I could hear them but not see them in the darkness. Whacking futilely at my exposed skin, I felt a sharp sting. I was sharing a rustic hut with friends in northern India, which allowed occasional visits from monkeys and stray dogs. But what bothered me most were the hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitoes. Despite carefully tucking in my mosquito net the first night, I could still hear the annoying whine all around me. I woke up itching. Inspecting the net the next morning, I discovered it was full of holes, and I was full of mosquito bites.
The Bible compares Satan to a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But even if we’re not eaten alive, a bite as small as one inflicted by an insect can be harmful. Do we suffer the attacks of our adversary because we assume we’re automatically immune as Christians? God is our refuge, but He expects us to cover ourselves with His Word and ask the Holy Spirit daily to reveal holes in our thoughts and plans.
Once our spiritual safety net is torn, we leave ourselves vulnerable to unpleasant consequences. Mosquito bites aren’t just irritating; they can be downright dangerous. In India, flying pests can transmit potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever and encephalitis. When Satan gets under our skin, he injects us with poisonous attitudes that often lead to actions. Our minds and hearts are all vulnerable to invasion. That’s why Peter warns us to be vigilant, always on the lookout.
Taking precautions makes sense. Let’s not neglect the daily application of Scripture. Allowing ourselves to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s counsel is the only effective way to repel injury from the Enemy.
Deborah Meroff served as a missionary writer and photographer for thirty years. While based in London, she was privileged to visit 115 countries and publish scores of articles and a dozen books in various languages. She now resides in Maine, USA.