No true Lord of the Rings fan can forget the scene where Gandalf steps onto the bridge in the mines under Mount Moria to stand against the demon with a bold declaration, “You shall not pass!” We don’t know where Tolkien got the line but it may have been from the Bible.

When Israel’s wilderness wanderings were winding down they headed up the east side of the Jordan. When they approached the land of their cousins the Edomites they sought permission to cross through. Edom responded with that very denial, “You shall not pass!” They even threatened to do battle if Israel tried.

As a Christian we must have a “You shall not pass” attitude toward sin in our personal lives and in the church. That doesn’t mean we can use physical violence, but we must be strong and unyielding to sin. But when it comes to the world God did not give us that same authority. We can’t use verbal violence, much less physical. Jesus modeled both (Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 2:21-25). Make sure we don’t attack sin in the world while excusing it in ourselves.