The Day My Computer Sent Me a Message


Several weeks ago, our laptop started acting strange. Weird pop-ups continuously popped up. We use a Net Nanny to protect our computer from sites that show porn, violence, and everything else that is harmful to a family. And it was going berserk. I couldn't even go on the internet without 10 warning messages from the Nanny, so I figured we somehow got a virus. And then, a screen message kind of similar to this came up.



My version told me the Trojan virus was detected and if I clicked the button or called the 1-800 number that was provided, they could remove it for me. I considered pushing the button, but then I decided to just take a picture of it to show my uncle who fixes computers. 

When I dropped the computer off to be cleaned, I showed the pop-up to him. He informed me that this message came from the virus itself and if clicked on, there is no "fixing"! Instead, the virus embeds itself deeper into the computer.

For whatever reason, this just ticked me off. To think that there are people out there who have nothing better to do than to create these computer viruses in order to hack their way into my life and destroy my privacy and computer. And then, to create such a pop-up that could easily fool a computer illiterate person into trying to fix their own computer that, instead, only results in more damage.

But, it got me thinking.

How Satan is out there. He's prowling around looking around for lives to kill, steal, and destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." He is like a virus that will destroy our lives if we let him embed himself in our hearts. He sends us false advertising pop-ups to our minds every day. Lies that tell us the worst about ourselves. Lies that tell us we're not good enough. Lies that convince us to try it and our problems will be fixed. 

Do I get angry at the devil? Am I passionately refusing him any footholds in my life? Am I aware of how he is prowling around my family, looking for opportunities to pounce?

Do I have spiritual protection set up to keep him out? Is God permeating my life, in all areas? Have I clothed myself and my family with the spiritual armor? 

I still remember this passage from Ephesians 6: 10-18 I memorized as a child: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints



The battle out there is raging, folks! Are we prepared to face the devil and his schemes? Let's arm ourselves with the spiritual protection the Lord has made available to us!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Foggy Twists and Turns

Image
 Earlier this week our area was blanketed in a thick fog as I drove my daughter to school. Fog is such a weird sensation! It is difficult to see long-distance, but things can suddenly become clear as you get closer. Everything looks shadowy and our eyes take extra effort to focus on what is in front of us. Only the sun or light can bring clarity to our surroundings. I was reminded that much of life can feel like a fog. We cannot see the future or the end result. Many times we find ourselves blindly clamoring through life, seeking direction, and really only having enough faith to put one step in front of the other. Fog can feel frustrating. We so desperately want to see clearly but have no ability of our own to make the fog disappear. However, the light of the "Son's" rays can push that fog out of the way and bring much-needed clarity.  I was also recently struck by this odd sidewalk that I regularly walk on during my daughter's music lesson. My personality tendencies
Read more

The Idol of Comfort

Image
If you're reading this blog in the state of Pennsylvania, you'll know that we had quite the heat wave this week. It has felt more like the throes of July than our typical autumn September days! Of course, it just so happened that with the week's hot forecast fresh on my mind, I kept waking up Monday night due to an unusual sound coming from our air conditioner...and our house felt hot! Sure enough, by late afternoon on Tuesday, our air conditioner was running constantly and unable to keep the house cool. After a call to our HVAC repairman, we were relieved they could come out Wednesday afternoon. It was very humid Wednesday morning and our thermostat was already climbing to 79* at 8 am, but to our surprise, our "hero" arrived early! A simple part was replaced and life in the heat felt bearable again! Sadly, this experience was yet another humbling reminder that "comfort" is just as much of an idol for me as "control" is. Why is it that feeling
Read more

Deep Cleaning: My Pantry and My Marriage

Image
 A new year...the dead of winter...what better way to spend the day than tackling projects that have been put on the back burner for far too long! A few weeks ago I knew I needed to address my kitchen pantry. I had caught my husband in there with a measuring tape, who was dreaming up an idea to add more shelving and improve its functionality. To be honest with you, my pantry is nothing to brag about. It's barely a walk-in closet, perhaps more accurately called a step-in closet! But deep down inside, I knew it didn't need a complete overhaul; it simply needed to be organized! There were times I couldn't find an ingredient I needed, so I simply bought more. Then a few days later, I would find it and the duplicates would continue to grow. I feel vulnerable sharing these photos, but I suppose most people can enjoy a good before and after transformation! Yep, complete chaos that kept the door from being shut at times! I admit I felt very overwhelmed I didn't know where to st
Read more