Superheroes and sin ∙∙

Superheroes and sin ∙∙

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.- Matthew 5:16

Judges 3:7-11

7 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. They forgot about the LORD their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles.
8 Then the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to King Cushan-rishathaim . . . for eight years.
9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz.

10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the LORD gave Othniel victory over him.
11 So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel, son of Kenaz, died.

Superheroes of the Ancient World

Throughout human history, people have looked to heroes to bring order and justice to a chaotic world. The ancient world was no exception, with countless figures, both historical and mythological superheroes, praised for their strength, courage, and wisdom. Heroes like Ulysses, Leonidas, Judas Maccabeus, Hercules, and Jason became symbols of hope and perseverance.

But superheroes are not confined to the myths of old. Modern superheroes, born in the pages of comic books in the 1930s, Superman, Batman, the Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon, etc., continue to inspire us. These captivating tales shape our shared mythology, offering us the hope that, no matter how dark the times, justice can prevail and the world can be set right again.

Superheroes in the Book of Judges

The concept of superheroes is not limited to fiction. The Old Testament tells the story of real individuals who stood as heroes during times of crisis. Many of these figures, such as Deborah and Samson, appear in the Book of Judges. Their lives reveal the profound ways in which the Father intervened in the history of Israel, raising up deliverers to lead His people back to righteousness.

The Father set Israel apart from its neighbors. Unlike the surrounding nations that worshiped idols and false gods, the Jewish people were called to serve the one true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. They were entrusted with the Mosaic law, a divine gift that directed their lives and worship. Furthermore, they were given the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of God dwelt.

A Boundary against Pagan Influence

The Father provided Israel with clear warnings to avoid the dangerous allure of their pagan neighbors. The Father made it very clear to the Jews that they were not to study “comparative religions.” In Deuteronomy 7:1-11, He forbade them from participating in the religious practices of the Canaanites. This prohibition was not arbitrary; it was intended to safeguard their relationship with God and prevent them from adopting the moral corruption that came with false worship.

Israel was meant to be a light in the darkness of a pagan world, a nation set apart to reflect the goodness and truth of God. Had the people of Israel brought their pagan neighbors to faith in the Lord, history might have unfolded very differently. However, the reverse often occurred instead. The Canaanites’ worship of Baal and other false gods lured the Israelites into idolatry, leading them into disobedience and sin.

The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance

The Book of Judges details a tumultuous period in Israel’s history, between the conquest led by Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy beginning with Saul. It reveals a repeating cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance that defines this era.

The pattern usually went like this: the Israelites would fall into evil, turning away from God and worshiping false gods. The Father’s response was righteous judgment. He allowed foreign invaders to conquer and oppress them. Realizing their error, the people would cry out in repentance, and God, in His mercy, would raise up a “judge”—a deliverer or rescuer—to lead them to victory and restore peace. This peace would last for a time, but eventually, the Israelites would fall back into sin, and the cycle would begin anew.

A Call to Faithfulness

The Father designed Israel to be a beacon of hope and a channel of His truth. Yet their desire to be like the nations around them often led them astray. Instead of Jewish people remaining pure and true to their worship of the Father and allowing the Father and His influence to change their neighbors, the gods of their neighbors changed them.

What a difference it would have made in subsequent national history if the Jews had led others to faith in the Lord instead of the Canaanites winning the Jews to Baal (Wiersbe)!

Lessons from the Book of Judges

The stories in the Book of Judges highlight the importance of faithfulness, vigilance, and reliance on God. They illustrate the dangers of compromise and showcase the mercy of a loving Father who delivers His people even in times of rebellion. Like the superheroes of myth and legend, these ancient judges were raised up to bring order and justice to a broken world; however, their strength came not from themselves but from God. A period of normalcy and peace was restored until the next crisis arose. Although the world may still be chaotic, the message endures: no matter how challenging things become, through faith and repentance, there is always hope for deliverance and restoration.

