BREAKING BONDAGES - ENSLAVED - PART 3

              BREAKING BONDAGES - ENSLAVED - PART 3




  INDEX: 
-IT WON'T GO AWAY                            
-WHY CAN I NOT SHAKE THIS? 
-DO YOU HATE YOUR SIN?
-HOW DO WE HATE OUR SIN? (5 STEPS)
-THE ENTRANCE OF TEMPTATION
-THE ENTRAPMENT
-POINTS OF BREAKDOWN AND SURRENDER (4 POINTS)-BEWARE OF MYSTICAL COINCIDENCES
-THE FURTHER DANGER OF COMPLETE AGREEMENT
- DEMONIC INFLUENCE
- IF YOU HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED
-WAS I MADE THAT WAY (FACTS TO REMEMBER)
-CONCLUSION





TO THE READERS    
 All the writings that I have presented were aimed to encourage and help those who may be young or new in the Lord, or who do not know Jesus, who may not have access to a Bible, or perhaps even a church and good solid Christian fellowship. I do wish to encourage anyone reading this material to be diligent in your own study of the Bible, and as much as possible listen to some of the untold many excellent Bible teachers and preachers whenever possible. Be diligent to join yourself to a solid Bible-believing Christian fellowship. Enjoy the Lord, His Word, and His people, and may your life be filled with His love and unspeakable joy!

 This is Part 3 in a 3-part series dealing with temptations, bondages, and demonic influence. I have already covered them to some extent in:
- BREAKING BONDAGES "TAGGED"
- BREAKING BONDAGES "SEDUCTION"

[In much of my teaching I can tend to lean on instruction for self help, but I must make it clear that ALL our salvation, help, and deliverance is really and truly only by the power and grace of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ alone]

                                  IT WON'T GO AWAY

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted of God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempts He any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” James 1:12-15

(This particular study is designed for those who are facing the deadly allurements, temptations, and entrapments of sinful relationships or any other  activities that the Scriptures warn against. May our Loving and Gracious Heavenly Father open up your heart and mind so that you may escape the snare to your soul and be completely liberated into the life He has provided us through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ). 

- IF WE ARE IN THE GRIP OF SIN - The trouble with we humans is that we easily fall into the grip of sin, especially habits. We become enslaved to them, and the humbling fact is that we need to be saved, rescued, delivered!!! That is Jesus' specialty, "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin...So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" John 8:334,36 NIV  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 Most of us can testify that He is the only way out once you are in, no matter what it is. And what a better way He is! Like an alcoholic, you must be ready to humble yourself and admit it, then take it to the Lord in wholehearted repentance and persevere until your breakthrough. 

 Many years ago, I was working with a Youth With A Mission team up in the Yukon. In those years the YWAM would use our church building as a base for some of their summer outreach. I always took advantage of working with them since they were the ones who initially taught me street evangelism. Furthermore, they were doing the kind of Gospel work I truly enjoy. On this particular occasion I was working with the team leaders, and the team of youth they had that summer were rather difficult for some reason. A young man joined up with them for part of the trip. He had long hair and was attired for the peddle bike he was using. The interesting aspect about him was the rich character development he showed. Apparently, he was raised in a strong Baptist home. Although he seemed a bit rebellious, he could not hide the discipline, grace, and wisdom he was raised with. Although he claimed to be disinterested in participating in the activities of the group, he was a super help in controlling the behaviors of the young people, and in an almost fatherly manner that any parent would be proud of. I asked him if he was serving the Lord, and he told me that he was searching and not ready because there was something in his life that would not go away. He figured that it would not go away for a reason so he felt that he should pursue it. I have no idea what it was, and neither did he disclose it to me, but I was troubled and perplexed about his decision.

 Over the years of serving the Lord, both from my life as well as working with many people in various situations, I believe it is important to address the issue of temptations and snares, with the hopes of casting some light on dark and perhaps scary situations people may find themselves in.

