Overcoming Anxiety

 Overcoming Anxiety

Does A Spirit Of Fear Attack Your Life? 

 

Jesus said, “Fear Not” (Matt. 10:31)

He said it many times.  Actually, it’s a theme throughout scripture.

Fear at its most basic level, is a lack of trust in God and His promises.

That is a harsh saying, especially when we are dealing with anxiety. Because, often times anxiety occurs without any real grounded reason. Or sometimes, it happens without any practical realistic reason, at all.

Sometimes, anxiety is over nothing. You just have a feeling of dread.

Battling anxiety is tough. But, please realize that it is a spiritual battle. 

The Word says God has “not given us a spirit of fear, but if power, love and a sound mind.”( 2 Tim. 1:7)

So, let’s rightly divide what this is saying.

First, there is a spirit of fear. It is not from God. We are His children and He is with us. 

He has given us a Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. We already have it, if we know Him. It’s the Holy Spirit.

We forget this, and let the enemy overcome us. But, we must remind ourselves who we are in Christ, and that He dwells in us. It’s a spiritual battle. A Spirit of fear is trying to take us, and lead us down a dark path. So, we speak truth into the world to combat it.

Speak it out loud to yourself.

“I am saved and the Holy Spirit dwells in me. Power, love and a sound mind dwells in me. Begone, spirit of fear in Jesus name.”

This is a promise from God. He is promising us that He did not give us this fear. We speak it out loud and believe it to remind ourselves and inform the spirit of fear, what the truth is. The promise empowers us.

Ok, consider this. If we speak negative hateful things to a child its whole life, the child will be impacted by that. It is a fact that the things we hear go into our mind and soul and settle there whether we want it to or not. So speaking truth out loud, serves many purposes at the same time. It gets truth into the world for the enemy to know, and it penetrates the mind, and it acts as a prayer to God.

Speak God’s promises out loud and make them manifest in your life. Here are a few good ones. Speak them. Believe the promise in Jesus name.

Verse: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”— 2 Thess. 3:3

Say: “God is faithful. He will establish me and keep me from evil, in Jesus name!”

Verse: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”—Isa. 54:17

Say: ” No weapon will hurt me and whatever they say against me God will deal with. I am a child of God. I believe His Word and He’s got this in Jesus name!”

Verse: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”— John 14:13

Say: “Jesus said ‘whatsoever I ask in His name, He will do’ I have prayed in Jesus name! God is moving. I trust Him. He is coming. In Jesus name.”

Learn more promises. Memorize them. Believe them. Believe God. Trust Him, and speak His Truth.

Let’s break this verse down more.

1. Power.

The Spirit in us allows us to speak to the Father. We have power in prayer and praise. The Spirit translates our concerns into words for us and intercedes for us. 

He gives us the power to cast out demons and have faith in the promises of God. Cast out those demons in Jesus name. Speak out loud and stand on the promises of God.

That’s power.

2. Love. 

“Perfect love casts out fear.”  ( 1 John 4:18 )

Remember God is Love. The Holy Spirit is God, so we have love dwelling in us. 

Often times we have anxiety because we are focused on our desires instead of God’s. We want our way, not God’s. 

When we die to self and love God and others, a lot of our anxiety will go away.

Course, sometimes we don’t know what God wants. We can’t accept His will because we don’t know it.

Imagine you are one of the Israelites, coming out of Egypt. You don’t know where you are going, or what’s going to happen. It’s scary.

All you see is a pillar of fire and smoke. When it moves you must move and follow it. You have everything in your life. Ready to grab and go to follow Him.

And it’s concerning. You might be tempted to murmur and complain about going back to your old life. You might think it was easier when you lived in the world, without Christ.

But, if you wait and trust you will see God move and know that He loves you and will come through. He will provide and protect as you wait upon the Lord.

That Love drives out fear. Remember when He has moved, and loved you. By remembering the things He has done for you in the past, you can speak these things and drive out fear.

3. A Sound Mind.

The Holy Spirit leads us into ALL truth. ( John 16:13) That helps us to see clearly through the deception, the spirit of fear is casting into our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit can bring verses and the good things of God to our remembrance.

Is there a rational reason to be concerned? Is this fear even possible? What is the worst case scenario? What are God’s promises? God has protected us before and will again. But, even if He doesn’t, He is with us.

What is the Truth? Jesus Christ is Truth and He rules ALL.

Anxiety is an attack by the enemy. Fear is not from God. But, neither are accusations. Satan is the accuser of the brethren.

So, anyone accusing you because of your anxiety is serving the enemy. If they were serving God, they would love you, and that love would drive out fear.

Ultimately, turn to God and let Him work in you and through you. He is with you and in you. Remember this.

The enemy will try to get you to turn from God, and not trust Him. Remember, Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. ” ( 1 Peter 5:8)

A lion roars, and it causes fear in the Sheep. So it causes some to run and separate from the Shepherd. This spirit of fear is a roar trying to drive us away from God. God is our only real protection.

We turn to all kinds of things to help alleviate this fear. Drugs, philosophies and distractions.

But always turn to God. He is our only hope. 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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Go To The Exchangers

 Go To The Exchangers

A Word on Being Ready For The Lord's Return

"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."--- (Matthew 25:24-30 KJV)

Here we have a frightening verse that basically says that when He returns the Lord is going to expect an accounting.

The Lord has given each of us our lives, talents, gifts  and the possessions in our lives, which He expects us to use to build the Kingdom. He wants people saved. He wants us to love others and help them. He wants us to love Him and have a relationship with Him. As best we can with the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

In the verses, the Lord gives talents to His servants, and then leaves. These are gifts. The scriptures says, "He gave gifts unto men" He has given gifts unto all men, whether saved or not. Salvation is just one gift. Our life is a gift. Our possessions are gifts, Our talents are gifts. We are to use what He has given us to turn to Him and build the Kingdom.(Eph. 4:8)

He comes back and finds that his servants have gained profit from the gifts. This profit would be souls or people helped. There is no other real medium of exchange between worlds.

The first 2 servants succeed and are rewarded. They used what they had to help others in Jesus name and to get souls saved and lives changed.

But, let's focus on the last one. This servant says,"I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." (see verse above)

There's so much here. First, the fact that the servant says that the Lord is a hard man, proves that there is no relationship. This servant doesn't know the Lord. Jesus said "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:27-30)

I could stop right there. Because people try to use this prophecy as a way to prove that people can lose their salvation. 

But, this guy never had it. He never knew the Lord. He never trusted the Lord. He never had faith in the Lord. He did not have the Holy Spirit.

But, let's go on because this guy never even tried. He buried the talent. He was afraid. Jesus warns us "Fear Not".  Fear is one of our greatest enemies and will keep us from knowing Christ.

If this guy had even tried, he might have woke up and found Jesus. He might have seen something that made him turn. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8)

The Lord rebukes him, and says, "You could have given the talent to the exchangers (or bank) and I could have gained profit in interest."

What does that mean?

Well let me break it down. I'm not trying to speak for the Lord. But, it might sound like this.

"I know you were afraid, and didn't know what to do. But, you could have at least given and supported people and ministries, who were doing the work. But, you didn't even do that."

Then, the servant is cast into outer darkness and there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Understand that The Lord is the light of the world. Apart from Him is darkness.

Hell/the Lake of Fire is a garbage dump outside the city of God where all unclean and evil things must go.

Satan, the fallen angels, demons, unclean spirits, and those who have not been washed in the Blood of Jesus must go there.

They cannot enter the city lest they corrupt it with the plague of Sin for all eternity.

This servant was never washed. He did not have a clean garment. He had no oil in his lamp. He was a goat. 

He never knew the Lord. When we know the Lord, the Holy Spirit guides us to care about the things the Lord cares about. We become burdened with it. We will respond. We will serve somehow. Even if it's only giving to others who are serving.

The worst thing to ever hear is...

"Depart from Me, I never knew you." (Matt. 7:23, Matthew 25:31)

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the Author.

 

 

Give And It Shall be Given Unto You

A Word on Faith 

 

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6: 38

First, I wanna say that this verse and all verses are completely true.

I have given for years. I give a tithe regularly, and I try to give as the Holy Spirit leads me.

God has protected me, provided for me and has brought it back to me and then some. You can trust His Word.

I can tell you story after story of Him making this real in my life. It’s a fact. But, you start by believing His Word.

And that’s the point. If you can’t believe God will give to you, then how can you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Do you trust God’s Word?

It’s about faith.

I have been in situations where I have been led by the Spirit to give, and have watched God bring it back, by the end of the day. And not only bring it back, but bring it back 10 fold.

That builds faith. 

People say, “You shouldn’t give wanting to get back.”

Well first off, I don’t. But, why would God promise a return then?

It’s about Faith. He saves us by His Grace, through our Faith. So, our faith must be exercised and made strong. That is the oil of faith in our lamps. He wants us to Trust Him and His Word. Faith and trust is built, when you see that someone keeps their promises and are good to you. So, He promises and then keeps it.

