Spiritual Insurgents

In the movie “A Christmas Story”, the one made not too many years ago, about this kid, Ralph, who wants a B-B-Gun for Christmas and everybody warns him, “You’ll shot your eye out”, there’s this bully always picking on someone. I have no idea what the meaning behind “say uncle” came from, but even I can remember while in grade school, the bullies wouldn’t turn you loose until you cried “uncle”. I also remember how humiliating it felt to go through those kinds of torment from time to time. Eventually, Ralph had his fill of being picked on every time he encountered this bully, and in a fit of rage, lashed out with all his might, tackling the bully to the ground, his fists wildly swinging, landing blows to his adversary’s body, while cussing up a storm as tears flowed from his eyes. Have you ever wanted to go out into the back yard, look up to heaven, with your hands raised, doubled-up into a fist and scream “UNCLE!”? Spiritually, that’s where I’m at right now. The things I want in this life, I can’t seem to obtain lately, but the things I don’t need or want in my life just seem to be flowing in like water. I know I’m not alone in this battle and I know I’m not the only one who handles these situations poorly. If only I could tackle the devil and beat on him a while I’d feel better, but all I seem to do is shoot myself in the foot by lashing out improperly.
A visiting minister was very long-winded. Worse yet, every time he would make a good point during his sermon and a member of the congregation responded with “Amen” or “That’s right, preacher”, he would get wound up even more and launch into another lengthy discourse. Finally, the local preacher started responding to every few sentences with “Amen, Pharaoh!” The guest speaker wasn’t sure what that meant, but after a few more “Amen, Pharaoh’s” he finally concluded his very lengthy sermon. After the service concluded and the congregation had left, the visiting minister turned to the local preacher and asked, “What exactly was the meaning of your ‘Amen, Pharaoh’s’ during my lesson?” The local preacher replied, “I was asking you to let my people go!”
[1 Peter 5: 6-10] “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” We hear a lot about “insurgencies” lately, concerning our military troops in places like Afghanistan and Iraq; that is: hostile rebels seeking to disrupt our efforts to spread freedom in what ever way we can. The planting of roadside bombs, suicide bombings and sniper attacks are just a few of the many methods employed by those seeking to destroy our forces. Soldiers and innocent civilians alike are either injured or killed by the thousands in such attacks. As a soldier of Christ, the threat of insurgency is just as real. Spiritual insurgents are heavily armed and are ready to attack on every front. Their weapons of mass destruction include lust and greed and pride. (1 John 2: 15-17) Thousands have been taken captive and millions have been destroyed. Evil spirits will tactfully and successfully infiltrate the unguarded heart of the Christian soldier. I wear my armor (Ephesians 6: 10-12), but I still allow myself to become a victim of spiritual insurgency. But, one thing I know for sure, if I stand firm in my faith, God will restore me and make me stronger than before. I will press on toward the goal of His promise.