Revelation 12:9, 13:8 … Satan… deceiveth the whole world… And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb A. According to Scriptures Satan deceives the whole world. He deceives them into worshipping him. It is sad, but yet it is true, Satan has deceived the great multitude into worshipping him unaware. B. Is it possible to worship the Devil when you do not intend to? Yes, according to Scriptures the heathen who worshipped images and made sacrifices to them unknowingly worshipped demons. -1st Corinthians 10:20 C. Who are the only ones that do not worship the dragon? According to Scriptures only those whose name is in the Lamb’s book of life don’t worship the dragon.
THE WORLD IS IMMERSED INTO THE SPIRIT OF SATAN 1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. The inhabitants of the world, those who have not been born of God, lieth in the wicked one. They are immersed in Satan and are under his power and his influence; and they fulfill his will.
SATAN’S SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:A. All men, even Christians before they are saved, walk in accordance to the ‘prince of the power of the air’ who is the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. B. The spirit of the evil one leads men to be disobedient to the word of God. It does not matter what men profess, or even if they attend Church, if they are disobedient and rebellious toward the Word of God, the ‘prince of the power of the air’ is at work in their life.
THE PRINCIPLES OF DRAGON WORSHIP
The Bible teaches the whole world worships the ‘Dragon’. There are three basic tenents to Dragon worship; and they might surprise you: 1. Do what you will. You decide what is wrong and right. 2. If it makes you happy then do it; since Pleasure is the goal. 3. Listen to your heart, let your heart be your guide, since your heart is the true dictator of truth….Satan is the god of this world, and he is adored and followed by the multitudes. Only a hand full of people openly worship him as the devil. The vast majority follow him in his different forms. You may say, “I don’t worship the devil”, but if these three tenets are a part of your life, then you are a worshipper of the dragon, if you realize it or not. The devilish book, “Satanism 101″ agrees:
“The worship of Satan is not a vital part of Satanism. You do not have to worship Satan to be a Satanist…. As long as you follow the Satanic way of life you can call yourself a Satanist” – Chapter 1, of Satanism 101. “DO WHAT THOU WILT” “DO WHAT THOU WILT SHALT BE THE WHOLE OF THE LAW” – From Aliester Crowley, The Book of the Law. In the worship of the dragon ‘self-will’ is set up against the Divine will. The Divine Law is ignored and men do that which is right in their own eyes [Judges 17:6]. Satan deceives men into thinking that they have the power to decide what is good and what is evil. Men become their own ‘Lord’ and ‘god’. In the true worship of GOD, we do not do what we will; but rather we seek the will of God. We pray, “Thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. The Christian’s greatest desire is to do the will of the Father. And he SUBMITS his will to that of his Lord’s. Jesus said those who enter heaven will be those who “Do the will of my Father” [Matthew 7:21].
DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY
Satan tempted Eve by offering her something to satisfy the flesh, and with the same objective he tempted Christ [Matthew 4:3-4]. Eve became a servant to sin because she chose pleasure over the Divine will. Jesus Christ exhibited his fidelity to God by remaining faithful to the divine will, at the expense of instant gratification.
“ The idea behind Satanism is to better yourself and do what makes you happy. As long as you follow the Satanic way of life you can call yourself a Satanist.” Chapter 1, of Satanism 101. In true worship the ultimate goal isn’t our personal pleasure, but to be pleasing to God in all things. Holiness and conformity to the image of Christ is our goal. If our personal ‘happiness’ conflicts with our “holiness’, we will choose holiness. Where as the dragon worshippers almost always choose ‘pleasure’ first.
Moses is a good example of rejecting the pleasures of sin, so he could be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ [Hebrews 11:24-26].
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART? “Listen to your heart because it will give you the best advice.” – Satanic Pride, 21 Satanic Statements There seems to be an endless number of songs and poetry and teachings in the world today that can be summed up with “Listen to your heart”. The world has taken this lie of Satan hook, line and sinker, because it makes the heart the dictator of truth.
True Worshippers know that the heart is not a trusty guide, the Bible teaches that it is deceitful above all things and wicked [Jeremiah 17:9] and a fool trusts in his own heart [Proverbs 28:26]. True worshippers do not look to themselves for truth, but to Jesus Christ who is the truth, and to his WORD, the BIBLE which is the truth in written form. All things are to be judged by the word of God, and it determines what is right and what is wrong. Even the ‘feelings’ of the heart must be made subject to the TRUTH of God’s word.
DON’T JUDGE ME!
