SALVATION IS ALL OF GOD

Salvation is a deliberate act of God Almighty. The Father God didn’t just send Jesus to make men savable, Jesus came to actually save man from every tribe, tongue and nation. What we’ve been led to believe is that once Jesus died on the cross, he did his part and the rest is solely up to us alone to activate the salvation that’s available through his blood sacrifice. No! If it were left up to us, we would have never gotten saved! God must save us! Jesus atonement was an actual one, not a potential one. The belief is also that we can reject this offer of salvation ultimately or trump God’s plan by our disobedience. For those that have been chosen before the foundation of the world, and at the precise moment and time the Father God decides to draw us to Christ, we will come with Godly repentance, respond in faith to the gospel and be saved. God’s plans are never thwarted and he will be glorified.

What I will prove from scripture is that those whom God chose before time began will be saved and they will never perish or lose their salvation and those who reject the offer of salvation by grace and die in their sins or those who were already condemned and doomed for destruction.

Now, let’s look at three things that God has to bestow on man that brings about his salvation.

Repentance is the first in the trio of blessings God bestows when dealing with salvation. Let’s see how it fits in.

2 Timothy 2:24-25: The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition if perhaps God may grant them repentance. In verse twenty five we read that Godly repentance is a gift that God has to grant to the sinner. We will not repent on our own.

Acts 11:18: When they heard this they quieted down and glorified God saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.

Again we see that God is the one that sovereignly grants freely repentance to those whom he saves. God will not grant repentance to anyone that he will not save.

The next blessing is in this trio of salvation is Faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

Here we see that not only is salvation the ultimate gift of God, the faith to believe God for your salvation is also a gift. That’s why no man has the right to brag about the salvation he has. We can’t acquire it on our own. The bible says faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It’s the gospel message that produces repentance and faith to the chosen sinner so that he can/will become the child of God through Jesus Christ that the Father predestined him to be.

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid little flock for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom”(Luke 12:32).

And yet again we see Jesus declaring that God will give the Kingdom to whom he wishes because he delights in doing so. It’s a gift from above. Whomever God has given the kingdom to will become an eternal member of the kingdom not against their will, but in accordance to God’s sovereign will which always prevails (Proverbs 21:1). Some see this as an assault or violation of their free will but actually it’s a divine loving intervention where God activates your freedom to the degree that you lovingly submit your will to his. God performs heart surgery on those whom he saves; he gives them new heart and places his Spirit in them so that they long to obey him (Ezekiel 36:25-27). This verse was specifically talking about the restoration of national Israel, but it has spiritual application to the Church. I wrote on my flagship article on this blog, man’s will is corrupt and in bondage to sin. Man should thank God every time he interrupts our lives and inserts his sovereign will to do what he pleases because it’s always for our good.

Finally, the third blessing of this trio is Salvation.

Psalm 3:8-Salvation is of the Lord. Your blessing is upon thy people.

Job 13:15-16- Though he slay me yet will I trust him; but will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation, for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

Isaiah 12:2 – Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Lamentations 3:26 – It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Jonah 2:9 …salvation is of the Lord

Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy king cometh unto thee . (Messianic) He is just, and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

As you can see, even in the Old Testament six different writers from different backgrounds and walks of life knew the Lord was the sole source of their salvation.

Luke 19:9-10- And Jesus said unto him, This day salvation has come to this house, forasmuch as he also a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.

Acts 4:12 – Neither is there is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men

Titus 3:4-5: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

Hebrews 5:8-9: Though he were a Son, yet he learned he obedience by the things he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey.

John 6:37-40- All that the father gives to me shall come to me and he that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which sees the Son and believes on him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 10:27-30- My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them unto me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Matthew 1:21- And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins.

John 3:18- He that believes on him is not condemened, but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 6:44- No man come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

Man is impotent to even approach Jesus on his own. The reason is man is dead in his trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Dead is the inability to respond to any stimulus. We see here the word draw does not mean drag by force but to compel one to come by love.

John 15:16- You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you go and bear fruit.

Here we see Jesus informing his disciples that they were sovereignly chosen by him to be his followers and bear fruit (Galatians 5; Hebrews 13:15) not the other way around. We’re unable to follow Jesus unless he grants us the ability to choose him only after he selects us first. Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

John 17:12… not one of them perished (Jesus making reference to the Apostles) except the son of perdition…

Ephesians 1:3-8- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he has chosen us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will; to the praise of glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

Now, if one can’t see through the powerful testimony of the aforementioned scriptures that salvation is totally of God, you never will. God is the one that grants repentance, faith to believe and gladly grants salvation to all them that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank the Father for sending the Son to redeem lost man from every tribe, tongue and nation.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the word Vision as follows: the ability to think about or plan the future with wisdom. A mental image of what the future will or could be like. An experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition.

The Hebrew word for Vision is Châzôwn. It means a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation or oracle.

In proverbs 29:18 we have the verse that reads, where there is no vision, the people perish, but happy is he that keeps the law.

Mostly everyone I’ve listened to has regarded this verse to mean a vision, plan or dream God has given them perhaps for their ministry or just a personal goal. While God does give us plans for our lives in service to him as believers, that is not the meaning of this passage.

What the writer means here is, where there is no prophetic revelation, that is no word from the Lord, the people cast off restraint, that is the people will rebel, but happy is he that keeps the law. The word vision in Proverbs 29:18 is synonymous with the word law which in the Hebrew is the word Tôrâh; meaning precept or statute; the Decalogue or Penatateuch.

It is the power of the word that prevents us from doing some of the evil things that we do. It is the power of the word of God that restrains us for fulfilling our lustful desires. It is the word of God that provides direction; The word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Another powerful passage is in Psalm 19:7 which reads, the law of the Lord is perfect converting or restoring the soul (emphasis added).

Without God’s word we’re lost and are in darkness; Why? Because God is no longer speaking to us therefore we have no direction; without divine guidance, we’re left to our own devices which will certainly brings us swift destruction.

To say this passage means personal dreams or aspirations or goals is a misinterpretation of the passage and removes it from it’s original context and places a private interpretation on it which is error. Scholars call this Eisegesis; that is placing ones own ideas on what the writer meant in the bible. Eisegesis is the opposite of Exegesis which of course is correctly explaining the text of scripture.

What does the Bible say about judging others?

Quite a touchy subject isn’t it? People are always telling us “Don’t judge me!” Or “Only God can judge me!” What I’ve noticed is the people making these statements are usually the ones that are living sinful lifestyles. Notice I didn’t say those that sin on occasion, for we all do, but those that practice sin.

Let’s see what the bible has to say about it.

The word judge in the Greek is the word Krinō which means to divide, separate, make a distinction, come to decision, to give one’s opinion.

WHEN WE SHOULD NOT JUDGE

Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5 commands us not to judge if we’re in the following situation, “Judge not that ye be not judged. For with the same judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged and with that measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why behold the mote in your brother’s eye and consider not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable O man, whosoever you are that judges; for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself for you that judges do the same things.

The instruction is very clear. In this instance, it would be unwise and foolish for someone to tell his brother you can not engage in pre-marital sex while you’re committing adultery on your wife. That person making the judgment is a hypocrite and has absolutely no right to judge his brother even though his brother is in sin. Once he can resolve his own matter and conquer his own sin once and for all, then he’s in a position where he can lovingly, and humbly help his brother with his problem because he can now see clearly and no longer has sin impeding him to make a non-hypocritical righteous judgment.

