WADE'S FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE

Prosperity Promised?

2005-03-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

Does God promise you riches on earth as well as heaven?

Although I’ve been aware of the “Word Faith” movement for many years, I never really paid much attention to it until recently. After all, I grew up in the Southern Baptist denomination, and we didn’t put much stock into “name it, claim it” theology. If anything, we simply shook our heads and went about our business. Since leaving the Southern Baptist Convention of churches (on good terms mind you), I’ve encountered these “positive confession” teachings with increasing frequency. I decided to do a personal study on the matter to determine whether or not the bible pronounces poverty to be a curse, and promises financial prosperity to all believers who exercise sufficient faith. Here’s what I found, along with some personal comments.

Matthew 11:4-5

Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

My take: In addressing the problems of the people, he healed the blind, lame, and leprous, yet he didn’t make the poor rich. If God intends for all of his children to enjoy financial prosperity, why didn’t Jesus instruct the poor to exercise sufficient faith to claim such blessings? Why didn’t Jesus tell the poor to exercise seed-faith by giving more and expecting more?

Matthew 19:21

Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

My take: Jesus doesn’t tell him to expect an earthly return on his giving. Neither does he indicate that he can take an early withdrawal of heavenly treasure for earthly use. Also, if the poor, who are to receive his money, can simply claim financial prosperity through faith, why aren’t they rebuked by Jesus for their failure to do so?

Mark 12:38

Here are some of the other things he taught them at this time: "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater."

Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, "I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

My take: If poverty is a curse that can be overcome through exercising sufficient faith, why didn’t Jesus rebuke the old woman for failing to do so? If Jesus was using this woman as an example of giving principles, why didn’t he tell his disciples that her seed-faith would result in abundant financial blessings?

2 Corinthians 6:1-11

As God's partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God's great kindness. For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation. We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and so no one can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have faithfully preached the truth. God's power has been working in us. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are well known, but we are treated as unknown. We live close to death, but here we are, still alive. We have been beaten within an inch of our lives. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

My take: According to these scriptures, the believers were under the power of the Holy Spirit in righteousness and purity. These passages also state that they had proven their understanding, and yet, they are poor and own nothing. They do not “claim” riches or material goods through faith, nor do they indicate that such things are even a priority. If the promise of universal financial prosperity for faithful Christians is a spiritual truth, why are these model Christians poor and destitute, yet proclaiming joy in their suffering?

James 1:9-12

Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

My take: The poor should be glad because God has honored them. Honored, not cursed! If poverty is truly a curse, poor Christians should seek to break that curse immediately. There is no such rebuke or instruction here. James goes on to say that God blesses those who patiently endure testing, and mentions nothing about exercising sufficient faith to change financial situations.

James 2:5

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

My take: If God chose the poor to be rich in faith, and poverty is a curse that must be overcome by exercising sufficient faith, why aren’t the poor (who are rich in faith) instructed to do just that? The poor simply are not rebuked here for existing in poverty or lacking in faith. They are defended as a chosen group who are to inherit the Kingdom! Only the rich are chastised in these scriptures, based on their slander and oppression of the poor.

Final Thoughts

Although "positive confession" preachers also use scripture to justify their beliefs, more often than not you're asked to read between the lines in search of some hidden truth or secret formula. I just can't go that route. There are far too many scriptures that speak plain truths about the rich and poor, and the pursuit of money. While I believe that God blesses some believers with financial prosperity, I don't believe it's guaranteed to everyone. Neither do I believe that every believer who is poor lives under a curse. For me, the case is closed.

Seeking the Balance

2005-03-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

We live in a culture of extremes. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of politics. On news programs, and on the campaign trail, candidates and their supporters yell past each other in hopes of persuading you to join their cause. It's not really an attempt to find common ground, it's more of a motivational speech. The Left argues that Christians should move beyond single-issue voting in the pursuit of a more compassionate social agenda. The Right contends that Christians should actively challenge judicial and legislative efforts to undermine traditional moral values. Christians who seek the middle ground between the two camps risk a degree of ostracism from both, simply because their “passion” for the cause in question appears to be somehow lacking.

