SUFFERING INEVITABLE
As Christians we are not free from tribulation and persecution. The Scripture says: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." There is a teaching and way of living in modern American Christianity that says: "I will not suffer." Suffering in some circles is a evidence of your lack of faith or spiritual blessing from God. Nothing is further from the truth! The Scripture says: "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." Later in the same chapter it says: "the end of all things is at hand." Saints of God we need to "arm ourselves" with the mentality that suffering is going to happen. We are going to go through hard times and unless we are being taught this by God now we will not be able to stand when the storm comes. Tribulation is coming to America and as David Wilkerson said: "Only those washed by the blood and fully surrendered to Christ will survive."
ESCAPE TRIBULATION?
Corrie Ten Boom shared this burdened message in 1974 named, Preparing for Tribulation. Here are some excerpts from that article: "There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China, the Christians were told, "Don't worry, before the tribulation comes you will be translated – raptured." Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a Bishop from China say, sadly, "We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes – to stand and not faint."
"I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it. We are next. In America, the churches sing, "Let the congregation escape tribulation", but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation."
AFFLICTED, TORMENTED, AND DESTROYED!
We are so desensitized to reality in America that to spend anytime reading Church history seems to make the whole of modern day American Christianity seem false. The Scriptures speak of those who by faith followed God: "(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts and in mountain, and in dens, and in mountains, and in dens and and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Beloved, are you willing to associate yourself with this list of people? Or would you rather have your comfortable padded pews and climate controlled buildings to worship and pray in so our darling little knees won't get hurt? Does not the Scripture say: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against your soul." Oh may we be found truly to be those that are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world. We have so many precious promises to claim and memorize how about this one: "Marvel not, my brethren if the world hate you." Oh it will let us never forget that.
Thomas Brooks wrote this over 300 years ago and their truths are just as timely and applicable today for us: "Let me give you a little abridgment of the sufferings of some of the early Christians, "of whom the world was not worthy."
1. In the reign of Hadrian the emperor, there were ten thousand Christians crowned with a crowns of thorns, thrust into the sides with sharp lances, and then crucified.
2. Others were so whipped, that their entrails were seen, and afterwards they were thrown upon sharp shells, and then upon sharp nails and thorns. And after all this cruelty, they were thrown to wild beasts to be devoured.
3. Multitudes were banished.
4. Others were pulled apart with wild horses.
5. Some were beaten and racked with bars of iron.
6. Others were cast into loathsome dungeons.
7. Some were burnt in the fire.
8. Others were knocked down and had their brains beaten out with staves and clubs.
9. Some were pricked in their faces and eyes with sharp reeds.
10. Others were stoned to death with stones, as Stephen was.
11. Some were dashed in pieces against millstones.
12. Others had their teeth dashed out of their jaws, and their joints broken.
13. Some were cast down from very high places.
14. Others were beheaded.
15. Some were tormented with razors.
16. Others were slain with the sword.
17. Some were run through with pikes.
18. Others were driven into the wilderness, where they wandered up and down, suffering hunger and cold, and where they were exposed to the fury both of wild beasts, and also to the rage of the barbarous Arabians.
19. Some fled into caves, which their persecutors crammed up with stones, and there they died.
20. Others were trodden to death by the people.
21. Some were hanged on gibbets with a slow fire under them.
22. Others were cast into the sea and drowned.
23. Some were slain by being thrown in mines.
24. Others were hanged by the feet, and choked with the smoke of a small fire, their legs being first broken.
25. Some were covered with oil, and then roasted with a soft fire.
26. Others were hung by one hand, that they might feel the weight of their whole bodies scorching and broiling over burning coals.
27. Some were shot through with arrows, and afterwards thrown into stinking prisons.
28. Others were stripped stark naked, and thrown out in cold, frosty nights; and burnt the next day.
29. In Syria, a company of Christian virgins were stripped stark naked to be scorned by the multitude, then shaved, and then torn in pieces and devoured by beasts.
30. Lastly, many women had the joints of their bodies pulled from another, and their flesh and sides clawed with talons of wild beasts to the bones, and their breasts seared with torches until they died.
And thus you have an account of thirty different ways by which the precious sons and daughters of God have formerly been afflicted, tormented, and destroyed! What heart of stone can read over this list with dry eyes? And now tell me, sirs, whether your sufferings are worth a naming in that day, wherein the sufferings of the precious servants of God in the primitive times are spoken of? Oh, no! Well then, take heed of making molehills mountains, and of crying out, "Is there any sorrow compared to my sorrow; or any sufferings compared to my sufferings?"
HOW TO SURVIVE
Corrie Ten Boom shares some very good practical exhortation on how to survive the tribulation and persecution coming: "How can we get ready for the persecution? First we need to feed on the word of God, digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives. Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible, it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it."
"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. "And does not the Scripture in another place say: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven." There is a time of "rejoicing" coming Saints of God!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Berean Call - false teaching!!
