Spiritual Warfare: False Teachers

Spiritual warfare and Satan exploiting our natures to gain access is real. Equally real are those people who come as sheep in wolves' clothing to purposely mislead and exploit other people. Their teachings ultimately assassinate God's character by misrepresenting His mercy, love and justice. Their teachings leave a debris trail of broken faith in those who were seduced by their false teaching.

Christianity's history is fraught with those who claimed the Bible allowed them to proceed with their interpretation and inaugurate a new order. Witch trials; the Inquisition; persecution of the Jewish people; cult leaders; slavery; oppression of women; abuse and new "revelations" replacing Biblical teachings, have far too many examples. People held the same Bible in their hands as we do, and yet were able to use it to further Satan's kingdom, not God's.

It is only the tender work of the Holy Spirit and His brilliant truth flooding into souls throughout the ages that Christianity has been able to survive the onslaught of the wolves.

But Jesus warned us.

Let's go to the Word: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matt. 7:15-23)

Wow. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that: False prophets and teachers will show up, using His name to give their ministry respectability.

They will have the outward appearance of humility and being a follower of Christ.  What you cannot initially see is their motive, which is the exploitation of the flocks' faith in Jesus for personal gain. Whether these false teachers crave money, power, prestige, control over others or all of the above, it matters not.

But you can evaluate such teachers by how they live their lives and the kind of results that follow them.  Their hearts are saturated with fleshly desires and Satan's influence, whether they know it or not.

Their lives give away what is hidden in their hearts. What is darkly invisible eventually comes to the surface.

They entice the sheep to focus on them. They "stand in" for Jesus. That's why John uses the word "anti-Christ," for it means not only against Christ, but in place of Christ. When things do not work out accordingly, the teachers blame the sheep and the sheep blame God.

They will be able to do "Kingdom" work. They will use Jesus' name in everything they do. They will speak forth the truths found in the Word; drive out demons, and perform miracles. Or, they will have the appearance of doing so, and will be so convincing that other sheep will swear up and down that these people are the real deal.

They don't know Jesus intimately. He does not live deep within their hearts. They are not fully repentant and surrendered.

Thus, any "good" (or maybe it is good, only a while) they do is not of Jesus; it is of Satan and must be repudiated by the sheep, even if it looks real.

Their hearts, steeped in sin, effectively asked Jesus to leave, and to not interfere with their ministry; Jesus will say the same words back to them one day.

The will of the Father--as revealed in His Word--is clear. It is the standard by which the sheep evaluate what they hear. They are led by a diligent and trustworthy Shepherd. No earthy person can ever be a substitute Jesus in all His glory to the sheep. Teachers are to relay Jesus' words with all integrity and love. The sheep need to learn His voice, and follow only that.

Jesus made an interesting comparison between sheep and a wolf in sheep's clothing. How do you get clothing from a sheep? You kill it, skin it and put it on. You are not sheering it, and making a costume from its wool. You wear its body on you. From a distance, it moves, makes noise and looks like a regular sheep. But you gotta get close. That's why I think Jesus switched to fruit.

It is hard to dash across a pasture to get close to a sheep, especially if you are not the shepherd. The sheep will flee in fright. Your inspection will not go well. But, trees are another matter. You can stroll into an orchard, and get so close as to pick the fruit and examine it closely.

I believe Jesus is saying, "Look. I know that sheep are hard to track down and get a close look. Do not, however, use that as an excuse to not evaluate what someone is teaching. You may not meet them personally or talk to them. You certainly cannot get close enough to see their heart and what is motivating them to say what they are saying. But, their lives will show the kind of sap that is flowing into the tree and feeding the fruit. Out of the abundance of their hearts, their mouths will speak.

"It may take months or years to see the fruit hanging on the branches. But the fruit will come. It always does and it will show you the heart of the teacher. The sheep can flee and you will never get close enough to see who's under the wool.

"But you can approach the tree and see what's under the leaves.

"The standard for evaluation? My Father's Word. I, as the Word, do not contradict any thing He has said or ordained. I only do what He tells Me to do and I only speak what He tells Me to speak. Trust Me: Satan will do everything he can to counterfeit Me, My work and My kingdom. Measure everything taught by the written Word--the Bible. Measure the life by the living Word--Me. My Holy Spirit will guide you. But you must be diligent."

