Do you ever find yourself torn between drawing nearer to God and clinging to a self-destructive habit? You may have not noticed at first, but something or someone makes it clear that this is exactly what is happening. What do you do?
Theologically, we know that when we pick something before God, we are plunging into idolatry. It may seem like a petty, victimless crime, but God certainly does not see it that way. He will share his glory with no other.
Intellectually, we may recognize that the behavior that is pulling us away will eventually cost us dearly. However, we might assume, for the time being at least, we will escape the consequences.
Yet, in spite of what we know to be true, we are often pulled along by an emotional tug that defies understanding. It may well be the principle of sin that resides in our mortal bodies and wages war against our flesh.
We are left with a choice--God or our habit. It seems like such a simple choice, but I have witness several people exchange the glory of God for their destruction. Everyday the battle wages within me. Everyday I have to make the choice.
What about you? How do you handle the struggle?
Showing posts with label Spiritual Warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Warfare. Show all posts
Friday, October 12, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Brief Guide to Spiritual Warfare
What do you think about when you hear the expression, "Spiritual Warfare"? Typically, I think of demonic oppression and prayer. I know I should know better. Spiritual warfare is bigger than that. It is the spiritual conflict that underlies all human conflict.
Paul faced a lot of conflict. I wonder which conflicts he found the most disappointing. I think the conflict he faced with the church at Corinth would be one of his most trying. After patiently training them in the gospel they were still willing to reject him in favor of false teachers. It is a bit perplexing.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul addresses some of the accusations made against him, and defends his ministry. In doing so, he gives us a brief guide to spiritual warfare. He reminds us that we have divine power to tear down strongholds. Here are three rules to guide us:
Rule 1: Don't use the world's strategies. The world, or the powers that govern this world, use misdirection, pride, guilt, rage, etc. to fight God and his people. However, we are not to resort to those kind of tactics. Instead, we follow the example of Christ living in meekness and with patience. Meekness is not weakness. Patience is not cowardice. Spiritual conflict is all around us, but we can't adopt the world's way of waging war.
Rule 2: Don't use the world's weapons. What are the world's weapons? Violence, slander, lies, bribes, threats, self-promotion, etc. The world will use any means to accomplish the bad that it intends to do. However, we cannot do bad that good may come of it. We must use the weapons God has given us to combat our enemies. Those weapons include: the Truth, speaking the truth in love, the message of Christ, the knowledge of God, Scriptures, divine wisdom, prayer, humility, and holy conduct.
Rule 3: Don't let strongholds stand. What is a stronghold? It is a place of strength from which an enemy can strike. Going to bed angry can create a stronghold for the devil in our lives (see Eph. 4:25-28). Anything, even a church tradition, can become a stronghold if we aren't careful. To demolish strongholds, we must demolish every argument and pretense that sets itself in opposition to God. We need to take every thought captive, and make it obedient to Christ. And we need to be ready to act.
The battle rages around us, even if we don't see it. We need to join the battle, but we have to do it God's way and with the tools God has given.
Paul faced a lot of conflict. I wonder which conflicts he found the most disappointing. I think the conflict he faced with the church at Corinth would be one of his most trying. After patiently training them in the gospel they were still willing to reject him in favor of false teachers. It is a bit perplexing.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul addresses some of the accusations made against him, and defends his ministry. In doing so, he gives us a brief guide to spiritual warfare. He reminds us that we have divine power to tear down strongholds. Here are three rules to guide us:
Rule 1: Don't use the world's strategies. The world, or the powers that govern this world, use misdirection, pride, guilt, rage, etc. to fight God and his people. However, we are not to resort to those kind of tactics. Instead, we follow the example of Christ living in meekness and with patience. Meekness is not weakness. Patience is not cowardice. Spiritual conflict is all around us, but we can't adopt the world's way of waging war.
Rule 2: Don't use the world's weapons. What are the world's weapons? Violence, slander, lies, bribes, threats, self-promotion, etc. The world will use any means to accomplish the bad that it intends to do. However, we cannot do bad that good may come of it. We must use the weapons God has given us to combat our enemies. Those weapons include: the Truth, speaking the truth in love, the message of Christ, the knowledge of God, Scriptures, divine wisdom, prayer, humility, and holy conduct.
Rule 3: Don't let strongholds stand. What is a stronghold? It is a place of strength from which an enemy can strike. Going to bed angry can create a stronghold for the devil in our lives (see Eph. 4:25-28). Anything, even a church tradition, can become a stronghold if we aren't careful. To demolish strongholds, we must demolish every argument and pretense that sets itself in opposition to God. We need to take every thought captive, and make it obedient to Christ. And we need to be ready to act.
The battle rages around us, even if we don't see it. We need to join the battle, but we have to do it God's way and with the tools God has given.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
On Alert!
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering" (1 Pet. 5:8-9, NIV).
Peter knew what it was like to caught in the lion's trap. During the last supper, Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat. He wouldn't listen. He thought he was invincible. You can read about it in Luke 22:24-46.
Someone defined self-control as man's ability to look at reality with a clear mind. Peter calls his readers to be self-controlled and alert. He points them to the reality. We are being hunted by a prowling lion who will devour us if he catches us. Peter reminds urges us to resist the enemy.
Peter uses several terms to describe our enemy. He calls him "your enemy." He isn't just Jesus' enemy, he is our enemy, as well. He is our enemy or adversary. He is one who wants to take us to court and strip us of all good. He is the devil, a slanderer and accuser. Our enemy is on the hunt, he's hungry, and violent.
How should we respond? We need to resist him. How do we resist him? We do it by standing firm in our faith. Peter, most probably, is referring the truths of Christianity, but he may also mean our personal profession of faith. Why do we resist him? We do it because our "brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." He could be calling us to serve as an example for other believers, calling us to encourage other believers with our faithfulness, or calling us to remember our unity with Christ.
Peter wants us to be ready when the devil attacks. Where he once fell, he wants us to stand. If we are to succeed, we must be on alert!
Peter knew what it was like to caught in the lion's trap. During the last supper, Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat. He wouldn't listen. He thought he was invincible. You can read about it in Luke 22:24-46.
Someone defined self-control as man's ability to look at reality with a clear mind. Peter calls his readers to be self-controlled and alert. He points them to the reality. We are being hunted by a prowling lion who will devour us if he catches us. Peter reminds urges us to resist the enemy.
Peter uses several terms to describe our enemy. He calls him "your enemy." He isn't just Jesus' enemy, he is our enemy, as well. He is our enemy or adversary. He is one who wants to take us to court and strip us of all good. He is the devil, a slanderer and accuser. Our enemy is on the hunt, he's hungry, and violent.
How should we respond? We need to resist him. How do we resist him? We do it by standing firm in our faith. Peter, most probably, is referring the truths of Christianity, but he may also mean our personal profession of faith. Why do we resist him? We do it because our "brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." He could be calling us to serve as an example for other believers, calling us to encourage other believers with our faithfulness, or calling us to remember our unity with Christ.
Peter wants us to be ready when the devil attacks. Where he once fell, he wants us to stand. If we are to succeed, we must be on alert!
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