Man Down: Keep Fighting
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” ~1 Peter 5:8
World War II’s Battle of Stalingrad (July 1942 - February 1943), between the Nazis and the Soviet Union, was the largest urban battle in military history. Literally millions of people died in close-combat fighting. The Soviets won, with no small thanks to men like Vasily Zaytsev. He was a Russian sniper who neutralized 225 Nazis in just 37 days. What made Zaytsev so prolific, however, was that of the 225 men he targeted, almost all of them were officers. By targeting the officers, Zaytsev left the German army demoralized and in disarray.
Every Christian is in a battle. We are engaged in ongoing, close-combat spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-20). When we pray, witness, and worship, we are launching rockets at Satan and his cosmic spiritual forces. But we also need to recognize that we’re under attack! Our minds and hearts are the battlefield, and Satan and the world have us in their crosshairs. Satan, that deceiver and destroyer dragon, is real and powerful, and he wants to destroy you and your children (Eph. 6:16).
But interestingly, when Peter says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to katapinō [swallow up],” he says it in the context of elders. Satan, like Vasily Zaytsev, understands that by targeting the officers, the church is left demoralized and in disarray. In short, I believe Christ’s officers are under heightened spiritual attack. Perhaps that’s why Paul tells the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28). The elders of the church, in particular, need to be in tip-top spiritual condition.
Last week a pastor in Dallas, connected to Ligonier Ministries and renowned throughout the “Reformed world,” shipwrecked his ministry, disgraced himself and his family, demoralized the congregation he serves, and worst of all, brought reproach to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by having an adulterous relationship. He is the latest casualty in a growing list of pastors in the “Reformed world.” Not for a moment do I want to excuse his behavior or suggest that he is a mere victim and not responsible for his own heinous decisions, but I do want to underline this principle, namely that Apollyon likes to “Zaytsev” the officers of the church.
How do we respond to this devilish offensive? What response should we have to news of an officer being sniped in Dallas? I’d say two things. First, remember who has already won the battle! Jesus has already secured the victory. The ancient foe is a defeated foe. “The devil,” as Luther pointed out, “is God’s devil.” He’s beaten. He’s a loser. And his followers are defeated. Those whom the Father has predestined will switch allegiance to Captain Christ, and the rest will be judged. Yes, it’s discouraging when officers fall, but Christ will never fall. He has won, is winning, and will win! Period. “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right an on our side, the Man of God's own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same; and He must win the battle.”
Second, knowing that the Lord hears, answers, and uses our prayers, keep Christ’s officers in prayer. As I heard the news from Dallas, I said “There go I but for the grace of God.” And it’s the same for the other officers at Christ Covenant. Eight times Paul asks for God’s people to pray for him. Praise The Lord many of you have told me that you are praying for us. Please keep going. Pray for us as we pray for you.
Rev. Rob Dykes, Pastor of Preaching & Congregational Care