Puppet Shows

When I was a child I remember being totally mesmerized by puppet shows. It didn't matter whether they were big puppets or little puppets, if the person behind the puppet could make me believe even for a moment, that the puppet could really talk, I was hooked. These kinds of puppet shows are amusing and innocent, but there is another kind of puppet show that can happen in our lives that is neither fun nor healthy, and those are the ones in which the enemy uses us as his puppets. Sound confusing? Let me explain further.

I was reading in I Samuel 17 and reflecting on the thrilling moment when David stood before Goliath ready to defeat him - more than most other stories, I am sure you remember this one.  But what I noticed this time while reading, that came just prior to David's great victory, was in verse 28, where it says, "When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him (David) speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is'." Wow - can you imagine having your big brother, of whom you had travelled far to bring food to and most likely had looked up to, speak to you like that? Not only did his brother make it very clear to David that he wasn't welcome, his brother insulted his job, his reputation and his character. It is interesting to me that the enemy used David's oldest brother as a "puppet" to try to keep him from doing what God had called and equipped David to do that very day, which was to kill the giant that no one else (including David's big brother) had dared to face.

There is also the similar experience that Jesus had with Peter in the New Testament, found in Matthew 16. Jesus had begun to share what would happen when he went to the cross, and Peter's quick reply found in verse 22-23, said, "'Never, Lord...this shall never happen to you!' Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men'." Ouch - could it get more insulting than that? And yet, Jesus was perfect - he saw past Peter and straight to the enemy who was using Peter as his "puppet" in trying to turn Jesus away from what God had called him to do. The similarities to David with his older brother, and Jesus with Peter are very noticeable; in both situations the enemy was trying to keep those called, from fulfilling their purposes.

How does this apply to us? I believe there are two very important applications we can take from these stories. The first application is this; the enemy will use anyone he can find, including and sometimes especially, those closest to us, to try to turn us away from facing our challenges and our callings.  Therefore, it is very important when we hear words that hurt us or discourage us, especially when the words originate from those we are closest to, that we evaluate whether the words hold truth or the lies of the enemy. I have yet to try saying, "Get behind me satan" to my husband - not sure if that would go over well - but you get the idea. Satan will use whomever he can gain access to as his "puppets", if only for a moment, to discourage us and tear us down so we have to be on guard against his schemes. These stories are also a good reminder to us, that the battle and opposition that can come against us personally, can be greatest just prior to our biggest victories, so watch for that.

The second application is more simple, but just as important; the enemy wants and will try to use us as his "puppets" to tear down or discourage others who are in our lives, and we need to be ever aware of that possibility. I have heard it said that, "There, but for the grace of God, go I", and we need to live with that kind of grace evident in our lives. When the enemy tempts us to open our mouths and say what we FEEL; stop, take a deep breath, give a quick prayer, and see if what is wanting to come out of our mouths is a trick of the puppet master.

The more "puppet shows" that we can put an end to in our lives and the lives of those around us, the less opportunity the enemy will have to pull us away from what God has called us to do. The next time you see a puppet lying around somewhere, remember what the enemy tried to do - to David just before Goliath, and to Jesus just before the cross - and CHOOSE to not be one of his "puppets"!

On High Alert

I realize it may not seem very festive to speak of being on high alert - spiritually speaking - over the Christmas holidays, but I feel I would be wrong not to remind us all that the enemy doesn't take a vacation.  Even worse, I am suspicious that his plans may include ramping up the pressure to a certain degree, when it comes to the celebration of Jesus' birth and time shared together with friends and family.  Oh, but that is not fair - you may say - it is our week off, I don't want to think about those things.  Is it not far better to think about those things and feel slightly less festive, than to ignore them and give the enemy an opportunity to add chaos to our festivities?  Let me explain...

The Bible warns us many times of the devil's strategies - he comes to steal, kill and destroy; he roars around like a lion looking for those he can devour; he has flaming arrows; and on it goes.  As I think of the holidays, it makes me think of the times our government can become informed of threats of terrorist activity in our countries and they take the regular alert and increase its warning, to a high alert.  As un-festive as this may seem, try to think of the holidays this way and see if it doesn't make a difference for you this year. 

I don't speak of going into Christmas afraid - not at all - remember God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind; and greater is He who is in us, than he that is in the world.  We have nothing to fear with God on our side - but we do need to be aware and take due diligence.  If we knew that there was an increased chance our children were in danger of going missing by visiting Disney World, would it mean we would never take them, or go and have a miserable time? Neither should be true - we would go and have a wonderful time, but we would be more alert and cautious.  Same is true for the holidays - don't be fearful, don't let thoughts of the enemy frighten you in any way, but be on alert and be cautious.

Take some time and read through and apply the wisdom of Ephesians 6 - it is a good review at any time of the year, but at Christmas I  think it helps us be aware of some of the enemy's tricks.  It says in Ephesians 6:10,11&18, that we are to, "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers...and powers...and forces of evil in the heavenly realms...With this in mind, BE ALERT."  When we can recognize that some of the challenges we face as we gather with extended family, or even our own families, over the holidays, are really our battle in the spiritual realm, it puts the focus in proper perspective.  Often frustrations that are directed at family members and an offense they may cause, really should be directed at the enemy and the damage he may be trying to do in our family.  When we can recognize this, we can fight the true enemy and put right perspective to the relationships around us.

Please don't go into the holidays with any fear - go into them with full anticipation of all the good things God has for you and yours, but just as you would at Disney World, keep an extra snug hold on your family members and an eye that is scanning for any danger.  Enjoy these moments, celebrating Christ's birth.  It is because He came that we have the authority to stand against the enemy this Christmas!