In 2003 when a CT scan found a tumor in Steve Jobs’ pancreas, doctors urged him to have an operation, but Steve chose alternative remedies. Nine months later, when the tumor had grown, he agreed to surgery, but by then, the cancer had spread to his liver. Though a liver transplant bought him a few years, ultimately his battle strategy failed.
You will recall that God's strategy for dealing with cancerous idolatry in Canaan was total annihilation. Sadly, Israel compromised, choosing alternative remedies. Fast forward 4,000 years, and we now have two generations of Americans who have grown up without another world war. Our strategy has been diplomacy: peace at all costs. However, recent unofficial talks by our government with Iran seem to be demonstrating a national naiveté that we can make peace with an avowed enemy.
Canaan illustrates the necessity
of a good battle strategy against the enemies of our soul—both within and without.
Coincidentally, we are living at a time in history when God's People are being asked to make peace with a sensually-driven culture. But it is a strategy as perilous as living with a tumor.
I feel like I need to apologize for appearing to milk this “occupy” movement, but the spiritual analogies are relentless! From beginning to end, the Bible abounds with occupiers. It appears our government is discovering a biblical principle you and I have known for years. Once you let those “occupiers” set up camp, they are not easily gotten rid of. Their site becomes a stronghold.
Even so, once we allow sinful thoughts to enter and occupy our minds, they set up camp. Interestingly, Paul calls this campsite a mindset: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). And then Paul describes this mindset as a “stronghold of human reasoning” (2 Cor. 10:3), and that it will take “God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons” to knock them down (tear gas and pepper spray won’t work).
It is therefore all the more critical that we be careful what occupies our minds. “Fix your thoughts on [occupy your minds with] what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise—on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Phil. 4:8; Col 3:2)
We watched Ann Coulter’s interview on O’Reilly last night. Characteristically caustic, she said we can't succeed at “nation-building” in Afghanistan where they have more goats than flush toilets, and where 70% of the population is illiterate. Then, this morning, I read an editorial by Richard Cohen of the Washington Post who said a tad more eloquently, “Afghanistan is an odd place to get bogged down. We can kill terrorists but not the culture that produces them.”
This discussion is particularly timely because the President will announce his plans for troop withdrawal today. Having lived for two years in Afghanistan, I know that Richard Cohen’s perspective is right on. And so is Ann Coulter’s. Fighting the Taliban without changing the culture in which they thrive is futile. This is a principle of biblical origin. All believers are in a war—a war with their adversary the Devil (1 Pet. 5:8) and his evil forces. Satan’s primary strategy is to disguise his activities so that it appears that someone or something else is to blame, getting our attention on the "symptoms" not the "source."
We all know that a decongestant will help relieve a stuffy nose, but it will not cure a cold. Likewise, you can fight the symptoms of your problems, but you will not 'cure' them until you destroy the source. One time, after Jesus had cast out a devil, He explained that in order to overturn the works of the Devil, you must first bind him. "How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man?" (Matt. 12:29). All Christians must be aware that they will not realize true victory over specific sins until they destroy the strongholds underlying them. And God has given us spiritual weapons to do this (2 Cor. 10:4), resulting in a cultural change: from one of defeat to one of victory.
Shortly after the New Year, a junk email showed up in my inbox that nearly shouted at me: “Too Much Holiday Food? Get Back In Shape With Beach Body Fitness Programs.” Ha! , I thought; I don’t think anyone wants to see this 62-year old body on the beach (nonetheless in a speedo)! Seriously, I’m having trouble this year losing my annual “holiday” weight gain. (The term “belly fat” has taken on new meaning!) Overindulgence in holiday treats and less time at the gym have apparently shrunk my Levi’s.
But it all comes down to self-control, which has everything to do with being able to stand against temptation. (By the way, ‘self-control’ is a gift from God that I should have already opened long before Christmas. And should have been using!)Though there is some comfort in knowing Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, He never caved in to uncontrolled appetite—He never had to go on a diet. Why? He knew how to draw from that place of Holy-Spirit empowered self-control. So rather than setting a goal to lose 10 pounds, I should be aiming to walk in the same Spirit-empowered self-control as Jesus did. After all, how can I expect to pull down strongholds of Satan if don’t even have the strength to close the refrigerator door?
Years ago, a book by Robert Munger called “My Heart, Christ’s Home” had a great impact on me. The author metaphorically compares our heart to a house with many rooms where Christ gradually takes up residence, room by room, until He fully possesses the house.
Now of course none of us would intentionally save a “room” in our heart for the devil, but we may unintentionally leave a “place” where he has access. Thus, Paul warns “Do not give a place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). The word “place” can also be translated “spot” as in “save my spot in line,” or “room” as in “is there any room in the car for me?”
It only takes a spot in our hearts to give the devil a “foothold." And a “foothold” can grow into a “stronghold.”
This word “place” or "spot" can also be translated figuratively as an “opportunity.” Every un-crucified “spot” in our hearts gives our enemy an opportunity to bring us into temptation and sin.
Toward the end of his earthly life, Jesus said “the ruler of this world is coming, and he finds nothing in me” (John 14:0). Peter amplifies the thought, saying that Jesus is “the lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). There was not even one spot (place, room, opportunity) for the devil to get a foothold in Jesus’ heart.
Someday Jesus will return for a Bride that is “holy and blameless,” without “spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Eph 5:27). We must ask ourselves if we are ready.
