“Be of sober spirit, be on alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“Be on alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 2 Timothy 4:15
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
General Reflections:
Guarding means protecting and defending oneself, one’s, faith, one’s property, one’s family and community.
Personally, we need to guard our heart, mind, body and soul, our whole being.
How to guard our heart and mind: pray continually, be still and rest in God, practice gratitude; give thanks to God in all circumstances; accept God’s will.
Guard your heart for everything that flows from it. Guard your mind by giving careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. The heart is the command centre of the soul, the mind, will and affections. It is a high risk and vulnerable place because of constant temptation to sin.
God created us with a heart so we could have a loving relationship with Him. Our heart is the centre of our faith and relationship with God.
Guard yourself against the evil spirit, the one who can kill both the body and soul.
How can you guard your faith?
- by regularly examining your faith and address your lack of faith
- by finding inspiration from the Word of God everyday
- by taking solace in daily prayers
- by connecting with a Faith-Based Community (CFCA)
- by doing good
- by showing compassion
How can you guard our family and community? You need to love and care for your families, especially your immediate family. Pray for your family as a prayer of protection for them. The Lord will keep your family from harm, He will watch over your family.
You need to do the same for your community; leaders and members. CFCA is also your family with leaders and members as your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Family prayer for protection:
Our Father God, we come before You today to ask for Your protection over our families. Let no trouble fall on them today. Keep them away from accidents. Free them from disasters and serious difficulties in life. O Lord, allow no evil to influence their hearts.
Personal Reflections:
Which areas in your life are most vulnerable and need to be guarded?
· Your heart - against unforgiveness, resentments, hatred, pride, stubbornness, ingratitude, misplaced priorities, indifferences to the needs and feelings of others, etc.
· Your mind - against evil and malicious thoughts, bad intentions and motives, revenge, selfishness, envy, jealousy, self pity, childish thoughts, etc.
· Your body - against the desires of the flesh, sexual perversities, gluttony, greediness, impurities, self-centredness, self-importance, immodesties, vanities, etc.
· Your soul – against succumbing to the temptations from the evil one, unrighteous behaviours, immoralities, indecencies, self-righteousness, gossips, slanders, etc.
Do you do an examination of your conscience before going to sleep by call to mind all that you have done wrong during the day and ask for forgiveness from God? If not, why not?
Do you consider this necessary for your salvation?