I recently came across an article about Dave Hunt who continues to spread and try to defend the devil’s first lie to mankind, eternal security (Gen. 3:4).
We read the following poisonous statements in Dave Hunt’s January 2007, The Berean Call, p. 5 as he writes about the “carnal Christian”:
If anyone has already got his hands on this book, better watch out. There are dangerous false teachings that buried to trap the believer. Here's how you can be on guard!
● HERE IS HUNT’S ERROR:
“Paul introduces the idea [of the carnal Christian], beginning with himself (Rom. 7:14).”
THE TRUTH IS: Paul was not carnal and didn’t refer to himself in that manner in Romans 7 or elsewhere. Please see pp. 206-212 in The Believer’s Conditional Security.
● HERE IS HUNT’S ERROR:
“But we are not told that carnality will keep anyone out of heaven.”
THE TRUTH IS: Paul taught exactly the opposite to what Dave Hunt teaches:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph. 5:5-7)
● HERE IS HUNT’S ERROR:
“Paul wrote most of his epistles to correct error in the church. But he doesn’t say that even the most carnal Corinthians are not saved.”
THE TRUTH IS: Dave Hunt thinks the unnamed sexually immoral man of 1 Cor. 5 was a Christian. Hence, Hunt thinks there are sexually immoral Christians. Paul clarifies all of this and refutes Hunt and other eternal security teachers by stating that the sexually immoral man of 1 Cor. 5 was wicked in verse 13:
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” (1 Cor. 5:13)
By saying he was wicked he was also saying he was not a Christian.
● HERE IS HUNT’S ERROR:
“He even declares that a person could have been so carnal that all of his works will be burned up—yet ‘he himself shall be saved’ (1 Cor. 3:15).
THE TRUTH IS: Dave Hunt, Charles Stanley and many others are unaware of why one’s works will be burned up. Based on that, they have arrived at a deadly conclusion about 1 Cor. 3:15. All that verse says is:
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:15)
1 Cor. 3:15 describes those in Mt. 6:1-18 who lost potential rewards by their praying, fasting and giving to the poor because they did such with the intention of being honored now by man.
Dave Hunt embraces the security-in-sin counterfeit gospel of eternal security. Therefore, he is not aware of the grace that brings salvation (Titus 2:11,12), the kind of faith that saves (James 2:14-17) or the real gospel (1 Cor. 15:2). He is not a true Berean as he wants others to be. If he was he would change based on the Biblical evidence which shows a righteous person can die spiritually (Gen. 2:16,17; Ezek. 3:20; Ezek. 18:24; Ezek. 18:26; Ezek. 33:13; Ezek. 33:18; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 8:13; James 1:14-16; James 5:19,20; etc.).
Monday, January 29, 2007
Love your Parents
An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with
His 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.
The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"
The Son replied "It is a crow".
After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is this?" The Son said "Father, I have just now told you "It's a crow". After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time,
What is this?" At this time some ex-pression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow".
A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, "What is this?"
This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"
A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page.
When the son read it, the
following words were written in the diary :-
"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged his lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times.”
While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father
Had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.
So……if your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them.
Be considerate to your parents. From today say this aloud, "I
want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever
since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.
They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today".
Say a prayer to God, "I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.
Thanks for spending ur time to read this mail !
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Is Evangelism not your task?
Sol, a servant of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope,
To my friends who walk in faith:
Grace, mercy and peace to you from God the Father and the Christ Jesus our Lord.
Its not just my personal conviction, but a paramount commission that every member in the body of Christ needs to go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, …teaching them to obey everything the Lord has commanded (Mt 28:19,20)
Evangelism in Webster dictionary is generically defined as: "zealous advocacy of a cause”. Oh that the "cause" of Christ be proclaimed from the roof-tops of the world. John Bunyan defined the role of evangelist in these words: "A man, who had his eyes up to heaven, the best of books was in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, and he stood as if he pleaded with men." Evangelism is a HIGH calling, a HOLY calling & of course a HARD calling. It is not the responsibility of only a gifted few, but the responsibility of every believer.
While it may not be literally possible for everyone to stand behind the pulpit, or grab hold of a mike, or to shout on the roof tops, we do have a powerful tool that can go in to the nook can corner of every nation on our behalf - The World Wide Web. You may not be a mighty pulpit preacher or a powerful healer, yet God can use you. God is not looking for successful people, but faithful people. While personal and pulpit evangelism have been carried out for ages, we the denizens of today are privileged to have an even powerful medium through which we can reach a far greater audience, that too without borders or boundaries.
Do not wait for the day when the Lord looks at you and says, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it. But I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done.”(Ezek 22:30,31)
If God can speak to a donkey to convict Balaam, or a fish to change the course of Jonah, He can surely speak through us His children. As you read this, just hum the song, “You can use anything Lord, you can use me….”
