Is Spiritual Always Good?

 We hear a lot of reverential talk about being "spiritual." Spirituality is way cool right now. But what does it mean? Is being "spiritual" always a good thing?

There is an entire network of "churches" based on spiritualism. Here's a little about them:

The Church of Spiritualism, also known as the Spiritualist Church, has its roots in the ancient practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead. On March 31, 1848, in Hydesville, New York, this ancient pagan practice exploded into what adherents now term “Modern American Spiritualism.” It began with the Fox sisters: Margaretta, 15, and Kate, 11. One evening Mrs. Fox heard loud pops, cracks, and thumps originating from the girls’ room. When she investigated, the thumps responded accurately to her questions, and the girls claimed they were being contacted by spirits. These noises later turned into a “code” by which the alleged spirits could answer questions, spell words, and give direction.

The girls claimed they were communicating with a spirit they dubbed Mr. Splitfoot; he later identified himself as Charles B. Rosna and said he had been murdered five years previous and buried in the cellar. Mrs. Fox sent for her eldest daughter Leah in Rochester, and she helped publicize this phenomenal occurrence. The “ghosts” quickly drew the attention of the whole town, and searchers dug up the cellar. They found a few pieces of bone, but no person named Charles B. Rosna was ever identified.

Word of the haunting spread. Kate and Margaretta became sought-after mediums and held public séances around New York. Many other mediums also claimed such powers, and spiritualism began to attract thousands, including Horace Greeley and William Lloyd Garrison. Kate moved in with her sister Leah, who managed the girls’ careers. Margaretta was sent to live with a Quaker family, who became convinced of the validity of her claims. Belief in spiritualism spread throughout the Quaker community. The Fox girls traveled extensively and enjoyed successful careers as mediums and speakers, although their personal lives deteriorated with broken marriages and alcoholism.

Forty years later, in an October 21, 1888, interview with the New York World, Margaretta revealed the truth. It was all a hoax. It had begun as a prank that she and Kate played on their mother. They learned to produced pops and cracks by cracking their fingers and toes, dropping apples down the stairs, and doing it all undetected. In a signed statement published by the New York World, the New York Herald, and the New York Daily Tribune, Margaretta Fox Kane stated, “That I have been chiefly instrumental in perpetrating the fraud of Spiritualism upon a too-confiding public, most of you doubtless know. The greatest sorrow in my life has been that this is true, and though it has come late in my day, I am now prepared to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God! . . . I am here tonight as one of the founders of Spiritualism to denounce it as an absolute falsehood from beginning to end, as the flimsiest of superstitions, the most wicked blasphemy known to the world.”

The confession was not welcome news to the now-established Church of Spiritualism. Die-hard believers refused to accept Margaretta’s revelations as truth and insisted that, although the communications may have begun as a prank, spirits were in fact manifesting themselves. They claimed her recantation was due to alcohol abuse and not to be believed. This insistence continues in the modern Church of Spiritualism, where there is no mention of the recantation.

So what is Spiritualism? Their national website states, “A spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the Spirit World by means of mediumship and who endeavors to mold his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication.” By this definition, spiritualism is directly contrary to biblical teaching. In Leviticus 19:1, God says, “Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.” Many other references clearly state God’s opposition to Spiritualism (Leviticus 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10–12; 2 Kings 23:24). Isaiah 8:19 says, “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”

The Church of Spiritualism website defines the foundational doctrine of Spiritualism: “We accept all truths and endeavor to prove their validity. Truths are found in nature, in other religions, in writings, in science, in philosophy, in Divine Law and are received through spirit communication.” It also says, “A belief in spirit communication does not conflict with the Teachings ascribed to Jesus.” These statements themselves are untrue. Scriptural truth is in direct opposition to the spiritualist’s beliefs. Both cannot be true. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). He also said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). That is truth according to Scripture. But that is not a truth espoused by the spiritualist; therefore, Spiritualism’s claim that they “accept all truths” is false.

About God they say, “In Spiritualism we believe in one God, that we call Infinite Intelligence, which is All in All or within everything.” They capitalize the name “God,” yet do not attribute personal qualities to Him. They define God as “a supreme Impersonal Power, everywhere present, manifesting as life, through all forms of organized matter, called by some, God, by others, Spirit and by Spiritualists, Infinite Intelligence.” However, God gives us His many characteristic names by which He wants us to identify Him: Yahweh (Malachi 3:16), Jehovah (Nahum 1:2), El Shaddai (Genesis 17:1), and I AM (Exodus 3:14), among others. So when a spiritualist speaks of “God,” he is not referring to the Creator God who reveals Himself in the Bible. Spiritualism has created its own idea of a god that does not exist.

Spiritualists do not believe in heaven or hell (Matthew 10:28; 25:46), evil spirits (Mark 5:8; Matthew 12:43), or salvation by faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). They believe that human life continues after death, “where the opportunity for growth and progress to better, higher and more spiritual conditions are open to all.” An attempt to combine Christianity with occult practices has resulted in the formation of Christian Spiritualist Churches—which are neither Christian nor spiritual.

