[358 words]
There have been a few times when I have been followed, stalked if you will, by animals. Once by a cat that wanted to play, once by a skunk on the UAM campus (who didn’t want to play), and once by a large dog that I am sure was trying to hamstring me. We have heard stories of animals hunting men as prey, even tigers taking children from villages, or a bear following a hunter. Most of us probably won’t have to face threats like these, but we are being stalked every day by something far scarier and far more dangerous than an animal? We, and our families, are at risk, yet most people ignore the stalker.
We walk through life ignoring the threats that often surround us. Did you know that Satan is out there right now, stalking you like prey? “Your adversary, the Devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned about false prophets who “Come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Paul warned elders: “Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).
We face dangers every day, yet we have grown accustomed to them. Our spiritual enemies can do us tremendous harm. None of us would knowingly ignore a coyote, wolf, or prowling lion, that was stalking our family on a walk. But that is what we do when we allow sin to “tag along” with us! Each day we become more comfortable with the world, each day we move just a little farther away from God until Satan devours us.
Of course, we cannot hide. In fact, Jesus sends us out, calling us, “Sheep in the midst of wolves.” But He warns: “Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Don’t ignore sin as it stalks your family. If you do, you will eventually get bitten. We must walk abroad in this world, but we must be vigilant as we go! Surround yourself with other Christians to help, and keep your eyes open to spiritual dangers that surround us.
Brad Tolbert
Monticello, AR