Better the devil you know!

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
[8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.8-9.NLT

Be aware, alert, sober and vigilant, for your enemy, the devil, roams about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour your soul.

The best defense against an enemy is to be prepared and armed against their attacks. Knowledge is power. Know your enemy. Study him like your life depends on it… because it does!

We all know our physical bodies will not live forever. You could say we’re born to die, but the other side of looking at that is, we’re born to live beyond these bodies of flesh and blood. These earthly tents come with an expiration date.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
[11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.3.11.NLT

When we leave these bodies behind, we’ll enter eternity in one place or the other. It’s all in God’s time, which is the realm of eternity. Eternal life in the presence of God, or eternal death, forever separated from our Creator, banished into darkness, away from Him and everyone who has gone before us.

Know the enemy who wars against your soul

Know yourself on the inside, where the enemy’s true target exists. He can’t inhabit your soul on the inside, so his attacks come from the outside, like fiery darts aimed at your heart. So put on the full armor of God; the shield of faith to quench those darts aimed for mayhem and destruction, through guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety.

Also put on the helmet of salvation. Protect your head space from enemy forces looking to rob you of inner peace, joy and happiness.

Without the armor of God, your heart is open to every thought, emotion and idea that seems good on the surface, but is really aimed at confusing and compromising you, causing chaos, disorder, dwelling on the past and dragging you down to the pit of destruction. The many voices that compete for space on your head will not stand a chance of penetrating your heart, mind, soul and strength. The breastplate of righteousness will protect your heart, which is the birthplace of deception, worldly ideas and false religion (piety). Here is where the enemy gains victory, little by little. Before you know it, he’s gained a foothold into your soul. But there’s a new Sheriff in this town of your soul, your inner man. SO KICK HIM OUT with the belt of truth girded about your waste, protecting your loins (your manhood) from thoughts that can lead you to sexual immorality of all sorts.

Ephesians 6:11-18 NLT
[11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.11-18.NLT