IF I WERE THE DEVIL
Writings

IF I WERE THE DEVIL

A few weeks ago, my daughter’s pastor, Tim, did a talk on, “If I were the devil.” It got me to thinking about if I already know what the devil is doing what would/should I do?

Paul Harvey did a broadcast with this title, “If I were the devil”. hhtps//youtu.be/4LWPcEo2gVO. It was done in 1965! Look it up. It’s very good.

Pastor Tim, knowing what he knows about the devil, gave some insights as to what maybe the “church” would do, being deceived, to “aid” the devil. If I was the devil, how could I defeat the church. He had a couple of points that were thought provoking.

  1. Marginalize Missions

Although Western nations have for a long time been the dominant missionary-sending countries, today it’s Nigerian, Brazilian, South Korean (South Korea – about the size of Indiana – is the second most missionary-sending country, behind the U.S.) Christian missionaries who are being sent out, including to Europe and the United States, to make disciples of  Jesus.  //www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2013/july/missionaries-countries-sent-received-csgc-gordon-conwell.html.

Yes, the United States are still sending out missionaries; however, what if the devil tried to diminish missions.  I have met people that are frightened to talk about Jesus Christ in the USA.  So far, we still have the freedom to do that, unlike countries with different governments, kill those who commit themselves to Jesus Christ. Are people afraid that they will be considered intolerant or hate mongers if they talk about Jesus? Are many Christians in general becoming more apathetic, and think, “I’m just waiting for the right moment,” or “These things take time.” “Today is the day of salvation!”
How can missions be marginalized? Perhaps we doubt the need for foreign missions and don’t give to home missions either. We may rationalize saying,  “Why do we need missions? What’s so important about it? Our funds are down, so let’s get rid of  some of our missionaries, or we need to cut back their funding. We don’t have enough money to help new missionaries; some other country or person will do the job.”

It is a command of the Lord : To Go…

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.:”If Missions are marginalized, home missions or global.

Matthew 28: 19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Whether it is home or world missions, the command is the same.  Imagine, if there were no missionaries in the world. What if all the Christians were so passive they didn’t share about the Lord? The devil would get his way.

The thought with knowing what the devil would do, is how /what can we do to counteract what the devil does? What would you do about Missions in your life today?  In your church?

2. Too Busy

We’ve all heard this.  I’m too busy to go to church.  I’m too busy to get to know my neighbors, family members, to know our missionaries, visit the sick, visit the elderly, help the poor. I’m too busy to go to home groups, Bible studies, prayer times. When will we rearrange our schedules around the Lord’s schedule?

Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are fighting against the body of Christ; but when we do, we have to do something about it.

These are just a couple of thoughts. We could add to this list, but better yet, why not make a list of “What would I do to defeat the Enemy in these areas?”

Maybe pledging to give to our churches (home churches and denominational churches), even during vacations, volunteering and saving up to go on mission trips, and get the vision of missions, sharing what Christ has done for you and not being ashamed or fearful, would helpful to defeat the subtle work of satan. (No, I didn’t forget to capitalize satan’s name. I choose not to).

What would you do? I’d love to hear from you.

Norene

July 8, 2017

 

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