It is still difficult to even mention in conversation the situation surrounding the recent flooding in Central Texas. The subject is painful enough that individuals who had no direct involvement, either react with visible emotion or confess that the subject was too disturbing for them to follow. This measure of sensitivity only reinforces the need to approach trauma and hurt with the type of compassion and understanding characteristic of the description of Jesus in Isaiah 61. Please look at some of the scriptural examples for this initial approach in our last article (Click Here to read the first comments on responding to the tragedy). While difficult circumstances will be part of any future reality, it is a lie that we are powerless before, during or after a calamity. Hope, as defined by The Bible, becomes a tangible reality when we learn from situations like this and are able to find the mind of Christ when difficulty is unfolding.
Luck isn’t a thing
Recently, I’ve had some interesting conversations about different individuals’ traumatic experiences. The phrase bad luck has been the default description with regard to why these events have occurred. While it is an understandable statement as an outflow of modern communication, it also reveals a disturbing lack of vision and understanding for what is, at the very least, a significant contributor to many traumas. Take a look at a classic scripture that helps form the basis of a different paradigm to analyze why things happen outside the realms of chance or luck:
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NASB95
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. [5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, [6] and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
The warfare described in this passage isn’t made up of traditional bombs or bullets, it is spiritual in nature. There are two general principles to remember about the spiritual world. First is that it exists without having to be seen by the natural eye. Secondly, though you can’t see it in a traditional sense, spiritual forces have a great effect on what happens in the material world. Also understand that you can’t take a break from it and confine it to an overtly spiritual context like a church service or a prayer meeting. We can begin to prepare and fight accordingly when we see just how parallel spiritual things are to our natural existence.
Now look at a more graphic, direct description that illustrates another crucial part of spiritual conflict:
Genesis 4:6-8 NASB95
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? [7] If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” [8] Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Beyond the basic principle of the existence of an unseen world, we need to understand that it is made up of good and evil forces. Evil forces are always lurking when we decide to act selfishly and not consider what the will of God is for decisions in our lives (CLICK HERE TO LOOK AT FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC). Sin, an act(s) against either The Lord’s defined moralities or His expressed wishes in a particular situation, is always a door for harmful influence. Make no mistake, even when no one sees our iniquity, the enemy of our soul will use it to exploit us!
Finally, let’s be clear about a dominant principle involved in spiritual warfare.
John 10:7-10 NASB95
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The thief is an analogy for the devil and the pronoun, I, represents Jesus. As our embrace of Christ deepens, His healing, redemption and power change both us and those that we encounter. On the contrary, the devil’s continued involvement in our lives crushes us and brings down others with our fall.
Deception is a primary characteristic and weapon of the devil. 1 John 4:4 NASB95:
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
As this verse states, the enemy cannot overcome Jesus in a head to head confrontation. His primary strategy is to get us to ignore the authority and direction of Jesus and follow our own way. One of the best ways to do this is to trick us into believing either that the spiritual world either doesn’t exist or that we are in control of the degree to which sinful choices affect us. Becoming deliberate about considering what Jesus wants in our everyday choices is a huge step toward protection and progress to a much, much better existence.
Christian camps profoundly impact individuals and culture
I mentioned in the original article that in my youth, I had attended Christian Summer Camps in the area affected by the floods. What I didn’t emphasize was how impacting they were in my own spiritual walk. My attendance of these camps greatly deepened my understanding that Christ was a present day, living reality. The experience I’m describing at camps isn’t hardly limited to my experience. There are estimates that a large percentage of Christians find their faith in a camp setting (Click Here to find some commentary on this subject). I know with certainty that Christian Camp settings in England have produced a huge percentage of their present day Christian population. Given these facts, don’t you think that an enemy of Christianity and the good that it produces would work to stop camps from happening?
A basic strategy for ALL Christians pertaining to spiritual warfare
The subject of spiritual warfare is complicated and has many levels represented in scripture. There are however some basics that everyone can apprehend quickly and make a difference by engaging in. One of the key points is growing in our own personal holiness:
John 3:30 NASB95
He must increase, but I must decrease.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NASB95
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. [16] Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
It is difficult to emphasize enough that we aren’t able to grow in our strength over sinful practices by our own human effort. It is also important to understand that it is usually a process that takes place over time. However, one of the great promises throughout scripture is that Christ is there for us in daily life situations. If we will turn to The Lord, both as a regular practice and when we are faced with temptation, His strength will come to us and leave no place for demonic activities in our lives and ultimately in our communities.
1 John 3:8 NASB95
the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
