The Enemy Within

At the end of last year I asked our church to give me their list of books that have made a spiritual impression on their lives. As a pastor/shepherd I wanted to see what our people are reading and also I wanted to read several of their suggestions (which was almost 100 books). Out of all their recommendations I have chosen to read six books recommended by our congregation in 2010.

So I have been reading The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard that was recommended. This is an excellent book and it is addressing the very issue of indwelling sin that we are studying and preaching through in James chapter 1.

I wanted to highlight something that Lundgaard says concerning how the "flesh pumps up our heads and shrivels our hearts." He says,

"A person with a big head and a small heart can learn the doctrines of sin, yet never be convicted of sin. He can learn the teachings of grace and pardon and the great atonement for sin, yet never feel the peace of God that passes understanding. When the flesh gets a person to the point that he can sit under the teaching of the Word, and even delight in it for its intellectual beauty, yet not be changed, he has snuffed out the wick of his first love." (p.118)

We must be serious about the sinful pride of knowledge. It is true that we can attain knowledge without it ever changing us. Therefore as pastors, leaders, and as Christians we must pray as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians...

"for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction..." ~ 1 Thessalonians 1.5

This is a good word!