From the pen of Dr. Sam Jones 

Christians are in a fight! The outcome of this fight determines their destiny. They don’t want to lose this this fight. One of the sad occasions of this fight is when I hear or read about casualties – the loss due to spiritual death or desertion. Prepare for your fight with Satan. He is coming after you today or maybe tomorrow. The big question is not when will he come after you, but will you be ready when he comes for the fight? Don’t let Satan catch you unprepared. Anticipate his attack and stay ready for him. The Spiritual Moment on yesterday suggested the first of several things that we can do to prepare for our fight with Satan. So, what can we do in addition to reading the Bible?

Insight Number Two – Take a Look at Your Heart! All Christians are challenged to from time to time “examine” themselves (I Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5). The value of doing this is seen in Jesus’ encounter with Peter in John 21:15-18. He challenged Peter to look or examine his spiritual commitment. Three times he requested for Peter to assess his level of commitment. On two of the three occasions, Jesus informed him that his level was inadequate. After Peter really looked at his heart, he came to an understanding of what was expected of him. It was then Jesus was able to give an assessment of an adequate commitment. Because of this examination and many others after this occasion, Peter was able to defeat Satan (Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-29; 2 Pet. 1:12-14).

Are you ready for your fight with Satan? How do you know if you are ready or not? Take the time to look at your heart! Examine your life (I Cor. 11:28); examine your faith (2 Cor. 13:5); examine your deeds (Gal. 6:4); examine your love (Jo. 14:15); examine your commitment (Lk. 14:26-27). Maybe if someone had encouraged Demas to look at his heart months earlier, perhaps we wouldn’t read the sad passage of 2 Timothy 4:10, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.”

We are in a fight! Satan is coming after us as he went after Demas. Are you prepared? Look at your heart; what changes or things do you need to do to equip you to stand? May God give you the strength and endurance to defeat Satan!