WHY CAN I NOT SHAKE THIS?
  Many a time a person finds themselves in a situation that they feel, or know from the Bible is not right, but they cannot seem to make it go away. There is the endless fear, guilt, and condemnation which follows, and the devil rides them to where they feel they are a bad person, that they have failed God, and they may just as well give up or give in. You are in a war with the flesh and the devil. Dear friends, never give up or lose hope, Jesus has not only made a way, He is the Way. "And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin... if the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.'" John 8:34,36
DO YOU HATE YOUR SIN?
 Some years ago a beloved brother confided in me that he was struggling with a sin and could not shake it. I asked him all the questions regarding his attempts to repent, quote the Scriptures, and so on. He said that he tried everything, but nothing was working. He told me he has cried out to God again and again, but to no avail, and He does not answer. Perplexed, I tried to confirm that statement, "You mean that the Lord has never answered?!"
 "Well," he said, "He did answer once, but that didn't help."
 "What did He say?" was my puzzled response.
 "He said that I do not hate my sin. Now how does that help?"
 Shamefully, I must confess that I agreed with him at the time. The Lord's answer did not seem to be very helpful. But with a very little reflection, that was the only answer he needed. "And they have not cried to Me with their heart when they howled upon their beds...." Hosea 7:14  
  We may full well know that what we are doing is wrong, and may be fearful of or wounded by the consequences, but the pleasure we get out of it brings us back to it again. Consequently, we cry out to the Lord (Who knows our heart) for help, but He does not seem to answer. He knows we do not really want His help. We love our sin - whether we are willing to admit it or not. And until we break that affection, nothing will change. Actually, it will only get worse.
 HOW DO WE HATE OUR SIN?
- AGREE WITH GOD. All sin is evil, harmful in ways we do not even realize, and demonically promoted, especially if left unchecked. We must learn to hate our sin by seeing it for what it is from God's perspective, regardless of how we feel, what we believe about it, or public opinion. God is the Final Judge. NOTE - Your flesh will always wants its way and will love to have its senses tickled, not only in lusts, but anger, hate, revenge, self-pity... Remove your heart and mind from it, and do not agree with your flesh. That is the part of you that loves your sin, and if your heart and mind agrees, it will dominate you. "For I know that in (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing:...for I delight in the law of God after the inward man:" Romans 8:18,22  
- STOP FEEDING IT. Once you have found a source or supply for your sin, as long as we are feeding it will keep growing, and as the Bible says, "...when it is full- grown,  gives birth to death." James 1:15 "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:11 NIV  If you have found a source of supply to feed your sin, you need to repent and flee from it with all your heart, and do so immediately! That pit can get far deeper. Now as long as it is still in our heart, we will keep going back to it, or find an alternative source.
 - CUT IT OFF AT THE SOURCE - When in your heart did you first embrace it, and why. Repent there! In the Book of Ezekiel chapter 23, the Lord explains to Israel where the source of their idolatrous tendencies began and from which they had never broken free. "And also the axe is already laid at the root of the trees;" Luke 3:9 NAS  If you cannot recall, the Holy Spirit will show you where the door was opened. In your heart, repent of it before God, and slam it shut! (Jesus will have to help you with that too.)
TRUE, YOU MAY FEEL TOTALLY UNWORTHY, AND WE ARE - CRY OUT TO JESUS WITH ALL YOUR HEART! "Deliver me from ALL my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish." Psalm 39:8 Yes, it may very well have been all your fault. Yes, you may have spitefully defied the Lord and everyone else. Yes, you do not deserve it, but you sure need His help now, and as a Super Loving Father He is waiting for you to come home. Remember Jesus' illustration of the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32 He spitefully left his father, took his inheritance and squandered it on a wild and sinful lifestyle. When it all came crashing down he finally came to his senses, realized what he had done and what he had lost. He then decided to humble himself and return home to his father. But how did his father react? He ran to him, kissed him, embraced him, put the family ring back on his finger and robe on his back, then called for a celebration. And Jesus will do the same for you, my friend. 
- REPLACE IT  Replace that affection with something wholesome, Set your affections on things above, and not on things of the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3 He has a whole new and wonderful life for us. Let us lay hold on it and run this race with patience. Hebrews 12:1

