Martin Luther
Many of us have heard it said that, at any given moment, the one truth that Satan is attacking is the most important truth to defend.
This idea is often supported with a quote attributed to Martin Luther: “If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point.”
As it turns out Luther may not have spoken or written these exact words. Recent efforts have tracked the statement back to a 19th century novel based on the influence of Luther’s teaching.
What’s most important here, however, is not the source, or even the precise wording, but the idea. Is it true and is it helpful to believe that it is wise, honorable, and necessary to respond to the defense of “that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking”?
Let’s expand the point so that we don’t get hung up over whether we’re talking about a small issue. What if it’s a big matter with far reaching social implications? How can we be sure that responding to the call to defend any small or large social value would serve the best interests of the Gospel and Kingdom of Christ?
If the devil is a deceiver let’s expect him to assault what is true to the heart and purposes of God by combining strategies of doubt (vs faith), fear (vs hope), self-protection (vs love) and diversion (vs the life-changing Gospel of Christ).
The New Testament reminds us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2Cor 11:14).
Yes, all that is evil, twisted, short-sighted, and self-destructive has its roots in the rebellion led by the Enemy of our Creator. But what if all that is ruined is actually the result of a much more strategic attack? What if staking the name and reputation of Christ to moral, political, and theological campaigns to reinforce the purity of family values, sexual fidelity, the local church, conservative governmental policy, and homeland defense is exactly what our enemy wants us to spend our energies on? What if he knows far better than ourselves that attacking the fruit of a problem allows the roots to remain strong and hidden?
Admittedly, raising such questions does not prove that the idea behind the battle strategy quote attributed to Luther is wrong. But what we do know is that Satan is a deceiver who can masquerade as an angel of light.
What would we expect from an angel (or messenger) of light (2Cor 11:13-15)? Would we expect such a messenger to be promoting sexual license or promiscuity? Would someone who is trying to impersonate God and goodness openly advocate a naturalistic origin of life; the break down of family relationships; or disregard for law and order?
Seems like a case could be made that it is more likely that an angel of light would be an advocate of laws, and rightness, and knowledge of the Bible in a way that diverts us from the message, grace, and suffering of a crucified Savior of the world.
What draws our eyes to our only hope of forgiveness, faith, hope, and love?
Or am I missing something? Don’t be afraid to push back or tear into the above if you think I’m on a slippery slope… or a road that winds down rather than up.
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