“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“I don’t think Christians realize the battlefield that is inside of them. The Flesh waging war against the spirit. It is an internal battle. Romans 8:7-8. “Because the carnal (flesh) mind is enmity (hatred) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” It is in rebellion against God, and will not submit! It is ant-God. It wants it’s own way and does not want to follow God. And wants to be it’s own Master! And especially does not want to bow before the Lord and will not obey! This is why those living in the flesh do not please God. There is only one solution! Our flesh must be taken to the cross and nailed there door nail dead! It cannot be redeemed! And will fight because it does not want to die. Then it becomes a matter of your will being engaged to say no!! I had someone say to me recently ‘you are doing better than me spiritually.’ I responded, ‘what you see is more of Jesus because my flesh is dying!’ And I am living more out of the Spirit of Christ! Jesus is molding me more and more into His image. Hallelujah! It’s really all a matter of who you love more. Jesus or self!” Karen Cochran
Are you surrounding yourself with the Word, prayer, praise, fellowship, and all things Christ and His body?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Unless you were brought up in a truly Christian home where your parents protected you from the world’s filth and filled you with God’s Word, then like myself, you were defiled incalculably. So, hence the need for the transforming of the mind, motives, and mouth.
“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. … 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:21-25, 29
Notice the order of priority, how God changes the person, his disposition, including the mind, and then the mouth.
The only way to “gird up the loins of your mind” is to get into and remain into God’s Word daily, diligently. Nothing else is going to assure the protection of anyone. Jesus taught that this is how His people are “sanctified” (John 17:17).
Over the years, observing my own life and lives of at least hundreds of other believers I’ve personally known, it seems obvious that most of us live in crisis mode instead of being grounded in the fellowship of the LORD through His Word, in a life of perpetual prayer.
Read and pore prayerfully over Psalms 1 and 92.
Crisis Management Mode vs Perpetually Dwelling in His Word
Momentum, a perpetual, ongoing blessing, “a continual feast” when our hearts are made merry by the LORD. And, that happens when our hearts and minds are full, are kept full of His blessed Word.
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Continually seeking the LORD guarantees that you remain full of His strength, His joy, His divine peace.
Running to the LORD continually is essential. Instead of praying and the reading of God’s Word being simply a crisis management reaction, why not make it our meat, our lifestyle – that which we do daily, diligently, and fervently?
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
If you are going to be established in divine peace, if you are going to be “safe” you must run to and remain grounded at the feet of Christ!
“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33
Two Glorious Promises Here
Those who hearken to the LORD:
“shall dwell safely, and …”
“shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Get filled, stay full, keep your lamp overflowing (Matthew 25:1-13).
Key to a transformed mind – without exception flood your being daily with God’s Word, His praise, and giving of thanks to Him who alone is worthy of all your praise, beloved! See Hebrews 13:15.
In this fallen world there is a great famine, a lack of the words of God…. Therefore we rejoice at His Word greatly.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11
Make the quality decision to put God’s Word first in your life. Drive this stake in the ground! Declare with the psalmist:
“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Psalms 119:162
You must become deliberate in your bombardment!
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
For God to possess the land of your heart and mind, you must “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
You are in a war and if you don’t fight, you WILL lose.
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
When you begin to commit to serving God on His stated terms and making no excuse, the victory of Christ will begin overtaking your life!
The battle rages for the thought field of the mind. Which shall you allow to prevail – evil or godly thoughts? Who shall possess the seat of control? It is clear that the thoughts that reign shall control that vessel and this is why the mind, the control of thoughts is the battlefield to be won.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
The world, those captive to sin and Satan, can only revel in their band aids, their futile coping mechanisms, …. prescription drugs, “bipolar” and “recovery” and “depression” psychobabble symptoms because they are hopelessly stuck, entrenched in the mud of it – and completely defeated. The best they can grapple with and hope for is to mask or to band aid the symptoms. This is why so many books are sold which concern the battlefield of the mind, the thought life – because none of those things work, especially not on a long term basis. It’s a real issue for every human being and yet there is only one solution.