And whisper a small prayer…
Dear Father, I acknowledge that I have been living my life for myself. I had always thought it wasn’t my duty and there are others to do it. But I realize my folly dear Lord. I do not wish to remain luke-warm, but desire to serve you even more. I am convinced that you can use even me to bring souls into repentance. I wish to be your Useful Vesselt. I promise to devote at least an hour a week to Evangelism. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Having said this prayer, do not wait till you get the chance. You cannot find time unless you spare time. As you do your daily meditation surely the Lord would speak to you. Make it a habit to write down at-least once a week what the Lord speaks to you and post it to the group. Your messages will Stand in the Gap for the Whole World to see!
Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called Knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. (1Tim 6:20)
Grace be with you. May the Lord use you mightily in the days to come!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Is it possible to live without SIN?
Is it possible for a righteous person to live in such a way that he is not walking in wickedness but is obeying God? In other words, is it possible for a person who has been born again to keep himself pure and spiritually clean in this sin-filled world rampant with evil people, demons and false teachings? The answer is a definite yes, according to Scripture.
Resist The Devil
1. We are told to resist the devil (the Tempter) and he will flee:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
● The devil, who is trying to deceive us into sin, can be resisted successfully. If he is resisted he will flee from the one resisting him. Jesus was tempted by the devil, resisted him and never sinned. How did the Lord resist the devil victoriously? He did it by giving the devil the word of God. See Luke 4:1-13.
Similarly, a righteous person doesn’t have to yield to the devil’s temptations and sin. He can remain submitted to God. Hence, he does not have to sin.
Walk In The Spirit
2. Walk or live by the Spirit and you will not gratify your sinful nature (or flesh):
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Gal. 5:16)
● The sinful nature must be dealt with and put to death. You can successfully put to death the sinful nature with the help of the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:13b). If you walk (or live) in the Spirit you will not fulfill the desires of the sinful nature. Hence, you do not have to sin.
Temptation and Sin
3a. Before a righteous person can sin and die spiritually, he is first tempted:
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. (James 1:14-16)
That process is first the temptation, then the sin, then spiritual death. If we can eliminate temptation, we will also eliminate the possibility of sinning. The Lord commanded the disciples to pray for such:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matt. 6:13)
●We should pray daily to be led away from temptation. See also Mt. 26:41 and Luke 22:40,46. Dear reader, if you aren’t doing this, change immediately. We are in a serious all-out-fight against sin:
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Heb. 12:4)
We are in a life-or-death struggle against sin and must overcome. We have been told how to overcome and given the ability, through God, to do this. It is now our choice to act and do the right (wise) things to live holy and obey.
We, as Christians, have also been told what not to do regarding sin:
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Rom. 6:12)
Why should we not allow sin to reign in our mortal bodies, which is a possibility? Among other reasons, you can become its slave again:
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey— whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Rom. 6:16)
It is possible to conform to evil desires again just like we did before we were born again:
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (1 Pet. 1:14,15)
How serious is conforming to evil desires?
If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Pet. 2:20-22)
God Is Faithful
3b. We are clearly told that never will a temptation come to a Christian that will be irresistible. We will always be able to withstand temptation and not yield to sin:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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. (1 Cor. 10:13)
● Those who have been deceived into thinking Christians must sin all the time are really denying the faithfulness of God, among other precious truths. God is a faithful God, which includes the above sure promise that never will a temptation come to a Christian that he can’t stand up to and successfully resist. Hence, you do not have to sin.
Hide God’s Word In Your Heart
4. Hide God’s word in your heart to prevent sinning:
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psa. 119:11)
● The Godly writer of that verse was serious about not sinning and therefore aggressively hid God’s word in his heart to prevent such. Reading, rereading, pondering, meditating in and memorizing God’s word (the Bible) will prevent sinning. This is a fact and also related to the following Scripture:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Rom. 8:5)
To have your mind set on what the Spirit desires is to have your mind thinking about the message of the Bible. This in turn will affect your behavior in a good way. According to Psalm 1:2,3, a person who meditates in Scripture day and night will always be spiritually fruitful and prosperous. Hence, you do not have to sin.
You Can Keep Yourself Pure
5. We can keep ourselves spiritually pure and from sinful defilements as others have successfully done. Paul did this:
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim. 1:5)
Paul had a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith, unlike how the eternal security teachers slander him (and the normal Christian life) as doing evil all the time.
Paul also believed Timothy had a pure heart:
Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. (1 Tim. 5:22)
Paul knew Timothy could keep himself pure and not share in the sins of others. It was his responsibility to do so. God wasn’t going to do it automatically for him.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim. 2:22)
Others besides Timothy and Paul had a pure heart and the same were also pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:2, 3)
Keep the above hope in yourself. Such will help you to walk pure.
These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. (Rev. 14:4)
These also kept themselves pure. Hence, you do not have to sin.
True Christianity
James tells us about true Christianity:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
● Hence, we do not have to be spiritually polluted by the world. This is also necessary to have the religion (Christianity) which God accepts. Hence, you do not have to sin.
