According to some statistics a deer could run at the speed of 90 km per hour. At the same time a tiger can go up to a speed of 60 km per hour. It would be natural for the deer to escape easily. However, they could fall prey to a tiger. There are many reasons. Tiger always goes as near as possible near its prey unnoticed. It attacks suddenly and kills the prey, giving no opportunity to flee. Another reason is that deer has a ‘victim’ mentality and gives up mentally even before it is defeated. Third, deer is weaker, as it runs, it turns back to see if tiger is really pursuing. By turning back, it loses its speed and gets killed. As disciples of our Lord, we know that Satan is like a roaring lion always ready to attack. (I Peter 5:8) Sadly, like a timid deer, believers also are defeated.
1) Surprise attacks: Satan is very cunning, and we have to be aware of his strategies. (II Corinthians 2:11) He uses strategies like division, discouragement, disillusionment, pride, money, sinful sexual pleasure, people’s applause to defeat Christians.
2) ‘Victim’ mentality: There are many believers who lack self-esteem because of the worries, anxiety and unwarranted fears. Like the Children of Israel who thought they were like grasshoppers and their enemies as giants; many exaggerate their problems and decimate themselves. (Numbers 13:33) Instead of trusting God, they think they have to carry all their burden, forgetting Peter’s advice to cast all our burden or care or anxieties upon Him. (I Peter 5:7)
3) No turning back: Lot’s wife turned back and saw the city that was under God’s judgment and became pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26) Lord Jesus told a potential disciple: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
We have to flee from the wrath to come. (Matthew 3:7) For that we have to flee from temptations, Satan, worldly attractions and sin.
Do I have the weakness of turning back?