Hebrews 4:12

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s
will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.  New International Version (©1984)

Romans 12:2

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart. English Standard Version (©2001)

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human  tradition, according to the elemental spirits^a of the world, and not according to Christ. English Standard Version (©2001)

1 John 2:27

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need
Moreover, it provides maximum excitement and purchased here cialis pill cost pleasure during the act of sexual intercourse. Surgery and drugs carry risks and often unwanted side effects that have also commonly be reported are erectile dysfunction and erratic ordine cialis on line ejaculatory behavior. The sensational cialis price australia feeling of burning across the chest and moves towards angle of jaw, neck and throat. You can identify testosterone deficiency with symptoms like painful urination, cloudy discharge from the penis, burning urethra and so soft cialis mastercard on. that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything,
and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

A Word of Instruction

Saints we are beset by so many destructive doctrines, heresies, theories and deceptive teachings. We have all of the scriptures listed above that promise to help us filter out the noise and confusion the enemy throws at us. Remember God has equipped us and will continue to do so. I believe these scriptures speak for themselves and that if we follow them we will stay on track in regards to knowing what to follow. Man by nature is prone to deceit and we should always be on guard when we hear someone proclaim the truth of God, irregardless of who he is.

Filtering is the process of removing things that are harmful or useless. One could also call this process sifting. I have learned over the years that our journey of faith is rooted in a destination that the Lord has put us on. There are forces at work that attempt to stop us or lure us on an alternative path that leads to destruction. If we filter and sift well, we will be able to continue in our journey — unabated by the forces of darkness and Satan’s agents.

One final word of instruction, and the most important thing… we have the Holy Spirit Himself to guide us.

John 16:12

12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,  for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,  and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to
you. 15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and
declare it to you.

1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”

There are two basic emotions that govern our natural, human form…those being: love and
fear.

Recently, my wife and I engaged in a good-hearted discussion related to the concept of “discipline” in connection to the parent-child relationship.  As is often the case in my professional practice as a psychotherapist and parent guide or consultant, the question of
how to elicit “correct,” “right,” or “compliant” behavior from our children arose – and, how discipline plays out its role in that process.

Although my wife and I adhere to the same Christian worldview and approach in our parenting attitude, methodology and technique, we find it helpful to communicate and, in
some cases, engage in a well-mannered debate about parenting practices as often
as possible.  In these times of reasoning and dialogue, I am always swift in emphasizing our focus must be on targeting the relationship with our son, not spotlighting his behavior.  Although the concept may appear simply stated, elementary, even plainly straightforward…the functional implementation and consistent exercise of the relationship approach is habitually thorny, complex and at times feels unachievable in practice.
During our examination, the subject of the well worn, commonly accepted and highly promoted practice of “time-out” as a disciplinary method reared its ugly head.  Some close friends of ours were experiencing major “acting-out” behavior by their four (4) year old son.  Our friends had obviously reached a boiling point, as they had publicly posted their woes on their Facebook page begging friends and family for advice.  As my wife read aloud the responses our friends received, I became more and more dejected and frustrated as the “time-out” and “tough love” comments dominated the page.

As Christians, we value salvation as the greatest gift God has given or offered to us – a gift
provided through sacrificial love; and, we understand love as the greatest
human need born into our being.  John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, credited as the pioneers and forerunners of Attachment Theory, studied the need for connection and closeness with those we love – and, how those attachments impact our emotional,
psychological and physiological development.  In an over-simplification of one of the tenets of Attachment Theory, I would offer that the theory purports love as the greatest human need.  One of the basic rules of attachment is that our behavior is predominantly determined by how well we “connect” to those we love – simply meaning our relationship is dependent, to the greatest degree, on the quality of our relationships. That even
when we are separated from those we love and are dependent on, the strength of
the relationship can connect us from afar and significantly impact our choices
and behavior.

When children feel alone, isolated or disconnected from those whom they love (regardless of the reason), they crave to be connected (their instinctual drive to be close and secure in the relationship activates); or, re-connected, as it may be better stated. When children are connected, they are full of life, more secure; committed to the relationship; and, typically demonstrate more adaptive and compliant behavior as they want to maintain that secure and nurturing relationship – and, they don’t want to disappoint the parent.  They don’t want to lose the relationship that is so meaningful and love-inducing.

