Abuse: Satan's Great Arsenal Against Spiritual Growth
Every man Denise ever knew, including her own father, had abused her. Her young daughter had also been victimized. There was no way Denise was going to ever trust a man. Denise met James. James seemed to be a humble, and faithful Christian. Denise was too "wounded" to trust James. This article will use real situations and the Holy Bible to analyze this situation. The King James (1611 AD) version will be used.
As long as Satan the Devil rules this world sin will occur (Luke 4:5-8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; John 18:36; John 17:14-16; John 16:11, 33). It is Satans sole agenda to cause humans do disobey God. Disobedience is sin and sin is death. This is why Jesus called Satan a liar and a murderer (Romans 5:12; Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:44). The things we experience in this world can be sad and tragic.
This is why God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has conquered this sinful world (John 3:16; John 16:33). God has also given us the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) Who is with us every day. The Holy Spirit will help us through all our concerns (John 14:1, 16-18, 26-27).
Notice that Jesus Christ told His followers not to be troubled, overly concerned, or overly anxious (worried) (John 14:1, 16-18; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-8). In fact Jesus said that when we worry about our experiences that we are lacking faith in God (Matthew 14:24-32).
Many persons become Christians. Some "feel" the Holy Ghost come upon them (Acts 2:1-8). Others stop doing the sinful things from their past. Others struggle with temptations and sins. There is a major mistake many Christians make. They don't view the Holy Bible as God's Living Word (Hebrews 4:11-12; John 17:17; Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:20-21). They continue to travel through life with their own opinions and feelings.
Some make the mistake of using inaccurately translated Bible translations (Hebrews 11:1,6; Hebrews 4:11-12; Revelation 22:18-20). If a Christian wants to be successful in serving God they must quiet their "way" and submit to God's Way. God's Way is Spirit (John 14:6; John 4:24; John 3:3-8).
No human will ever be able to "calm" the pains of this life. God's Spirit gives us peace, faith and helps us to refocus on God. A truly "Born Again" person will not dwell on life's hardships. Jesus was beaten, spit upon, humiliated and crucified. Yet when He returned to life (resurrection), he did not encourage "harping" on the pain(s). In fact Jesus encouraged forgiveness of sinners. This is called "Walking In The Spirit (Matthew 27:24-54; Matthew 28:1-10; Matthew 6:12-15; Galatians 5:16, 25)."
A Christian must choose whether they will serve God the Spirit or continue in the World's (Satan's) ways (Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 13:4). Most Christians do not realize this. They change a "little" for God. They then begin to do things their way. When we basically tell God how we will serve Him it is self righteousness.
These type of Christians are still in sin. They will not inherit Heaven or the Rapture. They will be "Left Behind" to experience the Great Tribulation (Matthew 25:1-12; Matthew 7:13-29; Revelation 2:10, 22; Revelation 7:14; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:33).
The only Way into Heaven is By Spirit (Holy Spirit) (John 3:6-6; 1 Corinthians 15:50; John 4:24). Christians are commanded to "Walk In The Spirit" (Galatians 5:16, 25). The Bible teaches this counsel to "Walk In The Spirit":
1) We must take our mind, hearts and total self off things of this world (and sin). We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us focus on "Holy Spirit" Spiritual things. If anyone or anything is not in harmony with God's Word, we must "Cast It Down" with God's Word-The Holy Bible (Matthew 22:37; 2 Corinthians 10:4-7; Galatians 5:16-24). Who or what we associate with will influence us (1 Corinthians 15:33).
2) The Bible tells us not to worry and to keep our mind, hearts and total selves on these things (Philippians 4:6-8; Matthew 6:25-34).
3) We must cultivate the mind (and ways) of Jesus Christ by reading and applying the 4 Gospels and the entire Holy Bible (Philippians 2:5-12; 2 Timothy 3:16).
