Slaying the Mighty Giant of Our Day

Beware: There is a mighty giant in the land! Oh - we don’t call it a giant. We may not even recognize its presence, or its destructiveness. We may not see how this giant is playing havoc with every imaginable dimension of life. And that's a problem. As long as this giant remains obscure and unnamed, we cannot face it for what it is; and we cannot conquer it. We don’t even know what weapon to use. In other words, we will not use our God-given resources to claim victory over this mighty giant in the land.

What is this giant?

God willing, over the next while I hope to comment further about this giant – and the means to victory – a weapon that has been put in the hands of all whom God has adopted into his kingdom.

For now:
Any guesses on what our this threatening giant may be?
What examples of "Conquering-the-Giant" stories are found the Bible?

Diane

"Any guesses on what our this threatening giant may be?"

Is it, "FEMINISM"!!!

We could list many examples of mighty forces "out there" which threaten to swallow us up - it seems. This was true in bible times - and has been true in all ages. But we must ask: In scripture, were any of these forces ever the real giant - that is, the real threat? Are they in our day?

I say, no. The real giant was something far more subtle. This giant rules the lives of unbeliever and plays havoc with humanity; but it also besets us as followers of Christ. Great Christians have faced this giant. Hudson Taylor was concerned that this "giant" might disqualify him from his calling to China.

The psalmists addressed this "giant" over and over again - psalm after psalm. They understood its destructiveness because they were nearly capsized by it. But they also understood the only antidote. And that's what makes the Psalms so relevent for contemporary times. I myself have been struggling with this giant. Or rather, God has exposed it as something that I must conquor. That's why I find myself writing about it. Perhaps I will share my thoughts here as I journey on through this battle.

For now: Any other guessses? What is the giant? And what is the weapon against it?

Diane

For now: Any other guessses? What is the giant? And what is the weapon against it?

Diane
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I know that the giant I have been facing and struggling with is "self" and for me the only weapon to use against it is the cross. I realize that is probably not the answer you are looking for though. I am interested to follow along as you share these things.

God bless
mj

I was going to say the same thing MaryJane. Self. I/Me/My as Milt Green would say.

But as Diane says, there are many depending on the context of the discussion. Looking forward to what she is thinking about and glad she did not forget this thread.

Diane, on your other very long thread, I know I promised to read a 22 page doc of yours, and am sorry I just have not gotten to it, yet. But, I wanted to acknowledge to you that I did not forget about it and will read it and give you my thoughts (when I get to it). I have some things to read from AtG, too and AtG knows I will eventually get around to it. We both have long reading lists that we need to get to.

Pilgrim

Pride is certainly a Giant

"I myself have been struggling with this giant."

Is it not "FEMINISM"!!! (Pro. 7:11)

"And what is the weapon against it?"

Childbearing(maternity)1 Tim. 2:11,15

I've found that in accordance with Word of God and in my own experience Canaan is inhabited by many giants. One goes down, another arises. Anger, pride, lust, grudges, unbelief, fear, hypocrisy, resentment, covetousness, greed, indifference. They carry poisonous grapes on the vine, as large as a man's head, to feed to appetite of your flesh.

I'm not sure which giant you have in mind, but we are all mere grasshoppers without the power of the Holy Spirit before the least of them in any case. The giants are the powers of darkness, the principalities and rulers of the air which seek to conquer our hearts via our thought-patterns. If our consciences are defiled, they will have a grand entrance into our minds and slip into our vessels uncontested. It is here where they will set up a stronghold to bind-up our liberties in Christ. We go into slavery.

But when our hearts are pure and consciences blood-washed and clear of offense, we can keep them under our feet through the power of the Spirit of Holiness. If you are continually being overwhelmed and pummeled by a giant, regardless of what that giant signifies, it is an indication that your life is not right with God in some area, and He is giving the giant a legal right to overcome you.

Humble yourself and seek the Lord to find the reason for the giant's victory. Are you worrying about the cares of life? Are you debating with a brother or sister? Have you been dishonest at the workplace? Have you been letting dirty thoughts proliferate more and more within your mind?

Leave food out on the kitchen table and roaches will come; Leave sin in the heart and giants will come.

Paulwest wrote:I've found that in accordance with Word of God and in my own experience Canaan is inhabited by many giants. One goes down, another arises. Anger, pride, lust, grudges, unbelief, fear, hypocrisy, resentment, covetousness, greed, indifference.

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I was thinking about this also but I wonder wouldn't all these things you mentioned just be the fruit of "self"?