This brings us to one of the favorite sayings of a dragon worshipper: “DON’T JUDGE ME”. They are very offended at any one who has the ability to discern between good and evil, and who calls ‘sin’ by its rightful name.The Christian is commanded to “Judge Righteously”, and they have the ability to discern. Jesus told us that we would know the tree by its fruit. An evil tree will bring forth bad fruit. The Dragon Worshipper doesn’t want anyone calling his evil deeds ‘sin’. He doesn’t want to be told that what he is doing is ‘wrong’. But the Christian believes the Bible and agrees with it when it calls evil SIN. A True Worshipper of God will receive godly correction and has a deep desire to be pure from all things that defiles.
IF WE “LOVE” THEN WE CAN’T BE SATANISTS? Many Dragon worshippers use this verse in attempt to prove that they are actually worshippers of God.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. They will tell you, “I love” therefore “I am of God”. But what “LOVE” are they speaking of? Satanists believe in ‘love’ also!
In one statement of faith shared on a Satanists website we read:
“Our destiny is to serve with compassion, love and spiritual faith of our beliefs, remembering to always bring comfort, aid and encouragement to all that come to us for help. We are to heal, give shelter, feed the hungry… We believe that as ministers we are to love one another as we serve all in faith and spiritual fulfillment… We serve man through Satan as Satan’s servants, and soldiers” – From the Satanic Statement of Faith. So we see that just because someone says they ‘love’ and do ‘good deeds’ it doesn’t mean they are of God.
Do you remember Aliester Crowley’s statement: “Do what thou wilt shall be the sum of the law”? Here is the next sentence:
“Love is the law; love under will” You see the Satanists believe in ‘love’, but the love is submissive to the self-will. Where as the true love of GOD is manifested in its submission and obedience to the Divine Will. Christians exalt love above their own will.
God’s love is explained in these verses: 1st John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
The True love of God is seen in the submission of the self-will to the Divine Will, and this is exhibited in the obedience of the commands of GOD.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him… Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Anyone who says they love God but are not willing to submit to the Commandments of GOD is a liar. And in truth are followers of the dragon, who is the Father of lies.
John 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
THE TRUE WORK OF EVERY MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Every person that is saved has had their eyes opened, and they have been delivered from the power Satan and translated into the Kingdom of God. This is without exception.
CONCLUSION
When we examine Satanism and see at its root is the exaltation of self-will above the divine will; and the trading of Divine Truth [The Word of God], for personal ‘truth’, it is easy to see that the whole world worships the dragon.Has this study convicted your heart? Are there elements of dragon worship in your life? God is able to save you from it. If you put your trust in Jesus Christ, receiving him as both LORD and Savior over your life, the blood of Jesus shall cleanse you from all sin, and the power of the Spirit of GOD will come into your heart enabling you to love and to follow the Lord.
Jesus said, ” ALL WHO BELIEVE”, not just the disciples/Apostles.
“Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Exod 15:26 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Exod 23:25-26 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
Deut 7:15 15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all…
This is a good series from Roberta Morrison. I’ve been reviewing it and getting a lot out of it that applies to relationships, even here on the WordPress blogosphere, where spiritual issues are concerned. I’ve had to examine my own life to try and understand why, at various times, I’ve had the misfortune to seem to be a magnet for dysfunctional, manipulative and controlling people. Most recently, within the last 3 years, I’ve had 3 people who’ve tried to latch onto me, and begin trying to take over my time…and life in a most aggressive way. I’ve been one of those people who try to be nice to people and as the word says, to try and be at peace as much as is possible, letting love cover all sins. But sometimes, boundaries have to be set. even if it offends the other person, like it or not. As a Christian, I believe the issues that pertain to our personal lives, most certainly navigate over into our spiritual lives, if we are not very careful. We’re all learning….there is no one that can say they are a finished product spiritually. So, what I’m trying to convey here is going to be more than just a cautionary tale, but addressing real problems with manipulative, controlling people, and especially those claiming to be Christians who may be approaching us from such a spirit, through our blogs and other social media, even emails. For example, I’ve had several who’ve come onto my blog, at first appearing to be very encouraging and supporting, expressing their “love” for me, and then gradually, becoming more controlling and aggressive to the point where I began feeling oppressed, and that they wanted to control or have a say in what I posted…..or apparently, even what I thought, and/or believed. And that everything I posted had to be filtered through them, according to their doctrines, and the stuff on their own blogs and websites. Yes, astonishingly, I was being bombarded with “teaching links” from their blogs, that were being sent to me, and also posted on my blog in the comment section; some of them quite lengthy. Even though I didn’t follow through with reading all this stuff, just doing damage control in trying to deal with this was taking up too much of my time…time which I needed for other important things…like prayer, study, and even my family! Apparently, they felt they were the sole arbiters of truth and that I needed their advice on just about everything and that I should be “admonished” by them.
