IT IS BETTER TO BE PRACTICAL THAN LEARNED

Practical person can work out simple solutions to complicated
problems, and they know how to solve day-to-day troubles with
efficiency and calm insight.

IF WE ARE PRACTICAL IN LIFE THEN ONLY WE CAN LIVE HAPPIER
LIFE. For this a person has to:

1.Be contented with the tools you are given to deal with a difficulty,
accept the inadequacies and challenges the situation presents, and
make the best of what you have to resolve the predicament you are
in.

2.Only after being truly accepting of a situation can you also accept
responsibility for it. Being responsible means taking charge of a
situation and doing what you can to manage things better and solve
problems.

3.Think of alternatives to traditional solutions that may better fit the
situation you are dealing with right now. Take into account all
possibilities before deciding on a final solution or strategy you’ll use
for dealing with a particular situation.

4.To be practical in life, you’ll need to build a mentality that employs
both common sense and creative insight to figure out the most
efficient way to solve problems and manage matters, while ignoring
useless actions that will only waste time instead of save it.

5.Being practical in life takes a high level of self-esteem and
confidence in your capacity to solve problems efficiently and handle
difficult situations with grace.
Be on the lookout for situations where you can apply the principles
of being practical in life, and hone your skills in using them
effectively to improve life outcomes.

A HIDDEN LIFE

Have you ever come to the place in life where Christ meant more to you than all the arguing you could do about your church? Has Christ meant more to you than all the world? I don't mean from an emotion or a mental work-up; I mean from the depths of your heart, that something's settled in there, that something's taken place, that you don't know how it come, but you're hid away, and your whole motive is to serve Jesus Christ. Have you entered that place, my dear brother? Have you come into that place where you don't care what anyone says, not to go out and act smart, but till the love of God is so anchored into you, that you can't see nothing else, you're whole motive is to do the will of God, love for everybody, flowing free from everywhere? What a place to live. That's the hidden place. That's the place where we got to come to, my brethren. That's the place where God reveals His secret things

WELCOME TO "END TIME MESSAGE"

Our desire is that you will fine material that will enrich your relationship with Christ and heighten your desire to feed daily upon His word.

This site is not intended as a substitute for a local church body of believers as we do believe that every one should have a Church home with a true and dedicated pastor that preaches the full word in the light of the end time message. Yet we also realise that for some believers and for various reasons this may not be currently possible and therefore we would like to extend a caring and helping hand in any way that we can to encourage you to keep pressing the battle for the truth that God has revealed to us in this end time through the ministry of the seventh angel. 

The revelation of Jesus Christ in this hour is by far the greatest event that has happened in these last days, yet it came so humbly that so very few are truly aware of what God has done and is doing in our generation, it is worthy of our fullest attention and dedication.

Please visit back soon, and may the light of the words of life shine deeply into your heart is my prayer.

COUNSELING ONE ANOTHER

Helping you grow in God's all-sufficient truth and grace

37 Ways to Love One Another

A local church is not built by one man, or even a few men, but by every believer being actively involved in ministry through evangelizing the lost people in their lives and serving their fellow Christians. A quick glance at the practice of the New Testament church reveals that they thought very little about programs and very much about relationships.

Consider the disciple-making that would naturally take place in the life of a local church if every believer would practice the loving, one-another ministry that the early churches first read about in the instructions they received from the apostles:

Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).

Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10).

Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16).

Accept one another by withholding judgment (Rom. 14:1).

Accept one another by showing deference (Rom. 14:1–5; 15:7).

Esteem [highly regard] one another in love (Rom. 14:5; Phil. 2:3).

Build up one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11).

Counsel one another (Rom. 15:14).

Serve one another by showing deference in matters of liberty (Gal. 5:13).

Bear one another’s sin burdens (Gal. 6:2).

Be gentle with one another (Eph. 4:2).

Be kind to one another so as to preserve unity (Eph. 4:32).

Speak truth to one another (Eph. 4:25; Col 3:9).

Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21).

Show compassion to one another (Col. 3:12).

Bear with the inherent sinfulness of one another (Col. 3:13).

Forgive one another (Col. 3:13).

Use Spirit-filled, Word-saturated music to teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19).

Comfort one another with the hope of Christ’s return (1 Thes. 4:18).

Encourage one another (1 Thes. 5:11).

Live in peace with one another (1 Thes. 5:13).

Seek good for one another (1 Thes. 5:15).

Encourage one another to forsake unbelief and hardness of heart (Heb. 3:13).

Stimulate one another to spiritual growth (Heb. 10:24).

Encourage one another by faithful participation in your local church (Heb. 10:25).

Confess sins to one another (James 5:16).

Pray for one another’s spiritual and physical healing (James 5:16).

Be long-suffering and patient toward one another (1 Peter 4:8; Eph. 4:2).

Be hospitable to one another without complaint (1 Peter 4:9).

Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10; Gal. 5:13).

Act in humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5).

Show holy affection to one another (1 Peter 5:14).

Participate in the holy walk with one another (1 John 1:7).

Refuse to become resentful toward one another (1 John 3:11–12).

Give sacrificially to meet one another’s needs (1 John 3:16–17).

Fight fear together by growing in love (1 John 4:18).

Walk in truth together (1 John 3:18; 2 John 1:5).

The Christian life is all about relationships. It’s God’s design for our personal growth, which then translates into church growth—the real kind. Loving one another is a powerful evangelistic tool, as Jesus says: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

[The above list makes a great personal Bible study or the basis for small group discussion.]

DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER AND DEMONS ALSO KNOWN AS MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER

Are you in the ministry of deliverance? Then this subject is invaluable if you are serious about getting people set free. Disassociation is known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Deliverance ministers who do not understand this subject will find that in many deliverances, they hit a brick wall and are unable to minister complete freedom to those individuals. While those ministers who understand this subject are able to take those same cases and minister true and lasting freedom to them. This is serious, because treating alters or alternate personalities as demons will cause spiritual abuse, and drive the alters deeper into bondage and farther away from opening up where they can receive true healing from the Holy Spirit.

When a person experiences devastating trauma or abuse, their mind may not be capable of coping with the pain and torture that their mind is subjected to. Either one of three things may happen; that person may mentally snap and wind up in a mental hospital, commit suicide because the trauma is too much to bear, or a part of their mind separates from the rest of their mind to hold the pain and hurtful memories, so that the rest of that person can go on with life.

When a person disassociates, a part of that person reaches out and encapsulates that hurt and painful memory until the time that healing is received. It is better for the hurt/pain/memory to be in the alter until it is healed, or else the person would likely be unable to bear the mental anguish of such unhealed memories, wounds, pain and hurt. I have to agree with Bob Larson in that disassociation is a gift from God that allows people to cope when they would otherwise turn to suicide or mentally lock up because of the trauma.

When dealing with an alter, in reality, you're really communicating with that part of their mind that has been locked up or separated, and it can seem like a whole another person in there. That is why they are known as multiple personalities. These personalities can seem like entirely different people, even carrying distinct tastes and yes, they can contain demons too. Yes, you may find an alter in a woman which is convinced that it's a guy, which goes on to show you how distinct and unique alters can be. I know that it seems hard to grasp, but when you begin to work with seriously tormented SRA (Satanic Ritual Abuse) victims, you will begin to see how much of a reality all this is. Some of these alters are formed when the person is subjected to torture that is humanly unthinkable. As a result of being subjected to unspeakable torture, that person's mind can fracture and cause many unique personalities that are much different from the core person.

Alters also have their own wills, just as part of us can wish to do what is right, but part of us can feel compelled to do just the opposite. Some alters can be good-hearted or bad-hearted. Just as parts of a person's life can be unyielded to the Lord, so also can some alters. One alter can love Jesus, while the next alter hates or despises Him. When ministering to the alters, it is important to present the light and healing of Jesus to them, so that they may open up and receive the work of the Holy Spirit to restore them.

Alters can also act on behalf of a person at times and be responsible for deeds by which the core person has no memory of, such as saying things that the core person has absolutely no memory of and so forth. While a demon cannot violate a person's will, it may have an alter in such bondage that the alter will do the demon's bidding and commit horrible acts.

When I first learned of alters and disassociation, I thought for sure these ministers were out of their minds! I had figured for sure that they were dealing with demons and were deceived into thinking they were alters. As the evidence grew and my experience was challenging my belief, I was forced to take a closer look at this subject. My goal is to minister to hurting and bound brothers and sisters in Christ, NOT to be politically correct about everything. With an open heart and mind, please consider these basic reasons as to why I support the reality of disassociation:

Other ministers who don't believe in alters, are failing miserably when working with people who have disassociated. As a matter of fact, the people are often walking away more bound and hurt than when they came in for ministry! This is because alters are surfacing and being treated like demons in a deliverance, which traumatizes them to go further down into that person, and carry even more hurt, trauma, and pain. These same people are being sent to Bob Larson's DWJD (Doing What Jesus Did) teams, and they are finding true freedom and healing from their bondages. Real-life experience tells me that those who don't accept the reality of disassociation, are hitting walls that they cannot get past and can only take a person so far in their deliverance.

