Strength Through Weakness

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Divine Grace and Power in Weakness

“Yes! I grew up believing it was better to be tough and strong. I hated weakness. Then Jesus got a hold of me! I now know that is a lie from hell. God has shown me you have to first be broken and weak. That is where you find Jesus in your weaknesses! When you can no longer do it and realize how much you really need Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:10. When I am weak, then I am strong.” Karen Cochran

Coming to the revelation that in and of ourselves, even in our very “best state” we are “altogether vanity,” is a starting point for becoming “poor in spirit” (Psalms 39:4-5; Matthew 5:3). The only righteousness we have has been freely given to us – undeserving paupers worthy only of judgment for our sin.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

When we begin to come to this understanding, we will begin to cease attempting to earn God’s love or vainly imagine that we in any manner merited His gift of salvation.

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

Saving and sanctifying grace (divine enablement/empowerment) must be understood as the working of the LORD in each of His beloved people – influencing their hearts as He alone can do, causing them to overcome and to please Him in all things as they abide in oneness with Him (John 15).

Remember always from whence ye came and where you will go back to if you are not living in the Spirit via the daily cross (1 Corinthians 9:27).

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He (the LORD, not ourselves) brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Psalms 40:1-4

We cannot possibly begin to realize just how much of a blessing it is that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” if we don’t begin to realize from where it was that He has brought us as we are and are being saved (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:10). We read and know these blessed words found in John 3:16, but do we really begin to understand the reason God sent His only begotten Son for us? Get ready for your appreciation for Christ to begin to grow!

“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” Isaiah 51:1

WHEN we become “weak” in self, that’s when He becomes “strong” in us and on our behalf (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). It seems apparent that the LORD ordains these times of bringing us low, so that He can bring us to realize in a greater sense and depth, just how much He loves us and is with us and that He is guiding, upholding, and undertaking our lives! Aren’t these the times when we truly cry out to Him, draw nigh to Him, and know that closeness, that oneness? We really are His (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It was when the great apostle of our LORD Jesus suffered much with that “thorn in the flesh,” that he was brought to this place of weakness and the consequent sufficiency of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Can we possibly begin to realize the true score of things if we don’t first humble ourselves in the LORD’s holy presence – becoming “weak”? Is it not then that He becomes “strong” on our behalf?

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Beginning to understand what Paul called the “unspeakable gift” of Christ who is our Salvation, requires the knowledge of our own depravity (2 Corinthians 9:5).

To the degree that we are receiving the revelation of CHRIST’s righteousness, is the degree that we lose self-righteousness (Romans 3-8). Understanding your own utter depravity is never a license to sin but rather the starting point to be able to truly cherish Christ and what He did for us.

The LORD Jesus Christ taught us that the man who humbly prayed “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner” was heard while the “natural ability” of the other self-righteous religionist and his foolish, pride-filled prayer was utterly rejected (Luke 18:10-14). The self-righteous man in this illustration represents so many today who somehow believe they are accepted of God on some other basis or a shared basis with Christ Jesus’ perfection.

Mankind has NO righteousness of his own in and of himself – before and AFTER Christ saves that person. – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

Daniel and all who ever pleased God did so by trusting HIS righteousness! Listen to Daniel’s prayer and declaration:

“O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” Daniel 9:18-19

Beloved, beware of any and all false teaching which would dare lead you to believe that you have ANY righteousness whatsoever outside of Christ Himself who said “without me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5)

David, the man after God’s own heart, prayed to the LORD to show him his own end (finite-ness, mortality, limitations) and for God to show him just how “frail” or weak he is.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5

MANY today are puffed up as they have gullibly bought into a self-righteous, Luciferic theology they borrowed from Charles Finney which teaches that man has his own “natural ability” to please God and can overcome all sin all by himself, even before the LORD saves him. Finney taught that man was neutral and had no sin nature. In other words, he taught that the all of man, who was previously created in a perfect state, had no effect on human nature thereafter (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:22, etc.). Those who teach such a diabolical heresy shun, twist, and ignore volumes of Holy Scripture including the curses pronounced upon then newly fallen mankind in Genesis 3. So, basically, this teaching that man has the “natural ability” to stop all sin and to obey God WITHOUT CHRIST would have to mean that Christ came in vain which makes this self-centered theology antichrist. That’s one way “the spirit of antichrist” denies that Jesus came in the flesh and perfectly paid for man’s sin debt as ONLY He could do (1 John 2:1-2; 4:1-6). To the utter contrary, the great apostle of Jesus taught that attitudes of self-righteousness and self-dependence are directly connected to the old law by which no man can be saved. We also notice in this passage that Paul remained perpetually in the fear of the LORD, fearing that it was possible for him to fall away from Christ.

