Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
(1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)
Our world is changing rapidly, and Christians must examine these changes in accordance with Scripture. Satan slips in subtlety, making alertness a necessity.
The Jews spent decades in captivity in Babylon before King Cyrus permitted them to return to Jerusalem where they rebuilt the city wall and temple. Ezra stood before them reading the Word of God. Men translated the Hebrew since many Jews born in captivity had learned the Babylonian language. They hadn’t learned the Hebrew language of the Bible. What a clever trick of the enemy,
As I read this, I considered what our culture has slipped in. For years, our televisions have delivered so much junk into our living rooms that we have become desensitized to sex outside marriage and homosexuality. TV series have dummied down fathers. The one God names as the head of the house.
Even within the realm of Christianity, error has slipped in. Newer translations of the Bible leave out some Scriptures.
For example, Matthew 17:21 where Jesus explains to His disciples that some demons only go out by prayer and fasting has been omitted in the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), the New International Version (NIv), the New Living Translation (NLT), and the English Standard Version (ESV). They also left out Matthew 18:11 which says:
For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Other verses have been deleted which leads many to hold the King James Version (KJV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) in high respect.
The Apostle John warned us about many antichrists (1 John 4:3). As time draws near, we need to be watchful.
When churches closed their doors for the safety of people, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we all thought we did the right thing. Lives were saved. However, many churches are still closed three months later. As Christians, we have to wonder if the government has found a way to scare us into submission.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV)
Some churches chose to have drive-in services. Some held more Sunday services with less people in attendance. Many flocked to Facebook live. Each locality and pastor must prayerfully make these decisions, especially with new spikes of the virus.
As we traverse the last days, we need to examine all the changes in our culture under God’s microscope. We must decide for ourselves, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, what is right for each of us and for each church. Shepherds stand as the watch dog over their sheep, not the government. Only one thing is certain in these ominous times: God is still on the throne.
Heavenly Father, give us discernment and wisdom to beware of the devil’s schemes. Lead and direct us and our leaders as we navigate unchartered territory. In Jesus’s name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read John 2:13-19.
HIKING THE TRAIL
Christians have been labeled as intolerable and unloving when they take a stand for the gospel. After reading about Jesus cleansing the temple, how would you respond to these labels?
RESOURCE
As time draws near, prayer becomes even more vital to the life of a Christian. Check out this 60-day devotional on prayer:
Incense Rising: 60 Days to Powerful Prayer
Originally posted on July 3, 2020 @ 3:00 am