How Spiritual Opposition Can Foster Spiritual Strength

USE RESISTANCE TO BUILD STRENGTH I am concerned that if we don’t create a better way of power-feeding our souls with biblical truth, future generations of Christians may be swept out to sea by the rip-tide of modern culture. I have made the point in earlier blogs that modern media (internet, smart phones, television, music, movies) are so pervasive, so powerful and so corrupted that many Christians, especially in younger generations, are being captured by modern culture.

• Pervasive: We are rarely out of touch with electronic media, with the internet as part of our work, social media to stay in touch, televisions on the walls of restaurants, movies and music as part of the ongoing social scene.

• Powerful: If you have ever tried to read a book and watch TV at the same time, you know which is the more powerful medium. Images hook our minds like no other media.

• Corrupted: While electronic media are neutral in and of themselves and can be used for great good, much of what comes across on electronic media is somewhere between morally neutral and morally reprehensible. At best, what we typically learn is how to live without God.

On the other hand, however, I believe that God will provide every generation of Christians the resources they need to be able to live authentic Christian lives in that generation. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” I believe that while electronic media can be a great enemy of spiritual growth, it can also be a great ally of spiritual growth, assuming it is used correctly to foster Biblical spiritual values. The danger, even for Christian ministries, is that electronic media be used only for Christian entertainment and not discipleship. Not that that there is anything wrong with media-oriented Christian entertainment. Some recent faith-based movies have had a powerful spiritual impact. However, we must also learn how to harness the power of electronic media for discipleship. Because electronic media can be used as a formidable asset to offset the negative influence of modern culture, I believe it is possible to have as powerful and authentic a Christian experience today as ever before, even though many of the life-challenges are greater.

In fact, I believe many Christians can have an even more powerful and authentic Christian experience today than in earlier generations because it is more difficult to do so.

Just as one becomes physically stronger when having to work harder,

so we can become spiritually stronger when having to work harder.

Update: if you have not done so yet, download my free video Master The Bible So Well That the Bible Masters You). Memorizing and meditating on SuperVerses and MegaVerses is the foundation on which we build. In the weeks ahead, we're going to look at how the science of neuroplasticity (how the brain can change) is now catching up with the Bible, and can help us turbocharge our spiritual progress. In the meantime, are you working on your MegaVerses and SuperVerses? _______________________________________________________________________________ This is a new blog and I am hoping to expand my readership. If you know someone you think may find this blog valuable, please forward it to them. I am always glad to hear from readers. Write to me at max@bravenewdiscipleship.com. I will not be able to answer all emails, and I may address in future blogs the questions/issues you raise. And, please "Like" my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/maxanders.author