The supernatural phenomena experienced by many adherents of Spiritualism may very well be real. Satan has real power and can even masquerade as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). The fact that spiritualists deny the existence of Satan or demons gives those evil spirits more freedom to work unobstructed among them and to convince many gullible souls that they are finding God.

Galatians 1:8 says, “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Any attempt to deny the deity of Christ, His finished work of salvation on behalf of His children, or the true nature of God is “another gospel” and subject to the judgment of God. The Church of Spiritualism falls into that category.

Suit Up--Part 8

Little guy takes on big bully.

David and Goliath stories thrill us and the Biblical account of David killing Goliath tops them all.

We love David's boldness as he marches right onto the battlefield armed with nothing but a bag of rocks. And a giant faith.

But what he says next is the turning point of the battle. His words determined who won, and these are the same words you need before you attempt to take on your enemy, Satan.

He spoke clearly to an enemy twice his size. "I come against you in the name of the Lord God of Israel. The Lord will defeat you today so that all the world will know there is a God in Israel."

The armor we have studied thus far has been defensive armor. It protects us against the schemes, deception, and below-the-belt attacks of our enemy.

But the next piece of armor puts us on the offense. We don't have to cower in fear, taking blow after blow until he tires of us. We have the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And with that sword, we can attack him, barging into his ranks, and doing some damage to the kingdom of darkness.

God's Word is compared to a sword. It pierces through darkness, wounds with conviction, and slashes away worldly trappings that entangle us. But like a sword, it has to be handled correctly and with a lot of practice. Soldiers didn't charge into battle with no training. Hand-to-hand combat required hours and hours of practice, training with one particular sword so that when necessary they could use it effectively and not end up stabbed with their own weapons.

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In the same way, God's Word is not a weapon we can use any way we choose. The power comes from God's Spirit and authority, not ours. When we start tossing around Scripture to support any idea we like, we're like a rogue cop abusing his badge for personal gain. Successful warfare requires that we know the Word of God inside and out, understanding its application and meaning. You can be certain that Satan knows what it means and he well knows if you are stepping outside your bounds.

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As David came against Goliath in the name and through the power of God, for God's ultimate glory, so we can come against Satan in the power and authority of God, using his Word to take command over the spirits of darkness. But those words alone have no power in themselves if the Spirit of God is not flowing through your spirit, empowering them. Satan knows quite well whether or not you carry the authority of God in your words.

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The Holy Spirit dwelling in you is your badge of authority. Your level of obedience and submission to Him determines how effective your sword will be. Whether they like it or not, dark powers must obey the children of God when they speak with His authority in specific situations.

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I must use this authority frequently in counseling situations when God's Spirit reveals to me that demonic forces are present. Standing on the authority of God's Word, I can command them to be silent. Sometimes, with the permission of the client, I command them to leave. And they do. It is only then the client's mind clears and he can understand truth.

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The armor of God is highly effective for every believer who chooses to wear it. We see the corpses from Satan's slaughter all around us and he is far from satisfied with his kill. He wants you too.

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Your only defense is the spiritual armor God has given you and it is free for the taking, but you must wear it the way he created it to be worn and wear it consistently. Don't head into the battle of your day without it.

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Suit Up--Part 7

The football team charges onto the field, bulky with padding. Cleats churn up the sod as the crowd cheers. Their jerseys sport the team logo. Equipment is top of the line except for one thing: they wear no helmets!
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Every mother in the stands rises in horror because everyone knows what one blow to the head can do. I am very aware of the damage one well-placed blow can do, as my daughter Susie has lived every day for the past 9 years dealing with that damage. And it could have been worse. (See Saving Susie)
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Brain damage is devastating because that little hunk of grey matter under the hair is the control center for the whole body. If something is wrong in there, nothing else works right.
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...And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION...Eph.6. 
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Paul calls attention to that critical battle front, the mind, when he instructs us to wear our "helmet of salvation." Without the certainty of God's salvation giving us strength, our minds are susceptible to every deceitful thought that floats by. Every worldly philosophy, every feel-good ideology, every vain impulse or man made theology can sound wonderfully reasonable without that helmet.
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It is in the mind that action begins. With the mind, we believe or reject. And unless we protect our minds, renew our minds, restore our minds continually with the truth of salvation by Jesus alone, we are easy prey for any one of Satan's glittery counterfeits.

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But how many of us work to actively protect our minds? Satan convinces us that we are so brilliant, so enlightened, so discerning that we can continually expose ourselves to lies, evil, and ungodly speculation and it won't affect us at all. That makes as much sense as a football player heading into a game without a helmet, assuming that because he is such a good player, he cannot be injured.

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We parents wouldn't dream of sending our kids into a tackle football game without proper gear, yet we rarely take such pains to protect their minds from attack. What are they watching? What are they listening to? Who are they emulating? Who are their heroes?

