work in progress august 8

¹² Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.  (Psalm 27:12 ESV)


The majority of Americans do not suffer persecution because of their faith.  There may be invitations to after-work happy hours not offered, business opportunities delayed or denied, or a friendship extinquished because of one's faith in Jesus Christ, but not the level of persecution seen in other countries.  

It is estimated that Christians are actively persecuted in 40 nations around the world.  This persecution is present in a variety of ways.  "In some of these nations it is illegal to own a Bible, to share your faith in Christ, change your faith or teach your children about Jesus. Those who boldly follow Christ—in spite of government edict or radical opposition—can face harassment, arrest, torture and even death."  (goodnewsfl.org )  As a result, for many of us, the adversaries and false witnesses David references will not be flesh and blood.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians that "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."  (Eph. 2:12 ESV)  If Satan can create in us a false internal narrative, he does not require flesh and blood adversaries.  We are, to a large extent, who we believe we are.

If we live in fear of punishment from an angry God, our lives will be one empty of joy.  If we see ourselves as weak and powerless, we will not speak out against sin.  (more to come late tonight)