This is the headline of an analysis by Oxford professor Samuel Ramani, who warns that our enemies’ weapons technology is far ahead of our own. His article is in response to recent reports that President Biden ordered US forces last March to prepare for a possible nuclear war with Russia, China and North Korea. According to Dr Ramani, the US urgently needs to modernise its nuclear capabilities to counter these unprecedented threats.
More news:
- Chinese hackers have penetrated deep into US internet providers to spy on us. A cybersecurity expert calls the latest attacks “many times worse” than previous hacks.
- Russia and China are intensifying their diplomatic relations with the global South, thereby limiting America’s influence in this vital region.
- Russia claims that American support for Ukraine poses the risk of a third world war and warns that it will not be limited to Europe.
Meanwhile, Israel launched its biggest attack on the West Bank in two decades yesterday, killing at least 10 Hamas militants. The attack came as the region on Israel’s eastern border is rapidly becoming a third front alongside Hamas to the west and Hezbollah to the north.
Yesterday we discussed a paradoxical response to the fears of our time. Today we want to identify a second source of personal peace in a place that most overlook.
Beware of spiritual poison
On a recent walk, I noticed a dead tree surrounded by trees in bloom. Nothing I could see could explain its demise. The nearby trees did not appear to be blocking its access to the sun. It was as close to the lake as other trees that were thriving. Since I am far from an arborist, nothing I could see could explain this.
So I assume that the tree’s problem is what I cannot see—its roots. My observation illustrates a theological fact: You and I were created for a personal, intimate relationship with our invisible Lord (John 15:1–11). Nothing less or different will nourish our spiritual lives.
Of course, Satan attacks here for two reasons.
First, his strategy works. If you want to kill a tree or stunt its growth, poison its roots.
Second, we often fail to recognize the danger in time. No one will know about our invisible sins or be harmed by them, or so Satan whispers to us. But “the father of lies” lies to us (John 8:44). And we end up committing public sins that we could never have imagined when they were still private transgressions.
For this reason, God warns us: “When desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown gives birth to death” (James 1:15).
So let me ask you: Are you facing temptations in private that you do not face in public? Learn to see them as poison that your enemy wants to pour on the roots of your soul. They will corrupt your “tree” and stunt your growth.
And since the Holy Spirit needs a holy “branch” on which to reveal His “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23), we miss out on God’s best when we choose what we want now over what we want most.
Three steps to spiritual victory
Our enemy is a defeated adversary. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to “destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). Therefore, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). You and I can say with Paul, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
How can we experience this victory today?
First, consider temptation as the threat it isJust as you wouldn’t spray poison on the roots of a tree, you shouldn’t spray spiritual poison on the roots of your soul.
Henri Nouwen stated:
I am discovering the importance of naming the darkness within me. By no longer calling the darkness anything other than darkness, the temptation to continue using it for my own selfish ends gradually diminishes. . . .
I am given a difficult task: to call darkness darkness, evil evil and the demon demon. By remaining vague, I can avoid commitment and go with the mainstream of our society. But Jesus does not allow me to stay there. He demands a clear choice for truth, light and life. When I recognize my countless inner compromises, I may at first feel guilty and ashamed. But if this leads to repentance and a contrite heart, I will soon discover the immense love of God who came to lead me from darkness into light and who wants to make me a transparent witness of his love.
Second, give God the temptation immediately. Seek His power and victory. In this way you will use Satan’s attacks against him. And you will experience that peace which is a fruit of the Spirit in the hearts of all who are right with Him (Galatians 5:22).
Third, if you fall into sin, return to your Father. Confess your failure and seek His forgiveness and restoration in grace. You can still have His peace, but it will cost repentance.
Watchman Nee summed up today’s point simply but powerfully:
“If you want to test the character of something, all you have to do is ask whether that thing leads you toward God or away from God.”
Your soul is a bicycle on a hill: either you go up or you slide backwards.
What applies to you today?
Worth knowing news from Thursday:
*Denison Forum does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in these stories.
Quote of the day:
“I know of no other way to conquer sin in the long run than to develop an aversion to it because I feel greater satisfaction in God.” – John Piper