Good-hearted alters will often confess their love for Lord Jesus, while demons simply do not confess their love for Jesus. The Bible does tell us that any spirit which confesses that the Lord Jesus came in the flesh is of God:

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:2-3

Apparently, there is something inside that person, which is not a demon because it will confess it's love and allegiance to the Lord Jesus and Jesus' Blood. Demons, on the other hand, will not confess their love for Jesus and His Blood. Anybody who is experienced in the ministry of deliverance will testify to this. Demons HATE even the word blood when it is referring to Jesus' Blood that was shed for that person.

Alters will often hold painful memories that the person knows nothing about. Sometimes a person's entire childhood would be hidden from their memory. When you access an alter, they can be quite aware of everything that took place in detail. If that person had to cope with such memories, it would drive them to insanity, which is why the alter was formed, to help the core person cope and go on with life. Demons are not here to help us cope, but to drive us to insanity and destroy our lives. Alters have quite different goals in mind than demons do concerning the wellbeing of the person.

The Bible does make reference to healing the broken or shattered soul (heart). Consider this passage:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Luke 4:18

The NT Greek tells us that the word brokenhearted in this passages literally means, "To crush completely, that is, to shatter (literally or figuratively): - break (in pieces), broken to shivers," and also, "the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed)." This gives us good reason to believe that the human soul (heart) can indeed become fractured into pieces.

Let's say that a person has went through unspeakable trauma in their childhood, and as a result, their mind has disassociated, and for some strange reason, parts of their childhood memories are somehow missing... they have absolutely no memory of what took place. Now, in some more extreme cases,a person may not remember anything at all from their childhood! Somehow those memories are separated from the rest of their mind, right? Now, when doing deliverance work, you may encounter a part of them that is quite aware of what took place during that time-frame but for some reason, during a normal conversation with the person, they have absolutely no memory whatsoever of what took place. A part of their mind where those memories are stored, is somehow separated from the rest of that person; should we dare call that part of their mind a demon? That part of their mind is holding trauma and therefore needs to receive healing, not to be treated like a demon. Yes, demons can and do work diligently to keep that part of their mind separate from the rest of the mind, but that does not mean that this separated part of their mind (an alter) is a demon.

The core personality or person is the main part of the person's mind.

An alternate personality or alter is a part of somebody's mind that is separate from the rest of their mind.

A switch is when one alter (or the core person) goes down, and another one comes up. The person may seem to change into an entirely different person when this happens. Switches can be triggered by lights, sounds, colors, or just randomly for no reason. Switches can also take place due to heated arguments or excessive drinking or even stress.

There are quite a few symptoms to look for in somebody who has disassociated. Here are a few of the symptoms to look for:

Memory lapses: A person may have parts of their past, perhaps their entire childhood, that is unknown to them, or if time seems to disappear suddenly (one minute it is 3pm, and within the blink of an eye, it is 5pm), or they suddenly find yourself somewhere that they don't remember going. This is because alters are manifesting on their behalf during those times. Alters would hold those memories instead of their core personality. If they have people claiming that they did things which they honestly do not remember doing, then it could have been an alter doing bidding on their behalf.

Alters usually carry human names: In most cases, alters will carry a human name such as Kathy or Mike. If you are doing deliverance on somebody, and suddenly you are facing something in that person which claims to have a human name, that is a clue that you're likely not speaking with a demon but an alter.

Underlying anger or hurt: If a person has done all they can to release hurtful or painful memories from their past, but there still seems to be an underlying root that just won't go away, then it may be an held within an alter. If a person just cannot seem to break free from unforgiveness and hurtful feelings (which makes them easily hurt or offended), then there's a chance an alter is holding a lot of pain in that person which needs to be released.

Escapism or withdrawal: People who have disassociation often have traumatic pain that is still not healed or fully released. This can cause a person to turn to escapism in an attempt to drown out their inner pain. They may withdrawal from relationships with others and live in their own little world, because there is so much turmoil taking place inside them.

Alters are not demons, nor do the carry the same goals. Demons are there to kill, steal, and destroy (see John 10:10), whereas alters are there to help the person cope and survive. Alters generally care very much about their core person, which is the reason they were created in the first place, to protect and help the core person cope with the trauma. Recently, we had an alter come on our forum and introduce himself. In an alter's own words, here is why he existed:

"Just let me tell everyone why I exist. A long time ago this person that I am apart of went through a lot of hurtful things to where that it was so bad that I took over and took that pain for someone else."

Another alter came to our forum and tells of how it was formed:

"I took over when the core person could no longer handle what was happening to her."

This is exactly how alters are formed; a part of that person's mind encapsulates the pain and torture so that the core person doesn't have to deal with it. Alters are often found in people who have been exposed to abuse, rape, trauma, and ritual abuse. Satanic Ritual Abuse is by far the worse of all torture that a person could go through and creates very deep-rooted bondages.

Although this comes with experience, there are some very good things that you can look for when discerning between alters and demons. Here are some things to look for:

Look at their eyes when it is manifesting. Demons may give you a strong stern look while an alter doesn't have the same fierceness. Alters will usually seem like people while demons are just plain evil. Now don't get me wrong, some alters may be angry or seem evil, but they don't have the same fierceness that a demon would. This is something that you will get sensitive to as you gain more experience.

Alters often manifest or come to the surface crying or bursts of emotion expressing pain or torment. This is because they are frozen in time, and are experiencing the trauma right now, which has taken place perhaps years ago.

Alters generally have human names. Demons generally do not. If something manifests and claims to have a human name, then it's likely not a demon but an alter. Alters can have names that demons would have, such as lust or anger. Bob Larson opened my eyes to how demons and alters can, at times, have the same name, such as an alter of lust along side a demon of lust. Then they can switch back and forth to confuse the minister and cause the minister to traumatize the alter by commanding it to come out. Just the minute the alter comes up and you're talking to it, a demon by the same name manifests and you begin driving it out, then it suddenly goes down and sends up the alter so that you traumatize it by shouting at it.

Don't forget to test the alters by asking each one if it loves Jesus. Any alter that refuses to love Jesus is a suspect, a possible demon. Although there are valid cases of evil-hearted alters which will refuse to love Jesus. But this is a good place to start. Good-hearted alters should confess their love for Lord Jesus, while demons simply do not confess their love for Jesus. The Bible does tell us that any spirit which confesses that the Lord Jesus came in the flesh is of God:

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:2-3

Yes, demons can try to deceive us into thinking they are alters, but with discernment we can have a better idea of when this is happening.

Demons often torment alters, just as they would the core person. They can inhabit an alter just like they would inhabit the core person. Alters who understand what is going on will hate demons, because they know that demons are there to torment and harm them as well as the core person. The following was spoken by demon who was boasting of how he was tormenting the alters and the core person:

"I am not an alter but I am something else inside of someone. I torment all the alters and the core person."

Not all alters have demons, but many times they do. Since demons enter in through trauma, and alters are also created through trauma, it makes the likeliness of a demon inhabiting an alter becomes reasonably good.

Special thanks to Bob Larson's teaching series on this, he pointed out that cutting is a sign of disassociation. He went on to explain that there are two reasons for this:

1. There is an alter which is in bondage to shame, and is convinced that it deserves pain. So by harming the flesh by cutting, burning, etc. It feels it is doing what it should. No person in their right mind would harm themselves on purpose for such a person, but an alter may be convinced that it deserves this harm.

2. There is an alter which contains so much inner pain and turmoil, that cutting is a way to transfer the pain to the physical, which can feel good to them as allows for a release of the turmoil and torment that is taking place on the inside. For such alters, it is a means for a release.

It is important that we do not treat such alters as demons, or it could cause them to further harm themselves, and possibly commit suicide.

When you get an alter to surface, it may come forth with bursts of emotions (usually crying or sobbing) from all the torment, pain and hurt that it is holding. What may have taken place years ago, that alter is experiencing right now because it may have never surfaced before... it's latest memories are what it experienced when it was formed. Other alters can surface without such expressions of emotions, because they have been regularly surfacing and have had time to put the memories in the past to a certain extend.

We have had a handful of alters come to our forum and post messages. What this means is that the alter in that particular person was out at the time (manifesting), when they came to our forum, signed up, and posted messages. I would really like to share what they posted here, to give you an idea of what alters are all about. I have changed/removed the names here to help protect their identity.

