Conversations around our house these past few weeks have been heavy, to say the least. It’s hard to ignore and pretend like social justice, coronavirus, defunding the police, presidential campaigns, etc. don’t affect us. My husband and I talk about these things out on a daily basis. Something he said the other day really hit me. Like a stone in the head (pun intended). He reminded me the real battle isn’t what we are seeing on the news, and within our communities. It is spiritual warfare. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12 

The fight against racism is a spiritual battle. The fight to support our police officers, and equipping them with resources, is a spiritual battle. The fight to respect others by whether or not to wear a mask in public is a spiritual battle. 

All fight for good. 

As believers, we need to do our best to understand the fight before we grab our stone weapons. 

Here are two very different stories in the Bible that talk about stones as weapons: 

• John 8:1-11 where Jesus saves an adulterous woman from death by stoning ‭‭
• 1 Sam 17:32-51 where David takes down a giant with a single chosen stone to the head 
  

When I hop on social media or look at the news feeds, I see a lot of deaths by stoning. Not literal deaths (although I’m sure in some places it still happens). I am talking about the stones getting slung over the keyboard aimed to divide. People sharing and writing words that serve no other purpose except to perpetuate the chaos. People are grabbing a rock; jumping into the crowd, and flinging their weapon without truly understanding who or what’s in the middle. 

I have also seen people using their stones as David did. Fighting with ones that are purposefully chosen; a smooth one, perfect for the job. They aren’t grabbing whatever is lying around ready to hurl it at whoever is in the circle.  They are educating themselves, listening more than speaking or typing, and praying that the will of God be done in their hearts as it is in heaven. 

I’m guilty of being both. My husband often says “God gave me two ears and one mouth for a reason.” In other words: I should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. If I start with that, how much more powerful and direct will the stone be when I go out to fight the evil? 

The enemy loves disunity. He thrives in chaos. It makes his day when we chuck rocks at each other instead of the giant. So before you throw that stone, be sure it’s aimed at the evil, not the sinner in the circle.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. - 2 Corinthians 10:4 

• Before you speak, type, or cast your stone, seek the face of the Lord. Ask Him if it is necessary, true, and in love. If you don’t know, then sit with it a little bit longer.
• Recognize the spiritual warfare at play. When we know the common enemy, our efforts for good are supernaturally multiplied. 
• Listen. Listen. And then listen some more. (I confess, this is the one I struggle with the most.)

Photo cred: top pic - Cari Allen; bottom pic - Pat Russell