The saying goes, and I believe it, that manipulation is as witchcraft. If someone comes to you, that you don’t really know, telling you they “feel led” to tell you to do this or that…BEWARE! You don’t know that God told them to do that and nine times out of ten…He didn’t! These types of CINO “Christians” in name only, are spiritual vampires…I don’t care how much scripture they have in their arsenal; it’s their motives I’m looking at, and when a so-called Christian becomes overbearing and doesn’t recognize or observe appropriate boundaries with us, we need to set those boundaries for our own preservation and spiritual safety. The bible says, “Work out your own salvation”…not someone elses!
There is scarcely anything that hinders or is more destructive to the move of the Spirit in the church than the manipulative, overbearing attitude of those who operate in the spirit of religious narcissism and elitism. This cult of religious, manipulative overloading within the church. The very thing the Lord Jesus warned about so many times. Have you seen this in churches? Most of you have if you’ve ever attended churches. I have, many times. It’s not always evident in the so-called leadership only, but in some of the members, who deem themselves pillars, as well. It’s one of the most obnoxious, offensive leavens that can take hold in any church. Also, unfortunately, it is altogether too prevalent, and the very reason the most needy of all people, those who are yet unsaved, to reject and shun Christianity,“because of all those hypocrites in the churches”. They are right! Even the world sees it! Word gets out, and the world recognizes the blatant hypocrisy operating in these churches and their clergy. What do you have when you are confronted with an elitist, intellectually arrogant “leadership” or the self righteous “pillars” in churches? Pharisees. Remember that the Lord Jesus greatest enemies was the religious bunch, the Pharisees, blind guides. Blind guides are not capable of leading others into anything except a ditch. Is this the reason many are leaving churches in droves? Quite possibly. The above video and the article by Mark Stephan, below, nails it!
CHRISTIAN ELITISM
By Mark Stephan on February 8, 2012 Missiology
There is a prevalent behavior in the church that is deeply rooted, often preached against, and almost always ignored, often by those preaching it. It is deeply integrated in western culture, could perhaps even be considered a foundation, yet with many things man-made, it is diametrically opposed to the gospel. I have been part of it, experienced it, fought against it, and even promoted it but for the last few years as I have focused in on it I have realized how damaging it is.
I am talking about Christian elitism. Elitism based in having some newfound knowledge that is world-based that makes a Christian think they are ‘better’ than another or another is ‘better’ than them. While we say this is not true, that we are all saved and equal in the eyes of God, our actions betray us. The cult of Christian idol worship has been spread thick. From marketing campaigns of hero-worship of ‘Christian idols’ to organizations of higher education trying to make a system where getting a Christian or even a secular degree with acronyms placed behind your name from academia is given equal value as receiving a special knowledge from God.
This in no small way has impacted missions. Missiologists and their organizations spend more time studying and promoting strategies based on anthropologies, sociologies, linguistics, cultural sensitivities, even business-like strategies marketing and multiplication taught by gurus and leaders and motivational speakers from around the nation, than they do deep in the heart of the Word of God and deep child-like following of the simple call to go and preach the gospel. They would make any politician envious of the tools they have in their war chests. The western church has become salesmen of the gospel, not bold men and women having been changed by it glorifying God as megaphones spreading the truth that God the Father, Son, and Spirit have done an amazing thing through Christ the Son! As salesmen, they have distracted from the Sonship of Christ, as though it were a product undesirable or a painful side-effect of some medicine. It is regulated to the fine-print footnotes if presented at all. It is with this special man-made knowledge that they deem to have authority over the gospel to adjust, change, contextualize and improve on the message. Many of these mission idols have their own websites, branding, they go out on the speaker circuit, written books, and even involved in politics. If there were an ‘Mission Idol’ contest, they would be the celebrity judges. If you think I am thinking of one individual, I am not. There are far too many of them. We humans love the cult of celebrity. We give them power because we believe they have some secret knowledge that we lack. Do not misunderstand, I am not saying books and training are wrong. But we have relied on them and given them power above who we should adore, Christ, and His Word to us, the Bible. If capitalism ever did something truly evil, it was making the outreach to the nations a capitalistic endeavor. A whole industry has been created to support it. The temple is full of money exchangers of the gospel.
‘Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.‘ (1 Cor 3:18)
‘For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.‘ (1 Cor 1:25)
We know these verses; we quote them all the time. Yet, do we practice them? The guilty are on both sides. In the last week I have seen many emails pertaining to the sinfulness being exposed in one notable Christian organization. In one dialogue the individuals I was corresponding with said that they trust this organization because they have training in such and such degrees, and are known to be very smart in such and such things. Yet, when I asked them, when they first heard about the actives, what did the Holy Spirit tell you. Immediately the person said, they felt grieved in the Spirit. Then, when I asked ‘why do you say you trust this organization still?’ They replied, “Because they were trained for this.”