You may not know that it's a wolf until you smell the sheep-flesh on its breath. That is why we will be studying what false teachers do and behave like. We will equally be studying what sincere teachers do and behave like.

Join me.

Stronghold Starter #10: Self-Righteousness, Hypocrisy & Denial: Only My Truth Counts

Self-righteousness is an excellent way to allow Satan to slither his way in.  Just listen the self-righteous person's  musings:

I have all sorts of facts, observations, stories and personal knowledge as to why I am right and you are not.  I am superior in my knowledge and my conclusions, and if you want to be more acceptable,  you must think like me.  If you throw in biblical knowledge on top of all of this, I am the one in church with the answers, and I am entitled to look down on everyone else when they don't get in line with my conclusions.  I dominate Bible studies and I love to argue.  I love to keep score on how I silence my opponents, even if they are brothers and sisters in Christ.   

Hypocrisy is an equally excellent way to allow Satan entrance.  Just listen to these musings:

I am above the law.  Whatever the law may say or demand, or wherever its values are applied, I am above it.  Why?  Because I am, well, me.  Rules and regulations are for other people.  They need the corral of correction...I am free to run unhindered, because I control myself.  I am a law unto myself, and if I don't think something is a problem, then it isn't, regardless of what the law says.  But, I will make one concession:  I will act like other people, even though I am certainly not other people.  I will smile and then go home, and do want I want.  

Denial is another way:

I don't see a problem.  I have faith there is no problem.  If the "problem" (your name for it, not mine) persists, then I will have a ready answer:

1.  The problem doesn't exist because my faith says it doesn't exist.  I walk by faith.  You don't.

2.  You don't have the faith I have, so no wonder you still consider this a problem.

3.  I will confess only positive things, because my words shape reality.  I say, "There is no problem."  
     So, there isn't one.  But, please, do not correct me or speak anything contrary to me; your 
     negative confession could ruin my reality.  

4.  Hey, I cope, don't I?  This is how I cope.  If I didn't engage in denial, I would have to face pain, 
     suffering, disappointment...in other words, reality.  Reality bites; my reality is where I am in total 
     control. My words, my beliefs, my, my, my...I do it so I can live my life.  I do it so I can be in
     control.

The common denominator of all these is pride, with control being the essential operating principle. 

Self-righteousness means I control the conversation by what I know, what I believe, and I don't have to listen to others.  I know what I know.  I enter the room and leave the room unmoved by the less-informed opinions of others.  I don't grow in my knowledge; I stagnate.  But I don't care.   

Hypocrisy means I control my interior life by my own definitions.  I equally control the image others have of me; I present well, so others consider me legitimate.  Little do they know, and that's fine by me.

Denial means I control reality to fit what I believe.  It's not just enough to believe something: I put it into practice by telling everyone what my reality is; how my faith makes it so, and how it will come to pass.  Even when reality is continuing to be the opposite of what I tell others, I just speak more:  I talk of my faith, my words, my relationship with God.  Others question me silently; when someone dares to question my reality, I strike back, quickly and without mercy.  I cope with life this way and no one, not even God, is going to tell me how to proceed.  I can't trust Him; I can't trust others.  But, I can trust me, and so I am in control.  Who better than me?   

How then to not allow this kind of thinking to provide access for Satan and our flesh to zone us off for castle construction? 

Jesus came to show us how to be utterly dependent on God.  We surrender our will, look to Him for guidance and purpose, and walk in faith in Jesus, not in our interpretation of reality. 

Jesus shows us the way to be dependent, for that He the way He lived.  He doesn't ask us to do anything that He did not first do.  Listen to Jesus: 

"Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.'" (John 5:19-20) 

In another passage from John, Jesus draws His identity from His Father alone, and from doing what His Father commands:

"Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many believed in him. (John 8:25-29)

[emphasis mine]

If anything moves us away from God, to be independent of Him in any way, that is our pride speaking.  Our pride is the foundation from which the castle is begun by Satan.  Every day, we should be moving more and more towards Him, in what we do, say and who we are.  

Stronghold Starter #9: Offense, Blame, Anger & Hatred: I Only Give People What They Deserve

Whew.  Now that's a list from the pit of hell.  Even if we think we are basically good people, any one of those items will quickly dispel that notion. 

It is no coincidence that the first act out of the Garden of Eden was murder:  one brother to another.  We all know the story of Cain and Abel.  But do we know how God tried to intervene and warn Cain of where his anger would lead? 

"Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." (Gen. 4:2-6)

We can clearly see a rivalry between the two in how they obey the Lord's instructions for an offering.  Abel understood that the firstborn of his flock had to be sacrificed, not just any animal he decided would do.  The fat portions--sweet and aromatic--were the selected parts, not just any portion that he decided would do.  

Leviticus 4 lists what constitutes a sin offering, and how the fat portions are to be burned: "They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven." (4:31). 

What are the sins that such an offering covers? Leviticus 4:1 says, "The Lord said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites: "When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands..."'"

Yes, the Law was not formally given yet, but I find it interesting that this sacrifice with its fat portions was meant to propitiate for sins unintentionally committed at first, but later the person realizes a sin has been committed.  

How must I confront sin on this side of the cross?  I must be spiritually humble. I must listen to the quiet voice of God, and when I sense His sadness and displeasure at my thoughts and actions, I react with grief. I must maintained an earnest desire to be right with God all the time and not rationalize what I have done.  I seek forgiveness immediately in Christ and He grants it.  

If I struggle with this, I ask Christ to empower me in this process.  

But it may require a sacrifice--walking away from a friend, leaving a job, or rethinking how I act.  I am not talking works here--I am fully forgiven as I confess my sins to Him, but He may ask me to place my lamb on the altar. 

But Pride says I can carry on regardless.  Yes, I hear God's convicting voice, but, hey, compared to so and so, my sin isn't so bad, and certainly not worth taking away one of my valued "sheep" for it. 

In fact, Pride will go further:  

I am offended that the Bible calls what I did sin;

I blame ______________ for what I did, for I am basically a good person; 

I am growing angry the more I think about it, that people would dare judge me--look at what they do!

I am beginning to hate those who would call me out and make me look less than them!

Let's go back to Cain to see this progression of Pride:  

"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.'” (Gen. 4:6-7)

God was giving Cain time to reflect on how his thoughts were heading towards disaster.

Let's break down how the Lord approached Cain.  The Lord saw the anger stirring in Cain's heart because his offering of produce was not viewed favorably by the Lord.  Why?  It is not what the Lord commanded for a sacrifice.  Fruits and vegetables always appear in abundance.  One plum is no different than another; one tomato is easily replaced by another.  So produce does not have any real value.  But a firstborn lamb is valuable.  It is unique and costly, because it takes time to obtain another one.  You can't just swap it out with another lamb down the birth order. 

But Cain's pride told him that one sacrifice was as good as another, and that the Lord was being, what?  Overly demanding?  Too particular?  Out of touch with Cain's life?  He tilled the soil after all; it wasn't as if he was a shepherd like his brother. 

Oh, wait a minute!  Here's the deeper problem:  Cain would have to go and ask his younger (!) brother for a firstborn lamb.  Uh-oh.  By asking Abel for one, Cain is admitting (albeit tacitly) that he has sinned and that he needs to offer a sacrifice.  His request is immediately a blow to his pride; his younger brother having the goods is another, and his younger brother knowing that his older brother has sinned is more than Cain can endure.

Thus, the anger and downcast face of Cain.  Cain had taken offense somewhere along the way.  Offended by what?  Abel's attitude?  God's demands?  Having to be humble and asking his brother?  Feeling judged?  

Offense is our pride being prickled.  Thus the progression begins.  

Cain, having been offended in some way, has opened the door to the enemy of his soul.  Feeling offended attracts Satan like a pit viper to a warm-blooded prey.  Satan senses offense and the prickling of pride, because that was his problem:  Satan was offended that he could not be worshipped as God was, for he saw himself as being equally capable as his Creator.  

God gave a strategy to Cain for overcoming his anger:  Do what is right.  He could have u-turned his actions and obtained a lamb. God states He will accept Cain by his change of direction.

If not, "sin is crouching at your door." Who does THAT sound like? The roaring, devouring lion of 1 Peter 5:8: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." Yup.  Satan is waiting at the door, sniffing and knowing that Cain had a choice of which way to go.  

But, his anger was growing.  Therein lies the danger: "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:16)

Cain blamed Abel for his feelings; his anger is growing, and hatred is seeping into his heart.  Satan desired to have Cain; Satan was building a stronghold, as long as Cain allows pride to dominate his heart.  

