“And he said to them, ‘Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person’” (Mark 7:18-23).
Disclaimer: Do listen to the authorities, do take the present distress seriously, do practice “social distancing,” and do practice good hygiene. The pandemic is happening, and we need to respond appropriately.
Now here’s the point. The virus isn’t the enemy.
Yes, we’re concerned about our health. We’re concerned about the health of our loved ones and our neighbors. But we always knew we would die. (Right? How easily we do forget.)
And yes, there’s the splash effect. I can only begin to imagine the problems this is causing for some. Weddings are being rescheduled, graduations have been postponed, financial portfolios are pandemonius, scholarship opportunities are a mess, and then there are the health concerns that aren’t COVID-19. People who had scheduled treatment for life-debilitating illnesses are being turned away. We’re concerned for our infrastructure, for our local businesses, for our ability to pay rent, not to mention our sports teams (however significant that may be to you).
But the virus isn’t the problem.
Then there’s the media. Is it “fake”? Conspiratorial? Misinformation? Fear-mongering?
Please, listen. All these are valid concerns, but they’re not the problem.
Consider two questions with me:
What might God want out of this trial?
What might Satan want out of it?
I don’t know how COVID-19 got started, and I don’t know how the virus will eventually look as it spreads worldwide. I don’t know what the fallout will be financially, sociologically, technologically, bureaucratically…I just don’t know a lot. No one does.
But here’s what I do know.
Whatever evil he performs, Satan must get prior authorization. Check Job 1-2.
And whatever God pushes into our lives—ALL of it—he means for our good as he presses us into the mold of the glorious image of his Son. That is if we love him and desire his purpose fulfilled in our lives. Check Romans 8:28-30.
See, God’s purpose isn’t that we live healthily forever in this world. It isn’t that we win our basketball brackets. (That’s probably obvious, though, right? Right?) It isn’t that we can retire on time. It isn’t that we have extra time now to do that project we’d been putting off. It’s not that we now have the mental space to learn (or teach) a new skill.
But God does mean for us to face this with courage (Isaiah 8:11-15; 2 Timothy 1:7). He does intend for us to recognize and joyfully submit to his rule (1 Peter 5:6-7). He does expect us to keep from laziness and take opportunity to serve and support others, especially those in Christ (Acts 20:35; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; Galatians 6:10). He does call us to love, purity, goodness, and faith (1 Timothy 1:5). He does purpose us to give an account for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15).
But Satan has his agenda, too.
Satan would love for you and me to get distracted by all the “important” things—from surviving the pandemic to enjoying “family time,” all without focus on the Father. He’s banking on us thinking, “This isn’t that bad; I can handle it,” while failing to see our utter dependence on God for all things or ignoring the distress of others around us. He’s hoping we mock others for “overreacting,” while we ourselves don’t stop to consider our own mortality. He’s excited to see us when we’re judgmental of “weak” Christians—the Lord’s servants and not ours—for making decisions in an emergency situation none of us have ever faced before. He wants to see us shrink “church” down to methods rather than nurture the richness of our relationship in Christ. He’s gleeful that we zealously defend our own health, blind to our spiritual malnourishment. He relishes in the close quarters that uncover conflict and discontent and complaining in a home. He’d really like for us to use our time selfishly, undisciplined and with no thought for the purpose of God in a trial like we’re currently experiencing.
The virus isn’t the enemy. Jesus said as much in Mark 7:18: “Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him…?” It’s what comes out of a man that shows who we really are. It’s trials like this that squeeze out of us the fear, the anger, the bitterness, the jealousy and ugliness and foolishness and anxiety—all results of living according to the logic of Satan but not knowing it (James 3:13-18).
Dear Christian, walk with wisdom during these dark times. We are not unaware of the devil’s schemes. We must not be outwitted by the enemy (2 Corinthians 2:11).
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
—Justin Dobbs