Be Vigilant
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, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. – 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV.
Recently a man that I have known for most of the time that I have been in ministry was arrested for sexual abuse of a young girl. To me it was a very shocking thing to hear about! This man had been a leader in his church for many years and a leader in his community.
Far too often we hear of well-known Christians having their immoralities publicly exposed. But when it is someone that you personally know and respected it is hard to believe that something like this is even real. Sadly, it is real, and it did happen and the girl involved may suffer emotionally from this abuse for many years if not her entire life. It is a shocking, very hurtful blow to his church, his community and his family.
Billy Graham once did some research, which reportedly showed at least 90 percent of Christians in the US are living defeated spiritual lives. Since that research was done 20 or 30 years ago it is likely that even more are living defeated spiritual lives now.
The man arrested that I personally know should serve as a warning of our own human weakness and fallibility. 90 percent living defeated spiritual lives? Most likely this includes some of us and if so, how long before we crash and burn as well?
We must be constantly vigilant of our own spiritual condition.
We must be constantly alert against the advances of the world into our lives.
We must make a stand. We must put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).
We must take full advantage of all the resources of God (Jesus – Philippians 4:19).
We must not neglect the Word, prayer, and the church. To do so is to invite spiritual disaster.
To say that we are not susceptible is spiritual pride. Maybe that is why just prior to 1 Peter 5:8 we are told in verses 5 through 7, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
‘God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.’
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”