Devon Dick

Two Fridays ago, a member of a Baptist church showed me a threatening letter she received which read in part: "This is to inform you [name withheld] that you are ask to make a contribution of US$5,000.

This donation is for a worthy cause. If you do not comply you will be followed and shot four times." She believes, and it seems highly likely, that her life is being threatened because she is doing her job conscientiously and unearthing corruption. She is not the first Baptist member of whom I am aware that, in recent times, has been threatened because of work-related issues. In addition, there are persons living under the gun because of their stance for righteousness.

Christians need to realise that we are involved in spiritual warfare. Paul in Ephesians 6 said: "Put on the whole armour of God ... for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers ...

To engage in this warfare and to remain strong in the Lord every Christian must put on the whole armour of God. We need to find our strength in the Lord and in his mighty power. This happens when we put on the armour of God. Based on Isaiah 59: 15-20, Paul is saying that we must wear similar armour as God wears in his fight against evil - the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation. The very same weapons that God uses in hisfight against evil is the very same weapons we have at our disposal.

God's weaponry

This is the weaponry God used to disarm Satan. God has already peppered Satan. Bu Satan has been defeated, dethroned and disarmed Col 2: 15, he is still stronger than we are when we do not wear the whole armour. Not only are the forces of evil powerful but they are pervasive. These are not localised evil forces only. They have a worldwide network. They are the world rulers of darkness.

Not only are they powerful and pervasive but they are also persuasive. They are smart and have a way with words for ill. Furthermore, these forces operate by proxy. They often do not appear before you but they send agents. These forces are the unseen hand manipulating things. It is the proverbial 'hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob'.

Therefore, these principalities and powers can operate through a drug cartel, criminal gang, extortionists or a terrorist group or through an international body or through nationalism. These powers might infiltrate structures, institutions and traditions. They can co-op systems and orientations and make them demonic and could be expressed as economic, social, political or judicial forces. Even a denomination could be an instrument of a demonic agency.

Therefore, so often these persons who threaten and take lives are youngsters who are controlled by others. The fight must concentrate on the kingfish and not mainly the small fry. The real enemies are the demonic agencies behind these people and institutions.

Christians help to tackle JAmaica's problem

A couple days ago, I heard the director-general of PIOJ, Dr. Wesley Hughes, in an interview with Michael Anthony Cuffe, saying that Jamaica needs to tackle the guns, gangs and lack of professionalism of the police force. Guns are too accessible. (It is worrisome that guns can be so easily had in the United States.) In addition, young men are entering gangs as a result of family breakdown and also a need for identity. And the JCF needs help. Christians must be courageous and help in tackling those three problems.

Christians must, therefore, pray regularly and consistently. Prayer will help us discern the problem and gain insights to devise the right plan and courage to implement it. Christians must also be prepared to suffer for the cause of Christ as we wrestle with principalities and powers.