“And you hath he quickened, 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.” Ephesians 2:1-3
Even the Christian can still walk in the flesh, succumbing to the unrelenting bombardment of evil …
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Obeying the cross command of Christ is the only victory to be had over the fleshly mind. As we are submitted to Christ in the cross – dead and buried with Him – He is raising us upward – out of the miry clay and entanglement of evil thoughts.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:5-11
The Cross and the Inner Man
The cross nullifies the evil within us (Romans 6:7; 1 Peter 4:1, etc.). Jesus conquered sin and death by dying and ordained that we victoriously overcome them by dying “with Him” – “I am crucified WITH Christ” Paul declared (Galatians 2:20). The phrase “with him” appears 5 times in Romans 6, a prominent New Testament cross chapter. Here’s a taste:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:4-7
News Flash: The cross is at the center of the original Gospel. Are you learning it beloved? Read Luke 9:23-24.
Satan, the “god of this world,” and his human agents brainstorm, they storm the brains of all men and only those who lay down their lives in this fleeting world will overcome (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:11, etc.). Only those who truly follow Jesus, who follow His cross prescription (Luke 9:23-24), who deny self, take up the cross daily, and follow Him, will have victory over the forces of evil (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
Flooding Your Mind
Input from a Brother in Christ:
“Just finished studying and giving my Lord time before I start my day but can’t get enough of his word and his blueprint for my life. Love ya Brother.” David Reeves
Those not in Christ, truly, are under the control of the enemy of all souls who has come to steal from them, to kill them, and to destroy them! (See John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8.) The witness of Christ’s people is His washing away of all their sins and the love, joy, and peace of Jesus they are full of and walk in!!!! THERE IS 100% forgiveness of all confessed sin and victory in Jesus – only in Jesus!
The “little flock,” that is, Christ’s remnant, feed on God’s Word daily. Their lamps are full (Luke 12:32; Matthew 25:1-13). All others whom Christ saved in the past, are like the foolish virgins whom the Bridegroom will shut out of His eternal kingdom. Is your lamp full?…. Hint: If you have to go to man, go to “church” to get “fed,” that’s clear evidence that you are not personally seeking the LORD which would include at the top of the list, the daily study of His Word (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2; Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12, etc.).
The only One who can say “Peace be still” and stifle all fear and iniquity from our hearts and minds, is Jesus (Mark 4:39). And, He stifles and stills those raging waves of depravity and anguish as we are submitted to Him in the cross.
Evil emanating from your uncircumcised heart is the root of all your sin and the resulting problems in your life.
The Cross is the Only Solution to Evil Thoughts!
Notice the cross in verse 1 below and how it’s the key to the new life we’ve been brought into in Christ – and conquering by dying to the things that in our previous life of sin controlled and destroyed us.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” 1 Peter 4:1-3
One brother states the following of the above passage and the essential of the cross:
“Verse 1 is the same principle as Rom 6:7 He who is dead is freed from sin. He who suffereth in the flesh hath ceased from sin. Suffering is absolutely equated with death circumstances in the New Testament.
The ONLY WAY sin can be overcome is by faithfully dying. It cannot be overcome by trying or doing. We can’t initiate it either. The world ruled by Satan (2 Cor 4:4-6 brings it, the cross, to us as was case with Jesus and Job. Our only part is to faith thru it. Once resurrection comes in we cannot not love, serve, give endure bless. Sin is still in us but it can no longer dominate. Rom 6:14. So we must reckon on, count our death with Him to be true and realize it deep within us again and again by faith.
Without the applied cross, daily, it is futility to attempt to control the evil emanating from our depraved hearts. After the fall of man, the iniquitous nature of men’s hearts is irreparable. It is when the cross, the crucifixion gets down into our hearts that the solution of Christ, the resurrection grace of Christ, takes over and victory ensues.”
I have personally experienced this truth. There is NO overcoming of sin by anyone who is not full of and being empowered by the Holy Spirit – which comes by way of the resurrection grace of Christ exclusively in the lives of those who are truly dead, dying, and buried with Christ (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). To abide in Christ, to walk victoriously over that which displeases God, sin, one must be:
1. Born again, and
2. Denying self, taking up the cross daily, and following Jesus.
This is the order and truth we see in Romans 8:1…. Which is just one of a myriad of reasons we know that it was Satan who had the second half of this verse removed in his corrupted new “bibles”.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
There are 2 conditions to remaining in God’s saving grace here:
Must be “in Christ” which happens at initial salvation, and
Must be living in the Spirit by the cross life and not the flesh
Mind Game$ and Merchandising
There are a lot of people making a lot of money talking about our thought life, the battlefield of our minds, etc., while never mentioning the victory Christ alone can grant and He does so exclusively through THE CROSS! The crucified servant of the LORD has within him the grace, the divine enablement to overcome those iniquitous thoughts that once ruled him! Those evil thoughts emanate from the heart and so when the crucifixion reaches down deep, that iniquitous bent is reduced, deflated, brought to naught! (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:5; Romans 6-8; Galatians 2:20; 5:24, etc.).
