Our True Enemy
What an unusual situation I find myself in. I know not where to begin, nor can I find the words to express the emotions I am experiencing. Today is September 20, 2001. In these days that have followed the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Satan has been very busy indeed. Islam has been thrust into the spotlight and grave misinformation is being spread regarding the religion, the Koran and its teachings. I would imagine that now more people than at any other time in history are delving into the Koran earnestly wanting to understand its teachings as one of a myriad of valid world religions. I fear for them and for this country if Islam - and any and all other religions - is given the validity and authority it seeks. There can only be one truth, one right, and this is not it.
If we listen to the world - those who are crying out for understanding and tolerance - we could very easily allow ourselves to believe the lies that are being spread as if they were truth. It is at times such as these that we as Christians must be gentle as doves and wise as serpents. And we must pray as we have never prayed before.
Time and time again since the terrorist attacks I have heard people trying to separate the acts of the terrorists from the religion of Islam. I fear that this is impossible to do. While I in no way believe that all Muslims are violent or mean to do harm, the foundations of their religions are inherently brutal and derisive. It is this foundation that can neither be overlooked nor accepted. The following are quotes from the Koran. While they are by no means all inclusive, they do belie the true intention of the "god" who inspired the religion.
[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[8.12] When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
[8.13] This is because they acted adversely to Allah and His Apostle; and whoever acts adversely to Allah and His Apostle-- then surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).
[8.55] Surely the vilest of animals in Allah's sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe.
[8.56] Those with whom you make an agreement, then they break their agreement every time and they do not guard (against punishment).
[8.57] Therefore if you overtake them in fighting, then scatter by (making an example of) them those who are in their rear, that they may be mindful.
[8.65] O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.
[8.66] For the present Allah has made light your burden, and He knows that there is weakness in you; so if there are a hundred patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand they shall overcome two thousand by Allah's permission, and Allah is with the patient.
It is plain from just these few verses that the Koran teaches that Islam is the only true religion and that those who do not believe should be destroyed. I also find it interesting that Jews and Christians are specifically mentioned in the Koran as unjust and that followers of the Koran should not take them for friends. If the god of the Koran were indeed the God of the Old and New Testaments, how could He contradict Himself in such a fundamental way? If the truths in the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are just that - truth - then it is easy to see that the Koran is a completely different teaching. And it is not only the Koran, but any religious teaching that contradicts the Bible, however pacifistic it may be. If Jesus is not presented as the Son of God and the only Salvation for mankind, the teaching is in error.
One thing that we must be very cautious about is where we place blame. While it is very easy to label people and strike out at tangible targets, we as Christians must remember who our true enemy is. In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul lays it out quite clearly - "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." (Amplified) From the instant that Lucifer rebelled against God, he has been working in total opposition to God and His people. From the passage in Ephesians we can see that there is a spiritual hierarchy that is in place and the head of the forces of wickedness is Lucifer (Satan) himself. Just as God works through His people to carry out His will, so too does Satan work through people to accomplish his goals. I am by no means suggesting that all people who are not born again Christians are knowingly doing Satan's work, but rather they have been deceived by the master of lies and are thus unwittingly helping Satan in his desire to destroy as much of humanity as possible before the return of Christ. And because it is Israel, the Jews, and the Christians who will all play vital roles in not only spreading the salvation message of Christ, but in ushering in His return, these are Satan's high priority targets.
While we may feel unspeakably frustrated by the world's eagerness to embrace one and all in the name of peace and tolerance, we must remember that we have been called to action. Going back to Ephesians, chapter 6, we see in verses 10-18 our armor, our enemy, and the action we are called to take - prayer. I have spoken with a number of Christians during this past week who have been at a loss for exactly how to proceed in prayer, for the situation is terribly shocking and it can be difficult to get a firm grasp on things.
In II Chronicles 7:14 we read, "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." (Amplified) It seems quite plain that God is calling Christians (His people, who are called by His name) to repent and pray, earnestly seeking God. But how do we go about this when the task feels so daunting?
If we turn to Daniel, chapter 9, we are given a beautiful model prayer. In verses 4-19, we read Daniel's prayer of confession and supplication to God. Rather than Daniel telling God how terribly Israel had behaved and how they deserved the punishment they were experiencing, Daniel includes himself in the confession, not separating himself from the problem but identifying himself with it. He was not called to judge the nation, but to pray for it. I believe it is this attitude that we as Christians must adopt.
Yes, there are many wrongs that this country has sanctioned as legally acceptable, but that doesn't make them right in the eyes of God. It's very easy, and quite tempting, to point the finger at everyone else and say it's their fault that this country has deteriorated to the state we find today. But perhaps things have gotten as bad as they are in this country because God's people dropped the ball. It's time to take up our rightful positions, humbly turn to God and ask for His forgiveness. We must allow God to examine our hearts, show us our faults and sins, ask for and accept His forgiveness through Christ, and move forward to do that which He has called us to do.
It can be difficult to maintain an attitude of hope at times like this. I myself am finding it hard to believe that our country can make the dramatic changes I believe are necessary to once again find favor with God. But deep within my soul I know that God can bring about those changes even if I can't comprehend them. I will continue to pray. I will continue to speak the truth and expose the lies of the enemy. I will continue to ask God to bolster my faith and restore my hope. I will continue to lift high the name of Jesus, the one, true Messiah and Saviour for all mankind. If you have yet to ask Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Saviour, please click here. His salvation is a free gift to all who ask! If you don't have a Bible and would like to read one on the Internet, you can find several translations at BlueLetterBible.org. And for more excellent teachings on this and other topics, please visit KHouse.org.
