AND BE WATCHFUL!

Bible Texts: 1Pet.5:8-9, Gen.3:1-10, Gen.2:14-25, Zech.13:7, Ezk.34:15, Rev.12:10-12, Lk.18:1, Mk.9:29, Jn.10:10

As the good and godly husbandman, one area where you cannot afford to let down your guard is your watchfulness over your life, your wife and children and your family-fold. Now, consider these passages of the Bible and you will understand the importance of staying alert spiritually.

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up (1 Pet.5:8) MSG

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet.5:8) KJV

Both Scriptures tell you and I to keep our guard and not be caught napping by the influences of satan, sin and the world. You and I must appreciate who our real enemy is and the plans of the enemy. In John chapter 10 and verse 10, the Word of God says that the devil came to steal, to kill and to destroy….(Jn.10:10a). Your real enemy is satan. He wants to steal your joy, strength, peace and happiness. He wants to kill you and destroy the harmonious relationship you have with God, your wife and children.

What are the things I must keep watch over? You must stay alert and be watchful over immorality, stealing, drunkenness, adultery, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, malice, and all forms of spiritual complacency. You live an unrighteous life not because you are rich or poor. The attitude of your wife is also not the reason why you are involved in sexual immorality. Satan is the person tempting you but God has given you the power and authority to overcome every temptation. Jesus speaking said that they are like sheep without shepherd (Mk.6:34). And the word of God tells us that when you strike the shepherd, the sheep will scatter (Zech.13:7). Satan is your enemy and the assignment he wants to fulfill if you let down your guard as the godly husbandman is to kill, to steal and to destroy (Jn.10:10).

But how do I stay on guard and not allow a slip as I lead my life, wife and children? Always live and be battle-ready. A battle-ready army is always ready for war and sensitive to the enemy’s plans to strike. He then takes position both to attack and defend. You are equipped to be battle-ready when you are born again and have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Jn.3:3-5, 2Cor.5:17).  You must also deepen your relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit who prompts you to know when you are being lured to fall into the trap of satan, sin and the world (Jn.14:26). You must also give attention to personal study of the word of God and meditate upon it day and night in order for you to know the perfect will of God for your life as the good and godly husbandman (Jos.1:6-8, Ps.1:1-3). You must finally engage the weapon of fasting with prayers to build your spiritual and emotional capacity to be strong and steadfast in the midst of great temptation.

Stay alert! Be watchful! Hold your territory firmly! Satan does not wish you well. He hates your office as the godly husbandman. Return fire for fire. Contend against him all on sides.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, open the eyes of my spirit man to see beyond every offer and suggestion.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with the spirit of discernment.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with the spirit of faith to stand against satan and his wiles.

FAITH CONFESSION

I resist steadfastly satan and his offers by the word of God and by faith because that is what empowers me to remain the good and godly husbandman to God, my wife and children in Jesus Name. Amen.

The devotional IN TUNE WITH GOD© is published by The Husbandman Mission International, Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.

• You can download the devotional on Google playstore by typing HUSBANDMAN DEVOTIONAL

• You can also subscribe for this devotional by visiting www.thehusbandman.com and clicking the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

• Send us a mail of how today’s teaching has blessed you to thehusbandmaninternational@gmail.com.

Jesus Christ is Lord over all.

Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure

We are expanding,

If you are interested in contributing to the growth of this devotional, willfully contribute using the button below