"I have been apart of someone else for a long time now and I have been afraid to talk to people until now. I am apart of someone that has been hurt all of their life. Just let me tell everyone why I exist. A long time ago this person that I am apart of went through a lot of hurtful things to where that it was so bad that I took over and took that pain for someone else. There are many others just like me in this one person."

"My name is Brian but I have taken on the initials SRA. The person I reside in was a SRA person. I am trying to keep her safe. I have not spoken to anyone ever but this seems to be a safe place. I took over when the core person could no longer handle what was happening to her."

"My name is Jean and I am 12 years old. I am apart of someone else. I have been locked inside of someone. I have been to afraid to come out. I have seen there are other parts of people that have been coming forward will someone talk to me."

I wanted to share with you those few just to give you an idea of what alters have to say about who they are, why they are there, and how they love and care about the core person. They contain a lot of pain, hurt, and inner wounds that the person has experienced, and they are there to help the core person cope by taking the painful memories and such on behalf of the core person.

How to minister to disassociation

Keep an eye out for spirits of anger, rage, hate, unforgiveness, etc. when dealing with individuals who have been hurt. These spirits may need to be driven out before you can address the spirits behind the disassociation. Try to cast out any spirits you can before ministering to the alters, because once the demons are gone, the alters will feel more comfortable and free to open up and receive healing. Demons will attempt and would love to interfere with this process. If you can get a demon talking to you, you might ask it if there are any alters present in the person, and if so, what are the names.

When working with alters, it is important to get them to release painful memories, feelings, and such so that the Holy Spirit can bring healing to that part of the person's mind. They can also have legal grounds of their own that may need to be broken before driving out demons.

You might call up the alters by speaking something like this, "If there are any parts of [person's name] that have disassociated, I would like to talk with them, please come to attention." You can usually switch between alters just as you would demons, but keep in mind that unless the core person has given you authority over the alters, you do not have authority over them as you would demons. Just as we don't naturally have authority over another person's soul, so also we naturally don't have authority over parts of that person's soul.

Alters must be loved, understood, embraced, and accepted; completely the opposite with how we would treat demons! Alters are often tormented by hurt and pain, and it is vital that they feel comfortable releasing that in order to receive the healing of the Holy Spirit in that area of the person's soul.

What keeps an alter from receiving healing and letting down the walls that keeps it apart from the core person? It is fear and unforgiveness, which is there because of the great trauma, hurt, and pain that is held within that part of the person's mind. That is why it is vital to be loving, understanding, and compassionate to alters as we work with them. It is our goal to get them to feel comfortable with us, so that they will open up and release the bound up feelings of emotion and woundedness. Telling them that it's okay to cry and let those hurt feelings out is a good idea, because unless those feelings are released, true healing cannot take place. Holding on to pain and torment will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit, and will keep that alter from receiving healing.

Speaking truth about the love of Jesus, and the desire for God to heal the inner wounds is important, because the alters must know that what you are doing for them is for their good and God desires for them to be made whole. These are some great passages to share when ministering to alters:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Luke 4:18

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalms 23:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalms 147:3

The next step is to get the alter to pray to Jesus, and transfer the pain, hurt, and inner wounds to Jesus. It may be helpful to quote this scripture, which tells of how Jesus paid for our emotional wounds and took them upon Himself so that we can receive His healing and wholeness:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:4

In NT Greek, the word sorrows in the above literally means, "Anguish or (figuratively) affliction: - grief, pain, sorrow."

Once you have an alter communicating with you, now is a wonderful opportunity to find out if there are any others, and perhaps he/she can give you further information on why they are there, what their names are, etc. Proceed to repeat ministering healing to each one of the alters.

Every now and then, you may come across an alter who does not know how to talk, because it was formed when the person was yet a baby or small child. In such cases, try to get ahold of another alter who can speak, and get that older alter to communicate with the younger one for you. Think of it as a translating alter!

Alters, just as the core person, can have legal grounds which allow demons permission or access to inhabit and torment them. It is important to get the alters to break any ungodly soul ties, repent of sins, renounce ungodly vows, and so forth, in order to give the demons no right to access this part of the person's mind.

The next step is to proceed to drive out any demons from the alters. Do this as you would casting demons out of a person who hasn't disassociated. You can switch between the alters by saying something like, "[Alter's name], would you please come up?" Another helpful tip I learned  is to command the demons to come out of all parts of the person, which addresses the demons that may try to hide out in various alters.

Communicating with alters are a great way to find out which demons are present. They are more intelligent than you might think, and can often provide a wealth of insight into that person's spiritual bondage.

If the alters have not already merged with the core person, now would be a great time to pray and welcome the healing power of the Holy Spirit to come and bring healing to those parts so that they can merge with the core person.

There should be a greater sense of wholeness in that person's mind. Memories should start coming back to the person, although now they should be healed and no longer hold the same pain and torment that they once held. Those memories will be seen differently once healed.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalms 147:3

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

"Is it a reasonable goal to see the person integrate, where all the alters have merged back into the core person?"

Yes! The Bible tells us that God has given us a sound and clear mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7), which means that anything less is not the will of God for that person.

"Can the alter re-join the core if it's demonized? Or is it completely locked up?"

After the demon has been cast out then it is necessary (and good) for the part to rejoin the core person. In most cases, parts do not rejoin the core if they are indwelt with demons as the demons will not allow it. Furthermore, some demons actually "lock up" the alter to hinder the healing process. Sometimes the core person needs to get a key from the demon before you can unlock the part that has been hidden away.

"Can disassociation be handed down or start in the womb?"

Yes! This is a whole another teaching though.

"An alter tells me that it is 5 years old, what does that mean?"

If a broken part reveals they are 5 years old, that usually means that the abuse/trauma occurred at that age hence the age of the broken part. Alters do not age as their ages are stationary.

"Can one alter communicate with other alters?"

In most cases, yes, but in some cases, no. It really depends on the level of bondage and how much the alters are locked up.

"If there are alters in a person which rejects Jesus, does that mean the person cannot be saved?"

No, absolutely not! It is up to the core person to accept Jesus, not the alters. The point of getting the alters to confess their love for Jesus is to (a) help determine if they are a true alter or a demon, as demons would never confess their love for Jesus, and (b) get the alters to open up to Jesus, so that they can release their pain and allow the healing power of the Holy Spirit to operate.

THE BLOOD IS ENOUGH - COMPLETE FORGIVENESS!

This is a powerful and liberating teaching that we must understand in order to experience true freedom from guilt and shame of our past. It is absolutely essential for us to realize the forgiving power of the Blood of Jesus! Nothing we can do will ever add to or take away from the work that Christ did on the cross. As the song sings, "What can wash away my sins?Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!"

I think one of the reasons why it is so hard to grasp the true forgiving power of Christ's shed blood is because it just seems too good to be true. Wouldn't you agree? But God's Word is true, and it even tells us that through Christ, we have exceedingly great and precious promises:

2 Peter 1:4, "Whereby are given unto us EXCEEDING GREAT and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

The word precious in the above verse refers to the Greek word timios, which actually means valuable or costly! These promises that God has given us, cost Jesus dearly... He paid a steep price for our redemption, healing and deliverance!

I believe the Holy Spirit has showed me that if you have to do something to receive forgiveness of your sins, then you will always wonder if you've done enough! Look at this passage in scripture:

Galatians 3:11, "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

Knowing that your conscience is clean is very important. A while back, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "You need to KNOW that you are clean... your faith depends upon it!"

In the Old Testament, the priests would sacrifice lambs, goats, etc. to cover the people's sins. However, this sacrifice was not significant to remove the stain of sin. But since Christ shed His blood, our sin can be REMOVED from our account! In Hebrews 10, it paints us this picture very clearly.

Hebrews 10:1-22, "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

Jesus tells us in Matthew 26 that His blood is shed for many for the remission of sins. The word remission here is referring to the Greek word aphesis which means:

"Forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty."

With that said, read this verse to yourself and meditate (that is to soak in) it's meaning!

Matthew 26:28, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins

John the Baptist also confirmed this when He said that Jesus, the Lamb of God, taketh away the sin... not just cover... but taketh away!

John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world

First, we need to understand that the forgiveness of our sins is considered a GIFT... this means that we cannot deserve it or earn it in any way, but we must receive this gift.

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

We are told that through faith in Christ Jesus, we can obtain forgiveness of our sins through the blood that He shed for us:

Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

John 3:15, "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Romans 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Galatians 3:11, "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

As you can see through the verses above, it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we are made right with God. The Bible even goes on to show that if we try to make ourselves righteous by our own works, then we are missing the whole point, and therefore we are not truly accepting the work that Christ did as significant!

Galatians 5:1,4, "So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law... For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace." (NLT)

Justified is another powerful word used in the Bible to describe the forgiveness of our sins and restoration of our relationship with God. This brings us to one of my favorite verses in the Bible!

Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

If we take the word justified in this verse, and look it up... we are given the Greek word dikaioo, which means, "to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous." When a person is justified, it makes them innocent... just as if they have never sinned! That my friend, is exceedingly great news for us! This is the very reason that we can live a new life in Christ, is because when we have repented of our sins, we are made right with God and have the righteousness of God upon us! Righteousness of God is upon us? That's right! Look at this...

Romans 3:22, "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe..."

This is often referred to as part of the divine exchange. Christ was punished for our sins, so that we can receive forgiveness, He was given our shame so that we can receive His righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

After we repent (confess and turn from) our sins, and believe upon Jesus Christ and the work that He has done for us on the cross, our life is in Christ and we are identified with Him and His righteousness, thereby setting us free from guilt and condemnation. For the scriptures say that those who are in Christ Jesus, are dead to sin and there is no condemnation awaiting them:

Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

In Roman's chapter 6, we learn that our old self was crucified with Christ and buried with Him, and we are raised to new life in Christ Jesus:

Romans 6:3-6, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

When we are raised to new life, also known as the born again experience (see John 3), we are also considered a new person; old things having passed away and all things became new:

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

Luke 13:3, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

In the above verse, the word "repent" goes back to the Greek word metanoeo, which means, "to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction)." To repent of a sin is not simply to confess it as sin, but to actually turn from it and change your mind about it.

John 8:11, "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more

In Ephesians, those who have stolen are told to go and steal no more:

Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

First off, let me say that if we had to go back and make right every wrong we've ever committed, that would lay an unbearable (if not impossible) burden on countless people who have lived a worldly lifestyle for many years... and this is certainly not the burden that Jesus laid on those who's sins were forgiven in the New Testament. Jesus said that those who are laboring under heavy burden (remember, Jesus wasn't speaking of a physical burden here, but a spiritual or soulish burden - I believe this is clearly referring to guilt), are to come to Him where they will find rest...

Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

If a 60 year old man comes to Jesus after a very sinful life, how could he possibly rest if there was no way that he could ever undo all the evil he had done throughout his lifetime? But yet, Jesus made it clear that if those who are heavy laden come to Him, He will give them rest.

Let us take a look at a few examples of sinners who were forgiven their sins.

Jesus told of a tax collector (notorious for stealing and being unfair to others) who was justified at the temple...

Luke 18:10-14, "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

In the above verse, the Greek root word for justified means to be just as if you've never sinned!

Another example of this is found in Luke 3, when crooked tax collectors approached John the Baptist and asked what they should do:

Luke 3:12-13, "Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact [which means collect] no more than that which is appointed you."

This all lines up with what Paul says in Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

When we first meet Paul his hands are dripping with the blood of Christians. He went about killing fathers, husbands, children, etc. Did he ever go back to apologize to the victim's families? Paul never went to anybody (that we know of) to make any wrongs right, but rather repented of his old ways, turned to God and moved forward with the gospel. If you think about it, every husband/father he killed, caused a home to lose their breadwinner... so he likely caused financial problems for many Christian homes. Paul never went back and repaid for all the losses he caused when he was persecuting the Christians.

Some of the disciples were fishermen, and in those days, fishermen were usually among the lower class and unfair in their business practices. If it were important for them to make their wrongs right, don't you think that Jesus would have instructed them to go back and make those wrongs right before coming to follow Him? But rather, He merely told them to repent and come follow Him!

Matthew 4:19, "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

The woman caught in the very act of adultery (see John 8:3-11) was forgiven free and clear without having to go back to the injured wives, and apologize for what she had done. She was set free and clear with no strings attached! According to the OT law, a woman who lived this lifestyle was to be put to death!!

Another women in Luke 7 was said to have lived a very sinful lifestyle, yet she was also forgiven in one sweep and was never told to go back and make any wrongs right. I'm sure that anybody who has lived a sinful lifestyle has likely stolen or cheated others at some time or another during her life.

Luke 7:47-48, "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."

In Matthew 9, Jesus forgave a man of all his sins, and gave no further instruction to make wrongs right...

Matthew 9:2, "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee

It is not preached to repent and seek forgiveness from all the people who we have ever wronged... but rather to repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus and the work that He did on the cross for the remission of our sins:

Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel

Though we aren't commanded to make all of our wrongs right with those we have wronged, we are commanded to love one another. I believe that there are times when the love of Christ working through you, will convict you to return something you may have stolen, or go ask somebody for their forgiveness, simply because it is fulfilling Jesus' command to love.

Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I belive the story of Zacchaeus is a good example of a person wilfully -out of the love of their heart- doing something to restore where they have wronged. Jesus never told him to repay anything, but Zacchaeus wanted to repay 4 times what he stole:

Luke 19:8-9, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."

My friend, when we realize how precious and costly that the gift of God is, it will change the way we think, the way we live and will empower us to live a new and transformed life in Christ! It should motivate us to walk in love, as we are loved, and do unto others as Jesus has done for us. Once we realize the love of God for us, it should prompt us to treat others as we would like to be treated!

Romans 13:8, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law

Now I do believe that there are times when it is important to do what we can to mend broken relationships. The Bible tells us to be at peace with all men whenever possible (see Romans 12:18). If we have wronged our brother, and refuse to be reconciled with him, then turn around and expect God to honor our worship, I believe we are only fooling ourselves. We cannot expect to have a close relationship with God, and yet neglect our relationships with other fellow believers.

Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

The Bible is clear that if we love God, we will also love our brethren as well:

1 John 4:21, "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Your goal should never be to rush into the room, yell, "I'm sorry!" and run away; your goal is to be reconciled with that person as a result of your love for them. Now if you go to somebody, and they are not willing to forgive or be reconciled, then the responsibility is off your shoulders. Don't hold it against yourself if you were unable to restore the relationship. It takes two people to be reconciled and you cannot force that other person to forgive.

I want to make it clear that this does not mean we have to go back to every person we've ever wronged and apologize (that would be legalism), nor does it mean that we should live at peace with others even if it causes us to compromise with their lifestyle. Jesus was not afraid to make enemies if they were out of line and doing what was wrong. The goal here is that if somebody was wounded by your wrongdoing, then your goal is to love them as Christ loved you, and that may mean going to them and attempting to restore the broken relationship.

Because of the costly work that Christ did for us on the cross, we can be forgiven of our sins, and the stain of guilt removed. So much so, that God's Word states clearly that we can enter the throne room with boldness because our sins are removed from our account!

Hebrews 10:2,19,22, "...The worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins... Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

This is powerful my friend... VERY powerful! This means that because of the work that Jesus did for us on the cross, you and I are entitled to a GUILT FREE conscience!!

Colossians 1:22-23, "...he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it." (NLT)

IS GOD UPSET WITH ME? ONE OF SATAN'S BIGGEST LIES

How do you perceive your relationship with God? Did you know that your faith depends on how you perceive your relationship with God? A person may have no trouble believing God's Word when it tells us that we have authority to lay hands on the sick, and see them recover, but where that person may have a struggle, is when they doubt their worthiness to walk in such manifestation of God's Spirit. If a person has a problem with feeling worthy, then they need to understand the power of the Blood of Jesus, and what difference it makes to their relationship with God.

It is absolutely essential that you perceive your relationship as if it were washed clean with the Blood of Jesus. God's Word tells us that if we walk in the light, then the Blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from all our failures along the way:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

Are you walking in the light and forgiving / loving one another as Christ has loved you? If so, then your under the constant protection of the Blood of Jesus, which washes away your failures. It is no ticket to continue living in sin, but it is an opportunity to grow in Christ.

Perceiving your relationship with God depends on how seriously you take what He says about your being made right with Him through faith in Christ Jesus. If He says that the Blood of Christ has washed away your sins, but you still see yourself as guilty and shameful, then you're not really standing on that promise in His Word. You're not taking what God says seriously, and therefore it is causing you to see your relationship with Him in a way which is not true. Such perceptions greatly affect our faith.

