The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray from birth, speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. (Vs. 3-5)
Is it disconcerting to think some are born bad seeds? Wicked from the womb? Those who will not listen to what is good but instead think up evil? Who instead speak lies? They are people who bite us. Whose venom destroys our lives. Deaf to words that might charm them away from evil, these people are destined to destroy others. Chilling.
If some are bent on an evil agenda from the beginning, should there be justice for those who suffer under them? Bullied into submission, many children and adults feel helpless. Even kill themselves to get away from the denigration they experience. The ultimate bully, however, is Satan. His agenda: The thief has come to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10) The enemy accuses us day and night before God (Revelation 12). He is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8) and he prowls about like a roaring lion looking for prey to devour (1 Peter 5).
Every time I watch a movie or read a book with a villainous bully, I always want to shout, "Stand up to her!" I want so much for the preyed upon to be saved. For the tables to turn on the oppressor. For things to be made right. Why does that rise up in most of us? Where do we get that sense of justice? Does anyone watching the action actually root for the bully? (They wouldn't admit it, probably.)
The tools of our enemy are addictions, abandonment, jealousy, hatred and power. Ruling with egregious despotism, Satan tears at our destinies with such ferocity that if we are not aware of our own power to resist, we will surely be devoured. Oh, that we knew with surety how strong we are in Christ Who lives in us as Christians. "He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4. No need to be bullied by the enemy who is "like" a roaring lion. Christ has rendered him toothless. We are to resist him - firm in our faith. Our enemy is crass and fearless in his pursuit of our lives. Even Jesus wasn't too great for Satan to accost - to tempt. When Jesus spoke the truth to Satan, the enemy had to leave for a while. But his ultimate defeat is certain. A fact that most certainly hangs over Satan's head. The end is not pretty. The bully is crushed as in all good stories. For God is just. He has promised that "no weapon formed against us will succeed (Isaiah 54). Our weapons against our enemy are "not earthly, but have divine power to destroy strongholds." Strongholds - addictions, fears, thought patterns, destructive habits. Whatever holds us too strongly and makes us slaves.
Be bullied no longer those of us who know Jesus! He lives in us! Resurrected and jubilant! Victorious and all-powerful. He Who is in you is stronger!
Blessed be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124
Is it disconcerting to think some are born bad seeds? Wicked from the womb? Those who will not listen to what is good but instead think up evil? Who instead speak lies? They are people who bite us. Whose venom destroys our lives. Deaf to words that might charm them away from evil, these people are destined to destroy others. Chilling.
If some are bent on an evil agenda from the beginning, should there be justice for those who suffer under them? Bullied into submission, many children and adults feel helpless. Even kill themselves to get away from the denigration they experience. The ultimate bully, however, is Satan. His agenda: The thief has come to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10) The enemy accuses us day and night before God (Revelation 12). He is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8) and he prowls about like a roaring lion looking for prey to devour (1 Peter 5).
Every time I watch a movie or read a book with a villainous bully, I always want to shout, "Stand up to her!" I want so much for the preyed upon to be saved. For the tables to turn on the oppressor. For things to be made right. Why does that rise up in most of us? Where do we get that sense of justice? Does anyone watching the action actually root for the bully? (They wouldn't admit it, probably.)
The tools of our enemy are addictions, abandonment, jealousy, hatred and power. Ruling with egregious despotism, Satan tears at our destinies with such ferocity that if we are not aware of our own power to resist, we will surely be devoured. Oh, that we knew with surety how strong we are in Christ Who lives in us as Christians. "He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4. No need to be bullied by the enemy who is "like" a roaring lion. Christ has rendered him toothless. We are to resist him - firm in our faith. Our enemy is crass and fearless in his pursuit of our lives. Even Jesus wasn't too great for Satan to accost - to tempt. When Jesus spoke the truth to Satan, the enemy had to leave for a while. But his ultimate defeat is certain. A fact that most certainly hangs over Satan's head. The end is not pretty. The bully is crushed as in all good stories. For God is just. He has promised that "no weapon formed against us will succeed (Isaiah 54). Our weapons against our enemy are "not earthly, but have divine power to destroy strongholds." Strongholds - addictions, fears, thought patterns, destructive habits. Whatever holds us too strongly and makes us slaves.
Be bullied no longer those of us who know Jesus! He lives in us! Resurrected and jubilant! Victorious and all-powerful. He Who is in you is stronger!
Blessed be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124
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