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How about you? Adults are not exempt from head injury either. What are you watching and listening to. Who do you admire? Are you wearing your helmet at all times or have you bought the lie that you don't need it? Do you allow speculation to hang around in the hinterlands of your mind, unanswered questions becoming a roadblock to spiritual growth?

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You wouldn't go to war or into a football game without a strong helmet. Your life is a battlefront and you need your helmet there, too. Don't go into war without it.

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Suit Up--Part 6

"...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Eph. 6
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When you think of a shield, what comes to mind? We have windshields, sun shields, weather shield, and Blue Shield. The word shield implies protection from something, which is exactly what Paul had in mind when he told us to take up the Shield of Faith.

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But let's get away from the mental gymnastics that spiritual talk often produces. The word "faith" sometimes acts as a mute button in our minds. We instantly shift from the concrete to the abstract and too many people get lost right there.

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We think, "Oh, that's nice for church conversation, but it doesn't help with the mess I'm in right now. Faith sounds all soft and innocent, but it's not much good when I'm up against the wall. I need something concrete like money, a better job, a nicer spouse, or the location of my child. Church words just don't make the crossover into real life."

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That's exactly why the Apostle Paul used such concrete imagery to describe our real battles. He knew we thought like that, because he did too. So he describes our weaponry in vivid war terms and the best way to describe faith in God was to compare it to a shield.

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Shields protect. They form an impenetrable barrier between our vulnerability and the danger attacking us. A Roman shield was made out of iron, two layers of wood, and covered with leather. A gap was left between layers so that arrows dipped in pitch and set fire would penetrate just far enough to stick and be extinguished. If they fell to the ground, they could set the grass on fire. They needed not only to be stopped, but quenched.

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Get the picture?

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Paul reminds us that if our faith in God's truth is strong enough it not only stops Satan's flaming arrows, it puts them completely out so they don't catch something else on fire. The enemy shoots at us with blasphemous thoughts, nagging doubts, overwhelming hopelessness, and burning desires to sin.

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Without our shield, those fiery arrows can destroy us. We feel them sink into our heart and suddenly, they are our own. "Yeah, I should have the right to decide my own life...Sin is an old-fashioned concept...Life just isn't worth it. I should end it all..."

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With one well-placed missile, our faith in the goodness of God is shattered. As the enemy pounds against us, the rest of the armor starts to slip as well. "Maybe the Bible isn't the word of God after all...Maybe all religions are the same...Maybe I'm standing fast for nothing..."

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So how do you keep your shield shiny and ready for battle?

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1. Accept that your mind does not have to comprehend everything your spirit knows.
2. Choose to act on what you believe rather than only what you see or understand.
3. Take every thought captive the moment you are aware it is not from God. (2 Cor. 10:5)
4. Speak the word (rhema) of God until the missile is quenched.
5. Saturate your spirit with worship--like spraying water on a spark before it becomes raging
grass fire. Satan hates it and often won’t stay around long.
6. Seek opportunities to share your faith. A shared faith grows rapidly.

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Just as you would never drive down the interstate without a windshield on your car, don't try to live this life without your Shield of Faith properly polished and ready. Satan would love to take you out of the game with a single blow. Don't give him the chance.

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Suit Up--Part 5

Every spring for years, my sons and I made a trip to the shoe store for a specific item--cleats. It was baseball season and my Little Leaguers had to have cleats to play.

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Being a supportive mom, I refrained from mentioning how few times they actually ran to the bases, scampered to catch a fly ball, or exerted such physical effort that sliding on the grass was a real danger. The fact remained: they MUST have cleats because that was part of the uniform.

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Just in case they got aggressive enough to race madly down the baseline, the cleats would help them keep their footing. How sad to watch the little guy in Barney tennis shoes take a tumble and be mercilessly tagged while he was down.

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God provides cleats for our spiritual armor as well. Ephesians 6 includes them when it says we must have "our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace."

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A soldier’s battle shoes were studded like cleats with nails or spikes to help him keep his balance. The last thing he needed during the heat of battle was to lose his footing. Once he went down, it didn’t matter how great the rest of his armor was, the enemy had him.
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To be prepared in battle, means you are always ready for whatever attack your enemy may launch. You’ve thought ahead, learned the enemy’s strategy, and have your feet firmly planted on solid footing. Your peace comes from the knowledge that your protection is assured. Jesus has already accomplished it for you. The battle has already been won--you're just holding the fort.
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Paul warns us in I Cor. 15 that if we listen to any other message, it is a false gospel. When we allow our minds to entertain other possibilities for salvation, other roads to God, we are on slippery ground. Wearing Peace Shoes means we have dug our feet into the deep turf of God's Word and are holding fast. Unless we go down, Satan cannot defeat us.

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Soooo...he launches a flaming missile of doubt: “If God really loved you, He wouldn’t have let this happen.”
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 But you are ready, feet firmly established, and you reply: “It is written, “All things work together for the good, to them who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

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Satan takes a stab from behind: “Remember what you did? You don’t deserve forgiveness.”
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With shoes planted securely in truth, we parry back: “I'm forgiven for that. It is written, Satan, ‘if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’”

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Or he attacks the very foundation of your peace: “You don’t really believe all this ancient nonsense, do you? Why is your way better than someone else’s? All religions have their merits. One is as good as another.” 