Isn’t it interesting that we, as children of God, want to be close to God…we want to feel connected to Him?  And, when we feel close to God, in relationship with Him, we feel more secure…committed to Him…full of life; we are able to relate to the world in a more positive and functional manner.   That when we know God and connect with God, our behavior changes to align with the expectations and dynamic of that relationship.  And, that when we feel apart from God…disconnected…separated…lost…our lives are typically unfulfilled…and, our behavior tends to deviate sadly from “right” or “correct” behavior.

As scripture communicates so clearly and straightforward in 1 John 4:18, ‘fear has nothing to do with love’.  That very scripture tells us that fear corresponds with punishment.  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”

When we utilize the practice of “time-out” as a behavioral technique with our children, we are activating a fear response in them.  How often when parents place their children in time-out…when they say, “Go to your room, I can’t be around you right now,” or, “I can’t deal with you…just go away and think about your behavior,” we see children’s fear response activated?  The child will very often cry out…beg not to be separated from the parent or caregiver…make pleading offers to make the relationship right with promises to “never do it again,”…or, “I’ll be good…I promise”.  These are all instinctual responses born out of the fear of separation from the parent.

If we understand that our greatest fear, the most devastating and inhibiting fear (as children of God) is the possibility of being ultimately separated from our Creator, we can begin to understand how behavioral approaches, methods and techniques like “time-out”
can be so stunting in an immature, undeveloped child’s relationship with the parent.  When parents connect with their children on a relational level, they reflect God’s relationship to His children.  He promises to never leave us…that we cannot
be separated from His connection if we simply believe in what Christ did on the
The entertainer’s generic cialis 100mg foea.org largest moment was during the testing of the product that test groups noted the drug was giving them erections. Being familiar with what origins these situations helps generic tadalafil you get a successful cure. Like purchase levitra foea.org, Kamagra 100 mg tablets ,too, contains the same ingredient – Sildenafil Citrate. What we often forget is taking it for regular servicing where the experts helping out with mobile safety certificate have spefoea.org purchase cheap levitraed devices and equipment that allows them to check the alignment of the car and accordingly ensure that the car is fit to be on the filling with the blood vessels secondary to constriction, medication that are vasoactive are therefore the medicines needed for such situation. 1 with the most. cross and trust in Him.  Our Father doesn’t threaten us with the loss of the relationship…with the loss of the connection, regardless of our behavior.  Who threatens us? The enemy threatens that loss, not God.  He never leaves our side, not for a moment.  But even knowing this relational concept that scripture so clearly articulates, we, in our parenting approaches, methods and techniques, often send the message to our children that their behavior, if deemed unacceptable may jeopardize the relationship or our love for them, even in the short-term…and, we actively implement that message in reality when we
place our children in time-out. Essentially communicating to our children their behavior is unacceptable and that they will be separated from us until they ‘learn better’.  We activate the instinctual fear mechanism in our immature children in order to achieve right behavior, which we equate with love, even knowing there is no fear in love.

What our children learn from “time-out” techniques is the relationship is not unconditional and their behavior is a variable to either maintaining or losing that relationship.

So, if I intensely oppose the practice of “time-out” in parenting you might also assume I oppose the practice of corporal punishment, as well?  Correct.  Although the purpose of this article is not an examination of corporal punishment, it is necessary to provide some position on the practice and I will do so briefly.

First, I have heard many Christian parents quote the following ‘verse’ when discussing
corporal punishment, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” In doing so, these
parents fully believe they are quoting scripture although this is not accurate.  In fact, the oft uttered “spare the rod, spoil the child” quotation is actually acquired from
a burlesque poem by Samuel Butler published in the late 1600’s, referencing
sexual activities.  Proverbs 13:24 (KJV) reads, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” This is the scripture they believe they are offering – but, we must examine the scripture more closely to understand what this verse teaches.  One must understand the various meanings of the word shebet (rod) in Hebrew.  Shebet can mean a branch for fighting, ruling, walking and, indeed, a rod employed for punishment.  But, it also refers to a clan or tribe. Commonly, Christians simply utilize the word “rod” to indicate a stick, staff or device used for physical punishment; but, we must also remember the rod of a shepherd was used as a measurement or safety tool. The shepherd would extend his rod to portion how far his sheep could wander, but still remain protected under his watch.  Another meaning of the Hebrew word for rod is a symbol of authority or rule – a rod might also be known as a scepter or staff.  As parents, we must
not spare our rod, or rather, our God-given authority in our relationship with our children.

