SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS PITFALLS

Some of the most dangerous things in life that we should avoid, are the ones that we cannot see, until we are upon them staring them right in the face. They are totally invisible and can sneak up on us when we least expect them, just like a covered pit used to trap a wild animal.

Among the most spiritually lethal and dangerous of these pitfalls, and yet the most common are laziness, immorality,sexual sins, pride, jealousy, envy, insecurity, insincerity, compromise, unforgiveness, disappointment, and fear.

These are the tools used by satan and his followers, and placed along our path in an effort to entice and entrap us, in an effort to prevent us from experiencing the love of God in our lives.

Many believers think that satan uses obvious means to draw us off course and entrap us, but he is not that open and obvious. His tools are far more subtle, and the tools he uses create in us feelings of pain, guilt, shame and regret, creating a wedge between us and God.

Pride, one of his most useful tools causes us to put ourselves first above God. Pride was satan's downfall, as he thought himself to be exactly like God, maybe even better than God.

A person with false pride, gives no consideration to how The Lord has gifted him, but instead looks at his accomplishments thinking "Look what I've done,Wow!? The enemy does not want our focus to be on God, but on ourselves. He will use discouragement, insecurity, fear and jealousy in his attempt to achieve this.

Almighty God is primarily interested in keeping us focused and keeping our focus on Him and His Will, thus protecting us from the traps ahead. When our thoughts are wrapped around and focused un God, He provides us with the discernment we require to locate the enemy's traps and avoid them, and keeps us safe from temptation and sin.

We will often find ourselves surrounded by the world's chatterings, but if we are focused, we will remain true to Him and His unconditional love. Nothing give God more joy than when we surrender completely to Him and His will, allowing Him to teach us how to live in the light of His goodness and blessings.

Discouragement is one of satan's more powerful tools against a Christian believer.

The devil needs for us to give up, and to that end, he tempts us with sin and sends accusing lies to our minds. He believes that he can manipulate the circumstances enough to cause us to fall for his lies and experience the destructive effects of discouragement and fear.

Sexual sins are most powerful in these instances, because it brings with it shame and sorrow, a sense of worthlessness, and isolation from believers. The devestating results can destroy friends, and family, not just husband and wife are effected.

Doubt and fear are satan's hardest pitfalls to avoid. An anxious person is an easy target.

It is when we are fearful and doubting that we are our weakest and most vulnerable. We are reminded by God though: JOSHUA: 1: 9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong, and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be though dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

God is with us always and will never forsake or leave us alone. God has a plan for us and our lives and is committed to keeping watch over us even in times of trouble and peril. He will never forsake us.

Let's recap how best to see and avoid the pitfalls before we are trapped.

Surrender your life in the Lord. This is the most important line of defence we have. The very instant that we totally surrender ourselves over to Almighty God and seek to fulfill His will through His Grace we are blest and bathed in the blood of Jesus protecting us.

Ask God to teach us His truth, and daily apply the armour of Holy God to yourself, as mentioned by the Apostle Paul in EPHESIANS: 6: 11-18. This will permit us to stand our ground firmly against satan and resist his temptations.

Be fully committed to following only Him, even in times of difficulty or dire stress. There is no escape for satan's hardships like disappointment, pain, discouragement. The very difficulties though are the perfect opportunity for almight God to prove His faithfulness.

Adversity is a powerful tool in the hands of God, for He knows just how to turn it to His Glory, as an expression of His love for us. Storing up bad feelings like envy and jealousy serve no purpose but to do harm and cause division between you and God.

Seek and ask for Godly Discernment and Wisdom. Prayer is a daily essential, and praying the right prayer is as important. Ask God to continually teach you more about Himself, so that you will know and recognize quickly His ways.

Ask God to make His ways totally clear for you to be able to recognize at a moment's notice, and then listen to His voice and only His voice and be willing to obey Him.