House: Christians need to stand up
Are you one of the jellyfish Christians in the bowl of spiritual darkness?
These jellyfish can be found in pulpits, pews and passively walking through life. They know the world around them is spiraling into darkness but without a spine they cannot stand against the darkness.They float along in this dark world powerless to be effective in the battle against the spiritual wickedness around them (Eph. 6:12).
Paul speaks of the strength and power that is available to us as God’s people to be effective in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10). He warns of the power that our enemies have so as to make certain that we go into battle fully prepared. However, the jellyfish Christian is unprepared for this battle against spiritual wickedness. The jellyfish Christian is so focused on love, entertainment and not offending anyone that they are unable to speak judgment against the sin and darkness of the world.
We must be armed with the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11) to be able to withstand our enemies. Paul’s instruction regarding this battle comes in his closing remarks to the church at Ephesus. Throughout this letter he speaks to the necessity of God’s people faithfully serving Christ though the church that he loves and gave himself for (Eph. 5:25). The church should be the place that we receive the armor of God that prepares us for this battle against the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places.
The unfortunate reality is that many times those in the pulpit that should be preparing the church for battle are also spineless. They tickle ears so as to make certain they receive their pay check on Sunday night. They entertain so their congregation feels good when they leave, ready to come back next week to be energized by another entertaining service. They are always careful to never offend, condemn or judge the sins of the congregation lest they hurt someone’s feelings. The jellyfish pastor dares not thunder out the warning of eternity in a devil’s hell where the fire is never quenched.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” I Cor. 16:13