Author: Nathaniel

The world we live in today is a troubled one. We are in the midst of a global pandemic that has resulted in tremendous loss: loss of jobs and income, education of children as we know it, social freedoms and gatherings, and life overall has come to practically a standstill. This has caused great anxiety to much of the population. But despite all that is going on in the world that we can’t control, it’s important to remember that God is in control and He is our hope. In this article, we are going to look at God: the Source of all Things.

The Issue

Today’s society has turned further and further from God and the focus has been taken off Him onto the natural and material things. But what must be realized is the natural things (Jobs, homes, cars, clothes, jewelry, etc) would not exist without God.

To put things in perspective, God is the source and the natural-material things are resources. Nothing exists without God. This is an unequivocal fact. John 1:2-3 reads, “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

One of the greatest errors made in today’s society is the forgetting of God. But what has caused us to forget God?

Many people seldom think about God. Occasionally, the thought of God may cross their minds, but not often. God is not a major part of today’s thinking, neither of our lives. The world does not include God and our lives are not focused upon God. To most, God is way off and out of reach.

To some individuals, God may or may not (agnostics) exist. To others, God does not exist at all (atheists). Therefore, God is not a subject that dwells in their minds. As a result, God is simply rejected and denied; so, there is no need to give thought to God. God is forgotten.

The Warning

There is a clear and strong warning against this in the Scriptures. Let’s take a look in Deut 8:11-15:

11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

The setting of the passage is Moses preaching under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. Notice what he proclaimed to the Israelites: Beware! Be careful! Be on Guard!

We must conscientiously guard against forgetting God. Three (3) conditions will cause us to forget God.

In verse 11, we see the encouragement to keep God’s commandments. Failing to obey God’s holy commandments will cause us to forget God. We must obey God’s commandments, by keeping our minds upon obeying them. If we neglect and ignore His commandments, we will grow cold and indifferent, soon forgetting about God. Our consciences and minds will become dull, insensitive, hard, callous, and dead to God (1 Tim. 4:1-2). The thoughts of God will before long pass from our minds. We will forget God.

On the other hand, if we obey God’s commandments, then He will be active in our hearts and lives. Our minds and thoughts will focus on God, and we will seek to fulfill His commandments. Step by step throughout the day, we will seek to please God by obeying Him. God will be alive in our hearts and thoughts. We will then not forget God.

In summary, keeping God’s holy commandments is the way to guard against forgetting God. On the other hand, failing to obey God’s holy commandments will cause a person to forget God.

In verses 12 and 13, we see what can happen with prosperity. Being prosperous, at ease, satisfied, and complacent can cause us to forget God.

This was of great concern to Moses for the Israelites. Once they had overpowered their enemies and settled down in the Promised Land, there was the danger that their subsequent prosperity would cause them to become satisfied and comfortable. They would become cozy in Zion. Notice how Moses warns the people against becoming complacent and satisfied with their prosperity:

• – They would have plenty of food, be full, and satisfied
• – They would have great and fine housing, settle down and be comfortable
• – Their wealth (gold, silver, herds, and flocks) would greatly multiply.

Our society, particularly in the US is duplicating Biblical Israel’s downfall. The relatively young United States has been blessed to become the most prosperous nation on earth—a superpower— and in the process has turned away and is continuing to turn away from God exponentially. Instead of focusing on the source (God), the focus is on the resources.

In verse 14 we see what can be the result of focusing solely on resources—pride.

Possessing pride and a sense of self-sufficiency can cause an individual and a nation to forget God. An individual or a nation can begin to feel that subsequent prosperity is due solely to knowledge, ability, and skill. We can easily forget that our life, health, and strength—our very existence upon this earth—are due to God. It is God who willed us to be born and who had established the laws of reproduction through which we are born.

We Christian believers must guard our hearts against becoming proud and self-sufficient, from thinking that it is we alone that has produced the prosperity. We must not forget God: everything we have comes from God. God has willed for us to prosper; therefore, the Christian produces the products and possesses the things he owns. God is the primary, ultimate source of everything we are and have; our abilities, skills, health, and possessions. Man does not live upon this earth unless God wills him to live. Consequently, there is no place for pride or self-sufficiency within the heart of man. Humility and thanksgiving is to be entrenched in our hearts.

In summary, in the midst of all our prosperity, we the people of God must guard ourselves against becoming complacent, self-satisfied, at ease, comfortable. We must not become apathetic, lethargic, indifferent, sluggish, stagnant, cold-hearted, and unresponsive to God. We must not forget God.

We also see in verse 14 as well as verse 15 God’s protection. He delivered the Israelites from Egypt and saved them out of enslavement. This He did to give them the hope of the Promised Land. However, when they forgot God, they forgot their salvation. They forgot the very purpose for which God saved them, the very reason why they were living in the Promised Land.

If we forget God, we are forgetting the guidance and protection of God. We will forget that it was God who led us through our wilderness wanderings, through all the terrible trials and difficulties of our wilderness. We will forget that He protected us from situations equal to our venomous snakes and scorpions.

If we forget God, we will lose the guidance and protection of God. We will be left all alone upon this earth, leaving us only to what we can personally do for ourselves and what others are willing to do. In facing the trials and tribulations of life such as accident, diseases, financial difficulties, job or business problems, relationship difficulties, family and school problems—any problem or trial of life—the only help available will be the aid of flesh, only what we or some other person can do to help us. We will have lost the guidance and protection of God—if we forget Him.

If we forget God, we will forget His provision. It is God who provides the necessities of life: water to drink and food to eat. But, if we forget God, we lose God’s day-by-day provision, lose the assurance of having Him look after us. We will have no guarantee of the necessities of life. We must keep in mind that God had given the Israelites water gushing from a rock and manna to eat day-by-day out in the desert. They had no excuse for forgetting God.

Let’s look at verses 16-17:

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

In verse 16, we see one of the reasons God provides for us: to humble us. If we forget God, we will forget the humbling experiences. We forget that God tests us to make us stronger and to make things go smoother for us.

In verse 17 we see that if we forget God, we will forget humility and we develop a sense of self-sufficiency that leads us to believe that we did it all on our own.

The fact of the matter is, pride and a sense of self-sufficiency will lead an individual and a nation to forget God (Prov. 16:18); therefore, we must unquestionably guard against these two terrible sins, sins that cut the heart of God ever so deeply. Nothing can sink us faster spiritually than pride.

The Solution

But Moses not only shed light on the problem but he also passionately shared the solution in verse 18:

18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

This is the first of three (3) actions that will protect us from forgetting God.

Remember the source of all things: “the Lord thy God.” We must always remember that it is God who gives us the ability to work and produce. Our ability is due to God, not to us. But even more, there is another fact that we must grasp: God fulfills His covenant, the gift of the promised land. It is of essential importance to remember this.

Remember the past blessings. By focusing on past blessings, God is being recognized for what He has done in the past and keeps the focus on Him.

The Promised Land during the time of Moses was an earthy one (the land of Canaan). For us, it is a Spiritual one (eternal life in heaven), and no individual can enter or possess the Promised Land apart from God. The Promised Land is a precious gift of God and not the creation of man. Only God can yield the Promised Land to an individual. God and God alone is the source of all things. Focusing on this fact should keep an individual from forgetting God.

Verses 19 and 20 contain the second action that will protect us from forgetting God

19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

20 As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.

The second action is, consider the judgment of God. We must not forget God nor engage in false worship lest the judgment of God falls upon us. If we forget God, His judgment will fall upon us, destroying us just like it did the nations and peoples before us ( Sodom and Gomorrah, etc.).

The third action is recognize the sovereignty of God. No one recognized this better than David who wrote in  Ps. 103:19, “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”

God is the ultimate ruler and is in control of all things at all times. We must recognize Him for who He is.

Conclusion

I am going to repeat something I wrote earlier: Our society, particularly in the US is duplicating Biblical Israel’s downfall. We are walking after other gods (vs. 19). We may not bow down and worship with statues as Israel did, but we do have our idols (jobs, careers, cars, houses, spouses, education/academic degrees, etc.). However, these are resources that we would not have without our source—God.

As the nation turns from God, it relies on the government. But the government doesn’t recognize God as it should and has become divided and dysfunctional; paralyzed to help the people as intended. This is apparent from the very top of the government to the lower echelons.

Another Scriptural warning is found in Rom 1:28-31

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

When God is removed from the mind and heart, He turns us over to our

natural, depraved minds to do things that should not be done. The results are below.

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

We are witnessing Scripture unfold before us!

Today the nation is highly divided and the atmosphere is toxic and saturated with uncertainty and mistrust. Rebellion and civil unrest headline the news. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear end to the downward spiral. It is common knowledge that superpowers are not destroyed from without, but from within.

The United States has gone from the awe of the world as a superpower to a nation of immense vulnerability. The world is watching and is viewing the US with a mix of shock, vexation, and, most of all, bafflement. This is because she is duplicating Biblical Israel’s drastic downfall.

It is imperative for us, as Christians, to remember our source especially during these difficult times. Our resources may be threatened but our source is firmly in control and we are to focus on Him.

King Solomon was the wisest king that has ever lived. In his essay on life, he

concluded with the best advice ever. In Eccl 12:13 it reads:

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Remember what Jesus said in Matt 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

First, seek God above all and “these things,” the resources, will be granted to us.