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Paulwest wrote:But when our hearts are pure and consciences blood-washed and clear of offense, we can keep them under our feet through the power of the Spirit of Holiness. If you are continually being overwhelmed and pummeled by a giant, regardless of what that giant signifies, it is an indication that your life is not right with God in some area, and He is giving the giant a legal right to overcome you.
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I agree the only way to fight a giant is by walking in fellowship with JESUS. GOD does allow the giants to come in from time to time to teach us and show us those areas of our lives we have not surrender but this is for our benefit I believe. These can be very painful lessons but when we repent and turn to HIM, the only ONE who can help us defeat any giant then it is a most valuable lesson.

God bless
maryjane

I was thinking about this also but I wonder wouldn't all these things you mentioned just be the fruit of "self"?

However, I personally see the flesh as a part of my being (a triparte of "self" which includes soul and spirit in the final 2/3); and as a dynamic that is automatically put down when I walk in the Spirit. When the flesh is subdued, the giants are still alive but I am dead to them. Our Adamic flesh loves the food of the giants. It wants the big grapes of knowledge, the wild honey of immorality, the fatted calf of the pride of life. We crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts so that the giants have no sway over its appetite during feeding time.

by PaulWest on 2012/7/14 4:23:55

I was thinking about this also but I wonder wouldn't all these things you mentioned just be the fruit of "self"?

However, I personally see the flesh as a part of my being (a triparte of "self" which includes soul and spirit in the final 2/3); as a dynamic that is automatically put down when I walk in the Spirit. The flesh loves the food of the giants. It wants the big grapes, the wild honey, the fatted calf of the land. We crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts so that the giants have no sway over its appetite during feeding time.

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I often use the term flesh as another way of talking about self so I do see what your saying. I like the picture you painted of how the flesh(self) loves the food of the giants, really speaks to what I have been seeing on a personal level. I agree when we crucify the flesh(die to self) the world and all its distractions and attractions hold no enticement for us. When JESUS is LORD of my life and I am walking in fellowship with HIM then and only then do I have victory.

Thank you for sharing
God Bless
maryjane

Thank you all for your insightful responses. They get me thinking. I too considered the giants in Caanan. These were mighty giants indeed! They were so tall that in comparison humans were the size of grasshoppers.
But were these giants truly that big? Why did these "giants" have such a profound effect on the Israelites that they didn't even want to enter the Promised Land? Obviously the people had exagerated the size of the giants. But not everyone saw them so ominously large. Why did Caleb and Joshua have a different perspective?

It seems that we have two kinds of giants to consider: The one we imagine, and the real one. We want to be sure to fight the right one!

The question remains: What was the real "giant" that needed to be conquored in the Sinai Desert - as in our contemporary lives?

A wee note on the word "self". I recall Ron Bailey recently challenging our use of that word. He noted that you don't see this use of the word in scripture. Interestingly as I read through Hudson Taylor's material I don't see the word either. But I would agree that there is something about ourselves that is indeed a potential giant - as you have noted!

I've been reading "Streams in the Desert" and see that it repeatedly addresses the "giant" I have in mind. Today I happened to pick up a book by A W Tozer - and there it is again- where the book fell open. I think Tozer is getting at the giant when he says:

"The problem that ever confronts Christian people in a world like this, is ultimately just the one problem of ____________" ?

I say, here is the stomping ground for our mighty 'giant". I also say, God is definitely trying to get my attention on this issue!

At this point I think it is best not to give it away - as it is worth pondering over some more. I know you all are aware of this. It's just that we aren't so good at labelling it for what it is - and linking it to so many of our difficulties today.

Keep guessing! We have an exciting adventure ahead yet.
Diane

A wee note on the word "self". I recall Ron Bailey recently challenging our use of that word. He noted that you don't see this use of the word in scripture.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."(Luke 9:23)

I find a daily denial of "self" most certainly pervading NT scripture. This is one example, but there are plenteous others in the teaching ministries of Christ and Paul. But I don't hold "self" to be a giant in any case. The giants cannot be slayed by you or me, but we can become dead to their influence through walking in the Spirit. The powers of darkness (aka giants) seek to quicken the flesh and domineer the heart via the establishment of strongholds of fear, lust, unbelief, contention, greed, hatred, doubt, religious pride, etc. They seek to "draw" out the lusts of the flesh and stir our autonomous desires to rise and war against the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But the giants themselves cannot be slayed, and there is no mention in scripture of us killing giants or demons or devils or any other extraneous angelic power. We resist them and they flee. It is only the flesh that must be crucified, by virtue of our collaboration with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you all for your insightful responses. They get me thinking. I too considered the giants in Caanan. These were mighty giants indeed! They were so tall that in comparison humans were the size of grasshoppers.
But were these giants truly that big? Why did these "giants" have such a profound effect on the Israelites that they didn't even want to enter the Promised Land? Obviously the people had exagerated the size of the giants. But not everyone saw them so ominously large. Why did Caleb and Joshua have a different perspective?

