Spiritual warfare has many different angles. It’s not all about binding and loosing. In fact, you don’t need to bind and loose until the enemy has already attacked.
We can, to some extent, shut the enemy out of our life–and Proverbs offers some keys on how to do it.
The Holy Spirit told me recently to use Proverbs like a devotional because “you’re going to need a lot of wisdom in the days ahead.” I didn’t hesitate to start with Proverbs 1 on the first day of this month and have already gleaned plenty of wisdom.
On June 3 I read something with fresh eyes that hadn’t quite clicked before. Proverbs 3:21-26 reads:
“My son, let them not depart from your eyes—Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”
Do you see the keys? Sound wisdom and discretion.
What is wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. It’s good sense and judgment.
What does it mean to be discreet? It means to be unnnoticeable.
What is discretion? It’s the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment. But it’s also the quality of being discreet. It’s the cautious reserve in speech. It’s the ability to make responsible decisions.
So let me give you the LeClaire translation of this:
If you have the ability to discern the right relationships and if you are discreet, and careful with your words and make right decisions, and not announce your plans, you’ll have a lot less trouble with the devil.
Can you see it?
Too many of us charge into relationships without discerning the will of the Lord. Not everybody has right motives toward you. And remember, the enemy uses people to attack us more often than not.
Too many of us use poor judgment in matters of every day life and we inadvertently open the door to the the enemy. We want to tell everybody our dreams and plans and projects, and thereby announce them also to the principalities and powers.
This is gold! It’s one thing to resist the devil when he’s trying to shut you up and shut you down. It’s another thing to shut him out so he doesn’t have the opportunity to resist you.
Let's pray:
