In the past two weeks approximately 900 people have lost their lives. Attacks on a Russian passenger jet. Attacks in Beirut. Attacks in Nigeria. Attacks in Paris. Attacks in Israel. And even as I type this, an attach in Mali. Terrorism is rearing its ugly head at an alarming rate! I am certain I am not the only person who sat glued to my television screen last Friday night as the shocking events in Paris unfolded. And maybe like some of you, by the next day my shock had turned to anger.
In the midst of my anger I had a little rant session on Facebook. I feel quite foolish about it now, but I am grateful it happened because it got the attention of a dear friend of mine (an "iron-sharpens-iron" kind of friend) who then commented to me with love and truth. As I humbly quieted myself before the Lord long enough to pray about her words, the Word began to come up in my Spirit as well as some truth about what was going on in me. I am grateful to this friend who validated my concerns but, out of love, spoke up! I'm not sure what part of the Body I am, but it was clear I was having a flare up and needed another part of the Body to calm me down!
Fear presents itself in many forms. Just like love is the fertile ground in which joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control spring up. Fear is the fertile ground of anger, rage, hatred ... and any other emotion that runs contrary to the fruits of the Spirit. My anger was a sign to me that I was in fear. As a Christian I know I am not supposed to be fearful. I know fear is of Satan and that I am to give him no place. I also know that perfect love casts out all fear, and that that "perfect love" is found only as I pull my focus away from what's going on in this world and put it back on the One who has already overcome it ... Jesus Christ! Praise God!
I can't remember where I heard this analogy, but it goes something like this; The world lives life like a thermometer ... going up and down as circumstances are good and bad, but as a Christian we aren't called to be thermometers. We are to be thermostats ... remaining consistent in the face of both good and bad. How? Because of the peace we have in the certainties found in God's word. So let's look at some of these certainties that we can anchor ourselves to because, let's face it, these our overwhelming circumstances, and in times like these we need to be led to the Rock that is higher than us! (Ps. 61:2)
*What the Bible has to say about a believer's civic responsibility ...
Romans 13:1 tells us to be a loyal subject to governing authorities because there is no authority given to man but by God. It is God who appoints leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us we are to offer up petitions, prayers, intersessions, and thanksgiving on behalf of kings/leaders and all in positions of authority and high responsibility. Titus 3:1-2 and Col. 3:8 tells us to slander no one.
Believe me, I know this is a big pill to swallow as we are very tempted to lay blame with certain governing leaders, but doing so serves no purpose and helps nothing. Even if our words seem factual, faith does not speak what already exists. We play into Satan's hands when we do that. Romans 4:17 tells us to speak of nonexistent things as if they already exist. Are you worried about your leaders wisdom? Don't call him an idiot! Pray for him to have wisdom and thank God he is wise! Regardless of the outcome, remember "the heart of the king is in God's hand." (Prov 21:1) The same God that gave wisdom to Solomon hardened Pharaoh's heart, but God's will was always accomplished!
May I also say, if you are fortunate enough to live in a democracy, you have the right and responsibility to contact your representatives with your concerns. You also have the right and responsibility to vote. When doing so, keep in mind that a government's responsibility is very different than an individuals. Romans 13:3-4 says "For civil authorities are not a terror to people of good conduct, but to those of bad behavior ... For he (the government) is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath on the wrongdoer."
*What the Bible has to say about our enemy ...
Many people want to blame Muslims and the Islamic faith for the terror attacks we've seen, and although extremists of this religion seem to be the culprit, the Bible clearly tells us in Eph. 6:12 that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly, supernatural sphere. In other words, our fight is far more spiritual than physical. We are fighting against the ruler of this world, which is Satan, and his demonic forces. These forces are stationed in heavenly places over earthly kingdoms and operate down through them.
We see evidence of this in Daniel 10:11-14 when an angel appears to Daniel with an answer to a prayer prayed 21 days earlier. The angel specifies in verse 13 that the "prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief celestial princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia." We know the one speaking is an angel. We know Michael is an arch angel. We therefore know they would be fighting other celestial beings. Therefore, the prince and kings of Persia here are not human beings. They are "spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly, supernatural sphere." This point should again reiterate the importance of faith. Our faith that comes out of our mouth is a spiritual force that is either helping or hindering the spiritual warfare raging around us.
*What the Bible has to say about combating such an enemy ...
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories, and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we take every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:3-5.
So here we see we have spiritual weapons to fight these spiritual forces, but the first thing we must set straight is our mind by taking our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. What exactly does that mean? Do your thoughts line up with the Word? If so, great. If not, pitch it! Find out what the Word says. Replace wrong thinking with right thinking. But to do this you must be in the Word and allow the Spirit to help you.
*What the Bible has to say about our weapons ...
These are found in Eph. 6:14-18. We have a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the Gospel of peace, a shield of saving faith, a helmet of salvation, a sword of the Spirit (which is the Word), and prayer. So for defensive weapons we have truth to center us, the righteousness of God in our hearts, peace guiding where our feet take us, covering all with faith, and salvation in our minds. Our offensive weapons are the sword of the Spirit (the Word) and prayer. These two weapons work in tandem. The Word is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Heb.4:12) And in Revelation 2:12, 16 we see Jesus wields a two-edged sword that comes from His mouth! My friend, our sword of the Spirit is also in our mouth! It is the Word of God that comes out of our mouth! How is it that we have authority to use the Word? It is because of Jesus! Through Him we have two more powerful weapons ... the Name and the blood. Jesus, the Name that is above every other name in which every knee must bow! (Phil. 2:9-10), and the blood, "And they (the saints) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word (there's our mouth again) of their testimony." (Rev. 12:11 - explanation mine)
My friend, God promises to be our protector, a fortress and strong tower in time of need. I encourage you to read, study, and meditate on the 23rd and 91st Psalm. Both are packed with spiritual sword wielding truth! Rev. 12:12 tells us Satan will operate in even greater anger as he knows his time is running short. I don't know how bad things will get and what all we may have to endure before the return of our Lord, but always remember God is still on the throne, He knows the beginning from the end, and His plans can NEVER be thwarted. God will win, and those in Christ are assured victory ... a victory already won on the cross that we are watching play out. So hold fast your profession of faith and know the battle is the Lord's!
(As Thanksgiving approaches I had intended this blog to be about giving thanks and being grateful. Ironically, as I publish this writing that is exactly what's in my heart. I am thankful for the Word that I have purposefully put down in my heart. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit is so faithful to bring up exactly what I need, when I need it. I am thankful for the Body of Christ and "iron-sharpens-iron" kind of friends. I am grateful for my dear Savior who was willing to pay such a huge price for me to live in victory. I am thankful to God for His sovereignty and a beautiful plan that He is masterfully bringing full circle. I am grateful to all of you who read my blog and encourage me to continue writing even when the enemy attempts to tell me I have nothing important to say. Yes, I am indeed thankful! God bless!)
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