The culture of extremes extends into the church as well. Some value tradition above all else, and insist that their congregations maintain a rigid adherence to the customs of the 18^th and 19^th Centuries. Do they risk becoming irrelevant to the 21^st Century? Others abhor tradition, and model their churches as a reflection of modern (or postmodern) culture. Does today’s shallow pop culture really merit emulation by the Body of Christ? Is balance the better option? Some churches teach that spiritual gifts were meant for another time and place, and dismiss outright any possibility for modern miracles. Others emphasize gifts to the point that they become commodities in the believer’s spiritual portfolio. Again, is balance the better option?

In spite of what the “extremes” might claim, holding the middle ground isn’t always a cop out. Sometimes it results from a balanced reading of scripture, and the refusal to succumb to sound-bytes and one-sided rhetoric. Just as a single verse of scripture must be read in context to fully understand its meaning, we must fully examine our beliefs in the context of the whole Word of God. Placing extreme emphasis on one aspect of the bible, while completely ignoring another area, simply isn’t authentic biblical Christianity.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right."

-Titus 3:16

Me, Myself, and I

2005-03-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

In a nation built upon rugged individualism and self-sufficiency, where such values helped shape the United States into a superpower, it's extremely easy for American Christians to view matters of faith in a similar manner. And though the rights of the individual are paramount to the success of any democracy, the same can't be said of the Christian walk, where we're told to lay down our lives and take up our cross. Unfortunately, too many of us are picking up a mirror instead.

We're so obsessed with ourselves. We want material blessings to supplement our lifestyles. We want recognition for our efforts. We want people to feel sorry for us when we perceive that we've been wronged. The problem is that this sort of Christianity takes valid desires and overemphasizes them. Self becomes the center of our distorted faith.

In his book It's Not About Me, Max Lucado shares a difficult truth that many mirror-obsessed Christians simply don't want to hear. "When God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn't look at you." He goes on to compare the Christian walk to our solar system. Too many Christians want to be the sun, shining brightly at the center of everyone's attention, when in reality we're called to be more like the moon, who has no light of its own. The moon simply reflects the light of the sun.

It's a simple concept, though it's one that we routinely fail to grasp. God loves and values us, but he doesn't need us. It's the other way around.

Article: The Demise of Atheism

2005-03-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

I happened upon this article today while surfing news sites during my lunch hour...

"Two developments are plaguing atheism these days. One is that it appears to be losing its scientific underpinnings. The other is the historical experience of hundreds of millions of people worldwide that atheists are in no position to claim the moral high ground."

Here's a link to the story...

(UPI) God not so dead: Atheism in decline worldwide

This sounds like good news, but the author is quick to point out that the apparent demise of atheism doesn't equate to the resurgence of Christianity. Quite the opposite actually. Neo-paganism is proving to be much more popular.

Quote of the Day

2005-03-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Day

"Hype is the glittering rhinestone on the jumpsuit of mediocrity that catches our eye and makes us think, "Hey maybe the Spice girls don't suck" It's the triumph of substance over style, predicated on the sad truth that most of us, if the gift-wrapping on the outside of the box is fancy enough, we won't notice that inside there's nothing but a big pile of dung"

-Dennis Miller

Quote of the Day Interpreted for Today's Christian

"Consumer Christianity is the shiny new "Yay God!" bumper sticker on the back of our SUV's that we hope catches the eye of an unbeliever and fulfills our personal obligation to the Great Commission. It's the triumph of trendy, shallow, and self-focused Christianity-lite over true and deepening faith in Christ, predicated on the sad truth that most of us, if we're listening to "Christian" music, reading "Christian" books, and associating with "Christian" friends, won't notice that we've really dedicated little of ourselves to Christ himself."

