Even with something as simple as praying and reading the Bible every day, it’s a challenge even to those who are determined and sincerely seeking God’s divine guidance. As a Christian writer and teacher, I encourage everyone to make time and find the secret place of God’s presence where they can spend quality moments alone with Him. I’ve noticed a huge difference between reading non-religious books and reading the Bible. There is no resistance when reading novels and ordinary books, but when we read and study the Bible, alarms sound, and the atmosphere changes as it draws the attention of dark spiritual forces.
I realize some believe this is silly and there is no such thing as invisible entities trying to hinder us, but when we make a vow to obey Christ, we not only face hostility from our carnal nature, but also aggressive attacks from demonic enemies who oppose God. I’m not condemning those who read secular books, watch movies, or play video games, etc.., but would you be surprised if I told you that I know church members who have confessed they never read the Bible? How can a Christian know God personally or understand what He requires if we refuse to read or study His word? What about passages such as Matthew 4:4? “But Jesus answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Are there individuals who can spend significant amounts of time entertaining themselves while also being devoted to daily prayer and Bible study? The concern comes when the hours people spend on their phones, internet, and television add up to be significantly more than the time they spend in prayer and absorbing God’s instructions. There was a time when statements like this were respected as truth and brought conviction to the listener. However, as compromising is more popular today than ever, lame excuses are now justified as legitimate reasons. As the religious continue to fall into the snare traps of rebellion, denial, and deception, we now commonly hear people declare how they do not want anyone meddling in their personal business.
Lately, we’ve been talking about our responsibility to engage in intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare, and we cannot overemphasize how critical this is to those who have a passion to be an overcomer for Christ. Since God has explained the symbolism of our spiritual armor mentioned in Ephesians chapter six, we are left to ponder why a person who says they are a servant of God would ignore it. Why is it that some church-goers assume the pastor and elders do the work of the ministry while the average pew sitter is exempt? Many believe that if they contribute money to the church, this is all they need to do. However, if a person is truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, they also have ears to hear what God’s Spirit is telling them to do. Every Christian has been given the gifts, talents, anointing, authority, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which means we are commanded to walk, work, and obey His voice. We read in I Corinthians 12:4-6, Matthew 28:15-20, Acts 1:8, and II Corinthians 3:5-6, that as the Lord’s disciples, we are responsible for doing the work of ministry, and be constantly aware of His presence.
Every thought and deed should be a reflection of God’s love and grace, and if it is not, we are guilty of the sins of omission. I Peter 4:10 is not a suggestion. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Choosing to live in denial and only think happy thoughts does not mean the spiritual war between light and darkness is not raging all around us. Thomas Gray, an eighteenth-century poet, declared, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” but we know this reveals the immaturity and deception of those who take comfort in false security. It’s probable the devil would not need to waste his time hindering lukewarm religious individuals, as they are no real threat to his agenda. In fact, they are helping promote Satan’s twisted and distorted philosophies. It’s the devoted and obedient follower of Jesus who reads their Bibles and intercedes, and are engaged on the front-lines of spiritual combat. The dark side fears the children of God as demons know that greater is He that lives in us than he that is in the world.
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
