THE ACCUSING SPIRIT

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:10

This is another one of those common tactics of the enemy that we see literally all the time in the ministry of deliverance. The accusing spirit is an anti-Christ spirit, because it approaches people with no love, but a tone of condemnation. It works through a voice; the voice of condemnation. It constantly tells you how much of a failure you are. It tells you how your heart is not right with God. It tells you that if you don't read your Bible every day, that you aren't serious about your relationship with God. It basically tells you that you're never good enough. This is the exact opposite nature of God. It tears down rather than builds up. The accusing spirit uses the letter of the law to lay heavy burdens and crush it's victims, just as the Pharisees would do:

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:4

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corinthians 3:6

The accusing spirit works hand in hand with the family of religious spirits and strongholds, including legalism.

The accusing spirit will manifest in a variety of ways. It can cause accuse a person directly, it can cause them to accuse others around them, or it can accuse God in a person's mind.

Anytime the enemy brings up your past failures, that is the work of the accusing spirit. This spirit feeds on past mistakes, in order to justify how that person is supposedly a failure, even though the Blood of Christ has washed away those failures and cast them into the depths of the sea! In this way, the accusing spirit is an anti-Christ spirit, because it deliberately writes off the work of Christ and the shed blood of Jesus.

A while back, I wrote a teaching which I highly recommend reading, it's on how to discern Condemnation versus Conviction.  Even when the accusing spirit seems to be pointing to the answer, the burden that it lays on the person is overwhelming or irrational. For example, it may tell a person that they must go back to everybody that they have ever wronged, and apologize... then they can be forgiven. That is not only unBiblical, that is salvation by works, and God's Word tells us that if we try to be made right by works, then we have fallen from grace:

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:4

And getting us to fall from grace, that is, to stop trusting God's mercy and grace for our salvation and justification, is exactly what the accusing spirit wants to do.

As I said earlier, the accusing spirit is a voice. It speaks to us. It may even sound righteous, because it speaks of how failures are bad. It's true that failures are bad, but what Christ has done for us the a remedy to our failures. What the accusing spirit wants us to do is overlook or even discredit God's remedy for our failures! Sound like a Satanic mission? That's right! This spirit has all the makings of being righteous, even a minister of righteousness, but inside is a raving wolf seeking whom he may devour. He's busy carrying out the work of his father, the devil.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The whole motivation behind this ugly demon spirit is to discredit the work of Christ in our lives. We failed, Jesus forgave, but this spirit keeps pointing to the mistake, as if Christ did nothing to erase it! Isn't that terrible? It is SATANIC!

The fruit of the accusing spirit is widely varied. Self-hate almost always involves the accusing spirit. Guilt, and fear resulting from guilt (when you feel ashamed, you'll be afraid like Adam and Eve were when guilt drove them to hide from God). Doubt, unbelief, hate, judgementalism, critical spirit, resentment towards God, feelings of hopelessness, shame, etc. The list goes on and on.

 Tear apart your faith and wear you down spiritually. He wants you to walk in guilt, condemnation, and never feel worthy of God's glorious plan for your life. It's goal is to wear you down, and make you weak as a child of God.

 Pornography or lust, for example, is a perfect example. A person can keep failing, but have their heart right before the Lord. They feel terrible each and every time they fall into that sin. Paul told us in Romans chapter 7 that he struggled with repeated failures in his own life as a Spirit-filled believer! A person who doesn't understand their bondage may have no clue that pornography is usually a bondage with roots that need to be ministered to. The accusing spirit, however, is right there to tell them how dirty and sick their mind is. This is, again, the work of the accusing spirit.

The accusing spirit is a finger-pointing spirit. It is a blaming spirit that specializes in digging up the past, and blaming somebody for it. That somebody could be you, others, or God. It works hand-in-hand with a critical spirit, or judgementalism.

Bottom line, the accusing spirit will always point to the problem(even if it's been washed away by the work of Christ), while the Holy Spirit will always point you to the solution. If there is a case of true guilt from un-repented sin, then once the person confesses it and is forgiven, the guilt should be an issue of the past. If the person continues to struggle with guilt, then (a) they have not mentally accepted the fact that their sin has been washed away, or (b) the accusing spirit is at work. Once a sin is confessed and forgiven, the Holy Spirit stops convicting, but the accusing spirit doesn't stop, but continues to badger the person over their failures. The accusing spirit will also work in conjunction with spirits of guilt, shame, condemnation, hopelessness, etc.

How do we combat this deceitful spirit? For one, we need to fill our mind with the voice of God's Word (concerning the forgiveness of sins, God's love and mercy, etc.). We need to learn to recognize the voice of the accusing spirit and cast it down.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Being that this is a spirit which builds strongholds in our minds, we need to be diligent in renewing our mind with God's Word, in order to undo the damage that it has done to our thinking patterns.

It's also possible that the accusing spirit, along with other related spirits such as religiosity, legalism, shame, etc. need to be driven out as well. You can tear down strongholds all day long, but if a spirit needs to be driven out, it will keep working against you to rebuild those strongholds.

GOD’S PRIVATE NUMBER

One of the greatest invitations to prayer ever given to anyone was spoken to Jeremiah when he was in prison for preaching the truth. God said:

“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

God mercifully spoke to him in his distress with both a command and an invitation.

Truthfully, It Is a Command
God takes the initiative: “Call unto Me.” Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray.” Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” God says to Jeremiah, “Call Me!”

Have you ever had an important person give you a card with their unlisted number on it and say, “Call me”? If someone important gives you his private number, that’s a great privilege.

Almighty God came to Jeremiah and did just that: Jeremiah 33:3. These verses express the importance of the Person Who spoke to Jeremiah:

 17Ah Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee: 18Thou showest loving kindness unto thousands…the Great, the Mighty God, theLORD of hosts, 19Greatincounsel, and mighty in work Jeremiah 32:17-19.

And like Jeremiah, we have His personal number. He gave us His card, saying, “There it is. And I want you to call Me.”

There’s not one of us who cannot contact heaven. Never say in a situation, “There’s nothing I can do.” You can pray.

Every failure in our lives, when properly analyzed, is a prayer failure. There’s not a single sin in our lives that proper prayer would not have avoided, not a need prayer cannot meet. It’s our greatest source of untapped power! Our spiritual lives will not rise above our prayer lives. Wemust learn to pray. When we don’t pray, we deny ourselves an incredible privilege. I want to tell you ten things that help me to pray.

Ten Little Lessons I’ve Learned About Prayer

#1: Make prayer a habit. When you fail, start over, day by day by day, until prayer becomes a habit.

#2: Designate a time and place for prayer where you regularly go to pray.

#3: Make that time and place the most optimum for you.Find the time when your mind is the keenest, your attention strongest.

#4: Take some things with you: your Bible, notebook, pen and devotional materials. It would be unthinkable for me to have a quiet time without a Bible and notebook. I expect God to say something. If He does, I want to write it down. The weakest ink is better than the best memory.

#5: Begin by reading God’s Word. Don’t pray, then read the Bible. Read the Bible, then pray. What God says to you is more important than what you say to God. Your prayer will be enlivened and instructed when you get into the Word of God.

#6: Learn to pray about things all through the day. “Pray without ceasing.”

#7: Keep a record of your requests and answered prayers. I keep a journal where I enter requests. The other day I decided to look back about ten years. I was incredibly blessed to see how many prayers God has answered. A prayer journal will increase your faith.

#8: Put on the whole armor of God. Prayer is warfare. All the artillery of hell will come against you when you pray. The doorbell rings, you get sleepy, your mind wanders. You must put on the whole armor of God.

#9: If you’re by yourself, pray out loud. If your mind is like mine, it wants to wander when you pray. There’s something about vocalizing your prayers that keeps your mind from wandering.

#10: If your mind wanders, pray about that thing. Thoughts will come to you like, I must remember that; I need to do this. Here’s a secret that works wonderfully. If the thing drawing your attention away from your prayer is that important, evidently it’s really on your mind, so pray about it. The thing distracting me becomes the focal point of my prayer. Then return to your original prayer.

God can do anything He wishes. There’s no prayer too hard for God to answer, no problem too big to solve, no person too lost to save, no promise too difficult to keep. Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.

Prayer is your guided missile. It can be fired from any spot. It travels undetected at the speed of thought. It hits the target every time. And if you don’t see the answer right away, remember it can have delayed detonation. Satan has no defense against your prayers. There is no anti-prayer missile.

God promises, “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” — things exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think.

WHO ARE THE 144,000?

 Ezekiel 9:3 to 11: ‘The Lord called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer's inkbottle at his side, “Go through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in the midst of it.” And to the others He said in my hearing, “Follow the man with the inkbottle through the city and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have any pity on the wicked but do not touch anyone on whom is the (Lord’s) mark.

