Live Ahead of the Enemy

Years ago in insurance school, I learned a proactive security measure for homeowners: keep shrubs trimmed, eliminating potential hiding places for would-be intruders. Oh, that it were that easy to spiritually secure the human heart! Before he murdered his brother, God said to Cain: "Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7). The wise will always acknowledge sin's pitfalls but the wisest will both acknowledge and identify them. Satan approaches us in many forms; he lurks often casually and disguised. As Jesus sent out his disciples into the world, He said, "Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16). Believers have been given the gift of The Holy Spirit to help rightly and wisely  distinguish that which seeks to overtake our hearts. I suggest this is one of the most lethally sufficient dangers to righteous living among Believers today. We fail to distinguish the lines of enemy territory because we are not spiritually shrewd as Jesus commanded His disciples.  So, how do we identify the enemy so that we see him coming - traps and all?  The psalmist asks and answers how: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word." (Psalm 119:9).  Aha! Equip ourselves with The Word of Truth, and ask The Holy Spirit to sound the "intruder alert" loudly and clearly! Let's not be caught off-guard; rather, let's be proactive in our spiritual lives. Live ahead of the enemy!