The story of the Great Wall of China is often told, a monumental structure built over several dynasties and spanning thousands of miles. Its primary purpose was to protect Chinese states and empires from nomadic invaders from the north. This gigantic edifice, renowned for its architectural prowess and stamina, still stands to this day.
Interestingly, the Wall’s breach during the Manchu conquest came not through a direct assault but through bribery. The Manchu invaders were able to bribe one of the gatekeepers, allowing their forces to walk through the gates without any resistance. This incident underscores a profound truth: we are only as strong as our weakest link.
Sun Tzu, in his famous work “The Art of War,” emphasizes the strategy of avoiding what is strong and attacking what is weak.
While this may seem like common sense, we often act contrary to it, believing that attacking an enemy’s stronghold is the path to victory. Even the devil understands this principle well. He typically does not attack our prayer or Bible study head-on. Instead, he targets seemingly insignificant areas, such as the amount of time we spend on social media, the frequency of our meals, or our indulgence in entertainment like movies and YouTube shorts. Gradually, these small distractions start to erode the time we would otherwise dedicate to spiritual activities. As a friend of mine often says, “It’s a slow fade.”
The Bible warns us to “beware of little foxes that spoil the vines” (Song of Solomon 2:15).
These little foxes represent seemingly weak points in our lives that, if left unchecked, can lead to significant spiritual decline. Hebrews 12:1 advises us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us,” encouraging vigilance against these subtle encroachments.
In conclusion, just as the Great Wall of China was breached through a minor oversight, so too can our spiritual defenses be compromised by seemingly trivial matters. We must remain vigilant and guard against the small, seemingly harmless distractions that can lead us away from our spiritual path. Remember, we are only as strong as our weakest link.
Have an amazing weekend.
