Be Watchful, for the enemy is prowling around like a lion seeking who he may devour… But He has a very strategic plan in place to get to us and our children without us noticing!

-Lord open our eyes, that we might see. Amen.

Remember the felling you get about a parent or grandparent? Think of their actions, their habits. Did you feel loved, did you feel safe, did you feel instructed? Did you have a clear since of right and wrong? You knew how they would react to certain actions from you. How they disciplined, how they corrected. How they taught you. Maybe when you remember a parent or grandparent or any guardian you may have had, you remember the hugs, the love, the kindness, the peace you felt around them. Whatever it is that you remember about that person, they left a mark on your life. How has that played apart in who you are today?

The things you remember this person by doesn’t come down to one action or one day. It wasn’t one word or thing they said to you. Instead, it was the many consistent words of kindness, the many consistent acts of kindness…. Or their consistent wrong choices, their consistent outbursts of anger. The point is, the choices we consistently make become habits, and our habits become a way of life, our way of life becomes a part of who we are. And who we are -good or bad, becomes a part of our children’s lives.

 

It is of extreme importance to be mindful, watchful of how we are impacting our children’s lives. Is our example of how they should respond to hardship helpful or harmful? Is our example of how we respond when things don’t go our way positive? In times of trouble, do we run to Jesus? Do they know that, do they see it? Whatever it is that we are doing, it is being passed on to them.

 

The Enemy is watching you

The scripture says: “The enemy is prowling around like a lion seeking who he may devour”. Lions who prowl, remain unseen while devising their plan for the best way to attack their prey. They lie in wait for the best opportunity to strike. Almost always, once they strike, it is too late, the damage is done and the prey’s chances of survival are slim. Our enemy is using our homes for his field of grass to lie in. He is using our day to day choices for his brush to camouflage his presence. Once he see’s a few actions he can use, he devises his plan. He ever so subtly gives you more opportunities to continue to choose this action. Once he gets you to make those bad choices enough times, well your on your way. Let’s remember, consistent actions unchecked become habits, habits unchecked become a way of life. The enemy then sinks in his claws. Because what is now our way of life will most certainly affect our children.

 

On and on it goes until someone’s eyes are opened and decides to put an end to it. For the enemy catches much prey when they are unsuspecting. Once seen, his cover is blown. How sly he is, sneaking in and devising plans, he knows if he can get you off course then everyone following you will be affected by your choices. That lion could have you before you even knew he was there. Maybe he already does… Lets reveal His schemes, lets pull back the curtain. Be careful not to allow the enemy to use you. He uses you and I, along with many other things, to get to our children. But this tactic can go unnoticed from generation to generation.

 

Jesus, our helper

As Christians, the most important thing we can do to counter this is point our children to Jesus, and be their example. We must be the example. When we make consistent choices to follow Christ, it will be always be a blessing upon our children. We are instructed in scripture to teach the word to them, to keep it always before our eyes, and theirs. When we fall into trials, or hardship, we turn to Jesus. When they fall into their trials and hardships, this is opportunity for training them up for their future. How do we want them to respond to trouble later in life? We should teach them to bring those cares and worries to Christ and to pray to Him for guidance. We should tell them things like “Cast all your anxiety’s on Him for He cares for you.” We should speak scriptures into their lives. When they come to us, we should give them Godly advice and point their attention to Him. It is our duty and our responsibility. It is expected of us to do this.

The enemy is on the hunt. He is trying his best to plant seeds of wickedness within us, and within them. We must be alert, be watchful and careful to not let these succeed. Further we should be countering the attack by strategizing our own plans for success and protection through the Lord. When the lion, or the enemy, sets his sights on us to place us in his thoughts as a prey. We must be alert, and aware. Let him know, we see Him and we will not be putting up with any of those plans he is devising. For we are no longer unaware. Once the predator’s cover is blown, once he is seen hiding amongst the grass and brush, his plan of attack has been shattered. So Be alert. Be watchful. Be Aware and stand strong in your faith. Amen!