Why Do People Want To Deceive Themselves

                                                 When The Door Slams

And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars--their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."                                                                                                            (Revelation 21:6-8 HCSB) 

            Fundamentally, that is what spiritual warfare is all about. That is the lesson Jesus emphasized in His vision given to the Apostle John in Revelation 2-3, in which every message admonishes us to be overcomers. And it is really more than an admonition--it is a requirement. Not that any of us will overcome every shortcoming in this life, but we must be overcoming our carnal nature as a daily way of life. 

            There ought to be evidence in our lives for God to see. Consider the parable of the Minas. The man who hid his mina and failed to multiply it had that mina taken away from him (Luke 19:22-24). It would appear, from the loss of his mina and the title of "wicked servant," that he will not be in the kingdom of God. Though different in some respects, the parable of the Talents has the same lesson for the fearful, lazy, and wicked. Note all three characteristics in this parable: "And I was afraid...'But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant...'Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:25-26, 30). Those too fearful to step out in faith to obey, the wicked who refuse to repent of sin, and those too lazy to put in the effort--who are thus unprofitable servants--will be cast into the Lake of Fire and will not be in the Kingdom of God. 

            Each of these parables indicates that God understands our different backgrounds and abilities but does not countenance gross laziness and lack of progress. We cannot sit back and expect that it is all done for us. This is seen where James admonishes us to be doers of the word, not hearers only. If we are the hearers only, we deceive ourselves. "For if anyone is a hearers of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was" (James 1:23-24). 

            Think about this: Why would people want to deceive themselves? As human beings, we are all guilty of this in one way or another. We do not see ourselves as others see us--and certainly not as God sees us. We are often blind to our shortcomings that others can easily see. And sadly, more often than not, it is not a matter of our being blind, but simply our choices, and our rationalizing around a problem, postponing our attention to it, or refusing to face it. Changing bad habits is not easy when you are doubleminded, and Satan influenced often seeks to take the easy way (who-ever-will-know). This is the same message the Apostle Paul gave to the Romans when he wrote that "not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified" (Romans 2:13). 

Confession: I know, LORD, that a man's way of life is not his own; no one who walks determines his own steps. Discipline me, O LORD, but with justice--not in Your anger, or You will reduce me to nothing (Jeremiah 10:23-24). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.                                          

                                        Never Rest Ministries 

                                                                                                                    (warfare 5)

What Does The Lord God Require Of Us

                                                 When The Door Slams

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.                                                                     (Psalm 15:1-5 NIV) 

            Many see God as One who is impossible to please. They see Him as a harsh, demanding Being who enjoys punishing people and seems to hate His very creation. Others go to the opposite extreme of thinking that God requires virtually nothing of us. Both concepts are wrong. 

            So, what does Lord God require of us? Do you realize that the Bible asks and answers that exact question? "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"(Micah 6:8). King David expressed a similar sentiment, asking in Psalm 15:1, "LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?"

            And what about those Ten Commandments? Are they as oppressive as some think? Are they burdensome and impossible to keep? Some think so, and I've personally been told this. I've also heard some said that there is nothing you can do to be saved--it has all been done for you. But is that what God's word reveals? 

            Notice what John, says about God's commandments: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" for everyone born of God overcome the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcome the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5). 

            But didn't Jesus come to nail these commandments to the cross? Didn't He do away with them? Let read what Jesus said when a young ruler came to Him and asked the following question in Matthew 19:16. "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" This is the key question. So, what was Jesus answer? "But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (v.17). Now, if keeping the commandments is a requirement for eternal life--which is what Jesus clearly said--you would want to know where these commandments are :(read Ex 20:1-17;  Dt 5:6-21). 

            And what about Jesus' own words in the Sermon on the Mount? Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled" (Matthew 5:17-18). 

            Think about this: That is about as direct a statement as can be made explaining what Christ Jesus requires of us, but why do we have the law of God? Is it to keep us from every good thing, or is it to keep us from every act that brings heartache and suffering? Notice God's reaction to the children of Israel: "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever" (Deuteronomy 5:29).  

            God knows that keeping His law keeps us out of trouble. It protects us against needless pain and suffering. Consider the very first of the Ten Commandments: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:2-3). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                        Never Rest Ministries                    (warfare 4)                                 

The Battlefield First Takes Place In Your Mind

                                                 When The Door Slams

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.   (Colossians 3:1-7 NKJV)  

            We have seen that there is a conflict taking place in the spirit realm-and that we are profoundly affected by that conflict.  An obedient Christian recognize a tug and pull between right and wrong, sometimes pictured by the red cartoon fellow with horns sitting on one shoulder and a halo-topped angel in white garb sitting on the other. This tragically trivializes double-minded the real source of evil and the extent of Satan's deceptions. After all, if it has all been done for us, as many claim, and we need to do nothing more than offer the "sinner's prayer," where is the struggle? Is there a battle to be fought or not?       

