There are two forces in the world. It’s actually very simple: Two spiritual poles attract people. And if you’re with one, the other pushes you away.

On the one side, we have the power of God – the Light, the Truth, the Life.

On the other hand, there is the power of the evil one. And even though he’s experiencing his last convulsions, he still holds influence and is doing everything possible to draw people away from God.

Tragically many don’t realise there’s no neutral ground; if you’re not with God, you’re automatically in the enemy’s camp. There’s no neutral ground. You can’t live in between. It is either one or the other.

¹⁹We know that we are held firm by God; it’s only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One.

A very famous Christian author, who later wrote some of the most influential Christian books, originally was in the wrong camp himself. Clive Staples Lewis – better known as C.S. Lewis – was a British author and academic born in 1898.

In his early life, Lewis considered himself an atheist. He didn’t believe in God and denied the existence of any divine power. He was therefore not in the “God’s camp”.

During his academic career at the University of Oxford, however, he made friends with several Christian colleagues – among them J.R.R. Tolkien, the famous author of The Lord of the Rings. These friendships, and the deep religious discussions that came with them, influenced him greatly.

Lewis began to reconsider his unbelief. He realised that his so-called “neutrality” was actually a form of spiritual distance and that neutrality in faith does not exist. He came to the conviction that if you are not for God, you are against Him, as the Bible clearly states.

C.S. Lewis eventually decided to convert to Christianity, and he became a devoted follower of Christ. His life and work have had a profound impact on thousands of people.

However, many people do see themselves as on a kind of “neutral playing field.” They believe that it is perfectly acceptable to just stand in the middle. I suspect that it’s the influence of the world that has created this idea. People do not see themselves as evil, and do not believe that they live under the power of evil.

But that is a lie.

There are only two sides: either you’re on God’s side, or you’re on the side of evil. There is no spiritual grey area.

Someone needs to stand up and tell the people out there: If you’re not on God’s side, you’re playing on the devil’s doorstep.

No, not everything goes! Some things are simply not acceptable. Not for God’s children. If we say we are in God’s camp, we also need to make sure that everything we say and do fits in with that. Anything that doesn’t fit, we need to eliminate.

We must live by these truths, and if a friend or family member doesn’t understand, tell them. You might just save a life with that truth.

Scripture
1 John 5:14-21

Reflection
Which camp are you in?
Do you do anything that doesn’t fit?
How can you get rid of it?

Prayer
Father, thank you that I may be in Your camp. Please show me what actions in my life do not align with Your will. Help me to get rid of them and show me how I can lead others to You. Amen.