Is integrity selective? ∙

Is integrity selective? ∙

Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. – Proverbs 11:3

Genesis 39:5-10

 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing– except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

 9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

 10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

People with integrity behave differently from most others. They are consistent, stable, and unwavering. Their actions align with their words, making them excellent role models. When something needs to be done, they show up, take initiative and responsibility, and do what needs to be done.

5 Things People with Integrity Do Differently

(excerpted from https://www.powerofpositivity.com/)

1. They do what they say they will do.

Have you ever failed to follow through on a promise? People with integrity inspire us because they consistently keep their word. They commit to their promises and act accordingly.

2. They stand up for what is right.

They possess an intrinsic sense of justice and strive to balance the scales. When someone in power abuses power, people with integrity defend the powerless, combat injustice, and stand up for those mistreated.

3. They look in the mirror and commit to positive change.

Self-evaluation is crucial, and people with integrity hold themselves to the same standards as they hold others. They acknowledge their imperfections and work to improve areas that need change.

4. They take ownership of solving problems, even when the fault lies elsewhere.

People with integrity often step into leadership roles when no one else will. Even if they didn’t create the problem, like trash left in a hallway, they take responsibility and address it.

5. They act sooner rather than later.

People with integrity don’t wait to take action. They are proactive, often being the first to jump in and help others whenever possible.

Integrity is all about consistently doing the right thing. It means being reliable, dependable, and steadfast. Integrity encompasses honesty, strong moral principles, and uprightness. It is a personal commitment to uphold consistent moral and ethical standards.

Some may claim they possess integrity and transparency, but often, these claims are only acted out when convenient. True integrity is consistent, unwavering, and not selective.

While the Lord Jesus Christ did not explicitly use the word “integrity,” His teachings are filled with the concept of integrity: purity of heart(Matthew 5:8), singleness of purpose (Matthew 6:22), and purity of motive (Matthew 6:1-6).

REFLECT & PRAY

Some character traits and virtues require that we be “all in.” Integrity is one such attribute. Wishful integrity is selective; genuine integrity is unswerving, not selective.

We cannot choose to have integrity only when it is convenient or when we feel like it; true integrity demands unwavering commitment.

Father, I understand what genuine integrity is, and I aspire to it. Encourage and enable me to be consistent.

INSIGHT

Proverbs 12:27 The precious possession of a man is diligence.

Joseph was a man of integrity, intelligent, competent, and well-regarded. He consistently trusted the Father and made the best of his circumstances, whether good or bad. His character and abilities brought him opportunities.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

But the very same qualities also brought temptation into his life.

Genesis 39:7 Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

Joseph’s integrity is evidenced in his response.

Genesis 39:8-9

 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

 9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

Joseph showed unwavering integrity when he resisted daily pressure from Potiphar’s wife to sleep with her. He remained steadfast and never compromised his principles, demonstrating that his integrity was resolute and not selective.

Genesis 39:10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

Joseph demonstrated courage and determination in living out his integrity. Because of his loyalty and devotion to the Father, he would not capitulate. He recognized that yielding would be a great sin against the Father.

Wishful integrity had matured into genuine integrity. His self-control became a stepping stone to future leadership and the fulfillment of his dreams when he was a naïve, haughty, self-centered young man.

The time you spend alone with the Father will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then, your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord (Charles Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2024

Housebroken or heartbroken? ∙∙

Housebroken or heartbroken? ∙∙

Let me again experience the joy of your salvation! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey! – Psalm 51:12

Psalms 51:9-12

 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

What does it mean to “rub someone’s nose in it”? Essentially, it means to repeatedly and forcefully remind someone of their mistakes or failures. This involves continually bringing an error or fault to someone’s attention. As sparks fly upward, people with fallen DNA are born with a natural propensity to do this.

The phrase’s origin can be traced to housebreaking pets, particularly puppies. Traditionally, correcting a puppy’s behavior involved rubbing its nose in its mess to discourage it from repeating the mistake in an attempt to prevent future accidents. However, dog trainers have since debunked this method. They have collected a wealth of evidence demonstrating its ineffectiveness.

Housebreaking has also been applied to people, particularly men. It refers to trying to train them to behave in a more socially acceptable manner [whatever that is ;-)]. Again, does this work? Not too much. Recriminations and accusations are largely ineffective.

For both pets and people, rubbing their noses in their mistakes achieves little to nothing. Instead, shaming and blaming cause discomfort, irritation, resistance, defiance, and ultimately rebellion. There must be a better way.

Consider how the Father gently, wisely, and compassionately deals with His wayward children. Strive to emulate this approach. Positive reinforcement is far more effective than negative denigration.

