The Black Bart Syndrome

The Black Bart Syndrome

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

   The story of the infamous stage coach robber Black Bart is an interesting one; he never fired a shot and never took a hostage. He recited poetry instead.  That’s right: poetry.  Yet he was one of the most feared bandits in the Old West.  Why was he so feared?  His reputation.  People saw the long coat, the bowler cap, the big moustache, and the flour sack mask and thought, “Oh no!  It’s Black Bart!” The rest was easy.  He took their money and their jewelry and rode off and most of the times no one dared to try to stop him.  Reputation goes a long way towards winning a fight.     

   Our Adversary does pretty much the same thing to us.  We see bad things happening in our lives and think, “horns, red cape, pitchfork.  Oh no!  It’s the Devil!”  And we cover our heads and cringe in fear and let him have another easy victory.  Often we don’t even try to fight back.  We are often so afraid of him we begin to think he’s attacking us when it’s only some bump in the road and is just a normal part of life. 

   We need to step out in faith and live our lives without fear.  I’ve never counted them, but I’m told the Bible says “do not fear” in different ways more than 300 times.  I don’t know if there are really 30 places, but the Bible does tell us not to be afraid a lot.     

   Peter exposes the root of our fears as being the devil and tells us he’s just waiting to devour us.  So should we be afraid of the devil?  Can he really devour us?  Short answer, no. He only has as much power over you as you allow him to have. 

   The best analogy I can give you is you are walking in a zoo and find yourself in front of the lion enclosure.  The big king lion is pacing just on the other side of the wall from you and he’s licking his lips and eyeing you and watching every move you make. You are in no danger no matter how hunger he is.  All you need do is stay where you are and you’ll be safe.  But suppose you jump into the enclosure with him?  Are you in danger now?  You betcha!  He outweighs you and has bigger teeth and sharp claws that can rip you open in one slash.  You are in his power now. Oh why, oh why didn’t you stay on the other side of the wall where you were safe?!?

   You, Christian, are in no danger from the Adversary if you stay where you’re supposed to stay.  Stay close to god.  Stay under God’s protection.  You can go into the lion’s area if you go with professional handlers who will keep you safe.  And you, Christian, can go into the devil’s den if you go with the Holy Spirit to handle him and protect you. 

   Ok, the analogy is a little strange, but go with it, OK?

   So why do we let the Adversary have so much control over us?  Why do we live in so much fear from a lion who really can’t harm us?  It’s the spiritual equivalent to the Black Bart story.  We lose the fight in our heads.  We get a bad cold and we’re ready to convince OURSELVES the devil made us sick.  No, the devil did not give you a bad cold.  Sin has corrupted this world and brought about sickness and as long as we’re living in this damaged world we will face sickness from time to time.  We will lose money and we will have car troubles and we will be out of work and we will face any of dozens of other situations that just happen in life.  Stop giving the devil credit for so much that he had nothing to do with.  Stop losing the battle in your mind even before you fight the fight. 

   Peter tells us to be sober and be vigilant.  Loose translation: keep your head on straight and your eyes open. If you read and meditate on God’s word and examine yourself to be sure you’re living a life pleasing to God you’ll be better able to defeat the Adversary when he comes to tempt you.   And take the Bible’s many warnings to heart – do not fear.  You’ve got a great big Brother who is always with you and the biggest Dad on the block.

Psalms 27:1&2

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 118:6 

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Stephen Cram                            March 3, 2013                     Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8