My soul be on thy guard

Shakespeare in his play "Cleopatra" paints a picture of Antony as one of the great soldiers in the world. He was pictured as one of the triple pillars of the Roman Empire.

Sadly, his dealings with Cleopatra led to lust of the flesh. Gradually he yielded to temptation and became a fleshly slave of Cleopatra - " a strumpet's fool, reduced to dotage and disgrace."

O God, Am I to run a race,
Who lack the very self restraint
That would all subtle lust abase
And win the laurel of a saint?

Everyday, lust lies in wait like a crouching tiger or a serpent at the door ready to pounce upon us, urging us to surrender to passion. Remember the warning in Scripture against the wiles of the flesh - the world, the flesh and the devil. They appear on the screens of television, the internet, in books and magazines, the list is endless.

My soul, be on they guard!
Ten thousand foes arise;
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies.

O watch, and fight and pray!
The battle ne'er give o'er;
Renew it boldly everyday,
And help divine implore

Ne'er think the victory won,
Nor lay thine armour down;
Thy arduous take will not be done
Till thou obtain the crown.  George Heath