King David was painfully aware of his grave error, moral failure, and sinful rebellion in his involvement with Bathsheba and Uriah. He did not need further reminders, as he was already consumed by guilt and shame. In his plea to the Father, he asks not to have his face rubbed in his grievous failures but seeks relief and restoration instead. His actions had not only brought shame and disgrace upon himself but also tarnished his nation. And what of his relationship with his heavenly Father? The scandalous gossip must have been rampant: “Have you heard about David, King David, the man after God’s own heart? What kind of a God would allow his cherry-picked leader of Israel to commit such a thing?”

His sinful behavior could have ruined or even ended his life, as both adultery and murder were capital crimes under the law of Moses, warranting the death penalty. David, of course, knew this all too well.

The burden and anguish of unconfessed sin weighed heavily on David, gnawing at him spiritually, mentally, and physically. It created a rift between him and the Father, with whom he was deeply bonded and identified. Yet, the Father never moved but remained steadfast and loyal. His loving heart and open arms were waiting to receive David back once he sought forgiveness and reconciliation.

Finally, the moment arrives for David to make amends. He boldly pleads for mercy and restoration, appealing to the Father’s gracious character and loyal love.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father sees all, knows all, and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive and restore all.

Father, I fail You so often. Thank You for forgiving me. But more than forgiveness, I long for inner transformation. Please give me a willing, dependable, and resolute spirit. Create an inner determination to follow Your ways.

INSIGHT

David had discovered and understood one of the profound open secrets of the Father’s heart. Although the Father established the sacrificial system, He did not take pleasure in animal sacrifices. The Father had no desire to see animals killed. Then why the sacrifices?

The death of innocent, unblemished animals served as an object lesson. What are we to learn from this bloody and somewhat gruesome practice?

Sin is grievous and can warrant severe consequences, including death in some cases. The Father does not desire or take pleasure in the death of animals. Instead, He desires repentance, particularly a broken and contrite heart.

The Father does not overlook or excuse sin, and He does not want the children of the King to do so either. He wants His children to face and address it. Outward actions are less critical than inward reflection. We are to search our hearts and acknowledge the wickedness of our sinful behavior. The Father desires that every child of the King gets their heart right with Him.

The Father wastes nothing in our lives. He uses our experiences for personal development and growth. Each of us has countless shameful acts and memories from the past that trouble us while we are awake and haunt us while we sleep. While we cannot undo or redo the past, we can strive to do better going forward.

Housebroken or heartbroken? The choice is ours.

Psalms 32:1-5

 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

The Father sent the Holy Spirit not to condemn, shame, or rub our noses in it. Instead, He is firm yet gentle, aiming to encourage us to make things right. The Holy Spirit was sent to convict us of sin (John 16:5-8).

John 16:8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.

The Greek word translated as “convict” is elegcho. Elegcho means to bring to light, expose, and convince. It is frequently translated as “prove . . . wrong” (NEB), “show . . . how wrong it was” (JB), “bring conviction” (Gdsp), and “convince” (Phps). The GeCL translates it as “he will show that the men on earth have wrong ideas about sin, about God’s righteousness, and his judgment” (UBS).

The Holy Spirit exposes and reveals our sin, bringing it to light so that we can recognize our wrongdoing. And what about us? How do we treat others? Do we handle others as the Father does, with grace and compassion, or are we prone to rubbing their noses in their mistakes?

Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

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The CHOSEN – Jacob’s well ∙∙

The CHOSEN – Jacob’s well ∙∙

You are a holy people who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. – Deuteronomy 7:6

Ephesians 1:4-5

 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. He wanted to do this, and it gave him great pleasure.

“The CHOSEN” is a television drama based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project ever. Season one, E8, opens with Jacob’s 12 sons digging a well in Canaan. A Canaanite neighbor named Yassib comes by for a friendly chat. Jacob tells Yassib that he and his 12 sons are sojourners looking for the land God promised to give to his grandfather Abraham.

Yassib comments, rhetorically asking, “Have you ever noticed how the gods are always promising us things, but we never really see them happen?” Jacob answers, “Sometimes it takes generations.”

Yassib asks, “What is this God of yours called”? Jacob responds, “El Shaddai.” Yassib responds, “Never heard of Him.” Jacob answers, “Not many people have. But I think someday they will.”

Being sojourners, Yassib wants to know where Jacob and his sons worship their God. Do they carry Him with them wherever they go? Jacob answers, “There are no carved idols of Him.” Yassib retorts, “So He’s invisible?” Jacob responds, “Yes, well, usually. There was one time He broke my hip.”

