us to perfect this practice! Thank You, Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
By Denise Diggs