A wise assessment of the Devil's work.

This insight is from Fighting For the Faith -

June 23, 2015

My Perspective on Tullian's Sin

It has been very interesting to watch the fallout and discussions regarding the announcement, this past Sunday, that Tullian Tchividjian had resigned as pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after having admitted to an affair. One of the reasons it has been interesting to watch is because several weeks ago I had been brought into the circle of men and a few women who were briefed on why Tullian had taken a leave of absence nearly 10 weeks ago and what his plans were going to be moving forward. None of us were aware of Tullian's affair. But, all of us were aware of the turmoil of Tullian's life these past 10 weeks.

 

Last Thursday afternoon, I was informed of Tullian's moral failing and briefed about the pending announcement of his resignation and in an instant I experienced a profound moment of clarity that caused me to understand just how evil and tireless the devil is.

 

There are some who want to use the occasion of Tullian's sin to move the theological football down the field in the hopes of scoring some points. But, ultimately the folks doing that are short-sited and are missing much of the data that would be needed to make an informed assessment.

 

As one who has far more data to work with than many others, I must admit that the whole series of events leading up to last Sunday has shaken me to my core. The reason for this is simple. I just witnessed one of the most elaborate satanic schemes pulled off in modern history. The devil concocted the perfect plan to tempt a pastor to sin and the devil left nothing to chance.
 

The entire scenario from beginning to end was designed to take a pastor to the brink of what he could bear and then provide the perfect temptation in the midst of the turmoil that would then end his pastoral ministry while nationally dragging Christianity and Christ Himself through the mud.

The plan was perfect. It was executed flawlessly and the devil played Tullian and a whole lot of other people the way a concert violinist would play a Stradivarius. It was breathtaking to watch.
 

Now there is a man who is reeling from his sin and the sins committed against him. His family has had not one but two nuclear bombs tear them apart. An entire church has been thrown back on its heels and there are many people around the country and the globe who've had their faith shaken to the core by the news of Tullian's sin. Furthermore, Christianity itself has taken a hit. Christ's enemies have been given comfort and have viewed this whole affair as even more proof that Christianity is a crock just days before the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to make same-sex "marriage" the law of the land.

 

This was like a perfectly planned and orchestrated terrorist attack and all I see are a lot of dead and wounded bodies strewn everywhere.

 

When Jesus taught us to daily pray, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one" He was not giving us empty words to mindlessly recite. The Apostle Peter put it this way, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

 

With Tullian's sin, and believe me when I say that just like Adam, Tullian is responsible for this whole mess, we've witnessed one of the most vicious "lion attacks" of our day. If Tullian Tchividjian wasn't safe from such an attack then no gospel preacher in the pastoral office is safe either.

 

"For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." - Ephesians 6:12

 

The work of caring for the wounded has only just begun and my prayer is that repentance, forgiveness of sins and reconciliation will win the day. But, thus far, I have seen very little that would give me hope along those lines and truth be told, I think I took some shrapnel in the blast.

χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη σοι,

- See more at: http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/#sthash.QsrHyUWl.dpuf

It is really not that complicated!

We live in a day when narcissism is the norm. Even in the church so many programs and so much curriculum is aimed at helping people achieve a happy life for themselves.

Of course we call it something more spiritual than seeking a happy life, such as seeking:

a "Spirit filled life"

Or

a "victorious life"

Or

an "abundant life"

and so on, but what we really mean by all this is that we aren't altogether happy in our faith and desire to find that happiness in Jesus under these more spiritual sounding names!

Why are we so concerned about how we feel? Is how we feel our main problem? Is trying to feel better the answer?

Jesus said:

Mark 12:28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  ³¹ And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (NKJV)

Does Jesus want us to be happy in Him? I think so, joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), we are to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4), we are to "serve the Lord with gladness" (Psalm 100:2), and of course the Greek word translated "blessed" in the beatitudes can also be translated "happy" are the poor in Spirit" (Matt. 5:3).

The problem isn't that we are wanting something we can't have, happiness in the Lord, the problem is we are looking for it as a goal, rather than experiencing it as a byproduct of following Jesus! And according to Jesus following Him is pretty simple - love the Lord and love your neighbor!

One thing we won't be doing as we do this, is thinking about our own happiness, and it is as we love Jesus and others in His name that these promises of an abundant life, a victorious life, a Spirit filled life, and even a happy life will happen, not because we sought it, but because we sought to love God and others and forgot about us in the process!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Funny, but also sad advertisement for a bible study!

I received an add in the mail for an "Animate Bible Faith Practices" curriculum. It claims to be good for among other reasons being "just right theology".

Described further as, "Built on centrist Protestant theology, it's not too liberal or too conservative."

It sound ideal for folks who don't care about theology at all!

"Approving of those who practice evil"

It is so obvious I know everyone has probably all ready thought of it, but how perfectly does our current culture fit the descent into sin described in Romans 1:18-32?

Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,^[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,^[d] unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (NKJV)

Consider the issue in the news so prominently this week -

A man, once famous for being the most successful Olympian of our age, has now become a celebrated and brave hero for taking various female hormones, having his penis removed, and receiving other types of cosmetic surgery.

To give a man an award or put him on a magazine cover for his willingness to destroy his God given body, for the sake of his own misguided desires is just plain sick. I am sure many would have encouraged their children to be like Bruce when he was simply a famous athlete, but will they really want them to grow up and be like Bruce now?

As sad and shocking as it is, I think they will!

I think the willful suppression of the truth about God as described in Romans 1:18, has led us to the end of the line or the bottom of the pit, as it relates to our cultures descent into sin. Twenty years ago you might have found only a tiny percent of the population that would support self mutilation, men and women using the same bathrooms, same sex marriage, or many other things which are now widely accepted.

Rom. 1:24 describes people being given over by God, because they had rejected the evidence He had given them of His existence through creation. Surely our culture had been given over to their sinful desires, they are blind to the truth, and fully aligned with the Devil, even though they are quite unaware of their allegiance and service to him.

Thank God if He has given you salvation and a knowledge of the truth through Jesus, and pray that we be faithful witnesses in a culture that unless God intervenes, is going to experience His just and terrible wrath!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.