Christian and the Bully

The story of David and Goliath nor Pilgrim, from John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” gave the inspiration for this thought, but from thinking about God’s goodness to us.

When it seems that you are in the front lines of the battle, maybe it is because you gave the testimony from Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me!” If someone continues to brag that they can do some feat of brawn or brain, you will eventually want to see it, or as kids say, “Prove it!” 

Have you said that you are not afraid of the devil? 

1Peter 5:8-11 “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So, keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are! —will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”

I have heard of “devil stomping” services where people would pound and stomp and air-fight the devil. Now I know that we, through Jesus, have the power, but we have to be willing to carry through with that fight, not just stand like boys in school yard with someone holding their arms while they are “straining” to get away so they can fight! Look, the devil is smart, he used to be God’s worship leader AKA Lucifer, and he is not fooled, if he turned around and jumped at you what would you do?

My dad told a story that illustrates how we, as Christians, should handle the devil. He said that when he was about 10 years old, there was a family of boys that lived down the street from him and his brothers, also a house of boys (5)! Every time either family went into the other family’s territory there was a terrible fight! My dad said that every evening when it was time for his own father to come home from work, he would go outside and peer down the street looking for his dad to appear on the sidewalk. When he saw that familiar face and shoulders came over the horizon, he would take off running hard to meet him, when he got even with the fighting neighbor’s house, he would run even harder to get past before they saw him. He would greet his dad and walk home with him. NOW when they got in front of the fighting neighbors he would drop behind his dad and as they walked by with the boys looking on, my dad would shake both his fists at them as if to say, “Come and get me NOW, bully“! 

Point,

            as long as he was walking in his dad’s shadow, he was not afraid of those fighting boys, but if he had been caught out alone, too bad for little Harry! That is exactly what we, as Christians, have to do! Learn to get in the shadow of God, then we can stomp and shake our fists at the devil himself, all without fear. 

We don’t do this without God’s help! 

Jude verse 9 “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”  

NO fear with God by your side! 

From Psalm 23 “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me, you prepare the table before me in the presence of my enemies..”

Psalm 91 “You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you—under them you’re perfectly safe;”

Stay close to your protector, Father God then you can shake your fists!