As I write this post, the news is all about more violence at a concert in the UK. Whether it is called a terrorist attack or some crazy suicide, the affect is still the same. People have died by this intentional act of violence. No matter how much defense we put up to stop this insanity, the offense appears to have its impact. The media reports it. I am not saying it is wrong to report it but do we have to analysis the why to the point of exhaustive confusion? Is this the evil one’s way of keeping us away from the truth?
Defense is to do with protecting something or fighting against an opponent. It is the opposite of offense. I have heard it said, the best defense is a good offense. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. A feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen. Defense and hope definitions are numerous on the web but I personally like patheous.com explanation as related to a Christian believer which makes the word “hope” not just a desire for something to happen. Instead, a true believer knows that hope is firm because it is grounded in the Word. When we combine the preparedness to defend hope with the strength that comes with our faith, then we have a real purpose in life.
Like a game of football, the best defense starts with preparation to score with a good offense. Many of us prepare for the game of life with the determination to succeed. However, the sad fact is that many fail to properly prepare to succeed therefore struggle to defend what they truly believe. All too often we get caught up in the game of “he said, she said” in the news media and forget to understand that everyone has an opinion. Opinions tend to contain some truths and some deception intended to support an earthly belief system. What is the truth? That question can be a loaded topic for late night discussions but I believe knowing and understanding truth will set us free. From a Christian context, “discernment is the perception in the absence of judgement with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding”. You may not want to believe or you may have pre-conceived notions of what is true or false. Either way, I believe it is more important to be directed to the truth. John 14:17 tells us that we were not left without our leader, Jesus. He promised us a Companion referred as the Spirit of Truth and would be present for only those who believed. The Spirit of Truth would help prepare us for the battles to come to defend hope. Read also 1 Peter 3:15-17 about being ready to defend our hope against those who would attempt to destroy us but our good lifestyle in Christ will put them to shame. We are indeed in a battle for truth. As we see terrorist attacks impacting the news cycle, is it not a tool for deception? I believe the great deception the evil one uses is the human weakness we possess to self-diagnose the problems with the world according to our earthly beliefs. Perhaps, we should humble ourselves and submit to a spiritual direction to the ultimate heavenly truth.
The audio below was recorded last Sunday and so timely to events of today.
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