Hatred wins the day.  Abel is slaughtered like one of his lambs; Cain ducks out of the killing field, thinking all of his problems are over.  

Hatred is the castle in plain view in a person's life.  The progression of pride is subtle, interior and hard to detect sometimes in someone.  But once those stoney walls are erected, and you run into them, you know this person, or yourself, has a stronghold.  

John goes as far as to say that harboring hatred and being in God's presence are incompatible:  

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (1 John 4:16-21)

Emphasis mine.  Amen.  

How to demolish the stronghold?  "Rule over it" in the power of Christ.  Confess it and dispossess it. 

Now possess Christ's love.  He will take the stronghold down, stone by stone.

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Stronghold Starter #8: Childhood Wounds, Physical & Mental Health Challenges: I Am Who They Say I Am

We are exploring how pride is at the core of allowing Satan to start an incursion in  our lives.  He whispers into our darkness, our hidden places, and with his lies, he starts to build his castle in our hearts.  If our pride is operating, that's an open door for him to slither in and start working.

Wait a minute!  My childhood wounds, my physical and mental challenges have no pride component.  

I didn't ask to be sexually abused.  

I didn't ask for M.S.  

I didn't ask for bipolar disorder.  

I wouldn't wish what I have or struggle with on anyone.

Agreed.  This is not about blame.  It's about bondage. 

Take a moment here to consider Paul.  He says in Philippians 3:4-6: "If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless."

To someone on the outside, this looks impressive.  But how much does Paul actually choose?  Circumcision?  No.  To be Jewish?  No.  His tribe?  No. 

What were Paul's actual choices?  To become a Pharisee?  Yes.  Persecuting the church with vigor?  Yes.  Following the Law to the letter?  Yes. 

So Paul is a combination of many things: his past, present and the choices he made with his history in mind.  But, if you had heard Paul before he was knocked off his donkey, his resume would have been recited with pride.  Even though much of his life was not of his choosing, he would have acted as if he was the greatest thing since Pop Tarts. 

But after his list, look what he says, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (Phil. 3:7-9.) [emphasis mine]

Did you catch that?  His life, his past, his choices--all "garbage."  The original word in the Greek is actually "dung."  What do you do with garbage/dung?  Throw it away.  It has no value.  It is the salt that is worthless, only to be thrown out and trampled under foot. 

Whatever defined him, whether of choice or imposed, was equally tossed onto the garbage heap. 

Why?  He is now defined by Christ.  His life, his past his choices: now are for Christ, of Christ and by Christ.  Who he was, who he was called, how he saw himself, is now taken from the life of Christ.  

Look at the next verses: "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  (Phil. 3:10-14) 

His sense of who he is and his purpose of life is to get to know Christ more deeply, more passionately, and to become, in this life, more and more like Him, through His power.   Paul's  humility shines, however; he knows he is not there yet by any stretch, but he presses on.  

What does this have to do with bondage?  Look at some other verses where Paul identifies his adherence to the Law as bondage, full of fear:  "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Rom. 8:14-17) [emphasis mine] 

Paul is now defined as a child, free, adopted, an intimate with God, heir and co-heir, and beloved participant in His divine plan. 

Wow.  No more garbage.  No more bondage.  No more defining himself.  

Wait, hear comes Satan.  

His whispers are scalding, devious and mocking:  Yeah, OK, Paul.  Fine.  You were a Jew of Jews.  Big whoop.  Not much to leave behind, I suppose.  But, they are all snickering behind your back, though... "Paul the Wacko Christ Follower.  Who'd want to follow a crucified self-proclaimed Messiah anyway? Pharisees get respect, and even the Romans stay out of our way."  OK, take on a new title.  But let's focus on the murder part of your past.  You persecuted the church, not just with words but with stones and blood.  You relished dying followers of that deluded rabbi, and you enjoyed the respect and prestige that such a zealous defender of Judaism received.  But you have blood on your hands, Paul.  Forever.  Yup, you followed the Law all right.  To the point of killing Christians.  No god is that forgiving.  Go tell that to the victims' families.  I can hear it now:  "Hey guys!  I am a Christian now!  You lost your brother, but hey, not my problem now, 'cause I am no longer that guy!"

But Paul is no longer identified with what he did--zealot, murderer, high and mighty teacher--he is now identified with Christ.  His chains are gone.  He is free in Christ. 

Paul's identity, once given to him by his heritage, his actions and his life, is now given to him by Christ.  

