Gear Up!

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8; ESV)

Let’s face it – our enemy, whom the Holy Scriptures refer to as the prince of the power of the air, is continuing to have a field day with humanity.  For those of you who read and study God’s word, it’s spiritually apparent that evil is waxing worse and worse these days.  You can also confirm this by simply watching the morning or nightly news for a mere five minutes!  Death, destruction, greed, selfishness, idolatry, the list goes on and on.  I’m not going to discuss every kind of sin that’s slowly but surely tearing away at the very fabric of society – my fingers would cramp up.   

What I would like to point out to you is that our enemy is becoming bolder each day, and he’s using our news outlets and sources of entertainment to spread his message of hatred toward God.  I believe there was a time not too long ago when we felt we could reasonably trust what we heard on the news, and we generally considered it to be factual and unbiased. Of course, that was at a time when we had fewer news sources at our disposal.  Today, it seems like every news outlet has an agenda, a slant, whose goal is to literally persuade us to “pick a side” in order to create a greater chasm of dissension.  They use suggestive and persuasive language and formulate exposes on ungodly relationships, promote stories of victimhood, and encourage the addition of newly created genders.  Do you see it?  I’m sure you do.  And to make matters worse, those who control these media outlets are promoting entertainment and entertainers who literally mock God.  From major motion pictures that blatantly blaspheme the Bible to singers who start off with a huge teenage fan following but then make music videos or perform in concerts in which they clearly glorify the evil one, the degree of depravity is both insidious and mind-boggling.  There’s no longer an attempt to be covert in this hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ, either.  It’s in the open for all to see, and when you see it, you’ll do one of three things:  1). recognize that the performance is “over the top” but clap and sing along anyway; 2) recognize that it’s sinful but watch nonetheless; or 4) turn it off.  The saddest thing is that we’re being inundated with sin to the point where it’s losing its ability to shock our consciousness.  Lord, help us.

What’s the solution?  The Word of God, of course.  Despite the enemy’s stronghold on the world, God is continuing to raise up men and women who are going to stand firm on the truth of His Word.  Are you one of them?  I hope so.  Want to become a soldier in the Lord’s army?  Stay in His Word!  When the enemy attacks by attempting to overwhelm me with the sins of the world, I find both comfort and spiritual strength in this particular passage of Scripture: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:10-18; ESV)

Our greatest weapon against the schemes of the evil one is the Word of God.  Do not discount the immense power of the Bible.  No, studying God’s Word does not give us the power to “manifest,” as some would try to convince us.  But it does remind us of the sovereign power of the Most High God.  It does remind us that God demonstrated His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to the cross to die for our sins and that He defeated the power of sin and death through His resurrection.  The Word reminds us that through faith in the finished works of the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing can pluck us out of God’s mighty hands, and we are no longer a slave to sin.  The Word also reminds us that greater is He that lives in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  Jesus has overcome the world, and through Him, we too can be overcomers.  Therefore, turn off the television, put down your phone or laptop, and open up your Bible - you’ll be glad you did.

Onward, Christian soldiers!