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Written by Francis Frangipane
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 |
The idea that a leader whom we've known and loved should suddenly be
exposed in a devastating scandal seems incomprehensible. Certainly
these who have taught others, could have taught themselves?
 What is it,
then, that can worm into an individual's thought-life, burrow into his
heart and then become so compelling that a leader is willing to risk
everything he's loved and attained for a mere fulfillment of the flesh?
Is it just sin?
We would think that, certainly, with help from the Holy Spirit, leaders
ought to able to resist temptation. Indeed, if spiritual leaders cannot
stand against the flesh, then what hope is there for the larger church?
Yet, I believe the problem is not just sin nor even a lack of basic
spirituality. For some, I believe the answer lies in a lack of
discernment. Their heart was unguarded and their vulnerability was
exploited by hell.
An Unparalleled Warfare
Please note that I am not blaming the devil for every sin we commit.
The fact is, selfishness and self-indulgence, which produce sin, are
basic instincts of our fallen nature. At the same time, let us also
discern the unique warfare of our times. Our world has been flooded
with hyper-sexuality. The "Red Light district" of the city has moved
into our homes via the Internet, movies and television.
We think that what goes on in our minds stays in the mind, as though
there were a privacy law protecting our thought-life. But an unguarded
mind that willfully harbors darkness will have spiritual predators
probing and cultivating our moral weaknesses. Indeed, through modern
technology, an alternate reality, a fantasy world, has been created. It
is this virtual reality within us that causes movies to be so
absorbing, games so addicting and books so personally inspirational.
However, when this fantasy realm descends into darkness and the soul is
unprotected, demons build sexual strongholds in the human soul.
Listen well, what entertains us, actually enters
us. If you are entertained by porn or sexual fantasy, you are opening a
doorway in your soul to hell. You must confront this battle honestly,
repent of sin and set a guard over your heart. If you don't, your
battle will advance from yielding to temptation, to serious, hidden
sexual bondage, to secret attempts to openly fulfill your heightened
passions.
People of Destiny, Take Heed
Jesus reveals that a major source of this hellish, sexual manipulation
is the Jezebel spirit (Rev. 2:20). The rampant immorality we see
manifested in Western culture underscores the increasing influence of
this ruler of darkness. Indeed, compare our world today with cultural
standards of just fifty years ago and it's easy to see Western
civilization is under siege. Too many Christians have their defenses
down, and many otherwise good people have slipped into bondage.
Yet, Jezebel's arsenal includes more than lust; there is also
witchcraft, which attacks and works to disarm the conscience. Remember
Jehu's words? "What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother
Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" (2 Kings 9:22)
We are fighting the "harlotries" and "witchcrafts" of Jezebel. Those
who have been defeated by this spirit feel as though they were drugged
by their own passions. They did things that were flagrantly stupid,
almost daring God (or the devil) to expose them. I am talking about the
war against church leaders. How many more must fall before we realize
the need for repentance and discernment?
The Subtle Attack
The Jezebel spirit is a "man whisperer." Its approach is usually not
bold, but enticing, seducing. The spirit stimulates human flesh,
training men and women to respond to increasingly degrading
temptations. This power, which comes to disarm and wear away at one's
conscience, is witchcraft.
One may argue, "My battle is just sin, not warfare." Perhaps, but for
others it is a spiritual attack on an unguarded heart. It's attack is
aimed at Christians in general, but more specifically against leaders
and those called to important roles in God's kingdom.
There are times when I think the world has greater discernment than the
church. Listen to the words of the old, Frank Sinatra song,
"Witchcraft."
Those fingers in my hair
That sly come-hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It's witchcraft
And I've got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do?
'cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft
And although I know it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says "Yes, indeed" in me
"Proceed with what you're leading me to"
The author of the song did, in truth, know something about witchcraft.
He writes it "strips my conscience bare." He says, "I've got no defense
for it/The heat is too intense for it/What good would common sense for
it do?" And then, "When you arouse the need in me/My heart says, ‘Yes,
indeed' in me/‘Proceed with what you're leading me to.'"
Set A Guard
The world has "no defense for it," but for those in the kingdom of God,
"the weapons of our warfare are . . . divinely powerful" (2 Cor. 10:4).
Our weapons and defenses are mighty, but we must use them.
First, the Scriptures command us, "Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23 NIV). A guard
is one armed and trained to recognize an enemy and turn away an attack.
We are in war and must stay militant in attitude throughout our lives.
We cannot be casual with sin or temptation. When you use the Internet,
use a filtering software program as a guard. Be accountable. Don't feed
your fleshly nature by watching movies whose scenes feed your sexual
appetites. These kind of addictions only go from bad to worse (Rom.
1:24-28).
If you are currently in bondage to sin,
as powerful as the sin seems, the enemy will also work to isolate your
battle from others. The efforts we spend hiding sin are the very tools
Satan uses to entrap us in it. So, talk to someone. (See Eph. 5:11-13).
If you have a history of sin, then begin a process of cleansing, of
washing your "robes . . . in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:14).
Confess your sins item by item to God.
Now would be a good time to build yourself up with In Christ's Image
Training or a similar program offered by other ministries. Get back in
the Word, for the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Use the
authority of God's word to defend your heart against spiritual attacks.
The most important thing you can do is to return full-hearted to God.
The Lord promises, "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver
him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name"
(Ps. 91:14). Beloved, it is time to set a guard over your heart.
Lord
God, this day I humble myself before Your throne. You see my heart and
the battle I have faced. I ask that You restore me, make me wiser. Let
not my enemy triumph over me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and grant
me the grace to walk with a pure heart, a guarded heart, before You. In
Jesus' name. Amen.
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