Steve Irwin was "The Crocodile
Hunter" on the TV series by that name. I remember watching one show where
he was in a muddy river at
night catching crocodiles with his bare
hands! On another episode, he caught with his hands the 10 deadliest snakes in
the world. I thought for sure he would eventually be killed by a crocodile or
deadly snake. The world was shocked by how he actually died.
In 2006, Irwin was snorkeling in
shallow water above a stingray, when suddenly it threw up its tail and spiked
him in his heart. He died seconds later. Experts said the odds of this
happening were one in a million. The only way a stingray can kill you is to
stab you directly in your heart with its barbed spine. He let his guard down
and was attacked at the one place where he was the most vulnerable—his heart.
The Scripture tell us, "Guard
your heart above all else
for out of it flows the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23). Protecting
your heart against attacks from Satan is your highest priority. The devil will
try to plant evil thoughts in your heart that can destroy you. You can stop
these "heart attacks" by stationing guards around your heart.
HOW TO GUARD YOUR HEART
To guard your heart means to stop
destructive thoughts as soon as they come. Depression wants to enter your heart
to destroy your will to live. Anger wants you to destroy others.
1. Yield to the Holy Spirit. “Submit therefore
to God…” (James 4:7) The Holy Spirit is the only One who gives you the
desire and power to be holy. Without the Holy Spirit, you can’t resist anything
evil.
2. Control what you think about. You can choose what you think about. When you go to the
wrong places in your mind, it opens your heart for an attack. “Do not give the
devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:27).
3. Resist Satan. If
you are under attack, don’t give in but take a stand against the enemy. “Resist
the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). But he won’t flee if you don’t
resist.
**********************
NOW AVAILABLE in eBook: My new book If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? is available in eBook format (paperback in bookstores June 1). Some
things in your life will not happen unless you pray! CLICK HERE to read chapter one (look inside).
Receive these
devotionals by email: You can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an email
when the new devotional is posted)
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174