Spiritual WarfareWhile Mrs. Mumford was at Toronto she claims she heard "not one mention of the devil. I heard not one word about spiritual warfare. Nobody mentioned a principality or a power. And I cannot tell you how refreshing that was." It seems to me, from Scripture itself, that this is the one thing the Devil wants to succeed at—to get us to ignore him and take no notice of him. He doesn't merely go around "like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour", but he also, Paul warns US, "transforms himself into an angel of light" Why was Paul saying that? Because he was warning those who would seek to deceive true and faithful believers. He desired to "cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ." 2 Cor. 11:12-13 If the Gospel is being proclaimed as it ought to be, and as is normally evident in revival, the subjects that Mrs Mumford objects to hearing must surely be proclaimed. The central work of salvation, the foundational work of atonement wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ, is His confrontation with Satan and his power, which Christ fully overcame. It is this power of the cross, which is the experience of the true believer when he or she comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus, and from thence experiences a consistent walk in the power and love of the Saviour. Mrs. Mumford's conclusion is simple: "The truth is that the people there, and I, ever since, have been so consumed with the Person of Jesus and with the work of the kingdom that, quite honestly, there is no time to give any attention to the enemy, or to all his works, because the power of Jesus is great and the Person of Jesus is so pre-occupying, and our passion for Jesus is on the increase to such a degree, that it is a wonderful thing." She simply emphasises experience over the Word of God. The warning of Jesus is very pertinent here. 'Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ... Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 7 never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:15,:20-23 The Scriptures testify consistently to two powers, that of Almighty God, and of Satan who opposes Him. The consistent testimony of the New Testament, and especially the letters to the churches, is of spiritual warfare. Most of the 98 references to "Satan", "the Devil", and the "evil one" are by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He was only too conscious of the opposition. If we are to be Christ-like, made in the image of Christ, and to experience His life in us, then we cannot but face opposition and spiritual warfare. If we are speaking about spiritual matters, surely we cannot but speak about principalities and powers, for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the Almighty power against which all other principalities and powers contend. If there was no confrontation, then we have no spiritual problem, no sin to contend with, no temptation, and we would be touching perfection! That is not the Biblical picture. Mrs Mumford quotes the associate pastor of the Vineyard church at Anaheim as so enjoying the blessing of "the power of God" subsequent to a visit to Toronto, that "he said to the Lord one day, 'God, why have You been so kind to me? Why are You pouring out your love on me like this? And he heard the Lord, as he imagined [emphasis mine], say to him, 'I am doing this in this time, so that My church should get excited about My Son.' And that really is the beginning and end of it. I believe the Lord is pouring His Spirit out upon the church so that we should fall in love with our Jesus [sic] and His Son."
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Copyright © 2002 Homerton Baptist Church. |
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