Guard Your Heart and Mind
Be aware of any subtle changes in your thoughts and emotions during this season. Our enemy is an expert in enacting subtle schemes. Just like from the beginning, he can be very subtle in how he approaches you. The word subtle is defined as “a change so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.” Understand that a subtle shift can lead to a big problem if you do not “nip it in the bud.” Subtle thoughts can lead to not so subtle actions or conversations. So what guard can we put around our hearts and minds to alert us to these subtle attacks? I believe the Apostle Paul gives us examples in Ephesians 6:10-18 and in Philippians 4:6-9. In Ephesians 6, he speaks of spiritual armor that the Christ believer has access to. Many people talk about putting their armor on, but the fact is that it should never come off. KEEP ON your SPIRITUAL ARMOR so that you can remain steadfast (firm and unwavering) in the faith. Verse 18 really stands out to me. ...