“He didn’t fall! Inconceivable!” says the Sicilian. The Spaniard turns to the Sicilian and says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” That can happen. Like, we use a word literally all the time that we totally don’t know the meaning of or how it should be used in context. Recently, resist has been thrown around a lot and the word of choice amongst activists. As I thought about that word and the concept, I thought, “What would resist be like in the church during the first century?”
The early church had a lot of opposition— persecution from the Jewish community (Acts 7:57-58; 8:1; 12:1-3), oppression from the Romans (Acts 19:23-41) and seizure of property (Heb. 10:34). Not to mention the general pagan climate of the Roman world was a constant barrage against the moral sensibilities of the church. Slavery was a big part of Roman life. By the end of the first century, 35 to 40 percent of Italy’s population were slaves. The church did not teach against slavery, but it sowed the seeds of its demise (Matt. 7:12; Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Tim. 6:1-2).
So, how did the church resist? It must be remembered what Jesus said to Pilot, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting…” (John 18:36).
Here is what the Bible teaches about resistance: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (Eph. 6:10-13). “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:8-10).
The question is not you should resist but rather what you should resist. Those who have gone on before us are shouting, “Stand up, stand firm, resist!” (Heb. 12:1-2). Here are a few thoughts. Are we fighting wickedness or flirting with it? Are we resisting Satan or marching with him?