Christian Battleground

By James Kushiner
The Fellowship of St. James

Psalm 3 is the first of six psalms recited each day during Matins in the Orthodox Church. It may seem a bit strange to pray so early in the day: "Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of me, 'There is no help for him in God'." Am I praying the words of a paranoid person?

No, for in the Christian frame of mind, there are at least two connections or identifications here. First, the mocking statement that "there is no help for him in God" reminds me of those mocking Jesus upon the Cross. In carrying our crosses daily, we are to identify with our Lord, the Suffering Servant.

Second, these many foes are those identified by St. Paul: "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and spiritual powers" bent on harming us or at least distracting us from our faith in Christ. 

We all face an unseen spiritual warfare each day in the form of countless temptations and choices--sounds and images designed to entice us to think about comfort, appetite, or sex; numerous personal interchanges in which one may respond out of ego, self interest, or irritation; cares and anxieties to be fretted about. The visual attraction of (some) immodest dress.

Our witness to Christ is not often public, or necessarily even made to another human being who might perceive it. We witness to Christ before the angels and the spiritual powers every time we resist temptation--whenever we reject unseemly thoughts, or quietly say a prayer for the safety of a driver who has cut us off rather than curse him. Every act or thought in Christ bears witness to Him who is "Pantocrator"---Ruler over all: All authority in heaven and earth is His; our obedience renders His Rule present, against the present age.

Even these small efforts throughout the day make a difference, for cursing, selfishness, lustful thoughts and looks--even if kept "private"--drive out better thoughts and prayers, and render us susceptible to further descent into darkness.

Such opportunities to live, think, and act with "the mind of Christ" seem countless once you become aware of them. At the beginning of the day, I foresee that the temptations will return and multiply. But with the Psalmist, I call upon the Lord, "Arise, deliver me, O my God," while confessing, "Deliverance belongs to the Lord." Each small victory makes a difference, not only for you, but for those around you.