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There is an unseen force against God's people. When Jesus came, he exposed this force, lead by Satan. Many Christians fight the wrong power and force and blame each other instead of looking into the spirit realm to discern the motivating force behind each other. The evil we face is not a human force that we can defeat in our own power. The enemy is an evil spiritual force led by Satan. The enemy includes rulers and authorities, angelic forces created by God through Christ who have rebelled against God and exercise temporary power in the universe. We can wage successful spiritual warfare only by abandoning worldly ways and attitudes. Our approach is to introduce truth which the Spirit uses to reshape our way of thinking and perceiving. The way that worldly people fight is of no value in achieving this goal.
2 Cor 10:1 – 6 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 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. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
How do we Cast down imaginations? You need to replace the lie with the truth.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Satan has power within our world. He is the prince of the air. Satan's power lies behind our rebellion against God.
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
The devil works through his fallen angels, and people to bring to pass his evil designs. The devil seldom takes a persons life all at once. He does it a little at a time, step by step. Sometimes he is able to assume complete control rapidly, but most often it is a slow process over a period of weeks, months or even years. You can stop him and refuse to let him have control of your life.
2 Cor 11:14,15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.
James 1:15, 16 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Satan is deceptive. The devil willfully and deliberately sets snares to capture you. Let's not be fooled by the masks people wear, or their talk.
Mat 12:43 – 45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Driving out demons is a grate work, but it is meaningless without a commitment to Christ. The person without faith in Jesus is defenseless against evil powers. How dangerous to have experienced the touch of God, yet hesitate to commit to Him.
2 Pet 2:21, 22 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Heb 6:4 – 6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Even if our bad habits are overcome, our lives are empty unless we invite Christ in to our lives, to empower us for godly living. The Pharisees were great at sweeping out. But their failure to welcome Jesus left them vulnerable to demons far worse than the ones they worked so hard to brush away.
Let's be careful to open our lives to Jesus, and let His love fill us with the compassion, mercy, and love.
Satan can and does demonize believers if they are not alert and self-controlled.
We are to be victorious, However we can be vulnerable to the enemies attack, we can be influenced by demons. When a person deliberately goes into the devil's territory, while he is there it is possible to become a victim to whatever the devil offers, even though he is a Christian. If you go to the devils side of the fence you are in trouble, opening you're self to Satan. This means that a Believer can open the doors of his heart, spirit, soul, and mind to lust, jealousy or lying exc. If you live a fleshly, carnal life, you open the door to the devil, and he will take advantage of you and dominates you through evil desires.
Luke 11:17 – 26 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Even believers have no protection against evil as long as their life is empty. We need the presence of Jesus Christ filling our lives. We must invite Him to live in us and surrender completely to him. To the degree we surrender our lives to him is the degree of change we will have.
Jesus explained in (v.28). "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it, obey it" .
In spiritual warfare God has given to us weapons to destroy the works of the devil. The greatest weapon of attack we have is the word of God. The word of God; which is the truth, will defeat all the lies of the enemy.
If ye continue in My Word ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you Free
John 8:31,23
31
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Satan is the master of confusion. He has confused people in thinking they are all right they are following God when actually they are following the devil. We need to constantly check our lives by the word of God, by the teachings of Jesus, rather than by our traditions or by what we thank.
Jesus was lead into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan. The devil brought lies, and trickery against Christ, but he was driven away by the Word of God. The devil brings subtle suggestion to your minds to trick you, to sin against God. This is most likely how the devil tempted Jesus. But Jesus would just quote scripture at the lying suggestion saying “for it is written”. Jesus brought the truth in and defeated the lies.
The truth is that which is in complete agreement with the word of God. We experience the reality of the words of Jesus only when we put them into practice. If you are going to know the truth about any thing, you have to hold firm to the teachings of Jesus and put His words into practice. You need to be a doer of the word. The person that is not doing the word is denying Jesus by their actions and behavior. The person who is sinning has no contact with spiritual reality. Freedom is discovered by us only when we listen to Jesus' words and put them into practice.
2 John 1:8, 9 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1 Cor 10:1 – 15 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
The Israelites were bound to God by His deliverance and provision for them, they were sustained by God. But they were not immune to temptations to idolatry and the immorality associated with it.
