My doors have deadbolts. My car automatically locks as I pull out of the garage. I fasten my purse into the shopping cart with the child straps. These are just a few of the tactics I use to stay physically safe but, what about spiritual safety? As I go through my daily life making disciples, am I naïve enough to believe I can do so without challenge from the enemy? Does it give you the willies, or perhaps the heebie-jeebies, to think of Satan or even his minions? It should. Scripture reports on the very real physical, yet demonic trouncing of a few early disciples who underestimated them. John would have never reminded us that “greater is He that in you than he that is in the world,” if we were not going to encounter this lowercase “he.” (1 John 4:4)

So are we to just hope to go unnoticed by this very formidable adversary? The only way that stands a chance is if we are completely ineffectual. O, the sorrow of cowering in the shadows as I attempt to look at my Savior! I couldn’t bear it. In the movie, The Usual Suspects, the master villain, Keyser Soze, explains, “The greatest trick Satan ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

If my improper handling of anger gives an inch of ground to the enemy, I must halt his advance in my home. I will not concede a single sliver of territory because of my uncontrolled temper. Is it not interesting that the brunt of our anger is usually directed at those we love most? We, as Christians, must stop this foolishness. Satan gains ground at every bitter word. Once I realize that righteousness is my goal rather than well-behaved, clean, orderliness, it becomes evident my anger will not get the job done anyway. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20) Let’s check ourselves, repent and regain ground we have lost.