Hijacked
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Charlie and his wife Rose were seated on a plane destined for Hawaii. They were happily discussing their vacation plans for the island. Suddenly, everything changed. Three armed men hijacked the aircraft. Panic and thoughts of eminent death completely overwhelmed them. Aviation hijackings can result in disaster. The same is true for spiritual hijackings. Find out how this impacts you in today’s message. Please read more.
Thankfully the number of aviation hijackings has declined dramatically over the past 50 years. However, during this same time period there has been an explosion of spiritual hijackings. In this article I will explain what I mean.
In my opening paragraph I said there were three hijackers. Spiritually speaking there are also three hijackers. They are: Satan, The Broken World, and The Flesh. We are all subjected to these three sources of temptations. Sometimes, these spiritual hijackers work alone and sometimes they work together in an evil cabal.
Metaphorically speaking, Paul wrote about spiritual hijackings in Romans 7:12-25. Most likely you are familiar with these verses. Even if you have not read them before, I feel certain you have experienced what he writes about.
Paul said he is carnal, and sold into slavery to sin. He says he does not understand why he does not do what he wants, but what he hates. Then he makes a very important distinction. He says “it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” He continues by saying, “I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.” He states, “I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.” Once again he makes that same distinction saying, “if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Further on Paul tells us, “I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” Finally, he states that only Jesus can deliver him from his mortal body. Then he closes with this disturbing reality, “I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God but, with my flesh, the law of sin.” This entire section of Paul’s writings could be summed up by stating Paul’s mind belongs to God, but his flesh has been hijacked by evil. This battle is faced by all Christians.
Paul seems bewildered by his internal struggle. I think most of us are bewildered by similar struggles. Are you in the midst of a spiritual battle similar to Paul’s? Paul acknowledged that he had been taken captive by sin. So have we. This is true for all of us, especially so for anyone struggling with addictions or endlessly recurring sin. Sexual sins can be one of the most addictive sins. When someone becomes ensnared in sexual sin, it can destroy them. Sexual sins can dominate and defeat good Christians. They can destroy one’s character, reputation, and important relationships.
Despite the dangers associated with addictions and other chronically recurring sins, many good, God fearing, prayerful, and church going Christians find it nearly impossible to break free from certain areas of sinfulness. Their heart, mind, and soul want to serve and please God. But one or all three of the spiritual hijackers attack them. They are forced to accept the reality that the law of sin is at work in their flesh. This battle can be exhausting. Often it leads to despair. Sometimes they feel worthless because of their inability to break free from their sin, and they find it harder and harder to accept God’s mercy.
At our Baptism we were washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus Christ. We put on Christ. Yet the apostle John tells us in 1 John 1:8, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Jesus himself taught us to pray “Forgive us our trespasses.” Although we have been washed clean and have received a new life in Christ, our Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of our human condition. This inner turmoil is called concupiscence. Concupiscence is the ongoing tendency of humans to sin. Paul makes clear the meaning of concupiscence when he discusses the battle between his flesh and spirit. Through the grace of Jesus Christ we hope to endure the struggle of the Christian life.
Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for us to bear good fruit. But Paul makes it clear that even though we are made new in Christ we remain captive to sin and we continue to fall short of God’s laws. It is only through Jesus that we find redemption from sin. Since we are unable to free ourselves from sin, we can only be rescued from defeat by the power of God’s grace working through Jesus Christ. His mercy and love are greater than our greatest sins! Luke 5:31-32 tells us, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked by four al-Qaida terrorists. Brave passengers onboard revolted against the terrorists. The uprising lasted six minutes. The terrorists nosedived the plane into a field, killing all onboard.
Are we willing to revolt against the three spiritual hijackers? In Matthew 16:24-25 “Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Much like the passengers on flight 93 who fought back against the hijackers, forsaking their lives in the process, we must fight back against the three hijackers who are trying to make us captive to sin in order to cause the destruction of our soul. We must forsake our desire for pleasure, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow the will of our Heavenly Father. Losing our life for His sake will in fact save our eternal life.
Heavenly Father, my soul is willing but my flesh is weak. Forgive me Lord for those times I give into sin. Strengthen me and be merciful to me I pray. Amen!
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WELCOME
I want to welcome all of the new readers who joined us after attending the retreat at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Blairsville, GA. on July 1st. I invite you to share in the comment section below and tell the other readers about your experience at the retreat.
If I haven’t yet conducted a retreat at your church please click here to invite me or find more information.
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AMDG
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Good morning and thank you for the great letter Brian.
BE SOBER-MINDED:
BE WATCHFUL.
YOUR ADVERSARY,
THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND
LIKE A ROARING LION.
SEEKING SOMEONE
TO DEVOUR
– 1 PETER 5:8
Good luck to all with the daily “ hijackers “. God Bless
Thanks for the letter on the hijackers. I needed this today to remind me of the necessitry of carrying my cross after Jesus. Bless your work, Brian.
The one day retreat was amazing. All who attended or watched via Facebook are still talking about it. They seriously want more! All of us at St Francis were truly blessed by the retreat. Thanks so much.
Linda
It was a true blessing to be at your parish and share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone. Tell everyone hello for me.
Brian