Category Archives: Lies That Defeat Us

Counterfeit Or Genuine??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #430

05 Monday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God Who Sees, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Good Stewards, Gospel, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' standard?, Lies That Defeat Us, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Mindset on Jesus!, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, My sheep hear my voice..., The Word

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Counterfeit Or Genuine???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #430

There is so much going on around us that claims to be of God, yet how can we know what is genuine—whether in our own lives or the lives of those we encounter (particularly on the media—of any kind).  So how are we to know what’s counterfeit and what’s not?  Simply put, there is only one way and that’s to dig into The Word of God!  First and foremost because it’s what God calls us to do, secondly it is the only way to discern truth from error, and there is a lot of error going around dressed up as ‘truth’!

One of the questions that I want us to consider today, is “If you belong to Jesus, why is your lifestyle denying Him, by denying what His Word says?”  If we have genuinely been born again to new life in Jesus, why are we so often, in essence, slandering The One that we call LORD?

“Study

to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:

of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred,

saying that the resurrection is past

already;

and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

 that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timohty 2:15-19

We are called to study—to dig in to God’s Word with diligence—that we might “shew thyself”—to display, live honorably and openly to the world as a true follower of Jesus—not bringing shame upon our Lord.  Are we able to “shew thyself approved unto God”?  Or are we not truly His, but faking it, living a lie, trying to go along to get along!  I pray not!  Whose approval are you seeking?  Does your speech betray Jesus?  Do your morals betray what His Word teaches?  Are your choices based on the worldly rather than the “way, the truth and the life” of Jesus! (See John 14:6).  Who are you following? People say pretty things, they sound good to the ear, but we are to try “the spirits” and not just go along to get along.  Paul warns us of those pretty sounding words.

“Preach the word;

be instant in season,

out of season;

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort

with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 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;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.”  2 Timohty 4:2-4

I truly believe that what Paul warns us of is surely upon us.  Check out this list.

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times

shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

In Blanche’s paraphrase, men will adorn themselves with religion without any relationship to Jesus!  They’ll use His name and claim His power but is will simply be a “form” not reality—biblical reality!  As we noted above in 2 Timohty 2:19, God knows His own, and while you can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time—you can’t fool GOD.  Jesus had something pretty severe to say to this, let’s look.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 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.

22 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?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

God knows!  And the day will reveal it—sometimes before then, the truth will be revealed!  God’s timing is always perfect!  And in a closing passage, one that is not very popular today, but it’s God’s Word and we need to know that truth is still truth whether people receive and believe it or not!  But let me preface this passage by saying that the key is Paul’s declaration of his confidence in the Corinthian believers, who “were” once participating in these behaviors, but he makes it clear that when Jesus saves us, there is a change!

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters,

nor adulterers, nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous,

nor drunkards, nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Some of the greatest words in all of scripture, “such were some of you: but…”!!!!  Amen and thank you Jesus—such was I–but I have been saved, born again by the Spirit of God; I’ve been washed, sanctified, and justified by the work of Jesus!  His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin!!!

How about you?  I pray that you will come to Jesus if you haven’t, and if you have been born again by the power of the blood, that you will make this a year of new beginnings in your devotion to our Lord and Savior—Master of all creation, including me!  Praise His holy name and thank you Jesus for saving me.  Look to the cross my friend, HE went there for you too!!!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You Have Any Lions??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #400

29 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father of Lies!, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving Or Taking?, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Life, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, Satan, Satan's lies.

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do You Have Any Lions???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #400

It’s so amazing how time goes so quickly!  As I changed the number to 400 this morning, I couldn’t help but smile and thank God for the privilege of writing this blog.  And that’s only 400 since I changed the name again.  I’ve been doing this blog since 2012—oh my, that’s 13 years, and only God knows where they have gone.  I always pray that He takes them where they need to go.  I hope you are being blessed in these writings from God’s Word!  It’s why I believe God has called me to this ministry and I seek to continue to hear and heed His call to share His Word, not my opinions!

As I say that, I know that one of my lions seems to be trying to keep me from writing as regularly as I try to.  What are your lions?  As I was teaching on Daniel chapter 6 (the den of lions) last evening, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share a few things with you today about those lions; and while most of us won’t face a den full of lions for our faith, the enemy is real, and we need to keep our armor on to overcome by God’s power, grace and wisdom!  So be sure and pray on that armor from Ephesians 6:10-19 every day!

As Daniel faced the trial of those who wanted to get rid of him, the king sees that he had been duped and even in the short time that he had known Daniel, he had come to recognize Daniel’s faith!  What do others see in us?  Read the whole chapter to see that Daniel’s specific crime was praying to his God—openly, regularly, and diligently!  What about our prayer life?  Oh, Lord help me to be more diligent and faithful to spend time with you!

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.”  Daniel 6:16

But that isn’t the only thing we see about this king who just commanded that Daniel be cast into this den of lions; he was concerned for his own failure to see the devices of those who had appealed to his ego in signing the edict that no one could pray to anyone but him!  How big is your ego? Your pride?

“Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee from the lions?”          Daniel 6:18-20

What anxiety this king must have felt as he called out to this man of faithfulness and integrity; while he recognized the uniqueness of “Daniel’s God”, he wasn’t’ quite sure that he could have power in a den of hungry lions!  Was he in for a pleasant and welcome surprise—and if you don’t know, Daniel was not a young teenager (as many of the pictures depict him) at this time, but he was a man in his eighties approaching ninety years old, who knew his God was able, and he also knew that he was guiltless.

“Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him innocency

was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.”  Daniel 6:21-22

I want to share some scriptural reminders of the reality of our spiritual lions today, and also how we can stand-withstand-and overcome by God’s grace, power and truth, as we serve Him “continually” (not working for our salvation, but letting God work through our daily lives before a lost and dying world!). Now let me say, when we talk about continually serving God, that doesn’t mean that we stay at church all the time, or pass out tracks all the time, or preach or teach all the time!  What it does mean is that we remember that when we claim to have given our lives to Jesus Christ, we need to live the crucified life.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And Jesus’ call to those who want to be His own!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

So, what about those lions?  Let’s let scripture speak!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.”Ephesians 6:10-12

We can stand against the “wiles of the devil” by God’s strength and power—not on our own.  In fact Jesus made this really clear!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Peter also helps us understand this analogy; I wish I’d have thought of this!  I didn’t but I sure can use God’s Word to help others see the dangers of the adversary of our souls!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

 While we may not be thrown into a den full of lions, we are ever plagued by this enemy of our souls!  But don’t lose heart—for in Jesus, remember—We Win!  But we must be humble before our God and Saviour Jesus Christ The Lord, knowing that He has us!  He knows, cares and is working for our good! He said He would!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

And also from the author of the book of Hebrews, a reminder to keep our eyes on the prize not the enemy—for with Jesus we do Win!  And remember you are called to run ‘your’ race not anyone else’s—help them yes, encourage them yes, but stay in your lane! (And just FYI, the witnesses that he mentions are not a reference to a great stadium cheering us on, but rather a reference to the list of the faithful that was just shared in chapter 11, reminding us that we aren’t alone). Remember—others have gone before us in victory, even in horrific circumstances! (Read the biographies of the missionaries of earlier generations!)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and

the sin which doth so easily beset us, and

let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured

such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

So, my friends, don’t fear the lions, but walk in the victory that Jesus can and will provide for you when you keep your “eyes fixed on Jesus” (Blanche’s paraphrase!); remembering Paul’s words of encouragement (and Daniel’s faithful example)!