 NOTE - "My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 Be assured that with all our noblest efforts and striving, it is only by the grace of God in Christ Jesus that obtains any victory. We do our homework and put our best foot of faith forward, and He will do everything else so that He is the only One Who gets the glory. All the praise, glory, and power belong to Him, and Him alone! Trusting in your strength and abilities is a guarantee for failure.
 
THE ENTRANCE OF TEMPTATION
 In this life temptation is unavoidable. We have a fallen nature - our flesh, which is prone to self-gratification, then there is a beautiful world tainted by man's sinful ways, and lastly, the devil with his hoards which are in a constant campaign for the destruction of mankind. In spite of this, we are not outnumbered. God has left us with a heart, conscience, and mind, that is able to see, understand, know, and chose what is right,  He has left us the Bible which is the timeless written exposition of His will and purpose for us. He sent us His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Example. What is more, through Jesus, He has given us His Holy Spirit to be our Help, Guide, and Strength. From this standpoint, we are well able to face the temptations and trials of life.
 BUT WHAT IF YOU HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF ENSNARED?
THE ENTRAPMENT 
 In spite of all the provisions God has given us, we are not only unreliable, but some are born into overwhelming situations. Temptation comes through exposure of some kind. Temptation can come when we hear of, see, or experience something that has caught our attention. It also comes through deliberate seduction by an individual that somehow enters our personal space. Then there is the avenue of abuse when a person forces themself upon you. This is especially wicked when children are the victims. Rape is a huge issue. "But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believes in Me, it were better for Him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 Then the temptation becomes like a haunting ghost that you cannot seem to evade.
POINTS OF BREAKDOWN AND SURRENDER:
 DOUBT - When confronted by something contrary, especially when we are in a vulnerable state, doubt can enter in and the devil is right there on it. You will actually think they are your thoughts, and if you agree with them they will become your thoughts, "Has God said?... surely you will not die." Genesis 3:1,4  How do we combat that? Trust God's Word. "Let God be true, but every man a liar." Romans 3:4 When doubt enters in, the contemplation of possibilities follows. Then begins the downward spiral. Fight doubt by faith. Believe God and take Him at His Word without wavering. Then hold fast.
THE DOUBT OF SELF - One of the cruelest forms of doubt is when we devalue ourselves and believe that God made a mistake, that there is something wrong with us, or we are less. Dear loved ones, we are all weak, fallen, and have faults, BUT THAT TEMPTATION IS NOT US! If any thought is contrary to the instructions and commands of the Bible IT IS NOT OF GOD regardless of how natural it feels or what anyone else may say! We must trust God and follow Him in what He has told and commanded us in the Bible. He loves you SO MUCH! If we are being tempted to do or believe in something that the Bible calls sin, run away from it and run to Jesus as fast as you can. And if it is still following you, you are actually agreeing with it at some level. Jesus said, "...the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in Me." John 14:30
Counter your doubts with the Truth - Believe what the Bible, God's Word, has to say about you and it...you are His child, His beloved, created in His image and likeness, He loves you and gave Himself for you, and you were created for His glory... Regardless of what you think, others think, say, or believe, this is the truth!!! So plant your life on it, and in humility, live by it.
 INTRIGUE - Another aspect of temptation is the intrigue or fascination with the forbidden "And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise..." Genesis 3:6  How do we escape that? FLEE "Flee also youthful lusts, but FOLLOW righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22   We must see sin for what it is, not how it feels or sounds. A great example of resisting temptation was Joseph who fled from Potiphar's wife when she tried to seduce him. He did not hesitate to run away. He did not risk attempting to reason it out with her, let alone make any other consideration. Dear friends, we can never trust ourselves, ever. Do not allow yourself to entertain the intrigues of sin. REPENT of it IMMEDIATELY!!!
INORDINATE AFFECTION Colossians 3:5 I have addressed this before. This is where our affections (and perhaps innocently so) are or have been misplaced, or are out of order. Consequently we have put excessive or inappropriate affection on persons, animals, or things and are therefore walking in a form of perversion before GOD. In such an instance when it comes to our attention, we must surrender it up to Him, ask for His forgiveness, and turn away from it and put that relationship in its proper place before God. It may require a complete disconnect!

