Silhouette DeJour

From detective programs Dragnet to CSI, all those police shows have shown a chalk outline of a silhouette drawn on the floor or ground at one time. That lets you know that there has been a death, and the deceased was found in that exact location and position. A detective or team of experts and forensics specialists then attempt to figure out the who, how, and why of the crime—if there was one. The scene is then roped off with bright yellow plastic border tape with the words “Police line do no cross” signaling, stay away, this scene is off limits. Now, let’s move from Hollywood to Rome for a minute. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter tells us, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. True? True!

If you see a ‘partial’ chalk outline, and it’s in your shape, in places you frequent, look around—a lion has been stalking you. At the first hint that you’re being “Chalked”, examine your defenses. Be on guard! Don’t be an easy target. Don’t go where there is danger. Don’t go where you shouldn’t. Don’t push deadly boundaries. Don’t let the lion get too close. Don’t think he won’t try again and again. He will. Take no chances. 1 Peter 5:9 gives us the winning formula if we’ll just follow it. It says, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith”. Don’t be the “Silhouette of the day”!

Satan uses our past to destroy our future. He steals our faith by stealing our joy. Prowling lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals that are defenseless: they choose victims who are alone, vulnerable, or not alert. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. Feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our troubles that we forget to watch for danger, we are especially susceptible to Satan’s attacks. During times of suffering, seek out other Christians for support and comfort—and prayer. Keep your eyes open and on Christ, and resist the devil. Then, says James, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you”. James 4:7-8 Don’t be the one they draw a “chalk line” around.