Been Ripped Off Lately?
by David Walters

"Know Your Enemy"

I believe that prevention is better than a cure. It's better to be wiser without having to become sadder. "For the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. . . '(John 10:10). NKJ. We know that Satan will try to rob us of our health, our peace, our victory, our finances, and our God given destiny. Satan's top priority is to target our children. Satan is a kidnapper and he is also a con-artist, for he is able to turn himself into an angel of light!"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light"(2.Cor.11:14.) NKJ.

Everything that I have just mentioned within the realm of theft, the same exact tactics are used by Satan, for he is the master criminal. He will kill our children through abortion, drugs, alcohol, gangs, sexual diseases, and wild behavior. Satan's temptation of Adam and Eve was planned to pollute their seed. He had to succeed in having them fall before they had children, which resulted in them passing on their fallen nature to us. Moses was targeted by Satan through Pharaoh to destroy him before he could reach his destiny. Satan targeted the infant Jesus through Herod in his attempt to thwart the Son of God's divine purpose.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because your children are living with you they are safe. You may be thinking "They are not out there in the big bad world. They are not into drugs, wild parties, and gangs. They are being home-schooled, they are good obedient kids, they attend church." All these things may be true, but if your children are spiritually dead, then Satan has already captured their hearts. Check the following to make sure that the thief has not stolen your child's heart.
1. Is your child bored with church?
2. Does your child love to pray?
3. Is your child concerned for the lost?
4. Is your child witnessing to other kids?
5. Is your child winning other kids for the Lord?
6. Does your child pray globally?
7. Is your child really saved?
8. Is your child baptized with the Holy Spirit?
9. Has the Holy Spirit made your child zealous and bold for God?
10. Does your child desire to go on mission trips?
11. Has your child ever preached, prophesied, or cast out demons?
12. Does your child convict you by his/her passion for the Lord and His kingdom?

Ideally the results should be one negative and eleven affirmatives. If any of those mentioned are lacking then evangelize your child. Start seriously discipling him/her. Don't just rely on the church to do it for you. Get into faith and ask for God's anointing. Show your child godly love and compassion, but warn him/her of the snares of Satan. Reach your child's heart, not just your child's head. It's so easy to make children and teens church-wise by programming them to give us the right answers, but not the true answers. That's the danger with Christian education. We don't just want to fill our children's head with religious knowledge. We want to fill their hearts with the love and reality of God. Constantly remind your children they have a destiny and Satan is out to steal it. Tell your children that he will try to mug or high jack them spiritually. He will try to sneak up and rob them when they are not looking. He will also try to con them by turning himself into an angel of light. That is why our children must put on the whole Armor of God. "Finally, my brethren [Boys and girls] be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [scams] of the devil." (Eph.6.10-11). NKJ It's important that you study the whole passage from Eph 6.10-18.