There are no shortcuts to the cross – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)
The daily cross – crucified life – is the divine power generator for overcoming all sin and all of Satan’s wiles, schemes! And it all begins with fresh repentance which Jesus delights to hear! (Read 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; James 4:7.)
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
Those who trust in man, in self, instead of the Savior, bring a curse upon themselves instead of God’s blessings. Those who trust in self instead of the Savior “departeth from the LORD.”
DOES anyone, ever get away with evil? No. Never. Not one. Not once. The Almighty sees it all. – “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Notice as we revisit this central passage how that it’s only when we present our bodies a living sacrifice (the cross) that we are blessed to “not(be)conformed to this world: but” rather “transformed by the renewing of your mind” and blessed to “prove(demonstrate)what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Verse 1 is the cross – the death and burial – and verse 2 is the resurrection victory.
One writer notes:
“As the storms of life sweep across the battlefield of our minds, the only victory over the enemy is found in the cross. Victory is paradoxically found in weakness rather than in human strength. This is folly to the fleshly mind. We must present our bodies to the LORD as a living sacrifice. In this way we present to God our service or worship. As sheep we die all day long and therefore conquer the enemy. Rom 8:36-37. Presenting yourselves to the enemy is presenting yourself to God. Jesus presented Himself to Satan and his earthly minions at Calvary. This was His paradoxical presentation of His body to His Father. See Jeremiah 21. The way of life (to be saved by God) is not to hold up in the fort but to walk out and “fall” (present yourself) to the enemy. God takes the activities of the enemy and co-opts them for good, saving many people alive (gives them Life). Gen 50:20; Rom 8:28.”
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” 1 Timothy 6:12
“FIGHT” is a divine command. Fighting God’s way assures victory!
Cross Storm
Like a paratrooper dropped behind enemy lines, John the Baptist was sent as the heavenly emissary to set off the battle of the ages – for the souls of men! He announced the Messiah – who had come to conquer death, hell, and the grave by dying! (Read Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews 2:14-15.)
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 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.” Revelation 12:7-12
FB Meyer on Revelation 12:7-12
“SATAN CAST DOWN FROM HEAVEN
“The spirit of evil waits to destroy each birth of good in our world. As soon as Mary had given birth to our Lord, Herod sought to destroy Him, and this is characteristic of all the ages. But God’s care is always at hand to deliver His own. He has His prepared places, where He hides those who trust in Him. He keeps them in the secret of His pavilion from the strife of men.
“Sin has brought conflict, not on our earth only, but throughout the universe; but from the heavenly places it has been driven, and the last stand is made on our earth. Is it not possible that the awful war which has desolated mankind may be one of the last phases of this age-long conflict? There is but one talisman of victory. We overcome only in so far as we take shelter in the blood of the Lamb and wield as our weapon the Word of God. As darkness cannot resist the light, so evil cannot exist before the witness of the Church and the child of God, if only we care more for the honor and glory of Christ than for our own lives. To the end there must be war between the seed of the woman and the dragon, and there must be bruising. But the final outcome is sure. As Satan was cast out of heaven, so he shall be cast out of earth, and Christ shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.”
The storm of the cross, the downward dying and reciprocal divine resurrection life (Heaven’s uprising against evil) overcomes all, including the bombardment of evil thoughts!
Storming the mind, the battlefield of our thought-life with the cross, is the only victory over the iniquities that rage from within…..
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
The kingdom of Heaven invaded Satan’s domain when John the Baptist hit the earth! He was Jesus’ first cousin, the prophesied, the ordained messenger to prepare the way of the Messiah. All hell began to be unleashed in an unprecedented fashion at his divine introduction of the Messiah and announcement to all men to “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew 3:1-3
When men repent and trust Christ, they are freed from the enemy, hence the battle that rages against the Word and the righteous!
Like it or not – YOU are under attack and will either fight God’s way or lose.
As was the case with Judas when he chose to sin, the devil jumped in on the wings of it and participated. “Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). See also 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
The Spiritual State of Fallen Mankind
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. … And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:5, 12
Out of the uncircumcised heart emanates evil thoughts (Galatians 5:19-21).
Do you have more faith in sin than you do in the saving grace of Christ to give you the victory over it? That is a perverted faith! Flip your faith! Repent and renew your mind, asking God to forgive you afresh and thanking Him aloud for His all-sufficient grace He provided through Christ’s perfect sacrifice on that cross! (See Romans 6:14).
