Do Not Be Like Them

 Do Not Be Like Them

Do We Follow Evil Authority?

 

 

 

 

There’s a Christian concept that I have struggled with over the years.

It is the idea that believers are supposed to bow down to Authority. No matter how evil it is.

The concept comes from this verse,

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”—Romans 13:1-7

The idea being that God is all powerful, so He can choose who He wants to lead and has chosen this evil leader. So we as Christians must follow the leader. We must pay what we owe in taxes. We give them respect.

We continue to do good, because even an evil ruler would have a hard time punishing someone who is doing good.

The bottom line is that we are actually serving God, and answer to Him, not the evil ruler.

That’s the basic concept.

This doctrine has led to Christians following evil dictators, Nazis, and Communists and other wicked rulers. It has led to Christians allowing the most vile and evil things to occur, and even seem to endorse them. It has led to Christians supporting laws that are evil, such as slavery and genocide. All perfectly legal at the time. Even today Christians support laws that destroy peoples lives. All because it’s “The Law”.

This concept has led to Pastors, who betray church members and send them off to death camps. Right now, in countries like China, Pastors will report members who preach the true Gospel.

It has led to churches where Jesus Christ is only viewed as a good teacher, not as Lord. Because the leaders are snitches and the congregation is too afraid to speak out. They cannot get a license to be a church if they do not support the state sanctioned version of the church. This sort of thing is coming world wide.

According to the scriptures, there will be a last days persecution.

After or during the the time when the four horsemen are galloping around, Christians world wide will be blamed and killed. The Anti-Christ will rise up and make war with the Saints and kill them. (Revelation 6:1-11, Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:25)

Terrible things have happened in history and will happen again.

So, it behooves a believer to understand some things about this doctrine.

You cannot base a doctrine on one verse, or one segment. But you must base doctrine on the entirety of scripture. Being led by the Holy Spirit to make wise loving decisions on things.

It’s my belief that God created the concept of authority. It’s from God. But, authority is supposed to rule with love and wisdom. Since it’s from God.

God gives them the chance to do good and succeed, but they fail to various degrees. Government is full of humans, and they sin. They fail, they get it it wrong. They have free will. They choose to do evil, despite the fact that God gave them power so they could do good. It proves that humans are fallen, and even when we have the power to do good, we choose to do evil. Evil rulers prove that we need God to rule. Whether it’s our own lives or the lives of others.

Realize, that oftentimes a people will get the leaders they deserve. You cannot get a good leader from an evil people. Because the leaders come from the people. Ever since the day the child was born, they have been influenced by the culture. They are tainted. It takes a great person (or God in them, or with them.) to overcome the culture and to do good despite the evil. Remember that evil becomes good and good becomes evil, in a fallen culture.

As believers we are in this world and are called to serve God in it. No matter how evil a ruler is, we are called to serve God, in love.

We can gain great spiritual blessings in persecutions from evil. Jesus said we are blessed. (Matt. 5:11-12)

But, how do we live under wicked rulers?

One of the verses I stand on is …… “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”—(Matthew 23:1-3)

When you are faced with evil rulers, we are called to obey them, but not to be evil like them. That means we reject the evil. We reject the lies and false. But, still obey their authority.

What does this mean? How does it work? 

Well, you need to be Spirit led, and refuse to do anything that is evil. Even suffering punishment because of it.

This applies to all levels of authority.

History shows us that persecution actually comes from the people around us. Even our own Pastors and brethren. As stated before, the churches throughout history have been full of people who will snitch on you and have you killed.

Scriptures show that there are false brethren. (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Gal. 2:1-5)

People who claim to know Christ but do not.

Our churches are full of them. Persecution helps to weed them out. It’s hard to claim to know Jesus when they kill you for it. So false brethren, twist your church to where you can still be a part of it, but not really serve Christ. It’s happening more and more. A place of entertainment and good moral teaching… Like the state supported churches in China, while the real believers are underground and persecuted.

There will be false teachers. False prophets and preachers or pastors.

We are warned of this, in these last days. 

Jesus said to beware the false teachings of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the leaders. Understand that nobody listens to the weird guy in the basement. False teaching and false doctrine comes from people in authority. …( Matthew 16:6-12)

He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them…”—(Matthew 7:15-20)

What fruits? What false teachings?

False teachings has two aspects. Either they are teaching a works based doctrine. Or reject the divinity of Christ. Or a mixture of both.

They teach good morals and the law. Or that Jesus Christ was just a good man, or teacher, or never really mention Him. They also reject the Holy Spirit or never speak of Him. Believers, have the Spirit, and are led by Him.

You are not saved by Works. Only Christ alone, and He is Lord. When we are saved we are filled with the Spirit and are changed by Him and led by Him.

The fruits, are the fruits of the Spirit…”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—(Gal. 5:22-23)

Fruits are not sin. All humans sin. But, not all humans, have the Holy Spirit, who brings those fruits out in us.

If they aren’t serving in love, joy and peace, you might want to question their fruits.  

How do they treat you and others? Do they love you? Do they show it? Have they driven good people from your church?

We are called to forgive, but not to support evil.

Paul says there is no fellowship with demons or Belial. No agreement with the sons of deception. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

So, when a leader, or false brethren or pastor has worked to destroy your life, their fruits reveal them. When people are driven from the church do you believe “They didn’t really love Jesus?” or do you believe that maybe the leadership didn’t love them? Both are possible.

We might need to obey them, because they hold authority, but we are not supposed to be like them. We are not to partake of their false doctrines. We are not to have fellowship with them. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

If they have done us wrong. We should go to them if the Spirit leads. Then, take them to 2 or 3 others. Then before the church.–(Matt. 18:15-17)

Then if they don’t stop. Treat them as a heathen and publican.

Forgive them. Love them. Pray for them, but do not fellowship with them. Do not let them drag you into their evil.

We are not talking about sins. But, fruits. If you focus on sins, you will reject certain sins while ignoring others. You will drive out one sinner while accepting another. You will reject the person who got pregnant out of wedlock, while accepting the person so full of pride they cannot admit they are wrong. You will reject the divorced person, while loving the Gossip. You will reject the addict while loving the glutton, because they can cook great fried chicken. So focus on love, not sins. Love them, and help them to love you.

God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us into all truth. We have the Word, but the Spirit helps us to apply it in wisdom and love.

We are going to need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit in these last days. As brother turns on brother and delivers them unto death. The deception will be so bad that only the Holy Spirit will be able to guide us through. Do you plan to obey the Anti-Christ because he is in authority? You best learn how to follow the Spirit today, or you will be full of confusion on that day.

The time draws near and believers need to draw closer to God. Our faith is grown the more we trust God. We need to make sure we have the oil of faith in our lamps.

He is coming. But, not when they tell you.

---

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.

God's Goodness

 God's Goodness

He Does Not Leave Us Alone In Darkness

 

 

There are times in my walk with God, when I am just beat down.

Times when I feel like nobody hears what I’m saying. Times when nothing seems to work and everything is against me.

It’s during these times, that I just want to quit. Quit everything.

But, then God comes.

He shows up and speaks.

It might be a word of encouragement. A person who pops up out of the blue and says, “What you said, helped me.”

It might be a verse of scripture that comes to life in me.

It could be a blessing, or an answered prayer, like cool drink on a hot day.

Things that let me know I’m not wasting my time. That I’m where God wants me to be, and is using me.

And that’s God.

Paul said, …”that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

And it is.

If God was a hateful, judging monster, nobody would turn to Him.

But, He is not. 

He works with us in this corrupted world, and in our weakness and failures, to provide light and love, at the exact moment to help us go forward a little more.

He told Abraham, “come unto a place that I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1 )

And Abraham trusted God. He believed His Word, and he went. Not knowing exactly where.

But, I’m sure that God gave him blessings and encouragement and light. Just when Abraham needed it.

And it built faith. 

We are saved by God’s Grace, through faith. And even our faith is grown by God.

There is no such thing as blind faith with God. He prepares us. He walks with us, and encourages us.

He appears and brings the sweet blessings of His presence into our lives. We know He is there. We can almost touch Him.

And that peace comes. The peace that defies all understanding.

“And we know that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”..(Romans 8:28)

If you know God, you were called. He desires to commune with you. He seeks to have a relationship with you.

He brings goodness into our lives, in the midst of the darkness and it’s at those times that real praise and real worship spring forth. Not because we desire it. But, because He creates it in us.

And it’s then. In His presence. and in the light of His goodness and love, that I see how wretched I am.

I see the awful things I’ve said. The mean things I’ve thought. The unkindness I’ve displayed.

And I see that I don’t deserve good things. I don’t deserve love.

But, God comes anyway. 

He loves me anyway, and it makes me want to do better for Him. It makes me want to be like Him, and serve Him. It makes me want to love others and drive back the darkness of this world so others, can experience that love, joy, goodness and peace which comes from Him.

It’s not rules, and hell fire preaching, and accountability from men that drives me to God.

It is God Himself and His awesome goodness.

The One who came down to pull me from the pit of death.

Am I reflecting Him?

Am I a vessel for His goodness and love?

I fail.

But, in my failure and weakness He still comes and pours out His Grace.

Taste and see that the Lord is Good.

He is the greatest thing.

There is nothing to compare.

He calls you to know him.

---

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.

The Foolish Things

 The Foolish Things

Why Do We Believe God is In The Flashy Thing?

 

 

 " But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in his presence."----1 Cor. 1:27-29

God has used the foolish things to confound the wise. 

He has used the weak things to confound the things which are mighty

He has chosen the base things and despised things.

That is who and what he has chosen.

To understand this you must know God's purpose in this. 

He seeks to save people. He seeks a relationship with them, and to grow them. He seeks to restore that which was lost. (Matt. 18:10-14, 2 Peter 3:9, )

He has set up a method for that. The method is grace through faith.  Free grace for all who believe His Word and turn to Him. (Matt. 5:24)

Simple.

Except that Satan works to oppose that. He uses the shiny things. The pretty things. The wise things. The worldly, fleshly things to keep us distracted and deceived. ( 2 Cor. 11:12-14, )

Remember, God came to die for us and save us. He calls us. When we hear His call, and believe what He tells us, and turn to Him, we are saved.

He is our salvation. We are saved by Him. He is our only Hope. So, God puts the focus on Himself. He is our savior.

So, let's start at the top.

Paul the apostle is the writer of this book. He wrote most of the New Testament.

But, Paul was a religious leader who did not know God. He hated Christians and killed them. . (Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1-3,)

Yet, this guy basically evangelized the world.

Who in their right mind would believe this guy served God? Who would forgive this guy and use HIM?

Only God.

And that's the point.

Only God could have used an enemy to do His work. Only God, could have transformed this man into a tool for His use.

Paul called himself "Chief of Sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15)

And that's where the tire meets the road. Paul believed God. He saw his own true state, and turned to God, for salvation through Jesus Christ.

"I am weak" so I turn to God. "Now I am strong." In God. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

God uses the foolish, the weak, the base and despised to show the world, His power.

Because our testimony is about telling the great things God has done for us. (Rev. 12:11)

Then, the world looks and says "but you're weak, you're silly, you're despised?"

And then we say, "it wasn't me. It was God."

And many will hear what you say and be open to hear more and to believe, and to turn and know this God you speak of.

The God who uses Sinners.

He used Moses, a murderer to do some of the greatest things in the Bible. (Exo 2:11-15)

It was not Moses. It was God.

He used Gideon to raise an army, then weeded out the troops till there were only a few, who gained a stunning victory. (Judges Chapter 7)

So the world would know it was God.

Peter and the rest of the Apostles.

Fishermen, workmen, hated tax collectors, violent zealots, simple folk, prostitutes, and even a betrayer.

He used them all to do His work, of saving people and knowing them.

Only God, could do that.

Only God, could have turned the entire Roman Empire and the whole world upside down, through the base, and despised things.

So we hear the stories of God's work, and He pricks our heart. We believe, and turn to Him, to be saved through Jesus Christ.

He did not use the perfect thing. The pretty thing. The shiny thing. Because HE alone is our salvation.

And we need to see HIM.

Nothing else.

Praise Jesus.

 

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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

Photo by the author. A giant blue rooster on the roof of the Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord

 Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord...

An Example of False Doctrine.

 

Since the beginning of Christianity there has been a battle between Faith and Works, in regards to salvation.

The same arguments exist today as existed back when Paul and the other apostles wrote. 

A careful reading of the scriptures show that there is no argument between the apostles and Jesus on the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works lest anyone should boast.

It is said over and over again. It is shown that humans are sinners with a corrupted nature, we cannot please God. All our works are filthy rags. 

We need Jesus. The only thing we can do, is believe the Word God gives us and turn to Him. We confess Jesus is the Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10)

But, the argument continues because those who support a works based doctrine use verses such as this verse from Jesus.

"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 which is in heaven."---(Matthew 7:21)

They use this verse to bully people into obeying false doctrines of works.

Basically, they are saying that confessing Jesus as Lord, is not good enough. You must do more works. 

Then, when you ask what else you need to do. They will give you all kinds of things to do, or some vague nonsense that keeps you guessing.

The last days will be full of false teachers and false doctrine. 

There are two types of false doctrine. Either they claim Jesus is not Lord. or they claim a salvation through works doctrine. Which cuts Jesus out of the equation. You are saving yourself by doing works, not fully trusting Christ. Both of these are false.

Any mixture of works and grace is false.  Grace mixed with Works destroys grace.

Now if you keep reading the verse in Matthew you will find the truth.

 "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 which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?---(Matt. 7:21-22)

As you can see. These people on Judgement Day, when Jesus returns are calling Him Lord...But, have not really believed He is Lord, and have not submitted to Him. They still believe they are saved by their own works. They never accepted the Gospel. They practiced religion and tried to save themselves.

These are the false teachers, who face eternal darkness forever. (Jude 1) They were never saved because they did not give themselves to Christ for salvation.

They practice religion. Not relationship, because they don't know Him, and therefore have no relationship.

But, let's go a step further, because Jesus states it perfectly.

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."--- (John 6:28-29)

So, when the false teachers claim a works based doctrine by using the verses like this one from Matthew and stating we are not saved unless we do "the will of the Father in heaven". Just remember that Jesus plainly states that the works of God is to "believe on him whom he hath sent". 

In other words, putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Confessing Him as Lord and He alone for salvation, is the works of God.

The battle between faith based salvation and a works based salvation has been raging for over 2000 years.

James says "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James Chapter 2)

But...

Paul says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.---(Romans 10:9-10)

Is not confessing with the mouth a work? So we have faith and works at play in this verse.

Paul and James do not disagree. They agree.

It is the false teachers who disagree with the Gospel and the Word of God.  They demand obedience to the law. They demand obedience for salvation.

But, they do not understand that...

We obey by turning to God. We obey by confessing Jesus is the Lord. We obey by Faith in Jesus, We obey by Communion. We obey by Baptism. We obey by telling others about Jesus. We obey by being Spirit led. We obey by Love. We obey by Grace.

These are the works that we do through Him. Not by our own.

Praise Jesus.

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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

It's Not Too Hard For You

 

So, Why Can't We Do It?

 

 In Deuteronomy God says that His laws are not too hard for us.(Deut. 30:11-15)

 "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;"

Why does He say this? 

Because He wants us to see that there is something wrong with us. We have a corrupted nature from Adam. God did not create us this way. We have fallen. (Gen. Chapter 3, Romans 1:16-32, Romans 3:10-31)

He tells us truth. "It is not hidden from you or far off."

God says we can keep His law. It's not hard. He knows our capabilities. He created us. He did not make His law impossible.

But we do not do it.

Why?

Because after the Fall, we became corrupt, and NOW His law is impossible for us. Because we are fallen.

We changed. Not His law. His law is eternal, it changes not. Just like God doesn't change.

The Apostle Paul cries out "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans Chapter 7)

We have to come to the conclusion on our own that we cannot obey God's Law. We cannot please Him. We can't do it. This is us realizing we are sinners, and need God.

 

We try to do right. We fail. Our lives are in shambles and we cannot please God or anyone. Then, we say "I can't do it! I quit!" Then the Holy Spirit comes and speaks to our heart. "Maybe God can help? Maybe God can save you and fix you?" 

That is when we have that "Aha!" moment and realize the truth of the Word given to us, and turn to God for His salvation and help. This is Grace and Faith. We put our trust in Him, and He accepts us because we received it in Faith and Truth.

We must come to this conclusion. This helps us to realize that we need Him. We have three choices. We can keep trying to obey the laws and rules under our own power, even though we can't. (Religion) Or we can throw in the towel, and quit. Turning away from God. (Rebellion) Or we can turn to Him and let Him save us and grow us. (Submission and Relationship)

We hear His call and turn to Him. We must awaken in Him. We come to life in Him. We die to sin and come to life in Christ. (Romans Chapter 6-7)

God knew we would fail to keep His laws. That's why He set up a sacrificial system to take care of us, when we fail. Why say "It's not too hard..." but yet give us a means to fix it when we fail?

Because He knows we will fail. It's part of the law He designed. The entire thing is designed to cause us to fail, wake up, turn to Him, and let Him save us,  cleanse us and grow us. This is the relationship. This is knowing Him, and being known of Him.

The sacrifices in the law are a picture of Jesus Christ, coming to save us and cleanse us of all sin. He is our savior.

The law shows us that we fail, and need a savior.

We turn to Him and He saves us and grows us.

The law becomes dead to us because we die with Christ, then come to life again in Him. The eternal consequences of sin do not impact us. Notice I said "Eternal". We are often impacted in this life by the things we do. But, it is not held against us in eternity, we are saved.

We now live to love God and others. But, we do this by His Holy Spirit. Not our own. Our flesh cannot do it. 

It's not too hard for us, because God Himself does it for us. It's not too far from us, because Jesus Christ brought it down for us.

That's His Grace and Love. We just need to abide and have a relationship with Him.

If we are saved, the laws and rules, now exist to help us have a better life and to know what to confess to the Lord for cleansing. We are free from the eternal consequences of the law.

Jesus paid the price.

 

It is finished!

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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

We Are Tempted

 We Are Tempted

We have An Enemy

 In the book of James, chapter one. God tells us that we are tempted. He explains that the Lord does not tempt us with evil. God is good and He does good always.

But. The scriptures say we are tempted and enticed. This happens because of our flesh. Our lust. Our desires.

So who tempts us?  

Historically preachers have used these verses to show that we sin because of our flesh.

Which is true.

But, over time the lesson has become totally about the flesh, and our corrupted nature from the Fall, while excluding the fact that we are being tempted and enticed by someone, who is not God.

Satan, his angels and demons, or unclean spirits.

We have even created jokes to ridicule the idea that we are tempted by demons. 

Saying things like "the devil made me do it." or we say, "Yeah but, God will protect us" Which is true, if you are saved. But, saved people do not have fellowship with demons. We rebuke them and drive them out like Jesus, in His name. But, too many "believers'' never wage spiritual warfare. Is your family protected? Your friends?

Peter said, that the devil is a roaring lion going around seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

We have an enemy. The enemy was defeated on the cross but it is our job to enforce that defeat.We have authority in Jesus name. Peter would not have warned us about an enemy, if we did not need to be aware.

But, we have lost our vigilance. We have lost our spiritual eyes.

The idea that it's all a battle in the flesh, has weakened us and caused us to only focus on the flesh.

But we need to be focused on both the spirit and the flesh. 

The earthly and spiritual.

It is a spiritual battle we need to be fighting. Not just the flesh. We need to learn and practice spiritual warfare. 

Obeying rules won't cut it. More church won't cut it.

We must turn to God and wage spiritual warfare. Confessing our sin to Him. Casting out demons. Praying. Listening to His Spirit as He guides us and directs us. He will tell you what to do.

Even James says so, in the same chapter we are looking at. If you seek wisdom ask God. (James 1:5)

It's not just a matter of "not sinning anymore." Jesus has washed away our sin if you are saved. We are not held to eternal account for sin. That's gone. But, we can suffer in this world and we can lose rewards, and be stopped from being of service.

That is the enemy's tactic. He does anything he can to keep us wrapped up in nonsense, while he snatches people into hell. The enemy keeps us focused on defeat and struggle. He gives us a spirit of fear, and doubt. He gets us to doubt God's promises and truth, or not know them at all. He gets us to think we are alone.

But, remember who we are.

We are Saints of the Living God. We are here waging war under the authority of the King of Kings. If you are saved.

It's not about trying to quit sinning, or obeying rules made by men, or playing church. We are dead to those things and risen in Christ, if you know Him.

It's about turning to God, and confessing. Then letting Him guide you in what to do next.

Pray and cast out the demons. Then, follow the Lord.

