Funny Things Kids Say

Kids sometimes do say the strangest things! A few weeks ago when I was driving my 10 year old daughter to school on a chilly wintery day, I have a regular pattern of praying for her out loud a few blocks before the school parking lot. After finishing my prayer and her getting ready to step out of the truck, she had this reflection – “You know, daddy, there is a lot wrong with the world with all the tourists and covid.” And then she ran on her way to class. Tourists? I thought about that comment for the rest of the day. What could she possibly have against tourists? People with sunglasses, selfie-takers, and slow drivers?? It wasn’t until later that night, it finally clicked – she was talking about terrorists. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s that the Oxford Dictionary reports the word came into usage. A terrorist is defined as one “who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.” That day, my daughter was talking about both an enemy that can be seen and an enemy that can’t be seen that can be a threat to our world – but the same is true in a spiritual sense for sure. Who is the authority and the ruler of your heart?

Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians when he charges the believers to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.”[1]

There are so many things going on in each of our lives in the natural and the supernatural that are fighting against us, challenging us and can cause us so much pain and disappointment. You don’t have to look too far to find someone hurting or someone in a battle; sometimes it’s as close as a mirror, sometimes it’s turning on the news.

When you’re in a battle, you need to know your enemy and what type of tactics they use. The devil often uses his same old tricks dressed up in slightly different clothing. For us, it started from in the garden with Adam and Eve – it wasn’t that the devil tempted man and woman to steal, murder, or tell a lie, the devil started with causing them to question the Word of God – “Did God really say….? Studying the devil’s schemes in the Bible might not be what floats our boat and what makes us excited for the Word of God, but it does make for an interesting study of the devil’s tactics and the schemes that follow. The devil is not creative – the devil is an imitator, a liar, a deceiver, who prowls around looking for someone to devour. The best way for a predator to attack a herd is to divide it, and pick off the singles and strays. That’s why we need to be watchful and alert![2] Recently I finished reading through the Book of Job – although seeming not very encouraging book on the whole, and a lot of really bad advice from Job’s “friends” as Job is going through trial and suffering. Job is a great book on the presence of God amidst sufferings and trials that the enemy throws at us.

Thankfully, we know who wins the battle over evil and where our victory is found: Jesus! As timely and wise as Jesus always is, He reminds us of this after His discourse in using His name in prayer and some teaching on the Holy Spirit. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world.”[3] The word used for ‘trouble’ isn’t a trouble like being sent to the principal’s office, getting reamed out by your boss, or being cut off in traffic. The Greek word “thlipsis” for trouble that Jesus uses has a deeper meaning than expressed in English – the twofold meaning of deep anguish, and tribulation, is conveyed here. As we fight and battle the things the enemy throws against us, we need to recognize our enemy and his schemes is both seen and unseen. “Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”[4] Blessings on your week! Please enjoy the song below and be blessed by it! Pastor Dan

[1] Ephesians 6:10-12

[2] 1 Peter 5:8

[3] John 16:33

[4] 1 Corinthians 15:58