Question:

75.1—When you watch episodes on TV that are trying to prove that the New Testament is false, and that Jesus was here but that He wasn’t the Saviour, Satan uses this to put questions into our minds about our faith. How do we deal with this?

75.1—First, I question the first word, “When,” in the question above. I have been in a doctor’s office for instance when the TV was on and either I could not, or did not think I should try to turn off the TV or turn it to different channel.  But normally do we have no power over watching TV or what we watch on TV? Christians are responsible as to what we look at and are plainly instructed to, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Why is this? “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). In other words, we may not realize this at the time but association with evil does defile us!

As you have experienced, Satan is always on the job to use false teaching to put questions into our minds about our faith. We praise the Lord that He has a way we can deal with this that works!

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ …  though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [fleshly], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1-5).

Let us realize that the Christian’s warfare is “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The open secret as to how we can “cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” is by being occupied with Christ. The apostle would have us taken up with “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1).

Think first about Christ’s meekness: Jesus said: “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Meekness is power under control. Lowliness does not give offence, but meekness does not take offence.

Then think of Christ’s gentleness: “The fruit of the Spirit is … gentleness” (Galatians 5:22). The Lord was a real Gentleman. Every action was with compassion and tenderness. We are instructed: “Let your gentleness be known of all men. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5, JND translation).

When we are occupied with Christ we become like Him: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

This is how we have power over wrong thoughts. One has said that we may not be able to help it if a bird lands on our head, but we can help it if he makes a nest there. So it is with thoughts. They may come but we can displace them with thoughts that are first “true,” then “honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report” (Philippians 4:8), and when we are occupied with Christ, the Spirit of God transforms us into His image. What a privilege to be like Jesus!