The devil will try to destroy us by leading us into immoral behavior (Eph. 4:27). That is a real struggle for every Christian. Which is easier: to march around the city and claim it for Christ or to stop running down a fellow believer behind her back? Which is the more demanding: to pray over someone that the demon of jealousy be cast out or going up to someone and asking their forgiveness for the way you have hurt them by your cutting remarks inspired by jealousy? I know which is a real wrestling match for me (Eph. 6:12). This is where the real battle lies in Christian relationships, putting into practice at personal cost Christian truth – not some imaginary Dungeon and Dragons world.
— Melvin Tinker (1955–2021), Pfarrer, Theologe und Buchautor
Related Bible passage: EPH.6.12
Topics: Temptation & Struggle, Relationships & Family, Guilt & Forgiveness
Occasions: For Reflection
Melvin Tinker
Melvin Tinker (1955–2021) war ein britischer evangelikaler Theologe, Buchautor und langjähriger Pfarrer in Kingston upon Hull. Er vertrat eine strikt konservativ-reformierte Theologie, verteidigte die Irrtumslosigkeit der Bibel und verließ nach jahrelanger scharfer Kritik am liberalen Kurs der Church of England 2020 die Denomination. Bibellesern vermitteln seine Schriften Orientierung zu Themen wie persönlichem Leiden, christlicher Nachfolge und der Auseinandersetzung mit säkularen Strömungen.
All quotes by Melvin Tinker (21)
The devil is a better theologian than any of us, and he is still a devil.
A.W. Tozer
Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now.
Craig Groeschel
Martin Luther
Fyodor Dostoevsky
And Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.
William Cowper
Our old man is crucified, but he is long at dying.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Dante Alighieri
Gilbert Keith Chesterton