it looks so good.
In the 2022 mid-term elections, there was a statement made about the results: “The more extreme candidates won.”
The more resolutely conservative and liberal candidates won their perspective races.
Why? Because being firm in a set of beliefs, principles, and values attracts.
Regardless of what those beliefs are. When a person or people show passion, loyalty, fight, drive, motivation for a held belief, others want to join the effort. In some cases, it doesn’t even necessarily matter what the belief is! If the argument or the call to action is strong enough, people are bound to agree and join the cause.
…Even for beliefs that may present some elements for good or elements for evil, they do. When there isn’t an awareness of the evil or the wrong that comes with a sincerely held belief, it can be difficult to see a clear reason not to join that cause.
One thing that is clear: the lies of Satan can be very attractive.
If they weren’t – no one would believe them. In Genesis, when Eve saw the fruit of the one tree she wasn’t supposed to eat from, scripture tells us that it was pleasing to the eye.
We are warned and cautioned constantly in scripture to guard against lustful thoughts. Why do we need to guard against them? Because they are pleasing. We’re told to guard our minds and flee from the enemy. Why do we need to flee. Why can’t we just look at the enemy and stay where we are, entertain the enemy, or ignore the enemy?
Because his lies and his temptations to draw us to his way – sin – are alluring.
They are enticing.
Our human, natural heart actually wants to participate in the sin he is drawing us to.
This is why we must guard, protect, cover, and flee.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:11
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. I Corinthians 6:18
I don’t think it is a coincidence that God’s Word tells us to guard our hearts, protect our minds, cover offenses in love, and flee from sexual sin.
How can we do this?
Wearing the full armor of God by knowing and meditating on His Word is how we protect ourselves.
Having the mind of Christ and staying in communion with him through prayer is how we guard ourselves.
Living in Christian community with other believers is how we allow accountability to keep us from his schemes that he has planned for us.
When we engage in these three ways, we can flee. We help ourselves recognize the trap or the snare Satan has created and choose to run from it. We can win. We can stand victorious over his schemes. Because we know what the Word of God says, we are in communion with his Spirit, and we have others who love us enough to warn us against the lies of the enemy.
Ephesians 6 says it best:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
