During World War 1, Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen was a famous German fighter pilot. Most people don’t recognize the name Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, but they do recognize him as the nickname that was given to him during the war – the Red Baron.
During WWI, Richthofen shot down 80 enemy aircraft, more than any other pilot. He was called the Red Baron because the airplane he flew was painted bright red.
On April 12, 1918, Richthofen was chasing after a Canadian fighter pilot and in the chase flew his red airplane too far into enemy territory and was shot down. Eye witnesses said the Red Baron had been flying way too low, and was probably so mentally involved in chasing after the other pilot that he never realized he had flown into the enemies air space, which cost him his life.
Many Christians are the same way. We get caught up in chasing after the things of this world, and before we know it – we’re way too deep into enemy territory and we get shot down spiritually.
The Bible warns us to not chase after the things of this world, and the sins that so easily destroy our lives. In fact the Bible tells us to RUN in the OTHER direction!
“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
1 Peter 5:8 warns us that Satan (the enemy of ALL Christians) is just waiting for us to be vulnerable to his attacks, and at the moment we’re not expecting it – he will attack. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Paul cautions us in Romans 13:12-14, “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
Don’t fly into enemy territory! Don’t even give our flesh and satan an opportunity to attack and destroy our lives. MAKE NO PROVISION for the flesh!!
We too often think, “Oh, well it’s not going to hurt if I do this one more time.” or “I know this is not pleasing to God, but I enjoy it…so what bad can happen?”.
The Red Baron was so involved in chasing after that other pilot that he didn’t stop to realize where that chase was leading him – deep into the WRONG place. It cost him his life!
And making the WRONG choices and decisions in our life as a Christian can cost us more deeply than we want to think, and can even yes, cost us our life!
Stop chasing after the WRONG things and focus on chasing after GOD! NOW! TODAY! Don’t think, “Oh, well – I’ll get my life straight one day.” We’re NOT guaranteed another day or another hour. Making the right decisions and choices is CRITICAL!