God gives us specific guidance to counteract the devil and his influence.
JAMES 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
This promise is clearly directed toward those willing to '' submit to God '' and immediately followed with the instruction to draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Submit means to yield in surrender compliance & obedience
Resist means to withstand to oppose to strive against & defeat
JAMES 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
We are given instruction how to draw near to God. His instruction to us is cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you doubleminded.
We must actively seek to eliminate satan's way of thinking and behaving from our lives.
satan is so clever and powerful that no human being can succesfully resist his influence - without God's help. the key in resisting the devil is to sincerely ans consistently draw near and remain close to God.
allow God to wash satans influence from our minds, this takes place through recognizing and acknowledging our sins and repenting of them.
Scriptures compare this transformation from satan's way of thinking to coming back to life from the dead.
Ephesians 2:1-3) 1 And you hath He quickened, (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins
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
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
When we begin to truly Repent and submit to God from the heart, we begin to take His word seriously and obey His instruction and commands. then His word begins cleaning up our minds washing away our evil thoughts and motives.
All who genuinely repent - who whole heartedly surrender their lives to God and are baptized and recieving the Holy spirit are place by Jesus into His church.
notice Christ's concern for them and how He works with them to remove evil influences from their hearts and minds. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word that He might present her to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be Holy and without Blemish
Ephesians 5:25-27) 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it
26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word
27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
God's word is the instrument Christ uses - through the power of the Holy spirit - to wash away satan's influences from our thinking.
what do we do about the devil's attempts to influence us in the future? God has given us instruction which provides us with defense
Ephesians 6:10-13) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
A wile is a trick or trap, a trap is a snare
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
to wrestle means struggle or grapple
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Paul lists specific elements of spiritual Armour that God makes available to us. He compares the defense of God's servants against satan's influence to a '' belt of Truth around your waist '' and a '' breastplate of righteousness '' He describes their combat shoes as '' whatever will make you ready to proclaim the Gospel of peace '' our shield is our Faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. our resolve is protected by the Helmet of salvation our assurance that in steadfastly serving and pleasing God we will receive Eternal Life. the one offensive weapon we can use is the '' sword of the spirit which is the word of God ''
Ephesians 6:14-17) 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
all of the elements of Armour listed derive from scripture it is vital that we are studying and meditating on God's word regularly.
Finally paul says '' pray in the spirit at all times " Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
regular prayer is essential to maintaining our nearness to God.
These are the essential keys for warding off satan's efforts to regain control over '' the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. the more our character becomes like God's perfect Nature the less satan will feel comfortable in our presence and the more he will be inclined to flee from us .
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
Jesus warn us of false prophets in the last days its important that we know the word of God and continue to abide in the word of God.
If you dont know the word of God then you can be easily deceived . satan is a great counterfiter
many today do not know there enemy and his tactics satans main tactic is deception
there are hosts of lying and deceiving spirits that work under the authority of satan those spirits include delusion deception lying blinding error guile seducing.
1 Timothy 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
seduce means to attract or allure lead astray by persuasion
2 Timothy 4:3-4) 3 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
they will not (endure support, take up, tolerance) (sound doctrine - pure, true, uncorrupted)
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
fables - fiction a mythic tale which will lead astray
we are instructed to study to show ourselves approved sadly today many dont they just rely on
what a pastor or christian brother or sister says to them.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
rightly dividing means handle correctly to correctly teach the word of Truth
today we see the results of what happens when the word of Truth is not rightly divided handled
correctly or taught correctly. the blind lead the blind and the end result is many have fell into a
ditch of deception and confusion.
We are living in the time's of Apostasy. apostasy means abadonment of previous Loyalty
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:4-5) 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:11-12) 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
today we see numbers of different denominations and counterfeit christianity
Satan is a great counterfeiter
Jesus made it clear as we see in Matthew 24 there will be many false prophets and false christs
if a ministry is lead by false prophets then there will be teachings full of deception resulting in
false conversions they are counterfeits serving a false Jesus not serving and following the Jesus of
the Bible .
many today are following a counterfeit of the Jesus Christ of the Bible, regrettably most of what is called christianity today is built around a false christ Not the Jesus of the Bible.
when Jesus spoke in Matthew 24 of false christ and false prophets Jesus said and they shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
today we see much of this going on in churches all over the world. satan's clever deceptions has been
to represent the mere outpouring of human emotion - or in some cases the direct influence of demons
as God's spirit and many have been deceived by these clever deceptions of satan. hundreds of
thousands of people are deceived every year in this manner. people have become impressed by what they see or feel rather than by the fruit of the spirit and by whether the accompanying teaching is indeed of God or not.
Galatians 5:22-23) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The True Holy Spirit is the Power of God through which those who are Christ's have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts
the work of the Holy spirit in our lives is not manifested through bizarre actions or nonsensical
babbling worked up through human emotion .
its through the power of the Holy Spirit that God works in us to will and act according to His good purpose. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure . That is to live by God's laws, though many religious teachers falsely claim these are done
away.
another deception satan is using is twisting Jesus' Gospel message, it seems to be satan's most effective tool for maintaing adeadly grip on many people.
