What You “THINK & DO” About Evil Matters (Part 7)

Today I will discuss a subject in which most believers fail to engage: “Spiritual Warfare.” When I say “Spiritual Warfare” I mean taking a consistent stand against evil. I’m not talking about acting like some demon hunter or lunatic that causes other Christians to cringe just being around them, but real Christians acting like real lovers of God. If you haven’t read the first six articles you need to do so before reading on as these articles are linked in a special way and sequence.

Becoming a child of God we not only find forgiveness, but also a new purpose for living, namely the honor of God. Scripture says we left the kingdom of darkness and entered the kingdom of light through our savior Jesus Christ. this new “Kingdom Perspective” implies we have a new set of priorities that guide our actions, not just our beliefs.

Colossians 1:13-14                                                                                                                                                                       For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

As our mind and soul become renewed, and we start to resemble elements of who Jesus was and is, we start becoming individuals who love our Heavenly Father and who fight the destruction Satan has brought upon this world and humanity. Remember that Jesus came to “Destroy” not just cover up or ignore Satan and his work.

1 John 3:8                                                                                                                                                                                            The one who practices sin is of the devil; for The devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Many in the body of Christ think Jesus was and is a “Pacifist” yet nothing is father from the truth. Reading the Old Testament it is easy to see that God challenges us to fight for justice and the plan of God. Many of the New Testament parables, especially at the end of each gospel book, depict God coming back to force people to give an account for their life. In the book of Revelation a God of war is easily seen as well.

The plan of God to redeem man started in the garden when our first parents sinned through Satan’s treacherous acts and words, and God’s plan has not changed. The huge transformation of Jesus as the Son of God, dropping his powers and abilities to become fully human was, to put it mildly, a violent act against his being. Yet he chose that path because of his desire to demonstrate the power and depth of God to humanity. Consider the book of Philippians and the description of Jesus’ transformation. It could not have been less than a violent transformation.

Philippians 2:5-8                                                                                                                                                                       Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We are to have the same attitude that Jesus had, and continues to have, of being in the fight to expose Satan’s schemes and intention — to deliver as many people as possible from his treachery. Now mind you, in a war everyone does not do the same job or function, but we are all called to be in the fight. In a war some of us are on the front lines. Some are in the supply lines delivering vital supplies, but all are engaged. If you are not willing to engage in the conflict for God’s glory you must ask if you ever were converted in the first place. True conversion starts in the heart and moves to our actions and behavior. As a person who has been teaching in the body of Christ for over 45 years I know that many leaders and preachers have taught otherwise. Those teachings do not come from the heart of God but from twisting the scriptures to suit their preference, so as not be hurt or threatened in their self-centered lifestyle. Being a Christian starts with choosing Jesus Christ as our Lord and following the example he set for us. This includes the struggle against living for ourselves supremely.

Consider America having a pacifist attitude towards WWI & WWII. America watched without engaging because they knew that war is messy and costly. We looked on as nations were being brutalized by the Germans, Italians and Japanese, and we did nothing. It took these countries attacking us and hurting us before we cared enough to engage. Many Christians act the same way when it comes to people around the world under the control of Satan. As long as Satan doesn’t hurt us they think, “I won’t fight.” Consider why God allows the church to experience persecution. When we experience persecution for our beliefs it purges the unhealthy actions and desires that we protect.

This is like a robber breaking into your neighbor’s house and you see it but do nothing because the thief is not harming your property. Through the parable of the “Good Samaritan” Jesus told us that we should care about our neighbors. Our neighbors are those we encounter in our life journey. The story starts with a person that knew the word of God better than most, yet who was not living like he believed. All his belief was not giving him the life he wanted.

Luke 10:25-29                                                                                                                                                                        One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

True spiritual warfare is about living and acting like Jesus. He lived for the glory of God the Father by sacrificing himself for humanity. He loved people in their brokenness and was a light to them about the difference between Satan’s lies and God’s truth and love.

In the next article I want to briefly look at how the first century church got into trouble because they forgot they were in a war with Satan and looked to Christianity more as a place of refuge than of redemption.

Questions:

1) Have you looked at Christianity without a fighters perspective? Consider Eph 6:10 and why Paul said it is important that we be strong in God’s mighty power.

2) Have you allowed the attitude of a “pacifist” to isolate you from the fight for broken people? Consider doing a study on Paul’s instructions about taking a stand in the fight against Satan and sin. It’s a good place to start.

May the Holy Spirit open our eyes to our true calling in God for a lost a dying world.

Pastor Dale