So be encouraged my brothers and sisters—TRUST GOD!

We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

Amen!

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, and concerns below.

Blessings!

Recently, I posted an article that addressed being a disciple of Christ, which explains what being a disciple means precisely. For more detail, please read the article, What is a Follower of Jesus Christ, on this website. This article (the one you are reading) elaborates on a specific characteristic of a disciple. This quality holds the authenticity of disciples, which are being the lights of the world.

What are the Lights of the World?

The lights of the world in the Scriptures are symbolic. Light and darkness are in contrast to each other, and the Scriptures portray the world as dark, sinful, and evil. Because of this sinful state, the world is condemned. Jesus said in John 3:19-20:

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Here we have the contrast between light and darkness, darkness being evil, and hating the light.

Most evil, which is committed in darkness, and the one who is committing the evil, hates the light and will not come into the light because of his evil, sinful deeds that will be exposed.

Jesus continues in verse 21:

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Here we have the other side of the contrast, he that doeth truth.” Truth represents righteousness—doing what is right; the person that does right will come into the light so that his deeds may be known.

Later in the book of John, Jesus states His position in this contrast. In John 8:12, He said,…” I am the light of the world…”

Jesus is the righteous light that came to this dark, condemned world to save it. John 3:17 reads:

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

This verse is why we call Jesus our Lord and Savior; He saves us from the world of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9).

When an individual accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, a transformation from darkness to light takes place.  Jesus confirmed this in John 12:46

 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. NIV

Those who genuinely believe in Jesus have left Satan’s dark kingdom and influence and have entered the light of God’s kingdom. This transformation is what the born again experience encompasses.

However, many individuals in the church behave as though they continue to remain in darkness. Jesus died so that we might transform from the darkness. If one’s life is not changing, then they may not have genuinely begun to follow the light.

Some individuals attempt to—profess Christ and Christianity yet live without really following Him. For more on this, please read the article, Christianity Without Christ on this website.

But let us look at those who are genuinely following Jesus. We have already seen in John 12:46, where Jesus acknowledges that those who believe in Him will not stay in darkness. Let’s look at another acknowledgment in Matt 5:14-16:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Because Christians no longer walk in the darkness of the world, they “are the light of the world” as Christ is. Light makes a difference in its surroundings, and it cannot be hidden just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden. As we live for Christ, our lights are to shine in the world and glorify the Father. It should be evident that we are followers of Christ.

The reality of the matter is that even though we’re walking in the light, our lights can get dusty and cloudy. This dust comes from the issues and problems of living in the world. These issue include the corruption, the politics, the crime, the civil unrest, the uncertainty, and of course, the pestilence (e.g., the coronavirus). These things can dim our lights to a glimmer (if we let them).

However, we cannot let our light become dimmed; we must allow our lights to continue to pierce the darkness, no matter how much darkness is around us. The greater the darkness, the brighter the light.

We have Scriptural encouragement and instruction on this in Phil 2:14-15:

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

We are not to murmur, complain, and dispute as the ungodly does. When we do, it makes a poor representation of Christ. We are to be imitators of Christ and walk in love (Eph. 5:1). When we do, we become “blameless and pure.” That does not mean that we will be perfect but above the criticism of the unbelievers.

We are to be comforters, carrying our lights with kind words to encourage and not discourage. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the spiritually weary to a divine resting-place.

The result is we will be held “blameless and harmless”
as children of God in the middle of “a crooked and perverse nation” with our lights shining in the world.

The purpose of this article is to encourage readers to press on in spite of the circumstances we’re living under.

So let us remember what the encouraging Scripture says in Gal 6:9

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. NIV

Remember, we cannot reap a harvest if we give up laboring in the field!

Amen.

Please feel free to leave any comments, questions, and concerns below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

 

 

 

The Bible is a very popular book. It has continuously been on the best-seller list. According to statistics from Wycliffe International, Gideon’s International, and the International Bible Society, the number of new Bibles that are sold, given away, or otherwise distributed in the United States alone is about 168,000 per day. Additionally, according to Guinness World Records as of 1995, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed. Yet, it is highly controversial for some. Some question its authenticity. However, one of the attributes of Scripture that proves its authenticity is prophesy. Approximately sixty percent of Biblical prophecy is already fulfilled. The featured prophecy in this article is: The Coming Apostasy.

What is Apostasy?

According to Nelson’s Bible dictionary, apostasy is a falling away from the faith. Apostasy is defined generally as the determined, willful rejection of Christ and His teachings by a Christian believer (Heb 10:26-29; John 15:22). This issue is different from false belief, or error, which is the result of ignorance.

The Coming of Apostasy

The Bible contains a prophecy of the impending apostasy in several passages. The most major of these is in 2 Tim 3:1-9 reads:

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth — men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. NIV

This passage is from an instructional letter from the apostle Paul to a young pastor named Timothy. In the previous chapter, Paul is encouraging Timothy to carry out his duties because it would be even more difficult in subsequent days because of the impending apostasy.

In verse 1, we see the mention of “terrible times.” These words describe the arrival of difficult, troublesome, trying, uneasy, hard, violent, threatening, and dangerous days.

Question: do any of these words not apply today? If not, which ones?

Perhaps before COVID19, some may have been able to pick out a few. Still, with the arrival of the pandemic, It’s hard to imagine anyone not observing the above adjectives to explain our current state of existence.

The Scripture further mentions, “in the last days.” Last days is a term the Bible uses that points to a period that began with the ascension of Christ and continues to the end of the present age.  It continues up to the days right before the return of Christ and the end of the world as we know it. It is important to note that these terrible times will intensify in the last days (cf.Matt. 24 1-25, 46). The closer to Christ’s arrival, the greater the intensity.

In verses 2-4, we see godlessness. The first mark of the last days will be a godless world. The world will be dangerous because it will be godless. As you read through, take note of how the terrible marks of the last days seem very much like a picture of today.

For starters, people “will be lovers of themselves.”
Understand that this does not refer to the standard and natural love of life and of oneself that we all should typically have. Rather it refers to selfishness and self-centeredness.

It is an inconsiderate love. This love tends to focus upon oneself and one’s pleasure and flesh instead of upon God and other people. This behavior extends to wives, husbands, parents, children, friends, and neighbors.

This love leads one to seek their desires without considering others, even if it is unwise to do so.

This love leads one to feel that everyone and everything revolve around them and to focus strictly on their pleasure and ignore the needs of even the desperate and dying.

Last but certainly not least, it leads one to put their own will before the will of God.

Self-love sets an individual up like a god and feels that nothing matters as much as the pleasure of oneself. In the last days, people will love themselves more than they love anyone else. Selfishness is one of the terrible marks of the last days.

We don’t have to look very far to witness this behavior because it is ubiquitous. It begins at the top with governments. Governments all over the world are failing to serve the citizens because the participants are more concerned with their own self-interests and political agendas.

The worldwide civil unrest has increased as citizens remain divided over their rights and agendas, which are, in no small degree, ungodly. People are looting and shooting one another to satisfy their desires and interests.

But this is what happens when God is removed from the equation. We cannot govern ourselves. When left to our own devices, we only destroy ourselves (Rom. 1:21).

The Scripture mentions “lovers of money.” According to the Scripture,

people will love money, what it buys, and allows them to do, and they will covet more and more of it and the things it yields. Their eyes and hearts will become focused upon money instead of God. They will indulge and hoard instead of meeting the desperate needs of the poor and the lost of the world.

Bringing this to today, people now want more and more and bigger and bigger and better and better, and they will rarely be satisfied with what they have (cf. Eccl. 5:10). In the last days, people will focus more and more on material wealth than at any other time: money, real property, stocks and bonds, possessions, travel, and power.

With the arrival of COVID19, the ability to earn money has been hindered by many and has resulted in suicides. Suicide, in these cases, is the result of putting trust wholely in money and self but not in God. This behavior proves that without God, we become completely lost—we are in despair.

Money has become the new religion. It is the supreme motivation for everything we do these days. It is the reason we wake up in the morning and remains the focus until we rest at night. Some can’t sleep for thinking about money. We beg, rob, and steal for it, and without it, we are merely hopeless.

People will be “boastful.” These are people who brag and boast in what they have. They also pretend to have what they do not have or to do what they haven’t done.

Bragging can involve anything from a job to an achievement, anything to impress others. It is an individual who feels the need to push themself above others even if it involves pretension, deception, and lies.

Today the world is full of boasters and braggarts.

The Scripture says that people will be “proud.” This word involves self-exaltation, conceit, and arrogance. It means to lift one’s head above another; to hold disgust for another; to compare oneself with others. Pride can be concealed in the heart as well as displayed openly.

In other words, the proud person feels that he is better than others. Again, this is a feeling within the heart. A proud person may seem quiet and humble, but within their heart, they can secretly feel better than others. A proud person can even put themself above God (Dan. 4:30).

God opposes the proud (1 pet. 5:5). In fact, He hates it. [Prov. 8:8] Therefore, pride is a sin. Prov 21:4 reads,

“Haughty eyes and a proud heart,the lamp of the wicked, are sin!” NIV There is nowhere for a prideful person or nation to go but down.

