Our atmosphere is formed by air trapped between the earth’s surface and layers of gas that separate it from space. The atmosphere is conditioned by heat rising from earth as it is warmed by the Sun. If too much heat becomes trapped it builds up, and the atmosphere gets overheated. This is commonly known as The Greenhouse Effect.
The overheated atmosphere then affects the environment in much the same way that the heated air in a greenhouse enables the growth of exotic tropical plants that would not survive in the naturally colder air outside. Imagine the environmental changes that would take place if, through Climate Change, our world became a Global Greenhouse!
If our atmosphere were to change, so too would our present environment, and with it our present lifestyle. The way we dress, the kind of food we eat, and even the style of house we live in, would be very different.
Something similar takes place when a person in a home or workplace develops a bad attitude. This changes the atmosphere, and the environment is affected to the degree that things just aren’t the same. The foul atmosphere has polluted the once pristine home or workplace environment.
The result of this emotional climate change is that those in the situation must adapt to it and learn to live in it, or they must seek an environment like the one they used to enjoy, somewhere else.
A spiritual Climate Change can take place when unbelief enters a person, home or town. Jesus discovered this on a visit to the small town of Nazareth, where he had grown up and worked as a carpenter. The strong atmosphere of unbelief in Nazareth prevented Jesus from doing many mighty miracles there for those who were seriously ill.
The people said, “From where did this man get his wisdom and mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary, and are not his brothers James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? As for his sisters: are they not all with us? From where, then, did this man get all these things?” (The fact that they never once refer to Jesus by name indicates contempt.)
Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, and in his own house.”
Jesus could do few mighty works there “because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:54-58) “He laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them.” (Mark 6:5)
Their pervasive attitude of unbelief had removed faith from the town’s atmosphere, which fouled its environment.
However, I have found that unbelief works just as well in reverse. Here are seven things that I refuse to believe:
1. I refuse to believe that God will punish me for sin, because His Son was punished in my place and is now my interceding Great High Priest. If my heart condemns me, God is greater than my heart, and knows all things.
2. I refuse to believe that poverty will make me pious. Many rich people in the Bible were spiritual. Since poverty has no intrinsic value, I see no scriptural reason to accept it, much less seek it.
3. I refuse to believe that my relationship with my heavenly Father is performance-based. A father loves his son for who he is, not for what he can do. The Spirit which is in me cries, “Abba Father!” (Abba is the same as Papa.)
4. I refuse to believe that Satan has any authority over me, that evil spirits have power to torment me, or that any person has the right to oppress me. I am a son of the living God, not some pathetic, helpless plaything!
5. I refuse to believe that God puts sickness upon His children to bring them closer to Him. “Healing is the children’s bread.” Give me my daily bread!
6. I refuse to believe that I have anything to fear from my heavenly Father, because I am accepted in His Beloved Son. The Firstborn Son of God is my Elder Brother. I am a member of a Royal Family, and “we” are quite special.
7. I refuse to believe that this world is a ‘level playing ground’ on which Satan competes with God (or with Jesus) as an equal. Satan versus Almighty God would be the ultimate mismatch!
The basis of my unbelief in these things is that they are contrary to God’s will, as seen in the life of the Lord Jesus and the lives of his apostles. If Jesus could do no mighty works in Nazareth because of the town’s unbelief, then the defeated Satan can do nothing in my life because of my unbelief in him or his power. My God-given faith creates a holy, healthy, and very demon-free environment.
I refuse to believe that Satan or demons can harm me or my family. They have no power or authority over me or over those I love. My unbelief in Satan’s power and authority creates a climate of faith which is resistant to his destructive nature, and an environment which is hostile to every power or authority but that of Jesus Christ, who has “all authority in heaven and in earth”.
Worshipping God and praising the Lord Jesus Christ creates an atmosphere of faith in which we receive the miracles our sick or injured bodies occasionally need. An atmosphere of faith and praise brings a spiritual climate change to home and workplace. The new environment is one of love, peace, happiness, health and well-being!
An atmosphere of faith and love that changes home, school and workplace is Climate Change that we can believe in – Spiritual Climate Change!
Believe in the authority and power of Jesus Christ, and leave a large faith footprint behind you, wherever you go on Planet Earth!