"O Lord, you will keep us safe
and protect us from such people forever."
Psalm 12:7
My Idea
Well, once again, I sat down to write to you, my friends, with a topic in my mind. And once again, God has stepped in and said, "No-No--not your idea, but Mine!"
Now, I am not going to reveal my original plan because I want to try again later this week, but what I will tell you is that in my research stage, I contracted a virus. "Contracted" may not be the correct word since I chose to download the program that introduced that little bugger to my laptop. Suddenly, ZoneAlarm sprung into action, scanning and isolating the virus, asking me to perform an operation to erase it. Whew! Safe and sound--this time. I have not been that fortunate in the past.
As I sit here typing, I cannot help wishing for a ZoneAlarm anti-virus program for my bodily systems as well as my computer. Apparently, I contracted a virus while on vacation in Florida, and this time I think "contracted" is the right word. Somehow, this annoying illness entered my body and began wreaking havoc. I feel pretty good if I do not move or breathe! I wish I had the capability to isolate and eradicate the germs in the quick and efficient manner that the technology age employs. Alas, I will likely suffer through a few more days of misery until the normal process runs its course.
Viruses
"Suffering" and "misery" are such unpleasant words often associated with viruses. To understand why, let's go to dictionary.com for the definition of virus: (Definition #1) "an ultramicroscopic... metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts." So, a virus is an infection replicating within us--miserable. (Definition #2) "a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network." Now, a virus is also an infection replicating within our electronics--more misery. (Definition #3) "a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison." Ah, a virus is ultimately poison attacking the center of our being--total misery. Is it any wonder we are suffering?
At first glance, viruses appear to be at the root of suffering, sneaking their way in and taking over the host; however, the truth is that viruses are just tools used by Satan to perpetuate His plan. Satan tries to pull us away from God through misery and suffering. Make no mistake, only evil lies behind viruses as they are employed in an attempt to weaken and destroy our love and trust in God.
Consider the first virus implanted on earth, the one Satan ambushed Eve with in the Garden of Eden. He infected her mind with prideful thoughts and doubt which have been replicating themselves in man ever since that day:
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD
God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not
eat from any tree in the garden’?”Genesis 3:1
“You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
This virus, this sin stain for all mankind, came to us via choice by Eve and Adam, yet they did not create the infection. Just as I chose to click the mouse and download an enticing program, I allowed entry of the virus into my computer; however, someone else full of malice created the infection for the purpose of evil. So too Satan authored the virus that attacked our first parents, and He has been at it ever since.
Virus Protection Plan
The Good News is that God sent Christ to earth to live, teach, die, and raise to new life so that He could be our Savior, our Victor over sin, death, evil, and yes, viruses. Jesus is my personal "ZoneAlarm Anti-Virus Protection!" And guess what, the cost of His program is FREE! Yes, free, because He paid for it with His blood upon Calvary. Just as I can choose activity that allows viral access, I can also choose to block them with the presence of Christ and the Word in my life and my heart.
Our victory over the suffering and misery caused by Satanic viruses is through Jesus Christ. When our Lord Himself was tempted by Satan, He used God's very Word to isolate the lie and destroy it:
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him" Matthew 4:1-11 NIV
Girlfriends, you and I need to model Christ. When you feel assaulted by evil, when the virus of Satan is infiltrating your system, activate your virus protection plan and delete evil with the Word of God.
Name the poison, recite the remedy, and live it out daily:
Impatience:
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11
Anger:
"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
Pride:
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Greed:
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:36
Forgiveness:
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15
