Tag: protection

TERRORISM

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word terrorism does not appear in our biblical text as one may currently employ the word in modern day English.  Nonetheless, the Bible clearly addresses the concepts behind terrorism and those that “bring” or “strike” terror.  Unquestionably in 21st century America, and perhaps throughout the modern world, terrorism has become a constant on the minds of most individuals, and has worked to alter our lifestyles in one way or another. Psalm 34:14 offers clear instruction to those who resort to these ungodly, almost inconceivable acts, “Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.”  Terrorism is good only in the eyes of those that seek peace through fear, and the destructive power of an ungodly, oppressive, legalistic regime that hides behind the words and works of works-based religious systems, and their false prophets who seek the total annihilation of all their opponents/enemies. Personal peace comes only through a meaningful and dynamic relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ – civil/world peace can only be envisioned and accomplished as Christ is enthroned as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  

Proverbs 6:16-19 reminds us that:

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”  How many of these traits are easily identified as common attributes of modern day terrorists and terrorism?

Conversely, as believers, we uphold these truths from Romans 12:19-21:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’

To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’” In addition, certainly we cannot discount the message of Nahum 1:2-3 concerning God’s wrath against Nineveh:

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries and keeps wrath for His enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The word “terror” appears at least 7 times in the Old Testament, and all of them are derived from the Hebrew word “pachad” which relates to a sudden feeling of fear; by implication something dreadful; great alarm or being filled/full of fear.  That’s the exact goal of modern day terrorism – cause feelings of fear in the hearts and minds of individuals … those being terrorized!  In I Chronicles 14, David overwhelmingly defeats the Philistines, and according to verse 17, all the nations were in terror/great (almost paralyzing) fear (Hebrew text) because of him.  This is the purposed/intended response of terrorism today, seeing whole communities and nations bow in terror/great (almost paralyzing) fear.

So how then shall we live in a world filled with terrorists and terrorism?                    

  • Pray (Ephesians 6:18): When suddenly our culture seems to uncharacteristically crave the necessity of supernatural intervention in the face of evil …  we are the only ones with the direct link! So pray diligently.
  • Help/Take Action (Matthew 25:40): All humans are loved by God and made in His image – a divine creation.  WWJD?  Minister according to the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit in word and deed/action!  A situation of terror will most likely present opportunity for selfless, sacrificial service.
  • Do Not Fear (II Timothy 1:7):  As images of violence, hate, blood and panic flood our computer and television screens, it’s easy to be overcome with fear.  Psalm 23:4 … “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Followers of Christ should be seen as sources of mental/emotional/spiritual strength, courage, comfort and peace in times of trials. Unfortunately, Christians too often respond in the exact opposite manner.
  • Have/Demonstrate Hope (confident expectation in Christ):  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope! —  Romans 15:13

In life’s worst situations, we must look to our Lord Jesus — not government, police, military, media, peers, or others — to stand firm in Christ alone.  We live and move by faith in Him under the glorious and far reaching protection of His wings … the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent ONE – TRUE — GOD!  Therefore, prepare now to properly respond should a day of terror rudely assault your life, family, etc.    

— Pastor Frank 

ARMOR

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As you’re reading this article, it’s likely that I’ve already started teaching on God’s Armor as part of our new year sermon series … “You’ll Need More Sonscreen In Twenty Thirteen.”  We’re all becoming fully equipped to stamp out SINBURN!  However, there are numerous concepts concerning armor presented in God’s Word that should be considered as one heeds the New Testament’s admonition to … “put on the full armor of God” in accordance with Ephesians 6:11. 

Generally speaking, biblical references to “armor” in both the Old and New Testaments refer to military equipment designed for the protection of the body/person, and are clearly distinguished from arms or weapons.  Heretofore, as offensive weapons developed and improved, combatants quickly learned that defensive counter-measures had to be taken in order to ensure a degree of security while engaged in battle. The types of defensive armaments employed depended on the offensive weapon of the attacker(s), on the weapon(s) that complemented the defensive protection, on the required mobility, and upon the nature of each individual battle (e.g., siege, open field, chariot, etc.)

The apostle Paul meticulously and systematically describes the “panoplía” (the New Testament Greek word for armor) and the various defensive armaments of the Roman soldier in Ephesians 6:14-17 (which we’ve been studying).  In this context, the word armor is all inclusive, meaning the inclusion of every individual piece.  However, it’s very interesting to note the occurrence of a seemingly purposeful  overemphasis in the scriptural text, encouraging the absolute need and effectiveness of every piece, thus the “full (nothing excluded) armor (all inclusive) of God.” The superb English translation, “whole” of the Greek text that is found in the American Standard Version and Revised Standard Version — both predecessors of the NASB/NASV (New American Standard)  — is excellent and admirably precise, equally in the sense of a literal translation and the idea or message being conveyed/communicated.     

While the armor was intentionally designed as body protection, to shield vital parts of the warrior, it also required a fit that allowed full mobility of a soldier’s arms and legs.  You may recall the situation in I Samuel 17:4-8.  Goliath was six cubits and a span tall (9’9″), had a bronze helmet, and was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze (125 pounds). He also had bronze greaves on his legs, a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders, and the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, with the head weighing in at six hundred shekels (15 lbs).   

In addition, his shield-carrier walked in front of him.  Not only was he  huge, he was fully protected and fully armed … “the whole armor.”  When young David (biblically speaking still in his youth — I Samuel 17:33) determined to take on Goliath, King Saul (I Samuel 17:38-40) clothed David with his armor, including his sword and bronze helmet (a whole or complete armament).  However, David was totally immobilized by the armor … it didn’t fit and he couldn’t walk!  Therefore, David said to Saul:

I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.

Subsequently, David took off the ill-fitting armor and proceeded against Goliath with the weapons he knew … a stick in his hand, five smooth stones (perhaps one for Goliath and each of his four brothers), and his trusted, proven sling.  

As true believers, enlisted and called as good soldiers (see II Timothy 2:3-4) in our Lord’s army, how can one stand firm or plan to launch a victorious battle against the enemy, if God’s armor lies in a corner without familiarity, untested, not trusted and unproven?  

He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

—David, Psalms 18:34

Can one proceed in the same confidence as David, so familiar with the weapons of our warfare that one would stand upon the irreversible, unalterable conviction that the one and only immutable, omnipotent God is with you?  Is there such proficiency in/with God’s armor (not someone else’s, but that which Christ has designed and provided for you)?  In other words, are your hands trained and ready for war?  Unless one has spent time in God’s whole/full armor, one is obviously and undoubtedly unprepared for the conflicts and giants that lie ahead.

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

— Solomon (David’s son), Proverbs 10:29

Unquestionably, we … every faithful follower of Jesus Christ, have a few  Goliaths to face and slay!  Some are 10′ tall and others, miniature in proportion.  Nonetheless, we have a duty and calling — stand firm, having “put on the full armor of God.”  Then, as you are trained and learn to be effective in His battle apparatus, mobilize your resources and cast a defeating blow into the forehead of your enemy (the darkness of this age), mercilessly severing its head.  Certainly the time has come!

— Pastor Frank