WHEN WE SHOULD JUDGE

I Corinthians 5 records a heinous event where a man is sleeping with his father’s wife, his stepmother. Instead of dealing with the matter, the Corinthians celebrated it instead of being sorrowful of such a wicked thing going on in their assembly. The apostle Paul was unhappy and rebuked the Corinthians for not exercising immediate church discipline. The act was so scandalous that not even the pagan nations (i.e. Gentiles) were engaged in such gross behavior (vs.1). Verse 3 says Paul had already judged the man who committed the wicked act, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Corinthians 5:5). That is the holy judgment of God being exhibited. Very serious. The man’s flesh was out of control and if he was to remain in sin, it would be better if God’s hedge of protection is removed, and he becomes fodder for the devil. If he dies physically, his spirit would be saved in the day of Jesus’ return if he was a true believer. In verse 16 of the same chapter, Paul commands Corinth to excommunicate the man out of the Church. The purity of God’s church must be maintained so swift judgment had to be made due to the man’s unwillingness to repent of his sin of fornication.

So in the first instance, a rush to judgment was made when it should have been withheld because the judging party had a bigger problem than his brother. In the second account, swift judgment should have been administered by the Corinthian church and it was not; so Paul who was not there physically made the decision/judgment to demand the man’s removal from the assembly until he repents.

One last thought, the Church is not responsible for judging the unsaved but to evangelize them. God is the judge of the unsaved (I Corinthians 5:12).

We are to judge within the Church for judgment begins in the house of God (I Peter 4:17).

WHY DOES THE BIBLE SAY JACOB I’VE LOVED BUT ESAU I’VE HATED

This is a rather strange statement don’t you think? Why would God hate anyone when he commands us not to hate?

This statement originates in Malachi 1:2-3 where God affirms his love for Israel, “I have loved you”, says the Lord. In yet you (Israel) say, “In what way have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated, and laid waste his mountains and his heritage for the jackals of the wilderness.”

To understand this statement we must go back to the beginning. In Genesis Issac’s wife Rebekah conceives but the children struggled together within her. Concerned about the discomfort in her womb. Rebekah said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” When she inquires of the Lord, he replies, “two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people will be stronger than the other and the older shall serve the younger.” So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over so they called him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob (Genesis 25:21-26).

Esau is the father of the nation of the Edomites for his name was also called Edom (Genesis 25:30; Genesis 36:1). Jacob who’s name was later changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28) is the father of the Israelites, the twelve tribes of Israel. These are the two nations that struggled in their mother’s womb.

Now that we have a historical background, back to the original question, why would God love Jacob and hate Esau?

The statement was made by God because of sovereign election. God chose Jacob over Esau because it pleased him to do so before they were born; and not only this, but when Rebecca also conceived by one man, even our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I’ve hated.” (Romans 9:10-13). The brother’s descendants were in conflict for centuries (Numbers 20:14-21).

God didn’t hate Esau in the normal sense of the word in as much God established a covenant relationship with Israel only. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 says, “For thou art an holy people unto himself, above all the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you because you were more in number than any people; for you were fewest of all people. But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers…The Israelites were the chosen (i.e. loved) nation by God to be a light to all nations of the earth (Isaiah 19:24; Isaiah 42;6; Isaiah 49:6). The Messiah, Jesus is a descendant of Israel. For he was born in the tribe of Judah. The descendants of Esau (The Edomites) were not chosen (i.e. hated) rather they became an enemy of God and the subject of his wrath. The destruction of the Edomites is found in the book of Obadiah along with Isaiah 34:5-17;Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 32:29.

In conclusion, the children of Israel, God’s chosen are still here today because of their relationship with God which he established with them centuries ago whereas the children of Esau no longer exist. God never made a covenant with them and prophesied their destruction which came to pass; hence explains the love/hate relationship God had with Jacob and Esau.

WHAT IS PREDESTINATION? IS IT FAIR?

The concept of predestination I’m sure has perplexed people for years and will continue to do so for many more to come. Biblically what does it mean to be predestined by God, to be conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29)? Predestination in the bible is the Greek term proorizō. The term means to choose beforehand, to foreordain, to predetermine ones destiny.

To get a better understanding of predestination, let’s examine the scriptures to gain more insight into this wonderful concept.

The apostle Paul in the book of Romans 8:29-30 said this, “For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestined, these he called, whom he called these also justified and whom he justified these He also glorified." These are all past tense verbs. Our salvation is secured in the mind of the Lord.

What Paul is describing here is the doctrine of sovereign election. Meaning that God chose those that would become heirs of the kingdom of God. As the gospel of John declares, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on his name – who were born not of blood nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11, 12 Emphasis added). There are those who believe that since God has infinite wisdom and knew beforehand who would receive Jesus in their lifetime, that God made his selection based on that reality; in other words, God looked through the annals of time and selected those who would choose him so he (God) chose them – foresight is what it’s also called. While it’s true God knew who would receive Jesus, the Lord didn’t chose man based on that premise. Had he made his selection that way, that would predicate salvation based on man’s merit not God. This view is absolutely tragic because that means faith dictates election, instead of election dictating faith. Also Romans 3:11 states, “none seek after God.” John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Basically God is the aggressor when it comes to man’s salvation because we are unable and unwilling to come to God on our own. God grants us not only salvation but the faith to believe God for that salvation so that no man can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

HOW DID GOD CHOOSE MAN? DID HE SELECT SOME AND REJECT OTHERS?

God chose man based on nothing that man has done. When I talk about choosing man, once again I’m referring to predestination. Predestination is an absolute when dealing with man’s salvation since the bible says we have been chosen before the foundation of the world, meaning God preordained our destiny before the world began ( Ephesians 1:4).

Now does this mean we had no choice in whether we accept the Lord or not since we were chosen before the foundation of the world? Of course we had a choice, however God knew who would come into the kingdom. But once again that wasn’t the basis for God selecting those whom he foreknew. God did so based upon his sovereignty. Not because one person was better than the other. God chose some because it pleased him to do so. It was part of his sovereign plan (Ephesians 1:5).

Someone would say of God’s character that’s not fair. To them it would seem that God is showing respect of persons – setting his love on some and not on others. Before I reply to that statement, let’s look at an account of God’s sovereignty in John’s gospel.

JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC

In John chapter 5 we read about Jesus in Bethesda where there lay a great multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed people desiring to be made well. In verse four it says, for an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. Then whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who an infirmity thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, he said to him, “ Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “ Sir I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up and while I am coming another steps down before me” Jesus said to him, “ Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked, and that day was the Sabbath (John 5: 5-9).

Going back to verse 3 we read there were a great multitude of sick people all desiring to be healed of whatever disease they had. However, Jesus healed only one man. Why would he do this? Everyone there needed healing yet Jesus healed one man. From all appearances Jesus was being totally unfair to the rest of the sick people there, but he was not. The doctrine of sovereign election was being demonstrated here. Jesus showed compassion on this one man and not on the others not because he was better or had greater faith, simply because it pleased the Lord to heal him. The reason why he chose not to heal the others we will never know. It’s not our place to know or to question God’s judgment in this instance. There are some things we can’t understand. “What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:14-15).

Another passage reads, “And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls), it was said to her, The older shall serve the younger” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy – emphasis added (Romans 9:10-12;16).

GOD WILL DO WHATEVER HE WANTS

Once again the remark by man would simply be this, “God is not fair!!” Praise God he’s not fair. Because if he was fair all the time, then none of us would have any hope. We’d all get exactly what we deserve – eternal damnation and not mercy which we need and receive everyday of our lives. The word of God’s reply to fairness is this, Paul speaking to the Romans, “ You will say to me then, why does He (God) still find fault? For who has resisted his will?” What Paul is saying here is the antagonist’s question is since God knows what I’m going to do before I do it then why am I penalized for doing wrong? But indeed O man who are you to reply against God? Will the thing say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:19-21)

