Protection

Spending a week at the beach is my kind of vacation.  There is nothing like sitting on the beach in the evening and listening to the waves crash onto the shore.  It is a relaxing feeling that I do not get anywhere else. 

During the day, the beach is full of swimmers, surfer wannabe’s, castle builders, beach walkers, and then there are those who just can’t get tan enough soaping themselves down in tanning lotion just hoping to get that right skin tone.  For me, it is throwing the football with my son, covering my daughter from neck to toe in sand, and walking along the beach with my wife.  

The beach is totally serenity for me! No thoughts but beach thoughts.  It is my heaven on earth…UNTIL…until we leave the beach and begin to dry off and noticed how fiery red my legs were.  Apparently, before going to the beach I did not give my legs the opportunity to explore the outside world and discover the glory of the sun.  Furthermore, I did not give my legs the needed care of sunscreen to protect them from the suns brutal attack.  My day of heaven on earth is now feeling like I just stepped out of the fire.  How could this be?  I still have a few more days of vacation.  I know it wasn’t the suns fault for it was only doing what the sun is supposed to do…SHINE! 

Protection is vitally important, not only for beach bums like me, but also in our daily lives.  The right protection is a necessity to keep us from being “burned” by satanic attacks.  Learning the lessons of sun protection is one thing; but learning the lesson from Satan protection is another.  The Apostle Peter said, 1^st Peter 5:8“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (NLT)  Staying alert is vital for the protection of life morally, spiritually, and ethically. 

One of my mottos is, “the best time to get dressed is before we ever get out of the bed.” The way that we get dressed before we ever get out of the bed is pray on our protection to fight against the brutal attacks from Satan.

Ephesians 6:11 says to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (NLT)  The full armor has many protection abilities to keep us from falling victim to Satan’s attacks:

Belt: Keeping truth securely fitted in ones life will aid in saying no to Satan’s trickeries.

Body Armor: Body armor represent staying right with God even when it is hard to resist.

Shoes: Shoes are the foundational tread to walk through the trials and tribulations of life.

Shield: Protects our faith as different types of sinful testing bombard us. 

Helmet: Keeps our head thinking right and does not allow Satan to twist truth.

Sword: An offensive weapon to use in spiritual combat…the Word of God.

All the armor of God is vital for the ultimate protection of attacks that come from Satan.  We cannot get half dressed spiritually and expect full protection from the evil one.  He will find the weak and vulnerable places and penetrate full force.  It is imperative to spend the time each day dressing for spiritual success.  

The next time I go to the beach, I will make sure I have a FULL bottle of sunscreen and the next time I get ready to get out of bed, I will get spiritually dress by praying for protection for my decisions, my attitude, the places I go, and the responses I give to people.  I will read the Bible to guide me in right living, and I will not hinder the Spirit to do what the Spirit is supposed to do in my life…PROTECT ME!

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian