
The Only Solution to the Battlefield of the Mind [podcast]
“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
Perpetual Blessings require perpetual fellowship…..
“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!



Abiding
Jesus will Judge Us by Our Works

By Glenn and Dezi Langohr
JESUS — JUDGED BY WORKS
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied…? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21–23
Our works clearly reveal what is in our hearts! Fruit.
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27
“…all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28–29
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48
PAUL — CONTINUE IN GOOD WORKS
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6–7
“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“…they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing…” Galatians 6:7–9
JAMES — FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
PETER — BE HOLY, DO GOOD WORKS
“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10
SUMMARY
Jesus said He will judge every man by their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:29).
Paul taught that eternal life is for those who continue in well doing (Romans 2:7, Titus 3:8).
James declared faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 24).
Peter warned God will judge every man’s work (1 Peter 1:17) and exhorted us to abound in good works.
God’s people are called to endure to the end with living faith proven by works of obedience, love, and holiness.
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Abiding
Another False Rapture Date [video]

by Glenn and Dezi Langohr
For months we’ve been warning that the Pretrib Rapture is a hive-mind delusion — just like the lies of “false trips to heaven” and the “false Trump prophets” . These movements feed each other, creating a spiritual frenzy not rooted in God’s Word. Sadly, the false Trump prophets already gave mainstream media plenty of material to mock. Remember Paula White calling for “angels from Africa” to come help Donald Trump win the election? The world laughed — and now the same is happening with failed rapture dates.
Jesus said to endure to the end as part of salvation by following Him and not falling away. He warned about children of the devil who cannot hear His words, and about the increase of false prophets and false anointed in the last days. Paul also warned that many will not endure (2 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 4), so there is no difference between Paul’s letters and Jesus’s words — despite the claims of OSAS and Pretrib teachers. In fact, OSAS and Pretrib rapture come from people twisting Paul’s writings, exactly as 2 Peter 3 warned.
Now millions expected a rapture on the Feast of Trumpets. What will they do now? Move the goalposts a little further, chase the next “sign” or false prophet, or finally be corrected by God’s Word that leads us to finish the race? God’s Word gives us eyes to see. Jesus warned the lukewarm church was blind and naked, and another church that only a remnant had not defiled their garments. He condemned false apostles, false Jews, Nicolaitan deeds, Balaam’s greed for fame, and Jezebel’s demonic teaching. These are the very obstacles He said must be overcome for salvation — and Pretrib is just one of many deceptions.
And the world is watching. BET mocked the false date with the headline: “10 Things to Do to Prepare for the Rapture on September 23 — besides panic-buying white robes.”
Dallas Weekly wrote: “The prophecy stirred a mix of humor and skepticism across Black social media spaces, where many mocked the ‘Rapture trend’ as another internet fad.”
AP News reported: “A doomsday prediction about the Rapture is spreading on TikTok, with some followers saying they expect a ‘fast-track getaway’ before the world collapses.”
This is exactly what 2 Peter 2:1–2 foretold:
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you … And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
Because of false rapture dates, adulterous pastors, and bad doctrines, the way of truth is mocked and blasphemed. But the Bible and early Church writings both warn: the last days will bring the greatest persecution ever seen — so of course the devil would love to bewitch millions into thinking they’ll escape. The truth remains: OBEY JESUS’S WORDS TO overcome IN SOUND DOCTRINE TO THE END OF YOUR SALVATION — for only the faithful will receive the crown of life.
A brother asked me: “Why focus on exposing Pre-Trib Rapture?”
- Because it blinds people .
- Because it causes shipwrecked faith .
- Because it rejects dozens of Scriptures .
- Because it preaches against Jesus Christ .
- Because it tells people you do not have to endure to the end .
- Because it preaches another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit (2 Cor 11:4) .
- And most of all… Because I love God and I love YOU enough to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) .
Idolatry in Jeremiah was defined as worthless things, fetishes, and false worship — and that’s what false rapture dates have become. They fascinate people, make them feel chosen, but actually blind them to God’s plan. Like Israel trusting in idols, today’s church runs after “rapture prophets” instead of preparing to endure tribulation. Jesus told us clearly that Antichrist will make war with the saints (Daniel 7:21), that persecution will come, and that those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). There is no crown for quitting early — the crowns are for those who fight, finish, and overcome.
Paul said to run the race to win the incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-25), to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). He said works will follow us (Revelation 14:13), that confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10), and that by our words we will be justified or condemned (Matthew 12:37). The 5 crowns of Scripture — life, righteousness, glory, rejoicing, and incorruptible — are all given to those who endure, labor, and keep the faith.
Revelation’s “7 Blesseds” show blessing not for escape, but for reading, hearing, keeping, dying in the Lord, watching, keeping garments, entering the first resurrection, and doing His commandments. Jesus warned the churches: repent, overcome, be faithful unto death. He promised the overcomers rulership, white garments, a crown of life, and the right to the tree of life. But He said the lukewarm, the fearful, the unbelieving, the idolaters, and liars will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). That is why pre-trib and OSAS are damnable heresies — they blind people to endurance and holiness, which is the true gospel.
Glenn and Dezi Langohr
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Abiding
The Savior vs Self [podcast]

The Flesh vs the Spirit
“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.” Romans 8:5
This life is a daily test of who we truly love (Matthew 6:24; 22:37-40; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6:16).
You are not relegated to the flesh, to live after it, or be defeated by it.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14
How does Christ’s victory work in our lives?
“I die daily (death) … But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (resurrection). 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. … But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:31, 57-58 …10
Those who are crucified with Christ are walking in His victory – the victory He alone grants. And they are laboring by His grace in His work.
There was no other way to redeem fallen mankind but the cross. And there’s no other way to walk with the Savior who went to that cross for us – except by way of the cross He prescribed that we take up daily (Luke 9:23-24).
The War Within
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25
The Flesh or the Spirit: Which shall ye allow to reign?
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Agreeing with the divine declaration of condemnation on our fallen state is essential to victory, otherwise the temptation to compromise and have mercy on the old man will be present (Romans 1-3).
Adam is the father of the old man the fallen man. Jesus is the King of the new man the new creation. Romans 5
“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. … 12 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
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
We are not good, not one of us (Romans 3:10). If we don’t understand and own what the Bible states concerning the universal fall of all men in Adam, that there’s “no good thing” in us, we will not recognize the need for the daily cross – to be truly crucified with Christ.
The “old man,” the flesh, can not and will not ever be reformed (Romans 6: Colossians 3). It must be daily crucified. There’s no hope of a chance or possibility that the flesh can be reformed. It’s a lost cause and that’s why Jesus came.
“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer
You can’t negotiate with a terrorist.
Kill or be killed. Kill the flesh or be killed by it.
There is no negotiating with the flesh and there can be no mercy afforded to it.
Allowing the flesh a foot in the door is the inroad to total destruction.
“Either you will crucify sin out of your life or sin will crucify Christ out of your life.” Burt Clendendon
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
The flesh must be sentenced to death.
2 Corinthians 1:9-11
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”
- v. 9 – Sentence the self life to the death of the self life.
- v. 10 – Past, present, and future deliverance, victory over sin, can only come by way of the cross.
- v. 11 – we must pray for each other in this regard – that we would be conformed to the crucified image of Christ our LORD.
Perhaps the best prayer we can pray for each other is that we’d be crucified with Christ…. because this guarantees the resurrection, the raising up of that life!
God is waiting for you to lay it all down – to be truly crucified with the Savior, to own it, to wear it, to embrace that your life is over in this world and now it’s all about Him, about King Jesus.
“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; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:9-12
(v. 9) Being found in Christ and not outside of Him (and lost), not having our own filthy-rag righteousness “through the faith of Christ.” (v. 10) & (John 17:3) Knowing Him is the very reason we are created by Him – “That I may know him.” Experiencing “the power of his resurrection” is preceded by “being made conformable unto his death.” (vv. 10-11) Seems the apostle here is intimating that he is not perfect in taking up the cross, realizing the utter need for such.
