The story of the 3 Little Pigs can teach you how to be strong in the Lord. Sound crazy?
You can decide after you read it!
What is your House Built From?
Many of you remember this children's story. The big, bad wolf was hungry for a pork sandwich.
He knew where the 3 little pigs lived.
The wolf went to Pig #1’s house, which was made of straw. He begged for Pig #1 to let him in. But the little pig would not.
So the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the straw house in.
But Pig #1 escaped by running to Pig #2’s house.
Then the wolf came to Pig #2’s house, which was made of sticks. But Pig #2 wouldn’t let the wolf in either.
So the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the stick house in.
But the 2 little pigs escaped and ran to the Pig #3’s house.
Lastly, the wolf came to Pig #3’s house, which was made of bricks. He asked Pig #3 to let him in. But Pig #3 would not.
So the wolf huffed and puffed and blew with all his might.
But the brick house remained standing!
The wolf blew all day and night, but Pig #3's house never budged.
Finally the hungry wolf went away, determined to get an easier meal from other pigs in straw and stick houses!
The Danger of Weak Faith
Many people say that they believe in Jesus as their Savior, but their faith "house" is weak.
It's like a house built with straw and sticks.
All it would take for their faith to fall is for one big crisis to come their way.
But you can build a brick house for your faith!
The Bible has several scriptures that parallel the 3 little pigs story about the dangers of not building your faith on a strong foundation. Here are those scriptures:
The Vulnerable Creation
For Israel is stubborn
- Hosea 4:16
Like a stubborn calf;
Now the Lord will let them forage
Like a lamb in open country."
We all know what happens to a lamb in open country. Without a Shepherd to protect her, that lamb is on the menu!
The Hungry Enemy
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
- 1 Peter 5:8
Do not make it easy for the enemy to devour you!
The Weak vs. Strong House
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
- Matthew 7:24-29
The emphasis was mine; it is not enough to hear and know what to do. Applying God's word makes the difference in your ability to withstand enemy attacks!
3 Ways to be Strong in the Lord
To help yourself be strong in the Lord with a stronger foundation of faith, do these three things:
1. Recognize where your true protection lies. We are vulnerable creations and face many dangers, sometimes from our own ignorance and naivety.
Jesus did not call us sheep for nothing!
While a part of me doesn't like thinking of myself as a sheep, I know it is true.
Wanting to resist that truth is about pride.
Here is how sheep behave:
- Sheep have an instinct to move out of the dark and into well-lit areas
- Sheep prefer to move uphill when disturbed
- Sheep tend to gather close to other members of their flock
- Sheep have a strong lead/follow instinct
So as sheep, our first instinct should be to move "uphill" and seek the light of God's presence and His word, especially when we are disturbed.
Next, seek other believers in Jesus who can help support us during times of trouble.
Finally, strive to hear God's voice so that we can follow where He would have us go.
2. Know your enemy. John 10:10 gives us the enemy's agenda:
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."
So if you have behavior in your life that will ultimately steal something from you, or kill/destroy you, then you know who is behind it!
That is when you need to refer back to to point #1.
Recognize you are in danger and get yourself back under the Good Shepherd's protection so that He can bring you to a place of safety.
3. Create a stronger dwelling place. In the parable in Matthew 7:24-29, only 1 difference existed between the person in the strong house vs. the weak house:
- The weak house person heard God's word, but did not do it.
- The strong house person heard God's word, and did it!
When you practice God's word consistently, that is when it becomes part of who you are. That is the goal. If you make mistakes, that is okay. That is part of your learning process.
But keep practicing God's word with a sincere heart to know Him.
Eventually, the word will become part of you and you will reflect God's character in greater measure.
You will experience change from the inside out!
In summary, strive to practice these 3 things. In that way, you will stay protected against any enemies coming your way - even if it is a big bad wolf or hungry lion!