Living In a Fallen World

In our most recent blogs, we have talked about and prayed for all of our heads of households and their role in leading and guarding their families. This week we want to continue to talk to the heads of households, but please understand that these principles apply to all of us in guarding our hearts and homes.

We have observed that there are two methods of attack that come from the enemy. When we say enemy, we mean satan and demonic powers and their influences. When we say demonic, we mean those evil spiritual entities, personalities and beings that hate God and by default, hate you because you are a creation of God. There is no negotiating with them. There is no room for making deals, pacts, alliances or agreements with them.  Even for those people who have supposedly made a pact with the devil, they do not realize that they have been deceived and no great reward awaits them.

Satan and demonic powers gain entry into your life in two ways. It’s either by ILLEGAL intrusion or through LEGAL access. Today we want to begin talking about the first way the enemy of your soul comes in and that way is like a burglar or a home invasion robbery. It’s simply ILLEGAL intrusion.

First of all, please understand that satan has no legal right into the life and affairs of a born again, surrendered heart and life to Jesus Christ. He has no legal right when he barges into the Believer’s life. He is a trespasser, a violator and he knows it. He comes into your life hoping that you will tolerate him.

Before we go any further, we want to make it clear that every time something bad happens to you, it does not mean you have been attacked by a demon or by satan. The following explanation is oversimplified, but we hope you understand our point.

We must accept the reality that we live in a fallen, frail and fractured world. We live amongst imperfect people who are making choices and many of those choices affect us and everyone around them.

We live in a world where gas runs out, time moves on, machines wear down, accidents happen, and plans fail. Due to gravity, objects will fall and break.  Human frailty means we can slip or stumble. Sometimes we guess and we guess wrong. Sometimes we assume and circumstances change and our assumption goes awry. Sometimes we miscalculate.

It was not a demon. It wasn’t even a particular sin. We live in a world in which sin and evil have caused it to be broken and unpredictable. In this sense, we are all living with the consequences of sin. So everything negative that happens to us is not always a direct demonic attack.

However, we can tell you that when things go wrong, sin and satanic powers are always crouching and waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of any negative situation. That’s why we must be very intentional about our relationship with God.

When evil forces jump in to take advantage of the mishaps and mistakes, God says in His word: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12).

After getting off to a very rough start, we have spent the last 25+ years of our life and marriage, trying to keep the atmosphere of our hearts and home open to the voice, will and purpose of God. We have tried to maintain healthy practices and a lifestyle that minimizes the consequences of living in a fallen world and maximizes the benefits of living in the Kingdom of God. We have learned that you can truly live IN this world, but not be OF this world.

We have employed simple things like daily Bible and devotional readings, playing worship music throughout the day while we work, and guarding what we entertain on television or on the internet.

Before we became pastors, we learned the value of weekly gatherings with the Church for prayer, praise, worship, teaching and fellowship. Somehow, God always gave us what we needed for the upcoming week. We found that we were prepared for those unforeseen pitfalls and battles. God’s peace kept us from making devastating decisions concerning our family.

We noticed that these Godly practices kept us from being filled with anxiety about everyday life and our future. It kept our faith built up and strong. It kept us ready for the crisis moments in life, so that we didn't fall apart when things went terribly wrong. That’s our desire for you and your family.