“11 Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content…  

…. 13 I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:11-13

We Win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

When Is Sin Not Sin??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #323

17 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Lies That Defeat Us, Life, Life or Death?, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Lot's Day?, Lovest Thou ME?, Made like Jesus!, Making a difference, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What are you doing with your TIME?, What are you drinking?, What are you hungry for?, What does worldliness look like?, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's in your book?, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, What's The Word?, When Will You Bow?, Where are you leading those following you?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When Is Sin Not Sin???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #323

“There is a way

which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

Sin isn’t a very popular subject except when we want to participate in it and call it something else.  As the old adage says about beauty being “in the eye of the beholder”, we have applied that mindset to sin—sin is now “subject to interpretation”!  Now I’ll grant you that there are differences of opinion about when something is a sin or not, yet I’d like us to spend some time today seeing what God says about sin; for God’s Word is given to be the standard in all practice for God’s own; so I’d like to look at the ”heart” of the matter if you would, beginning with Jesus’ own observations.

The context of this portion of scripture is Jesus encountering the religious leaders (again), and I encourage you to read the entire chapter, for Jesus makes it clear that religious activity, in and of itself is insufficient to change the heart.  And as I have often written, laws can’t change hearts—only Jesus can.  It all comes down to the heart—what’s in it will come out—the good, the bad and the ugly.

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men…

…17 Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,

fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”   Portions of Matthew 15:7-20

And again in chapter 12 of Matthew, Jesus encountered the same kinds of questions:

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas

was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man

be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.”  Matthew 12:34-40

Paul had so much to say, and one of the greatest passages that he left to us is his call to us to have the mind of Christ Jesus!  If we are willing to heed his call, we will find a discerning heart, and an ability to look and live beyond the flesh from a heart set on Jesus.  I know these are lengthy passages, but my words are simply to help guide you to them, while my prayer is that God’s Spirit will speak to you through HIS WORD!!!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a

crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine as lights

in the world;” Philippians 2:5-15

Even as Paul stated, it’s not a list of “dos” and “don’ts” but rather a heart set on pleasing our Lord and King, that others may see His reflection in me (and notice Paul said, “work out” your own salvation, not “work for”!  There’s a big difference!)  For me that means there are places I don’t go for the effect it would have on others, there are things I don’t do, there are things I don’t say, but again Paul said it better than I can.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?

to his own master he standeth or falleth.

Yea, he shall be holden up:

for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another:

another esteemeth every day alike.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day,

regardeth it unto the Lord;

and he that regardeth not the day,

to the Lord he doth not regard it.

He that eateth,

eateth to the Lord,

for he giveth God thanks;

and he that eateth not,

to the Lord he eateth not,

and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself,

and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live,

we live unto the Lord;

and whether we die,

we die unto the Lord:

whether we live therefore, or die,

we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end

Christ both died,

and rose,

and revived,

that he might be Lord

both of the dead and living.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more:

but judge this rather,

that no man put a stumblingblock

or an occasion to fall

in his brother’s way.”  Romans 14:4-13

So the question has a simple answer, yet at the same time not an easy answer, if it pleases Jesus, it will never be sin; if not, you might want to measure it by the preceding passages from God’s Word—not me!  Jesus makes it clear in John 3 that activity, religious or not, can’t get you to heaven, only HE can do that, and HE requires that we come to Him for the new birth.  So I’ll close with three rather important things to consider in our opinion of sin (that which separates us from God, in its simplest form!) and how that appears in your life and mine, as well our choices!  Choices and consequences are a fact of life.  So choose wisely, you are free to do so, but you are not free to pick your consequences!

“3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…16 For God so loved the world,

 that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”                       Portions of John 3:3-19

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

And Paul’s great commentary and standard for judging ourselves (not others) to see if we truly be in the faith or making (faking) our own way to heaven, we think.  What’s your standard?  Here’s God’s!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us the word

of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

So where is your sin?  Under the blood of Jesus?  Have you received the righteousness of God through Him?  Have the old things “passed away” or are you trying to hold on to Jesus and sin at the same time?  You’ll find it an impossible task to maintain.  Are you “in Christ”?  Is He in You?  I pray that you will hear God’s Holy Spirit speaking to you; that you will hear, heed and be “made the righteousness of God in him”; or even adjust what you have been seeing as sin in your life!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (and it’s God’s test not mine!)

