How to Win the Invisible War

John warns his readers in 1 John 2:15. "Do not love the world or the things in the world." We Christians have been so oversaturated with "Not of this World" bumper stickers and t-shirts that we are numb to its message. We've been so oversaturated that that pastors and youth leaders have begun asking what it means to be "in the world."

 

That (in my opinion) is often  a waste of time. Most of us don't have a problem being in the world. Literally all you have to do to be "in the world" is to be alive. Sure, there are select groups of people who avoid the "secular" world at all costs. But that's not most of us. Most of us look for every biblical excuse to be in the world.

 

"Hey! Jesus hung out with prostitutes! It's my ministry to hang out with the worst kids in school!"

 

Or…

 

"Jesus' first miracle was making alcohol. Obviously, getting drunk every once in a while isn't a big deal to Him."

 

This world entices us, lures us, seduces us. That's why John warns against loving it.

 

He warns against the lust of the flesh. How many google searches (from Christians)  are looking for images of flesh? How many Christians starve for snacks before they starve for the Word? How many Christians would never think of being a missionary in a country that could hurt the flesh of them or their families?

 

He warns against the lust of the eyes. How many youth leaders' hotel bills include secret added tv programs? How many hours did I waste this week watching Netflix? How much money do Christians spend on clothes they do not need? How much time do Christians spend discussing who is hot and who is not?

 

He warns against the pride of life. How much time in front of the mirror? How many people do we trash talk to make ourselves feel better? How many of our prayers are for our own benefit, protection, possessions and success? When was the last time I prayed that the Lord would take something I love away from me, so I could learn to rely on Him more?

 

In Conclusion

 

I’m skipping over some great material here, but I want to focus on two questions.

 

#1 Who is our Enemy?

 

Ephesians 6:12 states that "we do not wrestle (battle) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places."

 

Our battle was not with Hitler. Our battle is not with North Korea. Our battle is not with Obama or Hollywood or Oprah or Kobe Bryant or Roger Gooddell or Bugs Bunny. Our battle is against what we cannot see. We battle the spiritual realm. 

 

We battle anything that denies Christ as the supreme ruler of our souls. This is a difficult battle, because our bookstores contain antichrist ideas. "Christian" books will  tell you that your happiness can be controlled by you. This is an antichrist idea. Our churches encourage us to love our families more than Christ. They may not come out and say this, but the message is not hard to find. We are rarely encouraged to live lives for Christ that will stretch our families physically, emotionally or physically.

 

John warns against deception - against loving the world - because nearly everyone already loves it, Christian and un-believer alike.

 

You are not safe from the enemy at home. You are not safe at church. You are not safe anywhere, because no wall can contain the invisible enemy.

 

#2 How do we fight?

 

With no safe place to go, how on earth can we survive? How can we know what is true if there is not a 100% guarantee that our pastor is speaking the truth?

 

1 John 2:20 is one of the most incredible (yet virtually unknown) verses of the Bible. It says, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things."

 

Why do we so often fail in our faith? Why are we so controlled by pride and lust? Why do we love the world so much? It is because we do not realize that the Maker and Sustainer of every good thing resides in us. We have been anointed as saints - adopted as children of the Most High God. We do not interpret Scripture through our pastor or a good commentary, but through the Holy Spirit. He is the only one - the only one - who you can trust.

 

When you know you know God, and you daily abide in Him, then you will know the truth, you will not be deceived, and you will not be of this world. Learn from pastors and commentaries, but put your trust in Christ. That is how you win the invisible war.