Don't Lose Your Head in the Middle of a War
Thinking about a quote from Lord of the Rings.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” - Faramir, The Lord of the Rings.
One of the most interesting parts of The Lord of the Rings is observing how different characters interact with the Ring.
Some are fully aware of its terrible power and turn away from the temptation to carry it - knowing it would end in their destruction. Some know something of the Ring’s power but foolishly believe they could harness it for their cause. Trying to fight against evil while using the power of evil is futile.
While some stand against evil, they end up being destroyed by it because they believe they can fight for good using the power of evil.
This is a tragic mistake and one you must avoid.
Whether you like it or not, the war for your soul is upon you. The fight between good and evil is here, and “war must be.”
Don’t lose your head in the middle of this war by guarding yourself against some pitfalls.
Downplaying the seriousness of the war is foolish.
Acting like there is no war for your soul and no war between good and evil is pure foolishness. Don’t be so naive as to think you can escape that war in this life. The war is upon us, and we must fight.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11-13)
Those who downplay the seriousness of sin and evil are either naive or intentionally misleading.
Don’t let your guard down.
Don’t ever forget the struggle between good and evil.
You can’t fight for good using the power of evil.
However, there is also something else to be careful about in this war. The quote from The Lord of the Rings is what triggered this thought.
Some people who claim to fight alongside you in this war of good against evil will not actually care about the cause. They are only in the fight because they love the glory, not the cause.
They love the glory that comes their way from the fight. They love to be honored among soldiers of Christ. They love their name in bright lights. They love to practice their “righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1).
You can’t fight for the Lord using the power of evil.
You must stand for the truth and for what’s right, but you can’t do it in a way that utilizes the power of evil.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
The question for you is this - and it’s one I try to ask myself often - do you really love the cause of the Lord, the cause of good?
Is that why you fight?
Or have you allowed evil to tarnish your life by thinking you could fight for good using the power of evil?
Don’t lose your head - stay focused on the cause of truth and right.
Until next time,
Love Dad.