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| Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion... (I Peter 5:8) |
You may recall in my last post I challenged you to look seriously at your plans and where you are putting your time! What are your priorities? It's a dilemma that is centuries old. Just ask our bible sister, Martha of Bethany who had to figure it out for herself! (Luke 10:40-42)
January 2019 has been brutal so I'm not surprised if you've gotten distracted. Whether it was due to severe weather conditions that extended throughout our nation, or those financial woes that come after Christmas. Perhaps you even experienced situations unexpectedly. Thousands of federal workers and their families are feeling the impact of a prolonged government shut-down. Two income homes have been reduced to one or even none. If you are experiencing either of the above scenarios, please know that you are in my prayers!
All this unrest and upheaval in our lives make for a perfect climate to complain and point fingers. But I've just got to tell you, no matter where you're pointing yours and placing the blame, it all boils down to this statement by Dr. Tony Evans: "Everything we see in the physical realm is caused, provoked, or influenced by something in the invisible realm." (The Battle is the Lord's, Waging Victorious Spiritual Warfare, Moody Press, Chicago).
I believe even the most fundamentally sound Christian will sometime forget that we are living in a fallen world with a powerful enemy lurking about! We are shocked and distraught at the happenings in our world when really we shouldn't be THAT surprised! We've been on a downward slide of immorality, violence, and corruption since mankind's fall in the Garden of Eden. This is where Adam and Eve were both beguiled by our real Enemy, Satan!
A quick re-read of Genesis 3:14-19 will prove that sin and its originator (Satan) is the root cause of every societal woe. Not one man, Not one political system, Not one particular philosophy! The Face behind all the pain, chaos, perversion and violence we are experiencing is that of the Real Enemy. Until we citizens of the world acknowledge this fact, and deal with it God's way nothing we do will be effective!
Just think about it!
1. In the Bible, God exposes Satan as the Liar that he is and relegates him to the earthly realm and the atmospheric heavens, i.e. the stars, moon, and surrounding earth. This is the only place that he can exercise his limited authority and power. (Genesis 3:14-15; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
Greenpeace, is an environmental activist group fighting daily to protect our oceans and forests; devises plans to address the devastating affects of global warming and tries hard to reduce man's carbon foot prints on the earth today. They see the government, consumer goods manufacturers, and irresponsible humans as the enemy. They are partially right. We do have a responsibility as stewards of this physical earth to nurture and protect it (Genesis 2:15). But the main culprit behind the abuse of our natural resources is Satan, who provokes the behaviors and practices of the abusers.
2. The pain and difficulties of parenting along with issues surrounding violence, divorce, women's rights, employment and the workforce emanate from God's punishment of the sin of disobedience by Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:1-6:1; Colossians 3:17-23)
Satan loves to insert himself into human relationships and cause confusion. He's very much like the Allstate Insurance commercial character, Mayhem doing his damage and then walking away with a satisfied smirk! Any time he can interrupt the peaceful and orderly function of these relationships or confuse us regarding our godly roles he's happy. Rebellion, lack of respect, misuse of power and authority, racism and the like all have Satanic roots.
3. The Opiods and Healthcare Crisis. Men and women have been self-medicating for years, trying to stave off the negative affects of our aging and dying bodies. It is a normal thing to crave relief from the physical and emotional pains that come with life. It has become for many, a lucrative business providing this temporary relief. We see it in a multitude of pills, shots, herbal and dietary supplements tablets and powders, some legal and some illegal. But none are able to prevent death (Genesis 3:18-19; Psalms 90 10; Hebrews 9:27)
God never meant for mankind to be sick a day in our lives or to die! But we know Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy everything and everyone God created (John 10:10). God has always provided what was needed for our health from the leaves and herbs of His garden (Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2). But Satan is a Deceiver and Perverter of all that is good! We can't beat death in this life but Christ has prevented it in the next one (I Corinthians 15:55-57). It is not rocket science to know that the greed, self pleasure, vanity, and the narcissism we see today was first demonstrated by Satan, the anointed cherub of God in eternity past (Isaiah 14:12-13; 2 Corinthians 11:14).
True, everything that goes wrong in our lives cannot be placed at Satan's feet. The Devil Made Me Do It is a weak and often baseless defense nowadays! We must acknowledge our own responsibility be accountable. This is especially important since we have access to a powerful weapon. Sixty-six books of a comprehensive Spiritual Warfare Guide (the bible) to help us diffuse the Enemy's influence. Why not stop all the blame shifting and take some time to pick it up! Learn how to recognize who the real enemy is in your midst. It could be Satan but then it just might be you!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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