The Myth of Backlash

Very effectively and insidiously the Christian’s adversary has convinced us to embrace a myth. A myth is a widely held, but false belief or idea. Why is it false? Simply because it is a contradiction of scripture.

Moreover, we have seen with our own eyes and can testify to the truth that Father God has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Those who give thanks that Jesus is the Son of God live in God, and God lives in them. 16 We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us.

God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them. 17 By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world. 18 Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment (retribution). But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached loves perfection. (1 John 4:14-18) [1] (The Passion Translation (Emphasis mine)

We prove our love by our obedience.  If we feel our obedience will be rewarded by punishment, then we would not be very motivated to be obedient, would we? Recall the story of Job.  Satan could not do anything to job without permission.  It is the same with us. If something happens to us, permission was granted. If permission was granted it would be because God had a greater weight of His Glory, he was seeking to work in our lives.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where we want the testimony, but we don’t want the test. How do you think you end up with a “test”imony? You go through a test. A test is never designed to take you out of the race. Rather, it will reveal to you weaknesses that need to be shored up so that they are no longer weaknesses. If, in a test, weak spots are revealed, then it is my responsibility to do what is necessary to correct the deficiencies and get the power of God released into my life in that arena.

If I have an expectation of “backlash” will I be more likely to obey an instruction of the Lord, or less likely?

Never allow fear to determine your level of obedience to an instruction!

Paul made it quite clear how he felt about the things he had experienced and what our approach should be in Romans 8:

28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.

35 Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love.  What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love, 36 even though it is written: All day long we face death threats for your sake, God.  We are considered to be nothing more than sheep to be slaughtered! 37 Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! 38 So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love.  I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. 39 There is no power above us or beneath us— no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! [2]

Terrorism is the result of creating an environment where you consult fear before you do something.  How this plays out with believers is to get them to fear what might happen if they obey an instruction. Intercessors will draw back from praying for their nation because of a fear of backlash or retaliation.

What if we die? We go to Heaven! What if we are injured? Don’t we have a healer? We may experience injury or sickness, but don’t go crediting it to the power of the devil to punish you for obedience to God.  When we do that, what message are we sending? We are essentially telling others not to obey God because we fear something might happen to us. You can either face down that demon spirit or succumb to it. Personally, I’m not one to succumb to such things! How about you?

[1] Simmons, Brian. The Passion Translation New Testament: With Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs (Kindle Locations 38561-38573). BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC. Kindle Edition.

[2] ibid