We are never as scared of those things for which our minds are prepared.Flavel, John (2011-12-27). Triumphing Over Sinful Fear (Puritan Treasures for Today) (Kindle Location 962). Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.
In his work, Triumphing Over Sinful Fear, Flavel makes the above statement. But I respond, “How can we be prepared for things our minds do not know”? “How do I prepare for ?????? ?”
I have to start at the beginning:
We DO know what to expect!
Joh 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Tribulation: oppression, affliction, distress, obstacles.
This is a given, as well as:Luk 6:22 "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! (emphasis added).
1Jn
The world wants - no, demands – us to conform to it. It demands that we live according to its pattern. The world and the devil wish to so impose themselves on our flesh that we live contrary to the faith we hold.
I do not really think the world or the devil have any hope of stealing us from Christ (Rom.
And so, we fight a battle for non-conformity. We fight a battle of inches not miles. But, even though the battle is over little ground, it is still a battle that can hamper our growth, our faithfulness and cast our hearts down. Satan and the world love nothing so much as a desperate believer.
The second thing I see is the direct assault on who and whose we are. It is an attack because of Christ – because we are Christ’s. The goal here is, again, not to steal us from Him but to get us to camouflage our faith – to dim the light.
Now please heed what I say. It is not the preaching of sin and redemption that so worries our enemies as it is the proclamation of God’s glory that they oppose. It is the glory of God that we are to declare, and it is that they wish to silence. I wonder sometimes if they have us so busy trying to “prove” there is a God that we get distracted from proclaiming His glory.
So we will have tribulation because we march to the beat of the Master Drummer and we will be hated, opposed, etc. because of Him.
A Victoria Secret ad is a general assault. A lawsuit to stop a home Bible study or a rule prohibiting your display of a Christian symbol is a direct assault.
So, how do we prepare?
Duhhhhh - We all know: Eph 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) 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. (13) 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. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (19) and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ok, I may get in trouble – but this passage has been so over quoted, poorly explained and little studied and certainly poorly followed as a discipline, that I cringe when I hear it. This passage must be studied if we hope to be prepared for that which we will suffer!
For brevity, I’ll just break it down. I encourage you to really study it in the light of the whole counsel of God. I encourage you to take it to Him in prayer. I encourage you to let it soak into your mind and heart.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might- Not “be strong,” but “be strong IN THE LORD” – in the strength of HIS might.
The details!(14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (emphasis added) There is no mystery here. There is no lack of clarity. Because of what we are and whose we are, these things are ours. Whether you formulate a strict process by which you CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY do these things or you don’t – we must do these things CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY.
It is not about having your plan but rather of working His plan.
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