We are always vulnerable to temptation throw our old carnal nature. We need to be encouraged that God is faithful in that he always provides us a way out. We need to be shire to follow it. We should never put ourselves in situations where our sinful nature is strong. We are to flee these places and know that God will help us deal with the temptation so we do not give in to it.
These examples should serve as a warning to those who "think they are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!"
Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Psa 78:18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
Psa 78:29 – 31 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
Psa 81:10 – 13 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
Rom 1:18, 25 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 2:5 – 9 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
There is a moral order in exists, and those that violates it will suffer the consequences of their actions. God's wrath is His response to continual sin and unrighteousness. Wrath is what results from one's refusing to except God's truth and obey it.
Rom 2:10, 11 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
Rom 12:1 – 3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God will not make anyone live right. You must want to live right and be free from the spirits that bind you before you can be free. You must be a living sacrifice.
They're several things that we can do to aid us in our fight against the enemies of God. One is we need to learn the Word of God. It will transform and renew our minds and lives. Spiritual transformation through learning is a continuing process, not a once-for-all accomplishment. We must remain in the unadulterated word of God, not man's doctrine and theology.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, you may not be one to be out rightly deceived in occult pastes, but if you are rebellion against God and his word you are.
Occult practices are infused, connected with satanic powers and are designed to gather hidden and secret mysterious truths. The world of the occult includes everything from Satanism, witchcraft, and astrology. There are all kinds of symbols that the devil has as symbols of his power. We should never have symbols of the devil's power in our possession. These symbols of the devil's power may have strength that you don't know about. Don’t invite evil spirits in you’re home.
We must place our lives and trust in the hands of God, and he will guide us every day. We must cleanse or whole lives, our hearts and homes of all the power of the enemy. We must clean out of our homes all symbols of the devil's power and all that has to do with the devil. And if you do have anything that needs to be cleaned out of you house, do it now!
So purge out all rebellion and idolatry and all things that relates to the devil.
Acts 19:18 – 20 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
1 Cor 10:20 – 22 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1 Cor 9:24 – 27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Tim 4:8 a crown of righteousness,
James 1:12, Rev 2:10 the crown of life,
1 Pet 5:4 a crown of glory
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Every person has an appointment with Christ at the final judgment. We all will be judged for what we have done whether you are a believer or an unbeliever. We all will receive rewards or punishment. A Christian’s reward is the victor's crown. But he must run lawfully that he may receive it. Rewards are earned by faithful living and serves and it is possible to loss you’re rewards.
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
We must guard our selves against sin and the consequential loss of rewards. The fact that rewards worked for can be lost should promote us to faithfulness. Continuance in the faith and in obedience to Christ's commands gains a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Gal 5:7 – 9 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Gal 5:16 – 26 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
The Holy Spirit leads us away from sin. The Spirit does not over whelm us and force us to do God's will. Rather, He offers His gifts, power, and guidance and then expects us to follow Him. He gives you a new life in Christ. This life is by God, all done by His Spirit within. However, we must cooperate with him. We must live the life to which we are called. We must trust God and His Spirit rather than ourselves.
Sin is an ever present threat even for those that believe in Jesus. This list of sinful acts in v.19,20, and 21 describes behavior we are all capable of performing if we do not walk with the Spirit who dwells within us. We therefore, should not assume that we are immune from committing the most immoral acts. When we trust ourselves, sin rules our lives and leads us to unimaginable actions. Only when we totally trust and obey Christ does the threat of sin lose its power but it can return if you don't abide in Christ.
1 Cor 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Eph 4:17 – 32 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 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. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Old and new potentials exist within the personality of all of us. God has given us a new self It is our responsibility to choose to put on our new self and live by its promptings. The "old self" is that person we were when ruled by "deceitful desires." The "old self" is selfish and self-centered. The "new self" is selfless and "like God in true righteousness and holiness." We are to Put off the former way of life, we are to live with a totally new attitude: a new self that is like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
1 John 3:7 – 10 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Consistent sinners are under Satan's control and are his children. Satan's existence is and always has been characterized by sin, rebellion against God.
No, for he has already admitted that Christians do sin and will be liars if they deny the truth (1 Jn 1:7-9). What he is saying is that a Christian has within him or her by virtue of their new birth a power not to sin. The secret to not sinning is intimate fellowship with Christ, or "remaining in Christ," staying in the truth. The word of God remaineth in you that is “his seed remaineth in him”, if you set a side the sincere mike of the word and receive a lie you are in danger of sinning against GOD.
1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Eph 5:1 – 10 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
God's purpose for us is to lead us to imitate His life in ours. We should live in the same pure, self-giving manner that God does, practicing a totally self-sacrificing love for one another.
A person who is born again by the power of God, does not have to be dominated by the forces of darkness any longer.
Christ love is our example, a love which led Him to sacrifice His life for us on the cross.
Speech is a good gift from God. We are admonished to use our speech as a means of communicating our gratitude to God for His gift of life to us. We never have reason to use obscene language or jokes. We must crucify our ego and need for importance. Being righteous is much more important than being funny. We should consider carefully the content of our talk. Thanksgiving credits God and is a proper topic for conversation.
Gods stand is totally opposed to sin. His willingness to forgive sin does not at all mean His laxity toward those who practice sinning. His forgiveness only follows our repentance, our turning from the practice of sin. If we do not turn from our sins, we will face God's wrath. No trickery with words by any preacher or teacher or even you're words of trying to cover the truth of your heart can change that. Pride will not stand.
2 John 1:8 – 9 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
To violate what Christ taught is to walk in darkness separated from God. Salvation is an ongoing relationship. To belong to God is to do what Christ taught.
We should take series what we are taught, if it does not line up with the teachings of Jesus, give it up don’t keep it, go to the sincere word of God for the TRUTH.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
We should not aid false teachers in any way.
Col 3:1 – 10 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Our new life in Christ is characterized by setting our hearts on things above. In the old life we were controlled by the values and powers of the sinful world.
The wrath of God is just as real as the love of God is. Wrath is necessary because of sin. The threat of God's wrath should lead us to forsake sin. Do not be “children of disobedience”.
A person ruled by Christ and led by the Spirit will Put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within them. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry, making what is material take the place of God. Put away speech patterns reflecting anger and other language which is less than clean and pure. These things should not come from our mouth, heart.
Col 3:12 - 16 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
1 Th 4:2 – 8 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Those who know God do not live like the heathen, the world, the unsaved. Holy living is required by God who has given us His Holy Spirit. God gives His Spirit to all His people to help them resist sin throw his divine influence upon their hearts. To choose to sin is to resist God's Spirit.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Isa 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
2 Tim 2:25 – 26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Shut off the access point through repentance of the sin. You need to change your will. Repentance closes off the access point and allows the person to be healed of the demonic influence by getting away from the influence, acknowledge the truth.
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Some people associate repentance with the shedding of tears and so on. It is possible for a person to feel great emotion, shed many tears, and still not repent. To repent means literally, to turn, to return, or to turn back.
Never try to make a person repent by harassing actions, but love them and show God's goodness to them. To love them does not mean you over look the sin. It is God's goodness that leads us to repentance. We are to correct them throw the word, make it manifested by Gods light.
Eph 5:12, 13 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
1 Tim 1:18 – 20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul gave encouragement to Timothy to continue in the faith. He informed Timothy that it was possible to shipwreck his faith and have to be handed to Satan for discipline.
2 Tim 4:1 – 5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
We must each give a answer to God for our lives.
The Holy Spirit warned that people would prefer teachers who fit their views and who teach what their audience wanted to hear. Deceived teachers would arise who would deceive others with false teaching and/or who expounded the doctrines of men as if they are the teaching of God. Others, motivated by greed, might simply want to exploit their listeners.
2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
False teaching leads its followers to destruction rather than righteousness.
2 Pet 3:15,16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
The truth is not always easy to understand. Because it is spiritually discerned. Sadly, too often unstable persons lead others astray, bringing destruction.
1 Cor 2:14,15 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The Holy Spirit is the primary source of revealed truth.
We must be on guard, for demonic powers seek to deceive us. All that claims to be the Spirit's revelation is not. The true record of the Spirit's revelation is the word of God the Bible.
Demons live on or feed on our lusts, desire. There by are able to give you a doctrine that fits your desire and you will take it as truth from God, even throw it contradicts the Word of God. Hold on to your faith in God, keep the word of God, not the doctrines of men or should we say of devils.
Jesus warned us in Mat 16:12 . . . Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mark 7:7 Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
Luke 9:54 – 56 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Peter was moved only by concern for his Master's well-being and did not like to hear such words as: . . . "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected" (Mk 8:31). But Peter was, for the moment, playing the part of an adversary “Satan”.
We need clear spiritual vision. We need to get beyond seeing with distorted vision of the natural man.
Mark 8:34,35 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Jesus told the Twelve that if they were to "come after me," they must also deny self, take up their cross, and follow him.
Self-denial is a denial of human wisdom and reasoning and desires that may conflict with God's will, your soul life and / or flesh life.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
1 John 2:15 – 17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Our temptations may be said to come from three sources: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The "world'' does not refer to the physical creation but to all aspects of the things that pull us away from God's holiness and, thus, from living in fellowship with Him. "World'' in this context is an evil system under the grip of the devil.
The environment in which we live leads us away from God to evil. God's Spirit leads us away from the world to Christ.
Love of the world and desire for its things and ways stands totally opposed to God's love. Proper love leads one to do God's will.
James 1:13 – 16 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
God is not the author of sin. A person must accept responsibility for personal sinful acts. Satan tempts us to do evil, but we make the choice to sin and must accept the responsibility for our evil choices. Our desires lead us to sinful acts.
God is a just God. Righteousness is such a part of God that He will not tempt any person to do wrong. His desire is to bring every person to do what is right. We must accept responsibility for our sin. God, Satan, or some other person did not make you do it, it was your own lust that did it. Because you did not yelled to God's grace in you heart. Satan will bring thing by you and or thought your way but it is your chose.
Rom 5:20,21 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 3:10 – 18 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 4:1 – 10 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 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. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We use improper methods to get what we want. We trust our skills and our strength. We need to ask God; but we need to ask with motives of love and service, not motives of selfishness, envy, and pleasure. Sin originates in selfish desire and lack of humility.
Gal 6:1 – 10 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Love reaches out to lift up the fallen and restore them to fellowship. This love involves discipline offered gently but firmly, exercising care not to fall into the same temptation. Pride in your heart that you would not fall, instead of mercy for the fallen one. Shows that you are fallen just like the other person, if you admit it or not, you need some one to help you to.
We need to have love, justice and mercy. we need to sow to the spirit not the flesh. Eternal life is God's gift to those who sow to please the Spirit instead of their own selfish, sinful nature.
James 5:19 – 20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Once a person has fallen pray to Satan's lies and demonic domination of one's thoughts and feelings, he can be set free. Do not fell that it is impossible to be set free. Jesus can set you free. He wants to set you free. He has the ability to set you free. Do not be afraid of the devil. You are not a prisoner without hope. You can be set free. Have faith in God. Only believe, Jesus said in, Mark 9:23, All things are possible to them that believe. So Believe and you shall be free by his mighty power.
Two marvelous results occur when a Brother turns to God. First, that person is delivered from death. Secondly, a multitude of sins are covered by the blood of Christ.
1 Pet 1:22 – 25 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
We purify our souls by obeying the truth of the gospel and coming under the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin.
1 Pet 2:1 – 3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Pet 2:11 – 12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The power of a holy life speaks for itself; We must live a good pure life as well as speaking for the Lord. If you do not live a holy life your words will be dead to those who know you.
James 1:1 – 4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 1:5 – 9 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The darkness of sin has no part in God. We must realize that we cannot be in fellowship with God when we are doing or thinking those things that are evil.
Jesus died for our sins to bring us above sin. Still we do sin. God's purification awaits our confession of sin. The call is to confess and repent of sin, not to deny sin. God promises forgiveness of sins and purification from all unrighteousness to those who confess their sins. To hide, ignore, or claim we do not have sin is to deceive ourselves and lie to God. Such deception denies the truth of God's Word and thereby calls God a liar. God has provided a way out. He has established a way He can forgive you.