Begin at My temple” … And behold, the man clothed in linen who had the inkbottle at his side, reported the matter saying, “I have done as You have commanded me’.” Revelation 7:3 to 8: ‘Harm neither the earth nor the sea; nor the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads. And then I (John) heard how many were sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: there were 144,000. Twelve thousand were sealed out of the tribe of Judah; twelve thousand of the tribe of Reuben; twelve thousand of the tribe of Gad; twelve thousand of the tribe of Asher; twelve thousand of the tribe of Naphtali; twelve thousand of the tribe of Manasseh; twelve thousand of the tribe of Simeon; twelve thousand of the tribe of Levi; twelve thousand of the tribe of Issachar; twelve thousand of the tribe of Zebulun; twelve thousand of the tribe of Joseph and twelve thousand of the tribe of Benjamin’. Revelation 14:1 to 5: ‘Then I (John) looked and behold, the Lamb (Jesus) stood on Mount Zion and with Him 144,000 men who had His name and His Father’s name sealed on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder. The voice I heard seemed like the music of harpists accompanying themselves on their harps, and they sang a new song before the throne of God and before the four living creatures and before the twenty-four elders. No one could learn to sing that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are they who have not defiled themselves by relations with women, for they are pure as virgins.

These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are they who have been redeemed from among men as the firstfruits of God and the Lamb. No lie was found to be upon their lips, for they are blameless before the throne of God’. The book of Revelation speaks about 144,000 people who are sealed with the seal of God. There has been great confusion about who the 144,000 are and what their role is. In Ezekiel they are mentioned as men who are deeply disturbed by the sin in Jerusalem. In Revelation they are described as servants of God and by number.

Many religious sects have assumed the 144,000 relates only to them, but when the sect grows beyond that number, they are forced to change their minds. A lot of Christian preachers talk about these men as being special international evangelists in the latter days, but that is not scriptural. There is not one verse that says they were evangelists or that they ever left Israel. If we look closely, we see that they were elite, honest, pure Jewish men who were stressed at the sin in Jerusalem, were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, followed Jesus everywhere, and sang a holy song of praise. Nowhere in the Bible does it say they preached or evangelised. When we follow the pattern of the New Testament, evangelists were named as being evangelists, just as apostles were named as being apostles.

The 144,000 were never named as being evangelists. The 144,000 are literal Jewish-born men who once lived on earth when they were sealed by God, and are now with the Lord. They are not not ‘spiritual’ Jews nor are they from some ‘exclusive’ religion. As always, we will start with the Bible because that is God’s word. In Ezekiel, the man with the inkbottle was asked by God to put a mark on the heads of specific righteous men who were living in Jerusalem, therefore they would have lived in Israel and they did not leave Israel. Other men were told to slay the wicked people who lived there, but were told not to touch or go near anyone on whom was the Lord’s mark.

The mark or seal of God is invisible to us, but is known to God. We can see that verse in Ezekiel was a prophecy that was to happen in the future, because the whole chapter was written in the future tense. In Revelation, these men were sealed as servants and that verse was written in the past tense. “I saw how many were sealed.” John did not say, “I saw how many were yet to be sealed.” That passage of scripture places those men in the present tense in the Apostle John’s time frame. “They are blameless … “ Not they will be blameless; not they were blameless, but they are (right now) blameless and they are (right now) before the throne of God.

They are with the Lord. They were on earth, they were in Jerusalem, they were sealed, they sang, they are with the Lamb and they are near the throne of God. Just because John saw these particular events happening in visions of heaven, doesn’t mean all of the events recorded in the Book of Revelation are for the future, although some most definitely are. Many people alive today who are walking closely with God, see visions of heaven and what is going on up there, and those events are happening now.

They are not future events but current heavenly events, revealed to God’s people as He opens their spiritual eyes. There is one very important point we need to remember: there is not one indication in the scriptures that tell us, that what happens in heaven, in the Book of Revelation, will be seen and heard by those on earth. Only those whose spiritual eyes and ears are opened by the Lord, have seen and heard what goes on in heaven; men like Daniel, Ezekiel and John. Even the heaven-dwellingangels don’t understand everything that goes on up there (1 Peter 1:12). There is no scripture that says the people on earth or the church will see what happens in heaven. There are many scriptures however, that says these mysteries are hidden from us unless the Lord opens our spiritual eyes (Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Romans 14:24; 1 Corinthians 4:1, plus many other scriptures).

In the book of Ezekiel we read about the men who were noticed by God because they did sigh and groan over the wickedness in Jerusalem. In Revelation we read about an elite group who are sealed (marked or chosen) by God, and then later in Revelation we are told that same group are sealed with the name of the Lord and their role was to sing. All of these 144,000 are pure hearted, unmarried, Jewish men from Israel, who accompany Jesus everywhere and who sing a song of praise. They were not unique because God sealed them, because all Christians who receive the Holy Spirit are sealed by God (Ephesians 4:30).

Remember that the Apostle John heard the voice of God speaking while he was on earth (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) so hearing the thunderous voice of God was not new to John when he penned Revelation. Notice Revelation 14:4 says the 144,000 were ‘firstfruits’ of God and the Lamb. In Hebrew, firstfruits (bikkurim) means just what it implies; the first fruit of the harvest; the first and the best; the first 10% of the produce, whatever that produce was. Firstfruits are the first of all the harvest (Deuteronomy 26:2). Jesus was the Firstfruits to be raised from among the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20). As the word firstfruits implies, the 144,000 would literally have been the firstfruits of Jesus’ ministry. If the Bible says they were the firstfruits of God and of the Lamb, then that is what they would have been. That means they likely would have known Jesus while He was on earth; some of the very first converts to Christianity; the firstfruits of the Lamb. The twelve apostles were not the only people who followed Jesus everywhere and there are many verses that tell us that.

The New Testament was written by Hebrew-speaking Jewish men, who lived in Israel, and who lived within the Jewish culture; that is they attended the synagogues and obeyed the laws of Moses. When the word firstfruits is written, we must not look to our modern English culture, but to the ancient Hebrew culture of the Bible. Firstfruits means exactly what it says in Hebrew, and the 144,000 specially selected men were the firstfruits of God and of the Lamb (Jesus). To back up this statement we only have to look at where James said ‘we’ are a kind of the Lord’s firstfruits (James 1:18). James lived in the correct timeframe to be one of the firstfruits of Jesus’ ministry, and the ‘we’ James was talking about were the earliest Christians, not the modern-day Christians. Paul said they enjoyed the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit and that was very soon after the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:23). Paul goes on to describe the first handful of dough offered is the firstfruits (Romans 11:16). So only the first ‘handful’ of Christians who received the Holy Spirit could be called the firstfruits.

In our time, 2,000 years after Jesus came and because there would have been millions of converts between then and now, this present time would be a long way past the firstfruits of Jesus’ ministry. There is no possible way we could consider these 144,000 special men as coming in the future because they were the ‘firstfruits’ of God and the Lamb; the first ‘handful’ among the converts. If they were to come in our generation, they would not have been called ‘firstfruits’. We know that the temple in Jerusalem was completely destroyed in 70 AD, just as Jesus said it would be (Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6). Jesus said there would not be one stone left upon another. Remember how upset Jesus became because of the wickedness within the temple? He overthrew tables and yelled at and whipped the people who had made the temple a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12 & 13; Mark 11:15 to 17; John 2:14 to 19). These 144,000 men who accompanied Jesus everywhere He went, sighed and groaned over the wickedness in the city of Jerusalem; the city where the temple was.

In Ezekiel 9:2, we read that the men who destroyed Jerusalem held battle-axes; the Roman soldiers destroyed the burned-out temple in Jerusalem with battle-axes and with an implement similar to a modern-day crowbar. The soldiers prised the stones apart to get at the gold that had melted in the fire and ran between the blocks of stone. Barely a stone was left one upon another, just as Jesus foretold. All that is left of the temple is the Western Wall. Moreover, the total destruction of Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 9:6 to 10, in the Gospels and Revelation place the 144,000 within the correct time frame of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and the wickedness that made them sigh and groan and that so angered Jesus. It also places them at the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which now ‘seals’ us.

Before the Holy Spirit came, no one was sealed by Him. Now they are with the Lamb on ‘Mount Zion’ in the heavenly Jerusalem. Revelation says the 144,000 stood with the Lamb (Jesus) on Mount Zion. Mount Zion is a real mountain situated on the northern side of Jerusalem (Psalm 48:2). Mount Zion is also another name for the tribe of Judah, and the Lord chose the tribe of Judah to lead Israel (Psalm 78:68) and we know that Jesus sprang from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14). ‘But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to countless multitudes of angels’ (Hebrews 12:22). The Mount Zion mentioned in Revelation is the spiritual ‘place’ where born-again, Holy Spirit-filled believers and angels gather. We can see that the tribe of Dan was omitted from the 12,000 and replaced with Manasseh, Joseph’s son. It is possible, although the Bible does not state directly, that Dan was omitted because he led Israel into idolatry (Judges chapters 17 & 18; Amos 8:14).

The 144,000 men may have shared the Gospel while they were on earth, but their main ministry was a song, not evangelism. The scripture says they accompanied Jesus everywhere He went. They and the apostles were not the only close friends Jesus had. Jesus described Lazarus as His friend (John 11:11). When we eventually go to be with the Lord, we will meet up with all the Godly people mentioned in the scriptures. 

WE DON’T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS:

Because . . . the LORD condemns using pagan religious practices in His worship (Deut 12:29-31). Because . . . the LORD condemns adding to or taking away from His commandments (Deut 12:32). Because . . . the LORD condemns doing anything under green trees in His worship (Deut 12:1-4).

