scrip·ture | Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean
on your own understanding. 6In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
de·vo·tion | Two years ago, I made the best
decision of my life. I was let go from my job with 2,500 other people, and I
got myself into the Information Security industry. Ok, ok, ok, it was not my
decision, but it was a time in my life where God had provided me a new
opportunity. In my first week within IT Security, I was sent to a conference,
where the guest speakers proceeded to scare the living daylights out of me. By
the time I left, I wanted to delete all my social accounts, have a shredder
next to my bed, pack all my personal belongings into a backpack, and secure it
with a self-destruct button in case anyone got a hold of it.
Having two years to mature in the
Information Security space, there are two things I have come to understand.
Yes, information and identify theft is a real and serious threat; however there
are things that can be done to reduce the risk of your personal and private information
from being stolen. Every day, I work
in an environment where the bad guys are constantly coming in and testing what
we have tried to protect for the intention of either steeling personal
information, doing physical harm, or exploiting information for blackmail. Our
job within Information Security is to use and help others apply whatever
technology, standards, and policies we can to reduce the risk of some threat
being exploited by some bad guy. Don’t kid yourself though, the bad guys are
smart, and they are constantly changing their tactics to find their way past
your defenses. In fact, it has to be an accepted reality that the bad guys will
sometimes succeed in what they are doing, but it is our job to either make it
really hard for them to succeed or to reduce the harm that a bad guy does.
Like the physical information that is under
constant threat by the “hackers”, God knew from the beginning, that every day
we would face a constant threat from the spiritual hackers that try to exploit
our weaknesses as humans. It is in those times where we must work to do what we
can to employ Spiritual Security and enforce the spiritual policies and
guidance given to us by God. In His constant guidance and steadfast love for
us, He provided us with directional principles (10 commandments) and a human
example (Jesus the Christ) of how to live out those principles to reduce the
risk of being infiltrated by these evil exploits and live a life of constant
sanctification and safe harbor. Does this mean that if we live strictly by
God’s principles and mimic the character of Christ all will be hunky-dory?
First, do not be deceived, you will screw up. We all make bad choices that have
consequences. Second, Jesus said that no matter whom you are, righteous or unrighteous;
we will be faced with hard decisions and tribulations regardless of where your
faith lies.
John 16:33 33I have said
these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In Information
Security, just because we have employed the right technology, policies, and
standards, that doesn’t mean that hackers will not attempt to break those
barriers down. In Spiritual Security, just because we have employed the
directional principles and strive to live out the human example of Jesus, does
not mean we are protected from constant threat to our spiritual self. But in
the same way we do everything we can to protect individuals personal
information, we must also do everything we can to protect our spiritual purity.
Start working on the three principles outlined by Patrick M. Morley in his book
The Man in the Mirror. Ask yourself,
what can I do to increase my ability to
live by the Word of God, to not put
God to the test, and to always
worship God and serve Him only. Be diligent my friends and do whatever you
can to utilize what God has given us as direction, but more importantly let’s
make it as hard as we can for the evil in this world to steal our spiritual
identify.
prayer | LORD, I am a man full of exploitable vulnerabilities. I acknowledge that
by myself, I would ruin or at least come very close to ruining this life and
world that You have created for me. I thank you LORD for knowledge and guidance
you have given us in Your Word and in Your son. I realize that the law of good
has been written into my heart, but I need to exercise my heart in order for me
to be reminded of the good I must do. In providing Your Word and Your son, I am
given a chance to understand You and to be guided in a way I could not do on my
own. Help me to vigilantly seek out Your Word, to not test You, and always
worship You in all that I do. Amen
Daily Alone Time with God |
Chapter
of the Week | Proverbs 1
Mon·day | Philippians
4:6-7 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.Tues·day | Isaiah 30:21 21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Wednes·day | James 3:17 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Thurs·day | 1 Corinthians 10:13 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to
man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be
able to endure it.
Fri·day | Psalm 32:8 8I
will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you
with my eye upon you.
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