Are We Inviting the Enemy In or Do We Just Not Keep Him Out?

I've heard that the true test of a Christian is to remove him from the environment in which he is familiar and comfortable and place him somewhere new.  Then watch and see how he responds and reacts.  Does he still love his neighbor like himself? Does he still consider others before himself?  Is he still willing to lay his life down for his brother?  Does he still exhibit the fruits of the spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.) Is he still growing in his relationship with his Savior, Christ Almighty?

I currently feel like the subject of this 'experiment' described above.  Although I voluntarily  removed myself from where I was comfortable and familiar, I am in a new place nonetheless.  (Sure it's not that new since I've been here for a years now; but compared to the almost 7 years before it still feels new at times.) So, the question is - how have I done?  Do I love my neighbor like myself? Do I consider others before myself?  Am I willing to lay my life down for my brother?  Do I exhibit the fruits of the spirit?  And most importantly, am I growing in my relationship with my Savior, Christ Almighty?

Honestly, if this was an exam I'd probably make a 50%.  If it was a pass or fail....I'd probably fail.  (Unless the professor was nice and graded on a curve.)  Isn't that sad to admit?  It's certainly hard to admit (insert humbling moment).  This is coming from a girl that loves God, thinks Jesus is amazing, and relies on the Holy Spirit for her next breath at times.  So why the change?

First, I'm probably being too hard on myself.  I'm sure if I asked others around me they would put me more at a 75%.  But still, why not a 100%  Why?  Because I'm snarky at times (I like this word because it sounds just as not nice as it is.)  Because my mouth runs - a lot.  Because I work (once again) in the public service industry, which tries my patience.   Because I forget (often) that the world does not revolve around me.  Because I have a blind eye and deaf hear to the needs of those right in front of me.  

As I was praying this morning about this very thing,  I asked God what I had done, if anything, to let the enemy in.  His response was a question (so typical).  "What have you done to keep Him out?"  OUCH.  Me, being a dense dope at times, asked - 'What can I do?'  (Yes, I regretted it as soon as I asked it.)  But our God is gentle, and polite, and non-condescending, and truly exhibits that there are no dumb questions (not like us at all thankfully).  He gently directed me to Ephesians 6:10-18 the great passage about the Armor of God.  Forgive me if I've written about this before, I obviously needed a reminder today.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God , so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (NIV)

God is with us all the time and He sends the Holy Spirit to help us; but it is our job to do our part to keep the enemy out.  Every day we must guard our hearts from this guy - he's a sneaky devil. (wink) Remember where the light does not shine the darkness prevails.  May God's undeniable love continue to encourage you and call you to put on the full armor of God and shine His light for all to see.  Amen.