Because . . . the LORD condemns the heathen use of decorated trees at a solstice (Jeremiah 10:1-4). Because . . . the LORD commands us to separate from and not touch pagan religion (II Cor 6:14-18). Because . . . the LORD commands us to come out of Roman Catholicism and her sins (Rev 18:4). 

Because . . . the LORD condemns turning to the left or right from His commandments (Deu 5:32-33). Because . . . the LORD told the apostles to teach us to observe only His commandments (Matt 28:20). Because . . . the LORD rejected David’s worship for a small detail and killed Uzzah (II Sam 6:1-10). 

Because . . . the LORD rejected and killed Nadab and Abihu for offering different fire (Lev 10:1-7). Because . . . the LORD rejected Moses from seeing Canaan for a slight modification (Num 20:12). Because . . . the LORD rejected Cain’s worship simply for bringing an alternative sacrifice (Gen 4:7). 

Because . . . the LORD rejected Saul forever for noble intentions in a modification (I Sam 15:22-23). Because . . . the LORD rejected Uzziah and gave him facial leprosy for a new idea (II Chr 26:16-21). Because . . . the LORD rejected and killed Ananias and his wife for fudging a large gift (Acts 5:1-11). 

Because . . . the LORD requires reverence and godly fear in worship to avoid His fire (He 12:28-29). Because . . . the LORD seeks true worshippers to worship Him in truth, not superstition (Jn 4:23-24). Because . . . the LORD commands us to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered (Jude 1:3). Because . . . the LORD requires us to esteem all His precepts but to hate all other ideas (Ps 119:128).

Because . . . the LORD commands us to prove all things by Scripture and reject the bad (I Thes 5:21). Because . . . the LORD expects us to be noble and search Scripture to know true worship (Ac 17:11). Because . . . the LORD gave Scripture to perfect us, which does not mention Xmas (II Tim 3:16-17).

Because . . . the LORD curses any gospel different than Paul’s, and he didn’t preach xmas (Ga 1:8-9). Because . . . the LORD condemns fellowship with men having only a form of godliness (II Tim 3:5). Because . . . the LORD condemns loving pleasure more than God as perilous times (II Timothy 3:4). Because . . . the LORD condemns anything different from His Word as dark ignorance (Isaiah 8:20). 

Because . . . the LORD abominates anything popular with the world and esteemed by it (Luke 16:15). Because . . . the LORD condemns friendship with the world as becoming His enemy (James 4:4). Because . . . the LORD condemns traditions in His worship as evil and vain hypocrisy (Mark 7:5-13).

Because . . . the LORD hates the polluting of His glorious name with pagan idolatry (Ezekiel 20:39). Because . . . the LORD condemns the superstitious idolatry and blasphemy of the Mass (I Cor 11:26). Because . . . the LORD condemns bringing any item of false religion into our houses (Deut 7:25-26). 

Because . . . the LORD commands us not to set up any image, which He hates (De 16:22; Ex 20:4-6). Because . . . the LORD hates religion that goes under green trees (I Kings 14:23; Isaiah 57:5; Jer 3:6). 

Because . . . the LORD condemns adopting any practices of the pagans around us (Leviticus 18:1-4). Because . . . the LORD condemns sun worship (Deu 4:19; 17:3; II Kgs 23:5; Job 31:26-28; Eze 8:16). 

Because . . . the LORD endorses only apostolic traditions, and they never celebrated it (II Thes 2:15). Because . . . the LORD is honored by gifts to Him rather than a selfish exchange of gifts (Matt 2:11). 

Because . . . the LORD teaches us to remember His death rather than His birth (Phil 3:10; I Cor 15:3). Because . . . the LORD gave baptism and His supper to remember His death (Rom 6:3-5; I Co 11:26). 

Because . . . the LORD resents the hatred of pagans who exchange gifts against His men (Rev 11:10). Because . . . the LORD condemns “the spirit of Christmas” as another spirit He hates (II Cor 11:1-4). 

Because . . . the LORD condemns a mother and child wearing halos as another jesus (II Cor 11:1-4). Because . . . the LORD condemns a tradition glorifying sun worship as another gospel (II Co 11:1-4). 

Because . . . the LORD loves us to give up dear things as proof of our love to Him (Matt 10:37-39). Because . . . the LORD did not come to bring peace on earth but rather a dividing sword (Mat 10:34.

Because . . . the LORD blessed giving over receiving, but Xmas is selfish exchanging (Acts 20:35). Because . . . the LORD calls Jewish holy days matters of liberty, but not pagan holidays (Col 2:16). Because . . . the LORD calls Jewish holy days matters of liberty, but not pagan holidays (Rom 14:6). Because . . . the LORD considers the birth of His Son worthy of honor rather than folly (Heb 1:6). Because . . . only two gospels record Christ’s birth, while all four gospels record His death and burial. Because . . . celebrating Christmas sincerely is identical to Jeroboam’s two calves (I Kings 12:26-33). Because . . . Aaron led Israel to worship the LORD with a golden calf to their judgment (Ex 32:1-5). Because . . . it breaks the first commandment by having other gods – the sun god Mithra (Ex 20:3). Because . . . it breaks the second commandment by having images – a Christmas tree (Ex 20:4-6). Because . . . it breaks the third commandment by taking His name in vain – “Christmas” (Ex 20:7). Because . . . it breaks the fifth commandment by promoting children’s greed over parents (Ex 20:12). 

Because . . . it breaks the tenth commandment by promoting covetousness to children (Ex 20:17). Because . . . many Baptist martyrs gave their lives to oppose Catholic superstitions and traditions. Because . . . it was a crime to observe Christmas in America, when our country truly feared God. Because . . . it was a crime to observe Christmas in England, when that country truly feared God. Because . . . all the God-hating, Christ-denying, and sin-loving pagans get excited about this day. Because . . . Santa Claus is a pagan mockery of God the Father with white hair, grandfatherly image, eternal, lives in the North, unlimited resources, omniscient of children’s behavior, omnipresent for a night, hears confessions, comes as a thief, blesses children, and distributes judgment for works. Because . . . the name Christmas came from “Mass of Christ,” and Christians hate the Catholic mass. Because . . . every sincere birthday party honors the one born that day rather than all the mere guests. Because . . . a gift exchange dictated by a calendar is not a message of love but a ritual of obligation. Because . . . a gift exchange at the winter solstice was invented by pagans to celebrate the sun god. Because . . . Christianity is giving gifts unexpected without obligation to reciprocate (Luke 14:12-14).

Because . . . secular encyclopedias will gladly tell you that Christmas came from pagan sun worship. Because . . . the first state in our Bible-oriented country to make it a holiday was Alabama in 1836. Because . . . a little drummer boy did not travel to the manger to play his drum for the infant Jesus. Because . . . for the two centuries following the Pilgrims, Christians in America called it “popish.” Because . . . English parliament under Oliver Cromwell outlawed it in 1644 and punished violaters. Because . . . loving Jesus Christ is keeping His commandments, not decorating a tree (John 14:15). Because . . . you cannot do unto the LORD what the LORD has condemned (Deut 12:1-4; 12:29-32). 

Because . . . Christmas is not a matter of liberty left up to our consciences and/or heart preferences. Because . . . true followers of God will not follow a multitude or majority to false worship (Ex 23:2). Because . . . Xmas is most adored by women, whom God calls silly and weak (II Tim 3:6; I Pet 3:7). Because . . . a time of unbridled greed, covetousness, and materialism cannot honor Jesus Christ. Because . . . this unique holy day in the Roman Catholic calendar is exalted by three profane masses. Because . . . the world loves a jesus helpless in a manger, but God’s Christ is the LORD and Judge. Because . . . on Christmas Eve the Pope of Rome conducts a special mass seen by much of the earth. Because . . . godly parents don’t lie to their children about a Roman Catholic myth named Nicholas. Because . . . the Bible is totally silent about using this day or any such celebration to honor Christ.

Because . . . the gospel according to Christmas tradition, cards, and plays corrupts the Bible facts. Because . . . the Pilgrims in 1620, seeking to worship God in truth, formally banned the holiday. Because . . . the Puritans in 1659, seeking to worship God in truth, set a 5 shillings fine for keeping it. Because . . . the modern Christmas tree was not introduced to this country by Germans until 1821. Because . . . Jesus was not born in December, for one-half year back from Passover is rather October.

Because . . . Jesus was not born in December, for shepherds did not stay in the fields during winter. Because . . . Jesus was not born in December, for taxation would not have been in the dead of winter. Because . . . Jesus was not born in December, for wise taxation would have been shortly after harvest.