Jesus explained that as soon as people begin to respond to God's word satan acts quickly to snatch it out of their hearts.
Matthew 13:18-22) 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
the devils methods have been powerfully effective with many, for example notice pauls lament over what was happening to the Galatian christians who had been converted under his ministry pauls says
in Galatians 1:6-8) 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Remember these warnings
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:4-5) 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:11-12) 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Jesus' prophecy is an overview of endtime events. many other prophecies mostly in the Book of Revelations, fill in various details.
satan will not relinguish his kingdom without a fight. as the time of Christ's return draws near, we should remember this sobering warning in Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Many prophecies go on to detail a frenzy of destruction directed at God's church, at the people of Israel. at humanity as a whole and at the returning of Jesus Christ.
Satan's wrath is focused principally on those in the church, symbolically represented by a woman in Revelation 12
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
persecution will again rear its ugly head - at satans instigation Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Matthew 24:9-10) 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mark preserves another chilling detail from Christ's prophecy about this promised persecution
Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Revelation 6:9-11 further describes this martydom
Revelation 6:9-11) 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Religious deception will increase as Christ's return draws near. Satan will have a direct hand in the
rise of a great leader who will play a pivotal role in a massive end-time religious deception
Writing of events preceding Christ's return, paul tells us '' that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed the son of perdition.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
This man '' opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits
as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
How could such aperson claim to be God and convince others to believe him? paul adds that '' the
coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved
These powerful miracles will convince many, but in reality they are the deceptive handiwork of satan
this man's deception will take in millions of people in the cataclysm that will mark the end of this age
many will fall victim to a '' powerful delusion '' and perish because they refused to love the Truth
and so be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11) 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie
This should be a sobering warning to all of us . if we do not love the Truth, if our beliefs are not
firmly grounded in the Truth of God's word and we do not have the strength of character to hold fast
to them, we also could easily fall prey to this or other satanic deceptions. it has happened before
and both Jesus and paul assure us it will happen again.
I do pray that everyone who reads this or hears this message when I put it on Youtube will take heed
to the word of God. clearly we are in the endtimes we see the signs clearly revealed throughout scripture. its time that we all search our hearts and repent of our sins and put on the whole Armour of God daily pray with out ceasing, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Today i see many trying to have a relationship with God through a pastor a church denominations through facebook groups or christian brothers and sisters on facebook. we need a balance God wants
a realationship with each one of us, God has called us to gather together assemble and fellowship
with one another to encourage and edify and build one another up in the Faith
each one of us need our alone time with the Lord, we need time to be set apart and diligently seek the
Lord.
some today have isolated them selves completely, its time to ask ourselves this question are we set apart or totaly isolated from oppurtunities to be a witness . its time for each one of us to take a thorough honest self examination and go to the Throne of God's Grace being real with Him
nothing is hidden from Him, He knows our thoughts our hearts intents and motives.
if we are not real and honest with ourselves how can we come to the Throne of God's Grace and be real with Him ? if we are not honest and real with ourselves then how can we possibly truly repent and bet set free from hinderances.
often a person who lives in total isolation has been placed in isolation because of becoming hurt or offended, and isolation become there wall of protection to keep them from getting close enough to others where they can risk being hurt again or hurt more. its time to step out of the prison house of bondage
its time to wake up repent and turn from our wicked ways and seek God with all of our heart to diligently and earnestly seek first the kingdom of God its time to stop stradeling the fence and playing games with God. its time to repent of double mindedness
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
this message is to me and you a warning its encouragement this message is a call for us to wake up to repent to turn from our wicked ways. this message is a call to take thorough honest self examination
and submit to God and draw near to God. this message is a call to resist the devil,
As instructed in the Book of James JAMES 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. JAMES 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
this message is a encouragement and call to put on the whole Armour of God. and before we can successfully put on the whole armour of God we have to put off the old man we have to put away doublemindedness and lying slander and gossip evil speaking filthiness foolish talking. jealousy envy pride bitterness. we cannot succesfully put on the whole Armour of God and live in sin. unrepented sin will cause seperation and division, these things will blind us spiritualy and hinder our spiritual growth.
in these endtimes we need to be alert and keep are garments from being defiled. its important that we know the word of God and continue in His word, its important we be ready and armed with the whole Armour of God. if we are not how will we stand when persecution comes, how will you respond if your givin the option deny christ or die?
Hebrews 12:1-2) 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
brothers and sisters its time to repent its time to wake up and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, its time to put away compromise its time to be bold and courageous . we need the indwelling boldness of the Holy spirit that our preaching would be in demonstration of the Spirit and of power that those who hear that their faith would not stand in men but in the power of God.
for lack of boldnessand increase of compromise many have been lead astray will religious deception and smooth talk flattering messages that appeal to the flesh and never pierce the heart or bring the backslidden or unrepented sinner to a point of decision. for lack of boldness and increase of compromise many in our communtity and even our families are headed on a wide road to hell
its time to stop pampering and comforting sin and rise up in the boldness of the power of the Holy spirit and confront sin, call sinners to repentance, its time to boldly call the church to repentance.
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