Sheltering In Place Spiritually

"knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." - Romans 6:6-14

When a natural disaster comes to a community, quite often there is an alert message that is broadcast telling people to stay in their homes - to hunker down - and ride out whatever malady is knocking on their doors or maybe to evacuate - to run. Here in the Houston area, on top of the hurricanes and tropical storms, there are occasional leaks and fires at the oil refineries and chemical plants that send pollutants and hazardous vapors into the air. When they happen, we are sometimes told to "shelter in place", stay indoors and are even told to shut off our air conditioners and close our windows until we get the "All Clear" signal. 

There is a spiritual storm that is raging. One that we need to protect ourselves and our family from. If we are not on our guard, like the vapors from a chemical fire, its pollutants can seep into our lives, minds and hearts. If we have not prepared for the storm, it will find its way through the cracks and crevices of our lives through television programs, the internet, our cell phones, public education, politics, and people we associate with. Things, on the surface are good, but also promote the culture and its values. Things that can be very useful to promote good and glorify God but, at the same time, have the capacity to be very harmful. Protecting yourself is not as simple as turning your air conditioner off and closing your windows. 

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12

Because it is a spiritual struggle, it is difficult to lay some of those things down - put them behind you - have nothing to do with them. Instead, we often make excuses as to why it's OK that they are a persistent influence in our lives - necessary evils, if you will. Because they can be used for good, we are willing to risk the evil. There is nothing inherently wrong with sugar unless you are a diabetic. 

"Satan, himself, transforms himself into an angel of light." - 2 Corinthians 11:14

The temptation that leads to sin on the surface may appear harmless. We resist the idea of rejecting the things we enjoy simply because of the potential harm it may bring to us or to the people around us.  We can manage it. It's really OK. It's not a problem. But the Bible it replete with warnings about the dangers that are lurking - waiting for the opportunity. Sin is like a fisherman who presents a bait - temptation - that the fish thinks will satisfy its hunger and so instinctively takes a bite, but it is to its doom.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

We must be spiritual aware. See things as God sees them. Be willing to put the world and the things of the world behind us. Not follow our heart but the Word. Our hearts often don't want what is good for us - the Word always does.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone