Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare, Mentor's Guide, MG08

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E V A N G E L I S M A N D S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E

Demonic Deception Versus Personal Responsibility

In counseling a family who just had a loved one run into problems with the law and the courts, the issue comes up from one family member regarding the influence of the devil in this loved one’s life. She believes with all her heart that the devil’s deception and influence are at the heart of what has happened to their loved one. Only demonic influence could explain his swift turn, his accepting such terrible friends, and his involvement in crime and violence. Other family members reject that view, saying that the loved one knew what was right, but decided to ignore the good teaching at home and go the route of his less-instructed friends from the neighborhood. How would you explain to this family the relationship between the devil’s deception in our lives and our own personal choices to do wrong as the cause of our personal sin?

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Don’t Expect Change Right Away

In a meeting before a community survey/door to door campaign, a member of the elders offers a word of encouragement to the workers before they leave the church. In asking them not to be discouraged, he suggests that we ought to share the Gospel with our neighbors, praying for God’s working in their lives, but that we ought not be too expectant regarding change in their lives right away. Even if they say yes to Christ, moral change requires much time and effort. Some of the workers reject this view, saying that we can expect dramatic change every time someone accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. What is the right/best/most biblical answer for this discussion?

It’s Not Our Fault

In discussing with some young men on the corner about the Good News and salvation, one of the young men rejects the idea that the neighborhood is in its tough condition because of our sin. He suggests, “For years, this country treated people who were not white as second class, not letting us vote, or work, or participate in the larger society. We didn’t ask for this neighborhood, and no one in it, if they could vote on the matter, would want to live in a neighborhood where our people aren’t safe, well-fed and clothed, with good jobs and nice things like everybody else. I don’t care what you say! It is not our fault that things are like this. The society has never treated us right–they are the ones who have made us like this!” How would you answer this viewpoint?