Part 4 of The Dadventures Series
Click here to start at the beginning | Click here to go back to Part 3: The Quest
In my earlier post about The Hero, I wrote about the danger my family and I faced on the trail to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. It was one of the scariest moments in my life, because I thought there was a chance I could lose them. Thankfully, we were rescued just in time.
That hike will always stand out to me. On one hand, it evokes some great memories. The hike was full of excitement and adventure. The sight of the huge arch is awe-inspiring. It is absolutely beautiful. In fact, we have a picture of our family under Delicate Arch hanging in our living room.
On the other hand, thinking about that journey also brings back terrible feelings because of what could have happened. I always tear up a little thinking about that moment.
And that is life. There is beauty and pain. Joy and sadness. Peace and danger. Good and evil.
As dads, we spend much of our time trying to lead our children to those good things and protect them from the bad. Think about the things you have tried to protect them from recently. What are they?
I have four kids. My oldest just got her driver’s license three months ago, and my youngest is learning to ride a bicycle. Both situations can be pretty scary for a parent. Our youngest broke his arm this past Christmas, so I know very well how one mistake can lead to a painful consequence. And I know how dangerous driving can be for a teenager, as well as the dangers that become available with the newfound independence a driver’s license brings.
So, why don’t we just completely protect our kids from those dangers? Why don’t I get rid of the bicycles and the car keys and wrap my kids in bubble wrap? Why don’t I pull them out of school and sports teams and hunker down in our home? Why don’t I surround the perimeter of our yard with razor wire and land mines and install several strategically placed canons on top of our house?
Well, for one thing, that might attract the attention of the FBI and ATF…or at least the HOA president. Second, we know that protecting them from every danger is not only not possible, it’s not the goal.
As dads, we certainly need to be aware of the dangers our kids are facing, but we don’t need to protect them from every single danger; instead, we need to equip them to recognize the dangers and how to navigate their way around and through them.
On our family hiking adventures, we have come across all sorts of dangers: rocks and roots that can make you trip or sprain your ankle; steep drop-offs; mosquitos, bees, and wasps; poison ivy; boiling hot springs and geysers; getting lost; getting dehydrated; charging bison, elk, and moose; snakes; and even a few black bears and grizzlies. But my wife and I have decided that the risk of facing those dangers is worth it because of the reward of seeing so much of God’s incredible creation.
Now, we don’t just naively ignore those dangers. Instead, we know what the dangers are, and we prepare ourselves and our kids for them. Before we set out, I always make sure we have water, and I carry a pack with a first aid kit, a knife, and a few snacks. While we hike, I point out dangers, like rocks and roots, drop-offs, poison ivy, and snakes. I do this so that they will avoid them, but I also do it so they will learn to recognize and look for them without my help.
But as prevalent and dangerous the perils of hiking, bike riding, or even driving may be, there is a greater danger out there, and as dads it is imperative that we prepare ourselves and our kids for it. This danger we face comes from our enemy, the devil, and this danger goes beyond physical pain, and temporary consequences. This danger can certainly cause those things, but even worse, it can lead to lifelong physical, emotional, and spiritual damage and, worse yet, eternal destruction.
The Most Evil of Villains
I wrote in an earlier post about the Quest we are on as followers of Jesus. This is a quest to Jesus himself, a quest with Jesus, and a quest for Jesus, one he has sent us on to bring others to him. But just like any quest, there is an evil villain trying to stop us on our quest. The devil wants to keep us from getting to Jesus, he wants to separate us from Jesus, and he wants to prevent us from bringing others to Jesus. And he will do everything he can to accomplish his mission.
But we cannot allow that to keep us from our quest. Yes, there is danger, but it is worth the risk. In fact, in the end, it is far more dangerous to not follow Jesus than it is to follow him. It will not always be easy, but it is most definitely worth it to follow Jesus.
To be successful in our quest, we need to understand our enemy. Before I take my kids on any type of adventure, I always try to do my research to be prepared for any dangers. I want to know what dangers to look for, how to avoid or prevent them, and be prepared for how to handle them if they happen. Likewise we need to prepare ourselves and our families to face the spiritual dangers of the devil.
The cartoon caricatures of the devil that are so prevalent in popular culture have made him seem like a fictional fairy tale, or at the very least, someone who poses no threat to us. But the devil is very real and more dangerous than most of us realize, and we need to know what we are up against. So, let’s take a quick look at three of the main aspects of our adversary, the devil.
