The deadly Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) comes for the Latin “corona” (crown) and Greek “korone (garland). It is so named because of the way it looks. While the virologists around the world rush for a cure, I wonder if this disease could impact church attendance? In countries where the outbreak is more serious the advice is to avoid social gatherings. In the United States the CDC’s advice to pregnant women is “usual preventive actions to avoid infection like washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick” (t.ly/dOEWr).

Since I am certain Satan will use this disease, it is important for us to get ahead of his tactics. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) — 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I believe Satan will use fear and lies. So, we must use faith and truth.

We know that God is love – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8 ESV). And we know that … “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18 ESV).

The truth is that faithful Christians have nothing to fear from this virus. Why? Because death has no power over a Christian (Rom.6:8-10).

Friends, this is not a time to panic. This is a time to help those who are not Christians to become immune to disease as all faithful Christians are (Romans 6:3-5).

Images of the coronavirus from t.ly/w1EJv.