My son has this thing about people dressed up in costumes with masks. He doesn’t even like clowns with painted faces. When we went to Disney world over a year ago he wouldn’t have a thing to do with any of the characters that had on masks. But the princesses and princes were a different story. He would speak directly to those characters and had absolutely no fear. It’s the same way when we’ve visited Chuck W Cheese. I’m an adult so I realize there is some sweaty soul dying of thirst in that costume. I’m not fearful because I know what’s behind the mask. All he sees is this bigger than life character with unnatural and maximized facial features and it just freaks him out. Were someone to remove the costume and mask there’s not a doubt in my mind he’d talk that person’s ear off. I’ve even told him, “It’s just a mask! They won’t hurt you!” It doesn’t matter. His perception of the situation blows things way out of proportion. But his responses aren’t really any different than that of an adult.
As an adult, we encounter things from time to time that we’re unsure of and it leaves us shaking in our boots. “How can I…..?” “What will I…..?” What if….?” Were that demon the devil sent in your direction be made to remove its mask, you’d realize that little shrimp isn’t something to be afraid of. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” You’ve been endued (filled) with an ability and strength to fulfill the purpose for which you’ve been called to. There’s no need to have fear of those things that can kill you. Scripture tells us we’ve been given supernatural steel-toed boots (that’s from the Brian International version, ha ha) to step on and kill something that is venomous enough to kill us under normal circumstances.
Man of God/Woman of God–hear me when I say we’ve been given authority on this earth to place those things under our feet. We can keep staring at them worrying they’re going to attack us….and they quite possibly could try to attack. Or we can just step on that thing and move forward. I remind my children, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [2 Tim 1:7] Why do I know this scripture so well? Because I have to remind myself almost daily sometimes of this truth. I fall prey to those moments just like everyone else. I forget that it really is just a mask. “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion …..” [1 Peter 5:8]. Here’s the great thing. The devil is a poser. In other words, he’s not really a lion at all. He’s only pretending to be one. That mask he’s wearing makes him look real. But it’s fake. It’s all fake.
Closing remarks and encouragement: I know the real lion; the one referred to as the Lion of Judah! My God is the real deal! And if my Heavenly Father isn’t afraid of the devil, why should I be afraid? My Father protects me but he has also given me the tools and ability to protect myself! Why are we so afraid? It’s just a mask!
Have a blessed week, my friends!!!