"Rules of Engagement" - God's Desires

God’s Desires

In today’s society, it is much easier to be drawn into idolatry without realizing it. Everything from the media to false teachers encourage us to focus our affections on earthly things and self-awareness instead of keeping our focus on God and living a righteous life in order to make it into heaven.  So much of our focus is on who we are known by and what we can obtain.  1 John 2:15-16 tells us, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. If we are not successful in reaching our desired goal, our desire for recognition through affiliations and possessions can produce major depression. Depression also opens us up to demonic infestation.  Depression can lead to desperation to obtain what our heart desires.  Demons are attracted to our pain because it makes it easy for them to tempt us with things that God does not desire for us.  This does not mean that we should not set goals for ourselves or achieve our dreams and/or obtain things. However, our goals should line up with God’s desires for His people.  When we are striving to “be somebody”, we cannot fulfill the simplest desire that God expects of His people:  humility.  Selfish ambition will keep us from ultimately living a pleasing life to God.  Philippians 2:3 instructs us to, let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Many people devise their own life’s plan and try to force God to endorse their plan instead of really seeking God to know what His will is for their lives.  If we are not led by God, we are by default being led by the devil. Earthly success is NEVER an indicator that we are walking in God’s plan for our lives.  Proverbs 14:12 lets us know, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.   If we are to obtain Godly success, we have to apply God’s standard to EVERY area of our lives.

"Rules of Engagement" - Halloween

Halloween

Halloween is a celebration of death and ungodliness. It began with the practice of ritual human sacrifice by Druids.  Druids were members of the educated and professional class of the Celtic people of Gaul, Britain, and Ireland.  They practiced sorcery and divination as part of their religion.  The Druids were able to obtain notable positions in society as witches and Satanists do today.  As an annual practice on Halloween, the Druids would participate in trick or treating.  They would go door to door requiring a virgin, child or acceptable food to offer as a sacrifice.  If they did not receive an acceptable gift or treat, they would perform magic to place a curse on the home as a trick. This holiday provides yet another way to open ourselves up to demonic infestation.  It is demonically inspired and any celebration of the day supports and accepts what it represents.  Many churches hold festivities to provide a substitute for the evilness and origin of the holiday.  Unfortunately, their alternative still celebrates and honors the holiday.  Some church leaders are fully aware of the wickedness of Halloween, yet they still choose to participate in giving out treats and candy because they desire to be relevant in this world according to society’s standards.  These leaders are ignoring what God says regarding our existence on this planet.  Romans 12:2 says,  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Either we will separate ourselves from the devices of Satan or his devices will separate us from God.  We cannot have God and the world.  If we choose the world, we have by default rejected God.   Joshua 24:15 says,  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”   Some leaders may not be familiar with the history of Halloween but they are still without excuse.  It is their responsibility as leaders to be proactive in learning the devil’s tactics in order to properly lead and teach the people of God.   The origin of this unholy holiday proves that any observance of Halloween should be avoided by EVERYONE who names the name of Jesus as their Savior.  

"Rules of Engagement" - Intro

Intro

In order to be effective in spiritual warfare, we must be aware of Satan’s tactics.  Satan is crafty.  He sets traps and patiently waits for us to become ensnared.  He desires to destroy us and he will devise schemes specifically to put us in no-win situations.  The Bible makes it known to us that he transforms himself into an angel of light.  Satan will present things to us that appear harmless or good in order to draw us in for the kill.  Satan understands that there are Spiritual rules to govern everything; however, we must become familiar with these rules in order to avoid destruction at his hands.  There are several different ways that we can unknowingly invite demonic influence into our lives.  When we violate the rules of the spirit realm, we subject ourselves to the consequences that come as a result of that violation.   Horoscopes are written by witches who pray to Lucifer. Yet, many Christians read them daily.  Although these witches cannot cast a spell on true believers of Christ, the horror is that believers can speak curses into their own lives. Horoscopes are never written with the best interest of the readers at heart.  We must guard ourselves from the influence of things that will negatively affect our relationship with Christ.

Some professing Christians also get entangled with Ouija boards and other forms of sorcery which subjects them to demonic infestation.  Many of these people believe that if they possess the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit); they have the liberality to participate in these types of demonic activities without any consequences.  However, the Bible instructs us to avoid all forms of evil.  We are even instructed to avoid people who profess Christ, yet live a sinful lifestyle.  Ephesians 5:11 says, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. The Holy Spirit has the power to protect us from demonic spirits, but we can counteract that protection by unknowingly or intentionally indulging in activities that gives the devil legal access to us. Jesus said that He has come that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  That life includes freedom from demonic control and possession.  

The Devil’s Traps

Many people unknowingly pledge their allegiance to satanic organizations which puts them in direct conflict with their commitment to God.  Some of these organizations include but are not limited to:  Freemasonry, Eastern Star, Fraternities, Sororities, and Wicca (witchcraft).  Creating spiritual ties with anything that has been established around false gods limits our ability to have a close relationship with the one, true God.  Even the Israelites frequently tried to either replace God with the false gods of other societies or they tried to serve Him while they served these false gods. God commanded the Israelites, through Moses, to avoid ALL false gods.  Exodus 20:4 says You shall have no other gods before Me.   God has not changed His policies regarding false god worship or idolatry simply because we are living in a new day and time.

"Spirit of Offense" - Conclusion

Misinterpreted Intentions

One major cause for many of the offenses that occur is a lack of understanding behind the true meaning of a person’s actions or words.  In many instances, we believe that we do understand a person’s motives or intentions.  Sometimes, we may be correct.  However, there are times when we couldn’t be more wrong.  Proverbs (the book of wisdom) gives us clear instructions to get an understanding in EVERYTHING.  Understanding normally comes as a result of effectively communicating or conducting a dialogue with others.  If we take a moment to investigate a person’s motives and intentions, we may discover that there are many times that we have flawed interpretations of different events.  For example, in the United States, the “thumbs up” sign is a sign of approval or congratulations.  However, in some Middle Eastern countries such as Iran or Afghanistan, the same sign is viewed as an offensive gesture.  It has been said by some that perception is reality but perception is really assumption.  Things are NOT always as they appear. Gaining an understanding of each situation will alleviate unnecessary conflict and hurt feelings.

The Solution

To overcome and destroy the spirit of offense, one must practice humility and forgiveness. Many Christians profess to be servants of Christ but some have missed the main qualification of servitude.  Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  He made it clear that in order to be a follower of His, we must humble ourselves.  When we operate out of humility, we have the ability to view situations from the perspective of others.  We can see the turmoil that an individual is experiencing which causes the unhealthy behaviors.  Forgiveness is also essential in combating the spirit of offense.  Peter asked Jesus if he was only required to forgive his brother of seven offenses.  Jesus responded that he was required to forgive 490 offenses by one individual. When we forgive offenses, it places us in the position to minister the way that God desires us to: with love.  Then people can receive the necessary counsel to overcome their inadequacies and hidden pain that stem from the spirit of offense.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:44-45 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”