The Best Remedy for Self-Control Issues: Frontline Ministry

Last Saturday, I visited an abortion mill to minister to abortion-minded women.  I normally go to one we call Hebron (because it is located on Hebron St.), but I ended up at Latrobe.  I have been to many “battlefields” where there is very intense spiritual warfare taking place.  Sometimes, this warfare manifests physically.  This would certainly be one of those occasions.

Not long after I arrived, Flip told me to go preach.  I walked over to the mic, and saw a large woman, with a pink shirt, walking my way.  After praying a quick prayer I began to preach.  Immediately, this woman got in my face and began to scream, “Stop harassing women! Stop harassing women!”  She would not stop.  (She is a pro-abort, who comes out almost everyday, by the way) Now here’s the deal.  I have preached in all sorts of situations.  I have had people unplug the sound while I’m preaching, I have had people try to rip the mic out of my hand, they have pushed me and gotten in my face, I’ve seen it all.  However, this was rather difficult to preach over.  I think what it comes down to is that, sometimes you can let these attacks get the best of you.  Everything in me wanted to engage her and “give her a piece of my mind.”  However, over the years, I have learned that, most of the time, the best thing to do is ignore this type of attack.

After preaching a few minutes, Lazarus (one of the clinic’s security guards) got into the face of a friend of mine.  It was 9am and he was already drunk.  This was no bluff.  He was an inch from my friend’s face, verbally threatening him.  That made it a little hard to keep preaching as well.  And then the police showed up to shut us down.  It seemed that the enemy was working overtime to silence the proclamation of the gospel.

You might be wondering where I am going with all of this?  The enemy hates it when we declare the truth.  As we fulfill our Christian duty, of exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness, and being salt and light in this world, we will stir up all kinds of opposition.  Satan wants to shut us up.  He would love to get under our skin to distract us.  His desire is to take us out.

I would like to ask you a simple question.  How do you respond to opposition?  Jesus said to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk 6:28)  Can you stand in the face of opposition and bless these people as they make every attempt to take you out?

I have heard comments over the years that go something like this:  “I would love to join you guys, but there is no way that I could put up with that stuff.  I would do something I regret.”  Before I go on, let me make something clear.  I struggle with this too!  I have done stupid things in the past.  However, I never let my lack of self-control keep me on the sidelines.  When I do something stupid, the Holy Spirit always convicts me.  He will direct me to confess my sin to God AND to the person I sinned against.  In this process, God is refining me in His refiner’s fire.

My statement is this: When I engage in spiritual warfare, I know that I am putting myself in a situation where I might get in the flesh.  However, if I do get in the flesh, it shows me that I have a serious spiritual problem.  Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”  If that is the case, I would much rather have this sin of mine exposed at the abortion mill, rather than let it grow on the inside, going unchecked.  How can I expect to lead my wife and children if I lack self-control?  If I become a man who is like a broken down city, left without walls, what does that say about my family?  My lack of self-control will lead to the downfall of my family.  May it never be so!  Let me be very clear, if there are any instances where I struggle to control myself, I need to deal with it ruthlessly.  If I let it fester, it will take me out.

I would like to encourage anyone who might struggle with self-control.  If you feel that you do not have the self-control to engage in this battle, I understand!  I have been there.  And, I must confess, that there are times that I still get in the flesh out there.  It’s just that though…my flesh.  I have to walk in the Spirit!  Any reliance in my own strength will always lead to failure.  It is this simple, I know that God has called me to this battle.  If I deny this call, not only will the blood of millions will be on my hands, I will lose a golden opportunity for Jesus to mold me into the man of God that He has called me to be.

So no more excuses!  Come on out and join us!  Just this year, in the city of Charlotte, we have had the joy of seeing 289 mommas choose life.  On the particular day I mentioned earlier, we saw two choose life at Latrobe, and one at Hebron.  Just think of all the precious children that will now get to enjoy life because a few little Christians decided to live out the gospel of Jesus Christ, at the very gates of hell.  Don’t you want to be a part of something like that?!