Lessons from the Devil’s Den

            Last month I visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. There is a small area just south of Gettysburg called the Devil’s Den. The Devil’s Den is a rocky expanse with shrubs and scrub trees at the southernmost part of Houck’s Ridge. It lies just west of Little Round Top with the Plum Run Valley (also known as the Valley of Death) in-between. Little Round Top had been taken by the Union Army and was being used as the perfect high ground to launch artillery. Confederate snipers had hid themselves in the rocks of the Devil’s Den. Their shots were interfering with the advantage of having an artillery battery on the high ground.

            Last week I wrote about God being for us. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). This verse implies, and the context solidifies that those who are justified by God will never be condemned. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life,” (John 5:24).

            These promises in the New Testament are clear. If you are justified by God (declared righteous) you will never be condemned. The fact that we will never be condemned, though, does not mean that Satan, or even our own sinful desires, will not try to interfere with our newfound freedom. Like sharpshooters sniping at their enemies, we have enemies that would like to distract us from our high ground.

            Our most well known enemy is Satan. Scripture is clear that he seeks to destroy us (1 Pet. 5:8). Should this cause us concern when we have the promise that God is for us (has justified us) and no one can be against us (condemn us)? We should not be concerned regarding our security is Jesus Christ. So, what does it mean that Satan seeks to destroy us? He cannot have our soul. He can, however, keep us from living the life that God wants us to live. Should we be concerned? Yes. He is crafty and deceptive. He has disguises that can fool us (2 Cor. 11:14). He schemes against us (Eph. 6:11). The fact that our eternity in God’s favor is secure does not give us the liberty to take our focus off the battle we are in. Like the snipers of Devil’s Den, we must resist their attack.

            There is another sniper out there seeking to take your attention. He is closer than you think. Like Satan, he seeks to lure and entice his victim. Who is this second sniper? Just look in the mirror. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death,” (James 1:14-15). Do you see how powerful the enemy of our own desires can be? Our desire causes temptation which can lead to sin, and sin brings death! Understand that sin does not reverse our justification. Remember the question: “Who can be against us?” The answer is no one, not even you. This is regarding our justification. We will never be condemned by God once we are justified. However, sin will always bring death.

            As a justified child of God do I still have the ability to sin? Unfortunately, yes. Though God promises to cover that sin with the blood of Christ, my sin will still bring death in my life today. It will have tremendous impact on my life, my wife, my children, my community, and my church. Sin will never just happen with no consequences. It brings death. Though the Union Army won the Battle of Gettysburg, the sniper fire from the Confederate soldiers killed many.

            Though God is for you and no one can every condemn you, search out the snipers in your life and deal with them.

Stay vigilant, men.

Pastor Drew

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