Pray To Stand Firm
Christians should pray for others to stand firm in God’s will:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Col. 4:12)
We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. (2 Cor. 13:9)
Pray also for yourself, as the Psalmist did for himself:
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (Psa. 119:133)
At this point, David was spiritually clean:
Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. (Psa. 17:3)
You can also be like Paul and beat your body and make it your slave (1 Cor. 9:27) and the minority of Christians at Sardis whom Jesus described as follows:
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 3:4-6)
To be worthy to walk with Jesus means you will have to keep your spiritual clothes from getting soiled by sin. You can do it, with God’s help and by applying the above vital spiritual truths. Hence, you do not have to sin. You can live holy. You can obey God now in this lifetime. Don’t let anyone deceive you—righteous people (Christians) do what is right and such are distinguished from the sinful (the non-Christians):
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:7,8)
Sin can defile, contaminate, soil and bring a Christian to his spiritual death. Therefore, sin is spiritual poison to one’s soul. It is a must to keep away from such as it would be to avoid eating and drinking poison in your food.
Jesus clearly identified the Christians with these words:
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Luke 8:21)
To put God’s word into practice is not to sin—it is to obey. Christians obey, while the non-Christians sin. Don’t be deceived:
“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.” (Matt. 7:21)
Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:29)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:7-9)
You must continue and not give up doing good to reap eternal life, according to true grace teaching. If you give up and start to please the sinful nature you will not reap eternal life—you will go to hell. Do not be deceived. Do not let the heresy of eternal security drag you and your loved ones down to hell. Resist this lie from the devil.
True Grace
The real grace of God which brings salvation is described in Titus 2:11,12:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11,12)
That is not the grace taught by the dangerous eternal security teachers. Their counterfeit grace message is the same as the devil’s lie in Gen. 3:4. They and their message are both described in Jude 4:
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
How do I choose my Mate?
We know that it is the Lord's will for people to have a mate if they desire one. In the beginning when God created Adam, God Himself made this statement:
"... It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18 KJV).
"Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, completing) for him" (Genesis 2:18 Amplified).
The Lord wants to bring a mate to those who will ask Him and have the patience to wait for His choice.
There are some single people who are constantly out looking for a mate, and they are miserable because God has not sent them one yet. They have prayed and prayed, yet they still have no mate. Some settle for Satan's provision instead of asking God for the patience to wait for the one whom He would send. If they would look to Jesus and seek to please Him, rather than being concerned about a mate, soon they would find the right one crossing their path. Looking for a man or woman to just keep them from being lonely or just to fill their needs or to be a father or mother to their children should not be the only reasons for desiring a mate. They also need to be concerned about what kind of husband or wife they would be for a mate. These single people are still much in the flesh if they just want their own needs met. They should ask the Lord to fill them with His love and peace.
Being single is an important time to prepare us for marriage. It can also be a time to experience a closer communion with God. As we seek God to cleanse us of the world and help us become the kind of wife or husband that would bless someone, we will soon find that we are not lonely. First, the Lord would begin using us to bless others; then we will find we are content in Him. Eventually, in God's plan and timing, He will bless us with a wonderful mate so that both lives can be a witness for Him. We believe if a marriage cannot glorify the Lord, then it would be better to remain alone. There are worse things than being alone. One of these is to be out of God's will by compromising and marrying someone who does not feel the same way we do about the Lord.
Marriage is the second major choice we make in our lives, and we should never enter into it without much prayer. To rush into a marriage can be disastrous. The most important decision of our lives, of course, is our decision to follow the Lord. This decision is not a one-time declaration, but a daily determination to follow Jesus above all. If we allow the emotional or soulish realm to dominate our lives we become more susceptible to the enemy leading us astray through someone. This area of the flesh should be brought under the Lord's subjection so that Satan does not get the advantage and consequently destroy our lives and ministries. So many have failed the Lord because they chose a man or woman over the Lord.
We find this true throughout the Bible, too. Solomon's heathen wives led him into idolatry. Samson lost his eyes because of a woman, Delilah. David committed murder because of passion for Bathsheba.
Our emotions need to be cleansed as they are not the sign of love. The true definition of love is "God is love." If God is not in a relationship it is not true love. What this world calls love is really lust since it is built on what the other person does for me, not what I can do for him or her. If the other person fails to keep up his end of the bargain, a divorce occurs because the offended mate is no longer pleased. This is the attitude of the world's so-called "love." God's love loves without receiving back; God's love is forgiving and patient. God's love is gentle and kind. God's love waits. God's love sacrifices.
1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible gives us a beautiful definition of real love: (In this King James translation the word "charity" means "love.")