Yes, God gives saved men the ability to overcome all sin and has made full provision for such and also, if he chooses to sin, the child of God can choose to repent and confess that sin and be cleansed (1 John 1:6-22, etc.).

It’s clear that when a man sins, he does so out of his own volition and he alone is to blame (James 1:13-15). When a man sins, he does so in the face of God’s promise to give that man the power to overcome – to choose to do what is right and pleasing in His holy eyes (1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Romans 6:14). There’s no argument there. Yet, the fact that “all (men) have sinned” and therefore have that sinful inclination to sin seems undeniable by the whole counsel of God’s Word.

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;’ Philippians 3:9-10

Did you notice how the apostle Paul contrasted “mine own righteousness” with “the righteousness which is OF GOD by faith”? It’s one or the other. WHO are you trusting to save you?

“The more we know Christ the more we are aware we NEED Him!” Anita Villarreal

Being “poor in spirit” is the diametrical opposite of being puffed up trusting in a supposed, feigned “natural ability” which does nothing but foster that which God despises – pride and self-righteousness! (Read James 4:6-10.) The disciple must become completely and totally dependent upon Christ and His saving grace on a momentary basis. This truth of the inherent sin nature of all men, which includes each of us, makes me so aware of my utter need for Christ’s saving mercy and overcoming grace moment to moment and the need for me to get down low and stay down low and to keep going down, down, down – sinking down deep into the death of Christ! Read: Romans 6; Matthew 16:24-25; John 12:23-25; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5; Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 37:31, etc. Laying aside self as our LORD instructed, causes us to trust Him and to push away all self-dependence and self-righteousness.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

The LORD Jesus commanded each and every person who would truly follow Him to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily” and to “lose his life for my sake” (Luke 9:23-24). The daily cross is the essential prerequisite to a “poor in spirit” disposition.

“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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Denying self is the opposite of “natural ability” which is nothing but Christ-denying self-dependence.

The Greek words for “poor in spirit” are defined as: to crouch (in utter humility), a beggar (as cringing), a pauper – as in a state of begging, and denotes a mental disposition.

The divine prescription for being possessed with HIS victory requires that we agree with His statement against fallen, sinful humanity and trust fully in the redemption He wrought through Christ alone! Denying our own tendency toward that which displeases God (sin, iniquity) negates the biblical doctrine of our initial saving and moment to moment (perpetual) need for the saving mercy and grace of Christ. The daily cross and divine grace in overcoming is God’s answer, not denying our own sinful state. No, we don’t deny it but rather we simply lay down our lives and allow the LORD Jesus to raise us up in His bless-ed power into the full victory He has ordained. Read Romans 6-8 as a whole.

It’s only when we surrender and admit our own weakness that His strength is made perfect in us.

“Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:5-10

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You in the perfect name and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. Here and now I confess my sins of self-righteousness, self-will, self-agenda, spiritual adultery, having other gods before You, and the sin of idolatry. Please break me dear LORD. Make me weak that You alone might be strong in this vessel. Please multiply Your heart-influencing, enabling grace in the lives of Your beloved people. We are weak but Thou art strong. I love You Jesus. Have Your way in this life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read these to gain a much deeper revelation on this important subject:

Charles Finney: False Teacher | No Inherent Sin Nature? | Stop Sinning? Really? | Sin: Man’s Core Problem

Wondering How God Views You in Your Weakness?

THE BOOK OF 1 PETER NARRATED [PODCAST]

The More Blessed Life [podcast]

Blessed is He that Watcheth [podcast]

Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

“If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

7 Questions on Justification [podcast]

7 Questions on Justification How is fallen mankind made righteous, justified in the eyes of a holy God? (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16) What law makes New Testament believers “free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2) What could the law not do? (Romans 8:3-4) What is fulfilled in the life of the born again, Spirit-led New Testament follower of Christ? (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4) How does the Law apply to saints? How does it apply to sinners? (1 Timothy 1:9-11) Can anyone be justified by the works of the law, by law-keeping? Become intimately familiar with Galatians 2:4-5, 16; […]

Dispensationalism Exposed and Destroyed [podcast]

Beware of theological systems. Get and remain organic in your study of God’s Word. Allow no mere man to think, to reason for you! Beware of the dispensational heretics. It’s a cult system full of lies including the “eternal security” fairytale which is espoused by moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their lives in this sinful world, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus in the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Dispensational heretics claim that only Paul’s writings are important for New Testament saints. They say that Paul’s writing are written TO New Testament saints […]

Articles

Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it SHALL accomplish that which I please, and it SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 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: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

“read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
“gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“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; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God's Amazing Love [podcast]

