Melissa Kruger - Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests

In the World but Not of It

Satan wants to alienate you from God and claim you for eternity. But Jesus has prayed for you, asking his Father to protect you from the evil one, and you are not at Satans mercy.... Satan may win a battle or two in your life, but he will never win the war against your soul. Jesus has prayed for you, and you are protected.

Nancy Guthrie

I watched the opening scene of the movie Saving Private Ryan with tears in my eyes. It vividly displayed the D-Day landing at the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Both of my grandfathers fought in the war, and this scene was a window into the horrors they suffered on the battlefield. Young men ran in terror from boats to the beaches as bullets whizzed by, piercing some, while others continued to press forward. It was painful to watch and difficult to comprehend.

In the midst of such a battle, imagine the surprise wed all feel if one of the young men stopped on the beach, set out a towel, took off his shirt, and began to put on sunscreen. When a fellow soldier would pause to ask, What on earth are you doing? he would reply, Well, Im at the beach. Im going to spend some time enjoying the sun and waves.

Surely the other soldier would look at him with astonishment and reply, Yes, were at the beach, but dont you realize theres a war going on? If you just sit here and ignore the battle, youre going to get killed!

Its difficult to imagine such a scene isnt it? Who would be in the middle of battle and settle in for a day at the beach? Sadly, I think its the reality for so many of us (myself included) as we go about our lives from day to day. We forget that in the midst of the physical world around us, theres a spiritual battle raging. We think the Christian life is like a nice day at the beach, but its described as a race (Heb. 12:13), childbirth (Rom. 8:2223), and a battle (Eph. 6:1123). None of those are easy, and all of them involve pain.

When we forget that the Christian life is a battle, all of life can feel like a surprise attack. Our mistaken understanding of the Christian life as easy and trouble-free can make us question Gods goodness when bullets are flying or were wounded and struggling to take a step forward. Were not prepared for the fight, so were defenseless against the enemy.

When we understand that were part of a cosmic war, it changes our perspectivewere battle ready, expecting the attack. It doesnt make the battle any less fierce, but its much less of a surprise. One of the most important ways to prepare for battle is to understand our enemy and the methods he employs. Well spend this chapter examining our enemies, considering our unbelief, and training our minds so that were battle ready to fight temptation.

Wisdom for Life

The Bible warns us that we have three primary enemies that war against our soul: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Each of these adversaries tempts us to sin by walking in opposition to Gods word. Every Christian faces temptation. Its not a sin to be tempted Jesus was tempted by Satan himself. Its when we yield to temptation that we find ourselves caught in the misery of sin. Its helpful to examine each of these enemies so that we learn to recognize their tactics.

The World

When the world was created, it was good. It was made for our enjoyment so that we might glorify God in all we do. However, because of the effects of the fall, the world and its systems press upon us, enticing us toward sin and self-glory rather than godly enjoyment. James warned that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4), and Jesus taught his disciples that they would be hated by the world. The apostle John explained what is meant by the world :

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the worldthe desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of lifeis not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:1517 )

The world in this sense isnt about individuals (were called to love our enemies) but the way the world tempts us with the desires of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life. What our eyes see entices us toward earthly mindedness.

When I look at the world around me, its easy to desire all that it has to offer. Its tempting to spend all my efforts building my earthly kingdom with a perfectly decorated home, successful career, healthy and delicious meals, and somehow keeping my appearance on trend (and Im finding it takes an increasing amount of time and energy to even stay above the she completely let herself go category).

The apostle John reminds us, The world is passing away. What we can now see will one day be no more. But theres a kingdom we cant see now that will exist for all eternity. Its the kingdom were called to pursue: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33).

Its hard to seek that which we cant see. It can feel like were fighting blind. We have to put on our spiritual glasses as we look to Jesus , the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2). Hes the warrior hero who has gone before us and overcome the world. Hes our example, our path to follow. We look to him, we fight in his power, and by his grace we overcome the world. We live in the world, but we are citizens of a different land, a heavenly kingdom. If you feel a little lost some days, thats a good sign. Youre still searching for home.

The Flesh

The battle were facing isnt just from the outside, as the world tries to conform us and shape us into its mold. Our flesh battles within us, fighting against the Spirit. Paul explained this inner battle in his letter to the Galatians:

I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5:1624 )

Paul gives a sober warning that if we live by the flesh, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. Now you may look at that list of the works of the flesh with concern because:

• Youve been struggling with envy against your friend who just got engaged.
• You slept with your boyfriend, and you know its wrong.
• You were in a fit of anger at your husband this morning.
• You had that third glass of wine last night and said some things you regret.
• You keep going back to that porn website and cant seem to turn away.

Let me say, just like Paul, that sin is serious. Its walking in unbelief. Its the wide gate that leads to destruction. Gods patience with our sin should never be misconstrued as an acceptance of our sin. He doesnt overlook it or ignore it or just pretend that it isnt there. He hates it and empowers us to fight against it. He gives us the Spirit, living inside us to do battle.