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 If your feet are not firmly established, you may feel them slipping from beneath you. “What if he's right? What if I’m following God for nothing?”
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But if you are prepared with the Gospel of Peace, you can dig in and slash back: “Satan, Jesus said, ‘I am the way the truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.’ There is no other truth.”
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Shoes are also for moving. When we are properly girded and grounded in the truth of the Gospel, God expects us to go on the offense and take that Gospel of peace to others. Battle armor is not merely for self-protection, but to send us in after others who are going down under Satan’s assaults. 1 Peter 3:14-16 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

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When you are actively living out your faith and sharing with others what God is teaching you, Satan's darts are so ineffective against your armor that he may as well be using a Nerf gun.

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Peace shoes were not given to us so that we could simply stand there and wait for Satan to hit us. God wants us to go on the offense, driving back the enemy's attacks, and clearing a path for those still struggling to find God.

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So look down. Are you spiritually barefoot? Time for a trip to the shoe store. Dig into God's Word and learn the truth about who you are and where you are going. Then sink your feet firmly into that truth and you will not go down. You can't. Those aren't Barney tennis shoes you're wearing!

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Suit Up--Part 4

Eph.6: 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
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Ever fall and land flat on your stomach? Whoosh! The air leaves your body and for a timeless instant, you wonder if you are dead.
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A whack to the chest or abdomen can be fatal and that's why few pieces of armor were more crucial to survival than the breastplate. Made of bronze or chain mail, it covered the vital organs and attached to the belt. If the belt was loosened, the breastplate slipped right off.
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You're quick. You know where we're going with this, but the thought is already forming in your head: Righteousness? Well, that lets me out. I was all for that Belt of Truth thing, but if this armor-wearing requires me to be perfect, forget it. Can't do it.
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GREAT! You're already on the right path!
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Because, remember from last time, Whose name is stamped on your armor? The moment you accepted Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sin, He handed you a breastplate and said, "Here. Your righteousness is not sufficient to protect you. Wear mine."
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That's right! The Breastplate of Righteousness is not yours! Satan can slice major holes in any attempt of ours to appear righteous. Wearing our righteousness into battle would be like wearing a silk shirt rather than bronze armor.
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So how do I keep it on?

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By "seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." By making God's ways your ways, His laws your delight. By keeping your sin confessed and your heart humble before Him. At the point where you say "no" to God, a little crack appears in your armor. Satan is adept at finding those cracks and thrusting a spear into your vital organs.
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Sounds great. So why doesn't everyone wear it all the time?
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One reason too many believers let their breastplate slip off is that it can feel heavy. A soldier's breastplate had to be thick and heavy to deflect the enemy's spears and arrows. Seeking God can be exhausting and time-consuming. It requires that I make choices against my fleshly desires and often say no to myself. Seeking His righteousness means I turn away from enticing worldly attractions--not because I have to. But because it tarnishes my breastplate.
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Another reason believers aren't wearing their armor is that they don't believe they possess it. Satan has already planted the lie that says it is your OWN righteousness that will protect you, and since you know you are not nearly good enough to stand strong on your own, you shrug and give up.
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Third, too many think that simply because they accepted Christ at one time, they are automatically suited up. But as we pointed out in the first post, if this armor has to be put on, then it is clearly not already on. It is an act of our will to don each piece and see that it fits securely. Satan wins many victories over defenseless Christians trying to do battle in their underwear.
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Everything comes with a manufacturer's warning these days. Pages of examples of what NOT to do if you want to use your new item successfully. God's Breastplate of Righteousness has a list of things that will also cause it to malfunction in your life:

• Tolerating sin in your life. (I know it's wrong, but...)


• Direct disobedience. (Choosing my will over what I know God wants for me.)


• Holding on to bitterness or unforgiveness. (If you knew what he did to me...)


• Allowing earthly concerns to crowd out time for God. (Good things take away from the best things.)


• Entertaining "speculations or any lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God." 2 Cor. 10:5


• Allowing sinful compromise into your life. (The movie was mostly good except for a couple of scenes and the language...)

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God provides an excellent protective device for your heart, but it has to be buckled securely to the Belt of Truth and kept clean and shiny to protect you. It would be a shame to let such quality armor go to waste.
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Suit Up--Part 3

Eph. 6: 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist...

