What God Created For Good Can Be Twisted For Evil

                                                 When The Door Slams

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin (Provers 26:28 NIV).  

            To make matters worse, human beings have what psychologists call "confirmation bias": Our brains latch on to information that confirms our existing beliefs. This makes us more likely to trust those who flatter us, even with ample evidence that their intentions are nefarious. We must discern between community-forming compliments and manipulative flattery. Because flattery works. It feels good when people affirm you, even when you know they don't mean it. 

            Centuries before modern psychology understood flattery's influence, Solomon warned his son about flattery "from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words" (Proverbs 2:16). Four more times, he warned of seductive flattery with words like these: "The lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil" (5:3; 6:24; 7:5,21).

            Sexual seduction is but one form of flattery. We find flattery in every social circle. Some people may envy your position at work, power in business, powers in sport, or possessions at home. Consequently, they coddle you with compliments to get close enough to use you for their own advantages. Many want good from you, not good for you. They are not your friends. "Whoever hates disguise himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly" (26:24-26).  

            "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise" (Proverbs 27:21). Criticism can sting, but praise can cripple. It can cripple your discernment and stunt your improvement. Sometimes we flatter ourselves to justify sin we are about to commit or to soothe our battered conscience afterward. King David's warning is worth remembering: "Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good" (Psalm 36:1-3). Your true friends are those who tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. 

            Think about this: Because flattery is so effective with people, people often try it with God (to ill effect). Asaph bemoaned this fact in Psalm 78:35-36: "They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues." Think about that. We even try to flatter God to get what we want. He isn't fooled. He says himself, "This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men" (Isaiah 29:13).

            What's shocking is that flatterers are often found in church leadership. Paul warns us about them: "Such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive" (Romans 16:18). So does Peter: "In their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep" (2 Peter 2:3 ). If both Paul and Peter warned about flatterers in the church leadership, perhaps we should pay attention.

            Meditation In Action: 1. When was a time you were overtaken by flattery ? 2. What are the key differences between genuine compliments and flattery? How we discern between the two? 3. Have you seen flattery used to manipulate people in various social circles--friendships, work and church? 4. What steps can we take to guard ourselves against the dangers of flattery? 

            Meditate on Romans 16:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:3.  

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.        

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 their rock,           

        

While Fools Stumble Blindly, The Wicked Calculate Their Steps.

                                                 When The Door Slams

For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.                                                                                      (Proverbs 4:17-19 ESV)

            We seem to have a fascination with evil. We are curious about what makes evil people tick and perhaps wonder how much of them is in us. Psychologists have identified three personalities they call "the Dark Triad": narcissism, treacherous and psychotic. Narcissism combines grandiosity and a need for admiration with a lack of empathy. Treacherous involves a mastery of manipulation, exploitation, and deceit. Psychotic is marked by impulsivity, selfishness, callousness, and a lack of remorse. The Dark Triad makes one capable of extreme cruelty. It is seen in historical figures, dictators, governments and public figures have been identified and demonstrating the behaviors of the Dark Triad. The book of Proverbs simply calls these behaviors "wicked."

            While fools stumble blindly, the wicked calculate their steps. That's the difference, and it's not inconsequential. Fools and the wicked share some of the same behaviors, but the wicked are far more nefarious. Not only are they more cunning and practiced, but their personality traits also enable them to rise to positions of power. Solomon observed, "The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice" (Proverbs 17:23). This frustrated Solomon as he grew older. He regreted the success of the wicked in his final book: In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing" (Ecclesiastes 7:15). "Why does the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" (Jeremiah 12:1). We have all felt that sting in today world. 

            Yet the Scriptures promise that the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished: "The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short" (Proverbs 10:27). This promise is repeated throughout the Old Testament (Psalms 37:13; 92:7; Proverbs 24:19-20; Isaiah 57:20-21). What should we do with our frustration over this seemingly unfulfilled promise? 

            Think about this: Feel free, to complain to God about the wickedness you see and suffer. Job, David, and Jeremiah are among the righteous who complained to God about the flourishing of the wicked. Pour out your frustration and fury. Then once you have vented your frustration, settle into your faith in God's goodness. After all, even if you don't understand or appreciate what God is doing, it is not like we have many other options to turn to. God will make it right in His time, not ours. "The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble" (Proverbs 16:4).         

Meditation In Action: (1) There is plenty of evil in our world. What are you seeing today that you find most troublesome? (2) Why do you think wicked people often rise to the top of their professions? (3) How do you reconcile the frustration you feel when the wicked prosper with the promises of Scripture that the wicked will ultimately face justice? (4) What obligation does the church have in being the moral compass for the world? What is your role in that? 

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. 

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Prayer For Deliverance

                                                 When The Door Slams

The past of the just is like the shinning sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.                                                                                 (Proverbs 4:18-19 NKJV) 

            Father, in Jesus's name, I loose myself from all relationships that are not ordained of God; all relationships that are not of the Spirit but of the flesh; all relationships based on control, domination, or manipulation; and all relationships based on lust and deception. 

            In the name of Jesus, I loose all members of my body, including my mind, memory, eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, and my entire sexual character, from all lust, perversion, sexual impurity, uncleanness, lasciviousness, promiscuity, pornography, fornication, homosexuality, fantasy, filthiness, burning passion, and uncontrollable sex drive.

            I loose myself from the effects of all bad memories, painful memories, and memories of the past that would hinder me in the present or future. I loose myself from all occult involvement, rebellion, all confusion, sickness, death, and destruction as a result of occult involvement. 