Because . . . Jesus was not born in December, for careful calculation of the priest’s courses exclude it. Because . . . the Roman feast at the winter solstice was to the sun god Mithras from the Persians. Because . . . the Roman, extended feast prior to the winter solstice was to Saturn, god of agriculture. Because . . . so many consider Christmas a “sacred cow” and beyond questioning or condemning. Because . . . our past lives suffice us for lusts, excess of wine, revellings, and banquetings (I Pet 4:3). Because . . . Emperor Aurelian picked December 25 for this holiday in 274 to worship the sun god. Because . . . pagan sun worshippers had a great festival to the sun at the winter solstice before Jesus. Because . . . it would be wrong to have a golden calf with candles to worship the Lord our Strength. Because . . . the public schools in Boston were still open for classes on December 25 as late as 1870. Because . . . the “birthday of the invincible sun” (dies natalis Solis invicti) was this date in Rome. Because . . . December 25 was chosen by being the date of the winter solstice in the Julian calendar. Because . . . Satan uses this pagan feast to steal glory from the Son of God for ignorant sun worship. Because . . . Christmas American-style is oppression of parents by greedy children (Isaiah 3:1-5,12). 106. Because . . . Jesus promised that the majority are on the wrong road leading to death (Matt 7:13-14). Because . . . Charles Spurgeon, the most popular Baptist minister, preached against it as late as 1871. Because . . . all the unique customs of Christmas may be traced individually to pagan religious rites. Because . . . Hindus, Jews, Mormons, Pagans, and other cults celebrate it while despising Jesus. Because . . . it perverts Scripture’s silence to justify anything not expressly forbidden i.e. Coke and chips for the Lord’s supper, male strippers for fundraisers, and ouija boards for difficult decisions. Because . . . it creates the most foolish, hectic, stressful, guilt-ridden, and unproductive time of year. Because . . . the LORD is a jealous God and will judge any playing with other gods (Ex 34:12-16). Because . . . New Testament charity may accommodate weakness, but it cannot error (Romans 14:1). Because . . . the moderation taught in the New Testament is temperance or self-discipline (Phil 4:5). Because . . . it would be identical to offering incense to the brasen serpent of Moses (II Kings 18:4). Because . . . the only day observed by the apostles was the Lord’s day (Re 1:10; Ac 20:7; I Cor 16:2). Because . . . we choose to emulate Jacob, who put away family idols to worship God (Gen 35:1-5). Because . . . we choose to emulate Jehu, who defiled Baal worship to please God (II Kings 10:26-28). Because . . . we choose to emulate Josiah, who defiled all pagan worship to please God (II Kings 23). Because . . . we choose to emulate Asa, who defiled his mother’s favorite idol (II Chron 15:12-16).

THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD

Ultimately, the world is filled with people seeking pleasures.

What does God’s Word say about these pleasures? Certainly, God would want the youth in His Church to have fun and enjoy themselves, right? But what about the worldly pursuits of pleasure that surround you? Are there any dangers or pitfalls involved? What does God say?

(1) What are some of the “pleasures” of this world? I Peter 4:3-4; Isaiah 5:11-12

Notice the definitions of some of the words in I Peter 4 and consider how they apply to the world today:

Before going further, also understand that pleasures come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are not limited to drunken parties. Other examples include: playing videogames excessively; watching violent, profane or sex-filled movies; keeping up with and/or spending large amounts of money on trendy clothes and accessories, among many others.

To determine what is ultimately wrong, though, we must look at the big picture. Why do your friends or classmates do what they do? What are they hoping to actually accomplish, if anything? What are the end results that can be expected? Finally, are there any additional principles that would be helpful to examine? This Bible study cannot and is not intended to outline every possible wrong pursuit, but rather is intended to show what God says about worldly pleasures.

(2) In effect, when one follows the pursuits of the world, what is he doing? Isaiah 47:7-8;Philippians 3:18-19; Titus 3:3

Those who seek instant gratification are careless. How many teenage girls become pregnant because they were “caught up in the moment”? How many youth spend their savings and go into debt because they are having “fun”?

The Bible says that those who are given to pleasure literally say in their mind, “Nothing matters except me.” They live as if they are the center of the universe. They do not care about the needs of others and simply base their decisions on what will be fun for themselves. If it is good for them—if they feel that they will have a good time—then they will do it. Seeking worldly pleasures is a way of life—the way of get!

The passage in Philippians puts it another way: Those who walk in the ways of this world are serving their belly—their god. This verse is not referring just to hunger for food, but also to impulses or cravings of other types. For example, have you ever lined up in a grocery store to check out and, while you were waiting, grabbed a candy bar because it suddenly and unexpectedly looked good to you? You had no intention of buying a candy bar, and you may not even have been hungry! But, you gave in to an “impulse buy.” Grocery stores specifically put rows of candy bars and chocolate in front of you, hoping that you will give in because of an “on-the-spot” craving. However, clothing outlets and other types of stores do the exact same thing. They hire “cool-looking,” attractive models to show off their latest styles on billboards and in magazines and then hope you give in to spending large amounts of money to look like them.

This world offers all sorts of fun and pleasure that people will gravitate to on an impulse. Even those who are wrapped up in the party scene of this world will admit that they are given to impulse. Stated differently, those who are given to impulse tend to act first and think later. This must never be the approach of those who are seeking to please God.

(3) In seeking the pleasures of this world, what are people not doing? John 5:44; 12:43; II Timothy 3:1-7

The Bible says that you “cannot serve two masters.” Either you are obeying God, doing what is right, or you are doing what the world does. Those who are seeking the pleasures in this world are honoring themselves, not God.

Consider for a moment: Many of your peers are looking for prestige—wanting others to like them, to look up to them, or to admire them. This is the basic premise of peer pressure. People give in to peer pressure because they want to “fit in” with their “friends.” By “hanging out” with the popular crowd, teenagers are getting the praise of their peers and escaping the ridicule directed toward “nerds” or the “uncool.”

II Timothy 3 talks about “perilous times.” These times have arrived. One sign of the times listed is that people will be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” To love God is to keep His commandments (I John 5:3). How many people do you know who are concerned with loving God—keeping His commandments? Very few. Rather, they seem overly concerned about seeking pleasures for themselves—making themselves feel good. This leads us to another very important question.

(4) Do these pleasures last? Job 21:12-15;Proverbs 14:13; 21:17; Luke 12:19-21; I Timothy 5:6; Hebrews 11:24-26; I Peter 1:24

Probably the most common physical possession that most people seek is money. However, they do not realize that they cannot take it with them when they die. Character is the only thing that follows us to the grave. Yet, most still try to be the person who “will die with the most toys.” But, as Job said, in a moment they will die. Human lives are so short when looking at the big picture, and so many spend their entire life striving after material wealth and physical pleasure that will not last.

The world does not believe the wisdom of Solomon, who said that those who seek pleasures will be poor. They focus on the here and now, without looking at the big picture. If you are trying to live God’s Way, you should be focused on the reason you are alive—attempting each day to fulfill your incredible human potential.

Are you focused on laying up “treasure” for yourself? Are you focused on the here and now? Having a savings account is wise and prudent, but is your unconscious goal to be rich? An education is an important thing to have, but are you unbalanced and focusing too much on it and where it will get you? Are you living a way of get for yourself or a way of give to others?

Hebrews 11:24-26 may be one of the most important and powerful passages in this study. Moses chose not to “enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Yes, there are many things that people do out in the world that “look” like fun—they are pleasures. So many do not realize that the pleasure is only for a “season”—it is temporary and will not last. Do you want to be focused on things that will not last or do you want to focus on something that will last for all eternity? It seems like a simple question, but history shows that many teenagers in God’s Church have dropped out and decided to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Will this be you, or will you determine to stay away from these things?

(5) Solomon was a man who sought worldly pleasures and possessions. What was his conclusion? Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Solomon had everything, physically speaking, but he said it did not profit him at all. One definition of vanity is “empty.” Literally, Solomon had it all but concluded in the end that it was empty—nothing. Will you learn by Solomon’s example, understanding that you will never be able to seek as much pleasure as he did?

(6) What is the end result for those in the Church who decide they will continue to seek pleasures? Luke 8:5-8, 14

This parable from Christ is a powerful warning to all those who are willing to hear. Those who are being called by God are seeds, and each seed has the potential to fall into a variety of different places. Those who fall among thorns will choke and die. Christ explains His meaning in verse 14—there are those who will be choked by the “cares and riches and pleasures of this life.” Those who focus on these things will come to a fatal end.

Be determined to keep this parable in mind for the rest of your life. Realize that the cares of this world can choke you. Certainly, this is not what you want. However, it can happen if you allow yourself to be snared by these things.

THE 7 DEMONS THAT MAY BE ATTACKING YOUR CHURCH

Do you recognize any of the seven demonic spirits at work in the church?

Find out how to recognize and defeat the seven demons that attack the church.

We have explored many of the ways Satan organizes the demonic forces. We have also exposed many of the demonic strategies against individual believers. When we begin to look at the seven churches described in the Book of Revelation, we discover specific demonic strongholds that can be found at church. Let’s take a look at these spirits.

Spirit of Religion (Revelation 2:4–5, 7)

The church at Ephesus had “left their first love” (Rev. 2:4). They were doctrinally sound and had everything in order but they had lost their passion for God. When you turn to Acts 19 to look at “first works” and “first love” you discover an astounding truth.

At the birth of the Ephesian church they were baptizing in water, laying hands on the people for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, magnifying God in tongues, casting out demons, healing with prayer cloths, and being evicted from the old order.

