Dear CCW family,
For several reasons, not the least of which were serious discussions with various people recently about our battle with sin, I’m offering the short article below. The Christian is fully forgiven, and the cross is the one-time solution to the penalty and power of sin, and even its future existence for the Christian. We will live in “a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Pe 3:13). But believers are also called to be aware of the “schemes” or “methods” of the devil, the master of deceit, so that we will not be outwitted by him and his army. (2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:10-20).
I feel strongly about what I have written below. It comes from meditation in the Bible and experience. Please read it slowly and carefully. It would be useful to discuss it among yourselves. Feel free to share it. Let’s train ourselves in the enemy’s strategies. — Jim
The Nod and the Pause: Where the War Begins
Jim Elliff
Temptation is an opportunist as it passes by. Looking for the slightest nod, it hopes only for our invitation to pause a moment on the porch for our consideration of its merit versus cost and risk. Surely merely thinking about the merits versus risk cannot be too dangerous.
By overestimating our moral strength as supposedly detached evaluators we are soon to fail, however, since our resistance is already compromised severely in the nod and pause itself. We did not assume we laid down our weapons at that point. Temptation now bonds with our awakened lust on the porch of judgment to contend with our spiritual reason as we weigh the options. With such strong desires stirring us in the wrong direction standing beside an available and luring temptation, though we are a king, we will, far more often than not, give in like a fool. The great conquerors can be brought down easier with a second look than a warring tribe.
When this awakened lust contends with weakened biblical reason to talk it over on the porch, the battle for the mind is raging full bore. We have invited a lion to the porch, an old master at deception, though looking like something else which is deceivingly inviting to the senses — part of us is conniving and urging the temptation on against our own best reason. How will we send temptation away now? Before we know it, faster than we should think we could, we will open the door of our minds completely and give ourselves over to our lust for the enjoyment of this temptation. We may rehearse any of a whole range of regular excuses so as to make some appeasement to our conscience. We do this like the weakest of fools, which soon after will be discomforting or, and if often repeated, sadly and dangerously numbing.
The power we give temptation is mainly in the first welcome, not the second. The first woman and first man should have said, like the last Adam, “Get behind me, Satan!” rather than pausing for even a moment’s consideration of the forbidden fruit which seemed good for food and delightful to the eyes. The serpent wanted them to think about it for awhile. There is a reason we are told, “Flee immorality” and “Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God” and “Do not turn to the right nor to the life: turn your foot from evil.”
A temptation is in fact a temptation because there is desire latent within you. When lust awakens in the easy chair, with one eye open he peeks over the window ledge at the street where temptation sends its knowing glance . At this moment and not any later, declare in your mind, “I am dead to this in Christ. I do not serve it.” He gives his power to his own to do this. Then go on to the next good thing and don’t even give it another thought. That is the war.
A Short Note from Marco
[Below, Marco Scouvert, our newest CCW Communicator, shares some recent experiences. This will help you understand some of our CCW efforts when we are not traveling. Our work isn’t only about conferences and Bible Intensives and our writing, but local outreach as well. Please pray for us concerning the whole scope of our work. Jim]
Over the last year or so, I have tried to pray for and make the most of evangelistic opportunities that God brings each day. But I have also desired to be more active in planned evangelistic efforts. Along these lines, in November I spoke at a federal correctional institute and submitted a volunteer application to serve in a local county jail to explore opportunities to preach the gospel and teach the Bible. Just this week, I met with two believers who are teachers in a public middle school (one is a member of our church), where they have a weekly meeting with students. I am planning to attend, participate, and see how the Lord leads from there.
But the highlight has been participating in evangelism on the campus of a local community college. At a nearby bakery, I met a seminary student serving with an organization that is ministering at seven colleges in the KC metro area. I’ve joined them in what they call “tabling.” Each week, they set up a table in a common space, write a question on a whiteboard (like “Who do you believe Jesus is?” or “Where do you find purpose for your life?”), and engage students in conversation as they walk by.
I’ve had a couple of meaningful conversations with young skeptics in these college situations, which have provided the opportunity to communicate the gospel, present evidence for its veracity, and urge them to prioritize reading the New Testament to consider for themselves the words and works of Jesus. I have been reminded of two essential truths. First, the resurrection of Jesus is the subject on which the Christian message and faith stand or fall (1 Cor. 15:14-19). Second, the heart issue with unbelievers is rooted not in ignorance but in an unwillingness to believe in Christ, not in a lack of evidence but in a lack of desire to repent and submit to King Jesus (Jn. 5:36-47; Rom. 1:18-23). As I plan to continue joining them, pray Colossians 4:2-6 for us, and for yourselves.
Thanks for your interest, prayers and support. God is using you.
With Joy,
Jim Elliff, Steve Burchett and Marco Scouvert