I attended my work’s annual webinar called Active Shooter/Threat Response presented by a CHP officer. Although the possibility of a shooting brought a tinge of fear, it was also helpful to know what to do in case it happens. The presentation stressed that perpetrators plan with multiple attacks in mind and often cause diversions for a prolonged and systematic engagement. They often carry several weapons with them to take as many lives as possible.
The officer shared three things we can do to save ourselves: run, hide, or fight—the same things we believers need to do to preserve not just our physical lives but, most especially, our spiritual ones.
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Satan's Strategy
Exchange the perpetrator’s image with the devil and recall the roaring lion. He is prowling, “seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7-9). It’s interesting that an animal best describes the devil and his posture—stalking his prey while staying under the radar, slowly and silently creeping for the eventual confrontation.
Our world is Satan’s playground. When God asked where he had come from, Satan answered, “From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it” (Job 1:7). We may not always be aware of Satan’s presence because he is cunning and is said to disguise “himself as an angel of light” (1 Corinthians 11:14). Now think of the active shooters' profiles you have seen in the past. Most of them don’t look like murderers. They may seem a little different, staying on the sidelines with low profiles, enough to go unnoticeable. That is exactly the deception! The evil perpetrators may appear to be victims themselves!
That said, let's delve into those three ways to fight back and claim victory in Christ:
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1. Run!
Any clear and present danger in front of us should make us run. It is instinctive to pursue safety when we perceive a threat. Even a natural calamity, such as a hurricane or volcanic eruption, makes us want to head for higher ground to stay away from danger.
But there is an even greater need for running to safety when it comes to spiritual danger. We should not have any hesitation in taking the exit while we still can, before the door closes and remains tightly shut and it’s too late to escape.
Perhaps the best Bible story of running away was when a woman set her eyes on Joseph, the well-built and handsome overseer in Egypt. It was Joseph’s master’s wife who gave him an enticing invitation, “Come to bed with me!” (Genesis 39:8).
Sensing the danger in this scenario, and how the blessing of the Lord on him could be in jeopardy, Joseph refused and said, “With me in charge, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted in my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (vv.8-9).
But evil did not want to stop after that first refusal. The story said that “she spoke to Joseph day after day” yet “he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her” (v.10). Until the time came that Joseph literally ran out of the house but left his cloak in her hand (v.11). “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
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2. Hide!
We watch thrillers where the bad guy is walking down the hallway, checking each room, each closet—the possible hiding places for his victims. We see the victims cowering in the dark, stifling their cries and holding their breath lest they be found. Yes, if there was no way to run, it’s time to find a spot where there is less chance of being found. And “Silence your cell phone!” or leave it on after dialing 9-1-1, according to the CHP officer.
King Saul was seeking to kill David, and David and his men were hiding in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. When Saul was closing in, David “lived in the strongholds of Engedi” (read 1 Samuel 13:15-28 for the story).
Yes, we should develop a habit of survival when we feel unsafe, just like David who took himself away from harm by going up to Engedi, a place of refuge. But David also claimed this about God, “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).
We have a safe refuge in God, the Mighty Fortress. Here’s what Psalm 91 says:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday (vv.1-6).
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3. Fight!
Let’s face it! Sometimes, the opportunity to run or hide from a perpetrator may not present itself. And when that is the reality, the officer advised that we should find any weapon we can use—a pen, a pair of scissors, anything—to defend ourselves. But we also must have a plan and be committed to sticking to it until the end.
In our spiritual life, we are called to stand up for our faith, for what we believe in. And we must wear the best weapon available to us and be ready to fight. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance…” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
There is increased hate and violence today, but we must continue living amidst this. We can’t simply lock ourselves at home and pretend that we are safe from harm and danger. We are not! Our personal space is no longer as safe as we would like it to be, just as the church is no longer a sanctuary and free from any threat of violence. Nothing is sacred ground to someone with evil intentions. But God is constantly reminding us of His presence. Just as He encouraged Joshua in the past, He still encourages us today: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Satan is actively shooting his flaming darts at us, desiring the spiritual death of Christ’s followers. He won’t stop until God says so. In the meantime, it’s okay to run to God, hide in His presence, and let Him fight the battle!
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Originally published Wednesday, 31 July 2024.