It is one of Satan's biggest lies that he tells the children of God that even if God isn't "angry" with them, he wants them to feel in some way, that they have failed God and now He isn't as thrilled about them as He once was. God's Word tells us how His heart is towards those who repent and turn back to Him. If you question God's heart towards the repentant backslider, then you need to read the entire chapter of Luke 15, where Jesus uses a parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, to illustrate the heart of the Father towards those who return to Him. Although I highly recommend reading the entire chapter, here's a few verses I want to point out:

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:20-24

That is just ONE passage in scripture that shows the heart of God towards those who are coming back to Him with a repentant heart - there are MANY other examples in scripture! Jeremiah 3:11-22 is another great passage. Some people feel that God is a cruel distant taskmaster, because He would allow His people (the Israelites) to come under heavy oppression and slavery. This is a perfect example of not considering God's side of the story - the Israelites were some of the most rebellious people we find in scripture. They were even slaughtering their own children for the sake of demons! If you study the Bible about the rebellion of the Israelites, you'll see WHY God allowed them to come under such heavy oppression. God's Word also tells us of His lovingkindness and mercy side towards those who turn to Him and who fear (respect & honor) Him.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.... For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psalms 103:8,11

Psalms 145:8 tells us that, "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."

Once a person feels distant from God, for some reason or another, their interests are often directed elsewhere because they are discouraged in their relationship with God. This often leads to depression, addictions, obsessions (crafts, movies, sex, sports, etc.), spending binges, and unbalanced priorities. After a while, the person loses more and more interest in their relationship with God, until they simply don't even bother to pick up their Bibles and spend time with Him. This is how Satan will use discouragement to destroy a person's relationship with God.

The whole reason that Satan (who works through evil spirits) wants us to feel discouraged, is because he wants to get us to a place where we will give up. He wants our relationship with God to just seem "impossible" and too hard to maintain. This leads a person to lukewarmness, and deflates their faith in God, because they have no confidence in their relationship with God. The Bible tells us to draw near to God with assurance, having our heart's sprinkled clean from an evil conscience!

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

The reason that Satan tries to attack is with guilt and shame, is for the very purpose of destroying our confidence in our relationship with God.

Satan will also work diligently to convince a person that because of a certain failure(s) in their past, that they cannot be restored in right standing before God. This often involves one sin in particular, such as abortion or fornication. Even though the sin has been repented of (confessed as sin and turned from), the enemy will continue to badger the person with guilt and shame over what they have done, as if they never repented of it! This is known as false guilt, because once a sin is repented of, that failure is washed away by the Blood of Christ. In other words, Satan is pointing at something that is no longer on your account! God's Word tells us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. This is a promise!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

In the above verse, we also find that he won't just cleanse us of certain sins and not others, but we find that He is prepared to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness! It's those sins which we fail to confess, which are not covered by this promise.

We know that Jesus is an exact representation of the Father (John 10:30 & John 14:9), that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and also that God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). Therefore, the way that Jesus handled this woman caught in adultery, is the same way that He would handle you or I, if we were in that same situation. Just look at the compassion, love, and forgiveness that flowed out of Jesus' heart for this woman who was caught sleeping with other women's husbands!

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:3-11

If you want to learn more about the true nature of the Jesus of the Bible, then I encourage you to read my teaching entitled, "The Jesus of the Bible." It is quite a different Jesus than many churches today will have you believe!

One of the common means by which Satan works to pull us away from God is through a combination of guilt and materialism. First, he throws guilt in our faces to the point where we feel unworthy of a genuine relationship with God, then there is this empty void in our lives that must be filled… so along comes materialism, a means to attempt to fill the void. It could be money, book reading, television watching, sports, etc. If it's trying to fill a void in your life that should be filled with a genuine relationship with God, then something is wrong! What is acting as a blockage between you and your heavenly father? Do you feel unworthy to fellowship openly and freely with Him? Do you feel dirty inside or not fit to be in His presence for one reason or another? Look into those things and get them cleaned up. It is through the Blood of Christ that our sin might be washed away and our conscience cleansed! 

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

Here's a blog entry that I posted recently about the power of imagining the truth about God seeing you through the eyes of love, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Satan and evil spirits are always eager to make a person feel as if God is angry with them. It puts the person on the edge of their seat and makes them afraid of God… which causes them to feel discouraged in their relationship with Him, and tend to give up on spending time with Him. These things, of course, leads to a backsliding relationship in no time. No wonder Satan wants us to feel like God is somehow angry or disappointed in us! 

Try this: if you have struggled and felt like God is angry with you, then try to imagine that God sees you, knows where you’ve been, and yet still looks favorably on you? It will loosen up the tenseness on your whole system once you begin to see things as God wants you to see them. Once you can imagine it, then turn to God’s Word, and learn of how He really does look upon you with favor and hope, even when you've messed up and done horrible things! He's always calling us back to repentance, so that He can restore our relationship with Him. 

I can't tell you how powerful that imaginations can be when used for God's glory instead of Satan's. This is a powerful key to freedom and healing for many!

Many feel that if they do enough good works, that God will finally love and accept them. This is nothing more than the legalism fruit of a mindset bound in dead religion. I have an eye-opening teaching titled, "Exposing Dead Religion" that I recommend reading. The Bible is clear that Jesus loved us, before we did anything to earn His love and mercy. We were still in rebellion when He reached out, and gave His life so that we could be given right standing with God! It is clear by the verse below, that we were loved not because of anything we've done to deserve His love, but because of who we were:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Those who constantly struggle with guilt and a sense of shame from their past mistakes, are overlooking or underestimating the power of the Blood of Christ. They somehow have this lurking feeling that they aren't truly forgiven of what they've done; that somehow their sin is greater than the Blood of Christ, although they would never openly say such a thing. One key to freedom is to honestly face the facts: do you really believe that your past failures are greater than the Blood of the Son of God, the creator of heaven and earth? Do your failures outweigh the Blood of Jesus, or does the Blood outweigh your failures?

Just how powerful is the precious Blood of Jesus to you? Is it stronger than all your failures? Is it so strong, that it will wipe away even the sins of a cold-blooded murder, such as the one who hung on the cross next to Jesus?

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 23:42-43

Could the compassion and mercy of Jesus, be so great that it looked past the terrible sin of adultery (which was JUST committed!), and clean her slate in one moment's notice, without hesitation?

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:10-11

Or do you feel as if your sins are too great for the Holy Blood of the Son of God to remove? How dare we degrade the priceless value of the Blood that the Son of God has shed for us!

If we repent of our sins and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, but yet still feel guilty and wonder if we are forgiven, then my friend, let me assure you that you are grossly underestimating the Holy Blood of the Son of God!

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7,9

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

The Israelites would even commit human sacrifice unto demons (see Psalms 106:38), yet God kept calling out for them to return to Him. God kept crying out to Israel, saying, "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings..." (Jeremiah 3:22)

I have a powerful teaching on the Blood of Jesus, and how it is enough to forgive our sins all by itself, without anything added or subtracted from it! For a great teaching on the Blood, check out The Blood is Enough.

God created us for fellowship with Him, it grieves His heart when one of His sheep go astray. When a couple are madly in love, and one of them leaves, it can leave a terrible wound in the other person's heart. The same is true when we leave our first love (that is, God - Revelations 2:4). Do you think that God's heart isn't broken when His bride turns her back on Him? God's Word tells us that we are engraved on the palms of His hands (the nails from the cross), and OUR WALLS (which we put up) are continually before Him:

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:15-16

God never takes pleasure in punishing or allowing evil to fall upon His people. He is not up there tapping His foot, waiting for us to make a mistake so that He can punish us.

Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.

Joel 2:13 (NLT)

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19

God's Word even tells us that He desires not to even remember our sins, for His sake!

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 43:25

The Bible also tells us that He FREELY justifies (makes innocent) us through the redemption that is through the work of Christ Jesus.

Being justified [made innocent, as if one has never sinned] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:24

Many who have went astray, feel that if they ever do come back to God, then their relationship with Him would never be the same; that somehow, things would never be the same. Jesus made it very clear that there is great joy in heaven when one of Jesus' sheep that got lost, are found again and have been returned to Him!

And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:3-7

In the next few verses, Jesus tells us of how the Father's heart towards us, is similar to a woman who lost a valuable coin, and how she would turn the house upside down to find it. When the lost coin was found, she threw a party to celebrate, and this is like how the Father throws a party for us when we turn back to Him!

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 15:8-10

And then my favorite parable comes up in Luke 15, which tells the story of the son who went the world's way, and felt he would never be accepted back as a son, but when the father saw his son returning, he ran towards him, hugged him, and threw a huge party for the safe return of his son. This story is similar to God's attitude towards us when we return to Him after going out into the world and messing our lives up by wild living (or whatever other sins we've committed). Look at how this parable is wrapped up though:

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:20-24

The 15th chapter of Luke is not the only place in the Bible where we read of such love, compassion, and forgiveness. God's Word is FULL of examples just like this! Even the OT was rich in examples of God's love and mercy towards those who returned to Him. Look at what God is saying in Isaiah's first chapter:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Isaiah 1:18-19

The entire book of Hosea is a great place to read of God's heart towards those who have rebelled and turned away from Him. He longs for the backslider to return, so that He can clean up the stain of sin, and restore His relationship with them! One verse I like in Hosea tells us:

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Hosea 14:4

It's great to read a teaching like this, but what really begins to transform your mind, is when you take these sort of scriptures, print them out, and meditate on them. Verbally confess them to yourself! Stick them on your refrigerator!

