"Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." – 1 Peter 5:8
Many of us Christians often fail to guard our hearts and minds and end up sinning, sometimes doing the wrong thing just when we thought we're doing okay. We have to remember that the enemy is relentlessly looking for an opportunity to ensnare us. And thus, we who are fighting the good fight of faith need to be vigilant to avoid being blindsided by the enemy.
Blindside
To be blindsided means to be hit or attacked unexpectedly. Another definition simply says to be surprised unpleasantly. Our blind sides are the areas where we don't have any vision at all, the direction opposite to where we are looking at.
Truth be told, the saying "what you don't know won't hurt you" doesn't apply when it comes to protecting ourselves from being blindsided. We all need to know the areas where we are vulnerable, or can easily be fooled into sinning. Most wrong decisions come from ignorance, and many regrets follow after making careless choices.
In the fight for holiness and purity, we all need to know the areas of our lives that need strengthening.
James says that we must let patience complete us (see James 1:4). In other words, we must persistently pursue God in every trial, patiently working on strengthening the areas we need to grow. We need to know what area we are weak at, and dedicate efforts to strengthen it so that we can stand strong and vigilant against sin.
Do you want to avoid being blindsided by sin, especially at a time when you thought you wouldn't fall? Here are some things you should do.
1. Watch and Pray
The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
We should all be watchful and prayerful. We should watch out for things that entice us, and pray to God for strength to overcome them, and wisdom to know how to respond correctly. And yes, we actually are told of the right response if ever they come: "Enter not into temptation."
Think back in your life and find the areas of weakness that you have. What were the factors or instances that led you to do something you regret? Learn from your mistakes, watch out for the things that tempt you, and pray to God for help and deliverance.
2. Watch Your Desires
James 1:14 tells us that "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." What are your real desires?
You have to know what you really want. If you keep saying that you hate sin but actually long for a little mischief here and a little wrongdoing there, chances are you're already giving sin a breeding ground. The desire to sin is not an outward thing – it's a choice or preference in the heart.
3. Empty Yourself and Get Filled With God
"How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word." (Psalm 119:9)
The best way for us to avoid being blindsided is to love God, which is to obey His Word.
Sin is a choice. No one can force us to sin; we actually make the decision to sin. If we fill our hearts with God's Word, spend our time praying to Him, and live our lives for His pleasure, we won't have room for sin.
