I believe that nearly everyone understood my last article, but for some strange reason, some people read into a message that does not exist. (Now you know why I often write long articles.) So to clarify for them what I am referring to, it is necessary to add a “bit” more.
First, Christians can and should become politicians. I wish that every government leader in our nation was a Christian. But not everyone can engage in the volatile atmosphere of politics without becoming spiritually weak. They must be politicians by God’s ordination. The rest of us have the responsibility to intercede for them daily.
There is nothing wrong with being politically active if it does not conflict with one’s spiritual status. However, obsession with politics by rank and file Christians, pastors, evangelists, and even ones called as watchmen, is wasted warfare. We should not become obsessed with anything, including but not limited to news, talk shows, and sports, TV, hunting, fishing, golfing, shopping, and everything else that steals our time, energy, fills us with counterproductive emotions, makes us spiritual weak, and that muffles the Spirit’s voice in our spiritual ears.
In our area, obsession by Christians allows Satan to make great strides in his evil schemes during the ACC basketball games and championship. It is called “March Madness,” but they go mad anyway.
Some may ask, “How do you know he is making great strides?”
How do you know he is not? I see the weakness, the distraction, the “carnalizing” of professing Christians. Who thinks that a supernatural evil entity does not take advantage of that? Are we so dense as to believe that we can abandon our post to frolic with the world system and somehow the enemy does not notice or take advantage? The problem is that we may be to distracted to notice his gains.
Across the nation there are the lures of NCAA football, the major golf tournaments, Super Bowl Sunday, NASCAR, and other pro and amateur sports events practically every month and week of the year.
Every two years there is a political season and every four years the Presidential election campaign heats up. That is not to mention in between all the hoopla, hearings, investigations, outrageous actions and statements.
Add all the other obsessions of Christians into that mix and we should not need to wonder why we are so weak that Satan is on the verge of taking over our nation. So why do we believe that we can continue fighting the battle Satan’s way, neglect prayer and our spiritual health, and realize victory?
Cheryl and I moved away from all those distractions and devote our time to prayer and obeying God’s will. We did not do so because of legalism, but to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to conserve our spiritual energy. It was one of the best decisions we have made. We recognized what is happening in our world, but we do not let it get into our spirits and cause angst.
Now we are in the last days. It is time to wake up, avoid “Delilah” (politics) that is seducing us to soak in the rancorous mire. The Dems and liberals in general are betting the pot on this election. COVID-19 has already weakened many Believers spiritually. The way to fight is in the strength of the Lord God.
We read in Ephesians 6 that God gave us 5 pieces of armor, 1 weapon ( we don’t need 2 because that 1 will never fail), and 1 communications system. We can be a well-equipped army. We need to fight with what God gave us—not on the enemies terms and using his weapons.
Essential, we should recognize that Satan uses our fleshly craving to hinder or prevent us from doing God’s will. Paul wrote, “All things in moderation”—but we are tempted and lured to do them with obsession.
Politics just happened to be the current most popular lure—a distracting, voracious, energy and time eater.
My exhortation is to pull away from the hullabaloo, subterfuge, and chaos—all of it intentionally caused. It is designed to wear people down, depress them, fill them with angst. They hope to compel weak ones to capitulate and vote for them. Christians are seeking relief by attempting to beat it to death with diatribes. Why should we abuse our spirits and imbibe that sludge?
Let us run and run well that we be not weary. Let’s wait on the Lord in our familiar meeting place. People that do not pray (and I do not mean dabble in prayer) will not understand and receive this admonishing.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:29-31
From… https://hopeishereblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/which-lion/
Am I left helpless without hope?
No, but I have to be aware… be sober, be vigilant against Satan’s schemes. I have to be strong in the Lord by putting on His full armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
I have to recognize this roaring lion is on a “search and destroy mission”. I’m going to look for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, to shelter-in-place. I’m going to shelter under His wings and let Him fight the leviathan… the roaring lion, Satan.
(As a little boy growing up on a mesa and foothills ranch, my parents warned me… that when out playing, I should periodically look up and do a “scan” of my surroundings for bear or other threatening predators. If I saw one, I wanted to make sure I could make a run for it and make it back home to safety.)
I not ashamed to think… that I’m like a “little kid hotfooting back to Pappa”, when I hear the… roar.
According to Job 41, who can do what He wants with the leviathan?
Thank you Brother Cedric For this gentle rebuke and spirit-led teaching! This was meant for me! I am listening to your teaching, will put on my armor, and daily recognize the tactics of the enemy of my soul!
Blessings!
Convicted me about my prayer life. I go about “watchmaning” without some of the power I need. Pray for me to pray more, and take it off ” cruise control and step on the gas !!