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Defeating temptations in your life
(First in an original series)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8
To Begin With:You are knights in the Kingdom. The King has commissioned you to be on a Quest for Him, finding people who do not know and serve Him and telling them about His Kingdom. He has also entrusted you to defend the Kingdom from its enemy.
"The enemy is a fire-breathing dragon who looks for weak knights to consume" (1 Peter 5:8, “King’s Guide” paraphrase). There are several species of dragons. Each species will attack on the basis of a variety of causes. And each one must be fought according to a specific strategy.
To defeat them you must follow the “The King’s Guide”. Many years of fighting dragons have allowed the Kingdom to develop highly effective procedures for dragon slaying. For ease of use, the Guide is divided into chapters appropriate for each species of dragon. Each chapter will briefly describe the dragon. The circumstances that precipitate an attack will also be explained. Step-by-step instructions on how to slay that particular species will conclude each chapter. “The King’s Guide” also includes quotes from the King Himself to encourage you in The Quest.
“ONWARD FOR THE KING!!”
Chapter 1: Dragonus Faint-Heartitus (The Dragon of Fear)
Warning sign of imminent attack: Distractions.
This dragon will attempt to make you retreat from The Quest. It will spout ominous warnings of doom and destruction in order to cause you to fear going forward. Dragonus Faint-Heartitus’ cry is easy to understand, but often difficult ignore. You will hear noises such as “You can’t”, “You shouldn’t”, and “It’s never been done”.
From the King: "I do not want you to be consumed by Dragonus Faint-Heartitus; so I have given you power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7, “King’s Guide” paraphrase).
How to slay Dragonus Faint-Heartitus: Stay focused on the quest and remember the words of the King.
By listening to the King, and following the procedures in “The King’s Guide” you can overcome fear and weakness. Dragonus Faint-Heartitus is the dragon of fear and cowardice. The King gives you power for service. He has said, “I will come on you and give you power to complete The Quest; telling everyone everywhere about me." (Acts 1:8, “King’s Guide” paraphrase). It is futile for you to try to slay the dragon without “The King’s Guide”. Talent, training, and experience cannot take the place of the power of the King.
The King also gives you love. If you have love for the people who do not yet know of the King and His Kingdom, you will be able to endure suffering and complete The Quest. Selfishness leads to fear because, if you are selfish, you are interested only in what you can get out of serving the King, and you will be afraid of losing the prestige, power, or money that comes with being a knight in His Kingdom. Remember what the King tells you, “A real love for others will help you slay Dragonus Faint-Heartitus.” (I John 4:18, “King’s Guide” paraphrase).
The King is also the One who gives self-control (“a sound mind”). A knight who is sensible and balanced has life under control. As the King says, “That's why I brag about you to all knights in the realm. I tell them how patient you are and how you keep on The Quest, even though you are doing tough battle against Dragonus Faint-Heartitus” (II Thessalonians 1:4, “King’s Guide” paraphrase). Don't let the distractions of the dragon dissuade you from The Quest.
So remember, Dragonus Faint-Heartitus will attempt to make you retreat from The Quest. It will spout ominous warnings of doom and destruction in order to cause you to fear going forward. To defeat this dragon you must use the power of the King, lavish love and attention on others – not yourself, and keep focused on The Quest.
The Chronicler
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