(Ver 1.1) This Part 2 in a series of Bible lessons concerning the current state of concern called the Coronavirus Pandemic.  This is an unseen enemy that is affecting a lot of the world with fear.  I have never seen anything exactly like this in my lifetime.  I believe most will agree.  There have been many thousands that have died so far.  Shelves at stores are empty of many of the basics and essentials.  People have been ordered to remain in their homes except for important needs.  This sounds very similar to the coming times described in the Book of Revelation.  But I do not believe we are there.  I believe this is only the beginning of the birth pains described in Matthew 24:7. Jesus taught us very clearly that things like this would come before the end.  Don’t be surprised as these types of events continue to grow in intensity as the sorrows come closer and closer to the end.

INTRODUCTION TO ONE EXTREME ATTITUDE
IGNORING THE POWER OF THE ENEMY

This lesson concerns the issue of extreme positions dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.  There are many younger people in the world that think that they are invincible against the virus to believe that it will have no effect on them or anyone else that they encounter.  This is truly a non-realistic selfish type of thinking.  When I was young, I was no doubt the same way.  We all think very little of the consequences of our actions or the consequences of bad choices that result in pain, suffering or death.  This attitude is very foolish and not based upon the Truth of the Bible or even basic human common sense.   This is an extreme egotistical and self-centered lack of love with no concern for anyone else but themselves (2 Tim 3:1-2).

The reason that I called this Bible study “Corona Who” was because of what God reveals to us in Acts 19:15. In this story there were seven sons of Sceva that attempted to cast our a devil from a man saying “We adjure in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches”.  Obviously, these young sons believed they were invincible and nothing bad could happen to them whatsoever.  That same attitude is being displayed today.  However, God’s Word proves that this was NOT the case.  The devil said to these seven sons, “Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you?”  It appears to me like the seven young men in Acts 19 did not consider the power of their unseen enemy that they were faced with.  This lack of fear and respect for an unseen enemy is the same as young people today.  There is nothing new under the sun!

The devil in this one possessed (infected) man overcame all seven of them, even ripping off their clothes so that they fled and ran away in terror naked. Wow, the parallels to our world is very profound, to say the least.  This was just an introductory side subject to the main subject of other extreme attitudes found in the world today concerning coronavirus.  I do want to say this introduction to the lesson concerns a few mostly unsaved, unbelieving people of the world.  But real and mature Christians should be different.  So, let’s change our perspective.

A COMMONSENSE ONLY ATTITUDE VERSUS A FAITH ONLY ATTITUDE

The main subject of this lesson is intended for Christians.  I write many of these lessons to help me first and then to share with others second.  How should a Christian react to a pandemic virus or plague?  We already talked about do not fear it in Part 1.  If you have not read that short lesson, I would highly recommend that you begin there first.

I believe the Holy Spirit instructed me to only fear Him.  He is the only one that could kill my body and my soul.  No epidemic can take my soul unless I blame God for it to curse God and die like Job’s wife suggested.  But, what about faith?  There are a lot of people searching and finding scriptures in the Bible to stand upon in the face of this pandemic evil.  I think that is great and I admit I do that.  For example, Psalm 91 is a very appropriate and applicable set of divine promises to quote daily and believe.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 

Psa 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 

Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 

Psa 91:5  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 

Psa 91:6  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 

Psa 91:7  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 

Psa 91:8  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 

Psa 91:9  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 

Psa 91:10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 

Psa 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Psa 91:12  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Psa 91:13  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 

Psa 91:14  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 

Psa 91:15  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 

Psa 91:16  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. 

This is an awesome set of promises made to the people of God.  I like to read these out loud as often as I am able.  Especially during major situations like we are facing. However, it is very important to note that the promised positive outcomes are conditional if we are meeting the requirements to receive them.  We are required to dwell in the secret place of the LORD.  We are required to say to the Lord “You are my refuge and fortress, You are my God in who I trust”.  We are required not to be afraid.  In other words, to remain in faith. We are required to set our love upon Him only.  We are required to know Him by “Name”.  We are required to “Call on Him”.  Just note that God’s love is always unconditional, but every promise must be possessed by faith.