The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and commands you to “be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; 1 Peter 1:15-16)
Recently, had a conversation with a long time friend who is a dear brother in Christ. We mourned together over the sin he’d been walking in. And, we discussed the only solution – the cross. I was able to share with him that the only victory I have ever been able to walk in is via the cross life.
The life of the disciple is a crucified life and this is what our water baptism is supposed to depict and yet the follow up, the messages we hear in local churches, regrettably is anything but the cross (Romans 6; Colossians 2:12). Scarcely if ever can the message of the cross be heard or even mentioned, much less talked of continually by preachers today. This is the fulfillment of end times prophecy (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).
Read Romans 6 each morning this week. Pray and ask the LORD to teach you His way – the way of the cross. Ask Him sincerely to anoint your life to be dead and buried with Him and raised up by Christ – that you would be conformed to His holy image (Romans 8:29).
God’s way is the cross. No one will be in Heaven who didn’t walk His way – which is the way of the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
Jesus taught diametrically opposite to Satan’s message of the world to love self.
So many people claiming Christ as LORD continue to peddle lies. Beware of them (Colossians 2:8-10). Their memes and messages say things like: “Love yourself,” “take care of yourself,” “treat yourself,” “forgive yourself,” etc. …. Hmmmm I don’t remember reading any such thing in the Bible. No, in fact, the Bible says we all already, innately love ourselves and THAT’s our biggest problem and where our sin is rooted – pride! – “The pride of life” (Ephesians 5:29; 1 John 2:15-17). We are never instructed to pamper our “desperately wicked” self but rather Jesus commands us to “deny” or die to self – to live the crucified life.
“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
People who are propagating these diabolical lies, encouraging others to love self instead of to crucify self, are clueless, walking in darkness, have no clue of who Christ is or His Gospel message – which begins with the essential command to “repent,” to lay down our lives in this world and obey Him – to follow Him, His example by preferring Him and others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5, etc.).
Recently a saint of Christ send this message:
“Never change Todd. Keep lifting JESUS up as you do. Keep dying, so you will not be cast away in the end. Keep increasing in humility and love. At any moment, you could jeopardize your place with Christ, when just a little pride slips in, self glory, lust… Keep that humble place until You see your Lord face to face. I want Todd to enter Heaven, my dear Todd, a wretched man, as I, who trusted Christ’s Sacrifice and lived, until the end, for His Name.”
“Jesus needs to Increase and I need to decrease. I am nothing without Jesus Amen.” David Reeves
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Do you desire and love God above self?
Get low.
Stay low.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Go down deep into death and burial and let the LORD Himself raise your life upward.
“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 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life (death and burial) so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace!!!!! Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Go down deep.
“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31
Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!
The context of Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.
The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in you! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
As we submit to Him, to His way, God liquidates us, putting away our sin, our past, and weaknesses and raising us upward in His power while granting us a clear conscience.
“God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.” AW Tozer
The cross is always God’s way – the blood of Christ’s cross, His death, burial, and resurrection, and daily our own (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
“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 8:10-11
The raising up cannot and will not come before the laying down of one’s life.
God is not going to raise up the rebel but He is going to raise up the humble, the truly poor in spirit saint.
“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14
The soul, the spirit, the life of the true saint must be nourished in this essential cross message. A little dab will not do it – you must be saturated. You must be ever bowing downward in worship to the LORD. As your life is bowed down, the reciprocal divine raising will transpire!
If you are not learning the cross Jesus taught, you are fallen away.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now as a sinner. I am away from You and I do not want to remain alienated from You. Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I here and now ask You to take me back, to wash me clean in the blood of the Lamb, and to have Your way in my life. This moment, I lay my life into Your holy hands and rest in You, in Your love, by faith. Thank You for finding and saving me dear LORD. From this moment forward, I will follow You LORD Jesus till the end of my life on this earth. I pray all these things in the name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ! Sobeit dear LORD!
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