 BEWARE OF THE MYSTICAL COINCIDENCES - There are occasions when something we are pursuing, like a relationship, seems almost supernatural. We may keep running into that person in amazing ways, and so much appears to be supernaturally co-ordinated that,  "It must be of God." But the safety rails do not line up. For instance, the Bible says to not be unevenly yoked together with unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 We may try to convince ourself that this person is the one for me. She will change (or he, if you are the female). Many a Christian had made a terrible mistake in this. Look at this verse. "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke to you, saying 'Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them;' You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, of that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proves you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 12:1-3 There may be indeed supernatural signs and "coincidences", but beware. You have an adversary. The Bible says, "Prove all things." 1 Thessalonians 5:21, and, "The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going." Proverbs 14:15 BE ON YOUR GUARD!
SENSES AWAKENED If our senses/passions are awakened through any immoral or otherwise sinful interaction, the tendency to be drawn to or return to it will be greatly increased. This can initially happen through no fault of your own. Nevertheless, it is up to you now to combat it. I saw an experiment at university once where a rat had an electrode implant in it's brain, and if it moved within it's cage to a certain spot it would be stimulated. Obviously the rat would continually try to return to that spot. When our sensual passions have been aroused, the automatic tendency is to seek to gratify them. The Scriptures teach us to "...abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11 BUT HOW? "For is you live according to the sinful nature (the flesh), you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:13 "...(surrender) your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13 The choice of controlling your passions is up to you. DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM, ALLOW YOUR AFFECTIONS TO BE SET ON THEM, or even THINK ON THEM. 
AGREEMENT- THIS IS WHERE WE SEAL OUR FALL is WHEN WE ACCEPT AND AGREE WITH THE TEMPTATION -(OH DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US!!!) All that the devil has to do at this point is bring along the opportunity. What does the Bible say? "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11 "Can two walk together except they be agreed." Amos 3:3 What is our option? Break our agreement with the devil, and agree with God at HIS WORD.

THE FURTHER DANGER OF COMPLETE AGREEMENT - If a person has given himself over in complete agreement to a certain behavior or activity to where they enjoy their activity, feel justified in it, and has not responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they will not regard any sense of wrong doing or guilt. If they have what they consider no wrong motives, there is only one remaining sentinel (aside from possible immediate consequences) standing between them and the destruction that awaits them - GOD'S WORD, the BIBLE! At this point they have to make a decision, who is right, them or the Bible, and their destiny will be according to that decision. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable (the perverse), and murders, and whoremongers (sexually immoral), and sorcerers (also includes drugs), and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8 If you are on this list, even if you are a professing believer, you had better get right with God. I was a new Christian when I was reading this for the first time, and I saw that I was on that list. I was shocked. "I believe in Jesus, I can't be going to hell. I am not doing anything wrong. I am not hurting anyone." was what I immediately thought. But according to this Scripture, I was heading to the Lake of Fire forever! Well I was certain in my mind I was not doing anything wrong. "Someone must be wrong, either me or the Bible." I thought. By the grace of God I understood that it had to be me. So to be safe, and although I felt no guilt at that moment, I decided that I had better drop it. Almost immediately my eyes opened and I saw my folly and felt the terror of where it would take me. For me, that is a huge THANK YOU LORD JESUS!!!  We must take God's Word over all other views, opinions, values! 

DEMONIC INFLUENCE
SINFUL RESOLVE -This is an area that we are often very ignorant of, and one reason why people can be so bound by and comfortable with a habit or behavior that may blatantly be a sin in the eyes of God. Temptations are not merely physical or intellectual, but also influenced by devils. If we fully give ourselves over to a sinful activity, we are in danger of being taken over by the evil spirits which are behind it.  If that happens we can or will lose all godly moral conscience and fear with regards to our behavior and actually feel empowered in it. Remember, when Judas was fully resolved to betray Jesus, the devil entered him to enable him to carry out his intention. When we agree on something, we may be opening the door to more than just an idea. John 13:27. It is those spirits that make you feel that this is you, it is normal and right. What is normal and right from a biological and Biblical perspective will be foreign to you.
 PARTAKING OF THE SINS OF OTHERS - "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men's sins. Keep yourself pure." 1 Timothy 5:22. "Be not deceived: bad communications (bad company)corrupts good manners." 1 Corinthians 15:33 We must never take lightly the company we keep and the activities we partake of. Whatever is on them can flow through them.
 ABUSE AND RAPE -Another situation of possible demonic entry can happen when a person is molested, especially when young and vulnerable. Years ago I knew twin brothers who were thrown into prison with older inmates. They were handsome fellows, but very slight, and consequently were raped. Those precious young men's lives were destroyed. The demonic torment they suffered and the homosexual activities they engaged in were heartbreaking. That spirit that was using that individual to harm them latched onto them as well. They were broken and helpless. They did come to Jesus eventually, but by then the damage was extremely severe, At the time we were not only unsure as to how to help them, but were also unprepared to offer the help they needed. One of the most common "natural" needs of victims are a stable and safe environment to be healed and grow in.   
 
IF YOU HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED... 
Here are some things you must do: GET HELP FROM A GODLY PERSON OR PERSONS AND THE AUTHORITIES. OPENLY, PRAYERFULLY, AND THOROUGHLY, WALK THROUGH SOME THINGS WITH THEM
(there are other things you may need to do, and the Lord will direct you)
1 - Cry out to the Lord for Help. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 This verse also includes deliverance from pressing torments. Most of all, receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior if you have not already done so.
2 - Confess and Forsake - "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you man be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16 (I am using this verse as a principle, and am no way implying that it was your fault at all as a victim) By confessing and exposing what had happened to you, this will help break the torment, guilt, fears, and even temptations that may have latched on to you. NOTE - By confessing to someone, especially an authority, that exposes the tormentor and helps break their tormenting power over you. There is now a buffer between you and it/them, and they are now on the defensive.
3 - Forgive that person or persons. This is a non-negotiable with the Lord. "But if you will not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:15 In some cases this is almost impossible for a person to do, but as we submit to God in faith, He will give us the amazing grace to fulfill His will, and at the same time free us from the bondage that has been holding us. It may be that you will have to do it again and again, but persevere as long and as often as it takes. Remember, as long as you are bitter and hateful, the devil will have a hold on you.
4 - Break the Satanic bondages.
 (This section in particular, though written out simplistically can only be carried out successfully by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and through the guidance and POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT, "...for the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER." 1 Corinthians 4:20. You are dealing with demons here.)
  When a person has been abused, molested, raped, the victim has been not only victimized by that person or persons, but also by the spirit that was driving them, and it may have latched on to you. You will know this if you are tempted with the same tendencies.  CRY OUT TO JESUS FOR HELP! ("For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.) Confess and renounce immediately all agreement or fascination with this activity or desire for revenge! It is not you, nor was it your fault; Nevertheless you MUST NOT bind yourself to it at any level of agreement or it will become you as well! Jesus loves you and is your Lord, not it. So side with Jesus at every moment! (The ministry of deliverance may be required here).
 WONDERFUL NEWS!
 "HE HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED, AND BINDS UP THEIR WOUNDS." Psalm 147:3 This is something only Jesus can do. There is a time when after we have done all that we can do, it is really up to God our Creator to do what we cannot. Seek Him with all your heart, and cry out to Him. There is no better place a person can go but into His loving arms. He can completely heal you and set you free!


