Unwanted Guests
From the Armor Series
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23 CSB
Hey friend!
We introduced the breastplate of righteousness in the Armor Series when we were together last. If you missed it, you can find it here. In our time together today we will unpack it a little bit more so we can really understand how we wear this piece of armor and why it matters so much.
Have you ever been faced with some unwanted guests in your home? Oh boy, I certainly have. It was many moons ago and we had just moved into our home a few months before. I can remember the day like it was yesterday and to tell you the truth, I still get freaked out just thinking about it. Standing in the kitchen, I glanced down as I pulled the drawer handle of the silverware drawer open and screamed to the top of my lungs. Much to my dismay, there was a huge bug staring back at me. I slammed the drawer shut and ran out the door. I didn’t care what kind of bug it was, just the thought of an insect hanging out (and hanging on) with my silverware freaked me out.
It didn’t take much after that for us to call an exterminator. I don’t know how you feel about bugs but I will share my thoughts about them - I’m fine with them as long as they are outside and not in my home. That is where I draw the line.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” It doesn’t just tell us to guard our hearts but it specifically says to guard our heart above anything else. Why do you think it’s so important to guard our hearts and why do you think guarding our hearts has such a high priority above everything else? I mean, it seems like there could be more important things out there that should be prioritized above guarding your heart. Right?
Nope. Sweet friend, not even brushing our teeth is as important as guarding our heart.
Roman soldiers were everywhere in Paul’s day and since he was imprisoned most of the time that he was writing a majority of the New Testament, Paul had a Birdseye view of each soldier’s specific pieces of armor and what they were used for. The breastplate was worn over the midsection from the neck to the thighs and its purpose was to guard the vital organs, especially the heart. One blow to the heart would stop a man dead in his tracks.
Priscilla Shirer says, “Your heart is the seat of your life. The source. And what the physical heart is to your physical life, the spiritual heart is to your spiritual life.”
When we wear our uniform of righteousness, which is in essence, “right-living” that is aligned with the truth that is found in God’s word, we are creating an environment for spiritual victory. However, when we choose to go our own way and step out of alignment from God’s standards and expectations for living and fail to guard our heart with the breastplate of righteousness, we create an environment for unwanted guests. You may have hosted them before like I have – unwanted guests of sin, shame, guilt, misery, discontentment, anxiety, depression, bitterness, and the list goes on and on.
The heart is one of the enemy’s main targets. Friend, the devil knows the word of God – he knows the heart is the source of life just like it says in our key verse. This is why it’s important that we choose our friends wisely. It’s imperative that we are careful of the shows we watch, the music we listen to, and the places we hang out. The enemy is clever and crafty. He is careful to study our habits, our strengths, and our weaknesses. And when we sees that we are living and fleshing out unrighteous behaviors and tendencies, he takes it as an invitation to send his demons and all forces of evil to the doorstep of our soul.
We can use every other piece of armor but if we fail to put on our uniform of righteous living, we are giving Satan a clear shot to our source of life – our heart. Let’s be women who refuse to give him an invitation.
Dear God,
Forgive me when I fail to see how I have left my heart exposed for the enemy to have a foothold in my life. Give me discernment to know when my life isn’t lining up with your expectations and standards. I don’t want to give him anymore invitations to send unwanted guests into my life. Teach me how to wear each piece of armor – keep my eyes on you only and my feet on the right path. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dig Deeper:
“Therefore I, a prisoner of serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1 NLT
Reflection:
What unwanted guests are you dealing with?
Pray and ask God to reveal any areas in your life where you have created an environment that invites the enemy into.