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Satan, Satan's lies., Saved by Grace Through Faith

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lies Are Still Lies???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

“But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:40-45

Jesus makes it clear that not all who claim to know Him, do!  The Apostle John also said that if we belong to Jesus, we are to walk in the “light” not the dark/flesh, and Paul repeats it over and over again in his writings, as he calls those who claim the name of Jesus to live it.  If we continually choose to walk with the world, we might want to examine what it is that we think has saved us.  The author of the book of Hebrews said it clearly, if we claim to be God’s children and sin with no discipline from God, we are illegitimate—lying to ourselves as well as others.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-10

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

Satan is a liar, as Jesus said, and if we believe his lies and refuse to see our sin and confess it as sin, we will die in our sin, and the lie will take us straight to hell.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

What have you done about your sin; not anyone else’s sin, but your sin?  We must deal with our sin in the blood of Jesus or pay for it ourselves; which means death and hell.  As Paul said, to the Corinthians, we are to examine ourselves and determine if we actually belong to Jesus and are living in the power of His Holy Spirit.  We are made new through the blood of Jesus, by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord as His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  It’s the price that Jesus paid for sin—the only way to God. (See John 14:6)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s call to the Roman believers to live by the power of Jesus, as a living sacrifice unto our God.  Are you measuring your life by the world or by The Word of God?  Don’t let the lies of the devil lead you astray. As Jesus said above:

“He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it…”

Are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth, or fall for the lies?  It’s your call, but there is a test.  Choose the holy life rather than the conformity to this world.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”              Romans 12:1-3

Jesus also says our life will tell the tale; what is your fruit telling about you and your relationship with Jesus?  Have you entered in by the “blood of Jesus… that cleanseth us from all sin” or are you trying to make it on your own good works, and fooling people.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”  There is a test coming.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.”  Matthew 7:13-17

Jesus is the ‘word’ by which we all shall be judged; what have you done with His payment for sin?  (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:14-15

I pray that you will be found in the book.

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies People Believe??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #135

24 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Behold the Lamb of God, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, God Knows, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?, Satan, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Lies People Believe???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #135

As I look around me, it seems that on every hand people are drowning in the lies of the enemy of our souls—Satan the great deceiver.  Who said so?  God’s Word says so, and if we don’t acquaint ourselves with what God has said in His Word, we are likely to fall for those lies ourselves.  Our young people have no hope, they don’t know who or what they are because the world is lying to them, and even professing Christians seem to be falling for and failing to recognize those very lies!  God’s Word isn’t outdated, or false, or unreliable—it is the VERY WORD OF GOD, and without it we have no hope at all—but God’s Word is true in every “jot and tittle” as Jesus said!  Whom will you believe?

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent,

called the Devil,

and Satan,

which deceiveth the whole world:

he was cast out into the earth,

and his angels were cast out with him.”  Revelation 12:9

There is a day coming when God will cast Satan and his angels down to the earth—an awful day of judgment for them, as well as for the inhabitants of earth.  I won’t get into the debate of the time of this event, but I will put it simply, they were cast out of any heavenly access.

“And there was war in heaven:

Michael and his angels

fought against the dragon;

and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not;

neither was their place found any more

in heaven.”  Revelation 12:7-8

The account described here, in my opinion, can’t have taken place before the ‘beginning’ and there is scriptural evidence that we will consider, simply for clarity.  If this event preceded the things that are recorded in scripture, then there would be no record of Satan encountering God in His heaven, but there are several places in scripture where this is referred to, and I want us to just let scripture say what scripture says (and I would encourage you to read Job 1 & 2 for the whole picture.).  In this particular context, the “sons of God” refers to angelic beings, not men!

