Anyone who has accepted Christ has moved from darkness to light. With that transformation comes the mandate to pursue righteousness and reject sinfulness. Our location doesn’t have to change, but our perspective does.
Riding my bike through a busy parking lot next to the beach, an old Volkswagen van caught my eye. It was covered in stickers from bumper to bumper, roof to tires. Easing to a stop, I pulled my phone out in hopes of snapping a photo when I noticed the van’s owner rummaging in the front seat. His long blonde hair and deep tan told me he was a fixture at the beach and had probably surfed his fair share of waves. Not wanting to seem rude, I approached him to ask permission before taking the picture. He was happy to oblige and eager to show me his favorite sticker on the van that read: “Why Worry? God’s in Control.”
What followed was a 20-minute conversation about our mutual faith in Jesus. It was an unexpected “God Moment” in the middle of a Newport Beach parking lot.
The van owner enthusiastically told my husband and me the story of God’s redemptive hand in his life. As a young man, he’d embraced a carefree lifestyle with no plan, purpose or direction. He’d spent his days surfing and his nights partying and carousing with different women. What had started out as fun soon enslaved him, leading to 35 years of drug and alcohol addiction. He described a life of hopelessness, living in the shadows and alleys, unable to hold a job or make meaningful relationships. But it all changed when he found God.
Now, 17 years sober, he lives and works in a rehab center, sharing the good news of Jesus and helping others make the journey from the darkness of addiction to the light of freedom. He exudes God’s love and proudly refers to himself by the nickname he’s been given around town “The Jesus Surfer.” Although he still lives in the same community, his purpose and identity have changed as a result of his encounter with the living God.
I thought about the Jesus Surfer and his dramatic transformation as I read Priscilla Shirer’s definition of righteousness this week: “Righteousness is upright living that aligns with the expectations of God.” She explains that those who follow Jesus should affirm God’s standard and then align their behavior with it. Choosing righteousness means rejecting deeds done in darkness and embracing the light of God’s truth. Although Paul doesn’t mention the breastplate of righteousness until chapter 6 of Ephesians, he gives a clear description of what a righteous life should reject and embrace in an earlier chapter:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving…. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them…
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:3-4, 8-11, 15-20, NIV)
Paul admonishes us to “make the most of every opportunity” and to “understand what the Lord’s will is” and “what pleases God.” Once the Jesus Surfer moved from darkness to light, he made it his goal to share Christ–whether he was sitting on his surfboard waiting for the next wave or leading a group at the rehab center. He even made the most of meeting perfect strangers (my husband and me) to share his love for God and his story of transformation. He pores over God’s Word and applies the truth he’s learning at church. He was eager to tell us about the latest sermon he’d heard and how it was impacting him. His enthusiasm couldn’t be contained, making his delivery disarming and winsome.
Although some of our stories may not be as dramatic as the Jesus Surfer’s, anyone who has accepted Christ has moved from darkness to light. With that transformation comes the mandate to pursue righteousness and reject sinfulness. Our location doesn’t have to change, but our perspective does. As you look at Paul’s lists, is there anything you need to leave behind? Anything you want to pursue more fully? Will you pray and ask for opportunities to bring light into the lives of people you know? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you live righteously and to pursue a deeper understanding of God’s will.
If you’d like to see and hear The Jesus Surfer for yourself, click on the link to view a brief news story that was done on him a few years ago. Let his life transformation inspire you toward living the righteous life God calls us to in His Word.
God equips us with what we need every time He invites us to grow past our comfort levels. However, we have a choice to make. Will we trust Him and fit our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace or will we shrink back in fear?
Peace is an absence of strife or anxiety. It is tranquility and serenity. Most of us long for a larger dose of it in our lives, both individually and globally. When I imagine peace, I picture my anxieties put to rest. All is right within me and in the world around me. My relationships are harmonious, my surroundings are orderly and there is nothing to cause stress or discord. It seems, however, that these moments of peace are rare, mostly because they are based on exterior circumstances that are not within my control.
In both First and Second Thessalonians, Paul describes the Father as “the God of peace” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV) and “the Lord of peace” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV). Sometimes we want to interpret this to mean our lives will be free from difficulty. However, it’s no secret that the world is full of strife and discord. It’s been that way since Adam and Eve’s first bite of the apple in the garden.