What we must understand is God’s choosing is simply that – God’s choosing. For us to have the gall to question God’s intentions shows are ignorance of God’s sovereign will. This is a characteristic of God we can’t comprehend fully. It’s beyond us. God has absolute power in dealing in the affairs of man. No one can oppose him. It doesn’t matter rather we understand this facet of his character or not. Isaiah 55:8,9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Another passage of scripture dealing with God’s sovereignty, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to Him (God) and it shall be repaid him” (man) (Romans 11:33-35. Verse 34 quoted originally from Isaiah 40:13 and verse 35 quoted originally from Job 41:11). One last passage of God’s Sovereignty is Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but the things which are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

0ne of the many problems that man has is his pride. Because of this fatal flaw man feels he’s okay in his own eyes when in actuality he’s wicked and beyond hope without God. Because man thinks he’s okay, he feels he has the right to accuse God for things he can’t understand when in effect his ways are offense to God and God for his holiness sake will judge him. Despite this attitude, God is tenderhearted and merciful and desires that all men are saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Will all be saved? No. Because of unbelief not because they never had the gospel preached to them (Matthew 24:14). There is a certain number for the elect of God that only he only knows. We don’t know so that’s why we must go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15,16). By man’s rejection of Jesus proves that he deserving of what he gets – eternal damnation. Praise God he saved some from this tragic reality and took us out of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear son (Colossians 1:13).

WHERE DO DEMONS COME FROM

Demons are real but I'm not presenting their origins as dogma. I’m sharing this article for those that can receive it and for the reader’s consideration. Because of the subject matter there is more conjecture and supposition in this article than any of the previous ones in the blog. As always be like the noble Bereans and search the scriptures daily to prove whether those things are so (Luke 17:11).

How long demons have been around it’s hard to tell. Many believe the fallen angels have transformed into demons in the rebellion before the dawn of time (Isaiah 14) so the terms fallen angels and demons are used interchangeably. While it’s possible it occurred this way, scripture is silent on the matter so we can’t be one hundred percent certain.

The Hebrew term for demon is*śēd. The Greek terms are dáimōn and diabolos. The terms simply mean evil spirits.

Demons are also called devils in scripture. They’re evil spirits that belong to the kingdom of satan. These creatures are worshipped as deity by all false religions. In the Old Testament we hear the term familiar spirits to refer to demons – meaning witches or wizards would consult with the familiar spirit at the request of someone desiring to consult with the dead. The sophisticated term for consulting with the dead is called necromancy. The mediator is called a Medium. Today we call them physics, clairvoyants (clair meaning clear and voyant from the French word voir meaning to see. When combined means to see clearly or clearly see), or gypsies.

These individuals conduct séances or use tarot cards or even perhaps Ouija Boards to divine the future. Some physics are nothing more than hucksters and charlatans who prey on the foolish and gullible to hustle them out of their money. They have no real power. The medium isn’t talking to a dead loved one, but a demon impersonating them. The consultation of mediums is forbidden in scripture and was punishable by death (Leviticus 19:31; I Samuel 28).

Unfortunately, television and motion pictures make these real horrors romantic and entertaining and that’s exactly what the enemy wants us to believe – to believe in the make believe of these evil forces and not the real activity of demons. If you can reduce demons to that of a mere “boogeyman”, then you can dupe the masses into being subconsciously desensitized to the real threat of these disembodied spirits looking for a willing host (that is your body). I believe much of the diseases, starvation and possession of human beings can be attributed to these wicked parasites.

By the time Jesus was on the earth, demons had infiltrated the world and had possessed perhaps millions of people. Keep in mind the glory of the Lord was in Israel during the era before Christ and therefore not once did you read of anyone being possessed. No doubt their power was suppressed because of the glorious light of God’s presence which demons can’t endure.

Once the Old Testament ended with the Prophet Malachi in 400 B.C., the Lord was silent; meaning he didn’t speak through anyone for four hundred until John the Baptist in the New Testament, the time Jesus Christ. During that parenthesis in history (i.e. four hundred years of silence), demons probably proliferated the earth like locusts. Jesus of course had the power to cast them out. The demons were terrified of Jesus and knew who he was (Mark 5; Matthew 12:27; Matthew 8:16, 28; Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:23-28, 32-34; Mark 7:24-30; Mark 9:25; Luke 4:33-35; Luke 7:20; Luke 8:2, 26-32; Luke 9:38-42; Luke 11:14; ).