We must teach, guide and protect our children as a good shepherd or
steward would govern them.  Corporal punishment is without question controversial within our society and the Christian culture, but, as Christians, we must be discerning in this area of scripture.

One more small word on corporal
punishment…

On more than a few occasions I have counseled parents who after spanking their children emphatically stated to me…”Sometimes there is nothing left to do…spanking is the only thing you can do! It is the only thing that works!”  To these statements, my response is unwavering…”There is always something left to do…there is always something that works…prayer”.

As Christians, we have an understanding and faith, being divinely informed, through scripture, that we cannot achieve His acceptance, qualification or salvation through our behavior; but that everlasting life is born in the relationship with the Father.  That everlasting life, that ultimate gift bestowed upon the children of God, is solely dependent on our ability to connect with God.
This is not to say that God doesn’t lovingly correct and discipline us…but, He does so in love, which does not work in fear.  And, we too, must correct and discipline our children, in love.

As parents, we must begin to understand that behavioral methods may provide the desired
outcome in the short-term, but at what cost to the long-term relationship?  Our goal as Christian-parents is to bring our children from immaturity to maturity…from dependence to independence (when they are mature enough to function healthily in that independent state)…to cultivate and enhance their relationship with Christ and to others in love…and,
ultimately, the only authority and influence we, as parents, maintain to accomplish those goals is that which the relationship bestows.  We must move away from a focus on outward behavior and zoom-in on the relationship.

As a child of God, I am increasingly thankful that my Heavenly Father is concerned with
relationship, and not solely my behavior. I desire to reflect that design in my relationship with my child.

God is good – always!

-Michael C.
Wilson, LMSW

Compel is a descriptive word. It can mean the following things: arresting, convicting, formidable, coercive or inspiring. Would it surprise you if I stated that we are to be compelling witnesses for Christ and our lifestyles could change the way the world views Christians? What if I said being a witness for Christ is the primary identity of a believer?  Well don’t take my word for it. Let’s follow God’s thoughts.

Isaiah 43: 10-13

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,“and my servant  whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe  me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor  shall there be any after me.
11 I,  I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he; there is  none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its
saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out
and trampled under people’s feet. 14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

There is an authoritative and repetitive theme here. “I am.. you are… I am… you are.” This denotes relational place, mission and purposeful identity for God and His people. The most important thing to understand is the simple fact that we represent Him and His name is upon us, like it or not. He is God and there is no one higher; nor is there anything more important than our roles as ambassadors and witnesses. Keep in mind God’s constancy and His desire for us to be like Him — no situational witness, no selective representation and no opt out clause for believers.

Most of us are familiar with the phrases “light of the world” and “salt of the earth” description of saints. If we combine them we will see that there is a function to both. Salt preserves, and provides a resource– people in ancient times were paid in salt because it was such a valuable bartering resource– and light instructs and clarifies. A simple way to remember your function is by using the acronym I.P.P. instruct, preserve and provide.

Preserve may be confusing for some, so lets take a look at it from Miriam’s Online Dictionary’s perspective:

1: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect

2: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay.

Let’s look at one verse of scripture about perserving:

Recapping —

1. Instruct:  We have been given God’s word and with it we instruct and clarify. We lead God’s elect out of darkness and the fog and turn them from the power of Satan to His power. (Acts 26:18)

2. Preserve: We are salt and so we seek to preserve/maintain the peace, relationships (godly ones), community, values, health, life and so on. We are the constancy in all things and the world needs consistent, reliable people who know what is expected of them.

3. Provide: We are providers. We provide for our families, widows, orphans and the needy. Whether money, clothing, food or services, we are to be a generous people. The command to be resourceful and care for others is not to be overlooked. (James 1:27)

So  how are we doing as salt and light. I don’t know about you, but I could do better, and I resolve to. I doubt that any serious student of the Bible can deny the claims made here are not commands. It’s clear we are not dealing with suggestions or best practice guides.

I am His witness, as are you. Think in terms of instructing, preserving, and providing. For if we do, we can truly bear witness to the wonderful gift of Christ. We can be formidable witnesses capable of inspiring awe and convicition to a world that desperately needs the One we serve, Christ Jesus the true and living Eternal God. (John 1:1)

As we finish celebrating Christmas, I think it is timely to point out God’s election in all things beginning with the Son.

