THANKFUL

(Continued from Tuesday, September 26, 2023)

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Your tender voice speaks to my inner man. “Child, you have more enemies than you can imagine. They desire to destroy you physically and spiritually. Sit down. I’ve got the list in my hand.”

Lord, did the Apostle Paul’s familiarity with Psalm 5 inspire him to remind the Ephesian believers of their real enemies? Certainly, we may have human enemies who could cause us harm, but they are not our greatest enemy.

Spiritual enemies stand eager to destroy us, waiting for an opening (Ephesians 6:13–17). Paul’s letter mirrors the importance of following where you lead, or our enemies will control our lives (Psalm 5:8). Lord, I want to be obedient in all areas. Partial obedience puts me in danger of following a different path than yours, Lord.

Who—or what—are my spiritual enemies?

Lord, would you say pride is the most lethal enemy to our spiritual lives? Most Christ followers have probably heard from time to time the subtle, satanic voices trying to convince us how smarter, wiser, more godly, more pious we are compared to other believers. With our knowledge of the Scriptures, we even have a scripture if someone merely asks what time it is. How annoying.

We boast how long we have served the Lord, and how we could never fall from our saintly status. Wanna bet? “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

Is it safe to assume, Lord, that spiritual pride turns away more people from seeking you than any other factor? As a Christ follower, may I never fall into this group.

Spiritual humility, the humility you embraced, Jesus, to take our place on the cross, draws those seeking you. Admitting we are sinners saved by your grace confirms we are redeemed from eternal destruction to eternal life only because of your works, Lord, not ours (John 5:24). Pride is my enemy since it attempts to deceive me into believing I’m a self-made man.

“Sit tight, my child. There’s more on your enemies list.”

(Continued 09/28)