The church at Ephesus had every element of church life in order and they were a hard working congregation. Yet the fire, the passion, the love had gone out of it. We see now that religion had taken over with its dull duty and tired traditionalism. The power of God was missing; demons were no longer leaving, tongues were absent, miracles were simply a memory. A loveless routine of religious works had replaced the power and passion of the Holy Spirit.

Who can deny the present reality of this deadening demon of religion? Many churches like Samson have been shorn of their power by the Delilah’s of religion! Now blind to spiritual things, we grind out our religious activities and traditions with no transforming power. This demon must be exposed and expelled.

Spirit of Intimidation (Revelation 2:10–11)

The church at Smyrna endured persecution, and many members suffered martyrdom. With this threat, Satan tries to strike fear in the hearts of believers by sending intimidation to frighten us away from faithfulness to God and His Word. Remember Simon Peter warming himself by the enemy’s fire on the night of Jesus’ arrest? This faithful disciple was intimidated by his surroundings and the questioning voice of a little servant girl. Today the church is silent and cowed down before the world and its governments. This demon must be cast down!

Spirit of Compromise (Revelation 2:12, 14–17)

Pergamos was the capital city of the province of Asia mentioned in Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia. It was a celebrated city of Mysia in the Caicus valley, 15 miles from the Aegean Sea about 60 miles north of Smyrna. The river Selinus flowed through it and the river Caicus ran just south of it. This city was rich in historical and literary heritage with a library which boasted well over 200,000 volumes, topped only by the library in Alexandria.

The city had a “pet” god in Asklepion, an idol symbolized by a snake who called himself a savior. They believed that their god incarnated into the area snakes, so serpents were allowed to slither freely around the temple. Those who desired healing spent the night in the darkness of the temple, hoping a snake would crawl over them. The city was an outpost to Greek civilization and was home to the temples of many other deities.

Can you see the parallels of the secular plight in America and its churches? Most churches operate in a community or environment that is controlled by Satan rather than God. What can a church do when ministry becomes difficult? Can we allow the snakes of secular humanism to slither through our congregations? Compromise is not the answer. We cannot become comfortable with the sin around us!

The church of Jesus must take active steps to stand strong in our lost and dying world!

We must recognize the conflict. Jesus pointed out that the city was the church’s dwelling place or permanent residence. To flee was not an option. Instead, He advised them to settle into service and draw the battle lines. Paul recognized the need for battle-readiness when he penned Ephesians 6. The armor of God is needed in the middle of war. Most of all, the church must go forward under the name and banner of Jesus, never operating in their own strength, for in the flesh the enemy could find weakness.

We must repent of compromise. The church at Pergamos had some weaknesses to be dealt with. There were doctrinal problems along with problems with some of their deacons and leadership. One in particular is mentioned, Nicholas, who began teaching heresy, and leading others into sin. How sad when a leader goes bad and quits truly serving the Lord! Often times they lead others astray and take others with them. Yet another conflict in the Pergamos church was a discipline problem. They tolerated the mess they were in by overlooking the sin in their own camp. Jesus called them to repentance. Another problem that arose was the spirit of Balaam. To give you some history of this, Balak, the pagan king, literally bought the prophet Balaam’s ministry. Balak eventually sent women to seduce the men of Israel, thus bringing judgment upon them. It was Balaam that sold out the people of God. In keeping the spirit of Balaam, too often today, money has become the goal and prize of many in the church. Popular preaching has replaced prophetic preaching. Image has replaced anointing and the church is reduced to no more than a place where pop psychology tickles the ears of its parishioners on Sundays. The image-makers and the politically correct have dulled the sword of the churches and its men of God.

We must rely on Christ. The Pergamos church needed to rely on their Savior, who provided the weapon of the sword of the Spirit, His own word. This is the weapon we claim as Christians. The popular “Star Wars” phenomenon has had two generations of children captured in imaginative play with light sabers, defending the galaxy as Jedi Knights! The movies show the young Jedi apprentice was carefully taught to use his weapon, to guard it, to perfect its use. In the same way, we must cling to the Word of God as our weapon—it has a power that is supernatural and effective against the onslaughts of Satan. Our weapons are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4) but mighty in God, and Satan can be defeated by the power of the Word.

Overcomers are promised gifts. Jesus promised this church that those who didn’t succumb to the sins around them—not eating things offered to idols and partaking in sin—these faithful would eat hidden manna, the blessing of Jesus Himself. They are promised the presence of Jesus in the barren wasteland of the world’s wilderness. He also promised this church that He would set a white stone, promising acquittal, acceptance, and acclaim. The new name upon this stone was Jesus!

Spirit of Jezebel (Control) (Revelation 2:18-20, 26)

A war goes on in today’s church, and the battle lines are drawn. One of the most powerful spirits at work in this ongoing battle is the spirit of Jezebel or control. First Kings tells the story of the woman for whom this spirit is named.

Known as the wife of King Ahab and a follower of the false god Baal, the scriptures regarded Ahab’s marriage to this woman as a horrible sin: “He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him” (1 Kings 16:31, niv).

Jezebel ordered a “hit” on the innocent man Naboth so that she could obtain his prize vineyard. Not only was this murder, but it broke God’s land covenant with His people. In addition to her disrespect for ordinary people and their property, she hated the prophets of God. Scripture says, “While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:4, NIV)

Later, Jezebel pursued the prophet Elijah following the great contest where God sent fire from heaven and defeated the prophets of Baal. Her relentless pursuit drove the prophet into depression and suicidal thoughts.

Jezebel’s character was wicked, controlling, sexually immoral, murderous, and demonic! It is astounding that the same strong spirit was still operating in Revelation 2:20 and still operates in today’s church. In every congregation we find those who want to control, manipulate, and subvert the men and women of God.

Recognizing the spirit

This spirit is basically the spirit of domination or an unwillingness to cohabit peacefully. This is not about women or liberation, for this spirit can attach itself to a man or a woman. Many may think that this spirit is identified with sexuality, believing that a woman who looks a certain way is a “Jezebel” in her character. But this is not so. A wolf can easily hide in sheep’s clothing.

When you find a spirit of Jezebel operating, you will also find an “Ahab” nearby, or someone in leadership who is allowing the spirit access and control.

The strategy of Jezebel

The tool this spirit uses is manipulation. In 1 Kings 21, we learn that King Ahab would pout when he did not get his own way. He had seen a vineyard that he greatly desired, but the owner would not give up his precious property, even to the king. As King Ahab lay on his bed sulking, Jezebel assured him she would get him what he wanted. This powerful woman had introduced pagan worship into her kingdom, and now she was not below killing to obtain the things she needed to gain more power.

The seat of Jezebel

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

—Revelation 2:20

When the spirit of Jezebel begins to manifest in the church, it seeks a high seat in the church or a place of dominance. Usually it will manifest in someone who wants to teach or lead, usually leading them astray! To find that place of leadership, Jezebel must look and act in a spiritual manner.

One of these spirits operated in Moses and Aaron’s day. Numbers 16 tells us, “Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?’” (Num. 16:1–3).

Korah was operating in the spirit of Jezebel, with Dathan and Abiram operating as his power core, and 250 other princes as a structure under them. Moses took immediate action—he fell on his face before God and prayed. Following his prayer, he confronted the spirit, saying, “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?” (Num. 16:9–10).

Judgment came to this Jezebel spirit—an earthquake came and took the three evil leaders and fire consumed all the rest.

Jezebel’s targets

The controlling spirit wiggles into the church, bent on destroying and undermining the very things that we hold dear as believers. Through manipulation, domination, and control, the spirit begins its battle against the body of Christ.

First, this spirit hates the prophets, the true leaders of God. She cannot control them, and when she tries to win their approval and fails, she will stop at nothing to try and kill them.

In addition, the spirit of Jezebel hates the preaching of the Word. She can’t cope with its message. She will try to either reduce the messenger or the message.

The controlling spirit also hates the praise of the church. During times of true, powerful worship, her carnality is exposed. In 1 Kings when the prophet Elijah prayed fire down from heaven against the prophets of Baal and Jezebel’s schemes, praise broke out (1 Kings 18:39). Jezebel had lost, and the praises of God filled the air.

A Jezebel spirit also hates the preeminence of Christ. There is no way to compete against it. The first time “preeminence” is mentioned is in Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (kjv). However, the second time we find the word, a Jezebel spirit is attempting to control a body of believers. “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 John 1:9, kjv).

Banish the spirit

If you sense this spirit is at work in your church, it is important to see the enemy as spiritual, not fleshly. Don’t hate the person being controlled by the spirit of Jezebel, recognize that it is a spiritual power—one that God must fight. Let your prayer be, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chron. 20:12).

Spirit of Traditionalism (Revelation 3:1–6)

For centuries the church has been the victim of rumors, hostility, and, what we call in this day and age, negative press. Churches often have to survive this hostile environment; however, outward hostility is not the greatest threat to a local church! Very often the greatest danger comes from within!

The Sardis church lived in a favorable environment with a great reputation. However, in Christ’s letter to this church, He ignored their human reputation and told this church they were listed in the obituary!

Environment of death

The city of Sardis was a city of wealth. History tells us that in 550 b.c., King Croesus found gold in the city’s river and issued the first gold coins in history! Even in New Testament times, gold could be found all along its rivers.

In addition to its wealth, the city was known for its paganism. The favored idol was Cybele, and worshippers of this pagan god participated in wild, frenzied worship that included sexual immorality.

Remarkably, the community was at peace, for the inhabitants were comfortable in their self-sufficiency. This peaceful self-sufficiency had also invaded the church in Sardis; it became the peace of death. A peaceful coexistence with the city and its wickedness had settled into the church and all they had left was their reputation.

Evidence of a church’s death

Viewers of our television broadcast often write and ask, “How can I find a good church in my area? How can I tell if a church is alive and healthy?” A dead church has some basic characteristics that are spotted easily.

Ignores the Holy Spirit. When the complete work of God’s Spirit isn’t embraced in a church, that body is already headed for the grave. Jesus told the church at Sardis that they had a spirit of religion and didn’t have the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will not be managed or controlled by religious tradition or preferences! John 3:8 says, “The wind blows where it wills…so is every one who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

Lack of godly leadership. The “seven stars” mentioned in Revelation 3 stands for the messengers or pastors of the seven churches addressed in the letters. What the church in Sardis needed was a leader who was called by God and served Him whole-heartedly. Too many churches today fail to get God’s man. Several times a month our church offices receive requests from pastor-less churches that have been searching for a replacement. If these churches choose a pastor by his reputation, resume, physical appearance, or even recommendation, they may find later that they’ve made a big mistake. As important as background information is, the fruit issued in a pastor’s life and his walk with the Spirit of God is what should be investigated. The superficial doesn’t matter as much as the supernatural. Hiring solely on superficial facts may result in a short-tenured, flash in the pan, or morally bankrupt leader.

Reputation over reality. Sardis was a busy, working church with a good name—but it had death upon it. They were an organization, but not a living organism. Sadly, they were so caught up in their reputation they didn’t even realize that they had died. One winter night I noticed our house becoming colder and colder, even though I had turned our heat on full power. I called upon our faithful church grounds supervisor to take a look at the gas-heating unit, and he discovered the pilot light had gone out. The blower was blowing, but the fire was out. Going to church is good, if you meet God. Worship is good if it brings on God’s presence. Giving is good if we have first given ourselves. Prayer is good, but “if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.” Form without force is death to a church. It is like a store window containing lots of fluff and finery, but hiding an empty stockroom.

Growth in numbers without growth in people. The letter to Sardis indicated that even Christians who had life in the Sardis church were dying in the cold environment. Churches must offer ministry that encourages its members to grow in the Lord.

Ministry and work incomplete. Beginning a new program or outreach is easy; seeing it to completion is much more difficult! A dead church is a graveyard of partially fulfilled goals and half-baked programs. These skeletons are evidence that they went “partway” with the Lord and then backed up and sat down. A church that goes backward is doomed to death.

Escape from death! To eliminate the spirit of religion from your church, the leadership should gather and repent of religious death. Together they should acknowledge that Jesus’ kingdom is coming, and there will be an accounting for what they accomplish in His name. In almost any dead church, there are a handful of believers who do live in triumph and desire to be alive in God. This team of people should be lifted up and encouraged. Stay with the winning crowd! Finally, rebuke the religious pride that strangles your church. Reject the love of religion and its rules and reputation, and fall in love with Jesus. Determine to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in all decision-making regarding the church, and let His Word edify, rule, and reign from the pulpit.

Spirit of Inferiority (Revelation 3:7–8, 12)

Many times a pastor will contact me about a speaking engagement at a church, and he will begin by saying almost apologetically, “We are just a small church…” His tone implied a sense of weakness or inability. But there is nothing “little” or “insignificant” in the kingdom of God!

At the other end of the spectrum is the church that thinks they have all the answers, who loves to proclaim their statistics and numbers but are satisfied with mediocre efforts as long as they bring the church notoriety and recognition.

God deals strongly with the church in Revelation 3: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:10–12).

Too many churches and individuals use their supposed weakness as an excuse for failing to advance the cause of Christ. Such notions and statements are foreign to the New Testament portrait of the church. I am convinced that such an attitude is not only false and hurtful but also demonic in its origin. There is a stronghold of inferiority, self-pity, and weakness. The enemy deceives those manifesting this spirit by making them think their attitudes are actually meekness and humility. This counterfeit humility is debilitating to the kingdom of God, crippling the advance of the gospel, and it insults the Holy Spirit.

The church at Philadelphia was at risk to be overtaken by such a spirit. If they were ever to become a “pillar” in the kingdom, they would have to overcome the spirit.

The scripture sets forth the church as a victorious company. Matthew 16:18 declares, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In his great prayer for the church in Ephesians 3:14–21, Paul ends with this benediction, “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages” (Eph. 3:20–21).

It is “in the church” that Jesus looses His divine ability, energy, and glory. The answer to our inferiority is His superiority! It is not in trying harder, but in trusting wholly that His work is accomplished.

The church at Philadelphia had “a little strength” (Rev. 3:8). Greek culture, international commerce, and religious diversity dominated them. The pagan goddess Dionysus was worshiped. This ancient Greek god of wine was credited with inspiring ritual madness and ecstasy. Worship of Dionysus was thought to bring an end to care and worry. The city was also a center of orthodox Jewish worship.

This small church could have surrendered to the pressures around them. Yet they did not! They received the wonderful encouragement in Revelation, and history tells us that for nearly 1400 years, this city stood as a Christian city in the face of Muslim pressure. It was only after centuries of courageous resistance that the city was overthrown by an unholy military alliance of Byzantine and Muslim forces.

How did this church overcome inferiority and have a ministry that would last for 1400 years? They came to know the Lord of Opportunity (Rev. 3:7–8). Obedience always leads to opportunity! God promised this church the “key of David.” With God’s favor and their dependence upon His superiority, nothing could stop this body of believers!

Spirit of Pride (Revelation 3:14–17, 21)

Revelation 3 also issues a charge to the church at Laodicea. This city was a wealthy and prosperous one. So vast was their wealth that when an earthquake destroyed the city, they required no outside help to recover! Tacitus, the Roman historian, recorded, “Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of its own resources.” 

The city was famous for the dark, black wool they produced and was known as the center for fine wool in the ancient world. Laodicea also boasted a famous medical school, having produced two of the most popular medicines for treatment of eye and ear maladies. In short, this city was pompous and full of pride.

But here in Revelation 3, years have passed and now the church in Laodicea has fallen into a rut of mediocrity. The Lord Jesus Himself renders the verdict on this church. What was His appraisal? This lukewarm church was nauseating Him! What had happened to this church to make it slide into a state of mediocrity?

Lost fervency

Sadly, this church reflects the state of many American churches today. Not too cold…not too hot. Not too bad…not too good. Not too faithful…not too unfaithful. The Laodicea church was an ordinary church that had warmth but no fire. If asked about their work, they would say, “We are holding our own.”

Jesus is sickened by the mediocre. He would rather a church be as cold as the Arctic or as hot as the Sahara. In God’s work, there should be no place for “just getting by.”

Elijah recognized this need for commitment when he challenged Israel at the contest of the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. He shouted to the congregation, “If Baal be God, serve him, but if the Lord be God, serve Him!” Standing in the middle was not an option.

A complacent church is a disappointment to Jesus! Laodicea had lost the fire of love for Jesus and for lost souls. The altar fires of prayer were in need of rekindling. It was business as usual week after week. They needed to pray!

The great hymn by Gene Bartlett should be the earnest prayer of the church needing a fresh fervency:

O for a passion for souls, dear Lord!

O for a pity that yearns!

O for a love that loves unto death!

O for a fire that burns!

Lost faith

The Laodicean church had tried to become self-sufficient. They boasted of wealth, increase of goods, and that they needed nothing, not even the Lord. They were cursed by their wealth.

When the great Thomas Aquinas visited the Vatican, the Pope escorted him through the vast corridors and vaults adorned with jewels and gold. The Pope commented, “No longer do we say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.” Aquinas replied, “Neither do you say, ‘In the name of Jesus, Rise and walk!’”

A church’s reach must exceed its grasp. An ever-enlarging vision must be forged. The challenges we take should be beyond our resources, so that our reliance and faith remains upon God. Our dreams and our plans should be God-sized.

When God blesses financially, the church should give more to missions, build a needed building, add another staff member, and have the faith to stretch those resources to their limit.

Unfortunately, the Laodicean church did not really see their true condition. God said they were “wretched, poor, blind, naked”—they were pitiful in the sight of God. They were without riches and spiritually blind in God’s eyes. He looked at them and saw them as they really were: spiritually bankrupt.

Lost fear

This church no longer trembled in the presence of a righteous God. There was no remorse recorded for their failures. Jesus warns them by giving three motives to repent: His love, His rebuke, and His chastening rod. These three things could provide the motivation to set this church on the right track.

Lost fellowship

Jesus was standing and knocking outside the door of this church. At one point, He had been shut out; He was no longer the center of things. The church had no basis for fellowship with other churches because Jesus Christ was the only common ground among the fellowship of churches. Without Him, a church can have a “get together” without really being together in unity! “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

The presence of Jesus Christ is the ground of all true fellowship, but too many churches have shut Him out.

God’s Promise and Plea

Jesus keeps on knocking, hoping that someone in the church will open the door. When that happens, it sets the stage for revival and fellowship can be restored. A seat at the Lord’s table is promised when we welcome Him at ours. We can share in His glorious reign! So, let us blaze and burn for Him until He comes in the blaze of His glory.

FIVE THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FORGIVING"

Youíve been hurt. Somebody you counted on let you down. Somebody you trusted betrayed you in your trust. Somebody who promised to take care of you, instead took advantage of you. The hurt goes deep. What makes the pain worse is that you were wronged. You did not have it coming. Nobody deserves to be treated the way you were treated. It was not fair. One thing is for sure. You cannot change what happened. There is no delete button for the past. You are stuck with it. You cannot forget what happened. You cannot erase it from your mind. It is like a video tape sewed inside your head. And every time it plays its rerun, you feel the pain all over again. Now you have to make the hard decision.

Do you want to spend the rest of your life with a pain that you did not deserve to get in the first place? Or do you want to be rid of it, healed, freed from it, so that you can go on with your life without that painful memory shadowing you? There is one way to heal yourself. It is not one way among many. It is the only way. God invented it. It did wonders for him and does wonders for us. We call it forgiving. And God tells us to try it for ourselves. "Forgive each other," the Good Book says, "as God in Christ forgave you." It is so simple. And yet people often misunderstand what forgiving is. And what it isnít. So I want to share five simple things about forgiving just to clear up some mistaken notions about Godís way of healing unfair pain.

1. Forgiving is the only way to be fair to yourself People have said to me, "Forgiving is just not fair. Why should I have to forgive the lout who did me wrong and let him off Scott free as if it never happened? "That just isnít fair," they say. When they say that forgiving is not fair, I tell them that forgiving is the only way to be fair to yourself. Would it be fair to you that the person who hurt you once goes on hurting you the rest of your life? When you refuse to forgive, you are giving the person who walloped you once the privilege of hurting you all over againóin your memory. Remember this: The first person to get the benefits of forgiving is the person who does the forgiving. Itís so important that I want to say that again: The first person who benefits from the forgiving is the person who does the forgiving. Forgiving is, first of all, a way of helping yourselfto get free of the unfair pain somebody caused you. The most unfair thing about unfair pain is that you should go on suffering it in your bitterness and misery when there is such a simple remedy for it. So if you think forgiving is unfair, let me tell you that once youíve been wrongly hurt, forgiving is the only way to be fair to yourself.

2. Forgivers are not doormats Some people have the notion that if you forgive you make yourself a doormat for people to walk on. A wimp. Nothing could be more wrong than this. Let me tell you what one woman learned about not being a doormat and still being a forgiver. I was a guest on a radio talk show one time and a lady called in to tell us about how she had suffered the worst thing that could happen to a mother.

A drunk driver in her neighborhood
swerved his car out of control and hit and killed her three year old little girl who was playing on the grass near the curb. She died before they reached the hospital. Now, in a rage, her mother asked me how I could expect her to forgive a monster who got himself drunk, then took his car and killed her precious three year old daughter. As soon as she hung up another woman called to say she had to speak to the first caller because the very same thing had happened to her. A drunk driver killed her five year old boy four years before, right in front of her own house. But listen to what she went on to say: She said that for two years, she lived in the fog of terrible rage. She fantasized the most horrible things happening to the man who killed her child. She wanted him to suffer more than he had made her suffer; to have nightmares the rest of his life and then burn in hell. Well, after living in the misery of her blind, unhealed rage for two years, she woke up to the fact that the drunk who killed her son was now killing heróinsideóa day at a time, killing her soul. And she was helping him do it. She was wise enough to go and see her priest who listened to her story and told her what she already knew, that the only way out of her pain was to set out on the journey of forgiveness. Yes, even for this wretched man who had done such a horrible thing to her. But he said there was something they had to do first. They had to begin a chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in their town. They had to make it known that if you forgive a drunk driver it does not mean that you must tolerate drunk driving. Forgive those who wrong you, but do not tolerate their wrong doing. Forgive them and tell them what Jesus told people he forgave: You are forgiven for what you did, but stop it, donít do it again. Let me say it again: Forgivers are not doormats.

3. Forgivers are not fools Some people think that if you forgive somebody you once trusted, it means that you have to go back into the same relationship with him or her that you had before. If she was a friend who made a practice of betraying you, forgive her and be friends again. Not a good idea. Forgivers do not have to be fools. Suppose he was your husband once, and that he beat you or betrayed you until you just could not put up with it anymore and you left him. Now to heal yourself, you are ready to forgive him, ready to clean the garbage of spite and resentment out of your life. But suppose he has given you reason to believe that if you went back to him, he would soon be back at his old abuse again. Donít go back to him. Forgive him and pray that he will be changed. But donít go back. Remember: You may be a forgiver, but forgivers do not have to be a fools.

4. You donít have to wait until he says heís sorry Some people believe that you should not forgive anyone who wronged you unless he or she crawls back on his knees, says he or she is sorry, and begs you to forgive him. I think that is a bad idea. If you wait for the lout who hurt you to repent, you may have to wait forever. And then you are the one who is stuck with the pain. If you wait for the person who hurt you to say sheís sorry, you are giving her permission to keep on hurting you as long as you live. Why should you put your future happiness in the hands of an unrepentant person who had hurt you so unfairly to begin with? If you refuse to forgive until he begs you to forgive, you are letting him decide for you when you may be healed of the memory of the rotten thing he did to you.

Why put your happiness in the hands of the person who made you unhappy in the first place? Forgive and let the other person do what he wants. Heal yourself.

5. Forgiving is a journey. Some people suppose that you should be able to forgive everything in a single minute and be done with it. I think they are very wrong. God can forgive in the twinkling of an eye, but we are not God. Most of us need some time. Especially if the hurt went deep and the wrong was bad. So when you forgive, be patient with yourself. When you decide to forgive you first make a baby step on the way to healing. And then you go on from there. You may be on the way for a long time before you finish the job. And you may backslide and need to forgive all over again. I once was in a rage at a police officer in the village where I live for abusing my youngest son for no good reason.

I stomped about my house for several days in a fury of anger at the officer. I knew I would be miserable unless I forgave him. But I did. I did forgive him. I forgave him by going into my study and getting on my knees, and saying, "Officer Maloney, I forgive you. In the name of God, I forgive you." About a year later I saw this same office drive by in a patrol car and I had to do it all over again. Only it was easier the second time. Then, a few years later, I heard that he had been fired from the force for abusive conduct. Hearing that tasted sweet as honey to me. I secretly smacked my lips with vengeful satisfaction. Then I realized I needed to forgive him one more time. Which I did. And, who knows, I may have to do it a few more times before Iím over it. Nobody but God is a real pro at forgiving. We are amateur and bunglers. We cannot usually finish it the first time. So be patient with yourself. Make the first step. It will get you going and once on the way, you will never want to go back. These are the five things I wanted to tell you about forgiving somebody who wronged you. Let me go over them once more:

1.  Forgiving is the only way to be fair to yourself after someone hurts you unfairly.

2.  Forgivers are not doormats; they do not have to tolerate the bad things that they forgive.

3.  Forgivers are not fools; they forgive and heal themselves, but they do not have to go back for      more  abuse. 4.  We donít have to wait until the other person repents before we forgive him or her and heal      ourselves.

5.  Forgiving is a journey. For us, it takes time, so be patient and donít get discouraged if you      backslide have to do it over again. And remember this: The first person who gets the benefit of forgiving is always the person who does the forgiving. When you forgive a person who wronged you, you set a prisoner free, and then you discover that the prisoner you set free is you.

When you forgive, you walk hand in hand with the very God who forgives you everything for the sake of his Son. When you forgive, you heal the hurts you never should have felt in the first place. So if you have been hurt and feel miserable about it, our Lord himself recommends forgiving as the only way to healing. I hope that you will try it for yourself.

THE GREAT SIN:

Some Reasons Why God Hates Pride

“There are only two safe places for a Christian—in the dust and in heaven. And of the two the dust is safer, for Satan fell from heaven,” said a wise man. Pride was the first sin to destroy the calm of eternity. It was pride that cast Lucifer from heaven and it was pride that cost our first parents their place in Paradise. Pride is the first sin to enter a man’s heart and the last to leave. No sin is more offensive to God than the sin of pride. Pride has been referred to as the “complete anti-God state of mind.” It militates against God’s authority, God’s law, and God’s rule. This is why the Bible equates rebellion with witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23).

Pride assaults God’s throne and asserts its independence in an attempt to dislodge God as the Sovereign of the universe. God and pride are like oil and water— they don’t mix!

Pride is dogmatic in its antagonism to God and God is absolute in His opposition to pride. The Creator never has and never will compromise with pride.  Humility is the foundation of all virtue, but pride is the essence of all sin. The world system operates on the basis of pride for all that is in the world is lust and pride (1 John 2:16).

Pride and lust are root sins from which all other sins spring. Pride is the mother of evil. God detests pride. He even hates a proud look (Prov. 6:16-17). God’s loathing of pride is unalterable, for “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 16:5).

