Many Christians no longer believe that there is a personal evil that is seeking to destroy the works of God and the children of God.
This runs contrary to my experience. I believe that there is a personal God who has an enemy targeting God’s children. He wants to rob you of all you hold dear. I believe that a lot of people who are anxious about the world are experiencing the consequences of that.
I can remember experiencing this when I would return home from an overseas ministry trip. I’d come home having seen miracles. In my ignorance, I’d walk through the front door unprepared and oblivious, with signs, wonders, and stories still swirling in my spirit.
Meanwhile, back on the home front, Karen frequently felt like the guy in the movie Platoon whose position had been overrun by North Vietnamese soldiers. And if I was unprepared, I would be overwhelmed.
Typically, all hell would break loose in our home. The urgency of sheer survival became paramount.
Especially during those years where we had five small children under the age of seven, things would be chaotic. She just needed me to join in the fight.
If I expected everyone to be on the same exalted spiritual plane I was floating on, then I had another thing coming.
How are you in this regard? Are you generally oblivious to the ways in which the enemy of your soul may be targeting you? Are you fighting back?
The Bible tells us that we are in a spiritual battle. We need to wake up and get smart about the devious ways in which our enemy will contest us for territory and try to throw us off our game. The word of the Lord today is if you are being targeted, fight back!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 
Seth – I know about attacks back at the home front very well. Way back in the day before we officially worked at AIM, when I was on a mission trip at the Gateway, I was in the dining hall. Someone brought me a phone. It was Jennifer calling me from California. Hannah was getting out of the van to put a letter in the mailbox. She tripped over the curbside and broke her clavicle. My heart sunk. There was nothing I could do to help at the moment. A doctor that was on that trip told me that the clavicle on a small child heals well and fast. This brought me comfort. Now we get covered in prayer before I leave home.
We’ve learned so much in the last 20 years, Cesar!
True. This is not the season to be complacent or naïve. As you and Peter remind us, we are called to be vigilant.
Seth, this is such a solid reminder. The church in America doesn’t speak very much about sin, hell, discipleship nor the palpable sense of evil all around us. Demons are real. l’ve been delivered from many. Love you my 40 year brother.