We can be assured, however, that God will give us peace, regardless of our circumstances. When we surrender our illusion of control and trust Him, we’ll find a peace that “transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7, NIV)
Beth Moore reminds us that we can trust in God’s peace even as spiritual battles rage all around us. “Peace never means more than in the context of war. Maybe one day in eternity God will let us see what was going on over our heads in the unseen realm while we were just trying to get through another day.” (Children of the Day, p. 206)
Paul gives a clear illustration of the weaponry we need to fight and defend ourselves in spiritual battle:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV)
Among the items listed in our spiritual armor are “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Verse 15) This contrasts the usual image I have of peace as being restful. I picture peace involving kicking off my shoes and lying down to relax. Here, however, peace comes from the readiness of putting on shoes and preparing for battle. And what is it that makes us ready? Knowing the “gospel of peace.” This kind of peace comes from Truth planted deep inside us that is based on trust in God. It is nothing like the peace that comes from exterior circumstances and the absence of strife. It is being ready for anything that comes our way because we know the almighty God has fit us for battle.
Beth Moore’s lesson on peace in Week 8, Day 4 of Children of the Day cites several verses in Deuteronomy that reassure us in times of battle. All of them say essentially the same thing: “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22, NIV) God goes before us and fights the battle for us. We get to reap the benefits of His victory.
Giving some context to these words in Deuteronomy is helpful. God gives these promises to the Israelites as they are traveling from Egypt to the Promised Land. In order to take the land, they will have to engage in battle. God reassures them that He will go before them and fight for them.
Beth Moore’s lesson doesn’t mention what happens next, but I think it’s a good warning for us. Despite God’s many promises, the people give in to fear and do not trust Him. He reassures them numerous times, but they fail to believe He’ll come through for them. The Old Testament book of Numbers 14 tells the sad story of the Israelites losing heart when they reach the Promised Land. Before entering it, they send in spies to scout it out. The spies return saying: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large… We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:27,28,31, NIV)
The Israelites panic upon hearing the spies’ report. “That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’” (Numbers 14:1-3, NIV) They want to return to the land where they and their ancestors were enslaved for four hundred years. In response, God pronounces this judgment against them: “For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.” (Numbers 14:34-35, NIV)
God never promised the people peaceful circumstances, but He did promise He would go before them and that He would be with them. Instead of finding peace in that, they put their trust in their own logic. The odds looked like they were against them and they weren’t willing to believe the Lord, despite the fact that He’d never failed them before.
God equips us with what we need every time He invites us to grow past our comfort levels. However, we have a choice to make. Will we trust Him and fit our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace or will we shrink back in fear?
It’s unlikely that He’s called you into a literal battle recently, however there are many other places He may be urging you to go with Him. Maybe it’s…
-Walking into the hospital room of a loved one
-Gearing up to have your contentious college student home for the holidays
-Facing a challenging situation at work
-Dealing with a relationship fraught with tension
-Preparing for a medical procedure you’re dreading
-Figuring out your finances and making a plan to get out of debt
-Answering the call to serve somewhere outside your comfort zone
-Pushing through your hesitation and sharing Jesus’ love with a hurting person
-Receiving the diagnosis you dreaded hearing
-Hosting houseguests with a gracious attitude
-Navigating the emotions of your unpredictable teenager
-Facing another sleep-deprived day caring for your little ones
-Showing grace to extended family members who make the holidays a challenge
Wherever your feet take you, I hope you’ll be praying as you put on your shoes each morning. Try something simple like this: “God please fit my feet with the readiness that comes from gospel of peace.” Take time to examine His word and to arm yourself with Truth as you face your day. Then, rest assured that God is with you wherever you go.
If you’re in a quiet, contemplative mood, you’ll be blessed by Laura Story’s song “Perfect Peace.”
Beth Moore told a story in Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still about a time when she was duped by a woman with a testimony that seemed too amazing to be true. When Beth learned that she and her ministry had been deceived, one of her staff members said: “We’ve been punked!”
I decided to look up the word “punked” online to see some of the definitions for this slang term that has become popular in recent years. Here are a few of the definitions I found: punked: A way to describe someone ripping a person off, tricking, teasing; humiliated completely, as in disrespected; putting oneself in a position of being open to ridicule; having been lied to or fooled.
Like Beth, I still wince when I think of a few times that I’ve been “punked” by Satan through hard circumstances with others. While I’ve never had someone “punk” me in such a deliberate way, I’ve experienced my fair share of pain. What I chose to do with the pain often led me down a path of being spiritually attacked. People may hurt us intentionally or unintentionally, but it is really Satan who does the “punking.” First Peter 5:8 says it clearly: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” When we’re hurt, we can either draw closer to God or look for unhealthy ways to cope that leave us spiritually vulnerable.