We can literally watch it happen. He says “Prove me on this.” ( Malachi 3:10 )

This builds faith. You believe His Word. You take a step of Faith. And you see Him move. And that builds more faith. He wants us to trust Him.

I know it’s hard sometimes. We pray and see nothing happening. I have prayers, that get answered immediately. But, some prayers have been cooking for years, unanswered. I can’t hardly wait to see it explode on the scene in power as He moves like He promised, when the answer comes. It’s not a no. It’s a “Stand back and watch it explode!”

It’s about faith. We give cheerfully because we are giddy to see Him move. We are amazed by His power and love. Like He told the Israelites in the desert. “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” (Deut. 29:5) God can keep things from wearing out.

He blesses us in many ways. But do not be deceived. Some will say, “Yes, He gives back, but it’s spiritual blessings.”

That’s not what the Word says. Jesus said “pressed down shaken together shall MEN give unto your bosom.” See the verse at the top of the page.

How can men give spiritual blessings? They can’t.

Let go of your expectations. Just trust His Word and watch Him move.

The bottom line is faith. Do we believe Him and trust Him.

Everything in reality screams it. From the fall in the Garden, where they didn’t trust Him or believe His Word. Till today, as we struggle through our lives constantly encountering situations where the question is asked. “Do you trust me? Do you believe me?”

Give as the Spirit leads, and watch Him move and your faith will grow. 

When you feel that you should give, just do it. The Spirit is leading you. Of course you can exercise wisdom in the matter. But, beware of second guessing and doubting and talking yourself out of a blessing, or an opportunity to serve the Lord.

I know people who say “Yeah but they will just buy drugs or not use it right.”

That’s not our problem. Jesus said, ” Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” (Matthew 5:42)

We do not know what God is doing. God could be working on this person and your helping them could be an answer to prayer. That answer could lead the person to turn to God and save a life and a soul. Trust God.

We are to be cheerful givers. ( 2 Cor. 9:7)

We cannot do that if we have doubt, fear, or second guessing.

Have faith in God and watch him move.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Knowing The Word

 Knowing The Word

Truth on knowing God's Word.

 

You will never know the Word of God by going to church and hearing sermons and teachers.

You will only know the Word, when you taste it for yourself and the Holy Spirit brings it to life in you.

When He speaks to you through it.

When He breaks your heart with it.

When He brings you comfort and revelation by it.

When your life twists, to teach you the Word.

Then, you will know and remember it.

When you wake up with a verse on your heart. 

When you memorize verses, because you need them to live. 

When you need them to bring peace and hope and drive those demons away.

You won't know it till you believe it.

Every word of it. 

Even the verses that make you seem insane to everyone who doesn't know it.

Jesus Christ is the living Word. Knowing Him, helps us know the written word. His Spirit brings it to life for us. He leads us into all truth.

He is Truth.

He is all we need.

Forever.

 

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 Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Wait Upon The Lord

 Wait Upon The Lord

A Word on Answered Prayer

 

 

Trouble comes into our lives and we panic. We rush out and do something. This often leads us to do the wrong thing, which brings more trouble. That’s the bait of Satan.

Satan is described as a roaring lion, or a birder trapping birds in a snare. Snares work by reaction. An animal sees the bait and reacts and gets caught. Likewise, a lion has a scary roar. It will often roar and when an animal freaks out to run, the lion pounces. ( 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 91:3)

But, if we wait. We can avoid these things.

Wait upon the Lord, and He will lift you up. (Isa 40:31)

Bad things come into our life and we pray. We beg God. And we see nothing happening. It’s hard. But, we trust Him. We trust He is working. But it’s hard. We get mad. We get tired. We break down. But we hold on.

The devil puts ideas into our head of things we can do, but it’s not good things. We can attack, we can run. We can get revenge. We can be resentful. We can be snarky. We can sabotage. We can drop a dime.

But, if we wait and trust in the Lord, we might see miracles. We might see Him move and then we will KNOW, He is real and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

It’s hard.

Daniel prayed and heard nothing. He waited and waited. Till an angel appeared and told him that God heard his prayer the minute he first started praying. God released the answer the second Daniel prayed. But, demonic forces slowed the answer. ( Daniel 10)

God hears. He has moved.

He promises that “Whatsoever you ask in my name I will do” (John 14:14)

Believe it. Trust it. It’s hard, but what have you got to lose?

God is our only real hope. He is our friend and our father. he is not out to get us.

But, the enemy gets us to fear and doubt and run away from God. That’s when he has us.

This life is but a breath. A moment in eternity. It’s hard. But it won’t last.

Things we think are important today, will matter nothing to us 10,000 years from now.

Wait upon the Lord. Pray, watch and wait. You will see Him move.

You will wake up and see that things are different.

It might not be what we want, but we will see it’s better. We will see Him in it and that will make it better.

Praise Him for all He’s done. Sing His praises.

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Bio:Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the author.

Building The Beast System

 Building The Beast System

A Word on Bible Prophecy and the Real World

The scriptures teach that one day there will be a system ran by one person who controls all buying and selling.( Rev. 13:16-18)

That system is being built today. 

It will be in place and ready to use when the Anti-Christ requires the Mark of the Beast on the hands or foreheads of all people.

That will be the last piece of the infrastructure.

It will connect the people's physical bodies and minds to the system.

Go back to the days of Babel. (Gen. 11))

We see that "They", began to build a tower which would reach heaven. The purpose was to unite humanity. "Lest we be scattered"

They were of "one language, and of one speech" which is like saying they said, the same things, in the same way.  

Likewise today, a tower has been built to heaven called the internet. It will probably be totally satellite contained eventually. Elon Musk's "Starlink" is the future.

This tower or internet, has united humanity, in essence. It has allowed the spread of commerce and certain ideas to brainwash the masses into saying the same things in the same ways.

People have connected virtually their entire lives to this tower. Social life, business, banking, buying and selling and shipping to our homes.

The internet "tower" allows this to happen.

This is the infrastructure for the Beast system. Satan, his angels and the spirit of anti-christ, are working through human slaves to build this system.  (There are several links here. Each is a teaching on this subject)

So what happens now?

Well, now the task is to get people even more connected. Make it impossible to function In society and finance without being connected.

Use safety and fear of crime to force more and more integration. Make things easier and cheaper when connected. 

Currently a new law or policy has been passed called "Know your Customer"

Websites are forcing advertisers to prove identity, in various ways. Some like Google and Pinterest are requiring a user to upload an ID. Others are making users verify with social security numbers and every other form of ID.

Of course, the claim is that it keeps us safe. It keeps the internet safe. But, it also works to control the population.

So what's next? Well, the next step will be ALL people who use the internet, will be required to provide ID. Not just advertisers, or people who do business online, but everyone.

So basically, Amazon will probably eventually require you to upload an ID before allowing you to purchase from them.

I imagine that this will eventually cause the need for the creation of an internet ID.

Something that will be government backed and completely safe. You'll probably upload all your info to a protected site, or go to the DMV, and give them everything they require. Then, this will create an ID that you can upload anywhere that asks or everywhere.

Now remember. By this time it will be virtually impossible to avoid having an online connection. Banking, insurance, virtually everything will be online and connected.

After this, the next logical step will be to connect your body to the system.  

There will probably be some kind of scare campaign to get people to think their ID is stolen, or data breach or something. Then they will require some sort of connection. It could be a fingerprint, DNA SWAB, or retinal scan.  Course, this could be part of the Internet ID.

Next, will most likely be the Mark. Something that literally attaches you to the "tower", and proves who you are.

People have imagined being able to avoid the system. But, the fact that it is taking years to set it all up, means you'll have to live totally off grid for a very long time before the final nail is driven. Of course, the final nail is to have something in your hand or forehead, connecting you to the system. You can reject this. But, you'll probably already be connected and the temptation to get the Mark will be tremendous. We need to practice walking away from everything and trusting that God has got our back.

(I personally avoided being involved with modern commerce for years. I used cash and shopped locally. It works. But it became harder and harder. I became more connected over time. But, there are things I still refuse to do, or do very sparingly. Also, the winds seem to be leaning in a certain direction which could cause me to get more and more disconnected. Maybe it's time. I just want to be able to continue to serve God here.)

When the time comes, we will not be able to bank or pay bills or get paid, or perhaps even shop.

For years possibly, before the final stroke of being required to get the Mark. Be ready to just walk away.

Notice that it all involves money, and remember we cannot serve two masters, mammon or God. Remember, the love of money is the root of all evil.

We will be required to choose our finances or God, when the Mark comes. Most people will have no idea that a choice is required. But, if God points it out to you, you might want to listen and just walk away. Let that old life die.

Look at the times of COVID. When people were forced to vaccinate or lose jobs. That was a test run.

When the time comes to get the Mark, we will be so integrated into the system, people will just accept. It will seem logical. Probably, there will be some moral or spiritual reason attached as well.

And do not think that there will be a pretrib rapture to save you. I personally do not believe in a pretrib rapture. I believe in the rapture when Christ returns, because that's what the Bible teaches. But not a PRETRIB rapture. It will happen sometime later.