Next, the Scripture says that people will be “abusive.”
The King James translation uses the word blaspheme, which translated from the Greek word that means to slander, insult, rail, reviles, reproach, and to curse. Blasphemy is to be against God, generally speaking, which it is. But it is also a transgression against men. Men can blaspheme other men. Just think of the cursing and insults thrown against God and men today. Practically everyone is cursing and insulting someone: fathers, mothers, teachers, children, professionals, actors, comedians, politicians, even some professing religionists feel the need to curse occasionally to be acceptable.

Profanity is so ingrained in society that some cannot express themselves without using it.

Why is there such an excessive amount of cursing today? Because there is a loss of respect for both self and others concerning both position and authority. People behave this way when they are disturbed within—when they sense dissatisfaction, disapproval, and unacceptance within their hearts. A disturbed and dissatisfied heart causes people to blaspheme God and man, including themselves.

Next, the Scripture says that people will be “disobedient to their parents,”
refusing to do what one’s parents request, rebelling against one’s parents, showing disrespect to parents, rejecting parental instruction; dishonoring parental example. This behavior is what goes on today.

If a child will not honor, respect, and obey his mother and father, then who will he respect? If a child will mistreat his parents—those who are the closest to him— those who love and care for him most, who then will he obey, who else will he mistreat?  When this behavior becomes accepted as the norm, the home, society, and civilization will crumble.

Next on the indictment is “ungrateful.” In the last days, people will be unthankful without a sense of gratitude or appreciation for what they have received. There is no giving of thanks to God or man. Many individuals will feel that the world and society or business and government owe them the good things of life. They have little if any sense of debt to others and feel little obligation to the world and society.

They take and take and forget all about the thanksgiving—the debt and contribution—they owe to God and men. They will take everything for granted.

Bringing this to today, how many people do we know are genuinely grateful for what they have? We complain more about what we don’t have, rather than being grateful for what we do have.

Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving Day has merely become a day of gluttony and shopping for “Black Friday.” There is little to no consideration for the blessings from God and no appreciation for man through whom the blessings come. I have personally been criticized on Thanksgiving Day for praying too long, a whopping 1-2 minutes! If we can’t take time to give God special thanks on Thanksgiving Day, then when?

Next, people will be “unholy” and given over to the most base passions, being blind to modesty, decency, purity, and righteousness.

Unholy people are ones who are mastered by their passions, seek constant gratification of the flesh, seeks his pleasure in the abnormal, feel little to no shame, and are blind to decency.

So, think of the abnormal sex that is displayed and flaunted today. You don’t have to think very hard!

The people will be “without love.” Natural affection will go out of the window. Instead, there will be abnormal affection and love. People will become heartless, without human emotion or love, a lack of feeling for others, and exhibit abuse of normal affection and love. People will use each other for little more than pawns for their self-use, benefit, pleasure and purposes, excitement, and stimulation.

As confirmed in Scripture, we are to be affectionate towards one another. Eph 4:31-32 reads, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” NIV

But in the end time, individuals will be so absorbed with satisfying their flesh and pleasure that they will forget God, family, friends, and everything else. They will immerse themselves in doing their own thing and so self-centered that they will have little affection for anyone or anything else.

This pathetic condition will  manifest in several ways:

⇒ There will be little affection for the normal and natural. People will turn to the abnormal and unnatural in relationships and behavior, pleasures, and sex.

⇒ Not very much affection for the home. The home will be little more than a place to change clothes and sleep.

⇒ There will be not much affection between husband and wife. A spouse will be very little more than a person to help pay the bills and to keep up a front for social acceptance. Men and women will become unfaithful and depraved.

⇒ There will be little to no affection for friends, country, and earth. Selfishness will be the law of the last days.

Are there any signs of these behaviors in action today?

There will be little regard for God and the church. God and church will be things to be squeezed in when they do not interfere with personal desires and pleasures, rest, and recreation. But this has been going on pre-pandemic.

So then, is it any wonder that God allowed a virus that even stopped worship in the church? Do you think perhaps He’s trying to tell us something?

To move on, we’ve examined the first mark of the last days, which is godlessness; we will now look at the second mark, which is a powerless religion.

Verse 5 address this state of affairs by stating, “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

In the last days, churches and temples and worship centers will be everywhere, (as they are today). Individuals will claim and profess “godliness,” but their worship will be only a “form” only an outward profession, only an appearance of godliness. They will not possess God; they will not have God or Christ in their hearts and lives. They may:

• profess Christ and God

• be baptized into the Christian faith

• be present at church worship services

• partake in the rituals and ceremonies

• deliver the creeds

• even sometimes talk about God

However, they will deny the very power of God. What is the power of God? It is the power to deliver men from the bondage of sin, death, and hell—all by way of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the power of the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ—the power to save people from perishing and to grant them eternal life.

These truths are precisely what Scripture states. But the Word of God and sound Biblical teaching will be denied. Paul also addressed this to Timothy in 2 Tim 4:3-5, which reads:

3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. NIV

Bringing this Scripture to today, individuals are professing Christianity but are completely ignoring sound Biblical doctrine. They simply don’t want to hear it.

The result is a powerless religion. It doesn’t save anybody; at best, it’s merely treading water, and you can only do so for so long, and then you go under.

This truth is a segue to the next point. In verses 6-9, we have the third mark of the last days, which is corrupt ministry.

In verse 6, we see that corrupt ministers lead gullible followers astray. The focus is on women because of the situation that was occurring in Ephesus. Some of the women in the Ephesian church were following the corrupt ministers. However, the fact of the matter is, all must be on guard against corrupt ministers.

The corrupt minister seeks people who are laden and burdened with sin and guilt, thus being easily swayed by all kinds of desires and lusts. Also, those individuals who are seeking truth and will attempt to learn from anybody who claims to have it can be trapped.

The problem, these individuals will never learn the truth because they are presented with “a form of godliness,” not true godliness. True godliness is godliness that is found in Christ alone and nowhere else.

Today we have a form of godliness; it is called popular Christianity. It professes God and Christ but denies the power. It is essentially Christianity without Christ. For more information on this movement, please read the article, Christianity Without Christ on this website.

Paul’s letter to Timothy containing this prophecy was written approximately 66-67 AD, and it is now unfolding before our very eyes and will continue to evolve and increase in implementation.

In the US, church attendance is waning, and ungodliness is on the rise. The less we depend on God, the more we look to government and look at what a mess the government is.  Again—we cannot govern ourselves, and without God, we become fools (Rom 1:22).

This apostasy is infectious among Christians. Some Christian doctrines teach that apostasy is impossible for those individuals who have truly and genuinely accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. However, there is always a

choice before us and, Satan, our enemy, is continually trying to pull Christians away. Some have gone astray without realizing it, and more will follow.

But we must heed the warning contained in the Scriptures. 1 Peter 5:8-9 reads:

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. NIV

The bottom line is, the coming apostasy …is here and growing! We must be on guard and stay strong.

Please leave any questions, comments, or concerns below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

 

 

 

If someone were to ask you if you were a follower of Jesus and what made you one, what would you say? Generally, when that question is asked, there is a variety of answers. The most common one is I go to church. But there are
others: I am a good person, I give to charities, I’ve been baptized, I pray sometimes, I am a religious person, I participate in communion, etc..
While these are activities practiced by Christians, they alone do not necessarily indicate that an individual is a follower of Jesus. Not to mention; they do not answer the question. So, what is a follower of Jesus Christ?

What is a Follower of Jesus?

To be a follower of Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus—a wholehearted supporter of Jesus. A disciple is a pupil, student, or learner and holds fast to the teachings of another. Not only does a disciple follow, but also is additionally active in spreading the doctrines of another. In the Bible, disciple is the word used most often to refer to a follower of Jesus and implies an inner circle relationship with Him.

It is a serious commitment to be a follower of Jesus.

The Characteristics of a True Follower of Jesus

A true follower of Jesus exhibits and maintains certain undeniable characteristics. Some are exterior and obvious, while others are internal.

First and foremost, we must “born again.” Jesus said in John 3:3, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” To be born again, we must confess and repent of our sins, surrender our lives to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, receive forgiveness by faith, and begin walking in the ways of Jesus. It is not just accepting Christ and living the same life, but a change to a new life born of the Spirit. For more on born again, see the article, “What Does it Mean to be a Born Again Christian” on this website.

Next, prayer—if we are following Jesus, we must be a person of prayer, following His example. Let’s look at Matt 14:23

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

This is just one of many examples of Jesus’ motivation to pray.

Characteristically, Jesus often spent the night in prayer. While we are not required to spend whole nights in prayer, prayer is to be a major component in our lives. It is important to spend time alone with God. A day should never go by without prayer as opposed to an occasional cry for help when faced with difficulty. Every day must begin and end with prayer. Prayer is to be a lifestyle, not a life jacket!

Next, listen—God requires our submission and obedience. However, if we don’t listen to Him, we can’t hear Him. How then can we be obedient? This is why it is imperative for us to listen to God as we read His Word and pray.

Think of the examples in the Scriptures of the Lord expressing His will to individuals.  Individuals such as Moses, Abraham, Noah, etc. heard God. Had these men not been in a genuine relationship with God and listening, they would have never known His will for their lives. We may not receive a commission as these did, but God has a purpose and plan for all of His genuine followers. In Ps. 138:8 the psalmist wrote, The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. NIV

Here the psalmist acknowledges with confidence that the Lord has a purpose for his life and He will fulfill it because of His faithful love. This applies to all of us.

