MIND YOUR TALK

DAY 329

1 Maccabees 6:3-4 So he came and tried to take the city and plunder it, but he could not because his plan had become known to the citizens  and they withstood him in battle. So he fled and in great disappointment left there to return to Babylon.

The story today tells of the exploits of Antiochus Epiphanes. This king sought to plunder the temple in Elymais as he had heard of its adornment and loot. Unfortunately, he found himself in a pickle and had to retreat in defeat. This outcome was not because he had not planned for the war, or that his army were short on supply, it was because his war plans became public information.

Whenever one heads into a battle, besides knowing the strength of your own army, a great pool of knowledge is to know the strength, plans and tactics of your opposition. This way, you are able to put up a fiercer resistance in the day of battle.

In 2 Corinthians 2:11, we read ‘so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.’- that is one requirement for living in perpetual triumph. Ignorance will leave you unprepared for when those devices are set in motion to thwart your advance.

Another thing to ponder on is a consideration of how the king’s war plans became public information? Did he parade them through his boasts? Did they slip out in a drunken mistake?  Or did a spy sell them out? It is true we live in a social media age, nonetheless, crucial details about our lives journey should not become public information. They could become ammunition in the hands of any enemy.

#sly