Watchful

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Recently, God used my almost 2-year-old niece to teach me a lesson. It was a humbling moment, to say the least, but one that I’m holding close to my chest.

When she was over one day, she started saying “stop” (without the ‘p’ sound) in her sweet, little voice – specifically to my dog. Her body would tense up as she pronounced the one-syllable word, dragging out the ‘s’ sound before firmly saying the simple sound. Along with her command, she’d stretch her arm out and open her hand, keeping the dog – and at times inanimate objects – at a distance. She not only made a direct command, but she also put the command into action by creating distance – even though the distance was only as long as her arm, it was the distance she needed to make.

The next morning, as I was recalling the sweet and hilarious memory, God pressed on my heart the important lesson revealed through my niece. Sometimes we, as believers, neglect to tell the devil to stop and create distance between us. Sometimes we think just ignoring him or brushing him off will do the trick. Sometimes we think “resisting” is just walking away. 

You see, if a child is doing something they shouldn’t, they need to be told to stop doing it. Redirecting can only do so much. Redirecting the devil by brushing him off, walking away, ignoring him – it will only do so much and take you so far. Eventually, he’ll come back and pick up the crayons and keep drawing on your walls. But once you tell him to stop and take away those crayons (making the distance), coming back will become harder and harder for him to do. Why? Because not only did you tell him to stop, but you also took away the tool he was using to attack – getting close, whispering lies to you, and restraining you.

Telling the devil to stop and putting him at a distance keeps him in the stance of just prowling. It’s harder to pounce, attack, and devour at a distance. Which is why it’s important to be watchful and purposeful in saying no and making sure he’s not getting any closer than the distance your arm can give you. And, eventually, that distance will get greater and greater, but only as long as you put this into daily practice.

Friend, it’s time to start practicing daily saying “stop” and stretching your arm out to the devil. It’s time to clean up the damage he’s created and keep him from doing any more than he’s already done. Take back what was yours. Reclaim it, redeem it, and remind the devil that you’ve been claimed by Jesus, and everything that’s in you is His. 

“The enemy thought he had me, but Jesus said, “You are mine”.” – Back To Life, Bethel Music

be. watchful

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Chloee Jean is a co-founder of We His Kingdom, a Podcaster, a Digital Creator, Worship Leader, Social Media Manager, and a firm believer in Christ. She was born and raised in a Christian home and spent her days as a little girl singing songs, playing around on the piano, and drawing with her crayons. After years of hardships and trials, Chloee found escape in her music and writing her own lyrics. She pursued a Worship Leader certificate at Bethel Music’s Worship School. When she completed her course, she led worship with her sister, Aliseea, at a small youth group they were both currently serving in. After they both stepped down from that role and during 2020’s pandemic, Chloee started her own podcast called W.O.W. She now finds joy in speaking God’s Word, singing about it occasionally with her sister, and creating digital designs to point others back to God and His Word. When Chloee isn’t designing or podcasting, she spends quality time with her family by having game nights, a movie marathon, or even jamming out to some worship songs. To find her on social media, check out her Instagram page!