WAS I MADE THAT WAY?
"...God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions." Ecclesiastes 7:29  
 This question has come to many people due to the doubts caused by persevering temptation, but there is good news for you. God does not make people liars, thieves, murders, sexually immoral (includes deviant or perverse like homosexuality), idolaters, or anything else that God calls sinful. Whether we are deceived and lured down, driven down, forced down, or plainly decide to walk down any or all of these routes, that is not God our Heavenly Father`s will. Despite of all this, He has lovingly and graciously provided a way for EVERYONE to escape these. That is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and SAVIOR. So, if thoughts, feelings, desires, or even fears, keep coming at you in any of these areas, or any other that is a sin against God, it is coming from the devil who has come to steal, kill, and destroy. It is a lie, a deadly lie, no matter what anyone says. HERE ARE SOME BASIC POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1 - REMEMBER, WE WERE CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD. True, because we have fallen in sin we therefore do not behave like God. But God is Holy and He calls us to be holy. So any activity or behavior that is not holy or reflects the character and nature of Jesus Christ or defies the commandments of God is NOT OF GOD! 
2- DOES THE BIBLE CALL IT SIN? God has left us in His Word what is acceptable, and what He calls sin. Obviously, if it is something He calls sin you must repent/turn from it no matter how natural it feels. If it is not specifically mentioned, then it in itself may not be sin, but its application or misuse can become sin, then that is up to you and the Holy Spirit to decide what you should do. An example would be drinking alcohol.
3 - SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE DOES NOT EQUAL ACCEPTABLE TO GOD OUR JUDGE There are many traditions of behaviors in a society that are generally acceptable but are completely unacceptable to God. "And He said to them, 'You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts. for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.'" Luke 16:15, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commands all men everywhere to repent..." Acts 17:30  Again, licence does not mean it is alright, especially with God.
4 - YOU CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT TRUST YOUR HEART "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it." Jeremiah 17:9 We often feel completely innocent and that our motives are true, yet all the while we are deceived. That is why God has left us His Word so we can know better what is in our heart. "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12  
5 - THE FLESH IS CAPABLE OF BOTH GOOD AND EVIL IMPULSES As I mentioned before, our flesh is like a programmable machine capable of any activity, and is inclined to self-gratification. This makes it a dangerous alley to our hearts. Because of this, we must be diligent to line up our passions and desires to the commands and instructions to the Bible.
6 - OUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, IS THERE TO DECEIVE US WHERE EVER HE CAN - He and his angels (he is also a fallen angel) are not imaginary foes, but actual spiritual entities. He is a master of deception, and as Jesus said, "...for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 NIV  Therefore, if any idea, thought, or teaching is being promoted that is contrary to the Scriptures of the Bible, then you know where it is coming from.
7- BEWARE OF THE SO-CALLED KNOWLEDGE OF MEN - God had created us in His image and likeness and has left us to discover the wonders of His creation, but remember that our knowledge is, though increasing, not perfect, nor are our conclusions always accurate, and that goes for saint and sinner alike. As long as we are imperfect we will always be lacking. So if our "facts" or our conclusions seem to run contrary to what God has to say in the Bible, then we must be leery of them and call them into question.



 CONCLUSION - We must be careful not to accept everything that comes our way, whether from our thoughts or from the world around us. The Bible says to prove all things, We have God's Word, the Bible, and Jesus Christ Himself as our Perfect example. "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..." 1 Timothy 6:1, and let His truth be our shield and buckler, and Jesus Christ has come to set the captives free!!!