Are you indicting God by saying His grace, His divine enablement is NOT sufficient for His perfect will to be manifested in your life?
God will Raise you up – when you lay it all down!
The Importance of a Clean Heart: The Only Solution to Evil Thoughts!
Keeping a clean heart?
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
Memory verse here:
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Father, we ask You to grant Your children pure hearts, in the name of Jesus.
Cleansing, a clean heart requires true repentance and a constant flow of the water of His Word in your life, heart and mind. How often do you wash your body? Daily right? How about your heart? How often do you ask and seek the LORD for a clean heart? Jesus taught us that after being born again, receiving “the washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5-6), we must receive regular washings:
“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:10
Constant examination:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
This disciple can know he’s wayward, in need of fresh washing when the words of his mouth or the inclination to speak unwholesome things persist. Jesus told us exactly where corrupt communication proceeds.
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34
The root always determines the fruit (Romans 11:16).
“Heart” in Hebrew means “source.”
Keeping a clean heart – a heart freshly cleansed by …..
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:5-2:2
Prayerfully poring over passages like Psalm 51, David’s repentance prayer, is of great value to the sojourning saints of Christ in this late hour.
Prayer: Father, please break me to the core of my being! Break us that You might make us whole in Your holy image. I have no hope without You dear LORD Jesus and can do nothing without You! Please do a deep work in me Jesus! Break me, wound me, and make me whole my LORD! Grant this heart to be an heart of flesh. You are the Potter and I am so thankful that You created me, You found me, You saved me into Your eternal kingdom. I am Your clay. I love You Jesus. So be it in Jesus’ Name!
“Man what a great podcast – Daily Bread. I agree with you based off Scripture 100%.” Will | Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread QUESTION ASKED: “Please provide scripture to support your statement that ‘if you aren’t in the word daily you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus’?” I am a follower of Christ and have extensively studied the Word. Please provide specific scripture that says if you don’t read the Bible every day you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus.” REPLY: The word “daily” appears 7 times in the Gospels directly spoken by or speaking of […]
Resurrection Grace [podcast]
NOTHING – NO MAN, NO DEVIL CAN STOP THIS! Just as no man, no devil could possibly stop the resurrection of Christ, no entity or army can stop the resurrection life of Christ in His saints, as they submit to their own death and burial. Resurrection follows! “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 […]
Ever Learning, and Never Able to Come to the knowledge of the truth [podcast]
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3 If relationship isn’t our goal, all we we have is religion. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10 First there’s the knowledge of what the Word says but you have to be in continuous learning. Then, the manifestation of it, the performance of it in our lives. Knowing God’s Word and obeying aren’t automatic, aren’t necessarily found together […]
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR FALSE TEACHERS? The Answer May Surprise You.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR OR DOES IT MANDATE THAT WE EXPOSE FALSE TEACHERS?
No, it’s not a sin to pray for the deceived. Yet, isn’t it time we obeying the command of God and stopped giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the LORD and cease caring for them more than the many they are deceiving?
A DIVINE COMMAND: “Now I beseech you, brethren, MARK THEM which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Wolf worshippers are first and foremost self-worshipping counterfeits who could care less how many souls their celebrity wolf is leading to hell. All they care about is the sensual thrill they feel in worshipping their demon-possessed false prophet who tells them what they like to hear!
NEVER apologize for exposing false teachings and false teachers. You do such in obedience to the LORD and it results in the protection of the Great Shepherd’s sheep for whom He died (Matthew 10; Hebrews 13:20).
Did Jesus or His apostles ever pray for a wolf? No.
To the false leaders of his day, Jesus says this:
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers (snakes), how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33
Do nothing to “bid God speed” to the enemies of the LORD lest you be judged with those enemies of God (2 John 10-11). Bidding God speed means to condone, to support, or in any way to further the cause of the enemies of God, namely human agents who are teaching contrary to the Scripture.
So he’s not calling out the wolves and you still sit under that devil? You want to go to hell with him? (2 John 10-11) Repent and run now! (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3, etc.)
Of the false teachers at Galatia, Paul says he wishes they, the false prophets, were “cut off.” Make not mistake, this is violent language.
“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” Galatians 5:12
To “cut off” means to castrate, to mutilate, to amputate and so Paul is either saying that his God fearing desire is for false teachers to be castrated or taken out completely. There’s no getting around this appropriately violent language. It’s fitting for this situation because the eternal souls of men, the sheep of Christ’s pasture are at stake.