First, the devil is The Tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). He uses our own sinful desires to lure us into sin, attempting to separate us from Jesus. Sin fractures our relationship with God and with other people, and the devil loves it when this happens. When we sin, we are declaring that we don’t trust God and, instead, trust our own decision-making abilities. And the devil knows that the result of our sin is death (Romans 6:23). When we sin, we are falling into the devil’s trap.
Second, the devil is The Deceiver. He is a liar (John 8:44), and he even disguises himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). He can’t make us sin, but he can deceive us into thinking that our sinful actions are justified or make sin look like it is the right or best thing to do. This is what makes the devil so dangerous, because it can be hard to tell if something seems right or actually is right.
And third, the devil is The Accuser. This is what the word “devil” literally means. Shame is one of his best weapons, and he uses our sin to hurl accusations at us. Our shame often keeps us from going to the God who can forgive and heal us. The devil also uses it to make us believe we aren’t qualified to tell others about Jesus or to lead our family or church. Further, the “father of lies” (John 8:44) will often falsely accuse us or use-half truths to shame us into not doing what God wants us to do.
You probably have some negative voices that play on repeat inside your mind.
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m such a failure.”
“I’ll always be like this; I can’t change.”
“You are a terrible dad, husband, person.”
“I can’t believe you did that. That’s who you are and will always be.”
“If people really knew me”
Anything sound familiar? By accusing us, the devil can use one sin or one mistake to keep us trapped because we think that we’ve ruined everything and there is no hope.
But remember we have a Hero. Jesus died on the cross to free us from our sin. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If we follow Jesus, we “will know the truth, and the truth will set us free” (John 8:32). And if we walk in his light, exposing and confessing our sin to God and others, Jesus purifies us from our sin (1 John 1:5-9). If we are in Christ and remain in him, we more easily recognize the devil’s traps, and his Spirit empowers us to resist his temptations. And when we do sin, he removes the guilt, shame, and condemnation, freeing us to continue on this awesome journey with Jesus.
Battling the Devil
So, as dads, what can we do to protect ourselves and our families from the devil? If you haven’t heard me say it before, let me say it again for you:
Start with Jesus.
You can’t battle the devil on your own and be successful. None of us can. Jesus is the only person who has ever lived a completely sinless life. He endured the full onslaught of the devil’s attacks and still came out victorious. He conquered the grave and rescued us from sin. If you haven’t experienced Christ’s salvation, I encourage you to talk with a Christian friend or leader at your church. If you don’t have a church, I urge you to talk with some Christian friends about their church. Find a good Gospel-teaching church, and continue seeking Jesus.
If you have experienced his salvation, trust Jesus. Keep your faith in him and his power. Keep your life and your family focused on him, and journey with him wherever he leads. Trust his promise that he will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
Then, prepare yourself for the dangers of this adventure with Jesus. I mentioned earlier that before I go hiking, I make sure I have the necessary supplies. Likewise, make sure you are equipped for this journey.
In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul says that this journey, this quest is actually warfare, but instead of battling a human army, he reminds us that we are battling the devil’s spiritual forces of evil. He instructs us to equip ourselves with God’s truth, God’s righteousness, God’s gospel of peace, God’s salvation, and God’s Word. He also says that our faith will help shield us from Satan’s attacks, and he urges us to be in constant prayer. You may not know what all of this means right now, and that’s okay. Continue journeying to, with, and for Christ. Get into God’s Word every day. Seek Jesus in prayer. Trust him more each day. Surround yourself with other believers who are on this journey so that you can encourage and strengthen each other.
In addition to preparing yourself for the dangers of this journey, prepare your children. Pray for them, pray with them, and teach them to pray. Read the Bible to them, read it with them, and teach them to seek Jesus in Scripture on their own. Point out the dangers, the traps and lies that the devil uses, but also show them the joys of following Jesus and the delight that is found in him. Point out God’s blessings, whether it’s a beautiful sunrise, an answered prayer, or the taste of a perfectly cooked steak. In everything, point them to Jesus.
Following Jesus is an exciting adventure. It is the most exciting adventure. But with any adventure, there is danger. The devil is an ever-present and evil threat, but we have a Hero who journeys with us, and he is the fiercest of warriors. Trust Jesus, and he will fight for you. Allow him to equip you, and you will be prepared to battle alongside him. Equip your children, and they will be ready for this incredible adventure with Jesus.
And remember, we are in this together. We are all on this adventure of faith and fatherhood. I am excited to build a community of dads dedicated to this adventure. My prayer is to encourage and equip you for this quest as you do the same for your kids and for other dads in your church and in your own community. So, suit up, dads! It’s time for battle!
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