WHO ARE THE “SPIRITS” IN SPIRITUALISM?

The doctrine that we are naturally immortal came from pagan philosophy. In the darkness of the great apostasy it became a part of the Christian faith, where it has now replaced the truth that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Many people believe that the spirits of the dead are the “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

The belief that spirits of the dead return to help the living has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are entrusted with knowledge far beyond what they had before, why not return to earth and instruct the living? If spirits of the dead hover around their friends on earth, why not communicate with them? How can those who believe in human consciousness in death reject “divine light” that comes through glorified spirits? Here is a channel that people think is sacred but which Satan uses. Fallen angels appear as messengers from the spirit world.
The prince of evil has power to bring before people the appearance of departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect, reproduced with amazing exactness. Many take comfort in the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying heaven. Without suspecting danger, they open their lives “to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

Those who went into the grave unprepared claim to be happy and to occupy high positions in heaven. Pretended visitors from the world of spirits sometimes give warnings that prove to be correct. Then, as they win people’s confidence, they present doctrines that undermine the Scriptures. The fact that they speak some truths and at times foretell future events makes them appear reliable, and people accept their false teachings. The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised. The spirits deny the deity of Christ and place the Creator on a level with themselves.
While it is true that the results of trickery have often been presented as genuine manifestations, there have also been clear exhibitions of supernatural power, the direct work of evil angels. Many believe that spiritualism is nothing more than human fraud. When they come face to face with happenings that they cannot explain as anything but supernatural, they will be deceived and will accept them as the great power of God.

With help from Satan, Pharaoh’s magicians counterfeited the work of God (see Exodus 7:10-12). Paul testifies that before the coming of the Lord we will see “the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10). And John declares: “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do” (Revelation 13:13, 14). This is not predicting mere tricks. People are deceived by the miracles that Satan's agents actually do, not that they only pretend to do.

Satan’s Appeal to Intellectuals
To cultured and refined people, the prince of darkness presents the more refined and intellectual aspects of spiritualism. He delights the imagination with entrancing scenes and eloquent portrayals of love and charity. He leads people to take such great pride in their own wisdom that in their hearts they despise the Eternal One.

Satan deceives people now as he deceived Eve in Eden, by stirring up their ambition to exalt themselves. “You will be like God,” he says, “knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Spiritualism teaches “that a human being is the creature of progression ... toward the Godhead.” It claims, “The judgment will be right, because it is the judgment of self.... The throne is within you.” “Any just and perfect being is Christ.”
In this way Satan has substituted a person’s own sinful human nature for the law of God as the only rule of judgment. This is progress, not upward, but downward. Men and women will never rise higher than their standard of purity or goodness. If self is their highest ideal, they will never reach anything higher. The grace of God alone has power to exalt them. Left to themselves, their path will be downward.

Appeal to the Pleasure-loving

To people who are self-indulgent, pleasure-loving, and sensual, spiritualism appears in a less subtle disguise. In its grosser forms they find what agrees with their inclinations. Satan notes the sins each individual is inclined to commit and then makes sure that opportunities come along to gratify the tendency. He tempts people through intemperance, leading them to weaken their physical, mental, and moral power. He destroys thousands through indulgence of passion, brutalizing the entire nature. And to complete his work, the spirits declare that “true knowledge places a person above all law,” that “whatever is, is right,” that “God does not condemn,” and that “all sins ... are innocent.” When people believe that desire is the highest law, that liberty is license, that they are accountable only to themselves, who can be surprised that corruption flourishes everywhere? Great numbers of people eagerly accept the urgings of lust. Satan sweeps thousands into his net who profess to follow Christ.
But God has given enough light to detect the snare. The very foundation of spiritualism is at war with Scripture. The Bible declares that the dead know nothing, that their thoughts have perished. They have no part in the joys or sorrows of those on earth.

Forbidden Fellowship

Furthermore, God has forbidden all pretended communication with departed spirits. The Bible says that “familiar spirits,” as these visitors from other worlds were called, are “the spirits of demons” (see Numbers 25:1-3; Psalm 106:28; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14). God prohibited dealing with them under penalty of death (Leviticus 19:31; 20:27). But spiritualism has made its way into scientific circles, invaded churches, and found a welcome in legislative bodies, even in the courts of kings. This mammoth deception is a revival in a new disguise of the witchcraft condemned long ago.
By representing the most evil of sinners as in heaven, Satan says to the world: “No matter whether you believe or disbelieve God and the Bible, live as you please. Heaven is your home.” But the Word of God says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).

Bible Represented as Fiction

Lying spirits impersonate the apostles, making them contradict what they wrote when on earth. Satan is making the world believe that the Bible is fiction, a book suited to the infancy of the race but obsolete today. The Book that is to judge him and his followers he puts in the shadows. The Savior of the world he makes to be no more than a common man. And believers in spirit appearances try to make it seem that there is nothing miraculous in our Savior’s life. They declare that their own miracles are far greater than the works of Christ.
Spiritualism is now adopting a Christian appearance. But it cannot deny or hide its teachings. In its present form it is a more dangerous and more subtle deception. It now professes to accept Christ and the Bible, but it interprets the Bible in a way that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart. It dwells on love as the chief attribute of God, but it degrades this love to a weak sentimentalism. God’s condemnations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are kept out of sight. Fables lead men and women to reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith. Christ is denied as surely as before, but most people do not recognize the deception.

Few have a proper understanding of spiritualism’s deceptive power. Many tamper with it merely out of curiosity. They would be horrified at the thought of yielding to the spirits’ control. But they dare to go onto forbidden ground, and the destroyer exercises his power on them against their will. If he can get them to submit their minds to his direction just once, he will hold them captive. Nothing but the power of God, in answer to earnest prayer, can deliver them.
All who willfully cherish known sin are inviting Satan’s temptations. They separate themselves from God and the watchcare of His angels, leaving themselves without defense.
“When they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19, 20).
If people had been willing to accept the Bible truth concerning our human nature and the condition of the dead, they would see in spiritualism Satan’s power and lying wonders. But so many close their eyes to the light, and Satan weaves his snares around them. “Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” therefore “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11).
Those who oppose spiritualism attack Satan and his angels. Satan will not yield one inch of ground except as the heavenly messengers drive him back. He can quote Scripture and will twist its teachings. Those who intend to stand in this time of danger must understand for themselves what the Bible teaches.

Understanding the Scriptures

Spirits of devils impersonating relatives or friends will appeal to our tender sympathies and will work miracles. We must resist them with the Bible truth that the dead know nothing and that they who appear this way are the spirits of devils.

All whose faith is not established on the Word of God will be deceived and overcome. Satan works “with all unrighteous deception,” and his deceptions will increase. But those who are looking for a knowledge of the truth and who purify their lives through obedience will find a sure defense in the God of truth. The Savior would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave one person who trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan. Those who comfort themselves with the assurance that there is no punishment for the sinner, who reject the truths that Heaven has provided as a defense for the day of trouble, will accept the lies that Satan offers, the deceptive claims of spiritualism.
Scoffers ridicule what Scripture says about the plan of salvation and the punishment that will fall on those who reject truth. They pretend to have great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and superstitious as to obey the requirements of God’s law. They have yielded themselves to the tempter so fully, united with him so closely, and drunk so deeply of his spirit that they have no desire to break away from his snare.

Satan laid the foundation of his work in the assurance he gave to Eve in Eden: “You will not surely die.... In the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4, 5). He will reach his masterpiece of deception at the very end of time. Says the prophet: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs.... For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:13, 14).
Except for those whom God’s power keeps through faith in His Word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this deception. The people are quickly being lulled into a fatal security, and only the outpouring of God's wrath will awaken them.

EXPOSING DEAD RELIGION: #1 ENEMY OF THE CROSS

The Holy Spirit spoke to me clearly saying, "Religion is the #1 enemy of the cross!" At first, I thought, "He must mean, the #1 enemy of the cross within the body of Christ?" But then He brought to my remembrance that the outside world (non-believers) had little or no resistance to the work of the cross... it was the religious Jews who had a problem with what Christ and what His work represented! It was because of religion that Paul was persecuted (see Galatians 5:11).

What is religion, anyway?

