KNOWN ENEMY

An African proverb says “an enemy that you know can no longer harm you”. This however, does not hold true for some of us who know our weaknesses and still suffer because of their poor management. It is commendable that we are sometime able to frankly identify our weaknesses. It is a different ball game to see to the proper management of such weaknesses. What then is a weakness?
Weakness is a character or possession that one is so much attached to even if it prevents the fulfillment of one’s purpose. There was a time in my life when laziness dealt with me. I knew I was lazy and often time blame laziness for my misfortune. But, I was not determined enough to request for God’s backing in order to combat laziness and instill hard work in myself. Thank God for His timely help when I later asked for it.
I was discussing with a young man of about 24, 25 years old. He told me that he should have been a graduate considering when he finished his secondary school education but for stubbornness. Later that same day, he annoyingly left home and decided to leave for the village the next morning just because of his sister’s negligible provocation. He was able to identify his weakness but could not tame it.
The rich young man in the New Testament was too proud to do away with his weakness and was unable to fulfill his vision of having eternal life. When you sincerely do not know your weakness, prayerfully ask God and He will point it out to you. Honest people can also tell you but do not behave like that young rich man who got angry when told to get rid of his riches –which was his weakness. Rather, acknowledge it and start the process of checkmating it.
When you know your weakness, you have conquered it twenty percent. Your determination and work towards putting it under control increases the percent to sixty. God’s introduction into the plan makes it hundred percent. Just as the knowledge of your weakness alone cannot put it under control, so can your determination and work do little or nothing about it. Everything must go together.
Peter knew he cannot do anything without Jesus. He was therefore determined to do anything to stop him from been taken away. Unfortunately for him, Jesus was taken away and he had to face his weakness squarely. With determination and God’s backing through Holy Spirit, he overcame after all. Three thousand men gave their lives to Jesus after his first sermon.
That is to prove to you that your determination and work without God is nothing. Identify your weakness(es) today and start the process of combating it. Read relevant books, take advice from experienced individuals and live under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This may be a life long process!