Purpose:

Isaiah 43:13

“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No
one can undo what I have done.”

First God always has a purpose in mind when He intends to do something, He does it –and usually through an agent.

Person:

God always has a person in mind. When He wants to save, He chooses a saviour. In the case of the church He chose the person who would occupy the role of Supreme Leader, King of Kings and Lord of Lords to shepherd his people.

Secondly, God cannot fail in His election. Even when people rebel or fall short. He will cause all things to work together for good. The people who are against you — even the most determined enemies — will actually become your trainers. Scripture demonstrates all of humanity, from Adam to the Anti-Christ, whether righteous or depraved, will ultimately serve some purpose that God accomplishes His will through. Keep in mind that Satan served the purposes of God during Job’s trials and even today must seek permission for anything he does. The Spirit led Christ into conflict with the Devil. In Matthew 4:1 it is explicitly stated: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Rest assured; God is in control and He will lead us into conflict with the world, our flesh and the Enemy. We are His people.
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Place:

The prophet Hosea wrote in chapter 11:1-2:

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I^a called Israel, the further they went from me.^b They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

In the verses above we see God beginning to deal with His people in a corporate way. He was Lord of the place they were in and Lord of where they were going. We see the parallels with Christ from His birth and flight to Egypt with His parents to His appointed place of death at Golgotha. As a result this became the place of our salvation.

There is a pattern here to follow for all saints regarding God’s will. I continue to struggle with this. I ask myself three questions, and I urgently ask you to join me in this soliloquy.

Are you in God’s purpose?  Are you His person for some specific task? And last of all, are you in the right place? Ask yourself in a brutally honest way; it’s a serious question. Pray for grace to be in the stream of His will.

Isaiah 9:6

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government
will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

It is interesting how the pattern of scripture unfolds. When God’s prophetic deliverance draws near, the enemy attempts to destroy it before it happens.  God told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved for a period of four hundred years. He also promised deliverance afterwards and punishment upon the oppressing nation later. Moses became that deliverer. Satan attempted to prevent this from happening by arousing the fear of their oppressors and inciting them to kill all male infants at birth.

Exodus 1:15-22

15 The king of Egypt  said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you help the  Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a  boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives,  however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do;  they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of  Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19 The midwives answered  Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give  birth before the midwives arrive.” 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And  because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every boy that is born^b you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

The pattern continues…
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Matthew 2:16

“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became
furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all
that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had
ascertained from the wise men.”

And so the boy Moses, the deliverer of Israel in the natural was to be killed according to the law of the day, and the Savior of the world was to be destroyed according to Herod’s command.

Christmas should be the celebration of a Child and children the world over. I’m grieved to know that so many children have so little hope. I’m also puzzled about how easily people are duped by Satan lies. Through science, he has deceived people into thinking unborn children are property, and legally unprotected – subject to the whims of the parent.  Tens of millions have been sacrificed to this God of convenience we call abortion – legally sanctioned killing of the unborn. Although you may not agree with everything in this video, take a look at some of the compelling axioms laid out. http://180movie.com/

Matthew 13: 24-30

The Parable of the Weeds

24Jesus told them  another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who
sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone  was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went  away. 26When the wheat  sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27“The owner’s  servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field?  Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28“‘An enemy did  this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go  and pull them up?’ 29“‘No,’ he answered,  ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with  them. 30Let both grow  together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First  collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat  and bring it into my barn.’”

Matthew 13:  36-43

36Then he left the  crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to  us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the  world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the  sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who
sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters  are angels. 40“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41The Son of Man will  send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that  causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw  them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of  teeth. 43Then the righteous
will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him
hear.

John 17: 9

⁹I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

II Peter 1:10
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Therefore, brothers,  be all the more diligent to make your calling and  election sure, for if you practice these qualities  you will never fall.

Romans 9:11
though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of  him who calls—

I’ve been asked before if I am a Calvanist or Amenian. My answer is neither; I believe in eternal security and election because the scriptures  and Spirit attest to it. You see I am a believer who simply reads the scriptures and allows them to stand on their own merit. Where there seems to be a contradiction, wisdom from the Spirit and basic hermenuetics (letting scripture interpret scripture) should be applied.  If God is soveriegn, then He is soveriegn in all things including salvation. The problem is in our trying to figure this out or attempting to formulate it. To do so is foolish and one will never achieve a formula for salvation. Take heed God ordains salvation , “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13.48).

