God has laid this post on my heart for a long time. This is such a huge warning sign to those who will listen, to those who will catch my drift. Please, don't take this post lightly, take it into account when the plot line begins to unfold later today, or later this week.
The Holidays are coming. For most of us, this is the most joyous time of the year. Christmas cookies, Egg Nog, all things pumpkin, presents, Santa Claus, turkey and dressing, friends, and lots of family! Everyone loves the holidays. It's the best part of the year. We get to go home and see our loved ones while we curl up in a ball by the fire with a bowl of chili. I myself am counting down the weeks till Christmas Break so I can watch movies all day with friends and family. I'm also counting down for Black Friday shopping with my friends!
The Holidays are such a wonderful time of the year, and I feel like that's exactly why Satan is on top of his game at this time. Please understand that I'm not trying to kill the joy or be sinister just for the sake of evil, but I am trying to help you live a careful and content life devoted to God. (Matthew 26:41.)
1 Peter 5:8 keeps reminding me to write this post:
The Holidays are coming. For most of us, this is the most joyous time of the year. Christmas cookies, Egg Nog, all things pumpkin, presents, Santa Claus, turkey and dressing, friends, and lots of family! Everyone loves the holidays. It's the best part of the year. We get to go home and see our loved ones while we curl up in a ball by the fire with a bowl of chili. I myself am counting down the weeks till Christmas Break so I can watch movies all day with friends and family. I'm also counting down for Black Friday shopping with my friends!
1 Peter 5:8 keeps reminding me to write this post:
"Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour."
Amidst the fun and excitement this year, Satan will undoubtedly steal your focus for a good long 30 seconds. (This is how he starts the fall.) While you're having fun with your family, out of the corner of your eye you'll catch a couple holding hands and being oober lovey-dovey. (I just used 3 fake words in a sentence...#winning.)
Anyhow, Satan will grab your chin and turn your gaze to lock in on this couple for a solid 30 seconds. During that 30 seconds he will ingrain the image into your mind, trickling it down to your heart and desires as he whispers tantalizing lies in your ear. "You're never going to have that." or "Why aren't you that girl" or my favorite, "With a few phone calls this could be you."
Maybe this isn't exactly how the enemy causes you to stumble, but for many of us it's the word for word truth. The greatest part about the devil is that he is work is actually pretty predictable once you become aware of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11.) In the next post, I will explain how to stand guard against these silly but devastating games, but the first step is spotting his tricks.
How does Satan cause you to stumble? What are the regular traps you fall for around the Holidays? Romantic movies, scenes around the house, hanging out in the kitchen...where does Satan begin to feed you lies? How can you be more alert to recognizing these lies? What can you do to fight them?
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