We are commanded by God to listen to Jesus. This commandment was handed down at Jesus’ transfiguration. Let’s look at this in Matt 17:5:

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

It is essential that we submit to God and His son and listen to Him as we pray and read His Word.

Next, we must believe—Just as we initially trusted Jesus as our Savior, we must continue to trust and believe as we live by faith. Scripture says in Heb 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

This Scripture is part of a passage that encourages perseverance. We are to persevere by believing in faith in spite of our difficulties and rely on Him; this pleases God. Also in Heb 11:6, it states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We must remember that Jesus came so that we would believe in Him and be saved from our sins. As it states in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For more on faith, see the article, “What is Faith About” on this website

Next, obedience—Following and obedience go hand and hand. You can’t truly follow someone without being obedient. Here is what Jesus said about following Him in John 8:12
…”I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” In order to receive the blessings of God, we must be obedient to His Son. For Jesus also said in John 5:22-24:

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We can’t expect to be blessed without honoring and obeying Christ. A true follower of Jesus knows this and undertakes it as an obligation.

Next, we have love—the love we are to have for Christ entails our whole being. We can’t follow Christ half-heartedly; with a heart that is half in the world and half with God.

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said in Mark 12:30:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

This is a commandment that requires wholehearted love for God. Therefore, we must live a life that exhibits our love for the Lord. Consequently, we can’t allow the impure thoughts, images, and words of the world into our minds and claim to love Him simultaneously. This has become to be known as popular Christianity. For more on Popular Christianity, see the article, Popular Christianity: the danger, on this website.

Wholehearted love for Christ has an effect on what we think and watch, where we go, and what we do. We simply cannot allow impure thoughts, images, and words to dwell in our minds and profess to love Him at the same time. Wholehearted love for Christ affects what we think and all that we do. We are further encouraged in the Scriptures in 1 Cor. 10:31:

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Next, we have service—Jesus was a servant, and we as His followers should be the same. All of us can serve the Lord in some manner by serving others. Service occurs in many different forms: encouraging, caring, helping, giving, comforting, teaching, or sharing God’s Word. These are manifestations of the Gifts of the Spirit. [1 Cor. 12:1-11]

Following Jesus isn’t about accepting Him and folding our hands. There is much work to be done for the kingdom and the Lord equips us to do it!

Jesus said in John 12:26:

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

In order to serve Christ, we must follow Him. In return, we are promised the presence and protection of the Father.

Next, we have suffering—As you can imagine, this one is not popular! However, Scripture instructs on this matter. Phil 1:29:

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

When following Jesus, we can expect to go through some form of suffering. We suffer financial loss, rejection, and even lose relationships because we make individuals feel awkward and we simply don’t fit in with those who love the world. However, this must not halt us from following Jesus and sharing the gospel.

After all, Scripture states that we are “a peculiar people.” [1 Peter 2:9] We are not to be of the world.

Last but certainly not least, sharing—we are commanded by Jesus to share the truth with others. We find this command in Matthew 28:19:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.

This is the commandment of Jesus known as the Great Commission. Therefore, if we are going to follow Him and be His disciples, we must share the truth of God’s Word with others, despite whether they like us or not.

In a world of animosity, bitterness, hatred, and death, Christ’s followers

are endangering their lives to bring the gospel to individuals throughout the world. Each of us can unquestionably say something to spark the interest of at least one person we know who is not following Jesus.

These are the characteristics of a true follower of Jesus Christ. While it is not a cakewalk and can be difficult at times, it provides fulfillment knowing that we will be rewarded in due time. As the Scripture encourages us in Gal 6:9, “ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

We must keep our eyes on the prize!

Amen

Blessings!

Please leave all questions, comments, and concerns below. You will receive a response.

 

 

 

Christianity without Christ? Seems like an oxymoron right? Yet, there are many who are living out this very phrase. Professing Christianity but living far from Christ.

What is Christianity Without Christ?

Christianity without Christ is a term that is part of the offspring of the postmodern movement that has crept into the church. It illuminates a lifestyle that professes Christianity yet lives a lifestyle more toward worldly beliefs than the teachings of Christ and the Scriptures. It is a progressive form of Christianity that does more to dilute Christianity rather than define it, is Christian in name only, and is the epitome of compromise.

For more information on postmodernism, please read the article, Postmodernism and the church on this website.

It is what Paul described in his prophetic statement regarding the last days
as “a form of godliness” [2 Tim 3:5] and this prophecy is coming to fruition. This Scripture is contained in a passage regarding the coming of apostasy and it has begun.

To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Christ—a follower of Christ. A disciple is a student, learner, or pupil and adheres to the teachings of another. Not only does a disciple follow but is also active in spreading the doctrines of another. In the Bible, it is the word used most often to refer to a follower of Jesus and implies an inner circle relationship with Christ.

So by mere definition, Christianity without Christ is a hoax. [Gee, I wonder where I got that word from?!]

What Does The Bible Say about it?

The answers to life are always contained within the Scriptures. The Bible quotes what Jesus said about Christianity in John 15:1-8:

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV

In this passage, Jesus used the agriculture of that time to illustrate to His disciples their position with God and what He expected of them. While our culture does not commonly engage in farming these days, the principle illustrated applies today as with all Scripture. After all, the growing and care of grapevines have not changed over time.

In verse 1, Jesus sets up the hierarchy. Nothing happens in terms of growth without a Gardner and God is the Gardner. God’s function in generating growth is clear throughout the Bible.

Jesus is next in line as the vine. The word “fruit” in the Scriptures represents results. The grapevine is a very fruitful plant; a single vine yields many grapes. Grapes symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in the Old Testament in performing God’s work on earth. However, Israel failed miserably in this area, and with the arrival of Christ; the new chosen people of God’s were Christians that originated from Christ and was joined to him like branches are to a vine.

In verse 2, Christians, both sincere and insincere, are depicted here as the branches. The branches are all those who profess to be followers of Christ. The unification between the Vine and the branches is illustrated by the expression “in me.”

The fruitful branches are true Christians who by their living alliance with Christ produce much fruit. However, this union can always be broken. This evident when the Father the Gardner “cuts off every branch . . . that bears no fruit.” Those who become inactive — those who turn from following Christ after pledging — will be alienated from the Vine at the trunk and utterly discarded because they are worthless and frequently contaminate the rest of the vine. Therefore, fruitless followers are of no use to God’s kingdom and are good as dead.

Fruit does not apply only to winning souls, but includes, answered prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit (vss.7, 11-12). Also, the fruit of the Spirit is described in Gal 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 and explained as qualities of Christian character.

On the contrary, “while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Here Jesus pointed out a difference between two kinds of pruning: (1) removing what doesn’t bear fruit, and (2) refining what does.  Successful cultivators know that pruning, cutting back the branches, increases fruit-bearing. This can be painful for Christians, but the reward outweighs the pain (2 Cor. 4:17).

In verse 3, the cleansing mentioned is spiritual, removing away the pollution of sin. This verse points out that the disciples were already clean because they had accepted the Lord’s word. Therefore they were ready for fruit-bearing. Today, when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we become clean and ready for fruit-bearing. But…we must bear fruit.

In verse 4, “remain in me and I will remain in you.” This verse presents an important theme in this passage and this article: Christians are to abide or remain in Jesus, the Vine. The Greek word for “abide” is verbalized here as a command. It additionally has a continuing emphasis; in that, the command to “abide” isn’t fulfilled in a one-time act. What abiding means for the disciples and all Christians presently is to make a perpetual, minute-by-minute determination to follow Christ. And we must not be passive. Instead, we Christians must be active because we have a lot to do.

Jesus continues by saying, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” There’s that word “remain” again. As a branch cannot produce fruit on its own, neither can Christians bear fruit on their own. As Jesus had a living reliance on the Father, so believers in Jesus must maintain
a living reliance on Him.

So, Christianity without Christ? I-don’t-think-so!

Verses 5-7 are a summary with Jesus explaining the life application of what he said previously.

In verse 8, Jesus made the point clear that His disciples are required to “bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” In order to be a Bona fide  disciple of Christ, we must bear fruit instead of removing ourselves from the vine.

This farming analogy shows how God is glorified when we come into a right relationship with Him and begin to “bear much fruit” in our lives.

Also, this passage of Scripture makes “Christianity without Christ” null and void.” There is no way we can be genuine, fruitful, God-fearing Christians without Christ.

So, this is what Scripture says about “Christianity without Christ.”

The Danger

This doctrine, Christianity without Christ, is simply an attack of Satan upon the world to move individuals away from God and Christ.

In 2015, there was a video on social media entitled, I’m a Christian, BUT … https://youtu.be/5bWHSpmXEJs?t=13 this video went viral and features young professing Christians who vocally claim that they are Christian BUT, right afterward they vocalize statements that are somewhat antagonistic to the traditional reactions that defend unambiguous Biblical doctrines. It is in essence a demonstration of being a Christian but not following Christ. In essence, what they are saying is, I‘m a Christian but I don’t follow Christ.

This is such a dangerous and toxic presentation. It presents a very threat to Christianity. It is as I mentioned earlier, “a form of godliness.” The balance of that same Scripture reads …”
but denying its power.” [2 Tim 3:5] By professing Christianity they are using godliness as a cloak of respectability while denying God’s power over their lives by the way they live. This is simply hypocrisy.

