“…the flaming arrows of the evil oneâ€
(Ephesians 6:16, NEB)
While we compose this article, Leonard Elmore’s novel, Kill Shot, is being made into a major motion picture in the university town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As the title imports, death is a major theme of this production. But, apart from the entertainment industry, death occupies a significant place in human history. Turning the pages of the Holy Scriptures but twice, we are immediately confronted with death–death in the garden and death in the field (Romans 5:12; Genesis 4:8). Kill-shots, the Bible declares, have their origin in “evil,†and through “the evil oneâ€(1 John 3:12).
It appears that there is Satanic objective in the universe. And, that objective is to cause man to sin; and, from this sin to bring death (James 1:15; 5:19-20). This matter of Satanic objective is a consistent theme throughout the Bible (Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9). Luther wrote in one of his holy hymns, “For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great And armed with cruel hate†(A Mighty Fortress). D. Edmond Hiebert refers to Satan as, “the grand adversary of God and man†(The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 755).
Yes, the Devil wants a kill-shot. It is for this reason that one should be concerned with the diabolical objective of the Devil. Satan seeks an opening now. His time is limited, and your time is limited. While arrows fly, take “the shield of faith†(Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:5), for he seeks a kill-shot today.
-Robert M. Housby
(As Taken from First John)
“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive youâ€
(1 John 2:26)
In some theological circles, Satan is denied. But, the New Testament is explicit when it comes to warning Christians of a real threat coming from Satan, “the devil†(1 John 5:19). The fact is, even among God’s people there are those like: “Jezebel†and “Alexander the coppersmith.†These seem to have forgotten the adage, “Do all the good you can, and no harm at all,†if not the Golden Rule itself.
1. This Biblical information is not welcomed by the Devil, for in it, he, “Satan, the devil,†is exposed (Revelation 12:9,17). Not only does the truth of God’s word hurt the devil it also hinders his activity. Such information from the word can counter deception (1 John 2:26).
2. 1 John 3:4-15 indicates that Christians, by sinning, open the threshold for no good–even within the congregation of the Lord’s people. While all men are sinners (Romans 3:23), and that includes the baptized (see 1 John 1:8; 2:1), there is a particular sinfulness which rears its head within the congregation itself.
a. The devil operates through sin (1 John 3:8).
b. Sin sometimes occurs in the church, among brethren (1 John 3:10).
c. Such undesirable brethren are compared to Cain (1 John 3:12).
d. Hateful brethren are murderers, without eternal life (1 John 3:15).
e. Love is the answer (1 John 3:11).
Satan longs for human harbors. Some preaching and teaching is intervention, and some is prevention. May this data serve to identify and isolate the works of darkness within the growing congregation .
-Robert M. Housby