Many are concerned with the evil that is growing worse and worse in these last days. And they are concerned about what they can do to protect themselves and their family from these things. Well the good news is, there is deliverance from evil for those Christians who choose to live God’s way, and who are steadfast in their walk with Him. In fact, let’s look at this important verse from the book of 2 Thessalonians.
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV
A believer who becomes “established” is someone who is steadfast in the things of God. When I read this verse, I see it describing a Christian who is walking close to God. This means:
- They have a daily life of prayer, praise and worship
- They have a lifestyle of hearing and doing God’s Word, and are established and steadfast in the Word of God
- They are someone who is planted and established in the local church
All of these things are vital keys to walking closely with God. And all of them are vital keys to becoming a steadfast, established believer, who is delivered from the evil assignments of the devil against their life. This is the type of Christian who is faithful and strong, and who will not be overcome by the wickedness of the end times.
“KEEP YOU FROM EVIL”
Notice the phrase in this verse, “Keep you from evil.” The word “keep” means to guard like a sentinel. This is a person who remains safe, and is protected from the evil one and his works.
Now let’s look at the next few verses in this passage. This is important because there is more information to glean about what makes for a steadfast Christian, as well as what a steadfast Christian does and doesn’t do to be delivered from evil.
“4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;” 2 Thessalonians 3:4-7 KJV
First of all let me ask you, are you someone that your pastor has confidence in? Does your pastor believe that you will do what the Bible says? The reason I am asking these questions is because this is the type of believer Paul believed the Thessalonians to be. And Paul considered the Thessalonians to be steadfast believers. So then, let me say this again, to be a steadfast Christian, you must be someone who is steadfast and stable in your local church.
The steadfast believers are the most faithful and dedicated to the things of God in their local church because they live the Word they hear. In other words, those who see it in the Word and hear it preached go home and live it. This is the type of believer a pastor can have great confidence in. And this is the type of believer who the Lord keeps from evil.
Let’s focus our attention once again on verse five of this passage.
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV
“Direct” means to guide. In fact, even more specifically, A.T. Robertson defines this as, “to guide the feet.” Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
The Holy Spirit is supernaturally guiding these believers, and wants to do the same thing with you. Because they are steadfast Christians, they are walking in a close relationship with the Lord, so that His Spirit can lead and guide them.
Notice that the Holy Spirit will also guide you to walk in love. Any step out of love is a step into enemy territory. And this is where he takes advantage of believers, bringing hurt and trouble. So walk in love!
But also the Holy Spirit will guide you to live in such a way that you are patiently waiting for the rapture to take place. In fact, a person who is patiently waiting for the rapture is a steadfast Christian! The reason this is so is because they are conducting their life in a manner that God’s Word instructs them to, expecting Jesus to catch them away to be with Him at any moment.
Since these steadfast Christians are guided by the Holy Spirit, and since they are established in the Word of God, they also understand the importance of sowing into the lives of others, as well as reaching as many people as possible with the gospel of Jesus Christ before the rapture occurs.
Okay, now let’s take a closer look at verse six of this passage of Scripture.
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV
This word “command” is so strong in the original Greek that there is no one reading this letter who would have misunderstood it.
“WITHDRAW YOURSELVES FROM EVERY BROTHER THAT WALKETH DISORDERLY”
Interestingly the word “withdraw” in this verse means to shorten your sails and to pull in any flapping sails, so that you can just move on ahead at a rapid pace. Why should we do this? Because a rebellious, out of control Christian, will adversely affect and hinder your progress and advancement with God.
The Bible has much to say about withdrawing from wrong Christians who refuse to get things right with the Lord. It’s important to realize that some come into the church to destroy the faith, or to hinder the work of the ministry, or to teach false doctrines, or to draw away disciples after themselves. Do not make these people your friends or companions, especially if being delivered from evil is your pursuit.
These two words, “walks disorderly” in this verse are also very significant. By stating the word “walk” it means this is a person who habitually lives wrong. This is not referring to someone who occasionally makes a mistake, but someone who lives and functions out of order. That distinction is important.
The word “disorderly” means insubordination. In other words, this disorderly person is someone who is like a soldier who is out of order by elevating himself in rank, a rank he does not hold, and has not earned.
A “disorderly” Christian is someone who is disrespectful to those who have been placed in authority over him. It is someone who refuses to submit to or take orders from their pastor or other church leaders.
There are traditions and values, or valued things about the church and Christianity that are to be passed down from one generation to the next. Many people buck those traditions and are hurting their own lives, as well as those who they can influence.
So then, to be a steadfast Christian who is delivered from evil you must:
- Be committed to the things of God
- Be committed to your local church
- Be a doer of the Word and quick to follow instructions from your pastor
- Be led by the Holy Spirit and walk in love
- Be patiently looking for the day of the rapture through a godly lifestyle
- Be someone who withdraws from disorderly believers who will lead you astray and into error
Decide today to be a steadfast believer who the Lord keeps and delivers from the evils of the last days.