Jesus, while addressing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, quoted the prophet Isaiah who previously addressed it of the Israelites. In Matt 15:8-9 Jesus said: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” NIV

Jesus also said in Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. NIV

Let’s look at the title of this video; I’m a Christian but…. When professing Christianity there should be no “but.” That three-letter word carries a lot of weight. It used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned. It practically cancels the phrase before it. Because when but is interjected, it takes the focus off of what was mentioned prior and onto what is mentioned afterward.

For example, if someone says, I love you BUT, the focus shifts from the expression of love to what is coming next and will probably dominate the balance of the conversation.

Instead, when professing Christianity the phrase should be, I’m a Christian AND a follower of Christ, I love Jesus; I do my best to obey the Lord, etc. These are some of the things that should be included in the profession of Christianity.

What is obvious in the video is the absence of conflict, conviction, and struggle with sin. A condition that is ubiquitous in today’s society and is a threat to the church. The video is most probably a reaction against the way Christians often become defensive and even dogmatic when discussing topics like premarital sex, alcohol, homosexuality, or secular music, and perhaps we should be more compassionate, loving, and understanding, but at the same time, we simply cannot leave Jesus out while still professing to be Christian. If we do, then what will be remaining is what the scriptures describe as “a different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Paul warned the Corinthians about this: “different gospel.” With this different gospel, Christ is left out of the equation, except within the word “Christian” itself which, by the way, means “Christ-follower.”

This different gospel, this Christianity without Christ, has no power to actually change lives and hearts. Because it is simply too watered down with world views and what has become popular Christianity. Change and healing cannot occur when the prescription is the same as the ailment which in this case is sin.

Earlier I referred to Christianity without Christ as a hoax. So what is a hoax? A hoax is a deception, often preposterous, deliberately devised to masquerade as the truth.

It is a hoax to think that we can be Christians without obeying God and Christ; that we love God and His Son. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.

It is a complete hoax to think that we can survive without truly following Christ and not suffer consequences.

If Christianity without Christ doesn’t usher in the great apostasy, nothing will. Therefore, we must be on guard.

If we are the branches, the branches cannot bear the required fruit with the injection of the poisonous fertilizer containing the thinking and positions of the world (sin). Jesus said, “Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (vs.5).

This is the danger of Christianity without Christ.

Amen.

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

 

 

 

Please don’t be deceived by the title. This article doesn’t address how popular Christianity is, but how pop culture has affected Christianity. Some time ago, there was a book entitled: “Why Christianity Must Change or Die.” Can you imagine that? This article intends to take a look at the issue of popular Christianity and the consequences it bears.

What is Popular Christianity?

Simply put, it is Christianity that has been influenced more by popular interpretations, feelings, and opinions rather than the Holy Scriptures themselves.

It is one of the end products of the postmodernism movement and it has crept its way into the church. For more information on postmodernism, please read the article Postmodernism and the Church on this website.

The problem with many professing Christians today is they are yielding to the spirit of compromise.

The Consequences of Popular Christianity

The main consequence is the watering down of the true meaning of Christianity and the application of it in the lives of Christians. Many who profess themselves as Christians have little to no knowledge of what it truly means to be a Christian.

In earlier decades, there was an atmosphere of excitement in the Christian church. There was a rise in the charismatic and evangelical movements, which created an upsurge in Christian publishing and broadcasting, even new Biblical translations and study tools. Christians were excitedly hosting small Bible studies in their homes and there was enormous growth in Bible-based church congregations.  Megachurches emerged with multiple services on Sunday mornings instead of one.

Individuals were moved by a sincere craving to exalt the Lord, experienced a sincere love for the Word of God and a desire to understand it, and a transformed interest in holiness, combating the steady moral decay that had gained such a foothold in prior years.

But later arrived a period of decline, a spiritual decline. The church has gradually turned away from the true revival and instead pursued the influence of popularizing Christianity with world philosophy.

Even when Jesus was here on earth, he experienced similar reaction. At one point, He had had many disciples. In John 6:2, it reads:
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
However, after Jesus shared profound truths on what following Him meant, they departed from Him. Verses 60 and 66 of the same chapter reads,

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Today, too many professing Christians are also finding His teachings hard to hear and accept and are forming their own Christianity (Popular Christianity) and infiltrating the church with it.

The pop church is everywhere. It has wreaked havoc on local churches, turning them into little more than social clubs and community centers where the concentration is on an individual’s felt needs, not on the church’s function as the body of Christ in the world.

Popular Christianity is an insidious infection in the church today. Rather than attacking accepted beliefs head-on, it gives verbal acknowledgment to the truth while at the same time quietly undermining the foundations of doctrine. It is not a single movement or a visible organization but a spirit that can be found in various churches and Christian organizations.

To give an example of popular Christianity in action, let’s look at a very popular Christian female artist, Lauren Daigle. A little while ago she came under scrutiny for reluctantly sharing her views, stance, and beliefs on Christianity. During an appearance on a show, she was asked directly if she

felt that homosexuality was a sin. Her response was “I can’t honestly answer that,” was her response. “In a sense, I have too many people that I love that are homosexual. I don’t know. I actually had a conversation with someone last night about it. I can’t say one way or the other. I’m not God.”

So how’s that for compromising Scripture? It is disappointing for any individual who professes Christianity to take such a bland view in response to a question in which the Bible’s position (on homosexuality) is Chrystal clear. [Lev. 18:22, 1 Cor.6:9-11, Rom. 1:26-27, 1 Tim. 1:10] Unfortunately, homosexuality isn’t the only subject where this type of bland reaction occurs, but on a broad spectrum of issues. Pop Christianity is becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

The example that I’ve put before is a clear example of the leaning away from the clear teachings of Scripture to popular, secular opinions and views. Just because someone we love is involved in any sin does not make it any less of a sin or cancel Scripture. That is a trap and a snare.

Lauren Daigle has since stated that she considers herself an artist, not a Christian artist.

This is especially troubling for someone who has a platform that influences as many young people as Lauren does. The Scripture states …”For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”:

All we have comes from God and if He has blessed any of us Christians with a platform of influence (teachers, spiritual leaders, artists, etc.); He has given it to us so that we may fearlessly proclaim Him and His Word. Ultimately such a one is held to a higher standard and accountability. [James 3:1]

Jesus said in Luke 12:48
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:

Unfortunately, professing Christians are increasingly more concerned about being politically correct than defending and standing on God’s Word. This is slowly poising the church rendering it spiritually ineffective. There no wonder God has allowed a virus upon us that has even stopped the attending of church services. He is trying to get our attention. For more on this, please read the article, COVID19 and God: It is time to recognize God is speaking on this website.

This leaning toward worldly views and away from God represents a fear of man as opposed to a fear of God. This tendency manifests itself in several ways:

• Fear of losing relationships – With the arrival of Christ did the arrival of division. This division is between those that will follow Him and those that won’t. Let’s look at what He said in Matt 10:34-37

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Jesus made the point here that if an individual wants to be a disciple, a follower of Him, that individual must be willing to put the relationship with Him above all other earthy relationships even if it is a member of your “own” household. Otherwise, there can be no relationship with Him. Remember, “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,” [Ex. 20:5]

• Fear of the world’s approval – Scripture in makes it clear that we are not to seek the approval of man over God. Gal 1:10:

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Paul makes the point that we are not to be more concerned with getting approval of the world: people’s respect and adoration than approval with God. If we are, we cannot be a servant, a disciple of Christ. This addresses professing Christians who are afraid to take a firm stance on issues that are explicitly clear in Scripture (e.g. homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, etc.). This is a fear of man’s way of thinking and disqualifies us as God’s servants.

These are manifestations of popular Christianity.  It is a poison that has affected the church in a very significant way.

The 21st-century church has become so broad and inclusive that many sound Christians avoid speaking the truth for fear of being divisive.

What else could Satan do to attempt to destroy the church that would be more effective than undermining the very Word of God, shifting the focus off of Christ, and minimizing holy living? All these things have happened slowly, steadily within the church. Unfortunately, the majority of Christians

seem to be unmindful to these issues, content with a Christianity that is in vogue and highly visible.

It is no wonder that Scripture refers to Satan as “…the prince of the power of the air …”
[Eph 2:2] His spirit and influence are spread throughout the air.

Before I close, let’s look at the other side of the coin to see what the fear of God looks like.

• Fear of losing eternal rewards – Jesus made it clear that man is not the one we should fear. Matt 10:28 reads:

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

This is clear as to who we should fear: not man who has no eternal power over our souls, but God who is in total control of our eternal destiny.

• Fear of losing our influence – We must be concerned about losing the influence God has bestowed upon us. Matt 5:13 reads:

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

“The salt of the earth.” Salt represents among other things change; it changes the flavor of what it is applied upon. Jesus uses the metaphor to illustrate that we are to represent a change in our culture. Wherever we are placed, we are to induce a change in our surroundings, not be changed by our surroundings. Once the salt has lost its saltiness, it is simply no good and must be cast out. Once we allow ourselves to be compromised by trying to please man (the world). We are of no use to Him and His kingdom.