So, our diagnosis, our past, our challenges are not who we are if we know Christ.

Do we press on?  Yes.  

Will we need help along the way?  Yes.  

Will God use counselors, friends, pastors, medications and His love to help us heal?  Yes.

Will Satan try to derail us in our progress?  Yes.  Count on it.  

Will pride try to tell us we are who we are, and we should take identity in that?  Yes.  

Will pride tell us we are survivors?  Yes.  

Will pride tell us it's the society that is messed up and not us?  Yes.  

Will pride tell us we should not have to change to some outdated biblical standard?  Yes.

As our pride speaks, in slithers Satan, and we start to blame others for our deep pain.  Then the bondage begins.

But, let us counter our pride and Satan's incursion with Paul's declaration of freedom: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:1)

Emphasis mine and amen!

Stronghold Starter #7: Doubt & Confusion: "Did God Really Say..." (Gen. 3:1)

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Gen. 3:1) [my emphasis] 

Can you hear it?  A subtle whisper, an insinuating comment, a moment when, surrounded by God’s good creation and loving provision, Eve heard evil…  She had never seen it, heard it or experienced its potent sting.  But there it was, coming from a fascinating creature, slithering in the dappled sunlight around a branch.  Or perhaps he was moving smoothly along the ground, in control and mesmerizing to watch.

Isn’t that sin at its “best”?  Fascinating, potent, acting in control and smooth.  

Isn’t that Satan at his “best”? 

Confusion was the result of this encounter.  Because Eve has not hid the words of God in her heart so she might not sin against God  (Ps. 119:11), she opened herself to another gospel, if you will.  Look what Paul says and apply them to Eve (with my commentary):

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Why are you listening to this creature?  How could his words have any merit?  He is a creature, not the Creator.)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Unless the words fall from the Creator’s lips, they are suspect.  Anything other God’s very words are to be avoided.)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Even if Adam gets it wrong or a lovely snake entices you to ponder his seemingly innocent words, God is not to be doubted.  Look around you Eve:  All you see is the result of God’s love for you.  Why would God then speak falsely?)  As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Run, Eve, run!)  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (You can’t be in fellowship with anyone or anything that mocks or insinuates that God is not truthful.  Light and dark were separated at creation; God wants it to stay that way, whether in the heavens or in your heart.)  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. (You have direct access to God, Eve, in this Garden. Go to Him to clarify and understand His words.)

 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Adam was taught by God Himself and you have God Himself for fellowship as well.  I say it again, Eve:  RUN!) (Gal. 1:6-12)

We have God’s Word as well.  We have the fellowship of God in our hearts, because of His Son’s sacrifice.  The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s truth. Satan loves to still sow the seed of doubt, which leads to confusion. 

Have you eve watch a squirrel cross a busy road?  From the curb, the road looked safe.  Or that tree on the other side is so enticing that a confidence in speed will overcome fear.  So, out it goes.  The reality of cars strike doubt into the squirrel, and now with its heart racing, it is confused as to whether to continue crossing or run back to its starting point. 

Now, if it makes it back to the curb, it will be emboldened to try this again, at a later date.  Nothing happened to dissuade the squirrel from its quest this time.

If it doesn’t, the magpies gratefully come down and dine on its carcass. 

We are squirrels in this fallen world.  But Jesus promises us His presence to navigate this world: “ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  (John 14:18).  

So, with Jesus’ presence, we have the very Truth of God.  So, when Satan insinuates to us about God’s capacity to lie, counter that with:

“God is not human, that he should lie,
    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1)

There’s the progression of the satanic quest to disparage God’s character:

1.  Claim God lies or misrepresents truth.

2.  Deceive people to serve another “god” whom appears more reliable.

3.  Seek out those teachers who think now like you do, who are in fact perpetuating the lie.

Away we go down an ever-darkening road.  We trade the light for darkness, the truth for a lie and pride for peace.  

But, we are children of the Light.  Flee from the darkness and cling, without reservation, to the Light, to His Word and the to hope that is within you.    

Stronghold Starter #6 Lust: I Deserve to Get My Needs Met, No Matter The Cost

I know, I know.  We all think of sex when it come to lust.  But, if you check the word in Greek, you will get:  “to set one’s heart upon.”  You desire it.  You long for it.  You can also long for something forbidden.  (Strong’s)

We are all familiar with the words of Jesus: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28)  Obviously, Jesus rightly discerned how what we think in our minds can quickly come to fruition and become action. 