Religion is where a person tries to be made right with God by keeping the law. While it sounds good and reasonable, in reality it is discrediting the work of the cross and the Blood that was shed for us. With religion, a 60 year old man would have to go back and make every wrong right and he still couldn't stand before the Lord with an un-defiled heart. Even after all that, the stain of sin wouldn't really be removed. The man who hanged on the cross wouldn't have a chance if Jesus was religious!

Religion is man's attempt to be made right with God, just as Ishmael was an attempt to fulfill God's promise by human efforts:

Galatians 4:21-31, "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free."

So what is the problem with religion? It denies the work of Christ and the grace/mercy of God in our lives! The fact is that religion is absolutely devastating to our relationship with God.

Religion is often nothing more than a form of pride and self-righteousness that the devil works diligently to promote in our lives.

Symptoms of dead religion

Before I list these symptoms, I first want to say that you don't necessarily have to manifest all of them to show a bondage to religion. Satan will use different strokes for different folks. He may cause one person to feel very religious, while he loads the next person down with guilt, shame and condemnation over their past.

If you feel like others need to pay for their wrongs or face the penalties of their wrong doings, and think nothing about them receiving mercy from Jesus, then you are caught up in a religious mindset. Religion is more interested in seeing people punished and receive justice for their wrongs, than in seeing people repent and receive grace and mercy from God. Religion likes to see people 'taught lessons' when they are wrong. Love desires the best for others, and is truly concerned over the other person's well-being. Love is saddened when it sees a person make wrong choices, whereas religion awaits the day when that person will pay the consequences for their actions. Jesus clearly demonstrated His true love for us on the cross when He said, "Father forgive them!"

Somebody who has a religious mindset will find it very difficult to admit when they are wrong. This is nothing more than self-righteous pride. Religion tries to discount the seriousness of sin, so that the person feels better... all while avoiding the Blood of Jesus, which removes even the worse and bloodiest of sins!

The reason we must see the seriousness of sin, is so that we are motivated to turn from it and repent! Dead religion is not interested in true repentance, but rather justifies the wrong as being acceptable for one reason or another. This also discounts the reality of the steep price that Jesus paid for our sins!

Have you ever done something wrong, then felt like you had to 'feel bad' for a period of time before you can accept forgiveness for your sin? This is another attempt of the religious mindset to discount our sins, and make time seem to 'lessen' the seriousness of our wrongs. Once you repent of a failure, you must instantly accept and believe the truth about the Blood of Christ washing that sin away. The very moment you repent of your sin, God forgives you. He does not withhold forgiveness for even a fraction of a second... your sin is forgiven immediately! To delay the acceptance of your forgiveness, is to fall trap of the religious mindset in it's attempt to degrade the seriousness of your sin. Somehow, a religious mindset tends to 'feel better' about a sin, after a period of time has passed. Time does not make our sins any less; it does not degrade the seriousness of our sin. Remember, if we discount sin with any excuse (time, good deeds, etc.), then we are discounting the price that Jesus paid for our sin as well. We need to see our sin for what it truly is, and then realize the awesomeness of God's provision to have that sin removed from our account!

Time is no different than good works in the religious mindset. Good works and passing time both have something in common, they seem to 'lessen' the seriousness of our sin and make it seem more 'forgivable'.

It is absolutely vital that we learn to accept God's forgiveness, and forgive ourselves the very instant that we repent of our failures. To beat yourself up for a time period before accepting the forgiveness of God is to fall into the trap of a religious mindset.

Religion wants nothing to do with grace; it wants to feel like it's right with God because it has somehow earned right standing with God by being good and 'keeping all the rules'. Grace humiliates religion, because grace admits to weakness and failure. Religion justifies it's actions while grace humbly realizes the failure and accepts mercy.

It is a goal of religion to degrade the seriousness of sin, so that it doesn't feel so bad, thus avoiding the need to repent and receive God's mercy. In this passage, Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for rejecting the mercy of God through John the Baptist's baptism:

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Matthew 21:32

The Pharisees rejected the grace of God, because the concept of grace humiliated their religious stature.

Not only does religion try to get us to overlook God's love for us, it will also try to get us to hold things against others out of spite and unforgiveness, while God's Word tells us that love keeps no record of wrong:

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

Now don't get me wrong, we are to judge the righteous judgment, which is common sense. If a person has not repented of their wrong, but continues in it, we may not be able to trust them with responsibilities that we could trust somebody else with. If you have been abused or raped, then you may not able to trust that person until they have earned their trust again (which may never happen). While it's important to forgive those who wrong us, it may be foolish to begin trusting them right away. For example, it normally isn't a good idea to leave your children alone with a child molester. Now if I know that person has truly repented, and sought deliverance, then it might be a different story. Trust can be earned, but we must be wise.

What I am talking about here is when a person continues to brew things in their mind that others have done against them. They will continue to be bitter and hold resentment in their heart while they overlook the love that God has had for them, and fails to have that same love in their heart towards those who have wronged them.

Religion is a performer; it expects others to hold up to a religious standard, and it also expects you to uphold to high standards as well (self-righteousness). Perfectionism and religion are good friends. Perfectionism says that everything has to be perfect, or else that person is bothered over even the pettiest of things that aren't up to their standard. Perfectionism criticizes the little things that aren't right, instead of being thankful for the things that are right. Now don't get me wrong, we are to do our best for the Lord and feel good about it, but not to the point that we are never satisfied with our work. For example, if you do your best at putting together a sermon, then turn around and criticize yourself afterwards for not doing good enough, that is perfectionism.

Religion expects to receive something because it feels like it has earned it (good deeds / works of the law), while a person who as a genuine relationship with God can have an expectation to receive from God because He has promised it and is faithful (God's promise). Religion in this case feels as if it deserves something, while relationship is merely believing that what God said is true. Jesus gave us a prime example of this in the Bible:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14

Since religion feels as if it has to earn things by fulfilling the law or acts of righteousness, it becomes offended when it sees somebody else who has not 'earned' something from God, receive a gift or talent that was not given to them.

Cane had a religious mindset, when he offered his crops as a sacrifice to God, after God had asked for something else. He was furious when God didn't accept his offering, but God accepted Abel's; this drove Cane to murder his own brother. In the NT, Jesus is found tying the murder of Abel to the religious people of that day:

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Matthew 23:35-36

Why? Because when a person who has felt self-righteous fails in a way that they can no longer justify, then condemnation sets in, because they were not relying on the grace and mercy of God in the first place, but placing their faith in their own self-righteousness.

Since religion wages war against relationship with God, religion has a hard time trusting God, but likes to always feel like things are under control. Just as religion does not embrace the concept of grace, it also is not comfortable with trusting God and yielding control over to Him in our lives. Religion likes to be in control.

Religion is very judgmental and is quick to discredit others who are laboring in the kingdom for the sake of Christ. Even if a minister has a few flaws, but the rest of his ministry is bearing good fruit for the kingdom, religion will be quick to overlook all the good fruit, and focus in on the handful of negatives and flaws rather than the good fruit that is evident. Look at how even though Jesus was flawless in everything He did, the religious Jews would criticize him for healing somebody on the sabbath!

Dead religion is full of legalism. Legalism is strict adherence to the law, but also disguises itself in other ways. For example, a person may be dying of cancer, yet refuse to go to the hospital because they feel like if they go, then they are not trusting God for their healing. That's not true faith in God's Word, but rather a form of legalistic fear!

Religion likes to prove to everybody that it is right, and everybody else is wrong. Religion always feels that it's opinion is correct, and everybody else is still learning. This is a form of religious pride which the Pharisees practiced quite well.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

Since religion is 'always right', it hates correction from others, even if it was done in a loving manner. Do you hate it when others show you where you've been wrong? This is pride and goes along with a religious mindset.

Since religion is always right and does not like to be corrected, it naturally hates God-ordained authority which is in place to correct and to guide that person. Religion wants to feel like it is at the top of the food chain, and that it answers to nobody.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

Anytime a person is tormented over the idea of losing their salvation, it is a direct result of a religious mindset or spirit. Why? Because if that person knew the loving and merciful nature of God, they would realize that repentance and acceptance of the work of Christ would restore them to right standing with Him (therefore no need to fear loss of something that you can obtain so easily - after all, it is the gift of God!). Unfortunately, they fear loss of salvation because their way of being right with God is somewhat 'earned', and they can never earn right standing with God.

This is another fruit of the religious mindset. Anybody who truly understands the loving, merciful, and gracious God that we serve would realize that if they will repent of their sins and accept the free gift of God which was paid for on the cross, they will know that they are in right standing with God and that He deeply desires a loving relationship with them.

