https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/16/keep-your-guard-up
When things are going smoothly especially our spiritual lives, we have a natural human tendency to let our guard down. Meaning we are less cautious and more care free. There is a place for throwing caution to the wind and yet there is a need to be cautious at the same time. In trying out new things and moving out of our comfort zone, we need to be less cautious, less risk adverse. Take the risk that things may not work out as planned as no venture, no gain. If we don’t try, we will never know the outcome. If we are always cautious and conservative, then we will just remain at status quo and this is not good if we are a church. We might be stuck in an era that is 20 years outdated. What worked and was useful 20 years ago will not cut it anymore in this present Tik Tok generation. The world is different now. We need to move out of our old mindsets to conquer the present generation for the Lord.
Yet there is a place for caution. There is a place to be risk adverse. Like our spiritual lives. We must never let our guard down lest the devil will come in and attack us. Don’t give the devil a footing into our lives for him to make inroads and dilute our spirituality and relationship with God. We must always keep our guard up and put on the armour of God as taught by Paul in Ephesians 6. The helmet of salvation. The breastplate of righteousness. The shield of faith. The belt of truth. The shoes of peace. The sword of the Spirit. The people who are likely to perish in a snow avalanche are the seasoned snow trekkers as they throw caution to the wind and take chances with nature. The more spiritual and the more experienced we are in God, the more likely we will fall if we let our guard down.
The message this morning is simple. Be on guard. Keep our guard up. Don’t let our guard down. There are places to take risk and to move out of our comfort zone but not in the area of our spiritual lives. Always be careful and cautious. Guard it carefully and constantly. Don’t rest on our laurels if we are having a great time of fellowship and worship with God. Keep up at it and don’t break the momentum. The devil is just waiting for any opportunity, any opening to step in and deceive, entice and tempt us away from God with the fancy attractions of the world, the earthly riches or just plain fame that will feed into our pride. Always remember to build up our treasures in heaven where the thief may not steal and the moth and rust may not destroy. Any other treasures we can’t bring across.
Ronnie's Thoughts 