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It’s Elementary, My Dear Christian

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Does it get any cooler than when Iron Man gets to get his Sherlock Holmes on? Except Downey is definitely not your father’s or grandfather’s or even great grandfather’s sleuth…you know -  the semi-nerdish Brit sporting the classic deer stalking outfit. Picture this detective more like Chuck Norris hyped up on the Limitless drug with an English accent - savvy?

If you saw the first Sherlock Holmes film, you’ll recall that at the end we were introduced to a faceless person known only as “Professor”…but now you will discover the identity of arguably the most evil character in all of fiction.

No, it’s not Barney.

Meet Professor Moriarty - and here is the picture Holmes paints of his arch nemesis:

A criminal strain ran in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers…the greatest schemer of all time, the organizer of every deviltry, the controlling brain of the underworld, a brain which might have made or marred the destiny of nations…  —Holmes,  in The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In the world of Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty is his intellectual equal, but he has no conscience and no morals, which actually gives him an advantage since his only motivation is destruction and chaos for his own gain.

To find out what happens in the epic battle between Holmes and Moriarty, you’ll have to watch the movie A Game of Shadows. No spoilers here.

But…as you dive deep into the delightful detective drama, remember that you are part of a grand story that is playing itself out on the stage of reality every minute of every day.  And because of that, you have an archenemy that makes Moriarty look as weak as Superman holding Kryptonite.

He goes by many names-

Satan

The Devil

The Enemy

The Accuser

The Destroyer

And he has one plan in mind for you: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy “ (John 10:10, NLT).

Jesus calls the Devil a “thief” because all his angelic prowess and depraved wrath is directly focused on stealing your joy and purpose, killing your dreams and passions, and ultimately destroying the destiny that God has for you both here on earth and for eternity in heaven.

This is why the Bible sternly warns us to “Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT).

Devour?  As in annihilate?  Consume?  Gobble and chow down? Sheesh!   Moriarty wants to kill Holmes, but Satan has an insatiable appetite to rip us limb from limb.

So what are we to do in the face of such reckless hatred?

Ironically, as Sherlock himself might quip: it’s elementary, my dear Christian: “Stay alert! Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT).

These two steps are the smartest and most effective ways you can avoid losing the day to day battle with our “great enemy.”  To stay alert is to be in a constant state of vigilance and surveillance, looking for ways that the satanic Moriarty might be on the move.  He may be tempting you through friends and/or circumstances, or it just might be your own thoughts that he turns against you.

And if you do enter into a battle, remember to “stand firm” and be “strong in your faith.”  When you feel yourself being pushed back into old habits and attitudes, dig in your heels like you are on the edge of a cliff.  Have a firm confidence in the God who commands us:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”  (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV).

Finally, keep in mind why you have become a target of the forces of the underworld in the first place.  Moriarty hated Holmes because he was the only one capable of stopping his evil plans.  In much the same way, Satan hates you because you have the only message that can stop his strategy to steal, kill, and destroy as much of the human race as possible.  The gospel message is the most powerful spiritual weapon in the universe, and if you don’t fulfill your mission of reaching others for the sake of Christ’s Cause – THE Cause – the enemy has already won.

A Game of Shadows is a rockin’ movie, to be sure…but the A Call of God on your life is an adventure no amount of CGI and 3-D magic will ever match!

 

In a sense, Professor Moriarty is the fictional equivalent of Satan in our lives.  The devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy us, so we must be vigilant and stand firm in our faith. We must also remember that our role in THE Cause is the calling on our life and the reason God leaves us here on earth.

Jesus, thank you that we can stand firm in our faith and know that You never leave us or forsake us even when the enemy attacks us and tries to devour us.  Help us stay alert and aware of the opportunities to share the gospel and win the battle for Your glory. 

Ephesians 6:10-11. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Check out this quick and easy Dare 2 Share webpage on The Top 10 Questions About Satan and Spiritual Warfare.