            The Apostle Paul recognized that we are in a life-and-death struggle, that there is a spiritual war we must fight. He explained to the evangelist Timothy that this battle would require genuine hardship and sacrifice. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4).This does not settle with "there is nothing to do because Christ has done it all for you.

            The Lord God through His faithful servant Paul, reveals that in your battle against an unseen, crafty enemy, you need armor--not physical, but spiritual armor. Paul was often a prisoner in chains (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). But he clearly borrows from Isaiah 59:17. It is in this context that he writes, "finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).  

            The Devil is ruthless and goes around "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he my devour" (1 Peter 5:8). For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). We also read that "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

            What are those strongholds that must be pulled? What must you fight against? You are to be "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (v.5). Clearly, according to Paul, it has not all been done for you. You must bring your innermost thoughts into captive obedience to Christ (v.6).

            Think about this: But James adds that if you resist the devil, he will retreat: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8). Both Peter and James give this advice in context of humbling yourself rather than being puffed up with pride--the root of Lucifer's downfall. Pride brings destruction to many. This is why Paul instructed Timothy not to ordain "a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fail into the same condemnation as the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6).

            Confession: When I sin against the LORD, I may be sure that my sin will find me out. (Numbers 32:23   

            Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.  

                                                        Never Rest Ministries         

                                                                                                            Warfare (3)

               

Satan, Who Deceives The Whole World

                                                 When The Door Slams

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.                                                             (Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV)

            It is our nature to believe that we are right, especially when it comes to religion. Yet, sheer logic tells us that all religions cannot be correct, unless we believe that God bows to us and lets us decide for ourselves how to worship Him. Consider the vast array of religious beliefs in our world, Including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Satanism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The last of these--the one claiming Christ's own name--is divided into Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism, along with other smaller sects. Ignoring the other divisions we find in Protestantism alone a tremendous number of different strains: Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and other charismatic varieties, just to name a few. 

            The list of different ideas about how to worship God is almost endless! Some use icons or images in their worship, while others see this as a violation of the Second Commandment--or the First Commandment, since different denominations number them differently. Most observe the day the Roman emperor Constantine set aside as the day of worship, Sunday. Others observe the seventh-day Sabbath on Saturday. And many claim that all that salvation requires is a "decision"--a raised hand during an emotional altar call--while others notice a conflict between that idea and Jesus' own cautions about a "narrow" and "difficult" way (Matthew 7:13-14), involving instruction and discipline.  

            These differences only scratch the surface. "Christianity" in all its strains is currently the largest category of religion on earth. But how can it be in line with God if Satan has deceived the whole world? And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many (Matthew 24:3-5). 

            As we see, that is exactly what Satan has done. As we read in the book Revelation (12:9). Consider the magnitude of that claim: "who deceives the whole world." That widespread deception represents Satan's greatest advantage in his ongoing efforts to destroy mankind, you and me. Imagine--Satan has his ministers, and they do not come advertising that they are ministers of Satan. No, they appear as ministers of righteousness. Is this not deception and spiritual warfare of the highest level? 

            Think about this: A deceived person does not know that he or she is deceived. Could that be you? If Satan has deceived the whole world, as we read in Revelation 12:9, the vast majority of those we think of as "Christian" must be part of that deception. You cannot "come just as you are"--not according to Christ. His command is to repent, to change from what you are (Mark 1:14-15.

            Adoration: You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, The heaven of heavens, and all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You gave life to all that is in them, And the host of heaven worships You. (Nehemiah 9:6)   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.     

                                                  Never Rest Ministries  

                

    

It Did Not Take Long For Spiritual Warfare To Show Up

                                                 When The Door Slams  

            He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence  (Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV). 

            Throughout the pages of the Bible, from beginning to end. Our introduction to Satan, the Adversary, or the Devil--is found in the book of Genesis. We read there that from the dust of the ground God created the first man, Adam, and afterward created Eve to be Adam's helper and wife. It did not take long for spiritual warfare to begin--and they lost their first battle. For now, suffice it to say that this was a battle over Whom to obey. 

            It is easy to dismiss the Genesis account as too fantastic to believe, as no more than a metaphorical story for children. After all, who among us has ever encountered a talking snake? Remember, however, neither Adam nor Eve had been around very long at that time. How would they know that a snake could talk? Of course, it was not the snake, but a powerful spirit speaking through the creature. 

            But where did that spirit come from? Who was this being who claimed God had lied to Adam? We must go back to the beginning for the answer. The beginning of history, according to the Bible, is not found in Genesis, but found in the opening verses of the gospel of John. There we find two Beings who are described as God. "In the beginning was the Word [Spokesman], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). Later, John writes that " And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14). 

