Police Bible Study/Devotional
The Satan-Proof Mind
Chaplain James "Jimmy" Wattles
Many law enforcement officers are familiar with the "Bulletproof Mind" seminars put on by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who does an outstanding job preparing law enforcement officers how to physically and psychologically prepare for the life and death situations they may face in the line of duty and then how to deal with the aftermath.
I thought the same principals could be used to protect not only law enforcement officers, but everyone, in preparing for and winning those inevitable "life and death" battles with Satan and his minions. The Bible is our training manual that instructs us how to prepare for and win those battles against Satan and how to deal with the spiritual aftermath that comes with those life and death struggles.
Christians know that Satan is a powerful enemy and many are quick to blame Satan for all their problems. However, is it always Satan who is attacking us, or could it be God disciplining us? Hebrews 12:5-6 says, And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. To recognize where our trials are coming from, we need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit to help us understand whether we are being "corrected" or "disciplined" by God in the same way a father disciplines his children, or that we're being attacked by Satan.
Who is Satan? He is known by many names, to include; Lucifer, Beelzebulb, accuser, son of perdition, thief, deceiver, wicked one, tempter, beast and the devil to name a few. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says, Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Satan was created as a holy angel but his pride to "ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars" (Isaiah 14:13) led to his fall from heaven. Satan will do whatever he can to oppose God and destroy his followers.
To prepare ourselves for Satan's attacks, we need to have faith in God's providence, His timing and His judgment. Psalm 18:30 says, His way is perfect; His word is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Isaiah 55:8 adds, My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. Our faith, obedience and submitting to His will is how we prepare. Don't think we can win these attacks on our own! Our best defense is being totally committed to God. James 4:7 says, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Satan is no different than many "bullies" who seek out weak and vulnerable targets. Bullies don't pick on those who stand up to them and don't fear them. But Satan is also deceiving and may not present himself as a bully. We shouldn't walk alone, but walk with other Christians in a well "lighted" area, not in the "darkness" by ourselves. Seek protection from the flock (other solid believers) who will help keep you alert to Satan's presence and keep you focused on God our Shepherd.
Law enforcement officers, like everyone else, live in a world that Satan has filled with violence, evil and immorality. While Satan tempts us, understand that God never tempts but rather tests. Don't fall victim to Satan's entrapment and deceit. Use the "full armor of God" that He has provided us: The "shield", "sword", "helmet", "breastplate" and the "belt." They all part of a our life-saving equipment we should wear everyday (Ephesians 6:10-18).
We also need to prepare ourselves physically for Satan's attacks. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. In Galatians 2:20, Paul wrote that "Christ lives in me". How formidable an opponent can Satan have when Christ is living in you and your mind is focused on God! How can Satan attack you when you our completely focused on God? Satan wants to fill our hearts with unhappiness, discouragement, hate, criticism, bitterness, unforgiveness and lusts of the flesh and will deceive us with just the opposite.. Isaiah 26:3 tells us, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you.
Perhaps you were not prepared or failed to listen and obey the warnings of the Holy Spirit and in so doing lost a battle to sin. So how do we deal with a successful attack by Satan? God has promised us grace, mercy and forgiveness, but it does require us to seek those things out by professing our love for God and confessing and repenting of our sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 says that If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness.
We have just been in a life and death struggle with Satan and it seems we have lost the battle, but God is forgiving and His desire is that we all seek our personal holiness through sanctification. Sanctification is the "will of God" (1 Thes 4:3) and the process that separates (sets apart) believers from their sins. 1 Thes 5:23 tells us, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sanctification process, by which we change our lives to become "pure", "holy" and "blameless", is done to "set us apart" so that God can use us for His holy purposes. We can never, on our own, become pure, holy and blameless. Rather, it is accomplished through Christ's finished work for us on the cross.
Plan and prepare to be attacked by Satan. These attacks could mean life or death in how you fight off the attacks through the power of the Holy Spriit: eternal life and reigning with Jesus in Heaven or death and eternity in Hell. Don't ever give up your faith in God. Fight to win each and every battle. If you find yourself injured or having lost a fight against Satan and succumbing to his attack, don't give up! Remember that God has given you another chance. Confess and repent of your sins and strap on the armor of God as you prepare yourselves for battle once again. Remember God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are your allies in your battles against Satan. Seek their direction in God's Word and in prayer. But, most importantly remember what Jesus said in Matthew 4:10 when he was repeatedly tempted by Satan: Away with you, Satan! Live to fight and glorify God another day!
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