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Ever leave the house in a hurry, wearing pants or a skirt that was too big around the waist--and you had no belt? All day you're a bit nervous, pressing your arm against the waistband and praying against a wardrobe malfunction.
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That little belt you left in the closet starts to seem mighty important when you have to walk all the way across the parking lot with arms full and no way to hold your pants up.
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The Belt of Truth Paul talks about here is even more valuable. When Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free," this belt is what he meant.
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A soldier's belt was a thick, heavy item to which all the rest of the armor was attached. It was buckled tightly about the waist and kept everything else in place. If it came unbuckled or loose, the rest of the armor would start to slip.
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In the same way, truth is the foundation upon which our total security rests. If we don't have God's absolute truth buried deep in our souls, one well-placed lie can send us reeling. ("The Bible is not relevant to us anymore..." "What was sin back then isn't sin anymore..." "Science has proven the Bible false...")
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LIES are Satan's favorite weapons. He used a couple in the Garden and they worked so well, why change tactics? He figured out long ago how woefully ignorant we humans are and how easily fooled we are by a smooth-talking, snake-oil salesman.
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Wearing the Belt of Truth requires that we remain completely honest before God about ourselves as well. We must be willing to accept how God sees us, admit our own weaknesses, and live with a clear conscience. We have to be willing for God to shine a bright light into those secret places of our souls and get rid of those pet lies we keep around for company. To entertain deception in any form loosens the belt.
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This belt is buckled on by our Will. Every day we choose what to believe, what to allow into our minds, and whether or not to question God's stated truth. As your will slips, so does the belt.
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God won't force you to wear the Belt of Truth, but He offers it to you with His guarantee stamped onto it. It can stand up against any lie Satan throws at it. It readies you for battle and is the foundation for the rest of your armor. But if won't do you any good if you don't buckle it on.

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Suit Up--Part 2

Eph. 6:11-13 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground."
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The Apostle Paul urged the Christians at Ephesus to suit up. One thing stands out clearly: If you have to put the armor on, then it can be taken off.
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Many people make the mistake of thinking that because they believe in Jesus and have accepted him as Lord, they are automatically wearing all the defensive armor they need. What a shock when Satan knocks them flat!
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The presence of armor implies that we are engaged in active warfare. Scripture is clear that an unseen battle rages all around us---good versus evil. And our minds and bodies are the battlefield. You didn't have to sign up or be drafted. You are already involved whether you know it or not.
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Do you find yourself reluctant to admit that life is a battleground? Does it feel like "negativity" to focus on spiritual warfare? Can't we all just hold hands and weave daisy chains?
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Satan will be glad to hand you the daisies because he knows that any soldier who has let his armor slip off is a prime target. Armies at war watch for signs that their enemy has relaxed its vigil, removed its armor, and is unsuspecting. Satan and his cohorts operate on the same principle. He knows better than you do whether your armor is secure.
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God could have left us to Satan's devices. After all, we often choose his self-serving ways with eyes wide open, just as Adam did.
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Thankfully, God is far more compassionate than we deserve. He has supplied us with everything we need to stand firm against the enemy's onslaught. But we have to pick it up and put it on. Day after day.
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The key to the sufficiency of this armor is its stamp of ownership. A soldier's gear is issued by the country he serves and remains the property of that government. If every soldier had to provide his own weaponry, most would be sadly unprepared.
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Our spiritual armor is stamped "Property of the King of Kings." You are not wearing YOUR armor. It is His armor. We are under the authority of our Supreme Commander and our armor comes with His stamp of authenticity--a stamp Satan recognizes quite well.
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This armor also comes with directions for its use and if not followed properly, won't function well. But when kept shiny and oiled, buckled tightly and kept at the ready, all the forces of Hell cannot make a dent in it.
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Ready to suit up? We'll look next time at the first piece and why it is foundational for the rest of the armor. Don't head for battle in your underwear!

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Suit Up!

Imagine this. You are standing in your yard, pondering the crab grass, when a truck roars to a stop ten feet away. An army of Vikings sprays from it like birdseed from a shotgun.
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Covered in furs and armed to the teeth, they roar with fury as they charge toward you. Their ten-foot spears flash in the morning light and hatred rims their bloodshot eyes.
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They keep coming, hundreds of them. Angry, roaring, powerful and mean.
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You stand frozen to the spot. The dirt-covered spade in your hand is not even worth considering as the army advances for the kill. You are the picture of complete helplessness.
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Every one of us has felt that way at some point--weak and defenseless against the flaming missiles and slashing sword of our Number One Enemy. He slashes with mental confusion, fills us with doubt, whispers suggestions that make our skin crawl, and when we start to go down, he moves in for the kill.
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"Why don't you take your own life. You're no good to anyone anyway."

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As Christians, we've heard about the Armor of God, but it's hard to wrap western minds around the idea of wearing armor. A nice thought, but isn't it just imagery? Most of us have never stepped into a suit of real armor, never waged war on the battlefield, and we've certainly never considered ourselves ruthless attackers.
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In fact, the concept of armor makes us slightly uncomfortable. Seems so insensitive. So aggressive. Just look at that sword! That's one sharp stabbing tool! You don't need a sword like that if you're only trying to protect yourself. Isn't the armor metaphor overdoing it a bit?
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To our tolerance-worshipping minds it does seem harsh. Haven't we reached the enlightened age where we can use our intellect and reasoning powers to overcome evil?
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Go ahead and try.
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There. That didn't take long.
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Satan has been around far longer than any of us and is craftier, trickier, and more evil than we can imagine. And he hates you. To try to fight him off alone is asking for trouble. The Bible is clear that he will attack, ruthlessly and often, and we are no match for him.
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So let's take a close look at exactly what it means to wear the "whole armor of God." (Ephesians 6)
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It's far more practical than you might think. And more important than Satan wants you to know. Even more than the crab grass issue.