            In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the authority given to me to bind and loose, I loose my emotions from every evil spirit that has come in as a result of experiences of the past. I loose myself from all hurt, deep hurt, pain, sadness, grief, anger, hatred, rage, bitterness, fear, and bound and blocked emotions. I command these spirits to come out, and I decree freedom to my emotions in the name of Jesus. 

            I loose my mind from all spirits of mind control, confusion, mental bondage, insanity, madness, fantasy, passivity, intellectualism, knowledge block, ignorance, mind binding, lust, and evil thinking. I loose myself from all guilt, shame, condemnation, self-condemnation, and legalism. 

            I loose my will from all control domination and manipulation from Satan, his demons, and other people. I loose my will from all lust, rebellion, stubbornness, pride, self-will, selfishness, and ant submissive spirits that block and hinder my will. I break and loose myself from all chains around my will, and I submit my will to the will of God.

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.

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Loose Yourself From Your Past

                                                

                                                   When The Door Slams

I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loose in heaven. Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:18-19).; Stand up, shake the dust off yourself! Take your seat, Jerusalem. Remove the bonds from your neck, captive Daughter Zion (Isaiah 52:2 HCSB). 

            This is A prophetic word to the church that says, "Loose thyself!" It is a powerful verse that relates to self-deliverance. We have been given the power and authority to loose ourselves from all types of bondage.

            Zion is a prophetic word and symbol for the church. Isaiah prophesied that Zion would be a "captive daughter." This is so true of the condition of the church today. Even though many are saved and have received the promise of the Spirit, there are still many bondages that remain in the lives of believers. "Can a person deliver himself of demons?" My answer is yes. It is also my conviction that a person cannot really keep himself free of demons until he is walking in this dimension of deliverance. 

            How is it that a person can deliver himself? As a believer (and that is our assumption), a person has the same authority as the believer who is ministering deliverance to another. He has the authority in the name of Jesus, and Jesus plainly promised those who believe,: "In My name they will drive out demons" (Mark 16:17). A person needs only to learn how to go about performing self-deliverance. After a person has experienced an initial deliverance at the hands of an experienced minister, he can begin to practice self-deliverance.* The good news is that we have been given a prophetic promise and command to loose ourselves. Jesus told His disciples that "whatsoever" we loose on Earth is loose in heaven

            Whatsoever is binding, harassing, or operating in your life contrary to the will of God can be loosed from your life because you have been given the authority to do so. The range of thing that can bind a believer is almost limitless. There are many bondages we can categorize that need to be exposed and broken in the lives of all believes. Once you identify the enemy, you can then proceed to free yourself from his clutches.

            Think about this: I have ministered to many believers who are still bound and tied to their past. Your past can be a chain that keeps you from enjoying the present and being successful in your future: This remined me of a story about a young woman while ministering deliverance, a strong spirit manifested who boasted that he would not depart. The minister commanded the spirit to identify himself, and he replied that his name was Past. The spirit proceeded to explain that it was his job to keep the woman bound to her past so that she could not be successful in her Christian walk. The young woman had many unsuccessful  relationships, and the past continued to haunt her.

            This encounter helped to give a revelation of the fact that there are numerous spirits assigned to people to keep them bound to the past that have left scars and wounds that have not completely healed. Many of these wounds have been infected and have become the dwelling places of unclean spirits. People need to be loosed not only from demons but also from other people. Ungodly soul ties are avenues spirits of control and manipulation utilize when working upon their foolhardy victims.                         

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

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Doubleminded People Follow Satan Are Convince That God Is Unfair And Choose For Themselves Right And Wrong

                                                 When The Door Slams

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.                                                                                                      (Revelation 20:1-3 NKJV) 

            We have seen that the fallen cherub Lucifer is waging war against mankind in general and against you as an individual. He and his helpers--known as demons--continually stir up evil in our world. But what will the end of these things be? What will be the outcome of our struggling--our striving, our ongoing battle to bring our lives under the One who died and now lives for us--versus the one who would bring us nothing but pain, suffering ,and eternal destruction? And, beyond our own lives, what will be the end of these things for the rest of the world?

            But this is not the end of the story, for we read that "after these things he must be released for a little while" (Revelation 20:3). And what happens next? "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth" (vv. 7-8). 

            That will be one last test for mankind. Those who follow Satan will have taken God's living kindness for granted--the released Satan will convince them that God is unfair and that they ought to choose for themselves right and wrong. But after the dust settles from that final battle, Satan will be banished forever (vv. 8-10). 

            With Satan removed and all of humanity brought into the family of God--except for the incorrigibly wicked who refuse to repent, who will be burned up in the Lake of Fire and become ashes under the feet of the righteous (Malachi 4:3)--what is the reward of the warrior who can finally lay down his weapons at the end of the conflict? 

            John 3:16 reveals that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." But that eternal existence does not mean that we will become angels or some kind of "super-humans," as so many professing Christians mistakenly believe. The Bible reveals that all who have been called to follow Christ have been called to become sons and daughters of God, the very children of the living God--brothers, sisters, and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-21; Hebrews 2:10-18; 2 Corinthians 6:18). To those who overcome in this life, the reward is very simply everything. As John was inspired by God to write in the last book of the Bible, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" Revelation 21:7).  

            Think about this: You must never forget who is on your side in your battle against the one who directs the course of this world. On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus encouraged His disciples--including those who are His disciples today--with these comforting words: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  

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

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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.                                          

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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)