Don’t Take the Bait! [Strong Christian Encouragement]

To my brothers and sisters in the Lord:

During my prayer time this morning I felt like I heard this question in my spirit—

If you had a common enemy, would you not stand against him?

That got me thinking about the widening political divide. We cannot be ignorant of the devils schemes. We have a common enemy— the devil! And he’s baiting us into war! People are not our enemy, the devil is. Hear God’s Word:

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”—Ephesians 6:11-12

Given our struggle is against the dark forces of evil, what should be our response? To debate? Argue? Try to prove our point? Promote opinions as if they are the only truth?

No. Our response is always to love. Speak the truth in LOVE the Bible says. This is not referring to “our” truth. This is referring to God’s TRUTH, found in his Word. The truth is—we have an enemy prowling around seeking whom he can devour. And if we’re not careful, he will devour us all—

I’m writing today to encourage you to stay alert. DON’T TAKE SATAN’S BAIT!

Let only wholesome words proceed out, even when referring to those (people, politicians, or policies) you disagree with. God loves people. He’s not part of a political party. He’s his own party! Hallelujah! And we can unite with him and bring him glory by doing his will. Or we can stand against him by tearing others down.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

Be encouraged today, dear friends. God has a plan. And we can trust his plan moment by moment. Let God do his part (He is the judge over all of us). And let us do our part— to love God and people.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-40).

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

All that to say—Let’s stand against our common enemy and trust the battle to the Lord!

“The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”— Exodus 14:14

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

    and give you peace.”

—Numbers 6:24-26

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