Is Your RADAR On?

From the Preacher’s Desk:

On February 12, 1935, Robert Watson-Watt, who is credited with developing RADAR, sent a memo to Great Britain’s Air Ministry, claiming that with radio waves, he could detect flying aircraft. This was an earth-shaking revolution at the time. Britain was rapidly approaching a war with Germany, and the memory of bombings during WWI was still quite fresh. Two weeks later, on February 26, the first RADAR was tested successfully. An early warning system had been born.

From an historical perspective, it is evident how valuable it was (and is) to have adequate time to prepare for an attack. How might American history have changed if such warnings had been received? Would Lincoln have dealt differently with Fort Sumter? Would December 7 be remembered as the original “Day of Infamy”? Would 9/11 hold any significance to the American public? We will never know, because history is a very harsh and unforgiving instructor. History also teaches us, however, that having an early warning and heeding such warnings are entirely two different things. For example, it should have been evident that the Confederates were serious in their blockade of Fort Sumter. Painfully so, history tells us that ample signs of warning were present regarding Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if God provided an early warning system for when the devil is going to attack? That would be such a tremendous help to a Christian who is struggling with sin. Some might be critical, asking how God could have been so neglectful. But wait—maybe God already has…. Let us look at what we know from the Bible.

The devil is ready to attack. Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It is definitely to our advantage that God has clearly informed us of Satan’s intentions and abilities.

The devil’s places of attack are spelled out for us. John describes the areas of temptation for which we should prepare: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). Granted, those three areas cover most everything we can say and do in life, but as we bear these “areas” of potential weakness in mind, it enables us to fortify our defenses.

The devil’s methods of attack are known. Note the words of Jesus in John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” How is Satan going to attack? Well, first he is going to lie to you. His aim is to get you so wrapped up in that lie that you are no longer able to distinguish reality from his fantasy, even to the point where you are lying for him. Next, he will try to kill you spiritually. Finally, he will try to make you one of his own, his offspring, so that he is your father.

The devil’s pattern of advancement is known. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:13-15). Do we as individuals have weaknesses? Yes, if we are honest, we will admit that we do. Satan will seek out and exploit those weaknesses with no compassion or mercy for our souls.

The devil did NOT make me do it. Even with as much power and influence as the devil possesses, there is nothing that he can make me do without my consent. He can lie to me, but I do not have to believe it. He can tempt me, but I do not have to enter into sin. He can vex my soul with every pain imaginable, but I do not have to bow the knee to the likes of him.

These warnings are evident to us from the Word of God. We know without doubt who our enemy is, the level of preparation of our enemy, and the capabilities and methods of our enemy. And even armed with all of that knowledge, we can still allow ourselves to be overcome! We have all seen it happen to others…perhaps even to ourselves…and we shake our heads and ask, “How did they miss it? How could they have not seen that coming?”

Perhaps our spiritual RADAR needs to be left in the “on” position.

or

?

To most of the believers of either of these symbols, the idea of the other even being a feasible alternative is simply ludicrous. The advocates of Evolution and Creationism alike are often firm in their convictions. To many, there is simply no room for compromise.

In recent years, however, compromise is exactly what has been sought. The idea that perhaps God was the "prime mover" of all existence has prompted some to attempt to squeeze millions of years into the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. On its surface, this sounds appealing. The Creationists get to keep their God, and the Evolutionists are satisfied with their theory of who, why, and what we are. Everyone walks away happy. In a grand spirit of unity, the question is asked: Does it really matter?

But the discerning mind will quickly conclude that this cannot be. The true Evolutionist realizes that their theory leaves little or no room for God, just as the true Creationist realizes that the biblical account leaves little or no room for macroevolution. At some point, these walls of compromise will come tumbling down. When that begins to happen, the Creationist must begin to ask, "Why does it matter?"

• It matters because our children, from the classroom to the television, are constantly being bombarded with evolutionist propaganda.
  
• It matters because if the foundations of the Bible are allowed to be eroded, the remainder of biblical content will also become subject to compromise.
  
• It matters because the terminology of Genesis 1-2 does not leave the necessary time for macroevolution to have occurred.
  
• It matters because the words "evening" and "morning" are used with the Hebrew word yom ("day") over 100 times in non-prophetical literature, always referring to a 24-hour day.
  
• It matters because evolution cannot answer the origins of morality, altruism, sex, gender, language, consciousness, or for that matter, laughter.
  
• It matters because evolution causes young and old to devalue human life.
  
• It matters because the theme of the Bible from beginning to end is the redemption of man. If God did not create as He said (Genesis 1-2), what meaning is the promise of a Savior (Genesis 3:14-15)?

Does it matter to you?

For more information, contact us at airportcoc@bellsouth.net, or visit us at Airport Church of Christ, 2267 Copeland Road.