SO, we prayed for God to use us today right? …. He’s hearing our prayer. So, in the gym this morning, a lady near me was struggling to get a large plate on each side of the barbell. So, I began to help her and she said “No Ingles” which means she does not speak English. So, I affirmed that she speaks Spanish and I began to speak God’s Word to her in her language. Her face lit up and she thanked me. God is good! Jesus says “The seed is the word of God” and His people are planting […]

Preach the Word [podcast]

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 The man who is truly faithful to God will search out, diligently study, devour, and learn the words of God and be used of Him to communicate them to others. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8 They read the Word itself. They gave the sense to help the people understand it. Phillip was able to give the […]

The Seed of Salvation [podcast]

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 When we follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men: “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) We must forsake the nets, the world’s ways in following Him. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, please […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

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Apostasy

“Simple Concerning Evil” [podcast]

Holy Scripture uses the phrase “simple concerning evil.”

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

“But I would have you – Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good – As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil – As ignorant of this as possible.” John Wesley

Concerning Romans 16:19 Donald Stamps writes:

“God wants believers to be innocent (Gk. akeraios) in what is evil; this word means ‘unmixed’ or ‘pure,’ i.e., innocent like a child whose mind has not yet been exposed to evil or mixed with the values of the world (cf.1 Cor. 14:20). (1) This biblical principle is in direct opposition to the idea advocated by some that children of Christians should be exposed to sin, immorality, ungodliness, and the things of Satan in order to learn to confront temptation. Some suggest that children need not be guarded from ungodliness. However, according to biblical revelation, the philosophy is not only against God’s will for the believer, but also represents Satan’s own desire that everyone be exposed to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5). (2) Knowledge of evil, along with continual exposure to Satan’s ways, will lead many from the path of faith and obedience. Lot found this out to his deep sorrow, losing his entire family for this reason (Gen. 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Scripture warns that ‘evil communications’ (i.e., company) corrupt good manners (1 Cor. 15:33), and that ‘Jesus Christ … gave himself … that he might deliver us from this present evil world’ (Gal. 1:3-4). Those who advocate exposing innocent children to an ungodly environment and/or influence are in danger of violating Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. (3) Believers should do all within their means and power to guard their children from being exposed to the deceitfulness and sin and the perverseness of this generation. To refuse to protect our children in this respect disregards the Holy Spirit’s desire that they be innocent and babes regarding what is evil.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1959

Spoil the innocence of a child or others and God will spoil, bring ruin to you.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 1 Corinthians 14:20

Concerning the fact and principle of offering children to Satan on the altar of Moloch, one source notes the following:

“Based on historical and biblical accounts, child sacrifice to Moloch was a Canaanite and Phoenician ritual, often described as offering children to a deity in a “tophet” (place of burning). Scholars interpret this act as a desperate attempt to appease a god associated with the underworld or to ensure divine favor in exchange for the ultimate sacrifice.

Why Children Were Offered to Moloch:

Appeasement of a Deity: Moloch (or Mlk) is identified by some scholars as an underworld deity or a Phoenician god linked to the underworld, requiring the ultimate sacrifice to ensure favor or safety.”

“Lot … Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom”

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:12-13

Of the act of Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom, the late Donald Stamps wrote:

“PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM. Lot’s great failure was that he loved personal gain more than he hated the wickedness of Sodom (v10-13). (1) If he had loved righteousness sufficiently (see Heb. 1:9), it would have caused him to remain separate from the wicked ways of sinful people. Instead he tolerated evil and chose to live in wicked Sodom (v13). Perhaps he reasoned that the material advantages, culture, and pleasures of Sodom outweighed the dangers, and that he was strong enough to remain faithful to God. Thus, he exposed himself and his family to the immorality, and ungodliness of Sodom, only to learn the bitter lesson that his family was not strong enough to resist its evil influences (Gen. 19:24-26; 30-38). (2) Parents must be careful not to place themselves or their children in a “Sodom,” lest they come to spiritual ruin as did the family of Lot.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 27

“Although Lot was distressed by the filthy deeds he saw and heard (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he still was willing to tolerate the wickeness of Sodom for social and material advantages (13:12 note). This compromise brought tragedy to his family (v24). Likewise, believers today who expose their families to ungodly environments and evil influences for social or material gain are setting themselves up for family tragedies.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 34

Gentlemen, if we lust for the things of this world, it will cause us to sacrifice God’s truth on the altar of our greed and cause needless destruction in our families.

Ephesians 5:1-17

“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 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.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 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.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19

“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.” 1 John 2:15

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Key to a pure, innocent heart…. is that the LORD Almighty is truly first in our lives, that we are truly one with Him—just as Jesus prayed in John 17. The futile god of self must be denounced, as well as the sin of spiritual adultery and idolatry.

“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

PRAYER: “LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Marlene Austin

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