Pride, Unbelief, and Fear
Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
The domain of the darkness is influencing the entire world and can be overwhelming to the Christian who does not know the power of God and his kingdom. Within Satan's complex structure of evil are three kingpins that form the primary basis for his activities. These trademarks of Satan's kingdom are pride, unbelief, and fear, to which he knows the human heart is susceptible. But if we refuse to tolerate them in our lives, we have effectively disarmed the enemy and nullified his efforts against us.
When the Bible speaks of "the heart," it is referring to our attitudes and emotions. It is in this arena that Satan does much of his work. We are sadly mistaken if we believe that all our bad attitudes disappeared when we were saved. The Bible is clear about our daily responsibility to manage life, to make choices, and to correct wrong attitudes. When we fail to exercise our responsibility over our heart's condition, an opportunity is made available for pride, unbelief, and fear to take root.*
Food for thought: When have you allowed pride, unbelief, and fear into your heart? What consequences have you seen? What steps can you take to guard your heart?
Read Further:
Psalm 149:4: "For the Lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with salvation."
James 4:6-10: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
*Sherman, Dean. Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian: How to Live in Victory and Retake the Land: YWAM Publishing, 1990.