Just because we believe God promises us protection does that mean we can ignore the governmental authorities and their warnings?  I don’t know about you, but I pray daily for our President asking the Almighty and All Knowing God to give our President wisdom to do his job.  If you do the same and believe that God hears and answers these prayers, then why would you or I defy his recommendations to remain inside our homes and limit human social contact with others for a period?  Would following his word be us disobeying God or His Word?

If we read 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 and 2 God appears to answer this dilemma.  In verse 1 we are instructed to pray for all people.  Then in verse 2 God specifically says for us to pray for those that are in authority in our governments.  Here in verse 2 God provides us the reason for the prayers “so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life”.  I believe that speaks volumes to me.  If the government is trying to help us live peacefully and quiet and eliminate our unseen enemy, let’s cooperate.  That is my opinion based upon what we will further study today.  Let’s move on to the main subject for Christians fighting against an unseen enemy.

A Proposed Balanced Church Reaction
to What is Happening in the World

I’d like to propose a viewpoint from scripture of a possible way to balance what the church’s attitude and response to this situation coronavirus might be.  I’d like you to read it and make up your own mind, if it is what the LORD is saying to you today.  There are a lot of people on TV and the internet that may not agree and that is OK.  If the LORD leads you to them and they agree with what the Holy Spirit is saying to you then do that.  Trust in the Holy Spirit on the inside to guide you and not any human.

What should we be doing in the church today?  Of course, beyond not living in fear we should all be praying and asking our Lord for wisdom and guidance.  Also agree with the Bible and know that God did not send this on the world.  Yes, He allowed it to occur.  But, usually these evil acts of Satan are granted permission because of human sins coming to fullness (Rev 17:4).  I don’t have time to explain or teach that part of the subject.  Please understand that this coronavirus is not God’s wrath.  We are under grace until the end of the church age occurs (Luke 21:24).  Then the tribulation will bring forth the full wrath and judgments of God.  Can we agree that coronavirus is not God’s fault?  I sure hope and pray we can.  Let’s now observe what is happening in the church today to compare extreme opposing and unbalanced views.

In the church today, there are people who would claim that we are foolish to close or limit church services just because the government says to do so.  We can easily come up with logical reasons why we should not obey.  However, I believe that response and attitude is what the devil wants the church to do.  If churches started to defy and resist governmental leadership and authority to not limit the numbers, and if anyone got sick and died as a result of that encounter, that pastor and church could be held legally and criminally liable and negligent.  This would give the government the beginning rights to shut down every church service permanently.  Having the government bring charges against you is not living a quiet and peaceful life.  No that sounds like we could become like living in a China or North Korea where many churches must meet secretly and they are thrown into reeducation camps if they are caught.  Therefore, I am of the belief that churches should agree or at least respect leaders and follow recommended guidelines for keeping people safe.  Also remember that not everyone in a church has the same level of faith as the pastor.  The pastor might be risking the life of a new baby convert thinking they should be able to resist the devil the same as they do.  That is just not how it works in the Kingdom of God.

I believe that there are at least two extreme Christian positions of error in this fight against Coronavirus found today in the church.   1). There can be people who ONLY have faith in the Word of God and ignore the government directions and these do not normally take any commonsense precautions against the coronavirus.   Or 2). there can be people that ONLY obey the government using natural precautions while totally ignoring the Word of God.  I believe that both extreme approaches and attitudes are not what the Bible teaches us to do.  I believe based upon what we will learn today we should be doing both.  Let me introduce you to a wrong example of taking just some of the Word of God and omitting God given common sense:

There are a few people in the world that call themselves Christians and do some very foolish things.  One group takes a bunch of poisonous snakes into their church services and picks them up to prove that they are being protected by God’s Word to not be bitten and die.  They base this belief on a literal reading of Mark 16:18.  A lot of these people have been successful, but some have died attempting this.  I assume that those that were bitten and died must not have been a true Christian?  No, the Bible does not teach that we should be handling snakes in church to prove we are saved.  These people stand on what they think the Word says and totally abandon their God given common sense.  What a dangerous religious mindset!  This is just foolishness and we can prove it by the Bible.  Can we begin to see where the Holy Spirit is taking us?

