Hospitality is a natural human tendency implanted by the grace of Jesus Christ within the human heart. We often enjoy sharing our worldly wealth with others. Many friends and even strangers enjoy a dinner party or a back yard barbecue. When our phone rings we often answer with a friendly greeting. Deep within our hearts, the welcoming grace of Jesus Christ overflows to all within our reach. However, often God’s children lack the wisdom and discernment regarding the potential enemy outside our door.
The enemy innocently lurks around the next corner. Their dress and speech is engineered to deceive. They carry a Bible and other literature but within the disguise lurks an insidious enemy – the spirit of lies. The next time your doorbell rings, don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s warning: "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and antichrist." (II John 1: 7 NKJV) I warn you, don’t be taken in by the spirit of lies. Not everyone that knocks on your door or rings your doorbell is beneficial to the saint. The word of God warns "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (II John 1: 9 NKJV)
The extra literature and books according to their interpretation are false. Beware regarding the cunning deceitfulness. Their truth includes many roads to heaven. I warn you! Many have fallen for they clever scheme of deception. All the rules and regulations added on to the word of God only ensnares an unsuspecting seeker of truth. The enemy standing at the door looks, acts, and even talks like a true believer, but something is missing. At that moment when your doorbell rings, listen to this counsel from the Holy Spirit: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (II John 1: 10: 11 NKJV)
God says what he means and He means what He says. Don’t let a deceiver into your house unless you desire to share in their evil deeds.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Litmus Test
In the end times, the exhortation from the Holy Spirit challenges you and me, God’s children, to test the spirits to see if they are from God. Every good intention or idea originates from either heaven or hell. Jesus warns that the sign of the end times is this: "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24: 31 NKJV) Remember that even what appears as a good thing just might cloak a lie. Take heed to this warning: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thessalonians 2: 9 – 12 NKJV) Satan appears as an ambassador of light. The liar acts and appears as God. So, beware!
How do you and I avoid the deceptive nature of every good intention? "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4: 1 NKJV) If we test every spirit that whispers a tantalizing suggestion in our ears, what is the test to compare a suggestion to a lie? You and I need wisdom to discern between divine or demonic influence. In search of this wisdom, I read this: "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1: 5 NKJV) Don’t be spiritually dense! Ask for divine wisdom about your next adventure! Catch the lie before it devours your family and friends. Before the Lord’s reputation is tarnished.
What is the litmus test for testing the spirits? Look at your heart’s intention! Therein lays a clue to the origin of the whispered message. Before you act upon the suggestion, consider this: "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." (James 3: 14 – 16 NKJV) The first thing to review about that new adventure is this: do you have peace in your heart about it? "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14: 33 NKJV)
Secondly, who gets the glory from this new adventure? Just like Jesus, the Holy Spirit does nothing of himself. He acts and instructs according to divine instruction. So, the next time a whispering spirit tantalizes your fertile mind with a new adventure, remember the litmus test. Who gets the glory? Who gets the peace?
Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton
How do you and I avoid the deceptive nature of every good intention? "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4: 1 NKJV) If we test every spirit that whispers a tantalizing suggestion in our ears, what is the test to compare a suggestion to a lie? You and I need wisdom to discern between divine or demonic influence. In search of this wisdom, I read this: "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1: 5 NKJV) Don’t be spiritually dense! Ask for divine wisdom about your next adventure! Catch the lie before it devours your family and friends. Before the Lord’s reputation is tarnished.
What is the litmus test for testing the spirits? Look at your heart’s intention! Therein lays a clue to the origin of the whispered message. Before you act upon the suggestion, consider this: "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." (James 3: 14 – 16 NKJV) The first thing to review about that new adventure is this: do you have peace in your heart about it? "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14: 33 NKJV)
Secondly, who gets the glory from this new adventure? Just like Jesus, the Holy Spirit does nothing of himself. He acts and instructs according to divine instruction. So, the next time a whispering spirit tantalizes your fertile mind with a new adventure, remember the litmus test. Who gets the glory? Who gets the peace?
Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)