-Me

The Stunted Growth of My Childlike Faith

2005-02-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

You wouldn't know it now, but in my younger years the idea of "sticking out" simply terrified me. I avoided unwanted attention as though it were a deadly biohazard. For example, even though my fourth grade teachers absolutely loved my villainous portrayal of the villain for a production of Babes in Toyland, I refused to accept the role for fear that people would actually see me as a bad guy! By age eleven I had become the perpetual outsider, thanks to my family's numerous moves around the southeast. As the new kid, I constantly "stuck out." I responded by withdrawing into myself to some extent, and became more and more reluctant to act in any way that might draw the eyes of people toward me. That's why my response to a Sunday morning invitation stands in such contrast to my typical behavior at that time. I'm not talking about a little country church boasting a membership of a few hundred. We attended a Virginia megachurch, boasting attendence in the thousands, and broadcast nationally on religious television. In spite of the attention that would come my way, I felt the call of Jesus, and walked forward to recite the sinner's prayer.

For most people, this life-changing experience would likely be followed by tales of Christian growth, encounters with God, and the joys of faith. That is not my story. The day that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior was also the day that my family left the church. Here's how that happened...

Upon uttering our amens, the counselor who led me in prayer called for the assistance of others standing around him. They sprung into action like a professional grounds-keeping crew during a downpour at a baseball game. After securing permission from my parents to baptize me, they whisked me away to don an oversized robe, then proceeded to instruct me in the practice of speaking in tongues, which they claimed I could (and must) do if I were truly saved. In fact, the counselors pressured my stepfather to do the same. It all seemed so sureal, and I nearly panicked as the fount of heavenly speach proved to be utterly dry. I remember standing there with my eyes closed, simply uttering gibberish that come to mind, which among other things included the name of a muppet – Gonzo. Frankly, I was horribly frightened by the experience and somewhat fearful that it meant Jesus hadn't actually saved me. Above all, I knew that I didn't ever want to go back to that church. If memory serves, we didn't attend church faithfully for a number of years after the incident.

My newfound faith in Christ, though very real, lacked instruction and growth for several years, and remained in its ignorant infancy. It wasn’t until I entered high school that my faith finally moved forward.

Faith Forward

When I entered high school I barely knew the basic tenants of Christianity, but God arranged for certain people to impact my life and draw me closer to Him. The first was my history teacher, a believer himself, who used the context of the past to explain the origins and beliefs of the Christian faith. The second was a neighbor who played a major part in reintroducing me to church. He became a spiritual mentor, guiding me through scripture, and serving as a sounding board as I worked-through the reality of my relationship with God. The third was an unconventional Christian who was both a schoolmate and coworker, and before long a close friend. He constantly swam against the current, and lived a faith that stood in sharp contrast to negative Christian stereotypes. The guy loved God, rock&roll, and denim. He wore an earring and praised God for his salvation.

With influences such as these in my life, I gravitated toward a more "Christian" way of life. I joined my church's youth group, as well as our school's "prayer club." I took to listening to Christian CD's instead of mainstream radio. I read my bible faithfully, and lived for theological discussions and debates. Not only had I found acceptance within the Christian community, I'd found purpose and identity as well. In fact, I eventually accepted more responsibilities within the my church, and took on a leadership role among my peers. There was just one problem. Even though I had adopted the "Christian" subculture and lifestyle, I wasn't spending enough time with God himself. I didn't depend on Him for much of anything, and instead relied on the Christian infrastructure that surrounded me to maintain my faith. I adopted what amounts to a works-centered theology, believing that by participating in all of these inherently "Christian" activities, my relationship to God would simply fall into place with little or no effort. My shallow faith inevitably led to a fall.

Falling-Away In Plain Sight

I had immersed myself in Consumer Christian Culture (CCC) by listening to Christian music, wearing Christian t-shirts, reading popular Christian books, and associating with Christian friends, but it didnt really lead to a deeper faith. Id simply learned the routine. I knew the right answers to the right questions, and I knew the right terminology to use in order to sound spiritual. People assumed that I was this Christian wunderkind, and destined for full time Christian service. Some folks would even pat me on the back and tell me "You'll be a fine pastor one day son." At one point I actually bought into my own hype, and declared to anyone who would listen that I planned to journey into the mission field after college. Why would I announce something like that if I'd never actually been called by God? Because it's what people expected of me, and that's precisely what I did...what was expected of me. I maintained the facade of my Consumer Christian Culture.

