The last few evenings my sleep has been disturbed by a nightmare. I don’t ever remember having this one before. In this dream I am confronting a burglar in my home. It really is quite scary and I don’t remember the outcome either night. I just know I woke up shaking.
It is possible that coverage of the Staten Island Ninja burglar has gotten to me. It is also possible that I’ve seen or heard too many commercials for house alarms. Regardless, after this nightmare I couldn’t help but be reminded of Jesus’ words in John 10:10 when he said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Jesus is obviously talking here about Satan, His enemy and our adversary. He is warning us about the devil’s designs upon our lives. Though two thousand years have passed since Jesus spoke these words they are very applicable to us today.
When you and I come to faith in Christ we pass from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13). We are no longer blinded by the god of this age, (2 Corinthians 4:4) but God has given to us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). We have a very privileged position.
As believers, the Scriptures give us some very sound advice regarding protecting ourselves from the thief, the liar, the accuser of the brethren, namely, Satan. We do well to take these admonitions seriously. We ignore them at our own peril.
In his letter, James the brother of our Lord tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:7-8a)”. Simply put, resisting Satan requires submitting to God. Every time I obey God I am protecting myself from the evil one. Every time I choose not to obey God I am opening myself up to Satan’s schemes. Thus, we must submit ourselves to God.
Peter, a man Jesus described as someone sifted by Satan, writes a similar admonition to us. He states “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-9a)”. There is danger on almost every side. Therefore, we must be alert at all times. We must watch ourselves.
The most prolific New Testament writer, the apostle Paul gives us the most extensive set of prescriptions reading our battle with the forces of darkness and their perverse leader. He commands us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11)”. He then goes on to enumerate for us our armor for the battle. We are to gird ourselves with the belt of truth, don the breastplate of righteousness, put on the helmet of salvation, shod our feet with the sandals of peace, and carry with us the Sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith. As a soldier would never go into battle without his armor, we should not face our foe without the protective armor that God provides. Everyday we must arm ourselves.
Earlier on in this same letter Paul gives a critical bit of advice. He says “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).” When I allow my emotions to rule me and I don’t deal with my anger I give strategic ground to Satan, I give him a foothold, a strategic location from which he can launch an offensive attack. Thus, I must check myself. I must not sleep on my anger. I must go to bed having my heart right with God and others.
In summary, I need to burglar-proof my home and my life. I need the S.W.A.C. Shield. Daily I must Submit myself, Watch myself, Arm myself, and Check myself. Not to do so will result in a real-life spiritual nightmare.
Dave Watson, An Urban Christian
