Defending the Lion

                By Elder Thomas Waters

 Charles Spurgeon once quipped, “There is no need for you to defend a lion when he is being attacked.  All you need to do is open the gate and let him out.”^[i]  The church today would do well to heed this sagacious advice.

Satan’s venomous hate for Christ and His seed has not diminished over the years, but continues and intensifies.^[ii]  It appears,  however, that the church’s war on Satan has diminished.  No longer are bold men of God leading the church with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other declaring,

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."  (1 Cor 2:1-2 KJV)

No, it seems that some churches are more concerned with appearance than substance and preaching is being replaced with “nice talks.”

Today churches are holding seminars on “How To” do just about everything.  We plan evangelistic campaigns, we print slogans, and devise vision statements, but we spend little time with Jesus.  We have replaced evangelism with marketing techniques for church growth and worship with consumer merchandising techniques.  Preaching is being replaced with sharing, testimonies, singing, and talks about “relevant issues.”  Or perhaps even more dangerous, is the attack being mounted by Bible thumping revivalists who holler loud and stir the crowds, but never seem to exegete the Scriptures!

We have decided men do not need and will not respond to the Word of God opened, read, explained, and applied.  No, men need cajoling, pampering, and by all means entertaining!  Hear again,

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. {19}For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. {20}Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {21}For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Cor 1:18-21)

These situations do not simply exist out yonder somewhere in the history of Christendom.  No.  They exist now!  Maurice Roberts observes:

If our modern Calvinism is apt to differ at all from that of the palmy days of the past it is probably at this point.  We emphasize knowledge, they stressed faith.  We emphasize gifts; they insisted on grace.  We study to inform the head; they studied to reform the heart.^[iii]

Authority lies in God the Holy Spirit applying God’s Holy Word uncompromisingly delivered by men who spend time in study and prayer.  I read recently that the average pastor spends less than three hours a week reading and praying.  If that is so, no wonder preaching is not happening.  And if preaching is not happening, no wonder we are dying.  Listen to Scripture,

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word . . . And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."  (Acts 6:4, 7)

I do not have the right to replace God’s armor with some other. I do not have the right to just do whatever “feels good” or seems right.  I am called to be a soldier of Christ.  As such I should,

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  (2 Tim 2:15)

Christ is my captain.  He has provided the armor I need for this battle.  To exchange the Sword of the Spirit for the spitballs of human devices is suicidal.

Brethren, we are up against a fierce opponent, a roaring lion who is seeking whom he may destroy. Oh, but realize this lion, fierce as he is, is no match for THE LION.

 I cry out with the elder of Revelation 5:5,