Because I was simply riding on the coat-tails of other Christians, who possessed the deeper faith that I lacked, it couldn't sustain me indefinitely. My history teacher's influence waned with diminished contact. My neighbor and spiritual mentor pursued occupational opportunities in a state with a colder climate. My best friend departed for bible college, leaving me as the de facto leader of our Christian clique. Although this stroked my ego to some degree, I simply wasn't up to the challenge. As my established spiritual infrastructure collapsed during my junior year of high school, I became more like the world, and less like Christ.

My passive and shallow faith couldn't protect me from own worst enemy - myself. I fell into a lifestyle of permissiveness and self-justification, with only the occasional periods of conviction and repentance. Just after graduating college, with all sense of order and predictability now gone, I entered into the darkest period of my life. I was lonely, didn't really know who I was, and had no idea where I wanted to go in life. I tried to fill the void in my life with everything but God, while doing my best to keep up appearances. Like so many do, I covered over my pain and problems with a smile, and no one seemed the wiser. My facade wouldn't...couldn't...last forever though. One night someone saw through it all. They knew without a doubt that I was simply putting on a show, and they told me as much. The shame overwhelmed me, and left me feeling desperate and panicked. But my need for immediate resolution led me to another error. Sitting alone in a dimly lit Waffle House at 3am, guided only by my volatile emotions, I decided that the only explanation for my inner turmoil was that I had never really been a Christian at all. I threw out an oft-used testimony, that I'd possessed an intellectual knowledge of Christ, but had never truly accepted him as my Savior. I told friends and family about my epiphany, and even underwent a second baptism to convince everyone (and myself) of my sincerity. In reality though, I was simply a failed Christian running away from his problems, cultivating a new facade to replace the old. Once again, the trappings of Consumer Christian Culture offered a familiar (and widely accepted) means of appearing completely committed while I continued to stumble in the darkness.

I'd lost the ability to look at my own life objectively. So how did I turn things around? I didn't. Through a variety of circumstances, God ripped me away from the comfort of the familiar, stripped me of my self-constructed facade, and dropped me into the unknown. New job. New city. New church. Scary things for a creature of habit such as myself. Fortunately, the authenticity and zeal of my new pastor struck a chord. He challenged me to earnestly seek God, and accept that there are no short-cuts when it comes to true faith. Although I continue to fall from time-to-time, I now depend on God himself, rather than the consumer culture that has been built up in his name, to pick me back up and send me on my way.

Afterthoughts

Though it bears the markings of a cure, Consumer Christian Culture is nothing more than a placebo for the sickened soul. It's only a shadow of true faith, which can only be nurtured through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. The fact is that both true believers and lost souls can be Consumer Christians, because it's more of a lifestyle choice than an actual life change. Consumer Christian Culture is shallow, and though it claims to praise God, it cuts us off from the power of the God we profess to follow. Too many Christians allow themselves to be drawn in by this less intimidating Cliff Notes version of the Christian faith. Too many unbelievers have been deceived into thinking that they're in good standing with God simply because they follow the routine. Consumer Christian Culture is a plague, and the sooner believers realize this, the sooner we can make a real impact on our community and world.

Christian Hedonism

2005-02-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

Q: "What is Christian Hedonism?"

A: It sounds gimmicky, possibly even heretical. In reality, Christian Hedonism is completely biblical and positive. My favorite pastor and author, John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN and founder of Desiring God Ministries, defines it as the scriptural understanding that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." In other words, the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. He's written several books on the topic, and they're all worth reading. Personally speaking, this truth has freed me from the drudgery of a self-focused and duty-based faith.

Check out this article for a more thorough explanation of Christian Hedonism.

