"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
~1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My Word."
~Isaiah 66:2b (ESV)
It is often among victory that the enemy most-aggressively seeks to trip us up. When we are already on the ground, the enemy usually must only kick us while we are on the ground in order to reign thoughts of condemnation and defeat upon us. But it is when we are in victory that the enemy has something else to fight past--he must first get us upon the ground again.
Christian, stand in victory, but do not stand tall in self-confidence. This leaves your legs vulnerable to tripping, an opportunity that the enemy will always take to get us far from rejoicing in his enemy--God. March not forth in boldness if your motive is that you are through with the battle. It will never be done on earth!
Instead, stay low in the humble and desperate dependence that is to characterize Christians who have left the life of self absorption behind. March forth in the boldness that naturally comes after gazing upon the power of God to save. It is His strength that will deliver you. Is is His hand that will hold you up from temptation. It is His call that will be loud enough for you to flee sin as strong Christians do.
He is here! He is mighty! As sure as the enemy will not give up on your soul's destruction, much mightier will God not give up on your soul's refining. As the battle against sin and for holiness will never end until your exhale your final breath, so far shall He be with you--from now until you inhale your first eternal breath of Heaven. Then shall you be with Him, Christian, never to sin again, always to joyfully praise Him without interruption.
