Years ago, drinks came in glass bottles. Not everyone saved their bottles but through them out on the side of the road. Those bottles could be returned for cash. As a kid, that was a gold mine. One of the memories I have of growing up was looking for bottles so that we could take it to the store to get some money. Of course, that money went to buying penny candy. When you were looking for bottles, you had to keep a sharp eye out for them. You would walk beside the road, looking for something shiny. When you saw it, you would try to get it in bushes, briars or whatever you had to go through to get it. A broken bottle would break your heart, but a whole one was a jackpot. I wish I could say that all of the bottles we picked up were discarded, unfortunately some of them may have been found on a back porch or two. For the most part, however, it was the hard work of keeping a watch out for bottles.
The bible tells us that we are to keep watch. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” We have to have a sharp eye to keep watch for the devil’s schemes. He disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive us. He will try to make us question our faith and trust in God’s promises. He uses various temptations, such as lust, pride, power, and discouragement, to lead us astray. He tries to create feelings of discouragement, doubt, and fear to weaken our resolve. He may use past mistakes or failures to make us feel hopeless and unworthy of God’s grace. He may promote anger, bitterness, and resentment to tear down bonds of friendship and unity. He can use his influence to sow seeds of conflict and strife.
As Christians we must have a sharp eye out for the devil’s schemes by staying alert and aware of spiritual battles and temptations. We must actively resist evil, and staying close to God through prayer, scripture, and fellowship. We need to pray regularly both by ourselves and with one another for wisdom, discernment, and protection from temptation. We need to allow the bible to shape our thoughts and actions through regular bible study and meditation. Ultimately we must seek first His kingdom, by making a conscious effort to make our relationship with God and our spiritual growth a priority.
