Many books have been written about spiritual warfare and the battles we face. But we are not called simply to battle in warfare but to win. Paul faced an intense war, he recognized it, and he won!
"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols." Acts 17:16
I know some of the places we work and live can be quite a challenge when it comes to being Jesus to the people there, let me give you some insights into what Paul was facing.
Athens was an idolatrous city. One Greek writer from this time said, "there are more idols in Athens than people." It was a center for art, drama, intellectual pursuits, the idea of democracy was founded there. Many of the world's leading thinkers came from there. Every form of greed, thievery, fornication, and adultery was freely exercised there. Homosexuality was not only practiced but was common and considered fashionable. If there were an ancient city that would bear the mark 666, for humans being sold out to human's selfish desires, Athens would be it. Into this type of spiritual environment, Paul came to bring Jesus. How does this compare to your neighborhood or workplace?
The idea of the city being "given over" to idols meant the city was completely sold out, overrun with their minds, attitudes, personalities, and judgments all being controls by the idolatrous mindset. This would be similar in our region to those given over to heroin.
When Paul was surrounded by all of this Luke (the writer of Acts) tells us that Paul's spirit was "provoked" this word means Paul became incensed at the situation deep in his heart, he became militant. In other words, Paul saw all of the sin, brokenness, blindness of the people and became militant toward the enemy of their souls to march in and bring freedom to the people. The challenge for Paul, like our challenge in our culture, is would he become afraid of the enemy, feel overwhelmed by the enemy or be up for the challenge, take the enemy straight on knowing that greater is He that was in Paul then he that is in the world! Paul was up for the challenge! People were set free, the city was impacted, the world was changed! You are facing much the same, the idols are not made of stone but are just as powerful, but they still need Jesus! Are you up for the challenge?
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As we look around we can see we are living in “Athens” times. Our world has become sold out to this mindset, the enemy is working overtime and to be honest we could look with carnal eyes and think he has the upper hand, but we must look with spiritual eyes, we must want to take the challenge but more important we must do the challenge! Knowing we do not face it alone, that we are called to be warriors and that we can do it! Do not fear what the enemy has set before us but retaliate in the strength of our Lord. We must be Jesus to a dying world, we as Christians are the hope so many are looking for.
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