6/13/16

Protection by Gary Rose


This picture illustrates a fact: If someone is armed, they have protection. Yesterday, many (far TOO MANY) people were killed by a Muslim terrorist. If they had been armed, they would have had protection from him. However, they were unarmed and became easy prey. I encourage everyone who owns a gun to obtain a permit for concealed carry and protect yourself with your weapon, daily. But what about spiritual protection? How do we protect ourselves from Satan? Consider the following...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 10 (WEB)
  1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  3 and all ate the same spiritual food;  4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.  5 However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  7 Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”  8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.  9 Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.  10 Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.  11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.  12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. 
  13  No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it(emp. added GDR)

and...

Ephesians, Chapter 6 (WEB)
  10  Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (emp. added GDR) 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (emp. added GDR) 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;  16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:  19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,  20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

It is a sad thing that so many died Sunday in Orlando. Even worse is that some of the victims were engaged in a homosexual lifestyle and the shooter followed the devil's cult of Islam. Sin has consequences; without Jesus there is no hope. Protect yourself from evil and look to God for protection spiritually. Obey the Gospel and be saved from Hell.