But why does God hate pride so fiercely?  Pride is Satanic Never forget that God did not make the Devil—Lucifer only became the devil when he arrogantly became infatuated with himself. Yes, Lucifer is a created being. God said, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezek. 28:15). This beautiful, powerful, intelligent, and gifted cherub fell from his perfect estate when his heart was lifted up because of his own beauty and brightness (v. 17).

No longer was he willing to be subservient to the Creator. Staggering pride was to blame for the tragedy in heaven.  “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! … For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne … I will sit also upon the mount … I will ascend above the heights…I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:12-14). Self-will displaced God’s will, and the Devil emerged. It has been said, “Man is never more like the Devil than when he is full of self-will.” The Bible strictly forbids placing a novice in leadership, “lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). It was pride that caused Lucifer’s fall and subsequent condemnation. The snare of pride is a deadly peril to which new converts should never be willfully subjected. Nothing does more to set a person out of the devil’s reach than humility. The Great Sin:

1 Pride Spawns Prayerlessness

Once Solomon had completed the Temple, the Lord instructed Israel on the proper way to approach Him in times of judgment. If the heavens withheld rain on account of their sins, or disobedience caused God to send pestilence among His people, then they were to pray toward the Lord’s house.

But even before they prayed, turned from their wicked ways, or sought the face of God they needed to first humble themselves (2 Chron. 7:14). God required the people who were called by His name to humble themselves before they prayed or repented. So why does humility precede prayer? Why does humility come before turning from wicked ways? The reason humility precedes prayer is because there can be no real prayer without humility. Proverbs speaks of the man who brazenly turns his ear from the law, “Even his prayer shall be abomination” (28:9). Prayerlessness is the very first sign of pride. It has been said, “God’s power will never fall until we do.” Proud people don’t pray. In fact, the only people who pray are those who need God, know they need God, and can’t go on without God. Humility is the altar on which God wishes us to offer Him sacrifices. 

Pride Brings Conflict Why are there so many splintered relationships, so many broken marriages, and church splits? The Scripture gives us the short answer, “Only by pride cometh contention” (Prov. 13:10). Just as surely as pride erects a barrier between us and God, it also builds a wall between us and others. Whereas love seeks to build a bridge, pride seeks to erect a wall.  Pride can keep you from apologizing when you’ve been wrong.

Pride can cause you to defend yourself. Pride can cause you to look down on others. If you allow it, pride can rob you of the most treasured relationships in life. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife” (Prov. 28:25).  Humbling ourselves is the only way to get the roof off toward God and the walls down toward our fellow man. Once offences have been committed, whether intentional or unintentional, they must be dealt with. “I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?” are healing words that only a humble soul would use. Whenever you find a man willing to humble himself before God and man, you have found a man who will be exalted, because “humility comes before honor.” Pride Results in Gossip “Thou shalt hide them … from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them … from the strife of tongues” (Ps. 31:20).

Evil speaking, slander, and gossip are the direct result of pride. This comes as no surprise since the word “devil” comes from the word diabalos which means slanderer. One of the Puritans said, “He that receives a slander carries the devil in his ear and he that commits a slander carries the devil in his tongue.” Where Satan doesn’t go personally, he sends a critic. Once a Sunday School teacher gave a lesson on the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself thanking God he was not like other men: “adulterers, extortioners, and publicans.” The teacher really blasted the Pharisee because of his proud, condemning attitude. He was glorying in the fact that he was better than common sinners—“not as other men.” As the class ended the teacher said, “Students, let’s bow our heads now and thank the Lord we’re not like that Pharisee."

Before a man can look down on another he must first assume he is better than the person he is speaking against. A proud man is suspicious of everyone else. A humble man is more suspicious of his own heart than anyone else. The proud heart will detect defects in others before himself. A humble soul sees the evil in his own heart before he sees evil in others.  Wesley said, “Gossip is anything you would say about someone that you wouldn’t say if they were standing in front of you.” The only reason for character assassination, or making an unfavorable comparison, is to exalt one’s own self. Before speaking against a fellow human being one must first establish himself as a judge. This maligning of character can only be explained in terms of pride. The connection between pride and slander is clearly seen in Psalm 101, “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer” (v. 5).

Pride is Deceptive  A young man responded at the invitation and told his pastor that he had come to rededicate his life to the Lord. The pastor replied, “Wonderful! Just kneel there at the pew and confess your sins to God.” To which the man replied, “Pastor, I can’t think of any sins to confess.” The pastor then said, “Son, just guess at it.” And you know what? The young man got it right on the first try! Pride is not just thinking we are better than others, it is thinking we are better than we are. Pride is the disposition to exalt self, get above others, and conceal defects. Ever since the Fall man has had the tendency to confess someone else’s sins instead of his own. This is hardly surprising since the heart of man is “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9).

And the reason man’s heart is so deceitful is because of inborn haughtiness. “Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart” (Jer. 49:16). Contrary to popular thinking, we are not good people who happen to do bad things—we are sinners through and through. And it is the deceptive nature of pride which brings such reluctance to admit our sins. Pride Makes a False Boast Samson killed a lion with his bare hands and didn’t even tell his parents. Spurgeon commented if a modern Christian so much as killed a mouse he would publish it in the gospel gazette! Man may be reluctant to acknowledge his wrongs, but most are quick to publicize their accomplishments. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness” (Prov. 20:6).

The Bible warns us about thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. No man has a right to an inflated view of himself. Under the influence of pride a man takes on the air of a master. He is more likely to instruct others than inquire for himself. A humble Christian wants help from everybody, but the spiritually proud thinks everybody wants his help. The proud man believes he has accomplished what God and others have accomplished in him. He seeks credit for things which he cannot rightly take credit. Talent, intellect, abilities, health, and life itself are gifts from God. 

The Bible says it is of God’s mercy that we are not consumed. It is of God’s love that we have been drawn to Him. It is because of His everlasting arms being under us that we are kept. It is by His faith that we are saved. It is by His blood that we are cleansed. It is by His righteousness that we are clothed. It is by His power that we are kept. It is by His grace that we are sustained. It is by His intercession that we are delivered. It is by His goodness that we are
led to repentance. It is by His indwelling Spirit that we are filled. All that God has for His people is from the Father, all is through the Son, and all is by the Holy Spirit. Of what can we boast? Once Spurgeon had preached a powerful sermon. As soon as he had finished his message the devil whispered to him, “That was a fine sermon. You preached magnificently!” For a moment he agreed with the devil. Leaving the pulpit, a deacon met him and said, “Pastor, that was a masterpiece.” Spurgeon interrupted and said, “You’re too late. The devil told me that a few moments ago.”

Pride Brings Shame Culture is the externalization of religion. So when a culture calls good evil and evil good it indicates corrupt religion[s] dominate[s] that society. Never doubt that all men worship something; if not the true God, then they will worship something else, or themselves. Our society glories in things of which it should be ashamed. Three factors contributed to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. “This was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness” (Eze. 16:49). Note carefully that pride was the foundation from which homosexuality sprang. “When pride cometh, then cometh shame” (Prov. 11:2). After his journey through the valley of humiliation Nebuchadnezzar realized, “Those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Dan. 4:37). He surely learned the proverb, “A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Prov. 29:23).

Pride Precedes a Fall Those who built the Titanic pronounced the great ship unsinkable. With boldness and confidence they boasted of the great safety this vessel afforded. But on its maiden voyage the unsinkable ship sank. The Titanic mentality of invincibility sets the stage for collapse. “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty” (Prov. 18:12). Repeatedly, the scripture warns of pride precipitating a fall. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted” (Isa. 2:11). Uzziah was greatly blessed and marvelously helped, “till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction” (2 Chron. 26:15-16). He transgressed by entering the temple to offer incense on the altar.

When confronted by the priests, Uzziah became furious. While he was holding the censer in his hand God smote him and leprosy rose up in his forehead. He lost the throne and was a leper the rest of his life. God not only dwells in the high and holy place. He also dwells with him “that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isa. 57:15). The man who sits nearest the dust sits nearest heaven. It is the valley of humiliation that leads to the mount of transfiguration. He that is low need fear no fall. No wonder Andrew Murray said, “Welcome everything that helps you on toward humility.” 

Toward Humility

Listing the sins of pride could go on and on. Its pervasiveness cannot be overstated. Haughtiness, arrogance, conceit, inordinate self-esteem, and vainglory are as common as the air we breathe. Pride is a sin to be hated, a sin to be confessed, a sin to mourn over, a sin to flee, and a sin to fight against. William Law commented, “Pride must die, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Humility is the royal insignia that marks God’s true people even though it is the saint’s hardest conflict. The first step toward becoming humble is realizing we are proud. Then we must take the witness stand against ourselves and plead “guilty as charged.” Continually, we must bring pride to the foot of the cross to be washed away by the blood of Jesus. Surveying the wondrous cross surely makes it easier to pour contempt on all our pride. Even though pride is hateful to God, the powerful blood of Jesus can cleanse it away.  If pride is the evil of evils, then humility is the virtue of virtues. Like the pearl of great price, it is worth selling all to obtain. Humility is our responsibility. Humility is a choice, and so is pride. How do you plead?