Many self-deceived people today have more compassion for Satan’s hell bound false leaders than they do for the beloved sheep who are being being misled by those wolves in sheep’s clothing! Repent now.
Beware of misplaced compassion. Compassion without discernment, compassion while ignorant, is dangerous.
The the false prophet Elymas, the apostle says:
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10
Can anyone find in this Acts 13 text where Christ’s apostle Paul pray for this Elymas, this named false prophet? I’m sorry, perhaps I missed something here.
There seems to be no end to the novices, perhaps well meaning, who argue out of their own ignorance to defend wolves who are devouring Jesus’ sheep. They come off as if they are highly superior in approaching, dealing with wolves with “love” and accuse those who expose as not doing so. Let’s take a look at who’s walking in true love, and who isn’t.
“Open rebuke is better than secret (hidden, concealed) love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6
Hebrew word for “secret” …..
סָתַר
sâthar
saw-thar’
A primitive root; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively: – be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, X surely.
As you will see below, it seems accurate to observe that we’ve never seen “love” like the love of prey for the wolf that’s tickled their ears and told them what their unrepentant hearts wish to hear (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Most wolf protecting enemies of Christ simply don’t know and don’t want to know what God says about this topic. They are under the control of Satan himself, covering for his agents and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). God doesn’t like cowards (1 Corinthians 16:13; Revelation 21:8). The “fearful” are the first class listed as going to the lake of fire.
Those who defend Jesus’ enemy’s will be judged, damned with them (2 Pet 2:1-3; 2 Jn 10-11).
TYPICAL DEFENSE OF A WOLF BY HIS PREY:
“But wait, he’s led many thousands to the Lord!”
REPLY:
Jesus saves all by Himself, even using wolves at times. That is a front, intentionally taught to you by the wolf to cover, to keep himself from being detected, like sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). After witnessing the “ministry” of this false teacher for years, I highly doubt most of those people truly were saved. He doesn’t even speak of the chasm their sin has caused so how can they truly be convicted and repent? They can’t in most cases. Luke 13:3…. If God truly did save some of them, it was in spite of White, not because of him.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I do applaud your zeal for truth! I personally just think it is wise exercising prudence about knowing the hearts of men or women, only God knows. He will separate the wheat from the chaff.”
REPLY:
Jesus commanded us to “KNOW (Gr. discern) by their fruits” and told us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 15-16, 20; 12:34) ALL men are known by the fruit of what they teach – either sound or false doctrine (Titus 2:1). Why would the Son of God told us to “KNOW” people by the fruit of their lives if He didn’t want us to discern, to “Judge righteous judgment”? (John 7:24)
God knows all men’s hearts yes and yet GOD commanded us to know people also. How? Jesus says to “know (discern) them BY THEIR FRUITS” and thereby we know that anyone teaching “another gospel” is “accursed” and is the very enemy of Christ and to be “earnestly” contended against and marked, scoped out and identified – so as to protect the body of Christ (Matthew 7:16, 20; Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).
HOW DID JESUS tell us to know/discern others? The FRUIT of their lives (Matt 7:16,20) THE FACT that JESUS told us to “know” (discern) people means He wants us to do so! (Matt 7:16,20) Same chapter as “judge not” v1-5 When Jesus taught us to “judge not” He is speaking in that context of hypocritical judgment and wrongly assigned condemnation. The JUDGE has spoken in a book called THE BIBLE. He’s calling us to pay attention when we read it. His written WORD records for us HIS judgments – the judgments of the Judge. So when a man preaches the Word, he is preaching GOD’s judgments, warnings, and not his own.
MESSAGE TO ME FROM A MAN ATTEMPTING TO CURTAIL THE MARKING OF A KNOWN WOLF:
“Dear Lord Jesus Please show Todd White your Holy Truth. May Todd White find peace and assurance in your wisdom and may he become a light upon a hill guiding others to Christ. Help him to leave behind his old self and ignite in him a desire to unashamedly make known Your Truth and disown and depart from the untruths he has held onto. In Jesus Mighty name we ask, Amen. Matthew chapter 5 verse 44’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
REPLY:
Can you give chapters and verses where Jesus or His holy apostles specifically prayed for a wolf? Ever read Matthew 23?
Interesting that you seem to hate all those precious many souls Todd White is misleading. Interesting. Why don’t all those precious souls matter to you? If you aren’t defending Todd White, why do you seem to care more for him than those many people he’s misleading?