Yassib chuckles and quips, “Of all the gods you could possibly choose from, you pick an invisible God, Whose promises take generations to come true, Who makes you sojourn in strange places, and Who broke your hip? That is a strange choice.”

Jacob responds, “We didn’t choose Him.”

Before the foundation of the world, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit existed in eternity past. Then and there, they made decisions and choices regarding what would be. They chose to create all that is in the heavens and on earth. They sovereignly chose the children of Israel. They decided that the Son would become the Messiah and come to Earth to redeem the human race. They chose all those who would become children of the King.

How can we be sure? Because they were all alone. There was no one else around to make any choices. Yet, after the creation throughout human history, people are perfectly free to make their own decisions. This is an antinomy. It is beyond human comprehension, yet in the mind of God, it all works. The Scriptures reveal that the Father and each individual make decisions. Nothing is left to chance.

Matthew 12:18 Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

The Father sent the Son to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world.

REFLECT & PRAY

Romans 8:31 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Father thank You that You have CHOSEN – even me.

INSIGHT

The Father chose to create the nation of Israel, the Chosen People, via Abraham, a gentile. The Jewish people are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the 12 tribes.

Deuteronomy 10:15 The LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today.

Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago, the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.”

Will the Father ever disown His people and abrogate His covenant with the nation of Israel? In the Old Testament, they managed to rack up quite a bit of rebellion and defiance. Did their disobedience separate them from the Father? Has He backed away because of what they have done? The answer is absolutely not!

Jeremiah 31:36-37

 36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

 37 This is what the LORD says: “Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Why is this significant for the children of the King? Because the unconditional covenant that the Father made with the nation of Israel closely parallels the New Covenant, which we enjoy as inheritors of these promises. For those of us who are Jewish, we were near, heirs to the covenant (Romans 11:24). For those of us who are Gentiles, we were far off but have now become fellow heirs (Ephesians 3:6).

Ephesians 2:13-14

 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once, you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Are the children of the King secure in the Father’s love forever? The answer is absolutely!

Nothing can separate us from His love and commitment, regardless of our behavior. Consider Exhibit A: the nation of Israel, and Exhibit B: the apostle Peter.

Romans 8:31-39

 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

 34 Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

Paul’s statement powerfully declares the Father’s unwavering faithfulness. Even in the face of human shortcomings, God remains faithful and true. His nature is unchanging and independent of human actions or attitudes. His promises and commitments are always reliable. The phrase “for he cannot disown himself” underscores God’s intrinsic nature. Faithfulness is a core aspect of who He is, making unfaithfulness impossible and contradictory to His very character.

In essence, this verse reassures every child of the King that God’s faithfulness is constant and reliable, even when their own faith may falter.

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© Dr. H 2024

Hidden rebellion ∙

Hidden rebellion ∙

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. – Psalms 19:12

Psalms 51:1-4

 1 A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

 2 Wash me clean from my iniquity. Purify me from my sin.

 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Spring heralds a time when people step outside to “work the land.” Activities may range from basic yard maintenance and clean-up to planting new shrubs, grass, or a garden. Meanwhile, family farmers begin plowing and preparing the soil for sowing. After a day of strenuous labor, we find ourselves dirty, sweaty, and exhausted, prompting a desire for a thorough cleansing.

But what about internal impurities? How do we address those? David shows us the way.

2 Samuel 11:1-2

 1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war . . .. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

 2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and walked on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.

David’s transgression stemmed from his decision to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Instead of leading his troops in battle, he opted for rest and relaxation in Jerusalem. On a picturesque spring day, while walking on the palace roof, he unexpectedly saw Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11:2).

Overcome by lust, David yielded to temptation. He summoned Bathsheba to the palace, setting off a tragic chain of events. They committed adultery, and Bathsheba became pregnant. David’s primary concern shifted to self-preservation and avoiding exposure. To conceal his wrongdoing, he devised a plan involving Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. He called Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he would spend intimate time with his wife.

David believed this would cover up his sin, leading everyone to think the child’s father was Uriah. He thought it was a “little sin” that could easily be hidden and forgotten.

However, David failed to account for Uriah’s noble character and integrity.

2 Samuel 11:8-11

 8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace.

 9 But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard.

 10 When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?”

 11 Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”

David tried a few more tricks, but nothing worked. Bathsheba remained pregnant, and Uriah was sent back to war. From here, things went from bad to worse. Cover-ups rarely succeed, as we know well in our day and age.

