Views: 76
[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2 page.]
In the contest with evil we must remember that, while we oppose men who serve Satan, our real foe is Satan: “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, …but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness …” (Eph. 6:12). We are in a spiritual struggle for the salvation of souls and only spiritual weapons, provided by the Lord, will prevail:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh…); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:3–5).
Despite plain warnings, we tragically see more and more congregations of the Lord’s people trying to wage spiritual warfare with carnal “weapons” borrowed from the enemy. Many have so compromised with the enemy as to be distinguishable from him only by the sign on the building. The “multi-ministry” concept that tries to provide a hired hand for every “felt need” of every person is not from the Lord, but from men. The sports-recreation-fun approach offered by many congregations (in their own fully- equipped gymnasiums) is carnal rather than spiritual.
An ever-growing number of congregations use denominational films, tapes, and books, and in some cases even invite denominational preachers into their pulpits. Such practices demonstrate a shameless reliance upon the failing arm of the flesh (to say nothing of their fellowshipping error, Eph. 5:11). Another stratagem borrowed from the foe is now the trademark of numerous pretend “preachers”—the delivery of short, sweet, pop-psychology pep talks, posing as Gospel sermons, but being little of either—Gospel or sermon. Christ and the apostles are not the models for such.
Ironically, the numerical growth of such congregations has deceived them into believing they are winning spiritual victories. However, the several mushrooming denominational bodies are convinced of the same thing on the same “evidence.” Numerical growth can be a great encouragement and even a power in the Lord’s church if the numbers are composed of those who are truly devoted to Him, but they are most deceptive if they are not strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10). Regardless of the numbers of men or dollars a religious cause may attract, said cause is the enemy of God if it rests on anything besides the Word of God. Far more spiritual power resides in ten saints who love the Lord and His Truth without compromise than in one hundred or one thousand who believe “the end justifies the means” in religious matters. “This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Lighthouse, weekly bulletin of Northpoint Church of Christ, Denton, TX, April 25, 2010, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
