The battle from the outside

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith (1 Pe 5:8-9a, NIV)

Yesterday I wrote about the battle we face from within, my own personal desires, and how it effects my life.  However there is another factor:  The Battle from the outside.

If its not bad enough that we have to deal with an inward battle of good verses evil, our enemy is also throwing stuff at us from the outside too.

The verse starts with the solution to dealing with the prowling enemy:  You and I have to be self-controlled (dealing with the battle within) and alert. 

Did you know that the majority of people that are attacked in public saw their attacker, but where not aware enough of their surroundings to be alert of the attack.  You and I are to constantly be on "alert", there is no downtime.  The very moment we put our guard down, the enemy attacks.  He is looking, waiting, and ready to pounce the very moment we do not expect it.  So yes, we have to live our lives in "defense" mode.

Is being a Christian Hard? yes
Is doing the right thing hard? yes
Is it worth it?  YES!!!!!

Watch out, keep an eye out, be on alert...  (ps and look out for one another)

love, Chris