• Fear of losing eternal life – Last but not least, there should be deep concern about gaining eternal life and know that if we choose to favor man (the world) over Christ because we are ashamed to openly acknowledge Him and His Word, we will pay through our eternal destiny. Jesus addresses this fate in Luke 9:26

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Bottom line: It is better to fear God than man Prov. 29:25 reads:

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

There is so much more to Christianity than professing it. It is not a social club but hard work in this secular world that we live in. It is a commitment and a responsibility that is not to be taken lightly. If we accept Christ, we become His disciple and we are to worship Him in Spirit and truth.

We must also keep in mind what Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount in Matt 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Amen

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns below.

Blessings!

 

 

 

When you think of temptation, do you regard it as a good thing or a bad one? Probably a bad thing right? But that may not always be the case, as we will see in this article as we look at growing through temptation.

What is Temptation

Temptation is an enticement or invitation to sin against God, with the indirect promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience.

The very first temptation was in the Garden of Eden, when
Satan, through the serpent, tempted Eve to partake of the fruit of the tree of good and evil which God had specifically forbidden with the penalty of death. The indirect promise of greater good was that she would be like God knowing good and evil and that she would not die.

Satan lied in order to persuade Eve to sin and He has been doing it every sense.

Temptation: Good or Bad?

In this article, we’re going to take a good look at temptation. Usually, when we think about temptation it’s in the context of a negative nature, something bad, something to avoid, something with a dismal outcome. But t a closer look sheds light on the fact that temptation is not all bad.

As a matter of fact, temptation can have a positive effect. How? Well, each and every temptation is an occasion to do good; to do the right thing. Just because we are faced with temptation doesn’t mean we have to give into it. We always have a choice to give in to it or reject it. Just know that every time we overcome temptation, we become more like Jesus.

This is one of the ways we reach maturity. Every Christian has to walk a path of maturity and we must continue to grow spiritually. To be in stagnation is to be in danger, as our enemy (Satan) is sure to come calling. [1 peter 5:8] So we are either moving forward or we are falling backward.

There are several ways to grow spiritually, read the Word, listen to the Word (preaching and teaching), and doing the Word by applying it to our lives.

Also, on the path to spiritual maturity, even temptation becomes a step toward maturity rather than an obstruction when once we realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the righteous thing, as it is to do the unrighteous thing. Temptation simply presents the choice. Every time we choose to do right
instead of doing wrong we are growing
in the character of Christ.

According to Gal. 5:22-23, “When we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control NLT

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in our lives by allowing us to experience circumstances in which we are tempted to express the exact opposite quality.

For example, God teaches us to love by putting some unlovely people around us. It takes no character to love people who are lovely and loving to us. Jesus addresses this point head-on in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:43-47:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

According to verse 46, Jesus stated that our reward comes by loving the ones that don’t love us. For a Christian, when faced with some unloving folks, is when the rubber hits the road because it is very tempting to not love them. It is one of the major avenues of temptation.

The thing to remember is God allows the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice.

When we resist that temptation and trust God we grow. We can’t claim to be righteous if we have never been tempted to be unrighteous.

When we can love our enemies; that is a major step in reaching spiritual growth and maturity.

To possess the fruit of the Spirit is to be Christ-like.

How Temptation Works

In order to overcome and grow through temptation, it is important to know how it works.

There has been an ongoing debate to answer the question, does Satan know our thoughts. Well, he does know our thoughts as well as our desires, both the sinful and the righteous ones. Satan begins by injecting a thought in our

minds to give in to an evil desire or to fulfill a righteous desire the wrong way or the wrong time. He covers the whole spectrum.

Temptation comes from within as an internal desire. This is the only way for us to be tempted. We can’t be tempted without an initial desire to begin with. Let’s look at what Jesus said in Mark 7:21-23

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

It is very important to note that temptation always begins in the mind as a thought. Satan uses these thoughts as a trigger for temptation. This is why it is known that the mind is the battlefield. For more on that, please read the article, All about Spiritual Warfare: The Mind is the Battlefield on this website.

Have you ever had an ill-thought and wondered where in the world did that come from or something in your past that you thought was buried forever suddenly comes to the surface? Simply put, Satan is on the job! And He’s injecting those thoughts with the hope that you’ll take the bait.

Next, he attempts to place doubts in our minds about what God says about the thought or desire. For example in Gen 3:1 Satan said to Eve:

“…Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? NIV

He uses this same method today on us. For example, could God mean this disallow for someone else or at some other time? Doesn’t God desire me to be happy and content? These are examples of the thought Satan can inject into our minds. This is why it is so important to control the thoughts that we allow to dwell in our minds. We are so warned in the Scriptures, Heb 3:12:

12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. NIV

If we don’t heed this warning, we ultimately proceed with the thought we’ve been toying within our minds.

What starts as an idea gets manifested into behavior. We give in to whatever got our attention in the first place. We believe Satan’s lies and fall into the trap.

James warns us about this very crisis in James 1:14:

14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. NIV

Eve’s mistake: she had a conversation with Satan. When we toy around with the wrong thoughts in our minds, we are inadvertently having a conversation with Satan. This is why we must cast “ down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 cor. 10:5).

Evil and ill thoughts will come (that’s Satan’s job) but we must allow them to pass through, not reside. We can’t stop birds from flying over our heads, but we can certainly prevent them from making a nest.

Conquering Temptation

As I mentioned in the onset, a temptation is an opportunity to grow by using the occasion to do good by overcoming the temptation. So how do we conquer temptation?

Be Ready – Whether we like it or not, the temptation is going to come. This is part of the warfare Satan uses against us. If you’re a Christian expect a war! The closer we get to God the more Satan will tempt us because we are an enemy to his camp. So, they are coming and will continue to come. Scripture reads, “…But when you are tempted…” [1 Cor. 10:13 NIV] not if.

On the other hand, if you’re professing Christianity and not experiencing any temptation to do wrong, check your walk; you may be unwittingly walking in the wrong direction! Satan doesn’t need to tempt his own.

Therefore, there is no sin in being tempted. It is only a sin if we submit to it. It’s almost like owning a losing stock in that you don’t lose any money until you sell.

Also, we must understand that we individually are not the only ones being tempted. 1 Cor. 10:13 states, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” NIV

Be honest – We must be honest, recognizing, and knowing our vulnerability. Certain situations are riper for temptation than others. We all have weaknesses in different areas and we must identify them, as Satan unquestionably knows them! He knows precisely what causes us to stumble, and he is relentlessly working to get us into those situations. This is why we are warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” He is relentless and sleeping at the wheel is dangerous.

Therefore, we must self-examine and ask ourselves, when are we most tempted, where are we most tempted (home, bar, work, church, etc.), by whom (alone, co-workers, relatives, neighbors), and how do we feel when we are tempted (tired, hungry, angry, lonely)? It behooves us to identify these conditions so that we may avoid them when at all possible.

Prevention is better than cure and it’s best to prevent temptation when we can. For example, perhaps if Eve had stayed away from the tree she may have not been so easily tempted. We must stay away from situations that we know can cause us to fail. Temptations will still come but this will narrow the chances of being tempted.

Ask for God’s help – Last but certainly not least, seek God’s intervention. The Scripture reads in James 4:7-8,  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”

We simply cannot resist Satan’s schemes on our own. Satan is might, but God is all-mighty!

The remainder of  1 Cor. 10:13 reads, …And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” NIV

We request God’s help through prayer. Prayer is one of the weapons of our warfare that must be used. God says in Ps 50:15, “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

Pride can take us down (Prov. 16:18). So we must put pride aside and cry out for help when we need it.

Conclusion

Temptations will come and they will either help us or hurt us. For sure it is one or the other. In terms of Christian growth, we are either moving forward (growing) or we are falling backward.

But it is so important to grow. Here’s why; the Scripture in James 1:12 reads:

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NLT

It doesn’t get any clearer than this. We must keep our eyes on the prize. So let’s keep growing!

AMEN.

Please feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns below. You will receive a response.

 

 

 

This is the final segment of the series, What is Carnality and continues the thought of overcoming carnality.

The most valuable tool in overcoming carnality is an effective prayer life.

Scripture urges us to “pray without ceasing.” [1 Thessalonians 5:17]

If we are to have an effective prayer life, we must develop a good personal relationship with the Father. We must know that He loves us, that He is full of mercy, and that He will help us—in a word: faith.

We are born in the flesh, which is why we must be born again. Therefore, we must get to know Jesus. He is our friend. After all, He died for us. Scripture confirms this in Romans 8:1:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

True believers, Christians, are “in Christ Jesus” because they have died to self with Christ and have been raised to new life with Him (born again) enabling them to not walk after the flesh.

Additionally, we have to get to know the Holy Spirit. He is with us all the time to help us. So we must let Him help us by walking in the Spirit. Verse 4 reads:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Let’s look at verse 9:

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Paul is addressing Christians and points out that we are not in the flesh, if
the spirit of God dwells within us. This is making the point that while we

can profess Christ we may not necessarily have His spirit. If the spirit of God (Christ) does not dwell in us, we are, as the Scripture reads,”
none of His.” If we profess Christ, but remain carnal, we aren’t God’s (His).

Verses 10 and 11 Read:

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

It is God’s spirit that rises (gives life to) our mortal bodies that was dead in sin to overpower it.

