October 24

Time for an accountability check. Email and let me know where you are in the journey.

Are you a victim or victor in the battle?

There are two major worldviews in our culture today. One is a natural or materialist worldview, what people today call the scientific worldview. This view says that man by his reason can figure out how the world works. People who hold this view seek life’s answers in the natural realm. If you can put it in a test tube, examine it under a microscope, or explain it through natural processes, that’s all you need. The second category of worldviews is the spiritual worldview, which says there is a realm outside of the physical realm. This view says there is a cosmic battle occurring in a parallel universe. We can’t see this invisible conflict but there are dark and deadly forces battling against us. These forces of darkness want to destroy us, our families, our culture and our nation. Your worldview has a major impact on how you prepare for this warfare. Either you will be ready for it and become a victor or you will become a victim of it.

Let me give you two reasons why I believe in a spiritual worldview. First, Jesus taught its reality with absolute clarity. When Jesus walked on our planet he was locked in a fierce battle with the forces of evil.

From our readings today:

Mark 1:23-26 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" 25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Mark 1:32-34 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door, 34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Matthew 4:24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.

Some observations about the conflict:
1. Jesus talked with these spirits so they are not impersonal forces of evil. Barna Research Group, Ltd., of Oxnard, California conducted a poll in which they discovered the following. Nearly two out of three American adults (62%) agreed that Satan is not a living being but a symbol of evil. And even more alarming is that among evangelical Christians, 52% deny Satan’s existence! Conclusion – Satan has already won the battle because no one takes him seriously.
2. Jesus had complete power and sovereignty over the evil spirits. This conflict isn’t a cosmic dualism in which we are nervously biting our nails hoping that Jesus wins. He has already won the battle at the cross so Satan and his demons are living on borrowed time. They will be totally defeated in the near future.
3. Jesus made a distinction between demon possession and other illnesses. Jesus’ view of the conflict does not throw every unknown malady into the demonic category.
4. Satan does have some power on this earth at this time. Don’t mess with him.

The second reason I believe in a spiritual worldview is because of what I experienced in Africa. We spent 4 days in the Kitui region of Kenya. It is along the coastal plain and during our time in that city we definitely were engaged in a spiritual battle.

Here are my personal observations on this conflict.
1. We sensed this conflict in the Kitui region but not in Nairobi.
2. This region is famous for its witchcraft and one of the largest shrines in town was located 100 yards behind the church we worked in.
3. The people in this town had no hope. There lives were dominated by fear, darkness and despair. You could see it written all over their faces. There were very few smiles in Kitui.
4. Our thoughts were assaulted by the evil one. Satan can plant thoughts in our minds. In my case when I first became sick I had a terrible battle with negative thinking. I was thinking... “You are a fool for spending all this time and money to be in this. You are a failure. This trip is a failure. You are wasting your life here.”
After a few hours of thinking these thoughts I realized where they were coming from. And a switch to praise and prayer brought an incredible transformation of my spirit. I was actually able to sing praise songs on my bed in the middle of my sickness.
5. The whole church started coughing on Wednesday night. Satan can cause sickness. Both of our interpreters also came down with illnesses. One translator came down with malaria.
6. Satan tried sleep deprivation by having the local bar blast music till 4 in the morning. But God gave us strength to thrive on 3 hours of rest each evening.
7. God spoke to the second in command at the witchcraft shrine in a dream and he became a Christian.

Jesus made it abundantly clear that there’s a real adversary—Satan—who opposes the purposes of God and His people. Satan perpetrates his influence to accomplish two objectives: to deceive and divert as many people as possible from finding Christ, and to rob the child of God of the enjoyment of salvation and effectiveness in service. One thing is certain. We cannot afford to be ignorant of this invisible war because it is waged right here and now in Stamford!

Don’t be a victim in this conflict.... become a victor by asking Jesus to open your eyes to the battle and give you the resources to live in victory.