Our Immune system protects us from infection and disease by first detecting and recognizing a foreign body such as bacteria, toxins, fungi, and other dangerous pathogens. The white blood cells, or leukocytes, circulate throughout the body in the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, defending the body from whatever enemy they encounter. The B lymphocytes produce antibodies designed to lock onto and neutralize the foreign substance. Once the immune system has identified and destroyed them, the antibodies remain in the bloodstream and protect the body from further invasion. This is the way we become immune to disease.
As important as a healthy immune system is -especially in this time of Corona virus-we need to focus on something far more essential to our lives. What about a healthy Spiritual immune system? The truth is after we die our spirits will live on beyond this world. We have an opportunity to live forever in the kingdom of God in peace, love, and joy. Otherwise, we will spend eternity in hell where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(Matthew 25:30) A healthy spiritual immune system begins with repentance-
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2
Each day we are exposed to and endangered by distractions, disruptions, and deceptions. All three of these devious tactics have increased in this time of world chaos. If we want to be immune to these weapons of the enemy’s warfare then we must recognize them first.
Definition of Distraction-
1. The act of distracting, or the condition of being distracted: Inexperienced drivers are especially vulnerable to distraction.
2. Something that makes it difficult to pay attention or that draws attention away from familiar or everyday concerns: was annoyed by the distractions of having so many roommates;
3. Mental or emotional disturbance; agitation or confusion: loved the puppy to distraction; was driven to distraction by the noisy neighbors.
American Heritage® Dictionary
Have you noticed the distractions we’re facing on a day to day basis?They are often subtle, may seem harmless, or even appear to be a good thing. Despite seeming benign they can cause much damage to a christian’s spiritual strength- if left unchecked. Any time our spirits seek to feed on God’s Word or spend time in prayer and something occurs in our mind or our environment to draw our attention away from it, then we are prone to a weakened spiritual immune system. The Bible says- “Be not ignorant of Satan's devices”. Strange- the word ‘devices’ has an apropos or two fold meaning in our modern technological society.
Definition of Disruption-
1. To throw into confusion or disorder: Protesters disrupted the candidate's speech.
2. To interrupt or impede the progress of: Our efforts in the garden were disrupted by an early frost. The noise disrupted my nap.
3. To break apart or alter so as to prevent normal or expected functioning: radiation that disrupts DNA and kills bacteria.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/disruption
Has your life ever been disrupted in any form or manner? Your plans interrupted? Progress hindered? Because of inner or outer chaos or disorder? (Think Corona virus lockdown!) The immune system can be disrupted by a poor diet, bad habit, or exposure to infection. When I was 15, I was riding my bike and accidentally scratched my ankle on the rusty pedal.
Well, it hurt a little but I just ignored it. Until I had sharp pain in my leg. Then red streaks appeared. I still tried to forget about it and didn’t want to go to the doctor. During the night my fever rose so high that my face looked like a ripe tomato. From what I can remember I had chills and a fast heart beat too. For a short time I lost my hearing and was confused. By the grace of God I was taken to the doctor the next morning. I had a temperature of 105 degrees. It was blood poisoning.
A simple little scratch from a rusty pedal almost cost me my life. It was only a small opening in the skin where the infection was able to enter my body. I ignored it. Didn’t clean it or put a band-aid on it either. And so my summer vacation fun was disrupted by pain and a trip to the doctor for 3 days to receive a shot each time. In the same way, we often ignore spiritual wounds and allow them to fester and infect our hearts and minds.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8
Perhaps you’ve been hurt by a friend or family member who talked about you behind your back. Maybe it’s an open wound that’s now infected with anger, strife, and unforgiveness. What needs to be done to heal it before things get worse..more dangerous to your spirit? Take it to Jesus and set it at his feet. Remember the cross..the place where Jesus was wounded for our sins..where you were forgiven. Jesus’ grace is enough for you. Forgive and you shall be forgiven.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Deception
- the act or practice of deceiving
- the fact or condition of being deceived
- something that deceives, as an illusion, or is meant to deceive, as a fraud
https://www.yourdictionary.com/deception
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. I John 4
The deception of apostasy today should be obvious to those who seriously study God’s Word. It’s even blatantly displayed in various per-versions of the Bible. Beyond that are the false teachers/prophets which can be found on tv, radio, internet, and in churches all over the world. How can we build up our immune system against this raging disease? First we have to feed and nurture our spirits with God’s Word. Because the best way to spot something counterfeit or false is to fully know the genuine. In the verses below Jesus shows how the Word of God can be used against temptation from the enemy of our soul and spirit.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4
Distractions, disruptions, and deceptions are like infections, toxins, and diseases that will fight against our God given immune system. If we’re not seeking the face of our Lord and Savior, feeding ourselves spiritual food, and walking by faith, then spiritual disease may take hold and bring about spiritual death..the second death.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11 Be an overcomer! Follow Jesus all the way home..
“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties. C.S. Lewis