Verses 12 and 13 reads:

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

As a result we have an obligation, but not to the sinful nature, or to live according to it.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Notice the word brethren in verse 12; Paul is addressing Christian believers—those who have accepted Christ.

In verse 13 he distinctly tells Christians that if they live after the flesh they will die. But he adds that, if they through the Holy Spirit of God turn from the flesh, put to death the deeds of the body, they will live. So the fact is even believers-Christians have a choice: life or death.

We as Christians have a choice. We can remain carnal and die or we can walk in the Spirit, grow, and live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Simply put, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Let’s look at Gal. 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

God provided Christ as our savior and when we accept Him as our savior, we are to walk in His spirit, allowing it to manifest fruit in us.

Such repentance opens the door to God’s forgiveness and the presence and power of His Spirit. How has repentance changed your life?

The result of repentance and baptism is that “ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Of course, God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, does not make every baptized person a prophet like the apostles. But if one’s baptism is accompanied by real repentance, the Holy Spirit comes to live within that person (1 Corinthians 3:16). With the Spirit’s assistance a Christian can conquer every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7). And if he or she carelessly fails to follow the Spirit’s leading slips again into sin, fresh forgiveness is available (1 John 1:9) with repentance.

Thought to Remember: With the Holy Spirit helping me, I can do right today.

Let’s look at Romans 13:13-14

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

God demands our action, as well as our believing and thinking. Faith expresses itself in obedience. We are to live a new life in the Holy Spirit (Rom 6:4). So while we are not required to engage in ritual activity under the law, we are required to engage in activity of the heart, the mind, and the will.

Hebrews 13:15-16

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

So we not only required to give sacrifices of praise God, but to do good works. The scriptures also instruct us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, “holy, acceptable unto God.” [Rom. 12:1] So again, while we are not required to engage in ritual activity under the law, we are required to engage in activity of the heart, the mind, and the will.

Phil 2:13

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Salvation is the God given prescription if we will accept it and take therapy from the Holy Spirit, (sanctify) ourselves continuously [1 Thess. 5:19-23].

Let’s look at one last passage—Gal 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

Being a Christian is not an easy task as it is in fact a battle—a battle against

the flesh. It’s not enough to profess Christ with our mouths and remain carnal. But we must accept Christ and His gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and allow ourselves to walk (live) accordingly and produce the fruit required.

This is how we overcome carnality.

Remember, “…faith without works is dead.” [James 2:20]

Amen

If you haven’t read the previous articles of this series, for part 1 click here.

Please leave any question, comment or concern below. You will receive a response.

 

 

 

Introduction

This is the fourth article in the series, What is Carnality. The last article, part 3, looked specifically at overcoming carnality. It covered Romans chapter eight which sheds light on life in the Spirit of Christ.

In that chapter we saw that there is no condemnation to those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. (Rom 8:1). It concluded that it is the Holy Spirit of Christ that enables us to overcome carnality; that we as Christians should sift everything through the Holy Spirit—spiritualize everything as it has been addressed, in order to be guided in the right direction which enabling us to overcome carnality. In this article we are going to continue covering the Holy Spirit and carnality extensively, and at the same time, we’re going to look at a question that comes up from time to time which is, does Satan know our thoughts?

Overcoming Carnality

Regarding the issue of overcoming carnality, Satan is our opposition—our enemy. When dealing with an enemy, it is important to know as much about that enemy as possible. What makes him tick? What he likes, what he doesn’t like; what are his weaknesses—his limitations, and strengths, how does he operate? What is his ultimate goal?
Does he fight fare or dirty? Is he a bold and upfront in your face kind of fighter, or one that’s cunning and slick; the kind that you’d better watch your back with? These are some of the things we must know about an enemy.

So let’s start with a little background on our enemy. Jesus our Lord and savior as a man was meek and humble, full of love and compassion. But he didn’t have a problem calling things or people exactly as they were. Let’s look at what He said about Satan in John 8. Now some of you may be familiar with this chapter, but here Jesus is contending with the Scribes and the Pharisees who claimed that their salvation rested in the fact that Abraham was their father. But Jesus told them who their real father was. Looking at verse 44 he said:

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

So he is behind the murder of human life and behind the loss of man experiencing real life here on earth. The devil destroys life and all abundant living when he can; all love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, discipline. All of the fruit of the spirit he destroys—when he can.

Satan does not abide in the truth, but rejects the truth. Satan lies and deceives. It is his nature to lie. This is the meaning of the phrase, “he speaketh of his own”; that is, he is at ease and comfortable in lying. He lies out of his own being. He is simply one big lie.

As a result of man’s fallen nature, he has taken on the nature of Satan. As Jesus said in the scripture, “and the lusts of your father ye will do.”

Man lies and deceives. It is his nature to lie and to protect and look after himself. This may hurt the pride of man, but the fact is it is his nature: to look after himself even if he has to lie (cheat, steal, maneuver, etc.) to get what he wants or feel that he needs. Additionally, to protect himself by misleading, deceiving, and twisting the truth.

The bottom line is; the devil is a liar and a deceiver. He lies to you and me. He tells us things about ourselves and others, and about circumstances that just aren’t true.

So let’s now look at how he operates: Let’s look at 2 Cor. 4:3-4

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

The scripture mentions: the “god of this age.” This is a title for Satan, the

great deceiver. He operates through deception. His first approach is convincing people that he doesn’t exist in the first place.

To repeat what it says in verse 4 it reads, “Hath blinded the minds of them which believe not” Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers lest they should believe the gospel. This is Satan’s purpose: to keep people from believing the gospel and from becoming followers and worshipers of the Lord Jesus. Of all who discern no beauty in the gospel, and who reject it.

It is implied in this passage:

(1st) that the minds of unbelievers are blinded; that they perceive no beauty in the gospel. This is often affirmed of those who reject the gospel, and who live in sin.

(2nd) this is done by the agency of Satan and his dominion is secured by keeping the world in darkness. The affirmation is direct and positive, that it is by his agency that it is done. Jesus addressed this fact also. Let’s go back to John 8: in verse 44 he told them who their real father was, in 45 He told them the result:

45 and because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

So Satan had them so blinded: that they couldn’t believe the truth. Now this was some two thousand years ago, he did it thousands of years earlier in the Garden of Eden, [2 Cor. 11:2] and he’s doing the same thing today. How does he blind a person’s mind?

(a) For starters, by a direct influence on the minds of people by appealing to the flesh. This is accomplished by enticing with the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. [1 John 2:15-16] If Satan can get an individual to focus his life upon himself and the world, that person will become enslaved to his flesh and the things of the world. This is apparent in the behavior of the ungodly; remember the point brought out in part 3—…”whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” [James 4:4]

He is so cunning that he doesn’t tell us the entire lie at one time. He begins by bombarding our minds with a cleverly devised pattern of little nagging thoughts, suspicions, doubts, fears, wonderings, reasonings and theories. He moves slowly and cautiously (after all, well-laid plans take time).

Remember, he has a strategy for his warfare. He has studied us for a long time. His goal in injecting these thoughts is to build up strongholds in our minds

He knows what we like and what we don’t like. He knows our insecurities, our weaknesses and our fears. He knows what bothers us most. He brings up our past indiscretions. He is willing to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat us. One of Satan’s strong points is patience.

(b) He also blinds by the false philosophy which has prevailed—a large part of which obviously has been designed for the purpose of deceiving the world, and destroying the peace and happiness of people. So this is how Satan works with non-Christians, unbelievers. He simply keeps them blinded from the truth—from the gospel.

Let’s look at another example of how he operates, this time with Christians:

2 Cor. 11:13-15

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Now in verse 13 Paul is addressing false teachers. In verses 14 & 15 we see that Paul wasn’t amazed that false teachers were disguising themselves as preachers of God, for Satan himself had deceived God’s people in similar ways. He is the master of deception.

Paul had already warned the Corinthians to not give Satan any chance to tempt them or disrupt their congregation [2:11, 11:3; 1 Cor. 7:5 c.f. Gal 1:9] Here, Paul compared the false teachers’ deception with Satan’s actions.

To make the next point concerning Christians, let’s look at Ephesians 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Now it is clear from this scripture that we are engaged in a war. So the first thing to realize, which is very important, is that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare. Not an earthly war. A careful study of this verse informs us that our warfare is not with other human beings, but with the devil and his demons—principalities and wickedness in high places. So it’s not about verbalization. We do not have to verbalize anything or any thought in order for it to be known in the spirit world. We can have a spiritual battle and never utter a word. Why? Simply because the battle field is the mind. The mind is where all of our battles take place. Our spiritual enemy, Satan, attempts to defeat us with strategy and deceit, through well laid plans and deliberate deception. He could never do this without knowing our thoughts.

In fact, he plants the evil thoughts in our minds. Evil thoughts do not come from God—they come from Satan and are against the will of God. So if he puts the thoughts there, he knows what they are. For more on Spiritual Warfare, read the article, All about Spiritual Warfare on this website.

Let’s look at another passage of scripture that sheds light on this very fact. 2 Corinthians 10: In this chapter, Paul begins to vindicate or justify his authority as an apostle to a pocket of resistance that continued to voice opposition against him. He began by speaking of his spiritual authority. Verses 2-5 read:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds )

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Now for starters, what we see here is that the minister—the Christian wars and fights, but not in a fleshly way. This is a great passage of Scripture in that it deals with the Christian’s spiritual warfare, a passage that every Christian should memorize and chew upon often. It is the prescription that often stirs a Christian to discipline and gain control over his mind and thoughts. Notice three significant points.