John 3:3 states tells us that we cannot even see the kingdom of God before we are born again. This translation from life to death can never be reduced to a sinner’s prayer or human effort. God raises people from spiritual death to life, by his mighty hand.

Believing in our hearts precedes confession. The faith to believe is given to us. It is not a mental construct or exercise. Much of the nonsense that takes place in churches today is because men place dead people in positions of leadership. In a similar way, there are people in the pews that are make believers who have never received the divine grace of the living God. Their motives for coming are many, and many even do good works outwardly, but the recompense awaiting them will chill them to the bone.  Jesus stated, “21“Not  everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the  one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On  that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and  cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  23And  then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of  lawlessness.

Notice Jesus did not say they did not perform works. He said he never knew them.  Never…

Consider the sorcerer Balaam who prophesied by the inspiration of the Spirit and the high priest Caiaphas they were never touched by grace.  Saul, abandoned by God, prophesied as well. There is also the story of the lying, old prophet and his deception that led to the death a young seer (1 Kings 13).  None of these gifts are evidence of salvation – it’s fruit, not signs folks.

And so beloved let us be diligent with matters of faith and focused on bringing glory to God, not bringing tares down or to justice. If we lift Him up people will follow. God has chosen you first, before the foundations of the world. He weighed and examined your life from eternity’s past and shaped you secretly in the womb to bring Him glory. We will never know the mysterious counsel behind God’s selection, but we know He is not arbitrary and He has outlined throughout the scriptures what He is looking for in seekers. And what He looks for, He finds!  You came to know Him by faith and through grace because He enabled you. Stand in wonder and awe and “Be still and know that He is God.” Don’t shake, rattle and roll in deception; be still and know. Rest in His truth.

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One day an aging, lonely raccoon was scavenging for food and bitterly complaining aloud because he was in need and hungered. “There is nothing! What shall I eat!” And so he wandered throughout the area, bereft and desponded he continued to muse aloud, “I’m so tired. My body aches with hunger pains and I’m alone. I wish… I was dead.” Suddenly he heard a voice.

Branch: “Come now my friend. Do not say such things!”

Racoon: “Well look at you! You have no cares! Everything you have you receive. You neither labor or wander. The tree feeds and cares for you! I have struggled all my life and for what! I’m a despised scavenger!”

Branch: “Well my friend it may surprise you but I was once like you. I sought death and relief from the life I led. This great tree here had mercy on me and offered me a chance to be one with it. I accepted and now I am no longer alone, hungry, tired or fearful.”

Racoon: “I have heard of such a tree that works such magic. I was told it devours creatures and that it is the great enemy of all forest dwellers! But… I believe what you say now. My heart is warmed. When I look at it, I can clearly see it is a wonderful tree. Why have I never seen it before? It reaches up into the heavens!”

Branch: “The tree was always here. It marks a point of departure for all who walk in life’s path. You have walked this path many times, but your time to see was not at hand; now it is. For no one can see or hear it until it reveals itself. Once all creatures basked in it’s glory and were fed by it’s fruit and leaves, until a treacherous serpent scattered all of the animals and turned them against one another. I am a spokesmen for this tree and I plead with you  now because if you continue in this path you will be a restless wanderer the remainder of your hours destined for despair and death. However, if you turn from your path you can become a part of this tree and live forever. What will you do my friend?”
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The End

Deutoronmy 32:17

“They sacrificed to demons, which are not God–gods they had not known, gods that
recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear.”

Idolatry and History

A little background first might be in order here. This is the first time the word demon appears in scripture. The demons were associated with cultural gods and were agents of deception and idolatry. Still the question remains; why do people sacrifice to demons? The answer lies in deception, promise, desperation, coercion, tradition or a combination of these and other factors. The verse above talks about new gods the Israelites came into contact with when they encountered other cultures and nations. Historically, these gods were fashioned out of wood, gold, stone, other types of metals or other substances. People were also revered as gods, claiming divine lineage. All of these false gods -people included- required works and sacrifices from their servants in order to prove allegiance.

These gods purportedly aided people in their lives and pursuits. The idols promised success and freedom from certain things in exchange for sacrifices, devotion and works. It was a covenantal exchange system. Men supported the system and scribes wrote the doctrines and approaches down in order to preserve it. Things are no different today, our demons/idols in the west are in systems, approaches, things and ideas. Often they promise comfort, convenience, fulfillment, prestige and numerous others you can think of that can be inserted here ________________.

