Spiritual warfare #4

One of the most dangerous teachings of the American church is “eternal security.” It’s dangerous because reduced to a mantra, it is misunderstood. It’s dangerous because it doesn’t line up with the Bible without serious mental gymnastics. It’s dangerous because it avoids the clear teaching of Scripture concerning basic spiritual dangers.

 

Maybe worst of all, the unexamined doctrine is dangerous because it ignores the potential impact of Satanic activity. Paul noted in 1 Timothy 5:15, “For some have already strayed after Satan.” Specifically, Paul advised the church on how to deal with widows in the church. Paul notes that some of the younger widows have “strayed after Satan.”

 

Satan wants to separate believers from Jesus and God. The word translated “strayed” means to turn aside [NIV]. It is a word picture of someone who walks behind someone. Just so we have a clear picture of what it means “to stray,” Jesus used the same word in Matthew 16:24. “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (ESV)

 

Make no mistake: We are safe in Christ. However, we cannot be blind to the warnings and indulge the sinful passions of our sinful nature. Paul warned the Roman believers, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." [Romans 8:13 NIV] Why would Paul give the Roman church this warning, if it were not possible to spiritually die?

 

Perhaps the confusion comes because we are “message-oriented” (saying the correct words) or “method-oriented” (following the correct method) instead of “model-oriented (being like Jesus). [This idea comes from Dan Spader, “Walk Like Jesus] Just saying the correct things (theology) and following the correct methods (programs) does not make a person (or church) like Jesus.

 

Whom are you walking behind? If you are not walking behind Jesus, then you are walking behind Satan.