Here we go, so stay tuned...
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Where is Your Path Leading?

As I was reading in the book of Matthew this week, something new struck me.

We've all heard about Jesus being tempted by Satan and about his 40-day fast, but a little phrase caught my eye that adds a new dimension to it.

Matthew 4:1 says Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit "to be tempted by the devil." I'd never thought about the fact that he went there for that purpose. He knew as he trudged over the rocky crags and left civilization behind that he was about to encounter his archenemy face-to-face. And he had to win or all creation would be condemned forever. Your fate and mine rested in his meeting Evil head-on and finding the power to resist.

Have you ever thought about your challenges that way? Have you ever considered that while you are doing your best to follow the plan of God for your life, that plan may be leading you directly into Satan's path? When we suspect a trap, we usually bolt and run the other way. Surely God would never want us to tread that close to temptation. Or would he?

It's important to note that Jesus didn't seek Satan, didn't tread in his territory, didn't go looking for it, but temptation came to him. And he was prepared. Knowing what was coming, he prepared himself with fasting and prayer.

I've always wondered at that too. He was God's Son, yet even he did not feel adequate to face the ultimate evil without equipping himself with the fullness of God's power.

So why do we do less? Why should we think for a moment that we are any match for temptation on our own? Why do we so arrogantly think we can live the way God wants us to in our own strength? We toss token prayers toward the sky, dutifully run through our list of Christian do's and don'ts, and think we're equipped to resist evil. And Satan laughs.

If we had any inkling of what goes on night and day in the spiritual realm, it would probably terrify us. Maybe we should be terrified. If we saw how much ground we were losing every day to evil without even realizing it, we would be stunned.

But it might change us.

Ponder this today: If the Son of God had to spend 40 days gaining strength to resist Satan, then what are you doing to equip yourself?

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With Veteran's Day just passed, our minds are on those who have fought and are still fighting the battle for freedom. Untold thousands have faced danger, heat, cold, pain, and loneliness to ensure that those they love can continue to experience the luxury of freedom. Many lost their own lives in the process. Our nation owes each one a debt of gratitude, and they are received home with a hero's welcome. The 18-year-old private is welcomed with just as much honor and respect as the four-star general. They fought the same battle and made it home.

Have you ever considered that you will receive such a welcome when you arrive at your heavenly home? If you've given your life to Jesus, taken his battle upon you, and fought the good fight of faith, your transition from this life to the next will be a hero's homecoming. The Bible often compares our struggles here with a battle. Ephesians 6 even goes into detail about the kind of armor we must wear to be victorious.

We battle daily--hourly--with enemies we cannot see whose goal is to destroy us and the freedom Jesus bought for us. No battle is easy. Those veterans walking in the parade paid a high price for that privilege. And conquering evil, temptation, and our own sinful flesh is not easy either. We must be willing to pay whatever price is necessary to win the final victory. Jesus called it "taking up our cross daily." 

Dragging a heavy cross to the site of the crucifixion was definitely not easy. He was brutalized, mocked, and murdered; yet, he overcame it all. He won His battle and urges us onward as we fight ours.

Turn your eyes heavenward today. If you are serious about earning a hero's welcome, stay focused on the reason for your battle. You are fighting to hold on to the freedom Jesus gave you. Don' t let anyone steal it. Not sin. Not Satan. Not friends. Not your own weakness.  You are fighting for your King.

Battle on, Soldier. The hero's welcome will be worth it.
  

The Monster

He was back.

In the darkness, I heard his breathing: raspy, grating, demanding.

He hovered over me, outlined against the window, his bulk blocking the light. In his shadow, the room was so much darker. Everything was darker.

My heart sank. No...oh, no. Why? Why was he back? I'd thought...

Of all the monsters that lurked in my past, he was the worst. The others had been vanquished with time, education, understanding. But this one...

All it took was a suggestion and he came out of hiding, ready to inflict pain. Ready to demonstrate to me his power, his superiority, his persistence. Ready to prove once more that I was helpless in his grip and would always be so.

"No. Leave me alone. I will not listen." My voice was barely above a whisper--hardly the voice of a conqueror. I pulled the pillow over my face and hoped I would suffocate.

"Yes you will listen. You always do. You should, because I'm right. I can defeat you anytime I choose. You have nothing with which to fight me off."

Behind the blackness of my closed lids I tried to remember why he was wrong. He was wrong, wasn't he? Had I learned anything at all or was he right? Would he always win?

"I...no...you will not win. Not this time." Had my lips uttered those words or was it wishful thinking? My heart pounded against my ribcage, threatening to desert me, too.

I lifted the pillow and cleared my throat. "You will not win because greater is he that is in me than...than you."

I licked dry lips and this time my voice echoed in the dark room. "It is written, The Lord has not given me the spirit of fear." I swallowed and chanced a peek from beneath lowered lids. He was still there.

