Our Identity in Christ is Our First Line of Defense

I hear this tap tap tapping.  I keep looking out into my yard thinking someone is walking towards me with flip flops but there is no one.  I continue my work.

Interrupted again, I gaze into the trees after a few minutes and I think that maybe this time there is a squirrel being feisty and wacking something on a tree limb.

The continuous sound keeps interrupting my train of thought as I write so I look again and see a wood pecker tapping away at the large maple tree across from me.

Woodpeckers aren't what destroys a tree per se.  A tree's bark is the first line of defense in the fight against a hostile environment where mold, bacteria and viruses lurk in waiting to seize an opportunity.

The Christian's first line of defense is his or her identity in Christ.  When we come in contact with the world around us, our mind set on Christ and our knowledge of being completely accepted in His sight deters invading thoughts that fly our way seeking an opportunity to wreak havoc on the interior of our lives.

The woodpecker is feasting on the developing intruders that have infiltrated a once healthy vibrant life.

When we allow offense to have access to our lives, we do not realize that there are seeds or eggs being planted in our hearts that will grow and hatch producing a life that has a ravenousl appetite against a healthy, sweet life.

James 1:14-15 describes what happens as we allow sin in our lives:

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own lust.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

As we are enticed by offense, very quickly this invader can get the upper hand in our life and begin the rapid demise of the life producing cells of a Christian.

The internal deterioration is not visible from the outside facade until the destruction is well on its way.

G.W Humphreys B.A takes a look at four aspects of trees that can be associated with Christians.

A Tree's role like the Christian's role includes very important components that are beneficial to society.  They both play and extremely important role in: contributing to the atmosphere,  yielding fruit that is useful and helpful for society,  beautifying the world,  and being endowed with great strength.

These attributes can only occur if one is firmly rooted in their identity in Christ.  Colossians 2:7 gives us this insight;

As our roots grow down in him, and our lives are built on Him, then our faith will grow strong and we will overflow with thankfulness!

The exterior of our lives can be strengthened as we grow into Him and our faith in who He is proves to be a strong front against the opportunistic lies which threaten to derail our hearts from being thankful.

When we allow offense, we are in essence buying into the lie that what someone, other than Christ, has to say about us is truth and it causes us to focus on a lie which in turn girdles our ability as trees of righteousness to draw up the eternal living water that He offers that is necessary to build us up so we can stand against the winds of infectious thoughts.

Let us adhere to Peter's admonition in 1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.