stop fraternizing with the enemy

My computer is set to automatically switch over to a screen saver after the computer sits idle for more than ten minutes. When this happens, the screen saver is setup to "float" various words (along with their definitions) across my monitor screen. I like it very much because it has become a fun and educational opportunity for me to find a new or forgotten word when I return to my desktop. In fact, I've started to make a game of it by attempting to incorporate the said word into my everyday vocabulary.

Earlier, I approached my computer with the mindset to write today's blog about a particular topic. I was going to name the blog "Identity Theft" and discuss how easily we as Christians forget WHO we are as children of the Most High God. I was going to share verses and examples as to how the enemy tries to convince us into believing his lies, in contrast to how God views us and intends for us to live freely in Him. However, once I sat down and looked at my monitor, there was a new word waiting on my screen... that word was: fraternize.

Fraternize: To associate on friendly terms with an enemy or opposing group, often in violation of discipline or orders.

I stopped for a minute and realized that fraternization is exactly our problem. Satan cannot make us believe anything. Satan cannot force us to sin. No, that responsibility falls on us alone. It is our decision, our choice, to believe Satan's lies over God's truths. I fear that our fraternization to accept rather than reject the enemy's presence in our life is our biggest issue. In general, I think we are too eager to put out the welcome mat and get friendly in associating with Satan. We do this by becoming comfortable with the presence of sin around us - sometimes even welcoming it into our homes and family lives! Look around at the images you thoughtlessly accept... listen to the words you are accustom to hearing... are they holy?

Rather than humble our souls and sacrifice our lives to consume God's Bread of Life, we have gotten used to feeding our hungry egos with Satan's sinful junk food. We do this because an easy drive thru seems more accommodating than taking the time to come home and prepare a family meal. But is it healthy? Is it really beneficial? It takes quality time to know God and relish in His order and ways. It takes no time at all to get chummy with Satan. So, when we give Satan our attention... any attention, we directly violate God's plan to abide in Jesus alone. Then we ultimately find ourselves in despair and torment from the spiritual tummy ache of sin the enemy has fed us. Not cool.

Jesus said it is impossible to have two masters. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

Satan will always try to tempt us to love this world and the many things that please our eyes, make us feel good about ourselves, and gratify our fleshly desires. But this world is not holy... it is corrupt. And focusing on our self rather than Christ, is a sure recipe for disaster. We were created to worship God, not ourselves!!! "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

James points out that to seek to embrace the world and its friendship is enmity (hatred) toward God and spiritual adultery. "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

Because of this, we must stand firm against the enemy and the things of this world that can steer us away from following Jesus. This includes "friends" who would lead us the wrong way... television shows and movies based in the occult and darkness... strongholds and addictions that numb us... pursuits for popularity, possessions, physical and emotional gratifications... in short, anything that turns our eyes away from Jesus and keeps us from following God... anything! Ask yourself, are you standing firm against these things?

Spiritual identity theft is achieved when we fraternize with an enemy that God clearly tells us to stand firmly against. We let our guard down and, in turn, our pit grows deeper and deeper. Our hope gets stifled and we become burdened and ineffective in our faith. We choose to follow what is untrue... all because we grow accustom to the company of a liar... a destroyer! A wolf cannot co-exist with a flock of sheep without inevitably attempting to harm and devour each and every lamb! When we keep company with the enemy, we ridiculously rationalize his presence and start to accept our sin - - all the while becoming more and more anxious and heavy burdened because...hello... he's a wolf waiting to devour us! This is not living free and following Jesus' holy way. We must break off all ties to that which is unholy and put our trust in our Shepherd to guard us against the enemy. He will watch over us and guide our ways. He will fight off the enemy and keep us safe from harm! But we must follow Christ fully and stop two-timing between serving two masters.

Ladies, God promises that if we pursue Him, He will not only provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33) but He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4-5). Let's stop violating the discipline and orders of our good and faithful King by believing the enemy has a better plan for us... he doesn't. Nothing is better than Jesus. Let's stop choosing less than what God has intended for us. Instead, let's live holy in our Redeemer's grace.

The enemy is just that - THE ENEMY!!!  Let's stop fraternizing and following the advice of someone who wants us defeated... destroyed... dead. Rather, let's start rejoicing and living in Jesus Name - HE WHO IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE - He who gives us life anew! Follow the Savior, ladies. Believe Him. He is the WAY!

Thank you, Lord, for giving us life and adopting us into Your family. Your grace has made us worthy because You first loved us enough to save us! Our identity is safe in Your care! AMEN!

Blessings!

~Victoria

© 2014 The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson