Bulletin

Being Vigilant

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:8–10)

Van Horne and Riley, in their book, Left of Bang, in describing one of many fight responses tell us. “Although there are few threats that we face in today’s society that require us to respond by physically striking a person (fight) or physically fleeing from a person that intimidates us (flight), they still manifest themselves in various forms.” They go on to tell us that if we put distance between ourselves and one who is getting into our personal space, we are distancing ourselves from the threat.

Discernment is being aware of what is Godly and what is not. We know Satan is lying in wait. We have to be aware of what is going on around us daily so that we see it and are not drawn into the evil. We have to have discernment and live with our eyes wide open. Being able to see the evil is the first step. The second is resisting the Devil.

We need to take that step back so that he is not in our personal space, giving us space so that we are not engaging him and instead engaging God for deliverance through the situation. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

We are commanded to be vigilant, knowing what is going on around us day in and day out. We are not called to put our heads in the sand and let world pass us by.  We need not only know what is of God and what is evil, but to call it out, evil in the light of God will flee. 

Take Sin Seriously

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1–3)

Our society today does not take sin seriously. Instead, they justify it and embrace it. On the other hand, the Church is not calling it out. I am not talking about major sins such as abortion or murder, but many of the common everyday things that are seen in movies, television shows, and now social media. When was the last time you watched something on the TV or the computer and turned it off because it portrayed sinful behaviors in a light, approving way?

It is those little drips, like that of a leaky faucet, that we often ignore and, after a while, accept. Puritan preacher John Owen warned, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Or as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6) Similarly, “for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)

If we are truly saved, we are His, and we are commanded to set our minds on the things above and not on the things of the earth. Through faith, we are united to Him in his perfect life, death, and resurrection.

Stop listening to the world and start listening to the Holy Spirit, and you will be sensitive to what sin is and will not tolerate it.

May we seek and yield to the Spirit’s help in recognizing and killing our sin—no matter how small it seems.