Tag: perseverance

How to Survive a Spiritual Warfare Attack

A weathered bronze statue of a soldier wearing a helmet and armor, holding a spear, set against a textured stone wall.

The Apostle Paul addresses the subject of suffering headlong in his letters to the Christians in ancient Thessalonica. He praises them for their perseverance in the faith even though they experienced “much tribulation” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). He expands this theme in his second letter by addressing the place that suffering has in the life of every believer. God can and sometimes chooses to work through pain, heartache, and even spiritual oppression.

Paul’s words to another New Testament church paint an even clearer picture: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB). This struggle has become known as spiritual warfare – a topic with wide interest and almost endless speculation.

In his excellent book on the doctrine of angels, Satan, and demons, Graham Cole offers this definition of spiritual warfare: “Our common struggle as Christians against the machinations of malevolent spiritual creatures that are intent on thwarting God’s redemptive plan for his human creatures” (page 165). This thoughtful approach identifies the enemy in spiritual warfare as well as his overall objective. Satan wants to ruin God’s plans by ruining believers, the objects of God’s love.

The book of Ephesians urges the faithful to “put on the full armor of God” so they can survive (and even thrive) under these kinds of attacks (Ephesians 6:11). The breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation are all tied to the character of Christ, which are all put on through faith. When we step back and look at the rest of the New Testament, we discover some additional ways to fight back.

  1. Be alert. Satan and his allies are elusive and relentless. They can only be stopped through constant vigilance. (1 Peter 5:8)
  2. Pray. God makes his provision, guidance, and protection available through prayer. The start of any spiritual conflict should be a reminder to call out in prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7)
  3. Persevere. Spiritual attacks carry the inherent temptation to give up and give in. But this is the opposite of God’s will for the life of the believer. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

Suffering is an unpleasant, but fruitful reality for every Christian. God can and does use the struggles he allows into our live to do his work in us and accomplish his plans for now and for eternity.

Your Confession and Convictions Are the Most Important Thing About You

Photo by Kate Kalvach on Unsplash

Conversations and concerns about diversity dominate our cultural conversation right now. It seems like everywhere you go there is a caring neighbor, a socially-minded company, or a concerned politician trying to fix our short-comings. Even school board meetings are making the news as parents and school board members debate the use of certain theories and tactics in our public schools.

For the most part, these concerns are good. We are a long way from overcoming prejudice and discrimination in our country. But the current cultural conversation does have a couple downsides. One downside is that we are pushed to think in unbiblical categories. God is the one who created us, diversity and all. We must not color outside of the boundaries He has given us in Scripture.

Another downside is that we will loosing site of the one inward reality that matters more than any other. In Romans 10, Apostle Paul shares his deep burden for his fellow Jews who have not accepted Jesus Christ yet. In verses 9, 10 and 11, Paul explains that a person’s outward verbal confession combines with their inward personal conviction to activate their salvation. A renewed relationship with God springs from this singular expression of faith. In verse 12), we learn that this new connection to Christ is more important than the religious or ethnic identity of a Jew or a Gentile. In other words, the label of being “in Christ” through faith in His death, burial, and resurrection is more important than any other label someone may claim.

In Hebrews 3:6, readers are urged to maintain their verbal confession and personal convictions about Jesus Christ. This one thing matters more than the color of one’s skin, their ethnic background, or their gender. As we work to overcome prejudice and discrimination, believers must not be shy out the one identity that defines all other identities.

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: Running and Coaching Well

Feet-Running2In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the Apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a foot race.  He encourages us to “run in such a way that you may win” (v. 24b).

The writer of Hebrews also makes the same comparison urging believers to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrew 12:1-2).  Christians who are also leaders must read this passage from two perspectives.  First, they must read it as a “runner” striving to live their own life well.   But Christian leaders should also read these verses as a “coach” who is responsible to help others run their race well.

Recently, I set down with the staff that I am privileged to work with and looked at Hebrews 12:1-2 from the perspective of coach.  Here are the “coaching tips” that we gleaned from the passage.

  1. Remember, you are not alone.  One of the best parts about running in a road race is the camaraderie and the people who cheer you on.  The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.  We all need to belong to a local congregation to encouragement and support.
  2. Even if you are slow, just keep going.  The Christian life is a more like a marathon than a sprint; it requires endurance.  Distractions and stumbling blocks are unavoidable, but just keep moving.
  3. Stay focused on Jesus.  Focus in key because it determines your motivation and direction.  For the Christian, the focus should always be in Jesus Christ, “the author and perfecter of faith.”

What other coaching tip would you add to our list to help others “run” well?