Beware of the Glitter

There is a spiritual warfare which encompasses every aspect of our lives. It is, commonly, referred to as “the battle of good versus evil”. Every moment, we consciously choose to do either generate a positive environment, or create our own path of destruction. It only takes one word, or action to affect another person’s day. That split second could alter a lifetime. (Ephesians 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”)

The vices of evil cut the deepest. In today’s world, darkness, and despair surround us. News reports fill our sight, and minds with stories of death, greed, lust, division, and corruption. Often, the families directly affected by the tragedies never completely recover from the pain. (Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”)

One word sums up this flood of selfish gratification: addiction. In these most unfortunate circumstances, the briefest thought compounded into an uncontrollable urge to fulfill vile, unacceptable, filthy, desperate, and immoral desires. Hatred, fear, confusion, jealousy, and uncertainty drove some beyond the point of insanity. Illusions clouded any glimpse of clarity’s hope. (James 4:1-5 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”)

It is in this very reality that awareness must protect of our thoughts, and actions. Not every situation is what it seems. For we know within every rose-bush lies hidden thorns. The enemy is out to seek, and devour each one of us. (I Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”) We must combat his fire with words of encouragement, humor, kindness, remembrance, harmony, forgiveness and love. (Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”)

1. All references (shown in blue) are from The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version.