In discovering the wonderful truth about faith, don't make the mistake of thinking all your problems will instantly vanish the moment you are born again. Many Christians see God's promises in the Bible and assume they can simply float around on a "faith cloud." The Bible makes it very clear that we have a real enemy to contend with in this life. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Satan will try to come against you with sickness, oppression, and poverty - the very things Jesus died to redeem you from. But if you'll refuse to listen to his lies and stand firm on God's Word, you'll rise above every circumstance.

The most important thing a new believer needs to be aware of is that Satan's favorite and most insidious tactic is to steal the Word from your heart.

Jesus exposed this method in the parable of the sower and the seed. "When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart" (Matt. 13:18-19).

It is vital that new believers recognize that they have an enemy who is out to steal the Word from their hearts.

Source: Water, Wind, and Fire: Understanding the New Birth by Mac Hammond
Excerpt permission granted by Mac Hammond Ministries