Do you recall what happened to Jesus after He was baptized by John?  Was Jesus the Son of God (Acts 8:37) and God in the flesh (John 1:1-14)?  Yes, He was.  What was Jesus’ approach to doing something foolish to prove He was God’s Son and God would protect Him?  We can read about this in Luke 4 during His temptation after a 40 day fast:

Luk 4:9  And he (Satan) brought him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 

Luk 4:10  For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 

Luk 4:11  And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Luk 4:12  And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

Can we see the application in this test of Jesus to what some people are doing handling snakes and what we all are facing today in the world with coronavirus?  In these passages, Satan uses scripture and quotes it to Jesus after telling Him to jump off the top of the temple.  Where did this verse come from that was quoted to Jesus?  You probably already know it came from Psalm 91.  We just read it at the beginning of the lesson.  It is one of the same verses that I am reading today.  I pray it is one of the same verses that you are quoting today also.

What was Jesus’ reaction and attitude towards this awesome promise of God?  Wow, this really is important for us to see.  Jesus did not say “You are right and I’ll jump” thinking God will protect Him with His angels.  No, Jesus applied common sense and the Word of God combined.  Jesus knew about the law of gravity that He created and said, “It is also written, I shall not test the LORD my God”.  Are we potentially testing our LORD God when we quote Psalm 91 believing God will just automatically protect us without applying common sense that He should have also given to us?  What else is written in the Bible that we need to quote to Satan?  I believe that is a great question to consider.  Please let’s not ignore the rest of the Bible for a verse that we think is all we need to know.

If the Holy Spirit instructs us and leads us to go and lay hands on someone with coronavirus to heal them, know that is a lot different than us just presumptively walking down a street to get take out at a restaurant with potential coronavirus personally serving us.  One is an act of obedience and the other is just satisfying a carnal appetite.  I knew a pastor that was led by the Holy Spirit to drive home a different way than what he normally did, but he reasoned and thought it was too much time to go that way.  His not being led by the Holy Spirit almost cost him his life in a significant car accident.  God tries to lead us not to be in some places and just quoting a verse thinking He will protects us is very foolish.  There are times for obedience in faith and there are times of the application of our God given common sense.  There is probably a lot more that could be said here but I will end.

Thank you for reading these Bible lessons.  Thank you also for sharing this Bible lesson with your friends and relatives.  Leave us a comment and share what the Lord has been saying to you.  If you don’t agree with this, please feel free to share that also.  Let’s please continue to pray for each other.  Let’s also be led by the Holy Spirit.  Let’s also read and quote the Word of God to the devil.  The Word of God is our sword of the Spirit.  But, also trust God’s given common sense to follow the leadership directions of our elected leaders federal and state.  God Bless you always.  I love you.  I am praying everyone will be safe.

If you would like to continue reading, please select “Part 3“.

~WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DIED TODAY?~

Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior or you do not have the confidence to KNOW what would happen if you died suddenly it is time to get your life in order.  I believe NOW is time to resolve your uncertain eternal destination after this life ends and before it is too late.  Some might think I’m not a bad person and have not committed any bad crimes, but God says our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His standard of Holiness.  By default, without making a choice we are all headed to a lake of fire that burns very intensely to be separated from a loving God that already forgave us.  That is a very sad reality.    One wise man has said NO ONE is ready to live, until they are ready to die.  Please go to “Salvation” and read and pray the prayer to receive the free gift of forgiveness & eternal life.  This will be the greatest decision that you will ever make.  Thank you and God bless you.