But He also looked deeper into the human heart and saw how our longings can become our consumings, to coin a word.

Of course, we can be tempted to long for sex.  We think that another relationship, another encounter, another kind of experience will fill that deep void in us once and for all.  There’s the rub: lust is the one appetite that is never satiated.  We moderns call it “sex addiction.”  Addiction, by definition, is an never-ending pursuit of that high.  Why?  That high, for now, makes us forget our lives.

But, let’s look at the deeper picture.  "Lust” in Greek can be translated in different ways, although it’s the same word:

“For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”  (Matt. 13:17)

“And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)

Do you see it? This word carries a meaning of a heart deeply immersed in longing, desiring, wanting; clearly, this can be seen in a positive way.  Jesus told His disciples that the prophets of old wanted desperately to see what they then saw: the Messiah, the Deliverer of God’s people, the very Son of David, whose kingdom is forever.

Jesus used the word of Himself; He knew His days were numbered.  He wanted to share a meal that represented deliverance and His impending death would do just that for His disciples and the world. 

But the darker side of longing, blended with our pride that puts us at the center, creates a longing that moves us as far way from God as we can get: 

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Gal. 5:17)

So, with our flesh in the lead, the longing for God gets derailed into a longing for anything but Him; we are trapped by our longings, because they will never satisfy us.  Ever.  Why?  We were made for God, pure and simple.  No one or nothing else will fill the God-shaped void in our heart.  

So, how to maneuver this choice between longing for the dark and longing for the light? 

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.       

                                                                                  (Prov. 4:14-16)

Don’t get into the arena of sin in the first place.  If I don’t want to go three rounds with Mike Tyson and get pummeled to a pulp, I don’t climb into the ring in the first place.  If he pounds me on the street, that’s assault and battery.  But if he pounds me in the ring, that’s a sporting event carried on national television and the winner gets a prize and prestige. 

My task?  Again, look at the advice Proverbs gives:

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.      

                                                                                      (Prov. 4: 23-27)

Ultimately, because of pride, we will rationalize our sin as meeting a need (regardless of the cost) because we deserve it:

Hey, it’s online!  It’s not like I am having an affair or anything!

When I  verb of choice,  I feel better.  Don’t deny me that.  I have earned it. 

I have been good for  fill in the amount of time,  so I deserve a break to indulge a little.  I promise it’s only a little.

Who are you to judge?  You don’t know the struggles I face.

God may help you, but He’s checked out on me.  Guess I will try to overcome this myself.

I can still hang out with my ex- fill in the addiction  friends.   Yeah, they tempt me, but I gotta stand strong.  If I fail, God is there to forgive me. 

At the core of these statements is, I will get my needs met—now.  The consequences?  I am not worried about that now, just get me to Distraction Junction as soon as possible, so I can board that train and forget my life for a while. 

Lust in us is longing, yet the road we are on distracts us from our true calling--residing in Christ--and drives us deeper and deeper into sin.  

Trust in Him, however, is true fulfillment.

God will fill every corner of our hearts, if we allow it.

This is key.  Jesus will not trespass.  He must be invited in.  If you leave a door locked, with your  guilty pleasure tucked inside, He won’t break the door down.  But Satan will, and will add more and more pleasure and guilt for you to hide in that locked room.  He loves the dark corners of your heart, and blackmail you with shame and guilt.

Guilt says, (with Satan’s voiceover) What you did was bad. You can't help yourself.  Others do the same thing and get away with it.  Just forget about it.  

Shame says, (with Satan’s booming voiceover) You are bad. You were born that way.  You are who you are.  Take pride in it, 'cause that's all you've got.  Make the best of it.  

But what does God say to those who accept His Son, with guilt and shame washing over their hearts in drowning waves of emptiness and hopelessness: 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

You are chosen in Christ, arrayed in His robe of righteousness and a bride, inestimably loved.

You are a priest, allowed to walk into the very throne room of God, arrayed in Christ and speaking to the Father without fear.

You are part of a holy nation, made up of those who walk in Christ, not in their own power, but in His.

You are special, held in His hands, never to be let go. Ever.

You are His messenger. You tell of the Light as you walk in the light and you announce to the Darkness that you are free in Him. Whoever is free in Him is free indeed.