Awareness

Awareness


Many of us live our lives unaware. Like the ostrich who buries his head in the sand or the young child who covers his eyes and doesn’t think you can see him, we tend to live oblivious to what’s going on in the world, hoping that if we ignore it, it’s really not happening. This is a dangerous way to live. Things are happening all around us and we need to open our eyes, get informed, and live in light of the reality of what’s happening.

Of course, this can be applied to us as we approach the final 2 weeks before the election, but my real purpose is the spiritual implication. We need to be aware of how the enemy of our soul is at work, not just in the world, but in his attempts to render us ineffective for the cause of Christ and the gospel. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 uses the ideas of not being “outwitted” by Satan and not being “unaware of his schemes.” Yes, he is referred to as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy, but more often than not, he’s scheming and outwitting us through deception and our own pride. When our pride keeps us from offering forgiveness, he has outwitted us and rendered us ineffective in our witness. When we allow anger to overtake us, he has gained a foothold in our lives. A foothold offers him an opportunity to establish himself by providing a base for further advancement. One of his most effective schemes is discouragement. Many years ago, I heard Chuck Swindoll tell this story:

The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly-shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

(Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979)

I have thought of it often and have found it to be true in my life. When I get discouraged, my focus turns inward and I’m totally ineffective in my ministry and service for God.

Let’s not be unaware of his schemes. Don’t let him outwit you or get a foothold in your life. Don’t allow discouragement to make you ineffective for the cause of Christ. Ephesians 6:10-18:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Our fight and struggle is not against flesh and blood, even though it sure looks that way to us, but it is against the rulers, authorities, powers, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Let’s not be outwitted by his schemes against us, but let’s be aware, aware of anything in our lives that can make us ineffective in our service and ministry to our Lord.