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“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

I’m not sure if schools today still have field day. When I was young—and when my kids were young—field day was awesome. A whole day outside, unconfined by classroom walls. Running, jumping, shouting. While there was some structure (organized games and rotation order, for instance), the day was about as close as a free-for-all as one could get at school.

With that explanation, it’s no surprise that the expression, “They’re having a field day,” is used to describe someone who has abandoned all order and expectations to do whatever they want, how they want—no holds barred.

I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly how I see that nasty enemy of our souls behaving right now. Oh, don’t get me wrong, Satan’s always a jerk—scheming, lying, prowling around ready to pounce. But all we have to do is look at what’s happening in our nation today to recognize that he is having a free-for-all.

Amid the images of anger, hate, and destruction, you can almost get glimpses of him in the background, his faced contorted by a malevolent and satisfied grin. You can hear his voice, almost like a ventriloquist, behind the vitriolic shouts (literal or digital) between once-upon-a-time friends.

What’s worse, he can also be found within our own four walls right now—in our Jesus-loving homes that should be havens of agape love and spiritual safety. He is using the external anger, uncertainty, and emotional panic (an environment I wholeheartedly believe he has created) to get a foothold in Christian families. And he is creating havoc.

I’ve talked with several friends engaged in full-on home combat. And my own family had quite a week, and we’re all recovering from battle fatigue as I write this. We must put an end to the enemy’s field day. As much as it depends on us, sisters, we must restore order and peace within our homes.

The battle is on—it always has been and always will be until Jesus returns. So, let’s put on the armor of God and make it a priority to protect ourselves and loved ones from the enemy. He hates you. He hates me. Do not let him win.

“Lord, protect our minds and hearts from the schemes of the enemy. Maintain harmony within our families…and bring peace to our world.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Ministry