REFLECT & PRAY

The world is a dark and alluring place with more than its share of shadows and temptations. Every child of the King wrestles with their own unique struggles, caught in the ongoing cycle of sin that stems from our shared, fallen nature in this broken world. How easy it is to falter, to lose our footing, and succumb. If only the words “until the next time” could be erased from the fabric of our human experience.

Father, strengthen my heart and anchor my spirit. Help me remain unwavering and faithful to You, rooted firmly in Your truth and guided by Your Word.

INSIGHT

In the World but Not of It

The apostle John issues a solemn warning to every child of the King regarding the allure of the fallen world we inhabit. Each day, we face seemingly endless distractions that vie for our attention.

“The world competes for the Father’s love (1 John 2:15-17), but the Word of God enables us to enjoy the Father’s love. One of the first steps toward a worldly life is the neglect of the Word of God” (Wiersbe).

In 1 John 2:15-17, John writes: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

This passage vividly illustrates the transient nature of worldly pleasures. The world entices us with fleeting promises—material gain, status, and momentary satisfaction—yet as children of the King, we are called to resist these cravings and focus on the Father’s eternal purposes. The love of the world and the love of the Father cannot coexist. Each decision we make challenges our devotion and values, inviting us to choose between the temporary and the eternal. Though the path of obedience may seem arduous, God’s promises remain steadfast and true.

Ultimately, 1 John 2:15-17 urges us to fix our hearts and minds on what truly matters—the eternal joy and love found in the Father, rather than the temporary pleasures offered by this world.

Jesus prays for His Disciples

The Lord Jesus Christ deeply cares for both the temporal and eternal well-being of each child of the King. To address our spiritual struggles, He intercedes for us, as recorded in John 17:14-17: “I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.”

This prayer highlights a profound reality: while we live in this world, we are not of it. Our identity in Christ sets us apart, aligning us with values that transcend worldly standards. The Lord Jesus Christ did not ask for our removal from the world but rather for our protection in it. He acknowledged the presence of temptation and prayed for our strength to overcome it. In moments of darkness, He remains by our side to guide and protect us.

Through this prayer, Jesus offers two gifts to His followers.

1. Joy: Amid life’s trials and hardships, He grants us supernatural joy—a joy that transcends our circumstances and fills us with peace and fulfillment.
2. Warning: He reminds us that opposition from the world is inevitable. Standing firm in Him requires living contrary to the values and orientation of the world. This will certainly invite hostility.

The Battle Between Worldliness and God’s Word

Barclay insightfully observed that the children of the King are different from the world, and they should not expect anything but hostility from it. Their values and standards contrast significantly with those of the world. However, there is joy in facing challenges and struggling against adversity. It is through confronting the world’s hostility that we can experience true Christian joy. The temptations of the world often lead us to overlook the richness of God’s love, starting with neglecting our time in His Word.

D.L. Moody wisely wrote in his Bible, “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.” The Bible is not merely a collection of inspiring words—it is a lifeline that draws us closer to the Father and equips us to resist the pull of the world.

Every day presents a battle between the wisdom of the world and God’s Word. Immersing ourselves in Scripture strengthens and sanctifies us, empowering us to live lives rooted in righteousness though the pleasures of the world are fleeting God’s promises are eternal.

A Life Rooted in Truth

Though the pleasures of the world are fleeting, God’s promises are eternal. As children of the King, we are called to remember our identity in Christ and resist the pull of temporary desires. The Word of God does more than protect; it transforms and sanctifies, drawing us into deeper communion with Him.

The prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of the Father’s commitment to making us holy through His written Word. When we anchor ourselves in God’s Word, we discover true joy, unwavering endurance, and the power to remain faithful amid life’s challenges.

As you face trials and choices today, remember that Christ is interceding for you. Lean into the Father’s love, draw strength from His truth, and pursue a life that pleases Him. While this world will fade away, those who walk in the Spirit in alignment with the word of God will abide forever.

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© Dr. H 2025