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Satan’s Formidable Weapon Against the Church

During my high school days I would collect comic books. Titles like the X-men, Superman, Batman, Spiderman and many others were on the shelves of comic book stores week after week. I absorbed myself in the stories of villains wrecking havoc and heroes working together to save the world. But perhaps the most prized comics were the ones that pitted heroes against each other like Wolverine vs. Hulk or Batman vs. Superman, it was every fan’s dream to see who would win if circumstances allowed them to have no-holds-barred thrown down match between the two heroes. Needless to say these types of hero vs. hero match ups were very popular and made for a lot of comic sales.

I find it interesting that Satan and his angels are also absorbed with what would happen if they could orchestrate circumstances to have church members turn against each other and see the fireworks fly. Unlike a comic book, you won’t see church members shoot beams out of their eyes or have claws pop out ready for a rumble. No, no...I submit to you that the weapons of choices are far more lethal. One of the many weapons in Satan’s arsenal is very close to his heart; it is the powerful weapon of criticism.

Tongue Lashing
Oftentimes, we don’t even realize that we criticize people so freely, even if it’s not spoken, we certainly can turn the focus on the faults of others. Parents don’t realize what they are subjecting their children to when they criticize the pastor, elder or church member. When such topics are entertained on the drive to and from church and in the home, many youth are adversely affected by constant exposure to such banter. Soon they question, “Why should I come to church?” A paradox clearly unfolds before them as they see Christians at church, don’t act like Christians. Their conversations may revolve around comparing and competing with other families to see who is greater. It’s all a facade and they know it. Satan knows it too, which is why criticism (whether we dish it out on others or are on the receiving end) destroys the church. Could this also be one of many reasons why so many young people are leaving the church? Could it be because they see every fault of everyone mentioned there, week after week, that they failed to see Jesus? We each need to take personal responsibility and do our part to stop this deadly cycle that is spiritually killing our youth.

We see in the Bible many characters were not immune to openly criticizing and attacking their own. Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses and God struck Miriam with leprosy. Korah rebelled against Moses’ authority and the earth swallowed them up. When two youths irreverently insulted the prophet Elisha, two bears attacked them. We don’t see such things happening today, but Jesus warns that we will be held accountable for every word we say in the judgment. (Matt. 12:36)

Kindle Fire
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” James 3:5

It’s so easy to do, to let our tongue run wild without exercising caution, one minute we may be praising God and singing songs in church and the next, we speak ill against our brethren and burn them with our words.

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” James 3:8-11

The Bible tells us: what we say, reveals our character. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks...” What do we spend most of our time talking about? The latest Korean dramas? Perhaps the latest gossip or the entertainment world? The latest fashion, or our accomplishments in academics or our careers? Instead, are we sharing our testimony to others? Are we speaking to those in need of encouragement and prayer?

If you really think about it, of all living things that God created here on this earth, we are the only creatures that God bestowed the gift of speech. How we are utilizing that gift? Are our words promoting and glorifying self? Or are we glorifying God in how we conduct our conversation? Are we quick to find fault and backbite one another? Yes I know it can be difficult especially when you are on the receiving end and you are tempted to dish it right back to their face.

Satan is known as the accuser of the brethren, when we are critical and accusing those who we believe to be at fault, could Satan be using us to do his dirty work when we nurture the same spirit that does not come from God? Satan deceives us into thinking we are self-righteous, which makes us coldhearted and critical towards our brethren. We can magnify and focus on every mistake, every wrong act they have done and we justify why we can harbor an unforgiving spirit. Many today are doing just that. The book Christ’s Object Lessons says, They claim to be children of God, but in reality, they are acting out the spirit of Satan. By their attitude toward their brethren, these accusers place themselves where God cannot give them the light of His countenance {COL 210.1}

Church members and pastors may speak fluently on doctrines and even express strong faith in what they believe, but many are deficient in Christ-like meekness and love, and instead they reveal a harsh, critical spirit. Sister White tells us if they reveal this kind of spirit, they are denying Christ and deceiving their own souls. (The Review and Herald, February 9, 1892.) On the other hand, in Revelation 14, we see the description of the 144,000. Among the traits that describe them, we see in verse 5: “And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

In their mouth was no deceit, they spoke no evil, they are just like Jesus in their speech and for this reason, they are without fault before the throne of God. It is clear that to be identified with this number, there is to be no guile or deceit found in their mouth. Meaning in their speech, everything they say is directly related to them being without fault. Inversely, it is also implied that if we criticize and speak evil, we cannot be part of the 144,000. Brothers and sisters, let us pray that by God’s grace that we can be like that, Amen?

Imagine with me that we are reading a comic book and suddenly, an evil unstoppable villain appears on the scene who poses an ominous threat to the world. To stop him requires the help of every hero to band together in a united front. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous that during this critical time of impending doom - during the battle, one of the heroes fires an optic blast while another hero scowls at him with jealousy, “You think you’re so special? You don’t know even know how to use your powers right!” After a heated argument, before you know it - they are fighting each other instead of the enemy. That wouldn’t make sense now, would it?

The Great Controversy is real and we are in the midst of a spiritual battle that is taking place and we are not fighting together; instead, with our words, we are fighting one another within our ranks. Let us not fight amongst ourselves, let us agree to disagree and raise the blood stained banner of Christ. We are living in serious times and so much time has been wasted because the focus has been in the wrong place. Many churches have had internal conflicts that have torn churches apart because of words that have been exchanged and this cycle has been perpetuated over and over again.

It’s time to redeem our wasted past. How? Many times we can find that these problems can be remedied through churches that participate in active evangelism. Perhaps this is why our adversary the devil is sowing seeds of discord among us, to distract us from the mission at hand. Have we lost sight of the mission God has entrusted to us as a church? Are we so focused on the problems and the flaws of others that we have not been moving forward? Instead of growing in number, have we been shrinking in size? The devil has been working, for he knows he has but a little time.

The early church was not immune to this either, Paul says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Gal. 5:14, 15

Friends, it’s time for a change. Let us be united with Christ and face the enemy together. May our words encourage and edify, not wound and destroy. May Christ-like characters be seen as a living sermon to those around us. No longer will we allow this cycle to continue, let’s take back our churches -- not from those pastors, elders or deacons who have a political agenda, but from the adversary the devil. Pray for your churches, pray for those that make your life difficult, pray for those that left the church and reclaim them, pray for those that you can reach outside the church and reach out to them!

I know, no one is perfect at our church...there are those who may get under our skin, who may disrespect us, so should we dwell on them and how they did us wrong? No friends, if we come to church to expect everyone there to have angel wings and halos, we will be greatly disappointed. Instead let us focus on the only perfect one, Jesus Christ. By beholding, we become changed into the same likeness; who will you choose to behold? By beholding Jesus, not only will He tame your wild tongue and to sanctify your speech, but He will also change how you see those whom you once hated. You will see them as Christ sees them. Ask Christ for this experience to overcome our critical spirit right now and pray that He will show you how you can serve Him.

My family and I live in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Currently pastoring at the Chicago Central Korean SDA Church in Lombard, IL while studying for my MDiv at Andrews Theological Seminary and a graduate from the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism.
I am married to a wonderful, supportive godly wife, Miae and blessed with our daughter, Chloe. It is my desire to share with others that Jesus is coming soon and how we can be prepared to meet Him when He comes. Extending a warm invitation to anyone in the Chicagoland area to our church, check us out at http://ccksda.webs.com!