How intense was Jesus’ apostle Paul about protecting Christ’s flock?
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:27-31
In Matthew 5:38-45 Christ is speaking of not retaliating against OUR enemies. Jesus is speaking of how we are to react to OUR ENEMIES, not HIS enemies in Matt 5:44. HIS enemies in specific are those who are misleading HIS people, the sheep for which HE bled to save on that cross. You are misguided and taking Scripture out of context. What did He mandate that His disciple do?
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
GOD TOLD YOU TO “MARK THEM” – WOLVES – AND NOT DEFEND THEM! (ROMANS 16:17-18) YOU GOING TO OBEY GOD OR REBEL?
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Todd White is being marked, scoped out (Gr. skopeo) and named, identified as an enemy of Christ, a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15) so His people can be aware and escape being deceived…. no different than warning your children not to go near the street. Danger.
MESSAGE FROM WOLF JUSTIFIER:
“I believe we can still learn from (false) preachers and pastors biblical teaching, but we must test the spirits. Bring what is taught back to the word. Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon all preachers. Even today’s motivational speakers. I use what the Holy Spirit blessed me with, discernment, knowledge, wisdom.”
REPLY:
Good morning. Yes and yet, the LORD mandates that we separate ourselves from His enemies who pose as His ministers yet Paul says they are actually the ministers of Satan (2 Cor 11:12-15). Jude 3; Rom 16:17-18 …. we know all men, beginning with ourselves by the fruit…. false doctrine is bad fruit which means the root and tree is cursed. Matt 7:15-21; 12:33
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon are all calvinist heretics. Everything they say, teach is poisoned with this calvinistic system, a doctrine of devils.
The Holy Spirit blessed you with the Word and so why do you need to even listen to known false teachers? Why would you? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.)
How would you feel if your own husband communed with a sworn enemy of yours? How does Jesus feel by what you’ve just said?
SETTING THE BIBLICAL RECORD STRAIGHT
Jesus commanded HIS people to “JUDGE righteous judgment” (John 7:24) And, He commanded us to know/discern others “BY THEIR FRUITS” and that’s exactly what we’re doing under the command of KING JESUS (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dare you interfere with HIS work and become His enemy? You are bidding Godspeed to evil doers, satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will be judged with those enemies of Christ if you don’t repent (2 John 10-11).
Jesus and each of His apostles on record in the New Testament canon warned the flock of wolves who would devour! There is no instance where they prayed for an enemy of Christ, a wolf who was misleading the flock of God.
Here is the list of the 8 evil doers the great apostle was divinely inspired to justifiably identify by name in 2 Timothy – in order to protect God’s people:
1) Phygellus 1:15
2) Hermogenes 1:15
3) Hymenaeus 2:17
4) Philetus 2:17
5) Jannes 3:8
6) Jambres 3:8
7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14
Read the book of 2 Timothy and underline these deceivers that the apostle was marking.
How to Pray Effectively for Your Friends and Family! [podcast]
Someone has wisely stated that “We are never more like Jesus than when we are praying for others.” Which of God’s people are on your prayer list? No greater way to serve another than to lift them up to the Father in the name of Jesus! “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5 […]
"Warn them from Me": The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God's People [podcast]
The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast] Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in […]
SATAN'S SEMINARIANS [podcast]
Seminaries are the Invention of Satan WHEN Jesus declared “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16), …. was Jesus speaking here of men who “earned” and paid big money for a degree, a piece of paper from a “higher learning” institution of mere men? No. Read John 15:1-16 and you will see that Jesus alone can choose, call, prepare, and ordain a […]
Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]
Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.1—Dallas Willard
Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.
When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)
When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.
But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.
Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)
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. (Philippians 3:9)
It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:
Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?2
Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?
One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.
Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.
Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”3 in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).
Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.
Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”4 and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”5 In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”6 Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”7 As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.
Roger Oakland sums it up:
The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .
We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.8
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10
What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).
For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)
This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).
2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).
3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).
4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Ibid., p. 55.
7. Ibid.
8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.
This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines by Bob DeWaayPractices called “spiritual disciplines” that are deemed necessary for “spiritual formation” have entered evangelicalism. Recent encounters with this teaching narrated to me by friends caused me to investigate these practices. The first experience involved my friend and co-worker Ryan Habbena who went back to seminary to finish his masters degree. Here is his experience in his own words: I recently took a seminary course on the book of Luke. It was a summer intensive and was one of only […]
SHOCKING List of Spiritual Formation Ministries
More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “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; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
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