Looking back, it’s clear there were times when I made myself pretty easy prey for that prowling lion looking for someone to devour. Beth Moore gave a big and extreme example of when Satan used a situation to “punk” her, but we all have situations that can lead to being “punked” by him. It’s just one of the down sides of living in a fallen world. We can be sure that even if someone didn’t intentionally mean to “punk” us, Satan looks for ways to capitalize on our hurt and use it against us. Here are a few situations he can use to “punk” us when we’re not staying alert:
-A pastor or ministry leader disappoints you personally causing you to withdraw from Christian community or to stop attending corporate worship services
-A pastor or ministry leader’s sinful nature is suddenly exposed and you stop trusting anyone in a leadership position and cynicism begins to take root in you
-Your tight knit community of friends fractures and goes its separate ways causing you to feel hurt and wary of engaging in deep relationships anymore
-Your spouse, friend or business partner betrays you, leaving you choking on your own bitterness and unable to see past your own problems
-Your teen or adult child seems to do the opposite of everything you taught him, leaving you disillusioned about the Christian parenting tools you thought were foolproof
-The ministry where you’ve been serving seems to be changing in a way that doesn’t fit with your vision so you disengage and stop seeking ways to use your gifts
-You have a difference of opinion with someone you serve with and decide it’s not worth it to be involved in ministry anymore
-A close friendship falls apart and your fear of being hurt prevents you from cultivating new friendships
If you can relate to any of the scenarios above, you are not alone. What if it’s too late? What if you’ve already been “punked?” Here are a few thoughts on dealing with the aftermath and moving back into a place of health and wholeness.
-Don’t let being “punked” make you bitter
Ephesians 4:31 tells us: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” When bitterness takes root in us, it flavors everything in our lives negatively. Bitter people rarely exude joy, peace, or grace. It’s hard to share the love of Christ when bitterness plunges its roots deep into the soil of our lives. Pray and ask God to remove the bitterness you feel welling up inside of you.
-Don’t lose trust in all people because you were burned
In Matthew 10:12-14 & 16 Jesus says: “As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet…I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Being shrewd and innocent means having discernment to know the difference between people who are trustworthy and people who are not. It is unwise to assume the negative about all people you encounter because of one or two bad experiences.
-Pray against cynicism
Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Cynicism doesn’t coexist well with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. It makes us sarcastic, jaded and unable to be authentic in our relationships with others.
-Don’t lose sight of the other good things in your life
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the hurt we feel and to miss all of the other places good things are happening. Good things and hard things usually co-exist in our lives. We show wisdom when we can be thankful noticing the good and instead of fixating on the bad.
-Get help to access the tools you need for healing
Matthew 18:15-16 “If your brother or sistersins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” Often we try to muscle through hard situations on our own when what we need is the help of others. There was a time when the same person was repeatedly emotionally hurting me. I was afraid to talk to anyone about it for fear of being a gossip. When I finally confided in a wise friend, she spoke the truth and reassurance I desperately needed to hear. Eventually a Christian counselor equipped me with the tools I needed to heal and learn from what I’d experienced. The ways I grew by facing my pain caused much good to come from a very difficult situation.
-Practice Forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15 says: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” I don’t think I could say it any clearer. If we love God, then we need to forgive. This is a choice we make, not a feeling. Think of forgiveness as a cycle that may need to repeat rather than a one-time transaction. You’ll feel tremendous relief when you’re able to release your hurt at the feet of Jesus.
-Take time to heal, but don’t withdraw permanently
Matthew 5:14-16 says:“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Taking time to heal is healthy and good, but we can’t hide our lights forever. If you need to push the “pause” button for a while to re-group, that is a good thing, just don’t let it become your new “normal.” Hebrews 10:25-26 says: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
-Don’t let Satan sideline you and keep you from using your gifts to bless others
1 Peter 4:10 says: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” If you’ve been hurt while serving in a specific area and want to step back, take some time to pray and see what is next. Maybe there are some issues you need to confront in your current situation. Maybe it is time for you to find a new place to plug in and use your gifts. Just make sure you don’t leave any unfinished business behind before you move on. Running from a difficult or frustrating situation doesn’t bring healing– it just delays it.
-Put on your spiritual armor
Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Be aware that you are vulnerable to spiritual attack and access the spiritual armor God gives you to stand firm against it.
Just in case you need a reminder if you’ve been “punked”, you are not alone. You might be wondering how I compiled the list of suggestions above. It’s all from personal experience. I’ve let the messiness of life open me up to being “punked” by Satan more than once. Hopefully, the things I’ve learned will bless you and enable you to avoid having to learn the hard way like I did.
There are many helpful resources to assist you if you’ve been “punked” and don’t want to find yourself there again. A few books that have made a difference for me are:
Forgive and Forget by Lewis Smedes (Don’t let the title fool you- this book is about learning from your hurt so that you won’t be doomed to repeat it)
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Safe People by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
If you have other resources that have helped you, please make a comment and share them with others.
Need a little encouragement right away? Click on the link below to hear the song “Holding Nothing Back” by Ryan Stevenson. It will remind you that it’s best to keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of our hurts and disappointments. There is no better way to safeguard against getting “punked.”