He might lead you away from things. He might show you a way to solve it. But, listen to Him.

You want God to fix it. If you do it in your flesh, it's not really solved. It just moves somewhere else.

The demon you seek to overcome will manifest in another way. Your sexual lust, might become gluttony. Your lies might become resentment. You have not cast it out or defeated it. Flesh cannot overcome spirit.

God must change us. God must fix it. We must wage Spiritual Warfare. This is why we confess our sins. We bring these things to God and He cleanses us spiritually, then starts working in our lives to make changes to set us free from this sin or behavior that is hurting us. We keep abiding in Him and confessing to Him and eventually we will see that it is gone. This what Jesus meant by washing our feet.

He knows what He's doing. Give it to Him. The enemy tries to get us caught in a snare. But we wage Spiritual Warfare by turning to God and letting Him cleanse us and direct our paths. That is just one small aspect of the war we wage.

Praise Jesus.

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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

God Leads Us

 God Leads Us 

 He shall direct thy paths.

 

“ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”—Proverbs 3:5-6

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God leads us in our lives. He literally directs our paths. 

Our part is to abide in Him, praise Him, seek His desire for us, thank Him and tell others of the great things God has done for us. ( John 15:4, Mark 5:18-20, Mark 16: 15-20)

We acknowledge Him. We turn to Him in all our ways. We tell people about Him.

He guides us. He knows what we need before we even ask. (Matt. 6:7-8)

So what does this mean?

How does this work?

It is part of God building a relationship with us. He knows us and we know Him through Jesus Christ and this relationship. But, we have been separated and unable to hear. Our faith is weak and our spirit is groggy from sleep. It must be grown.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice”. (John 10:25-30)

The scriptures speak of Elijah hearing the still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

This relationship is utmost. There is no other relationship that matters as much as this.

You can do great things, you can obey rules, you can talk about loving God.

But, if there’s no relationship, it doesn’t matter. He never knew you.

So, how does this work?

Ask Him.

I know that seems snarky, but it’s the relationship. 

Pray…”Lord, I want to hear your voice and have a relationship with you. Please save me and help me. In Jesus name, amen,.”

Or pray something similar. Then trust that He will and is working.

I will tell you an example from my own life.

There was a period of time where my life had fallen apart, and God was working to build me back up.

I had a choice of several different churches to go to. But, the Lord led me to go to the church I had grown up in.

As I was sitting in the balcony, I started to notice that there was disrepair. Things needed painted bad. There was dirt and grime.

I am not a neat freak. Normally I don’t really pay much attention to such things, but something was pointing it out to me.

Later that day, I got a phone call from the church asking me if I wanted to do some painting and other tasks.

I did not need to pray over it, or think about it. God had “led” me.

He had gone before me and paved the way.  He had told me before hand.

It led to an assistant custodians position. Then, to the head custodians position, which God has used to provide for me. And give me a place to do the real work he has for me, in the 5 fold ministry. (Eph. 4:11-12)

I thank him, I praise him.  He has done so much.

But, it came by him leading me and me following his lead. It came by having a relationship with him and knowing his voice, as Jesus said. “My sheep know my voice”. (John 10:25-30)

Another side aspect of this is that it gives you authority to stand on.

You KNOW God brought you there. You know He is with you. You know He will move you or lead you out, and protect you. You are in His will.

So when the enemy uses someone to try to get you to doubt, or fear, or be deceived. You can stand and say, “No! This is where He led me. I am in His will. I have done nothing wrong. He is with me.” It is a valuable thing to have. Knowing you were placed there by God means you have authority in your position.

God has never really required blind faith from me. He has shown me. Led me. Reminded me of how He has kept His promises, and that He is with me. So, there is no “Blind” faith if you know Him. There’s “Follow Me”, and then the thought…”He has protected me a thousand times, He is there.” That’s not “Blind” faith. That’s trust.

This is about having a relationship. 

He might lead us in different ways at times. My experience here, is just one example.

The point, is that He is real, and a rewarded of those who seek Him. He is able. We can trust and wait and follow.

He will lead you. Let Him build the relationship and your faith. Just watch and see.

Praise Jesus.

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Other Scripture References:

Psalm 23
Psalm 25
Matthew 6:9-13

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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.