Many people believe that the primary purpose of the church is to reach the lost. Evangelism is undoubtedly a vital part of what the church does, but it is not the central or sole function of the church. When we make evangelism the defining characteristic, we begin to see everything through the lens of an unbeliever’s experience, rather than embracing the full scope of what the Church is meant to be.

At its core, the church is a gathering of believers to worship Christ, submit to the authority of Scripture, and grow in faith together. It is a place where we are equipped, encouraged, and empowered to live as God’s people in a broken world. However, one of the dangers of modern Christianity is that we often forget the spiritual reality we are living in. We are not just dealing with natural struggles but spiritual ones as well.

The Disenchanted World and the Reality of the Spiritual Realm

Our modern world often operates within a worldview that assumes everything has a natural cause and that there is nothing beyond the material world. This perspective creates a disenchanted way of living, where mystery, wonder, and the supernatural are dismissed. However, human curiosity itself is an indication that there is more going on than we can see or comprehend.

In Mark 4, we see the disciples caught in a storm. Jesus calms the wind and waves, demonstrating His authority over nature and the unseen forces at work. Mark 5 continues this theme by showing Jesus casting out a legion of demons, proving that He is not just a teacher or a prophet—He is God. Mark intentionally arranges these stories to highlight that Jesus has dominion over both the physical and spiritual realms.

The question then arises: If Jesus has all authority, why hasn’t Satan been dealt with fully yet?

The answer lies in the reality of free will and the brokenness of the world. God has allowed human choice, which means people will do evil. While Jesus is actively at work, the fullness of His victory has not yet been fully realized. That day will come, but in the meantime, we are called to live in the power of His resurrection.

The Battle Against Sin and the Lies of the Enemy

Satan’s primary weapon is deception. He operates through lies, and the only way to combat lies is with the truth of Scripture. Jesus modeled this in the wilderness when He resisted Satan by standing on God’s Word (Matthew 4). As 1 Peter 5 reminds us, we are not only to resist the devil but to submit ourselves to God.

However, we can often fall into the trap of attributing every challenge we face to demonic power. While spiritual warfare is real, we must also recognize personal responsibility and the power Christ has already given us. In Ephesians 1, Paul prays that believers would receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation to truly understand the dimensions of the gospel and the atonement. This means seeing sin not as an inevitability but as something Christ has already conquered.

Unfortunately, in our effort to be authentic and not present ourselves as perfect, we have sometimes become complacent about sin. We make excuses instead of recognizing that Jesus came to give us abundant life, not a life shackled to sinful patterns. The power of the gospel is not just about forgiveness—it’s about transformation and liberation.

Finding Freedom From Sin

For those struggling with sin and feeling powerless, the key is to use all the grace God has given you. Confession is important, but it is not enough on its own.

Here are some practical steps:

• Start with Scripture – Go to the Bible, not just for quick fixes, but to meditate deeply on its truths. Saturate your mind with it.
• Seek Community – You may need counseling, a support group, or wise mentors to walk with you.
• Take Sin Seriously – Be willing to do whatever it takes to remove sin from your life, whether that means accountability, cutting off harmful influences, or making radical changes.
• Pray for Clarity – Ask God to help you see sin for what it truly is, rather than how you might justify it.
• Renew Your Mind – Overcoming habitual sin requires rewiring the way you think. This happens through Scripture, contemplation, and persistent effort over time.

The chains of sin have already been broken. The prison door is open. The question is, will we choose to walk out?

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). If we pursue Him with all our hearts, we will find the freedom, power, and victory He has already won for us.