Christian Music: Attack of the Clones

2005-02-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly a rabid Jars of Clay fan. I don't own any of their CD's, and I can't name a single one of their songs other than Flood. This is mainly because my personal tastes skew more towards the heavier end of the musical spectrum (Pillar, Skillet, etc). Even so, I appreciate their unique sound and musical talents when XM31 (The Torch) plays one of their tunes.

When their song Flood hit the mainstream charts, Jars of Clay became the instant darlings of the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) scene. I remember seeing their video on MTV, and I'm pretty sure the tune even became a soft drink jingle. Christians were quick to claim them, as well as their fifteen minutes of pop culture fame. But after the popularity of Flood evaporated, and the commercial endorsements dried up, Jars of Clay seems to have set out to make themselves into better (not necessarily more popular) artists. Meanwhile, the Contemporary Christian Music scene dedicated itself to riding the crest of the pop culture wave in search of the next big mainstream crossover success. The industry promoted several bands as safe alternatives to popular acts - a sort of Christian off brand. "If you like Metallica, you'll love (fill in the blank). Guilt free music the way you like it!" Although this marketting strategy likely succeeded from a commercial standpoint, the music industry began to look at Christian musicians with contempt. They are now "wannabees" desperately clinging to the coat-tails of real artists.

When bands like Jars of Clay approach their music with an artistic, rather than a "flavor of the week" mentality, they can find themselves marginalized within the Christian music industry. In spite of critical acclaim for their latest album, which earned them a Grammy nod, the band didn't even make the cut for the Gospel Music Association's nominations for either Band or Album of the Year. This fact that didn't sit well with many of their fans. Bandmember Dan Haseltine responded to Jars of Clay supports upset by the shut-out in a post on CM Central. Here's an excerpt...

"We too were disappointed. Ultimately, the reasons for making music and engaging in the arts have nothing to do with winning Dove awards. It is nice to be acknowledged, but in an industry that still has a long way to go in supporting true artistry and not simply perpetuating a "cultural Christianity," we must not get discouraged."

I realize that the Christian Music Industry is a business, and as such seeks profit. I have no problem with people earning a living. But if the Christian media moguls insist on marketing their product as "Christian" they need to operate according to a higher standard than their secular counterparts. In other words, if you choose to slap a "Jesus Approved" sticker on your music, you'd better not make money your sole motivation. Personally, I would rather support individuals who have a heart devoted to utilizing God's creative gifts in order to produce quality art (that in turn glorifies Him), rather than simply stick with marketing plan productions that capitalize on popular trends through "Christianizing" the styles and sounds of mainstream artists. We end up with an endless supply of "Yay God!" Christian music, but little variety or artistic progression. Personaly, I don't blame Christian musicians for bolting to mainstream labels. It isn't an act of treason, it's an act of desperation.

Staubwatch

2005-02-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

Dick Staub just published one of his most pointed indictments against the shallowness of pop culture, and anti-intellectualism within the church.

Staublog: "Take Up a Pencil and Think Everyday."

Shang Ti's All You Can Eat Divine Buffet of West Hollywood

2005-02-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

"[Cheap grace] is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

-Dietrich Boenhoeffer

"Cheap grace" is everywhere. It's especially evident in pop culture's obsession with spiritualism. Listen to a few celebrity interviews and you'll get the impression that God is a cosmic buffet somewhere in West Hollywood. They pick and choose attributes of God that make them feel better about themselves, leave the rest for others with a less "sophisticated" palate, then slap the "spiritual" sticker on their to-go box. While they praise themselves for discovering something profound, this isn't exactly a bonafide quest for truth. It's an attempt to satisfy their hunger for affirmation and reassurance. While I can understand the desire to fill that God-void that exists in all of us, do-it-yourself spiritualism simply isn't the answer.

Even believers contend with their own brand of "cheap grace." Christians who are content to rest on their blessed assurances in the pursuit of comfort, rather than answer God's call to fulfill the Great Commission, miss the mark. Christians who sit in the pews on Sunday morning nodding in agreement, but who refuse to follow His word during the other six days of the week, fall short. Christians who complain about a decline in family values, yet flippantly give up on their own marriages in search of a better deal, don't grasp the realities of true grace.

