By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Because high school scholars in Bethelsdorp are often targeted by "gangsters", teachers decided to equip the scholars to protect themselves by allowing self-defence classes taught at the school. As I looked at the picture of boys and girls ready to chase away any gangster, it struck me that we as believers are daily in a battle too – this time against our unseen enemy. The question is: Are we safeguarding ourselves?

In Ephesians 6: 12-13 we read: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against every power and authority, against every spirit that prevails over this sinful world, against every evil spirit in the air." And in 1 Peter 5: 8: "Be sober, be awake! Your enemy, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. "

Here are two tips to daily safeguard ourselves against the enemy’s attacks:

1)   Put on the armour of God:

In Ephesians 6:13, we read: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

How do I do it? To put on the armour of God, means to ask God every morning to: protect our minds throughout the day and to make us aware of any negative thoughts we are dwelling on for too long (helmet of salvation); to remind ourselves that God has cleansed us from all sin through Jesus' crucifixion (breastplate of righteousness); ask God to guide us through His Holy Spirit to seek and speak the truth in every situation (belt of truth); to choose to live with confidence and demonstrate God’s love to people throughout the day – especially those who do not know Him yet (shoes); help us to make time to read and meditate on His Word (sword).

2)   Submit yourselves to Him

In Luke 10:19 Jesus said: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” What is the secret to conquer the enemy? We find it in James 4: 7: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The enemy will try to fill us with fear and worry, while robbing us from our faith. If we however submit ourselves to God in faith with the knowledge that we cannot overcome the enemy in our own power, but that Jesus has already won, we will experience the enemy fleeing from us.

Our faith paralyzes the enemy. Let us therefore enter this week, with a heart filled with faith, knowing that God truly loves us unconditionally. God bless.

Father God, thank you for protecting us and caring for us. Please help me to place my faith and trust in you, although sometimes my current situations are overwhelming. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• See picture of girls and boys fromBethelsdorp at www.benescke.co.za

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