Not Immune

 

After all these years of knowing and walking with God, you’d think I’d be immune. Immune to moments of doubt. Immune to thoughts that slither their way into my mind and whisper it all seems too good to be true.

Slither is an apt word here, isn’t it? After all, the author of those kinds of doubting thoughts is the old serpent himself—our enemy Satan. He likes to cause God’s children to doubt. He’s been doing it from the beginning, ever since he ensnared Eve in the Garden of Eden. Remember how he said, “Did God really say . . .” (Genesis 3:1)

Essentially that’s what he says to me when he plants insidious seeds of doubt in my mind. Did God really say he knows every bird in the mountains, that not one sparrow falls to the earth apart from his will? How is that possible? Did he really say he’s numbered the hairs of your head? How can he know billions of people on earth that intimately? Is he really preparing a home for you in heaven? Doesn’t everything you believe seem a little too good to be true?* (see scripture references below)

In truth, when I look at everything from my own human understanding, these things are too good to be true. I can’t wrap my finite mind around the vastness and power of God. I’m sure this is one reason we’re told in Proverbs to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not on our own understanding (3:5). I don’t know about you, but I can get into trouble when I lean on my own understanding, limited as it is.

And so, as the Word exhorts me to do, I “live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) “I remember the wonders he has done” (Psalm 105:5a) and how he has shown himself real in my life. I trust that “All Scripture is Godbreathed”(2 Timothy 3:16), and then I put on the armor of God and “take [my] stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11b). I am not immune to the traps of the enemy so I must do battle.

Are there are other areas—traps other than doubt—where I’m still susceptible as well? Most definitely. I suppose as long as there is breath in this human body of mine, I will not be immune to falling into sin.

It helps to be on guard, though. It helps to know my weaknesses and to be ready for the unsuspecting darts of temptation the evil one lobs at me. I’ve also got to remember that he’s not above trying to trip me up in ways I’d never think I’d fall.

What about you? Are their areas of your life where you’re not immune? Are you on guard against the devil’s schemes?

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12

*Psalm 50:11; Matthew 10:29-30; John 14:3

*What are some ways you guard yourself against the enemy?

*Flickr photo by frielp

Comments

  1. Knowing my triggers is one of the biggest ways to fight the arrows of the enemy. Accordingly, I try not and put myself (intentionally) in a situation that will foster my doubt. Of course, staying connected to God’s Word is always a key. Even just reading a few scriptures is enough to get my thoughts/heart back on track.

    One of the worst, most recent triggers for me involves social media. Nothing inherently wrong with social media, but there are a few things that push my doubt buttons. I know now to run from them rather than entreat them.

    Blessings, sister, as you work it out with the Lord.

    peace~elaine

  2. Hi Cheryl,

    “Slither” IS a good term. Thanks.

    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

    P.S.
    Fun to see you and your friends in the photo below too. :)

  3. Nancy Douglas says

    Any area of life left unattended can become a source of doubt. Seems I have to keep tabs on everything, every little thing. Keeps us humble:)

  4. Elaine, knowing our triggers is good advice, and Nancy, so is your point of leaving areas unattended. Satan will definitely take advantage of those. And you are right — the areas that trip us up do indeed keep us humble. We need Him so, don’t we?

    Jennifer, glad you enjoyed the pic of my friends and me in the previous post! :)

  5. Anonymous says

    I like to pray in the spirit for an hour per day. I don’t do it every single day but I do it as often as I can in the car, laying in bed, out and about if I’m not speaking to anyone else. It really helps. I do my best to keep my mind focused on Jesus and God but it is hard sometimes. My mind just wanders while I am praying in a language I don’t understand so it is not always easy to focus but it really brings me peace. Serious peace, deep down. It is like a cleansing.

  6. Anonymous, thanks so much for visiting my blog and for sharing your thoughts!

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