"If God is for me, who can be against me? Huh? The Lord is my light and salvation. Whom shall I fear?" My heart thudded in my ears, but my voice gained strength. "Jesus said not to worry. My Father knows my needs and He will provide."

The bulk moved and a thin trail of light trickled through the window over his shoulder. "So you say. But what about...what if..."

"No. I will not listen. I stand on the Word of God and if my Father says not to fear, then I will not fear. So beat it."

The black shape seemed to shrink, but the voice was still clear. "Don't you need to plan ahead? You're only being smart to think ahead. What about tomorrow and the day after that and the day after--"

"No. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow. Your name is Fear and I resist you. I will continue to resist you until you leave. You will not win this time. You've stolen too much of me in the past. You will not have any more of me. I agree with Job when he said, 'Though he slay me, still will I trust him.' So you see? There's nothing you can do to scare me anymore. I want only God's will for my life and you have no power over that."

The shape withered, like a slug under an avalanche of salt. Moonlight filled the room.

My breathing returned to normal and I stared up at the shadows on the ceiling. Had I won this time? What made the difference?

I thought of the thousands of times he had assaulted me and won, striking blow after vicious blow until I was defeated. Useless. I had tried to fight back before, hadn't I? What was different this time?

My words echoed inside my head. "I only want God's will...God's will... You have no power over that."

The other times he had defeated me because he threatened My will. He had all the power over that and he knew it. I had fought with him out of desperation to stay in control of my life, protect my plans, my territory, my goals. I was terrified he would rip them from my hands.

But now they were no longer in my hands. I was not responsible for the outcome of my life as long as I stayed surrendered to Christ. With my will engulfed in God's, there was nothing to lose. Nothing could touch me that did not come straight from my loving Father's hand--for my good.

I closed my eyes and the darkness was no longer the enemy. Fear was gone for now, but he would try again. And again. His tactics never changed, but mine had. I would never again allow him to grow big enough to block all light from my room.

Maybe he had learned something tonight. Maybe I had too.

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Spiritual Warfare

"We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual wickedness in heavenly places..."

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Ever since The Exorcist, modern society has been intrigued by the prospect of unseen forces wielding power. The eternal fight between Good and Evil.

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But the problem with this fascination is that tends toward the scintillating. Evil is presented as either a dark power with tantalizing possibilities or as a wild force that cannot be contained by anyone. Neither approach is truth.

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The Bible has a great deal to say about the realities of the unseen world and I have dealt personally with it for the past two weeks. Not by choice, but by appointment. And the battle is far from over.

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As the teacher of a Sunday evening spiritual growth class, I felt led by God to delve into the realm of spiritual warfare. I have had frequent dealings with it lately as part of my counseling ministry and am becoming aware of how much demonic forces are involved in holding mankind captive.

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It began the day I decided that the next week I would teach on the person of Satan and how to recognize his tactics. Out of the blue, deep depression hit me like a swarm of bats. For three days I struggled under the weight of thoughts, moods, and suggestions that were not mine. Wave after wave of emotional and psychological darkness flooded me until I could hardly think.

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I'm ashamed to admit that it took me so long to figure out what was going on. Here I was preparing to teach a class on Satan's devices, and I was all but ready to quit my class and the counseling ministry because of one of them. Then the light clicked on.

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"Wait a minute! Wait just one minute..." Clarity hit as forcefully as the depression had done. "I get it! I'm about to teach on spiritual warfare and somebody doesn't like that."

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Once I understood, I knew what to do. By the next morning, it was all gone.

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The next week, things were fine. I wondered if he'd given up until Sunday morning. During services, pain struck my abdomen. An old pain I had not had trouble with in 15 years struck with a force that took my breath away. I was doubled up all day, praying it would leave before 6:00.

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"Lord? Do you want me to cancel class tonight? Is this from you?"

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"No and no."

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"Then, Satan, you're up to your tricks again. God has told me not to postpone the class, so I'm going if I have to prop myself upright. You cannot defeat me. God will be my strength."

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I hurt right up until I stood before the class, then the pain left for the hour and a half that I taught my little flock about spiritual warfare and wearing the Belt of Truth. Three ladies came up to me afterwards to tell how desperately they needed to hear this teaching, as they were struggling with such oppression.

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As I walked to my car after class, the pain hit like a sledgehammer again. All the way home, I debated going to Urgent Care. I took two steps into my house and crumpled to the floor and cried out as twisting pain shot through me. Then it was gone. Completely.

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When I rose, I was fine. Satan had his last kick before taking off.

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When we set our hearts to seek God and serve him, Satan screams with hate. Defensive battle is hard enough, but when we go on the offense, speaking God's truth into the lives of others, he goes crazy. I know for a certainty that there are some in my class who desperately needed this information. Some who are under Satanic oppression and feel helpless to resist. To learn how to stand firm, how to defeat the enemy was like I'd thrown them a life raft. Satan was about to lose them and he was determined to stop it.