            Some people find this straightforward passage confusing due to pagan traditions handed down to them about the God of the Bible. But if we simply read it for what it says, and not through the lens of corrupt traditions, John's meaning becomes undeniably clear. There was God, who later became known as the Father; and there was the Word or Spokesman--also God--who later became known as the Son, Jesus Christ. 

            John 1:3 reveals another truth that many churchgoers are unaware of, though it lays out that truth in easy-to-understand terms: "All things were made through Him [the Word-Christ], and without Him nothing was made that was made." but what is contain in all things? The Apostle Paul explained this in detail to the early Church (Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV).       

            Think about this: Why do so few understand that the One we know as the God of the Old Testament, with whom the patriarchs spoke and interacted, is none other than the Word-the One who became Jesus Christ? Lest there be any doubt, Paul also explained: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:1-4 NKJV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.   

                                                            Never Rest Ministries             (Part 1 of warfare)                          

Five Steps To Forgiveness

                                             When The Door Slams

"This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father" in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.              Matthew 6:9-15 NIV

            If you want to experience the happiness, relief, and well-being that come from the practice of forgiveness, remember these five steps: 

1.        Resist the temptation to be judgmental. Remember, only God knows all the circumstances. Leave the judging to Him.

2.        Learn to be compassionate. The best method is to use your imagination, put yourself in the other person's shoes, ask yourself whether the fault is entirely the other person's or whether there is some blame on your part that needs to be honestly faced. 

3.        Image the whole problem in terms of reconciliation. Visualize the broken relationship healed. See yourself free of the poisons of resentment and anger. Let your imagination suggest hopeful things you will accomplish with the increased energy that will come to you. 

4.        Pray for the person who has offended you. If this is difficult (and it will be), pray for God's grace to come into your heart to give you the strength to do it. Remind yourself that the act of forgiveness will benefit you more than the other person.

5.        End your prayer with the Lord's prayer. Give special thought and emphasis to the part that asks God to forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 

            Think about this: Do these five things and you will be amazed at the healing power of forgiveness. If you let, it can change your life.

Related Bible Texts: Matthew 5:44; 6:9-15; Luke 6:28,27; Colossians 3:12-15.

            Affirmation: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken (Psalm 61:1-2 NIV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                Never Rest Ministries

                                       

Doubleminded Religious People Struggle To Break Cycles Of Self-Destructive Behavior

                                                 When The Door Slams 

So now it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing, for the will to do what is right is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good I desire to do, I do not do, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who does it, but sin that lives in me.                                        (Romans 7:17-20 MEV)

            Sometimes the changes we seek are more serious. Double Minded people struggle to break cycles of self-destructive behavior. Apostle Paul goes on to mention a host of evil spirits that come in once the mind becomes reprobate: sexual abuse, adultery, lies, binge eating, substance abuse, deceit, evil-minded, haters of God, disobedient, untrustworthy, backbiters, proud and being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality. Reprobate spirits and spirits of homosexuality and lesbianism, these are perversions and are under the judgment of God.

            Others see their marriage falling apart and long to change and grow to become the spouse they long to be, yet fall repeatedly into the same old pattern of angry conflict or withdrawal, accelerating their slide into bitterness. We wrestle to rise above our basest urges, sometimes finding success, but often falling back into old habits-too often descending even further than before. Even the Apostle Paul wrote, "I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice" (Romans 7:18-19).

            However, Paul understood in his struggles what so many today do not. He was engaged in spiritual warfare. Most religious people around us are double minded and has no idea of this reality. Religious people continue striving and struggling against power and temptations in complete ignorance of the spiritual magnitude of the battle they are waging. The self-help industry makes billions of dollars selling tricks and techniques--some helpful, some not so much--without acknowledging the spiritual aspect of the conflict we face. 

            But if we seek real change and real growth, we must embrace the truth that we are not simply fighting against bad habits and destructive patterns. We are engaging in spiritual warfare against a real enemy who seeks our destruction-not just in this life, but for eternity.

            Obedient to the LORD GOD will reveal the hidden spiritual world that few acknowledge--and fewer understand. Understanding the nature of the enemy and how he came to be is crucial if we are to comprehend the environment in which our battle take place. Once we recognize the enemy, we shift our focus to the fundamental actions we must take to achieve real victory. They are not the dramatic actions that many televangelists would sell you, but they are the true weapons of spiritual warfare that every obedient Christian needs. God, who will ultimately bring the victory--and how each of us can be a part of that victorious outcome.

            Think about this: Paul knew that he was involved in a war. He was not simply seeking a better life or healthier--his life had a God-ordained purpose, and he wrote about those unseen enemies fighting against any changes he sought to make.

            Affirmation: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV).  

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                    Never Rest Ministries