God calls unbelievers to belief, and believers to faithful obedience. You can't get around either of those realities without abandoning both truth and power in the process.

Cursing the Darkness

2005-02-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

"Culture is starving because too many with a worldview that differs from the prevailing one have withdrawn their nurturing influence."

- Cal Thomas

Someone over at The Daily Commune recommended a faith/culture article by Cal Thomas. Mr. Thomas is a highly successfully syndicated columnist, though I'd never really paid much attention to him before now. I think I'll be an avid reader from this point forward. Why? Because he's not just another angry evangelical conservative on a soapbox advocating full-scale culture war against secular America. Although his article basically echoes the sentiments of other "culturally savvy Christians" like Dick Staub (who introduced me to that term), Thomas, eloquently (re) articulates the issue for an evangelical community that just doesn't seem to get it. In short, Christians should do more than simply "curse the darkness." Unfortunately, that's precisely the trap too many of us have fallen into.

Our cynical society wants something more than just another point of view. What sets Christianity apart is a message of truth, hope, and reconciliation with God. Yet when we reduce our faith to the role of a cultural police force, or morph it into a partisan political movement, the message of truth, hope, and reconciliation is muted. If we truly want to reverse the decline of Western culture we need to engage it, and contribute to it. We need to let our light shine by using the gifts that God has given us to enrich our culture, and not simply decry the worldly tendencies of the godless we refuse to associate with.

The Art of Spiritual Warfare

2005-02-01T07:19:00.000-08:00

A "Loose Lips Sink Souls" Redux - Original article published on the Polvero Webzin e.

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War

You might not be familiar with Sun Tzu, or his work The Art of War. The Chinese general penned his treatise on conflict sometime around 500 BC. While this non-biblical text is hardly holy scripture, I believe that it contains timeless truths that every Christian should consider within the context of their own faith. Specifically, what do we know about our enemy?

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms."
-Ephesians 6:12, New Living Translation

Although the scriptures are quite clear concerning the nature of conflict in this world, many believers live as though they don't know who their true enemy is. In fact, most Christians seem to have trouble making the distinction between the spiritual forces of evil that manipulate our world, and the unwitting human souls that serve as their pawns. All too often we as Christians fall into the trap of targeting certain groups and individuals, as if by eliminating political and ideological opposition we can win the war. And yet the scriptures tell us that "we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood." Even so, we continually, stubbornly, and dare-I-say-it, ignorantly attack the very men and women that we are commanded reach!

We can't seem to get it into our heads (or hearts) that these people aren't our enemies, they are our primary objectives! We're fighting fortheir souls, not against them. Yet it's far too common to hear even good intentioned Christians, concerned about valid issues such as abortion and prayer in schools, launching vicious personal attacks against non-believers via the media and the pulpit. When we portray individuals as enemies of our Christian faith, even if they are promoting beliefs and ideologies that we abhor, we miss the point entirely. We were never called to engage in character assassination. And frankly, we shouldn't act as though we are shocked when those who don't know God choose to do ungodly things.

Can we really expect to function as a "light" in this dark world if teams of self-appointed Christian "snipers" insist on targeting wayward souls stumbling in the shadows? We need to focus on combating the underlying evil, which originates in the dark spiritual realm, through earnest prayer. We must counter the devil's lies with the gospel and our love for mankind, while at the same time going the extra mile to avoid any and all appearances of personal attacks. The Air Force calls these "precision strikes." In other words, the cliche "hate the sin, love the sinner" should be applied as often as it is spoken.

If our true enemy is Satan, not those who are unknowingly serving his interests and falling for his carefully constructed lies, then we need to take this fact into account when we choose to take a stand on the issues. If we're commanded to love our neighbors, then maybe we should start by behaving like good neighbors ourselves, instead of operating as though we are an angry homeowners association intent on enforcing the community rules. We can express our concerns, and openly debate others, without adopting the tactics of the devil himself.