Dealing With It

Many of you have heard me tell stories of growing up in Florida while others of you are aware that Jeane and I lived in Orlando prior to moving to Maryland.   Interestingly, sandwiched between those two stints in the Sunshine State was a lot of cold weather.  We spent about 30 years living in Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.  During those years we “enjoyed” our share of blizzards and cold temperatures (sometimes experiencing -30 and wind chills as low as -70).  Often, our fair weather friends would want to know how we managed.  The answer is pretty simple – you stay out of the elements as much as possible and, if you have to be out, dress appropriately.  Coats, hats, gloves, thermals, and wind/moisture resistant clothes layered together can make you somewhat comfortable and might save your life.  Preparation before exposure to the elements made living in that part of the country manageable.
How do successful Christians deal with sin and temptation in their lives?   Well, just like dealing with cold weather, the answer is preparation.  It is awful tempting to want to cloister ourselves away in the warmth and safety of Christian isolationism, but often, that isn’t possible.  When we find ourselves having to venture out into the carnal world, we’d better be ready.  When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus he praised the virtue of proper attire by noting:
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 4:13-16)
In this case the apostle drew upon a soldier’s wardrobe, but the message is similar.  If we want to endure an experience with the adversary (whether it’s the weather, an enemy soldier or the devil himself) we need to be prepared for the hardships before we confront them.  Christians are successful when we know the truth, when we live righteous lives, when we understand and obey the gospel, when we are protected by faith and when we wield the Word of God.  Success and safety don’t come by accident – they are acts of conscious planning.
Are we ready for anything that satan can bring our way?  Success isn’t found in hoping we can skate by on whatever we might have at our disposal when we happen upon temptation, we must be ready for it.  Just like harsh winter weather, satan is a formidable force who has no mercy.  Let’s be prepared so we can enjoy the warmth of living in the Light. 

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