Don’t Let Your Guard Down

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

There is so much that the apostle Paul packs into this warning to the church at Corinth. In his final words to the Corinthian believers, he urges them to be vigilant: always on guard and watchful. And as they do so, to also be courageous and strong.

The cautionary words are rendered “be on the alert” in other translations. The Message says to “keep your eyes open.” No matter how it’s phrased, the bottom line is that as we attempt to live the way Christ calls us to live, we need to expect a constant attack from the forces for evil. Satan will be continually out to get us, to create doubt in our personal faith, and to destroy us physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually—in any way, by any means that he can.

The more closely aligned we feel with God in our walk of faith and the more we seem to be doing for His Kingdom, the more severe the attacks will be. Attacks challenging our integrity and our personal faith. Attacks that dangle temptation in front of our eyes, appealing to the areas of our greatest weakness. Satan has a mission: to destroy not only our lives, but also our credibility.

Do you know where Satan is doing his work most frequently? In Christ’s church. If he can cause destruction and chaos in Christ’s instrument for spreading the gospel throughout the world—by causing dissension, pride, self-centeredness, biblically incorrect teaching, and loss of passion—then he knows he will affect the influence of God’s Kingdom.

Be on guard.

Uncommon Key > Satan is always on the prowl, looking for people and settings to destroy. And there is no more likely target for his evil ways than the church of Jesus Christ. Be on your guard and stand firm against his cunning, insidious, and evil ways so you can influence others for good.

From the book