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This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Ron Braley. This is not the opinion of the Elgin Courier.
In Part One, we learned that authentic God-fearing Christ-followers war against an unseen realm headed by The Adversary (Satan). Spiritual forces under his control rule nations, moving individuals to oppose God and corrupt creation. Here, we’ll explore how to resist the Evil One (Satan), protecting ourselves spiritually and enduring until the end of this world. First, avoid trouble!
Stay out of harm’s way! “… do not give the devil an opportunity.”(Ephesians 4:27) Avoid immoral sights, sounds and activities, or die by those things. Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 18:9: “If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.”
We can, like Job, make a righteous deal with our eyes (Job 31:1) and vow not to look at anything vile and vulgar, as we see in Psalm 101:3. Here’s Paul’s advice from Galatians 5:17: “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
What else? Be holistically healthy to avoid spiritual distraction and entrapment.
Holistic health. We can resist our spiritual enemy and be an excellent ambassador to God’s Kingdom by being holistically healthy in these areas (as much as we’re able):
• Spiritually through study, prayer, charity and discipleship.
• Mentally and emotionally by exercising the brain and managing feelings.
• Relationally by treating others as we wish to be treated and seeking reconciliation.
• Financially to not be distracted.
• Physically to be movable by God.
Wear spiritual armor. In Ephesians 6:11-13, Paul teaches about the protection God’s children receive: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
• Belt of truth. Jesus Christ’s truth secures our faith and is our foundation.
• Breastplate of Righteousness. Just as the breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteousness of Christ protects our mind/spiritual heart.
• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. When we wear them, we share the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to people through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.
• Shield of Faith. Faith protects us from fear, doubt or anxiety.
• Helmet of Salvation. With it, we can take every thought captive and avoid sinful pursuits, knowing we will be rescued from God’s wrath.
• Sword of the Spirit. This weapon is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” according to Hebrews 4:12. With it, we can discern God’s truth from the lies of the Evil One.
Summary. Avoid wickedness, stay holistically healthy and wear the armor God gives you to resist your and His enemy! Next time: We’ll learn the need to unify the community of Christ (the Body) to magnify the Lord God! Remember that He wants you to BE the Church, not DO church!
Braley, an Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a master of divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a doctor of ministry from the same school in 2021.