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Man's emotions are not a reliable gauge upon which to establish a marriage relationship. We must know in the Spirit that it is God's will. It is much better to marry for character than for emotion. Emotions fluctuate; character doesn't. Emotions are in the soulish realm, and unless the carnal mind has been renewed, Satan can give us emotions or feelings of love for someone of his choosing. (If he did not have this in his power, he could not split up marriages.) One of his favorite techniques is to suddenly take away the feelings one once had for his mate and give feelings for someone else. When he has successfully convinced a person that he no longer loves his or her mate, then he leads them to divorce, whispering, "You are living a lie." After he has destroyed that marriage, he then leads one to marry again by stirring their emotions for another. Often after their next marriage something happens that they do not expect. Before too long, friction begins to develop with the new mate, then arguing. Finally, they find the same thing has happened again; they feel no emotion for their new mate and the next divorce is in the making. "Falling" in love is Satan's way. The very expression of these words should tell us something. A Christian should not blindly "fall" into any trap. Love is bigger than simply falling for someone. Certainly, the Lord gives us a wonderful emotional feeling for the one we are to marry. However, this "feeling" without God's direction can be disastrous as Satan can tamper with our emotions and feelings too.
Marriage, in a Christian's life, should be based on a decision directed by the Holy Spirit. A Christian's love for another is a commitment. Of course, the Lord will supply the emotions for the mate He sends, but that should not be the criterion for making the decision to marry. The Lord should be sought, and whatever He speaks to us we should do. He knows the future and what is best for us. If we trust Him He will not fail us in this or any other important area. Women or men who allow emotions to rule them will never be victorious Christians. Emotions should always follow, never lead.
During Old and New Testament times, fathers and mothers chose the mates for their children. God's people were very careful to choose those who were "believers." We find this practice still prevalent in India and other Eastern cultures. The parents, being older and more prudent, made wiser decisions than the children in this area. The divorce rate in India is only about 7%, whereas in the USA, at the present, it is nearing 50%. Marriages that are loveless can be saved and restored simply by asking God to restore the love that was once there. Sexual relationships can also be healed by praying for a desire for one's mate. Prayer is a mighty weapon. God's love can mend and heal, providing people are willing to lay down their lives for their mates. His love will not fade, as does the love of the world.
Those who are single and have never been married are cautioned in God's Word to seek a mate who is a like believer. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)." Many precious people suffer because they are living with unsaved mates. Some did not have Christ when they made their marriage decision, but they have since found the Lord. Those will have God's grace and love to win their mates for Jesus. The Lord always strives to bring the lost mate to Himself through the partner who knows Him. Mighty miracles of deliverance and salvation have occurred when people have endured suffering in order to bring their mates to the Lord. Those people who have the light, but choose to marry into darkness by yoking themselves to unsaved mates find that their flesh has led them away from God.
The Lord wants to bless marriage unions and see His plans fulfilled in both mates' lives. What a glorious plan He had from the beginning for both male and female. We can trust Him in this important decision. If we will totally commit to do His will we will never be disappointed in the one He sends into our lives.
____________
This article is taken from the book Neither Male Nor Female by Betty Miller.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
The Dangers of Drunkeness
Alcohol results when sugar reacts with yeast during fermentation. Though there are different kinds of alcohol, the kind in an alcoholic beverage is ethyl alcohol. It can produce a variety of feelings, alter moods, affect the physical body and become addicting.
Inhibitions are the first to be suppressed when alcohol is consumed, which results in talking more, becoming disorderly and acting foolishly. Time is the only way to rid the body of alcohol after it has been consumed—approximately one hour per ounce of alcohol. As little as one or two drinks can adversely affect a driver’s judgment and reaction time.
Drunkenness (and/or alcoholism) is a very serious problem in our society. The statistics associated with drinking alcohol are both alarming and disturbing, especially from a Christian point of view:
● In America alone there are 14,000,000 people who are alcoholics.
● Among 15 year olds, girls binge drink at a rate almost the same as that of the boys.
● 20% of the suicides are alcoholics.
● 50% of all traffic fatalities are related to alcohol abuse.
● 1/3 of all traffic accidents are related to alcohol abuse.
● 50% of all homicides in the USA are related to alcohol abuse.
● The average American consumes more beer than coffee or milk.
● Alcohol increases the risk of car accidents, drowning, violence and physical diseases.
● Any alcohol consumption during pregnancy is risky for the offspring.
● 40% of school students consumed alcohol before age 13.
● Over 3,000,000 teenagers in the 14-17 year age bracket in America are problem drinkers.
● 62% of high school seniors say they have been drunk.
● 44% of all college students binge drink, that is, drink to get drunk.
● School students consume more alcohol than smoke cigarettes.
● Single car fatal accidents are 3 times higher at night among 15-20 year olds than other fatal crashes.
● Non-Hispanic whites aged 15-20 binge drink more than other racial groups.
● Males are nearly three times more likely to be problem drinkers than females.
● People with drinking problems have a higher rate of divorce.
The physical dangers of alcohol consumption include:
● Liver damage especially, but also brain, heart, bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. Such can lead to cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, cirrhosis, nerve problems, etc. When the liver is affected nutrition is also adversely impacted which will hurt the entire body.
