By Josie Siler
Last week in the post “The Island of Misfit Toys,” Erin wrote about a struggle that many of us are facing with the new health care reform bill. This is something that will affect all of us to some degree. When doctors drop us or pharmacies refuse to give us the medications that we need, we get angry. We’re ready to fight, and our friends and family are ready to fight for us. But who should we fight against? Should we fight doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, insurance companies, or the government?
During my senior year of high school, my youth group met above a coffee shop. One of the songs that we loved to sing was Chris Tomlin’s “Romans 16:19.” If you’re not familiar with the song, it goes like this…
Last week in the post “The Island of Misfit Toys,” Erin wrote about a struggle that many of us are facing with the new health care reform bill. This is something that will affect all of us to some degree. When doctors drop us or pharmacies refuse to give us the medications that we need, we get angry. We’re ready to fight, and our friends and family are ready to fight for us. But who should we fight against? Should we fight doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, insurance companies, or the government?
During my senior year of high school, my youth group met above a coffee shop. One of the songs that we loved to sing was Chris Tomlin’s “Romans 16:19.” If you’re not familiar with the song, it goes like this…
Romans 16:19 says!
Romans 16:19 says! [2x]
Be excellent in what is good
Be innocent of evil
Be excellent in what is good
Be innocent of evil
And the God of Peace will soon crush Satan
God will crush him underneath your feet!
And the God of Peace will soon crush Satan
God will crush him underneath your feet!
In order to sing this song properly you must jump forcefully when it says “underneath your feet.” As you can imagine, the coffee shop below us was not very fond of that song! I, however, loved this song because it reminded me that God is more powerful than Satan and that ultimately Satan will be vanquished (i.e. thoroughly defeated, trounced, crushed, whipped, overcome, thrashed…you get the idea)!
The bottom line is Satan messes up a lot of things in this world, but God is more powerful. One day Satan (aka The Devil) will no longer be free to roam the earth causing destruction and chaos. That begs the question, what are we supposed to do until that day? The Apostle Paul answers that question, along with our first question (Who should we fight?) in Ephesians 6:10-13.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
These verses make it clear that there is a battle going on. The fact that there is a heavenly realm isn’t something that we think about too often. It not only exists, but if we were given a glimpse into it we would see an epic battle raging. Good versus evil. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies verses the Devil and his minions.
What are they fighting over? Us! Revelation 12:17 tells us that Satan is waging war “on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 12:12 explains why the battle is so intense. “…But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
We must remember who we are fighting against. We don’t fight against earthly things (doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, insurance companies, government); we fight against an evil supernatural being who has authority and power here on earth. That said, God is more powerful. We know that God has won the battle, and in turn, so have we. “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10).” (Also see Hebrews 10:12-13, Colossians 1:13 and Matthew 25:31.)
I’m not saying that there isn’t anything here on earth we should fight against. Jesus was the ultimate advocate for the sick and the poor. He brought dignity where others saw dirt. As beings who reflect God’s character we need to fight for justice here on earth. However, that can’t be done apart from prayer. We need to ask God to give us spiritual armor and we need to pray constantly. The battle should begin and end on our knees before God, who will give us the power to stand firm when the battle is done.
Stay tuned…in the weeks to come we’ll look at the different types of armor that we need to put on in order to fight well. In the meantime, crank it up, sing along, and don’t forget to jump to “Romans 16:19” by Chris Tomlin!
The bottom line is Satan messes up a lot of things in this world, but God is more powerful. One day Satan (aka The Devil) will no longer be free to roam the earth causing destruction and chaos. That begs the question, what are we supposed to do until that day? The Apostle Paul answers that question, along with our first question (Who should we fight?) in Ephesians 6:10-13.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
These verses make it clear that there is a battle going on. The fact that there is a heavenly realm isn’t something that we think about too often. It not only exists, but if we were given a glimpse into it we would see an epic battle raging. Good versus evil. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies verses the Devil and his minions.
What are they fighting over? Us! Revelation 12:17 tells us that Satan is waging war “on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 12:12 explains why the battle is so intense. “…But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
We must remember who we are fighting against. We don’t fight against earthly things (doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, insurance companies, government); we fight against an evil supernatural being who has authority and power here on earth. That said, God is more powerful. We know that God has won the battle, and in turn, so have we. “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10).” (Also see Hebrews 10:12-13, Colossians 1:13 and Matthew 25:31.)
I’m not saying that there isn’t anything here on earth we should fight against. Jesus was the ultimate advocate for the sick and the poor. He brought dignity where others saw dirt. As beings who reflect God’s character we need to fight for justice here on earth. However, that can’t be done apart from prayer. We need to ask God to give us spiritual armor and we need to pray constantly. The battle should begin and end on our knees before God, who will give us the power to stand firm when the battle is done.
Stay tuned…in the weeks to come we’ll look at the different types of armor that we need to put on in order to fight well. In the meantime, crank it up, sing along, and don’t forget to jump to “Romans 16:19” by Chris Tomlin!
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ~1 Peter 5:6-11
© May 28, 2013
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