I am convinced, that when the time comes people will reject Christ and get the Mark to avoid starvation and persecution, because of the four horsemen and the 5th seal persecution. "He will make war with the saints and overcome them" will be great persecution. (Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:21)

THAT will be the Great Falling Away. People who claim to know Christ will reject Him to avoid persecution and lose their finances. (2 Thess. 2:3)

Please do not wait till it's too late to have faith in the Lord to carry you through. If the pretrib rapture does not occur, what will you do? Are all your eggs in that basket?

Will you have the oil of faith when Jesus the Lord returns? (Matt. 25)

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by The Author

Heaping Teachers

 Heaping Teachers

A Word on Learning from the Holy Spirit

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"--2 Timothy 4:3

The scriptures teach that in the last days we shall heap to ourselves teachers having itching ears, because we ignore sound doctrine and follow our fleshly desires.

This is referring to the believer and unbeliever alike.

We are perishing for lack of knowledge. We know it deep in our hearts. We know it in our souls and spirits. Something is wrong and we seek to know what it is. We seek anything to fill that gaping hole that can only be filled by God. (Hosea 4:6)

At the same time, we are surrounded by people who want to be important. They think they are the smartest one in the room and they often make sense or are so charismatic, that they seem wise or command respect. 

So we gather around these people having itching ears and desiring to hear from God through them, or anyone who can give us a spark of insight. These people are shiny. They transform themselves into angels of light. They teach works, and their end will be according to their works. They are from Satan. (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

But, the scriptures teach that God Himself, has gifted teachers and given them to us. ( 1 Cor. 12:28, Eph.4:11.)

A teacher from God is not the same as a teacher from man; or Satan.  God uses the base things to confound the wise. (1 Cor. 1:15-31)

But we are so eager to fill a spot or chase after some preacher or teacher who might not be from God.That we miss the real teachers from the Lord. We want the pretty thing, not the rough thing. We want polished, not the beat up clunker.

I'm not talking about learning a trade from a tradesmen. Although, we should seek to be led by God into that as well.

I'm talking about spiritual things.

So, how do we avoid the false teaching?

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit teaches us and leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)

John said that we have no need for any to teach us but the anointing will do it.(1 John 2:27)

James said, if we desire wisdom we can ask of God and He will give it.(James 1:5)

So, how does this work? Well, first we turn to God and confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in Him. We must be saved, have the Holy Spirit and willing to believe what He teaches and what the Word says. (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:3, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23, Luke 11: 11-13, John 14:16-17)

Then, we ask the Lord to teach us and guide us. (Prov. 3:5-8)

He will open up the scriptures to you. He will open up your mind, heart and life to learn from Him.

You will see things around you and in your life that will grow you and change you and teach you.

God will lead you to the church and the teachers and preachers He wants you to have. Listen to His Spirit as He guides you.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

But, this takes time. 

 

After being saved, Paul went into the desert of Arabia to hear from God. Then after 3 years he talked with Peter, to make sure what he heard was correct. Then, he continued to learn from the Spirit for 14 years as he served.  Even then, he still made sure of what he was teaching. He already had head knowledge from his years as a pharisee. But, he needed heart knowledge, he needed Spirit knowledge, he needed brokenness.  This takes time. (Gal.1:1-24-Gal 2:1-10)

God calls his teachers and preachers as He sees fit. It is a burden. A calling. It's not something you get from a few classes. It's not something you get because you are important in the community and able to attract listeners.

Jesus said "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."---(John 10:25-30)

With so many voices around us, is it any wonder that we can't hear from God anymore? Have you heard His voice? Would you know it? Jesus says you will if you are with Him. Believe it.

 
How do we hear from Him? We listen to the still small voice not the earthquake or raging fire full of fear. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Jesus said " If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:12)

Do you believe the hard things in His Word? Do you believe the crazy things in the Bible? Do you believe in six days of creation and one day of rest? Can you believe in talking serpents and global floods? If you can't believe that,  then how can you believe that He rose from the dead? (Romans 10:9-10) 

 

How can you believe He is coming again? How can you believe He answers prayer or will never forsake you? How can you believe there is an enemy, and how can you believe there are false teachers? Maybe even the one who preaches to you about works every Sunday.

He has given us teachers. But are we listening to HIS teachers? 

 

Like the leaders of Israel ignored and killed the true prophets. Do religious leaders keep the people in darkness today as well? Do we heap to ourselves teachers today thinking we are so smart, or so spiritual?

Ask the Spirit. Start listening to Him right now. We avoid false teachers by listening to the Holy Spirit.

Try it.

 

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 Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow him at Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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