● Becoming overweight. One glass of wine daily can add 10 pounds a year to your weight.
The Greatest Danger
It is apparent that a wide variety of temporal problems stem from drinking alcohol, as just shown. The above cited dangers and sufferings for the drunk, however, are inconsequential and almost not even worth mentioning compared to the greatest danger in the entire universe—that of being thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, which is forever.
There are only two possible eternal destinies. If one doesn’t inherit the kingdom of God he will be thrown into the lake of fire, and drunkenness can prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
According to the above passage, “once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic” is not true. It says that is what they were (past tense), but now they were different having been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Lord Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. Drunkards don’t need rehabilitation to get freed from alcohol addiction. They need salvation, which will immediately set them free from sin’s slavery and change their spiritual identity. Furthermore, there is no such thing as a Christian alcoholic since drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Jesus similarly taught about drunkenness:
But suppose the servant says to himself, “My master is taking a long time in coming,” and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers (Luke 12:45, 46).
This last passage, among many others, refutes the teaching of eternal security for it is written about those who had been saved in the past.
Curios to know more tap here!!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Is Pornography Wrong?
A Growing Epidemic
A Christian may think he or she is the only believer in town struggling with porn. Unfortunately, that’s far from true. Addiction to pornography is rapidly becoming an epidemic throughout our society and even in the Church.
The main reason: widespread accessibility. What used to be available only in a city’s red-light district is now in plain view on the covers of sexy magazines at convenience stores … in Hollywood films, TV shows and commercials … on life-size posters at the mall and larger-than-life billboards along the highway … in suggestive lingerie ads in the Sunday newspaper … and on millions of websites.
Years ago, people had to take a risk to visit an “adult bookstore” – after all, they might be seen by someone they knew! But with the Internet, people can now inflame and indulge their sexual appetites with erotic material at any time, in any neighborhood, in the total privacy of their living rooms.
Although pornography is more common among men, many women are also becoming hooked – not so much by visual imagery, but by the emotional intimacy available through Internet chat rooms.
People often hope that their desire for porn will diminish when they get married or grow older, but the emotional and physiological factors can be continuing problems.
What's The Harm?
Many people deny or rationalize their use of porn, saying: “It’s only entertainment! What’s the harm in looking at pictures? God created beautiful bodies, and I enjoy seeing them. After all, looking doesn’t hurt anybody!”
The truth is, looking at pornographic images erodes healthy relationships and can easily become a pathway to adultery and other serious problems. Sexual intercourse within marriage draws a couple together physically, emotionally and spiritually as they desire to please one another; it can also produce the gift of children. In contrast, self-stimulation and sexual gratification for its own sake is simply to fulfill one’s own lust.
Men who ogle photos of idealized, airbrushed glamour girls in sexy positions probably will not find satisfaction with their real-life wives. A woman who discovers her husband using porn feels betrayed. Even if he has been physically faithful to her, it’s terribly hurtful to realize that he has been having emotional affairs with other women. Conversely, a man would feel betrayed to discover his wife having sexually explicit conversations with other men on the Internet.
Adolescent girls and young women are also negatively influenced by our culture’s overemphasis on sexy, “perfect” bodies. Many struggle with anorexia or bulimia – or even desire plastic surgery – so they can emulate an unrealistic, “ideal” female figure.
Another side-effect of the porn epidemic is evident in the workplace, where growing numbers of employees use their computers for porn – essentially stealing time and productivity from their employers. Some are so hooked that they continue looking at porn on company time even after being warned that this will result in losing their jobs.
Tragically, a casual interest in so-called “soft-core” porn can develop into an insatiable thirst for hard-core porn, leading some addicts into strip clubs, massage parlors, voyeurism, child pornography, and pedophilia.
Some people feel so hopelessly trapped that they think there is no way out. One man told CBN that he almost committed suicide because of his lifelong addiction to pornography. He said, “I was flawed to the point where there was nothing that could be done about me. And so the only alternative was to end my life.” Fortunately, he realized he was wrong – and that there is hope.
Respected counselors who work with child molesters, voyeurs, sadomasochists, and rapists say that pornography is usually a significant factor in these behaviors. Shortly before his execution, serial killer Ted Bundy invited Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family to interview him on death row. Bundy urgently wanted to warn people about the terrible dangers of porn. A report about the interview is featured on the website, Family.org. “I was a normal person,” Bundy said. “I had good friends. I led a normal life, except for this one, small but very potent and destructive segment that I kept very secret and close to myself.” And so an addicting behavior that began at age 13 when he found dirty magazines in a dumpster culminated in the brutal murders of 28 innocent women and girls.