First: the Christian is in a spiritual warfare. As we have seen so far, Scripture is perfectly clear about this. I can’t express this enough.

Spiritual forces lie behind man’s evil and lustful behavior, unbelief, and arguments against God. These spiritual forces attack and prey upon the imaginations and thoughts of men. They inject selfish and devilish ideas against God and against other men. And the energy of these ideas manifest in the evil acts of men.

Two things regarding Spiritual Warfare apply here. (1st) Selfish, evil, and lustful thoughts are mental and immaterial. Ideas and thoughts are not physical and material substances. They are invisible and mental substances. So it’s not about verbalization. Verbalization is the effect, not the cause. (2nd) Selfish, evil, and lustful ideas are by nature not of God. God is not evil, selfish, or lustful; therefore, such evil thoughts and reasonings are often injected into the mind of men by spiritual forces that stand opposed
to God. So Paul’s point is this: he and other Christians “walk in the flesh”; that is, they live in a body just like all other people. But they do not war in the flesh. They do not fight the struggles of life using only their own strength. Why? Because for the Christian there is a spiritual warfare going on for the minds and lives of people. Christians know that the evil forces of the spiritual world lie behind… ·sin and evil ·disorder and devastation· corruption and deterioration ·death and hell. Christians know that they cannot “war after the flesh”; that no man or any combination of men can conquer the spiritual forces that tear and eat away at man until they destroy him. No matter how strong, educated, or scientific man may become, he cannot deliver himself from the spiritual forces that cause sin and death.

Second (significant point): the Christian’s weapons are not physical, but spiritual. Physical or carnal weapons would be human weapons of the mind and body such as for example: ·human discipline and control ·strength and ability ·knowledge and intelligence ·science and technology ·ideas and thoughts ·beliefs and doctrines ·resolutions and rules ·health and self-esteem ·education and social development ·wealth and welfare ·eloquence and personality ·appearance and attractiveness ·as well as laws and principles. These are human, carnal, weapons. They cannot stand against the attacks of spiritual forces.

Naturally, every human power and weapon available should be developed and used to the fullest extent possible. The human body is to be the temple of the Lord where He dwells. But the Christian knows that there is nothing in the world that can conquer the spiritual forces that lie behind the evil and death of this world. Therefore, he fights the spiritual battles of this life with spiritual weapons, weapons that are of God and are made mighty and powerful by God.

Notice that the Christian uses spiritual weapons to “pull down strongholds.”
The evils of this world are deeply entrenched and fortified.

This is clearly seen in the daily newscasts and behavior of people day by day. Evil and its inevitable consequence of destruction and death can never be permanently overcome by carnal weapons. Only the spiritual weapons of God can permanently conquer evil. We’re going to cover these spiritual weapons in the future.

Third: the Christian’s method of conquering the forces of evil is clearly described. Let’s take a look.

a. The Christian “casts down” imaginations, thoughts and imaginations that are uncontrolled, wild, evil, lustful, immoral, unjust, wrong, untrue, devilish, and set against God. These thoughts come straight from Satan. Does he know that they are there? Absolutely! Why? Simply because he puts them there and he knows exactly when to put them there.

Our part in this warfare is to resist them, to cast them down. Now in the

scriptures, there is a clear example of what happens when we fail to cast down these evil thoughts.

For starters, we become God’s enemies because these thoughts lead us away from God and His will. Let’s look at this in Rom 1: in the latter part of this chapter, Paul describes God’s wrath on unrighteousness and ungodliness. Looking at verses 20-21:

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

So the visible creation speaks clearly of its creator, so there’s simply no excuse for not acknowledging God. Let’s read on:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their [imaginations], (their thinking) and their foolish heart was darkened. [cf. Eph 4:17-19]

When we fail to acknowledge God we allow evil thoughts to take over, hardening our hearts against God. Let’s look at the results in verses 28-32

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a [reprobate mind], to do those things which are not convenient; [not becoming]

Now the scripture says, “God gave them over to a reprobate mind.” So what is a reprobate mind? It is a base mind, a condemned mind, a mind destitute of judgment. God gave them up to a mind disapproved, rejected, and Paul expresses that the state of their minds was such that God could not approve it.

This was a consequence of their headstrong passions, their determination to forget God, thus He left them to a state of mind which was evil, and which he could not approve. And who was the source of this reprobate mind? Satan and his demons. Think not that he didn’t know what they were thinking. The further results:

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity [bad character-mischievousness]; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, [cannot be appeased] unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

This is the result of capitulating to the thoughts that Satan implants in us. Does he not know our thoughts? How could he possibly not?

The Christian wars, fights, and struggles to as the scripture reads, “cast down” evil imaginations. He fights to bring his imaginations under control. This is indeed a battle!

b. The Christian casts down “every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,” false ideas about God, false doctrine, false teaching, false reasonings, the human pride and arrogance, self-sufficiency and self-righteousness that set themselves up against God.

c. The Christian seeks to captivate every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is a phenomenal statement—every thought controlled and subjected to Christ! This is the spiritual objective of the true Christian. God created man

for fellowship and communion, and the Christian knows it; therefore, the Christian wars—struggles and fights—to captivate every thought and focus it upon God and His righteousness. He seeks to walk in an unbroken fellowship and communion with God.

So the question now is why does the scripture exhort us to bring every thought into captivity and submit it to Christ? Simply because Satan is no match to Christ. Christ overpowered Satan at the cross, and when we connect with Christ through the Holy Spirit, we connect with the almighty heavenly father, stopping Satan in his tracks.

Now for scriptural confirmation, let’s look at what it says in Colossians 1. The last half of this chapter addresses our being reconciled in Christ. Verses 21-22 read:

21 And you, that were sometime [alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works], yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

So in spite of our being alienated in our minds by the wicked works of Satan, the works of Christ allows us to overpower them. We must bring every thought into captivity and submit it to Christ. If we don’t submit it to Christ, Satan, knowing the thought, will grab it and use it against us. We only have a choice of two masters: God or Satan. And if we don’t subject our thoughts to Christ, we’ll subject them to Satan whether we like it or not.

Scripture instructs and warns us over and over against the thoughts that Satan implants in us. Remember what Scripture says in Romans 8:5. “For they that are after the flesh do mind [work to keep their minds upon] the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”

Also, Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your [mind], that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.

1 Cor. 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Ephes. 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

Isaiah 26:3 describing the righteous: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.

And lastly Phil. 4:8 reads: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” We are warned and encouraged to think good thoughts, to renew our minds, to keep our minds on God and seek holiness. This is how we overcome carnality.

If Satan doesn’t know our thoughts, there would be no need for these warnings—there would be no Spiritual Warfare. Fact is evil thoughts come from him so he knows exactly what’s going on in our minds. He skillfully implants these thoughts and then he uses them against us if we allow them to remain and manifest themselves into strongholds. Satan will take our thoughts and will shake us until he devours us. As Jesus told Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [Luke 22:31]

Satan desires all of us, he hates us. As the people of God, we are his enemies. And I beg every one of you: not if
but when an evil thought comes into your minds, rebuke it—cast it down in the name of Jesus, and move on in the will of God. Don’t allow evil thought to hang around in your heads. Because if you think evil, negative thoughts, you’ll become evil. The bible clearly tells us: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” [Prov. 23:7]

Now there are some who feel that to acknowledge that Satan knows our thoughts, is giving him power that he doesn’t have—that it makes him omniscient—equal with God. But the fact is Satan’s knowledge of our thoughts is a far cry from him being omniscient.

Let’s look at a passage of scripture in Isaiah 55: This chapter contains prophesy where God expresses his free offer of mercy to all. In verses 7-9 the Lord says:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his [thoughts]: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So as the heavens are higher than the earth, God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. So Satan’s knowledge of our puny little thoughts is a far cry from omniscience. If we were to say: that Satan knew God’s thoughts, that would make him omniscient—that would put him equal with God.

So what is the remedy for this issue concerning our mind and our thoughts? Again, one last time, we must go to the scriptures.

1 Peter 1 13

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“Gird up the loins,”
means, get ready for action. People in biblical times would gather up their long robes and tie them around their waists so that they could move or run quickly and freely. Peter was not asking his readers to free their legs for a footrace, but to free their minds for proper thinking.

Likewise, we need to do whatever it takes to focus our thoughts on those things that allow us to serve God successfully, all the while eliminating any thoughts that would trip us up. [Heb. 12:1]

Peter also wrote, “be sober.” Peter’s concern here was primarily the using of mentally or spiritually sound judgment.

Next he wrote, “hope to the end.” We need to exhibit confidence that God will accomplish all that He promised He would do. [v. 3, Rom. 8:24, 25] In a word: faith! [gird-sober-faith]

Satan is a powerful enemy and it behooves us to never under estimate him. But even with him knowing our thoughts, he is no match to the Holy Spirit of God. So the wisest thing for us to do is apply the scriptures and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, walk in His spirit, giving God all the Glory. As Daniel did, we must purpose in our hearts, not to be defiled.

Amen.

If you would like to read part 5, click here

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Blessings!