In summary, the best way to combat demons is not give place to the devil, and the only way to do that is to be saved by repenting of your sins and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. Only then will you have power over the enemy (I John 2:13,14). Worshipping or consulting with evil spirits is an invitation to the destruction of your soul.

LORD LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Question, why would Jesus when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13 say, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. From the wording of the text it appears the Lord tempts us. James 1:13 states that God does not tempt any man by evil which is true. When reading any text –especially the scripture, it’s imperative to read the narrative in it’s context and define certain terms.

The word temptation in the Greek is peirasmos which means test or trial. Some trials have a beneficial purpose and effect (James 1:12) while others are designed entice us to sin and condemnation which the devil brings to us and also that by our own lust (Luke 22:3, 40; Matthew 4;1; James 1;14).

In actuality, the Lord test or tries us in the same manner he tested Abraham (Genesis 22). The reason is for the perfecting of our faith, the development of our character, for our total dependence on the Lord through the trial, and ultimately for the glory of God. The Lord does allow us to be tempted by the Devil for reasons often unbeknownst to us as he did with his servant Job (Job 1&2). Interesting note to make about Job; the Lord never answered his questions. It was only when Job confessed his sin of presumption against the Lord was he restored twice as much as he had prior to his hour of temptation (Job 42:6, 9-16). The Lord is never the source of the temptation when the enemy attacks although he permits the temptation. The Lord is sovereign, and he can do whatever he wants to do in the affairs of men. The Lord throughout scripture even uses evil to bring about his own ends (Genesis 50:20-21). Whether man comprehends the Lord’s intent or not is irrelevant for the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

The temptation that produces life

Listen to the wisdom in James 1:12, “Blessed (or fortunate) is the man that endures temptation. For when he is tried or approved he/she will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those that love him.” In this component of temptation, trial or tests, this can be what I call the perfect/direct will of God or the perfect/permissive will of God. The perfect/direct will is that test the Lord initiates and orchestrates himself. It has nothing to do with the enemy (i.e. Abraham, Genesis 22). The perfect/permissive test is when the enemy wants to destroy us but he is not allowed to do so because we’re protected by the power and providence of our God (i.e. Joseph In Genesis. Jesus in the wilderness Matthew 4:1). Therein lies the distinction between the perfect/direct and perfect/permissive. These trials are for our good and never our destruction for they’re providentially under the direction of the Spirit.

The temptation that brings death

The temptation that brings death is a ultimate result of us yielding to the evil desires of the flesh which results in sin, and sin is disobedience. We’re always tempted in the wrong way as well. This is the result of our enemy the devil, and our fallen nature. The scripture say, “every person is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). Because of our unhealthy desires for the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16), we’re tempted to sin and this results in our destruction. This only glorifies the Devil, not the Lord. This temptation is not of God for he will not tempt us to do evil neither can he be tempted with any evil (James 1:13). Always keep in mind that the temptation itself isn’t sin for even Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15); the yielding to the temptation is sin. This is a tragic reality in our lives for sin when it has matured brings forth death (James 1:15).

In summation

Hopefully with a better understanding of temptation we can better comprehend Jesus’ petition when he said, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The statement is a plea to the Lord to strengthen us when we’re tempted to sin so that we do not commit the evil we’re tempted to perform, but deliver us from snares, tricks of the devil. The scripture says, “Submit yourselves therefore unto God, resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7). Our lives will often dictate the devil’s proximity. Examine yourself to see if you’re living a life of obedience. The tests of the Lord are not designed for us to be delivered out of them, but to endure and be delivered through them that patience may have her perfect work (James 1:1-4); whereas the temptations of the enemy are for our destruction –for the thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy but I’ve come (i.e. Jesus) that you may have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). And also remember that, “there is no temptation that has overtaken you except such is common to man, but God is faithful who will NOT allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13).