While Ted Bundy represents the extreme, “Jeff” is more typical. He and his lovely wife live in a nice suburban home with their kids and are active at church. But Jeff never felt accepted by his father and used porn to soothe the hurt. This eventually led to squandering money on prostitutes. When his wife discovered his infidelity, she was shocked to learn that they were heavily in debt, his job could be in jeopardy, and he needed to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. After intensive work and Christian counseling, Jeff was delivered from his addicting actions and their marriage was saved – but even so, it was a long time before Jeff regained his wife’s trust.
Yes, porn has a price – and it can cost you everything.
Quiz: Are You Hooked?
If you’re wondering whether you’re hooked on porn, answer the following questions honestly:
1. Do your family or friends say you spend too much time on the Internet?
2. (Particularly for women:) Do you find your greatest source of emotional intimacy in Internet chat rooms?
3. Do you stare at or flirt with people other than your spouse, or fantasize about people such as actors or actresses, lingerie models, joggers on the beach, etc.?
4. Do you regularly look at pornographic magazines, movies, or websites?
5. Do you masturbate while doing any of the above?
6. Do your sexual fantasies and activities draw you away from your spouse, your family, and God?
7. Do you lie about your activities or hide them from your family?
8. Do your sexual fantasies and activities cause you shame or depression?
9. Have you had phone sex or an extramarital affair, or visited prostitutes, strip clubs, or massage parlors?
10. Have you vowed to stop, only to give in the next time temptation arises?
Saying “Yes” to any questions, especially numbers 3 through 10, may indicate that pornography has some power over your life. But take courage! With God’s help, you can win a resounding victory over sexual temptation!
The Heart Of The Problem
Within each person, God has placed a fundamental need for intimacy. We see this clearly in creation, when God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). This desire for emotional intimacy is normally filled through healthy relationships with one’s parents, siblings, friends, and spouse. For various reasons, however, some people struggle to connect with others and have difficulty developing close relationships. When people feel empty on the inside, this emotional vacuum can be easily filled with a counterfeit intimacy – selfish sexual gratification. True intimacy satisfies this God-given need, but fantasies and masturbation leave people feeling empty, worthless, and trapped in a vicious cycle. The more they use pornography, the more it separates them from others and hinders their ability to develop healthy relationships. The more alone they feel, the greater their desire for intimacy, and the more they are driven to fill the void with pornography. Freedom comes by dealing with the heart – the deepest inner-core of our being.
Jesus emphasized the importance of the inner life by saying, “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, … [and] adultery” (Mark 7:21). Also, Paul wrote: “You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:17b-19).
Is Masturbation wrong?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...MASTURBATION?
"What does the Bible say about masturbation?" is one of our most frequently asked questions. Many Christians have found it difficult to answer this question according to the Bible, because the Bible never mentions masturbation specifically. To understand how God feels about this subject, we must examine other verses that deal with issues such as lust, self-control and purity. Also, we must examine its fruit to see if it is from God. We have tried to address this issue by answering some of the most frequently asked questions. Our prayer is that God will use this page to bring freedom and deliverance.
"Does God care about what we do in the privacy of our bedrooms?"
Sex is God's invention. He is the mastermind behind it—and His creation is worth far more to Him than it is to us. This beautiful expression of love was created out of His own heart, as a gift to be experienced between a husband and wife. It is only in marriage that this manifestation of intimacy can be fully enjoyed in the depth for which it was created.
"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4, NIV).
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4, KJV).
The more beautiful and unique something is (like sexual intercourse), the more power it holds over our lives, either for good or bad influence. That is why it is so easy for the devil to corrupt the most precious of God's gifts. When we become more in love with the gifts than the One who endowed them, the things that were designed to bless us begin to destroy us instead. Yes, God cares about what we do with our bodies, in public or in private. He doesn't want us to abuse ourselves in any way.
In fact, an older definition of masturbation is "self-abuse." Although more modern dictionaries may no longer carry this definition, they are still linked together under self-abuse:
Self-abuse noun¹
1. Abuse of oneself or one's abilities.
2. Masturbation.
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) further confirms this, saying that unlawful sexual relations defile our own bodies. "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
"Isn't it still better to masturbate than to commit fornication?"
The easy answer to this question would be, "Yes, it is better to masturbate, because at best it corrupts only one person. It certainly is the lesser of two evils." However, why would a loving, holy, all-powerful God abandon you to a situation in which you have to choose any evil, whether it be "lesser" or "greater?" To really answer this question, we must again go back to God's original plan for sex.
First of all, masturbation will not truly relieve the sexual pressure that one may feel. It may for a short moment, but in the long run it only creates a deeper desire and capacity for sex, which will lead to more masturbation. If you let yourself become enslaved to a sexual high, you will find that you need to go to increasingly extreme acts to maintain the same degree of excitement. There are even ungodly sex therapists who recommend masturbation as a way of increasing sexual desire, not lessening it. This creates a vicious circle, like the junkie who craves a "fix," but is only temporarily satisfied. The more he indulges in his dependency, the more ensnared by addiction he becomes. This is the nature of all sin. That is why Jesus declared that all who sin become a slave to sin (John 8:34).
