Some people are harmed by the sun's powerful rays. They may be allergic to the sun, or they may have a disease, like lupus. If these people are exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, they have a visible and painful reaction.

To protect themselves, they wear large-brimmed hats and clothing to cover their arms, legs, and necks. They use the strongest sunscreen possible to protect exposed skin areas. And they spend the midday hours in the shade.

In a similar way, Christians need spiritual protection from the evil world-system. Its ruler Satan bombards us continuously with temptations and pressures that will weaken our testimony and turn us away from the Lord if we yield to them.

God Himself provides us with all the protection we need. He stands between us and the enemy. He is our shield and our fortress (Ps. 144:1-2). But we must apply this protection through prayer, reading and meditating on the Bible, faith, right thinking, fellowship with other Christians, and depending on the power of the Holy Spirit. These disciplines will keep the world from getting through to us.

God truly is our shield and protector.  — David C. Egner