Threat From Within
1 Timothy 3:6 KJV Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
There’s a station we receive with the rabbit ears on our home’s tv at that frequently broadcasts stories and documentaries of wars we’ve been through as a nation. You can’t help but have such a deep gratitude for those thousands of men and women who experienced such a high level of threat and risk for the sake of our liberty and freedom. There are black and white movies of men dodging bullets as they run headlong into the battle with very little to protect them from danger all around. There are also, though, many scenes where tanks are boldly and quickly advancing with no worries about most of the weaponry opposing them. Other than a few specific tank killing missiles there is very little that can penetrate the hard and thick armor protecting those inside the tank. If you really had to be on the field of battle, inside the tank would certainly seem to be the much better choice.
There is, however, at least one apparent vulnerability at the very top of the tank where the entrance hatch is located. As soon as the door/hatch is opened from the inside the whole invincibility of the tanks ominous size and strength becomes vulnerable to just a small bullet. Once one person is disabled, leaving the entrance unsecured, a grenade can be dropped through it, injuring all who might remain within.
Whether or not we realize it, we’re in battle on a daily basis that is in some ways more dangerous than the worst of the frays in our nation’s history. There may be an earthly foe who desires to maim, injure, and kill, but there is a spiritual adversary who has much more permanent intentions. It’s possible to run around on our field of battle from foxhole to foxhole with some degree of survival, but the real place to be, that place that has been designed to be completely invincible to any threat, is in the name of Jesus. There in Him is a safety that the enemy of our souls cannot penetrate. The only vulnerability is at the top entrance, where access is made to the innermost parts of our heart. As soon as the latch becomes unsecured in the least from within it is possible for even a small bullet to damage and threaten all that remains inside. Most often this takes place when pride rises up to declare its independence from the security only provided in Christ. Given the extreme consequences of this action, there is a great responsibility to keep our hearts secure by trusting only in the security His name allows while casting down any thoughts that would rise up to declare a reliance on any other. In Him alone is refuge and safety.
