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BARE ROOTS |
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Vol. 11, No. 7 Reasons for Suffering: The Roaring Lion |
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Some suffering derives from supernatural powers hostile to God and seeking to destroy His Creation. Paul explains:
Peter warns, "Your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Sometimes these fallen angels do direct harm. For example, Gospel writers describe cases of demon possession where the victims scream, convulse, cut themselves with stones, and fall into the fire (Matthew 17:15; Mark 5:5). And we witness Satan's cold, calculating malevolence as he systematically destroys Job's children, his property, and his health (Job 1-2).* Sometimes these evil spirits employ indirect means to bring the world to ruin. For example, they inspire governments to persecute Christians in an effort to turn believers away from the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:2-5; Revelation 2:10). And they stir up hatred in the community, so that people choose to retaliate rather than forgive (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Most often, however, Satan is much more subtle and therefore much more dangerous. Over centuries and even millenia, the "father of lies" (John 8:44) has carefully constructed networks of sophisticated lies designed to maximize human suffering. Through this supernatural web of deceit, he has kept entire nations and cultures in bondage to pain (see Bare Roots 5.4). For example, it's a demonic lie to say that blowing up innocent people honors God and sends the bomber to heaven. It's a demonic lie to say that we shouldn't help "untouchables" in a lower caste because it interferes with the cycle of reincarnation. It's a demonic lie to say that self-worth, security, and satisfaction come from material possessions, rather than from a relationship with God (see Luke 12:22-34). God's word unmasks the Devil by calling these false worldviews and false religions what they are -- the "worship of demons" (Revelation 9:20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21). Only God's truth can set us free (John 8:32), for "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4, KJV).
... for Today At the deepest and most personal level, the "roaring lion" whispers lies to us. We've all heard them, and many of us choose to believe them. "You're hopeless. You're a failure. You're unworthy. You're a hypocrite. You don't deserve grace. You're spoiled goods. You're nothing." While demonic possession distresses some folk, Satan's lies impact most of us. The lies clearly don't come from the Father, who values us so much that He died for us. Nor are they figments of our own imagination. They spring from the demonic prowler. When we listen to such lies and believe them, they steal, kill, and destroy what the Father desires for us (see John 10:10). And the suffering of the soul -- languishing in condemnation and untruth -- may be the most insidious suffering of all. The light comes as we step increasingly into the words of the Father: "You are my beloved child." What can separate us from the love of Christ? Nothing whatsoever -- not even the whispered lies of the roaring lion (see Romans 8:35-39). Discuss...
Publishers Note... This issue concludes our series on Reasons for Suffering. However, since the Bible has much more to say about this subject, and since the harsh reality of suffering touches us all, we have decided to extend our study. After a brief break, we will launch a new series titled "More Reasons for Suffering," beginning during the week of March 4. -- CD & DT | ||
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Chris Davis, PhD & David Timms, PhD Bare Roots is a regular publication, free of charge, intended for
small group discussion or For back issues of Bare Roots, see http://www.hiu.edu/bareroots. | ||