NOT Going Rogue

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. (1 Peter 5:8 MSG)

Not long ago politician, Sarah Palin released a book entitled “Going Rogue” in which she details her views of the 2008 presidential campaign. Since then there has been much discussion about her choice of a title. The nagging question is why would anyone want to be associated with going rogue? After all, by definition to be “rogue” is to be an unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal". Less severely, “rogue” also means to operate outside of normal or desirable controls; and it is no doubt this latter definition with which Palin and her publishers are toying. They are appealing to our desire to have the real untold, uncensored, “uncontrolled” story.
Nevertheless, it is risky to associate oneself with rebellion and disruption. We ought not delight in being combative, destructive - like a rogue wind or wave, or being anti-community, or isolated like a vicious elephant who has separated from the pack. Old folk would say only people who have the devil in them would act like that. And, they’d have a point for the devil, by any definition, is indeed rogue.

The devil decided to leave the atmosphere, authority and administration of God, and create his own hellish and rogue alliance. "Satan's original rebellion resulted in one-third of the angelic host joining his insurrection..." (see Isa 14:12ff; Eze 28:11ff; Rev.12:4)(JM) Ever since that demonic revolt, this rogue bunch has only had one objective and that is to create havoc for God and the people of God. In fact, during one conversation Satan had with God in the book of Job, he told God that he was moving about the earth to see what mayhem he could cause: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."(Job 1:6-7).

Satan's rogue activity has caused a plethora of Godly servants to miss opportunities, to fall short of their objectives and to quit on their obligations. David had moral failure with Bathsheba because he could not resist the temptation to be with a married woman (see 2 Sam 12). Moses was hampered when he could not control his anger. Consequently, he was not permitted to enter into the promise land (Num 20). Martha missed the privilege of sitting at the feet of Jesus because she was cumbered with stuff- anxious (Luke 10). The bible is full of narratives about people who were challenged and provoked into going rogue by the enemy.

Just recently, there was an article written about a series of servants who, having found it difficult to oppose the attractions and temptations of the devil, have gone rogue. The article is called 'Preachers Gone Wild'. The story highlights all of the negative choices made by some well know preachers. Perhaps the only reason some of us weren't included is that we aren't as well known. Or, maybe it is because of the grace of God which keeps us from wrongful desires and covers us when we succumb to them.

In any case, the bible gives believers very helpful advice so that we will not go rogue. The apostle told the church of Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God. Then stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6). Don't back down or compromise. Maintain your godly and biblical convictions. Do as Daniel did and purpose in your heart not to violate what you believe and who you follow - Jesus (see Dan 1:8). It will not be easy because the world and the devil are always trying to convince the believer that s/he is missing out on something. That’s how Satan got Eve to eat from the forbidden tree: “God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil. When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it -- she'd know everything! -- she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.” (Gen 3:4-6 MSG).  So, stay alert and be on the lookout for the temptations, tricks and traps of the enemy.

Perhaps Ms. Palin is well meaning in her choice of the title “Going Rogue”. Perhaps we are well meaning in our pursuit of the information delivered in her script. Still, we must be on guard against any enticement (including our choice of language) to become comfortable with sin. The devil wants nothing more than for the believer to go rogue and be out of the will of God. But, we will Not Go Rogue. We will do as one thinker suggested and stay in the book: "those who stay in sin stay away from the book, but those who stay in the Book (bible) stay away from sin".

Prayer: Lord, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Stop me from going rogue, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner