ApologetiX – Don’t be Fooled

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them. – 1 Samuel 31:1-7  ESV

The evil one has a way of honouring a wayward person who finds themselves leaving God so they can work on things themselves. In the beginning it seems like things are working out – building a case of truth that God is not required in my day to day life. However, I find that this storyline becomes false very quickly. In fact, when I need to be strong and victorious in the hardest fights of my life, I am nothing and can do nothing. Only God can step in and save the day. If I continue on my path of rejecting Him, I will die. If I lay aside my pride, repent, ask Him to step in, I will live. I have done this a few times, and regret every time I have stepped out alone. There is no other way to walk this walk as a disciple of Jesus, I cannot be fooled any longer, I will live when I walk with Jesus and I will die if I decide not to follow Him.