I think there actually were bigger and taller people and this illustrates how men look on the outward and walk by sight and not faith (in God's promises).

A wee note on the word "self". I recall Ron Bailey recently challenging our use of that word. He noted that you don't see this use of the word in scripture. Interestingly as I read through Hudson Taylor's material I don't see the word either. But I would agree that there is something about ourselves that is indeed a potential giant - as you have noted!

That is true, "self" was never a word that stood alone or was used alone in those days. It was always connected to someone's attitudes, actions or speech and was not an independent concept.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me.

To understand what it means to "deny ourselves" it requires the awareness and admission of our selfish tendencies patterned in the "flesh". And it does not refer to a subjective, psychological denial, but a volitional denial whereby we choose to disallow the expressions of selfishness in our behavior.

Titus 2:12 - "deny ungodliness and worldly desires"
Phil. 2:3,4 - "do nothing from selfishness...do not look our for your own personal interests..."

Denying ourselves is not a "work" of self-effort and performance whereby we overcome and get rid of the "flesh"

Gal. 5:17. Such is a denial of God's grace.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Then, Paul goes on to talk about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit and then...

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Denying ourselves is part of the process of sanctification.

But the biggest problem that we all contend with is UNBELIEF.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

It is always unbelief that will keep us from entering into God's promises.

Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Pilgrim

We may not see how this giant is playing havoc with every imaginable dimension of life

The most pervasive giant I see playing havoc with every dimension of life today is fear.

It's a simple answer, but afterall, we are simple creatures:)

MC

Pilgrim said:

But the biggest problem that we all contend with is UNBELIEF

…. ultimately, just the one problem of unbelief

Of course it’s easy to pull this word, “unbelief” out of the hat – or rather, the Bible. But what do we mean? “Unbelief” says something is NOT present. And what’s that? The word “belief” is often used as the assent of a body of propositional truths. In that sense, “unbelief” is not necessarily the problem. Yet there is a problem – a very serious one at that.

In the psalms we find a word that helps us. It is the word TRUST. The human problem then is an inability to TRUST God for his word and his faithfulness (as tuc notes, quoting Hudson Taylor). The Bible gives us many examples – for a good reason. This is a serious problem - considering that that humanity lives in a world filled with threats. We face threats continuously – though we are not aware of many of them till we experience them.

What happens to us when we cannot trust God in this threatening and fallen world – when belief is deficient? Just as the natural world abhors a vacuum, so does our own inner world. A GIANT fills the vacuum that is created by the absence of trust.

The most pervasive giant I see playing havoc with every dimension of life today is fear.

Fear is the antithesis of restful TRUST in God.

Fear, like water, seeps through the cracks in our faith – into the areas where we have yet to learn trust. And God knows where the cracks are.

I’ve begun a project: I made two columns on a sheet of paper: The left side is labeled: DISTRUST. The right side is labeled TRUST. In each column I am listing words drawn from my readings that describe these two conditions. Then I apply my own thought life to this list – and low and behold – it’s amazing how often my mind dwells on the distrust side.

More on that later….

Can you think of some words I could add to my list?

Just as the natural world abhors a vacuum, so does our own inner world. A GIANT fills the vacuum that is created by the absence of trust.

Interesting. If you have a bottle filled with poison water, how do you pull the poison water out without creating a vacuum? You fill it with clean water!

Likewise, "fighting against" fear and unbelief doesn't seem to work very well...in fact such a focus seems to stengthen our fears. The only real way forward from fear is to displace fear with something opposite.

In that sense, “unbelief” is not necessarily the problem. Yet there is a problem – a very serious one at that.

Along these lines, I find it also interesting that the bible doesn't seem to say bravery is the the remedy for fear, but rather love is. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18)

What is the true nature of this love that John talks about, a love that liberates a once tormented heart from fear and unbelief? Why is the fearless heart described as a heart flowing with love, rather then courage or faith?

it’s amazing how often my mind dwells on the distrust side.

Good discussion topic tonight:)

MC