Some years ago I had a daily routine of walking in my neighborhood. On one particular day the sun was bright and there was a nice breeze. I noticed that even this gently breeze was enough to move the leaves in the trees.  However this movement created a “flickering” sensation that was annoying since my eyes are sensitive to such fast movement and sudden change from light to shade. Even though the short relief from the shade of those leaves was welcomed, I also realized that they kept me from seeing the beauty of the sun. That “flickering” of the leaves divided my attention and caused me to want to turn aside from my course and purpose of walking.

This is what the devil wants to do; he wants to cause things in our lives to divert us from the course of faith to a course of sin. He wants to cause disorder in our lives so that we won’t have any peace. He wants to divert our thoughts away from the promises of God so he can deceive us so we will doubt God’s Word. This is what the Bible means in Ephesians 6:11 talking about the “wiles of the devil”. The word wiles means, a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive. Stratagem means deceptive scheme or skill in deception. Though the devil may have deceptive snares for us, we can overcome each of them with the Word of God.  God’s Word brings the Light of God (Jesus) into our lives. The truth of God’s Word makes us steady and strong in our faith. According to Romans 10:17, we can strengthen our faith by continually hearing and hearing the Word of God.

When we are consistent, diligent, and faithful to read the Bible, study to learn of Him; spend time in His presence and pray, and obey His Word, we actually experience the Blessings of His Word. If we are sporadic in our fellowship with God we then set ourselves up to be weak in our faith and will not be able to stand strong when the problems of life come our way. Let’s face it, the more we concentrate on problems the less focused we are on the solution, which is the Word of God. The longer we stay under the influence of the problems by looking at them, worrying about them, saying the wrong words about them, the longer we keep ourselves from the solutions to those problems and the Promises of God. To overcome problems we need to keep our focus on the very Word of God. We need to make the instruction in Joshua 1:8 our daily priority: to meditate on the Word day and night, do what it says, and the result is good success.

Jesus referred to himself as the Light of the world (John 8:12). Actually the verse says “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Let’s purpose to walk in the LIGHT of God each day of our lives.

Have a great week.