Open your eyes and pop that bubble…

During a disscussion with a group of friends last night we stumbled upon the topic of spiritual warfare. As we discussed the psalms and the strength David found in God and in his promise to protect him always, we began discussing the types of ‘battles’ and ‘enemies’ we fight today, and more specifically, here at Redeemer. While we recognized that our enemies, and particularily the devils schemes, may not be as blantantly obvoius as David’s enemies were, or even those ‘enemies’ found outside Redeemer’s doors (ie. materialism, secularism, humanism), they are most definitely present. The devil instead devises small ways in which to decieve us.

As Irenaeus points out:

Error is not always easily discerned…for should it be set forth in its naked
deforminity…it [would] at once be detected. But it (ie. error) is crafitly
decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear
to the inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) truer than truth
itself…What inexperienced person can with ease detect the presence of brass when
it has been mixed with silver?

While Ireneaus was specifically speaking of heresies within the early church, the concept of the devil working in ways within the context of the Christian community is a lesson I think we can stand to learn from. In naming some of the ways the devil attacks us today, apathy, division, feelings of worthlessness, depression, and spiritual pride were just a few of many that we could think of. There is a certain power that comes, I think, upon recognizing the schemes of the devil. It scares me when I look around and see myself, or others assume that while they are at redeemer they are in a ‘bubble’ and the devil won’t attack them here. That is ridiculous! Is it not WHERE Christ’s people are growing that the devil TRIES to attack? It is precisely here, at Redeemer, that devil desires to seek out and destroy the seeds that God is planting in our hearts. To assume we are in a bubble is, I believe, naïve and dangerous. Yes, the battles we face are different than when we step outside the Redeemer doors, and yet, these battles are just as important.

In our discussion last night, a friend mentioned a reference to Elisha and the battle against the Arameans in 2 Kings 6. In this passage, Elisha prays that the servants eyes be unveiled so he may see the holy army that was fighting alongside the Isrealites. In the same way, I pray that our eyes might be unveiled, and that we might see the spiritual battles that are going on in our midst. Let us not be unaware of the spiritual warfare that is fought on our behalf everyday. Upon such recognition, may we not stand silently by, but may we aid the army that stands on our behalf through prayer, thorugh action, and by remaining constantly on the defense. Let us not forget the strength and the VICTORY we have in Christ Jesus! To think that we have the most powerful army on our side and yet we so often fail to acknowledge its presence and it’s power! Now I am not trying to ‘overspirtiualize’ things by saying that every decision we make is due to demonic or angelic forces among us - certainly we are guided by our own human minds and sinful hearts. However, I think we must not ignore the power that Satan weilds through his army of evildoers which seek to plant and encourage thoughts which stray from Christ. Upon unmasking the devils ‘power’ and his schemes, I believe we are given that much more power to overcome them. So, as let us be challenged to open our eyes and burst the percieved ‘bubble’ that surrounds us and activiely fight the battles we face here at Redeemer.