Christian Living

Hurt vs Harm

by Terry Barlow
03/12/14
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

The thief we are told in John 10 v.10 comes only to rob kill and destroy, and this whole progression begins with the lies he believes himself and seeks to plant in our minds. The thief in that passage represents our adversary the devil. His object is to destroy each person ever created in the fires of an eternal hell. Failing that in your life or mine because of God’s salvation, he will settle for killing us; failing that because of God’s preserving power in our lives, he will settle for robbing us materially and denying us the fullness we are destined for; failing that because we have learned our true identity and authority, he will settle for getting us to entertain increasingly subtle lies that divert us from enjoying fellowship with our Lord. Failing that because of our knowing God personally, he will simply throw up his arms (wings) and keep trying until at last he is thrown into the lake of fire. I like the translation of Luke 10 v.19 where Jesus says we will tread on serpents and scorpions and nothing shall by any neans HARM us. I don’t believe He is saying we will never be HURT. Experiences of persecution and rejection which we are PROMISED (there are negative promises too) often hurt deeply, but as we turn to Jesus and his balm in the midst of them, to him who says HE is the one they are really aiming for, He can keep us from all harm. The hurts will not interfere with God’s purposes in our lives, but rather serve to promote them!