Standing Strong In A World Gone Wrong

APPLICATION ARTICLE | John Maddocks | Toronto, Ontario, Canada

All alone. Most of us can remember a time or season when we experienced that unpleasant sensation. I live in Toronto, a city with millions of people, yet despite that huge population, it is a common experience for many to feel alone, even when surrounded by so many people. I know that it is true because I’ve experienced it myself.

Elijah stood alone. King Ahab had sent for the children of Israel and they assembled at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah called out to the people, “‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). Elijah was, from all appearances, very much alone. But was he? Of course not! Elijah had not for a single moment been on his own and he knew that very well. The “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel” (1 Kings 18:36), was with him every step of the way. I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, if you’re unfamiliar with the rest of the story to read 1 Kings 18. I’ll give away the ending, though, and tell you that by the power of the Almighty God, Elijah triumphed over those false prophets. Elijah took a stand, even though it might cost him his life, against the evil of false teaching and false teachers. He stood up to the king of Israel, Ahab, and his evil wife, Jezebel. He did this because they had forsaken the commandments of God, as had their fathers, and were following instead the Baals (1 Kings 18:18).

Like Elijah, we live in a world given over to error and we see it manifested in a myriad of ways. There are false prophets all around us. Some prophets speak lies that are clearly false. Other false teachers speak lies that sound good and pleasing. Remember, Satan is the master deceiver. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:13, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”

Our battle is a spiritual one. Again, Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Those false prophets that stood against Elijah were men of flesh and blood. They were susceptible to the deceptions of the great deceiver, our great enemy, Satan. They had bought into the lie.

Though Elijah the prophet lived nearly 3,000 years ago, and despite the fact that in those intervening years we have advanced in amazing ways, people have not changed at all. Those false prophets believed the lie, just as false prophets do today. The people of Israel, who should have rallied to Elijah’s side, remained silent when called upon by Elijah to choose a side, “answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). We may be technologically ahead of these ancient people, but inside, we are no different.

So, what about you? Would you say that you are more like Elijah or the people of Israel? As is true in every generation, there is a need for the people of God to take a stand against error, both in word and in action. Are you taking a stand? if you find fear hindering you from doing what is right, remember, you are not alone. After his victory in 1 Kings 18, we find Elijah experiencing, what we may find ourselves experiencing on occasion, doubt.

“So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:10; cf. 14).

Elijah felt alone. As the chapter continued, Elijah persisted in this feeling of isolation, but then God revealed this to him, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18).

He was not alone, just as we are not alone. Even when we feel isolated and afraid, God is there and so are others who share our faith. Do not let doubt and fear hinder us from the good we can do in our stand against what is false. We can stand strong in a world gone wrong!

Like Paul, we can confidently say, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Like the brethren in Smyrna, we can “be faithful until death” and receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Continuing to feel alone will hinder us, though. God never intended for his people to view life as a solo journey. So in this age in which we live, where all authority has been given to Christ (Matthew 28:18), we need to utilize the spiritual family that we have in Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We need to tap into the Almighty strength of our Heavenly Father (Ephesians 6:10). We need to fill our minds with the word of truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Paul wrote in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The account of Elijah, taking a stand against Ahab, Jezebel and the 450 prophets of Baal, is not there without a reason. It reminds us all that we can, and indeed we must take a stand against error. We can do it! You can do it!

19.04.02 | GROW magazine