Walls -- most of us see them every day and we take them for granted, but for many of us life would be difficult without them. We would be pestered by wind, uncomfortable temperatures, insects, nosey neighbors, and a host of other problems if our dwellings had no walls. We would be quite vulnerable to thieves and those that would harm us if we had no walls.

Unbeknown to them, this is the spiritual case of most people in the world today. All manner of sin is on the increase. Many have been acclimated to the increases over the years and there are even some that welcome the increases. As a result, satan(1) has conditioned people either to despise or ignore God so he may drag them to damnation when they depart this life. Some in response might say, "No, I love God," yet they participate in the sins and thought pattern of this world -- flirting, cheating, lying, stealing and other things that Christ would not do.

When someone truly commits to Christ, their conscience is renewed and the mind of Christ is placed within them. Immediately they become aware of spiritual dangers. As they continue to walk in Christ and study His written Word, they learn of more dangers and Christ guides them in protection from spiritual attack.

Satan does not like that of course, so through various means he encourages us to drop our guard -- flirt a little, goof off on the time clock, give in to peer pressure and more. It reminds of a man named Nehemiah who endeavored to restore the wall around Jerusalem. The enemy sure did not want that. Nehemiah 4:1 records, "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews."

Did Nehemiah stop? No. He knew the city needed protection (v.6), "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." It had to be done, or the people would be attacked again.

The forces of satan attack every person each day, but most are unaware of it. He gradually causes marital turmoil, mental illness, obsession with sin, and other things to entrap us. However, if one invites Christ to dwell within, accepting the very mind of Christ and following the Word of God, they will find a protective wall, that, no matter whether good or bad happens to us, we will walk with Christ and live with Him eternally if we so choose.

(1) I know satan should be capitalized, but I avoid doing so for certain personal reasons.