4) We must develop a humble, open, trusting , and prayerful relatioship with God through Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit (1 Thesssalonian 5:17; John 14:6; John 4:26; Proverbs 3:5-6).
5) Satan attacks Christians "non stop (Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 10:16)". Thus we must put on the "whole (entire)" armor of God for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18). That armor is:
A) loins girt about with truth
B) breastplate of righteousness
C) feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
D) taking the shield of faith (THIS SHIELD OF FAITH IS USING GOD'S WORD TO REBUKE EVIL AND TO TRUST IN GOD THE SPIRIT AND NOT WHAT APPEARS TO BE GOING ON IN THE PHYSICAL (FLESHLY) WORLD. wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
E) Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation
F) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
G) Eph 6:18 Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
H) watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
6) Christians also make the mistake of relying solely on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a very powerful gift from God. Yet it is the Holy Bible (The Infallible World Of God) that determines life or death (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89; 1 Corinthians 12:1-15).
If a Christian is to successfully serve God and enter Heaven they must obey the Word (Will) of God (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 25:1-12; Luke 6:46; John 15:10-15; Matthew 7:13-29).
God's Love For Humans Moved Him To Give Obedient Christians The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).These are the "Gifts" of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:6-11):
A) the word of wisdom
B) the word of knowledge by the same Spirit
C) faith by the same Spirit
D) to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit
E) the working of miracles
F) to another prophecy
G) to another discerning of spirits
H) to another [divers] kinds of tongues
I) to another the interpretation of tongues
A person who is indwelt with the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) will bear fruit. A Christian must have Spiritual Fruit to be admitted in to Heaven (Mathhew 7:13-29). This "Fruit Of The Spirit" Is (Galatians 5:22-24):
A) love-loving and forgiving others. being happy and caring around others. fully trusting in God's love for me and not unduly worrying about things in life.
B) joy being happy but respectful and considerate in life
C) peace asking for the peace of God, learning to let go and let God, always seeking the God of Peace and our Prince of Peace
D) longsuffering realizing that things may not always go our way. always praising and glorifying God FIRST despite whatever we are going through
E) gentleness-not appearing aggressive or assertive to anyone. trusting in the Spirit of God to accomplish things God's way
F) goodness- being morally clean and upright, lawful
G) faith-trusting in the Invisible God through His Holy Word and not in what you see or experience in the physical realm (John 4:24; Hebrews 11:1-6)
H) Meekness-serving others. putting others first
I) temperance
It was Jesus Christ and God who said that "Obeying His Commandments (His Word)" is the only way to "prove" that you (or I) Love Him (Exodus 20:6; John 15:10-16; Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:13-29). Christians must repent from serving God with their own personal viewpionts (intellect or opinions).
Christians must return to sole obedience (Faith) to an accurate translation of God's Holy Bible (Revelation 22:18-20; Matthews 4:17). Any further disobedience will block such a Christian from Rapture and/or Heavenly Entrance (Matthew 25:31-36; Matthew 7:13-29).
This article is not intended to minimize abuse or tragedies. It is to hail the Love and Goodness of God and the changing power of the Holy Spirit. A Bible Believing Christian should be rejoicing in God's Goodness (Psalm 33:1). A Christian suffering "loss" may not be seeking God or asking God in Faith (James 4:2-3; Hebrews 11:6). Father God gives good gifts to His obedient children (Deuteronomy 28:1-13).
Satan knows that Earth's time is just about up (Revelation 12:12; Matthew 24:3). Abuse, sorrow and lack of trust (negative thinking) are just three of his many arsenals against Spritual Growth. May All Christians Repent And Walk In God's Holy Spirit So They Can Enjoy Happiness Now And In Heaven.
"Father God please help us to repent from our fleshly (carnal) ways and sins against you (James 4:1-10). We confess our sins and ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can follow Jesus Christ (John 3:1-10). We ask this prayer in Jesus' Name. Amen".
This article can be freely edited and utilized as long as credit is given to its author (Gary Colin).
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