This is a common one! As you can see above, if you are tormented over losing your salvation, then it means you are not looking at the loving and merciful nature of God towards us, but rather caught up in a religious mindset. The same concept is true with those who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin. They don't realize the loving and merciful nature of their heavenly father, and therefore they feel that He is angry with them and will no longer accept them because of what they've done. This again, is in a sense, earning your right standing with God. If you are truly repentant and have accepted the work of Christ on the cross, then there is no need to be worried about whether or not you are in right standing with God. I have done much research on the unpardonable sin, and to put it in a nutshell, anybody who has truly committed the unpardonable sin will not be interested in having a relationship with God whatsoever. You can read more on this subject in my teaching on The Unpardonable Sin.

Religion is the worse form of pride. It lifts the person up on a self-righteous pedestal, while it sees everybody else as either unworthy. A prime example of this is found in a parable that Jesus told to the religious folks:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14

You will never feel good enough for right standing with God, if you are caught up in a religious mindset. No matter how much good you do, or how much you repent of your sins, you will never really have the feeling of "knowing" that they are forgiven, because your religious mindset is actually denying the work of Christ and has made His work in your life to no effect to you.

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

Galatians 5:4

Why? Because they feel that they have earned what they have, and are too proud to realize that it was God who gave them everything they own... including their own life! Being thankful means being humble, and this completely crosses the grain of the religious mindset.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

In Second Timothy, it speaks of the attributes of somebody who is religious, and among those things listed is incontinent, which in the Greek means to lack self-control. A person who lacks self-control may be outspoken and blurt out what they feel, not considering what others may think or what God may think of their opinion.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

Religion drafts up a plan to build a ministry according to human wisdom, which does not require the intervention of God to build and promote his work. That is because religion does not trust God to provide the resources and needed finances that are necessary to carry out the work of Christ.

Religious people may find themselves caught up in man-made traditions. But the Bible tells us that our religious traditions can actually make the Word of God to no effect in our lives:

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Mark 7:13

Religious people are often found proclaiming that we are mere sinners saved by grace. This sounds humble, but in reality it is disregarding the entire new birth experience that Jesus talked about in the Bible. Look carefully at these passages, and you'll find that we are no longer sinners, but dead to sin and raised to new life in Christ:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

To say that we are mere sinners saved by grace, when the Bible tells us otherwise, is in reality denying the work of Christ! I have an entire teaching which discusses the difference between aforgiven sinner vs saint. Here again, we find religious theology opposing the teachings and work of Christ!

Love sees the best in others while religion criticizes and judges them by their actions. If Jesus judged us by our actions, we would be hopeless!

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised [meaning to look down upon] others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14

Notice how the above verse tells us that they were righteous, and despised others. In the NT Greek, this word despised accurately means to esteem others as less than yourself, or to look down upon them. Religious people base their identity and position with God upon their ability to keep the law (good works), so it is only natural that they look down upon those around them who fail to keep the law as well as they do. If you read the rest of the above passage, it is evident in their actions that they esteemed themselves above others. This is nothing more than religious pride and is detestable in the eyes of God.

Religion is the opposite of love

Religion says, "Prove yourself faithful, then I will accept and love you." God's love for us says, "I love you for who you are, and I want to remove the barrier of sin between us. I will send my own Son to die in place of your sins, and if you will just believe that this is true, I will indeed forgive your sins and clothe you with my righteousness!"

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

It is clear from the verse above that God loves us for who we are, not because of anything we have done. It is indeed the gift of God, and not something that we could ever earn.

That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:7-9

Jesus demonstrated the deep and awesome love of God when He laid down His life for us. Jesus even said that there is no greater way to demonstrate your love for somebody, than to lie down your life for them:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

All the while, religion sits there and says, "I have earned my relationship with God... I deserve God's goodness, because I have been good." Look at this parable Jesus told of the religious man versus the humble sinner who repents before the Lord:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14

If you're going before the Lord, feeling that you've done something to earn His grace and mercy, then you can forget about it! As we can see from this passage, God is not interested in self-righteousness, but rather a humble and contrite heart. The Bible says that it is a broken and contrite heart that the Lord will not despise.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalms 51:17

A more accurate picture of God's love and mercy is found in the book of Hosea or for a more brief look at God's love, be sure to read Jeremiah 3:11-22. My favorite translation for this passage is the New Living Translation (NLT). You can read it in the NLT here: Blue Letter Bible [Jer 3:11-22]

God's Word goes on to tell us that it is by God's great love for us, that we are drawn to repentance:

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Also look at this scripture:

...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3

Religion voids the work of Christ

Religion is something that keeps SCORES of people from receiving what Christ has purchased for them! It denies the work of Christ and the love of God, rejecting the mercy that God wants so dearly for us to receive, and puts up an invisible mental wall between us and the love of God. The Bible tells us that if you are trying to be made right with God by good works, then you have fallen from the grace of God, and the work of Christ is of no effect to you:

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

Galatians 5:4

It's no wonder Satan works so diligently to infect God's people with a religious mindset!

Appearing godly but denying the power

Today there are countless Christians who seem to appear righteous, but inside they are full of evil and darkness. Take a look at this passage in scripture:

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

This is speaking about people who appear to be godly, but are inside corrupt and full of dead religion. That is a pretty strong passage in scripture, but it gives us a glimpse into what dead religion looks like. While they may appear to be righteous, they are denying the power of God to save them and forgive their sins. If you've found yourself thinking, "My sins aren't that bad..." then you've experienced the workings of a religious mindset. Let us not forget, our sin carries the death penalty... it is worthy of death! That's how serious that God wants us to be concerning sin.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Remember Adam? He didn't bring sin into the world by murdering anybody... he was simply disobedient to God and ate some fruit which God told him not to, and look at how serious of an affect his one sin had on the entire human race! Also consider this passage where Jesus gives a stern warning concerning how serious sin really is:

And if thy hand offend thee [causes you to sin], cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.

Mark 9:43

The Holy Spirit has shown me that we cannot realize the truly awesome forgiving power of God until we realize the seriousness of sin! Until we realize how serious that our sin is, we cannot truly appreciate what Christ has done for us.Whenever we discount our sin, we are discounting the price that Jesus has paid for our sin.

The idea of sin being serious business does not settle well with the religious mindset. Why? Because religion has no real way to overcome sin or make up for our failures. The religious person feels forgiven, not because of the mercy of God, but because their sins weren't all that bad, and so it was no big deal for God to forgive them. Excuse me, but sin carries the death penalty and Jesus gave his life so that we might be forgiven! The dangerous thing is that most people with a religious mindset don't even realize what is going on.

We need to realize two things: (a) the awfulness of our sin and (b) the awesomeness of Jesus' work on the cross as payment to forgive even the bloodiest of sins! God's Word tells us that though our sins be as red as crimson (which I believe represents murderous bloodshed), He desires to make us as white as snow:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

It may feel good to discount our failures, but it also discounts the Blood of Jesus and the steep price that Jesus paid for us on the cross. It doesn't just feel good, but it's life-changing when we come to realize what Jesus truly went through for our sins, and how the price has been paid IN FULL for our forgiveness.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24

Being justified, according to NT Greek, means to be rendered innocent or just as if you've never sinned. God's Word also goes on to tell us that through the work of Christ, we can be clothed with the righteousness of God!

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...

Romans 3:22

Religion makes people ignorant of God's righteousness, and attempts to establish righteousness apart from the work that Christ did for us on the cross. We need to believe upon the work of Christ on the cross and receive HIS righteousness!

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Romans 10:3

Religion is prideful and degrades the seriousness of sin, while true humility admits when it's wrong and accepts the work of Christ on the cross and thereby receives grace and forgiveness for their sins.

Jesus & religion are enemies

Jesus was furious with those who promoted dead religion!

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Matthew 23:23-36

Why was Jesus so furious with those who promoted dead religion? Because dead religion leads His children astray, getting them to deny the very work that Christ has done for them on the cross. Let's not forget, God's children are VERY dear to Him, and when you cause one of His children to stumble, He takes it personally:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Luke 17:1-4

Religion is a roadblock

Religious strongholds will keep us from knowing God intimately and receiving what was freely given to us (peace with God, healing, deliverance, etc.). This mindset will deny the very means of our reconciliation with the Father, and that is the work of Christ on the cross. The Jesus presented in religious theology is NOT the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of the Bible does not condemn you like the religious Jesus does:

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:10-11

Religion also keeps many non-believers from accepting Jesus; they feel that they've made too many mistakes to be accepted and cleansed of their past. They think that religion means that they must earn their good standing with God, and because of their past, it looks hopeless. The truth is that Jesus loves us for who we are, not what we've done, and before we even came to Christ, He laid down His life for us:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

We need to take time to learn more about the Jesus of the Bible! He is NOTHING like the religious Jesus that many of us have come to know. I also have a teaching on The Jesus of the Bible that I highly recommend reading.