“Now there was a day when the sons of God

came to present themselves before the LORD,

and Satan came also among them.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Whence comest thou?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,

From going to and fro in the earth,

and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Hast thou considered my servant Job,

that there is none like him in the earth,

a perfect and an upright man,

one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,

Doth Job fear God for nought?”  Job 1:6-9

And chapter 2 of Job reiterates Satan’s presence before God, and keep in mind this is after his encounter of chapter 1.

“Again there was a day when the sons of God

came to present themselves before the LORD,

and Satan came also among them

to present himself before the LORD.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan,

From whence comest thou?

And Satan answered the LORD, and said,

From going to and fro in the earth,

and from walking up and down in it.

3 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Hast thou considered my servant Job,

that there is none like him in the earth,

a perfect and an upright man,

one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

and still he holdeth fast his integrity,

although thou movedst me against him,

to destroy him without cause.

4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said,

Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath

will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thine hand now,

and touch his bone and his flesh,

and he will curse thee to thy face.”  Job 2:1-5

Those of us who are familiar with scripture know that God brought Job through a bevy of troubles, with a few so-called friends who accused Job of every failure under the sun, yet Job maintained his integrity before God; and in the end God honored Job’s faith in Him and restored him completely.  The enemy was a liar then and he’s a liar now, he accused Job causelessly, for he is the enemy of God’s own, and he is still the ENEMY!  How did Jesus, our Lord respond to him? (See Job 13:15)

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels charge

concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain,

and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,

and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him,

All these things will I give thee,

if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,

and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him,

and, behold,

angels came and ministered unto him.”  Matthew 4:3-11

If you’ll notice Jesus didn’t debate with the enemy—and we don’t have to either; Jesus answered the enemy’s attacks, temptations, and slanders with only one thing: The Word of GOD!!!  That is our best defense against the “wiles of the devil”.  The Word of God and the Armor of God are our greatest resources, but we must open The Word to avail ourselves of them!

Oh, how my heart aches for the lies that have broken families, sent our young people into the throes of suicide, sexual perversion, confusion, and rejection of God’s design for male and female, marriage, and the home!  Sadly many of our young people are taking these wrong roads following parents who have fallen for the same lies.  When will we realize the cost of abandoning God’s Word, God’s Ways, and God’s standard!  And even sadder still is the fact that even the church has, in many cases, abandoned the Word of The Savior and Lord whom they claim to follow.  If we truly belong to Jesus, we are called to “take up his (your own) cross daily and follow me”!  It’s the way to victory in Jesus—the only way!  As I’ve often said, “say’n so doesn’t make it so”!  James addresses this issue with great wisdom and truth—will we take heed?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not

the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:19-26

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone…

…26 For as the body without the spirit

is dead,

so faith without works

is dead also.” James 2:14-17 & 26

And I’ll close with Paul’s comments on vain faith and what the Gospel is in truth and power:  Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and risen again for our sin!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you been to the cross for YOUR sin?  I met Jesus there some 40+ years ago, when HE came to me in my own living room and said as plain as if He spoke into me ear rather than my heart, when He said, “YOU aren’t mine!”!  I argued with Jesus most of the day before a friend came and pretty much said little just listened to me come face-to-face with my own SIN and call on Jesus to save me and transform me!  I was made a new creation, and while I didn’t get it all right in the beginning, HE has grown me into what I am today—not all I ought to be, but better than I was, and HE’s still working on me!  Oh, the glory that God showers down on we who come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  I’m so glad I believed Jesus’ assessment of my heart rather than the enemy’s who kept convincing me that I did ‘church’ really well, and that was enough!  It ain’t!  Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse us from sin, and only when we see our sin and turn to HIM in repentance and faith!!!  How about you?

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-10

Whom will you believe?  Will you come to Jesus’ cross?  He’s waiting for you to see your own sin and come to HIS cross in repentance and faith!  He’s waiting for you, but don’t wait too long, He may return today!  Don’t be one day too late!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

He who is “the way, the truth, and the life” loves you and died for your sin and mine.  Trust to HIS truth and save your soul today!  Don’t fall for the lies of Satan!  (see John 8:44)

Amen and Amen!!!