Systems of Worship and Symbolism

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Satan’s idol was freedom and he knows its seductive power. He sought parity with God to achieve this and transgressed, no longer abiding in the covenant. This faulty logic manifests itself in his doctrine that promised increased freedom to angels, our ancestors (“You shall be like gods…”) and all who would follow him or the systems he is behind. Autonomy and/or authority are the carrots he uses. He was even bold enough to offer the kingdoms of the world to Christ in exchange for worship. (Matthew 4:8-9)

Modern Day Idolatry Defined

So idolatry can be defined as service to a false god. It is always based on some type of works system in which compensation is expected from the god. The Jews believed that their works would win them eventual salvation. The stumbling block was the concept of a gift. A gift required nothing more than receiving. So focus on the past picture here; the Jews claimed to worship the One True God and instructing people about Him and then He showed up and they were offended.  The gentiles responded the same.

No one is safe from the idolatry of ideas, systems or false gods because we were all born with a fallen nature that seeks independence from the true God. The Jews turned to a system of works and laws that omitted the Spirit and the God who authored them in order to be in control while gentile nations have simply created their own gods in order to achieve their pursuits.

When our concepts, ideas and idols are confronted with the truth and our works are revealed for what they are, we stammer trying to make sense of it. The remedy for this is to submit to the truth and then simply stand, shine and stay in the gifts and calling of God for your life. His works through you will produce a powerful witness. God has given us all that we need in this life to glorify Him. Folks idolatry is a serious issue; believers are not immune to its seductive power. The Apostle John admonished us in this way, “Dear children keep yourself from idols.” (1 John 5:21) We should heed the warning and keep our hearts open before the Lord at all times and ask Him to cleanse us when we embrace idolatry in any form.

1 Corinthians 1:18-23 ESV

18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are
being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is  written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise, and the discernment of the discerning I
will thwart.”

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in  the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God  through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews  demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of  God. 25For the  foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than  men.

During the age of Enlightenment man became the center of the universe and science the prophet – harbinger of change. We embraced this in the west and the pursuit of knowledge over the error of religion and superstition was born. It was decided that wisdom came from a natural, scientific perspective alone; therefore, science was the supreme form of knowledge. Religion was considered ignorant and irrevelant by those who followed this approach. Christ crucified and resurrected was not considered a provable fact of history; therefore, He was lumped in with all of the other religious leaders. Science exploded and never looked back as a system, requiring future education to be based on this process. Science became a stumbling block to all who would consider the claims of Christ.

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Perhaps what Paul was trying to do is describe spiritual blindness and how it works and what it accepts as reality by using the Greeks and Jews as examples. Spiritually blind people reject what they cannot control and science is about control. Science is about man’s ability to predict, categorize and when it seems fit to do so control. The canonized appproach of science is this, view all things through the “study of repeatable, observable phenomena.” God does not fit this approach.

God cannot be controlled or manipulated. He is the Supreme Being above all things and gives us the keys to approaching Him and they are repeatable and observable from Scripture. The ultimate key here, and what the carnal self hates and denies, is that everything is on His terms. The rules are these accept Christ and follow His ways. Christ is the chasm between those who belong to God and those who do not. In addition to being, “The way, the truth and the light…” He is the bridge to God and, “no man comes to the Father…” without Christ drawing him. Science cannot create such a bridge to the afterlife and remains a tool in man’s hands and limited by that fact alone.

So what does it mean to be wise in our age.  Well it means you are highly scientific, sophisticated, skeptical and pragmatic. It means you know what people want and are able to create consumer oriented demand for it and a product that delivers this. From the Model T to various forms of personal technology at our finger tips, we have fallen in love with the things we have made, the people who made them and the systems that maintain them. We trust in science with our very lives and sometimes bow at its altar. I would challenge everyone who reads this to ask what place it has in your life. Is it your God? Can it save your soul. God has made man in his image and likeness so it is no wonder we create, fix, study and advance knowledge. The intellectual and spiritual gifts scientist have are a blessing from God, the problem is this, many deny the origin of these things. I fear that we, like the Jews and Greeks, have exalted man’s wisdom to a place it was never intended to have. If we err here, and follow this pattern, Christ will become a stumbling block to us. I pray we keep science in its proper place in our lives as a tool God has given us for good, not an idol to depend upon.