Furthermore, masturbation usually involves fantasy, visualization, and often pornography. The Bible is very clear as to what God expects of us in these areas of fantasy and lust. It teaches that we must not look lustfully at each other nor should we behave in such a manner as to entice others to lust after us.
"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl. I know full well that the Almighty God sends calamity on those who do" (Job 31:1-3, The Living Bible).
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).
While the above verses refer to men lusting after women, all women know that it can very easily be reversed to apply to themselves as well. Men may be more easily visually stimulated than women, but women can be just as vulnerable to sexual fantasy in the emotional realm. Both are sin in God's eyes, and both can be brought into subjection by controlling our thoughts through Christ's power.
All sexual immorality begins with a thought. A lustful thought not taken captive, will eventually lead to other perversions, because sin reproduces itself in increasingly greater measures. If we do not deal with our evil thoughts, they will take root in our hearts.
It is for this reason that God is so concerned with our thought life. Jesus came not only to deliver us from our "outward" sins, but also from wickedness that begins in the heart.
"Isn't God unreasonable to demand sexual purity after giving us sexual drives that seem to overwhelm us at times?"
Our loving God never demands from us what is impossible for us to do. We are so weak within ourselves that it may seem impossible, but He will equip us with His holy power to overcome any sin, if we ask in faith.
Of course, sexual urges in and of themselves are not wicked. They are natural. God created us that way. He desires that we get optimum pleasure out of them by using them the way they were created to be used. However, many desires for physical gratification (whether it be food, sex, etc.) stem from a deeper need that is unfilled deep inside us. Gorging our flesh can never fill a hunger that grows out of our spirit. Only intimacy with God can fill the deepest needs inside of us. No other created thing has that power.
God is no more unreasonable than any caring parent who lovingly disciplines their child. It is only because He knows what is best for us. He sees a mighty potential in each one of us that far supersedes our wildest dreams, and He loves us enough to do all He can to bring it to pass.
"I agree with all the theory, but living it out on a day to day level is another story."
This is the place where we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit is not a vague "force," but the very power of God to comfort you and strengthen you against the sins that used to rule you before you were born again. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the very ability that Jesus had to resist temptation. He depended completely upon the Father and so must we.
Something you must know is that God is not the one who is tempting you in this area to "test" you. God is on your side and wants to set you free from these things, not lead you into them! "When tempted, no one should say "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-14).
God wants us to overcome every sin and temptation in our lives. Please slowly read the following verses and let their message seep deep inside your spirit.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
"For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
"In the same way count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:11-14).
"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16, King James Version).
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).
"Can I really be set free?"
"In (this) freedom, Christ has made us free—completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery—which you have once put off " (Galatians 5:1 Amp).
If you are in a real struggle with any form of sexual sin, we do not believe it was by accident that God led you to this teaching. He wants to set you free, starting right now! We would like to share several things that you can do to break loose from this stronghold:
1. Confess this sin first to God, then go to a committed Christian you trust, such as your pastor. Ask God to lead you to someone that you can be accountable with, who will be faithful to pray with you and for you. This will take humility on your part, but it will lead to life. James 5:16 says: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (You may not feel "righteous" but if you have admitted your sin to God and received His forgiveness, you are! That means your prayers are powerful and effective!)
2. Flee from and reject anything that aggravates this sin. For example, you may need to get off the Internet for a season or purchase software that blocks out pornography. This may sound too drastic, but it certainly is mild compared to Jesus who said, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to go into Hell" (Matthew 5:30). His point was that we must be willing to part with anything that causes us to sin—even if it hurts temporarily.
3. You may need to seek healing and deliverance from qualified Christians who are anointed in this area of ministry. If you have been deeply involved in sexual sins, the devil probably has a stronghold in that area of your life. If you can, find some people who can help you stand against the devil, for he is the one who seeks to lead you into temptation, and whispers lies of hopelessness and shame into your ears. If he drops a filthy thought into your mind just when you are trying to pray (he has used this tactic on even the holiest saints of God), tell him to leave in the name of Jesus! Recognize his voice for what it is, and submit yourself to God. As you do this and resist the devil, he will flee from you! He is deathly afraid of those who are submitted to God in brokenness and humility.
4. Don't give up! Deliverance might take time. Self-control takes effort. You may slip occasionally—or even a lot. But remember that God loves you and He will be faithful to perfect His character in you as long you keep submitting to Him. Eventually you will win—and not because of your best efforts, but because of God's mercy (Titus 3:5). Just as salvation is received in faith, so deliverance must be received in faith. This has nothing to do with our character, strength, or failings. The only thing it is dependant upon is you receiving it in humility. If you should fail, recognize it quickly, ask God to forgive you—and then receive His forgiveness! He is faithful to do that which He promised, not just in a select few mighty men and women of God, but in all who are willing to come humbly before Him. That includes you! We want to encourage you to hold on to this scripture as your anchor:
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
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