I have a small aquarium with 4 African cichlids and 1 parrot fish.  The aquarium has been stable for over 18 months.  During the last week, I have noticed my parrot fish has stopped eating and has been in a vertical position, face-down.  It is obvious the fish is not doing well.  The fish moves very little and I have observed a couple of the other fish starting to bite at it because they know it is not well.  When I put the net in the water to save the fish, the fish suddenly has lots of energy to swim away.  However, when the other fish get near it to attack, it appears defenseless and doesn’t move, and appears to have no energy to swim away.

The attacks of the enemy are like this to a Christian.  As Christians, we so often sit as prey to the enemy – empty from not eating the Word, and susceptible to being eaten by being picked off by the enemy, one bite at a time.  We don’t move when the subtle attacks of the enemy come, but are quick to swim away when our Savior comes into the water to save us.  Why is that?  The enemy knows we are weak from not being in the Word.  The enemy is also so subtle in his attacks that often we don’t realize what is happening.  Maybe the parrot fish is deceived into thinking the other fish are just showing concern, when really they are just waiting to eat him!  But when the net comes, we run away.  The fish doesn’t understand the motive of the person with the net.  My intention is out of complete love, to save the fish from the enemy, from death.  But the fish doesn’t know my love or understand my intention to save it.

As I have been learning in my personal life recently, I must be on the offense with the enemy!  I must be alert, on guard, and aggressive in my response to him.  I must be in the Word and understand the love and intentions of my Savior to save me when the enemy is attacking.  Are you running from the One who is here to save you?  Have you stopped eating daily of the Word?  Are you sitting prey for the enemy’s subtle attacks and attempts to eat and destroy you?