Darts of Love and Hate
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16
February is the love month and romantic types might think about the affect of Cupid’s darts. In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, passion, and affection. When someone gets those kinds of feelings all of a sudden, it might seem like they were hit with one of Cupid’s arrows. Of course, that doesn’t actually happen ... Cupid is just mythology. I suppose we’re stupid if we believe in Cupid (pun intended). But it sure might seem like his love darts are real.
The very real, non-mythical god of this world, also uses darts. We were upset over the attack of the capitol building in Washington D.C. and the danger it presented. President Trump has been accused of inciting a riot while others point to incognito leaders and instigators that might have been part of a planned and orchestrated attack. Either way, Satan sure had his flaming arrows flying as anger and emotion spilled over on January 6. The media will debate for a long time over who is to blame for the lawbreakers that breached the Capitol building, but regardless of human causes, it’s likely that demons were shooting plenty of arrows filled with fear, anger, and hatred.
Sometimes we feel like we need the Holy Spirit to hit us with an “agape” dart of God’s love or we may wish we could take a godly love potion in order to feel and act more Christlike. That’s not a bad idea! In a way, we do have those experiences. But it doesn’t happen physically. It happens spiritually.
The love of God gets shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We might need to wrestle in prayer, meditate on scripture and biblical teachings, or step out in faith and show the love of God to someone in a practical way, but God will get us a fresh dose of spiritual love as we step out in faith. Faith is also a shield to extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. This February and all year round we need to block hateful darts from our hearts, while allowing loving darts to touch us. “O God, hit us with the power of your love that we might love you, love others, and make disciples of Jesus Christ!” Amen.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mo Dunn
