OVERCOMING THE ENEMY

By Irving Serrano Sr.

There was a loud scream. A horrific scream that awoke the natives of a Peruvian tribe, deep in the jungle. The sounds of mumbling could be heard, as the local tribesmen lit their lanterns and looked out their tents, and humble shacks. They all had the same question; what was that scream? And as it was a response on Que, the loud scream penetrated the quiet night, as if a terrifying murder was being committed. Some of the tribesmen gathered and ran towards the direction of the screams. It was Alfredo, rolling around on the ground, his eyes were red, his head bruised from bumping the rocks, and trees in the midst of the jungle. At plain sight, one would think it was an epileptic attack. But in reality, it was entirely a different matter!.........It all started earlier that evening. Alfredo, could not sleep. It was right after he had a heated argument with his wife. Ever since his wife started to visit with some local Christians, that offered a night of Bible study.He was sad and worried. Alfredo was a man that cherished the old ways, the customs of his tribe. He drank heavily, and he chewed cocoa leaves as stimulants as he performed his rituals. He was also an avid hunter. He was always feared and respected by the tribesmen. For he was the authority, and everyone feared the thought of him, pointing a finger at any one of them. These tribesmen customarily  were of a superstitious nature, they would honor the rituals, and spilling of blood, all under the direction of Alfredo. So this issue that Alfredo had, regarding his wife attending Bible study was some thing he could not allow. In his mind he thought; how do these strangers live? They don`t drink, they don`t chew cocoa leaves. Plus they have already infiltrated my tribe. If my wife continues to visit with these people, this is going to cause me alot of trouble! Alfredo just didn't believe in the Bible. He had alot of pride and he followed in the foot steps of his Father, who also had the same disposition towards what they called; "them Hallelujahs". He did not know of the great power of God. He was unaware of how God can touch, and soften the most hardest of hearts. One day Alfredo was walking along the jungle, his mind was tormented, frustrated because he had just struck his wife, following another argument regarding them Bible toting hallelujahs. As he walked through the heavy brush, leading towards theriver. He heard noises, people screaming. It was a small craft that had struck a rock, and was sinking. Those that could swim were trying frantically to reach the shore. Woman and children were holding on to the sinking vessel. Several tribesmen swam out and rescued everyone in the water. Then they stood at the rivers bank to see if anyone else might still be out there. In the rivers of the jungle it is normal to see someone go under, then come up again down stream, due to the rivers strong currents. Alfredo stood at the rivers bank. With a watchful eye, not missing a single move. Suddenly he see`s something black in the distance. He says could this be someones head? Without hesitation, he jumped in and started off in that direction. With each stroke of his arms cutting through the water, he swam out and grabbed the black item. As he approached the shore he realized this black item was a Bible. As he sat at the rivers bed catching his breath. He rationalized, how did the personal items sink in the river, yet this Bible did not sink? Later that night he went out for a walk, this Bible that he retrieved from the river had him confused. He wondered to himself; is there some thing more to this? Could there really be another God out there? Is this God trying to tell me something? He was really bothered, because for face value this is the Great which Doctor, who hated the Bible, and those who chose to follow it. But he also was convinced that there was a great mystery in this black Book. So he entertained the idea of reading through it a little. And just as quickly his pride awoke in him. And he said to himself, if I start reading this, I would be admitting that I was wrong, and my wife was right. Then he started to think about how would the rest of the tribesmen feel, He would be loosing their respect. In this world , their are alot of people like Alfredo. They hear God`s voice talking to their    hearts, but they choose to harden their hearts instead. They let themselves get overrun by their pride and predispositions. Nevertheless God says; " I have loved you, with eternal love, therefore I have prolonged mercy towards you" (Jeremiah31:3). God's Divine mercy towards Alfredo, was very patient. This was a man who sincerely, served his Gods, demanded rituals to be carried out with every specific detail, as the way he was taught, by his father. But on this day, He was confronted by a Bible. He discovered the God, who made the heavens and the earth. He started to realize that the Gods he served were smaller and smaller, in relation to the God who created the universe. It was very hard for him to admit. what the Bible says; "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy work" (Psalm 19:1). "Look up into the heavens. Who created these? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by it`s name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing" (Isaiah's 40:26). Alfredo had conviction. Realizing that all the rituals he`s done through out his life, were merely acting as an agent of the devil. The love he had toward nature, the sun, and the moon, was fine. But he felt so small and ashamed because, now he had no doubt that God is greater than all. He walked and battled with these thoughts. Hounding his mind...tormented by the hate he allowed to grow inside him. Now once again he felt alone, almost to the point he felt faint. This is because the enemy whom he inadvertently served, did`nt want to release him. The Apostle Paul affirms this in (Ephesians 6:12) " For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but principalities of darkest, governors of high places, lucking in our midst". There are many Demonic spirits that lurck around us. Just looking for the opportunity to discourage anyone who wants to get close to God. In some cases they attack a person who has a fragile, or innocent mind, such as Alfredo. In other cases, they corrupt an individual by the entertaining of drugs, thus making  the a slave to the product they ingest. Thus making one feel, that they are unworthy of Gods graces. Satan's demons have one purpose; to try to keep anyone from coming to Christ. This is why The Apostle Peter advises us in (1st Peter 5:  " Be sober and watch, because our enemy (Satan) watches us like a lion, waiting to see who, he can devour". Alfredo was taken out of his humble hut, in his confusion, he did`nt realize it was like being carried out by the invisible hands of the enemy. He fought this battle with his own strength. He had not yet been acquainted to the armament of God. (Ephesians 6:10 &; 11). So he was screaming out as he ran into trees, busting his head open, dragging himself on the ground. As the tribesmen approached him, they started to join in with those of the faith in Christ. They knelt down and cried out to God. Alfredo, bleeding from the head wounds found his way off the ground, and went onto his knees. He asked God, to clear his thoughts, and become his Savior. The demon's that evidently were trying to destroy Alfredo, had left him. The enemy tried to tempt Christ, and He has shown us; if you resist the devil, he will flee from us. 
May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.