David had the audacity to have Uriah hand-carry a letter to Joab, the commander of Israel’s army. That letter was Uriah’s death warrant (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Consequently, David became responsible for Uriah’s death. He was now not only an adulterer, which was bad enough but also a murderer. In his twisted thinking, David believed that with Uriah out of the way, he could marry Bathsheba, and she could have his baby without raising suspicion. However, David overlooked the fact that people can count. The baby was born less than nine months after their marriage.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father’s intention is not to punish but to administer loving discipline. He has no desire for retribution. While His discipline can be painful, responding correctly leads to refreshing, cleansing, and a sense of well-being. The Father’s discipline is always for our good so that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:10).

Father, I am done hiding my sin! I no longer want to rationalize it or try to cover it up. Please gently reveal the error of my ways so that I may see and confess. I know You will always forgive me and cleanse me. Thank You!

INSIGHT

David believed his sin was private, unseen, and would never be revealed. However, he overlooked something crucial: the Father knew everything, including the thoughts of his innermost heart. The Father was aware of David’s lust, desire, and failure to resist temptation. In fact, the Father witnessed both the adultery and the murder of Uriah. He was grieved and displeased with David’s actions (2 Samuel 11:27).

If the Father were merely human, He might have thought, “How could he? Anyone but David, surely not David, a man after My own heart.” Until that moment, David had done no wrong in the Father’s eyes; his record was spotless. Yet one sinful act changed the trajectory of David’s life forever.

1 Kings 15:5 David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

But indeed, the Father knows everything all the time. What David thought was private and hidden has been front-page news for over 3,000 years. It is part of the eternal Word of God and will be known forever.

Psalms 51:2 Wash me clean from my iniquity. Purify me from my sin.

In Hebrew, the word translated as “iniquity” is avon. Avon originates from a term meaning to twist or bend. It transformed over time and came to signify something inherently wrong, wrong in and of itself. People typically perceive this type of wrongdoing as violating their sense of right and wrong.

Remarkably, in the 21st century, where there is a seeming near-total lack of moral restraint, people still recognize that some acts are wrong in and of themselves. Harming an innocent child would fall into this category. It Is considered iniquity.

David was guilty of such a sin. He was tainted and dirty. Although he tried to ignore it, a small voice inside, the voice of his conscience, kept accusing him.

How do we deal with iniquity? How do we become clean? We must recognize our errors, confess, and allow the Father to forgive and cleanse us. This process involved confrontation, recognition, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing for David.

Because of His grace and love and His desire to restore David to the joy of fellowship with Him, the Father sent Nathan, the prophet, to confront David and expose the evil he had done.

2 Samuel 12:1-12

 1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. . .

 7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel.’”

 9 ‘Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him . . .

 12 ‘Indeed you did it secretly . . .

Nathan recounted to David a tale of a man who committed iniquity. Despite having an abundance of sheep, he callously seized a lamb from a man with very little and appropriated it for his own use. David was livid!

David shouted, “As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die” (2 Samuel 12:14).

Nathan then said to David, “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7)!

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die (2 Samuel 12:13).

Hebrews 12:10-11

 10 God’s discipline is always good for us so that we might share in his holiness.

 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

The Father often uses other children of the King to strengthen us, give us hope, and improve our lives. We can find valuable advice from those who follow God, as demonstrated by Nathan serving King David (2 Samuel 12:1-14). Nathan helped David recognize his wrongdoing, repent, and seek forgiveness. Although confronting his guilt was challenging for David, it was essential for reconciling with the Father.

We need to be discerning in our choice of counselors. Good advice comes from godly people. What about your inner circle of friends? Do they give godly advice?

Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

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© Dr. H 2024

APT attacks ∙∙

APT attacks ∙∙

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

2 Corinthians 11:2-4  

 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. . .

 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

In early November 2020, pharmaceutical partners Pfizer and BioNTech announced the development of a 90% effective COVID-19 vaccine. This achievement was hailed as a significant modern scientific breakthrough. Unfortunately, just a week later, Microsoft reported detecting cyber-attacks by three state-sponsored hacking groups, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), targeting at least seven prominent companies involved in COVID-19 vaccine research and treatments (ZDNet).

What is an APT?

Cyber APTs are a recent threat that endangers individuals, companies, and state and federal computer systems.

An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a sophisticated, covert cyberattack that infiltrates computer networks. Unlike a single attack or battle, it is more of an extensive campaign in which an intruder or team establishes a prolonged, unauthorized presence on a network to extract highly sensitive data (imperva.com).

