Psalm 10:9

⁹Like a lion in cover the wicked lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

Lions in cover wait for the right timing before they attack their victims. To prove that reality does not require much empirical observation. Numerous videos are published online about lions waiting in cover to surprise their prey. But there are also alert animals that may evade the grasp of lions in cover.

Like lions in cover waiting for their victims, sweet talkers take advantage of unsuspecting victims. We can evade being victimized if we are alert and aware of possible destructive attacks, how?

Christ declares in John 10:11-12, ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ¹¹I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The Lord Jesus Christ offers fullness of life to all believers. All we need to do is to prayerfully follow his teaching. His Holy Spirit produces in us fruit of joy and peace. If we sense no joy and peace in our activities, does it prove that we are not following Christ as our Shepherd?

Prayerfully reflect on 1 John 4:1, ¹Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  Be aware that sweet talking individuals wait for possible victims. It is not limited to false prophets or modern day preachers. More people are victimized by church leaders and ordinary church attendees. Prayerfully seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He gives us the ability to discern godly doctrine and to distinguish sound doctrine from deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults.

Lord Jesus, empower me with your Holy Spirit.

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