Hosanna Restoration Church

(Colossians 2:8 NLT)

Not so long ago we looked at our walk with God in comparison to things that happen in the operation of a computer. We ended that with a note about the enemy and how he attempts to corrupt our system just like a virus attempts to invade our computer. Since then, activities in the world have done much to disrupt and in fact there are examples of just what we were talking about.

When it comes to the computer, there is one way to personally protect ourselves from the viruses that get sent. We can just never open an attachment. I do understand that there are devious people who are trying to find other ways to get at our computers, but for the most part, simply not opening the attachment will protect us. Don’t click on the little paper clip! “Don’t let anyone lead you astray,” the scripture says. If you feel like you need to look at the attachment, at least you should check with the sender and make sure that they did send the mail.

Of course, there are programs designed to find the virus and get rid of it if you get one. Some of these are also designed to detect and reject them. In the realm of the Spirit, we have the Holy Spirit who will warn us, but He won’t force us not to be led astray. We wish He would, but sadly enough, we always have that choice. How many warnings have you had when operating a computer about attachments and the dangers of a virus…and yet how many people still open them and then spread them.

Oh yes, on the virus scan programs there is an option which allows a person to download updates in order to keep up your protection level. There is no telling how often people get a bug that they could have been protected from if they had taken the time to update. As Christians, we also have an update available. It is found in reading the Bible and praying.

Now, if you have ever received one these letters sent out by a virus, you will note that it never says, “This is a virus intended to destroy your hard drive.” They always say something like, “you have won, or you need to check this out,” or something nice. They are trying to deceive you and they try to use people you know to do it.

From the recent tragedy in our country, there are spiritual virus’s trying to circulate. These are all under the guise of God’s love, but they have different attachments on the message that are from the evil one and not from Christ. The Bible says very clearly that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. And yet we see some people trying to leave Christ out, so as not to offend others. Let me warn you, that leaving Christ out is the one virus that can completely destroy you. Don’t under any circumstances open that attachment. Don’t let it have a moment of your attention. Delete that one. Get it completely off your system.

This is a time to be most careful to hold fast to the things that are true. As Christians we should always remain in a state of high alert. This is not only for our personal protection, but the sake of others who God may send our direction. We do not want to be sending a virus to others. We want to send a clear message that Jesus is the only way. He is the Truth and the Life.