September 12, 2013 - Becoming Prey

This devotional came this morning and while it is nothing we have not spoken of, what I was drawn to is the fact that if our wall is not maintained we can become prey to anything. That proceeded to cause the wheels in my brain to turn. (the coffee helped though) The wall is meant to be a major form of protection but the longer we allow even small compromises to break into our protection we become vulnerable to capture. Let's be honest, when we first start a new plan we are often determined, this time, to never compromise. But isn't it amazing after a few weeks of success, we allow the wall to be attacked and then fail to repair that small hole? It's almost like giving ourselves a license to sin if it's just something small. However, even a mighty fortress can be breeched if not maintained routinely. I don't believe, personally, that a wall that endures consistent attack is ever as strong as one who doesn't. Countries at war have no choice in whether they are confronted. Sometimes we don't either. And while our wall that circles our health journey, our organs, our daily routine can be confronted - there is place where we can stand and determine the enemy no longer has the advantage. I was offered a food item yesterday that seemed okay but something in me rose up and said, "NO." I really wanted to partake, but later realized this small incident could very well have lead to me opening one of the doors in my wall. I would have allowed this food to become prey. I stopped and asked the Lord, as I was hungry, to help me find something nutritious and without the salt and calories. I opted for some raw nuts and fruit when I got home. I had a lean meat, veggie and fruit for lunch. After that stand, I felt I had defended my wall well. Why do I share this? Because I, like you, have daily choices. I do not want to be the person with broken-down walls, therefore I am prey to failure and complete ruin. This being the case, I must fight to exercise self-control daily and remember to maintain MY wall. The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom - I believe that! However, He will never open our mouth and stuff the pizza in - we do that. Let's continue with the right behavior and smile each evening that OUR wall of protection is fully functional and fully maintained. Did you get all your water in yesterday? Your fruit with a skin? Have a great one! PK A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls Proverbs 25:28, NLT In ancient times, cities were often surrounded by walls for their protection. If those walls were breached in any way, the city became vulnerable to attack from a wide variety of enemies. The maintenance of city walls, therefore, was of constant concern. Proverbs 25:28 likens self-control to a city wall. When we maintain self-control, we keep ourselves safe from forces that would wear us down, attack our weaknesses, and prey on our failures. Scripture warns us that losing our self-control can lead to disastrous results. We may have tendencies to lose our tempers easily, gossip about neighbors or coworkers, or criticize those in authority. We may have an unhealthy desire to own many possessions, an addiction toward food, or an obsession with television. A careless word, a broken promise, or a disrespectful action is an outward sign that our inner wall of self-control has collapsed. Weak self-control makes us vulnerable to living a life of hypocrisy, and then we lose all credibility as a witness to the freedom and joy of the Christian life. But developing self-control is not just a matter of willing right behavior. We all have experienced the "just do it" break-down. We decide that we will finally regain control of a certain personal weakness only to find a few days later that we have succumbed once again to temptation. Self-control is not as simple as just "doing it" or "not doing it." Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit desires to guide our lives. Only he can overcome our sinful cravings and build self-control with staying power. As we turn our moments over to the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will find that we are more often able to resist those things that used to prey on our weaknesses. It is with the power of the Holy Spirit alone that our walls of self-control can be securely maintained.