Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Jesus Cropped from the Picture

confront evil, we can escape difficulty. Why stir up trouble when the powers of evil are defeated in the end anyway? Let’s not provoke them. Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Certainly, it is unwise to provoke or taunt the enemy (Jude 9), but leaving the powers of evil alone will not exempt anyone from trials. Such naivete about the enemy’s schemes ignores the fact that there are beings who attack at their own initiative and with ruthless persistence (2 Cor. 2.11). This kind of thinking leaves believers vulnerable to disillusionment and ineffective in a crisis. They can be caught off guard when tribulation strikes. One’s illusions about spiritual warfare will not change the reality of it. This conflict has been raging long before anyone was born and will go on long into the future, until Jesus comes to end it once and for all. It is not a war any human started and no human will end it. Ignoring it and hoping it goes away will have no effect. The powers of evil will not relent simply because people avoid them. Weapons for Battle Fortunately, God has not left his people defenseless against the world, the flesh, and the devil. He has provided weapons for this warfare (2 Cor. 10.4). The Word of God provides truth, comfort, wisdom, instruction, and encouragement (2 Tim. 3.15-17, Heb. 5.14, James 1.22-25, Rom. 15.4). There is an entire set of armor to help the believer fight off confusion, distraction, lies, temptations, doubts, and accusations (Eph. 6.10-18).

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