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Taking on the enemy can be difficult, painful, and irritating. He is not a gracious loser. How thankful I am to know that "the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but spiritual for the destruction of fortresses."

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The enemy may get a few jabs in, but God always wins. New hearts were freed, more shackles fell off, and victory continues to spread like wildfire. Spiritual warfare is worth it, but don't expect it to be easy.

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Do the Demons Know Your Name?

There's an interesting little story told in the book of Acts, Chapter 19. It's often overlooked, but vitally important.

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The crowds were quite impressed with the power of Paul and Barnabas to cast out demons, so some young men, sons of a Jewish priest, decided to try it too.

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They said all the right words, spoke the name of Jesus, and waited to see what happened. They were religious, after all. It should work.

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But instead of being cast out as the men expected, the demon replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul. But who are you?"

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The man in whom the demon resided leaped upon the men and beat them to a pulp. All seven of them!

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The preacher may know your name--you may BE the preacher! The mayor may know your name. The pillars of the church, the community, the Little League may salute your name. Your name may carry enough weight to get you a good table, a good seat, and a good job.

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But until the demons know your name, you have no real power. When your back is against the wall, your good intentions bulldozed, and your abilities depleted. When pretense is stripped away and your Good Citizen Award no longer matters.

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When the battle you fight is not physical, when the chaos surging through your life is out of control, when you need help like you've never needed it before, the only thing that will matter is: Do the demons know your name?

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Are There Demons in Your Closet?

So what do you think about spiritual warfare?

Does it really exist and just how prevalent do you believe it is in our world today?

If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you will no doubt leap right in and declare that you absolutely believe it exists and is actively at work in our lives today.

But do you live like you believe that?

Did you know that the Bible speaks more about the "powers of darkness" and how to overcome them than it does about Heaven? If God took that much time to warn us about it, maybe we should give it a little more thought.

When you think about demonic activity, does your mind go straight to stories you've heard about witchdoctors or occult activity? We're certain Satan and his cohorts are flourishing in deep-dark-Africa, in drug-infested inner cities, and even in some so-called churches in America. But what about in your home?

Kinda creepy to think about, isn't it? We prefer to think of Satan attacking nonbelievers and those outside the will of God. We'll even inch a little closer and acknowledge that he most likely tries to thwart the good work of dedicated Christians and we'll pray for them.

But...get back there to the original question. What about in you? How much of your daily struggle is the work of Satan's fiery darts rather than your own failure?

Some Christians become overly excited about this issue and start calling everything they find unpleasant "demon-inspired." They see a demon behind every sniffle or stock market plummet. All this does is dilute the truth, like the little boy who cried wolf too many times. And we can't blame Satan for our own sinful choices. Scripture says we are tempted when we are "drawn away by our own lusts and enticed."

However, there are times when we need to step up and recognize that something we're facing goes beyond normal human experience. If there is an area in your life in which you are unable to gain victory, there is a good chance you are under attack.

I had been plagued with anxiety attacks and unreasonable worry for the past several years. No amount of prayer or Bible reading seemed to help. I thought it was just me--I was doing something wrong. Granted, this past decade has been a veritable pit of worry-inducing situations for me, but as a dedicated Christian, I should have been able to gain victory over it. And I could not.

Only recently, through fasting and meditation, God showed me the problem. I was under attack and had not realized it. Whenever I was weak, either physically or emotionally, the spirit of Fear attacked me and refused to let go. The more I believed the fear, the stronger it became. Even when the situation resolved, the Fear remained, holding me in such a grip I could not find peace or joy.

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," states the Bible. "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind." That phrase popped into my mind as God coached me through it.

I was stunned when I realized the problem. I had not resisted. I had not rebuked. I had not taken command over a power already defeated. I had gone right along with it.

Satan knows that as a child of God, you have power to resist him and he cannot harm you without your consent. He also knows that most of us don't realize that.

Why is it we are so easily captivated when we have the truth right there in Scripture? I believe the strongest weapons Satan uses are doubt and our natural inclination to think anything that pops into our minds is our own thought. So we keep it to ourselves and wrestle with it in our own strength.

You are no match for the devil. But you also do not have to put up with it.

When, with God's authority, I spoke aloud to the demon of Fear and refused its thoughts, its ideas, its lies, and quoted God's truth--it was gone. Just like that! Not a trace left of it! No anxiety when I wake up now. No gripping, unnamed fear haunting the shadows of my mind. Just the peaceful presence of God.

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Now I know to be on guard and resist the first fiery dart of fear that pelts my mind. When we resist those thoughts and replace them with truth, they leave. They don't have to take root.

Maybe your weakness is low self-worth. Or a sense of failure. Or confusion. Wherever you are weak, Satan finds you. You don't have to put up with it either. You do have the responsibility to get yourself in the best possible spiritual shape first, or Satan knows you don't have God's power in your life and without that, you can't resist him.

But with a heart totally dedicated to God's service, you can command the forces of darkness to leave you alone and they will. You have such overcoming power at your command. Don't waste it!

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