These attacks carefully select and research their targets, focusing on large enterprises or governmental networks. The consequences of such intrusions are far-reaching and include the following:

  • Theft of intellectual property (e.g., trade secrets or patents)
  • Compromise of sensitive information (e.g., employee and user private data)
  • Sabotage of critical organizational infrastructures (e.g., database deletion)

Executing an APT attack requires significantly more resources than a standard web application attack. The perpetrators are typically teams of experienced cybercriminals with substantial financial backing, often funded by nation-state or state-sponsored groups. These entities represent a new level of cyber warfare (imperva.com).

If exceptionally bright human hackers can devise such strategies, brilliant spiritual hackers can potentially do even worse.

Children of the King are also susceptible to spiritual APT attacks. Our souls and spirits are relentlessly probed for weaknesses. The attackers usually possess sufficient intelligence about us; thus, their goal is not to extract information but to implant suggestions, ideas, and emotions. They utilize disinformation and misinformation in attempts to sabotage our relationship with the Father.

Revelation 12:9 The serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world… ..

We have an incredibly brilliant, cunning enemy who aims to thwart the Father’s purpose. “As the serpent, Satan deceives (2 Corinthians 11:3); and as the lion, Satan devours. The word ‘Satan’ means ‘adversary,’ and the word ‘devil’ means ‘the accuser, the slanderer’” (Wiersbe).

REFLECT & PRAY

“We must never forget that we are in a spiritual war. Regardless of how well things may seem to be going for us, we live in a perpetual war zone. How many casualties occur because we think we live in a time of peace” (Stanley)?

Father, our adversary is determined to harm us and turn us into spiritual casualties in our service to You. Teach us to recognize and understand our enemy, empowering us to stand firm and resist him until he flees.

INSIGHT

“The devil is always out to see whom he can ruin. Again, Peter must have been remembering how the devil had overcome him, and he had denied his Lord” (Barclay).

Luke 22:31-32

 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.”

 32 “But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

“Peter portrayed the devil here as a roaring lion seeking to devour its prey. The devil roars like a lion to induce fear in the people of God. In other words, persecution is the roar by which he tries to intimidate believers in the hope that they will capitulate at the prospect of suffering. If believers deny their faith, then the devil has devoured them . . ..” (Schreiner).

The contrast between the Father’s goals and methods and those of the enemy, the devil, is stark and unmistakable. The Father gently and tenderly cares for His children (1 Peter 5:6-7), inviting them to cast their worries on Him so He can sustain them. He promises to protect and care for His flock, even in difficult times (1 Peter 5:2).

In contrast, the enemy seeks to terrify the children of the King, aiming to instill a fear that will erode their faith. He desires not to deliver them from fear but to destroy them. He is like a wounded, crazed animal lashing out in its final death throes.

What should the children of the King do? Should they capitulate and turn the other cheek? Absolutely not. As the saying goes, “Wolves will eat those who act like sheep” (Anonymous). Children of the King are instructed to be vigilant and resist. They are to stand firm against the devil and his schemes.

James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James commanded us to resist the devil actively and persistently. The Greek word for resist is antistete. Antistetemeans standing against, resisting, setting oneself against, opposing, and refusing to yield, whether in deed or word.

“This promise of the devil’s flight bears upon our understanding of his nature and influence. The devil had been referred to only indirectly up to this point (James 2:19; 3:6). He is the embodiment of all that resists God and is at enmity with God (James 4:4). James . . . [Reveals] absolute evil is never a positive force.”

“Evil cannot coerce the human will but is dependent upon it, much like a parasite. The devil is the active opponent of God and his people, but he resorts to his lying deceptive capacities. Human creatures who believe these lies contribute their physical and mental strengths to his cause of influencing humanity for their destruction and his glory.”

“The devil is not called the tempter within James, for temptation results from evil desire within the self (James 1:14). But the devil is close by the temptations and conflicts that humans cause. Nevertheless, if he is consciously resisted, in submission to God, the devil cannot fight back and must flee the attack that is our resistance to him.”

“How do believers know that he is present? Wherever envy and selfish ambition are present in the conflicts and quarrels of the body of Christ, the devil is there” (Richardson).

How do we do this?

Each child of the King needs to lean on, believe, and trust the Word of God and stand unwavering, refusing to budge! “Unless we stand, we cannot withstand . . . Just as David took his stand against Goliath and trusted in the name of the Lord, so we take our stand against Satan in the victorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Wiersbe).

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

 5 We are destroying speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

“Our faith must be like a solid wall against which the attacks of the devil exhaust themselves in vain. The devil is like any bully and retreats when he is bravely resisted in the strength of Jesus Christ” (Barclay).

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© Dr. H 2024