Hamish runs outside and barks every time he hears a siren. He doesn’t stop until the siren stops.
Do we do that? Recognise danger in our lives and be a watchdog?
I am trying to build ‘sirens’ in my life, to let me know when I am in danger.
Ever seen free climbing? They use the smallest crack for a hand or foothold. So does Satan in our lives. Sometimes it’s not even a sin, although often it is. It can be an area of vulnerability or known weakness that can lead to the sin.
For example, I know I can be vulnerable to depression. Thankfully it has been years since I have had a prolonged bout or bad depression, but I still can get down days. I know when in the past it has been a sin; the ‘pity party’, ‘poor me’, ‘why me’ thinking.
Sometimes depression isn’t a sin but often it can lead to sin. When depressed, I have been very vulnerable and succumbed to spiritual attacks; from feeling guilty of being depressed to feeling I am useless.
I wanted to break this stronghold, so I examined how and why I become depressed and put some sirens in my life to warn me. I know I don’t want to see people when I am depressed. So if I ever feel I don’t want to be around anyone, I recognise that as a siren and deal with it before it becomes a problem.
This siren, although it helps me to think of this positive application - putting sirens in different areas in my life, is Hamish’s bad habit. I don’t want him to do it! It is his stronghold - barking at sirens.
But when Hamish is out on a walk or when we are playing and he has his eyes fixed on a ball, he ignores the siren.
I am always amazed at this but it also really helps me: When I am walking with God and have my eyes fixed upon Him that is when my strongholds break, when they are at the weakest. I can and should do everything to guard against attack, but without walking with God, praying and arming myself with the armour of God, 99% of the time I fail.
What sirens do you need to put in your life?
Do you have a sin as a stronghold and need to repent?
Do you need to take steps against it happening again? –
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil…Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:11,13-18