Confusing the Enemy
Late last night, I was IM’ing with an out-of-state friend. He was struggling with his church. His language and words were telling. “I NEVER get anything out of the sermons. MANY people are upset.” Those exaggerated words are rarely true, but widely used within church world battles. I should know. I’ve used them myself.
My disgruntled friend is a Jesus follower. He means well. He loves his church. He is a monster at work-place evangelism. He rescued his marriage and family a few years back by becoming a real man of God. He has, however, sized up the wrong opponent. He’s not unique in this, but rather more the rule.
Why do we do this? Why do we eat our own? I’m as guilty as the next fidgety pew sitter.
Recently I believed God whispered to me that HE had healed my family and I from past church world baggage. Cumberland Community Church, as God indicated, was the vehicle He used to heal. That morning devotion time certainly had its fill of warm, spiritual fuzzies. Ahhhh. It also had it’s moment of terror. For as I received the Doctors bill of clean health, I wondered what battle would be coming next. Ughhhh.
What’s funny is how I didn’t immediately wonder about my next tangle with Satan, but rather with my fellow, fidgety pew… er… theatre seat sitters.
My battle is NOT with you. Think, Alan… think! Everytime I forget this, Satan’s strategy proves effective. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil. Sound too movie-esque? It’s Biblical truth that we must somehow figure out how to live.
I ended my late night Facebook messaging by telling a frustrated, out-of-state friend to remember he’s dealing with the Bride of Christ. I encouraged him to not treat Christ’s church haphazardly. (I also knew those were painfully and obviously hypocritical words) I posed the question: I wonder how frustrated and lonely the pastor is? He thanked me for the reminder and we both encouraged each other with where the real battle lines are formed. I think I needed that little chat probably more than my friend. It made me think.
May we all do the same on this victorious day.
Love you… and I mean it! 
Thank you Allen for the reminder. As I leave the house this morning to go to work I am reminded to put on the full armor of God.
That is so right Ellen. Each day put on the armour of God.We are in a battle but it is a WON battle.Praise the Lord.Thanks Alan for helping your out of state and many other s who need the reminder. Have a great day.
Several years ago, I got to a smooth place in my life after a series of tragedies -divorce, death of the ex-spouse (i.e., loosing my alimony), loosing my house, loosing my mother just to name a few. Instead of enjoying the season I was in, I found I was living in fear of what “God was going to do to me next.” What a lie from Satan. Praise Jesus for loving me enough to show me my sin and the author of sin.
Alan, thanks for the reminder and for pulling us up to strategic level to clearly see where the battlefield lines are drawn so we can make the best use of the armor God has provided.
Thanks Alan,
We are in a constant battle with good and evil and Satan delights in his mishaps he has created for you and I to be tempted and fall into.But we can put on the full armor of God to over come Satans temptations. You may have your own struggles you have to deal with,but I think God is using you in a mighty way at Cumberland. Thank you for being a Pastor that cares.