Pull Your Knife…
If you ever find yourself in the presence of a mountain lion pull your knife, lock eyes, and stand your ground.
Pastor Larry Adams recounted the story of someone who researched these animals and was caught off guard on one of his ‘field trips’. As he told it, the last thing you want to do is run. They can run a lot faster and turning your back is the most vulnerable position. The lion paced back and forth, back and forth for several long minutes, but when he wouldn’t avert his eyes, the lion gave up and retreated into the forest.
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NIV) Or the temptation, or the wrong motive, or giving up.
Pull your knife: “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT) When satan whispers his lies, pull out your sword, the Word of God, for it is truth and he will slither off. When temptation has turned your head, put on your helmet of salvation, knowing that nothing compares to what Jesus has in store for you.
Lock eyes, stand your ground: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:24-27 NIV)
Stand your ground, lock your eyes on the Word, don’t turn and run. God meets you right where you are, an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
This life will present itself like a mountain lion many times throughout the years. It is powerful and it can be deadly. But the lions of this world cannot stand in the face of the Almighty God. We cannot confront them in our own power but Epheisans 6:10-18 gives us all the instructions we need to defeat the lions. Lions of loss, fear, health issues, failure. We may walk through the storm, but we are never alone in the storm.
What is your lion today? Bible, steady gaze, immovable – that’s Jesus in you, with Him you will never fall.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
parisrenae 
Eek! I can’t imagine coming on a mountain lion on my own. That’s why I’m always scared to hike by myself! We don’t have those problems in Florida. 🙂 This is the second post I’ve read today on defeating our enemy and I’m taking note. Happy to be visiting today!
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Lisa, thanks for stopping by – I’m a Florida girl too, we have enough critters without mountain lions too 🙂 Yes, the enemy is always prowling, fortunately the Father arms us well. (By the way, read you regularly for past several months, learn lots.)
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Wisdom tells me (not anyone else) not to go on field trips where I might bump into a mountain lion. But I can’t avoid life and all the mountain lions it may bring. I do have some, and I will resist with God’s help. #ChasingCommunity
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Nylse, totally agree with you on missing those kinds of ‘filed trips’ 🙂 But you are so right, this life has many lions, I stand with you in letting God guard us as we face them. Blessings of standing firm on His solid ground…
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Good analogy, Paris. I was ready to turn and run, haha. 🙂 — My “lion” probably is probably fear. Which makes no sense since it’s fear of something we’re running from in the first place. Irrational fear, which when I break it down…it’s probably a lack of faith. ouch. — Good word today, Paris. Thanks for sharing with #ChasingCommunity! ((hug))
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Since I started writing I have found fear to be a very common issue – so you are not alone. So we are a work in progress, fearing a little less each time He shows His faithfulness – til someday…there will be no fear ever again. Woohoo!!!
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