Jim Wilson's Blog, page 35

Spiritual War: Enemy on the Offense

 

In the First World War, there were trenches from Switzerland to the English Channel. These trenches were called the front lines, and it was there that the battles were fought. There were also front lines in World War II, but they were not as stationary. War today ignores front lines because of missiles, air bombardment, guerillas, and terrorists. Both sides fighting in the spiritual war also ignore lines (unless you consider every home, every vocation, every church, school, and college in every nation a front line).

The Enemy is on the offense in all of these places all of the time. His offense is through lying, stealing, rape, murder, and war.

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29–31).

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2 Peter 2:1–3).

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?’” (Acts 5:3).

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men’” (Mt. 16:23).

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

We have overcome our enemies:

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).

(To be continued...)

*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Spiritual War: Intelligence of the Enemy

 

There is no question whether we are at war. We are. There is limited thinking among evangelicals about spiritual war. They mostly picture it as fighting with demons, devils, and evil spirits, either in possessed people or in the heavenlies. These things are a concern, but they are not what the war is really about. This war is over the souls of men. That is what the Bible, the gospel, the Incarnation, and the cross are all about. Evangelism is a war against the enemy to set free those who are held captive by him. Ignorance of the enemy is one of the reasons why evangelism is not effective.

The Bible gives some very clear information about the Enemy. Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44). He is a murderer from the beginning. There is no truth in him. He is a liar; in fact, lying is his native language. He is the father of lies.

“Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! … He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (Jn. 8:45, 47). Satan has children who are like him. Satan’s children cannot hear or believe the truth.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13–14). He masquerades as an angel of light.

“It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Cor. 11:15). His servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.

“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24–26). Unbelievers are in the trap of the devil; he has taken them captive to do his will.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). The devil is the god of this age. He blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel.

“No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:7–8). He does not understand God’s secret wisdom.

“If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:10–11).

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11).

We are to put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the devil’s schemes. Because we are aware of those schemes, he is not able to outwit us.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We are to be alert because the devil is looking for someone to devour.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (Eph. 2:1–3). He is the ruler of the ways of the world. We were under his control before we were saved by grace.

“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). The devil is proud.

(To be continued…)

*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Making Friends with the World

 

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

We see it everywhere and all of the time: the influence of the world on the character of believers. Instead of becoming godlier and godlier, it seems to be the other way around. Paul in effect says “Stop it. Stop sinning and start informing people about God.”

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Seasoned Speech

 

I would like to share with you Colossians 4:6 and 1 Peter 3:14:

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know ow you ought to answer everyone.”

“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abased, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Gracious answers, gentle answers, are God's effective means of reaching people.

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Tactics in Evangelism: Mobility

 

The key communicator of the gospel is the saved man. He is alive with the Holy Spirit. He has access to unlimited amounts of Bibles, books, tracts, videos, podcasts, blogs, television, radio, smartphones, postal services, airplanes, ships, trains, buses, and automobiles, horses. He has the ability to go from his hometown to the uttermost parts of the earth, whether personally or electronically. He is not hampered. It no longer takes three months to get to India. Many saved people travel much and communicate much, but they do not preach the gospel everywhere they go, as they go. They have mobility, but they do not use it for the kingdom.

Every Christian should have books, booklets, tracts, and New Testaments in English—or any other languages which people he is around speak—in his possession or within easy access at all times. Have them with you on the plane, in the hospital, in restaurants, etc.

In the weeks just prior to writing this, I was away from home. On planes, in airports, restaurants, and in private meetings I had the right piece of literature for the right person in English, Spanish, and Chinese. In every case, they were glad to receive it.

There are many positive effects of giving a book. It is a gift; people are grateful to receive it. Books are also considered authoritative. Books are written on many subjects by many experts, all of whom know more than I do and express it better. They are also available in many languages. People can read the books while I am at home in bed. In other words, the books can do more evangelizing than I personally can.

If I give a person the right book for him, his esteem for me increases because of my love for him and my wisdom in knowing his need. My witness is magnified in quantity, in quality, in knowledge, in languages, in time, and in respect for me. 

You can get your own supply of books to give away online, in any Christian bookstore, used bookstores, garage sales, or from Biblica.com (the International Bible Society) or the American Bible Society.

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Boasting in the Lord

This is what the Lord says:

 

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

There is a parallel to this in 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5:

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.' When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

The difficulty with being in secular communities is living with the continual emphasis on man’s wisdom, riches, and strength. We can get caught up in it and somehow think it is good. Pray with me that we will each have Jeremiah’s view and Paul’s.

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Titus 3

 

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone” (Titus 3:3-8).

Verse eight says, “I want you to stress these things.” Join with me in stressing these things.

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Pleasing God

 

Do you want to please God in these very troubled days? Do you personally want to please Him?

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).

“This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5).

How crowded our lives get! How unnecessary do the things which clutter our lives finally appear to us when we think of the importance of faith as seen above. Salvation from sin is ours by faith. Day by day protection from sin is ours by faith. A future assured us in His eternal presence is ours by faith. Hebrews 11:6 also says God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

God's Over-Abundant Grace

 

"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20).

My extra-biblical reading does not follow any pattern, but there is a lot of history in it. The history includes ancient and modern, Asian and European, African and South American. Whenever or wherever history occurs, it is a story of increasing sin. This would be depressing if it were not for our assurance that grace increases all the more. A history book can glorify the actions of men so the sin does not sound as bad. That, however, is only sugar-coating the story. The real blessing is that God assures us that grace is more abundant than sin.

In addition to reading history, I find another reminder of the increase of sin. That is my daily contact with people who are in sin or affected by the sin of others. Again, I am grateful for the over-abundance of grace. It is this over-abundance of grace that gives us victory and triumph.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

Written in 1982.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships

Concentrated Prayer for Evangelism

 

Paul taught the efficacy of prayer especially for preaching the gospel and commanded the churches at Ephesus, Colossae, and Thessalonica to pray. Here are the commands:

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Eph. 6:18–20).

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (Col. 4:2–4).

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith” (2 Thess. 3:1–2).

Paul urged the Roman brothers to pray as well:

“I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Rom. 15:30).

*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships