1 Peter 5:8
8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
A newborn baby is vulnerable, and they cannot protect themselves, this is the parent’s responsibility. The same applies to a new believer. As expected, the enemy is enraged when someone gets born again, and having lost one of his captives, the enemy will go to lengths to get them back by stunting their growth. We must remember that the enemy knows our weaknesses, and he will continue to tempt the new believer and build doubts in their minds concerning their salvation.
As mature believers helping the new believers to grow in their faith, we must not be ignorant of the enemy’s tactics. We must encourage the new believer to share their struggles and doubts by sharing our journey and the struggles and doubts we also had.
This encouragement will help them overcome the mental onslaught from the enemy who will try to cause them to doubt their salvation, especially if they fall back into a sinful habit.
John 10:10 NKJV
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
One of the tactics the enemy will use to achieve this is by isolating the new believer. A newborn baby who is isolated and left to themselves will soon die. The enemy knows how vital and important fellowship is to the growth of the new believer, and he will try to bring up issues that will make it hard for the new believer to be consistent in attending fellowship. The spiritually mature believer must help to encourage the new believer to attend fellowship, even if it means going out of their way to facilitate this.
Parenting is hard work, and every so often the parent will deny themselves for the protection of their child. We should have the same attitude as we follow up on new believers.
Reflections
- As a child, when and where did you feel safe?
- In what ways did the enemy most attack you as a new believer?
- How can you ensure that the new believers in your church are protected?