This is the crux of the issue. We as humans have relied on our own understanding, in spite of the Holy Spirit clearly saying something to the opposite. Why is it, that even though the Holy Spirit tells us one thing, we over-ride it with outside knowledge? Or, in fear hold our tongue and remain silent because of what people will think of us, or afraid we are too uneducated? Can anyone be more an expert than God? Has any Christian organization or person ever been without fault and worthy of such steadfast praise overriding God’s distint warning? Do we truly believe in the Holy Spirit and that He is God himself? Does not the Holy Spirit confirm what is in the Word of God? What is it that we Christians say we believe, and is that truly congruent with what we do?
The very same organization that this person is talking about has often spoken about the ‘man in the pew’ in patronizing ways. As though they are some mass mob to be swayed and if this mob gets too big and sways against them, then only then will they have to change their ways. This is a perfect example of Christian elitism, looking down on brothers and sisters in Christ as though they do not know what they are doing, wanting to sway them with a public relations campaign. Of course, most people who sit in the pews do not have the training that this organization does; neither do they have PhD’s after their names or grand titles. The average man in the pew has not spent years in training philosophizing and theorizing. The average Christian is just that, average. Yet, is being average so bad? Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Rom 1:22) We walk a very thin line. Academia is highly praised by those who have it, and equally praised by those who see people who have it. I myself have highly esteemed it, and considered the studies of man-made knowledge to be very useful. I know very well I am highly over educated in the knowledge of men, and the pride and puffed-up knowledge that comes with that is a foolishness that I fight daily. Do not misunderstand me, I have no problem with higher education, but does this learning make you wiser? Does it give you more discernment? For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 2:6) If you are truly a Bible-believing Christian, then there is only one answer to this question. Wisdom comes from God alone. It cannot be learned. It is only revealed by the sovereign will of God.
Yet, we are so treacherous. We betray that which we say we follow. Of course as Christians, we say we know this. We know we are fallen creatures desperately in need of a savior. We know our own depravity, and hopefully at the same time, we realize the abundant grace that is given to us through the blood of the Son of God the Father, Jesus Christ. Yet, for some reason, or minds are clouded, judgment impaired, and knowing our own faults, we rush to support people who are no more perfect than us. We bestow on them super-human credibility in their man-made knowledge, when in truth, they are fools.
Rather, the scripture is clear:
1. “… both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2)
2. “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 of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33,36)
3. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright …” (Proverbs 2:6)
4. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20)
5. “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven – what can you do? Deeper than Sheol – what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.” (Job 11:7)
6. ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3)
7. “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11)
8. “… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe …” (Ephesians 1:17)
9. “Surely the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
10. “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets.” (Daniel 2:28)
11. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31)
Brothers, Sisters, there is no hidden knowledge in Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, neither in Mathematics, Physics, nor any creation of man. Knowledge, Wisdom, and truth lay in one central and sole location, God the Father, Son and Spirit. The good news is that, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free– and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:13) We could add educated and non-educated, ‘professional Christian’ and laity, Missionary and seat warmer, pastor and disciple to this list. We are all in one Spirit. If this is true, and any Bible believing Christian should attest to this, then it is that the same Spirit that is in all of us. The same voice of God speaks to all of us. So why is it then that we allow worldly knowledge, which is foolishness to God, supersede Heavenly knowledge, which is inside of us? Does the Word of God come from man’s lips? Or should we seek the Word of God from His Word?
This is not an issue of authority or advocating a free-for-all within the church. But the measure of a man, and the leadership of which he ought to exercise over those around him should be determined over their maturity and wisdom in one thing alone, God. There are many with academic splendor, and the notoriety of man lifts them up. Yet in the simplest of things, their faith, their walk, and wisdom of God, they fail. A mark of true maturity and wisdom in the Spirit is a mark of a man who continually lays all earthly knowledge, all learned things, at the feet of God the Father, Son and Spirit and trade it for foolishness of following the one true God, who has chosen the simplicity of having dearly loved children to be the ones who go out and preach and display a gospel of love, sacrifice, of Fatherhood and Sonship, and of total utter dependence on that Father for not only physical and spiritual needs, but for all of our mental needs as well.
This is a reminder, to all believers out there, that whether you are the man in the pew, or the theologian, academic, linguist, anthropologist or mission’s strategist, that you are not smarter than God. That no matter how intelligent you make something sound, the Spirit of God that is in a child is far more wise on its most foolish day than you could ever be on your brightest. On the same token, the child of God should feel no timidity in the presence of those who lord their gained academics over others. As for me, I fight daily against my pride, and work out my faith to be like a Child worthy to be Gods, trust in the Word of God, and rely on the Holy Spirit that backs up the Word of God. Revealing the deep truths, and the simplicities and power of the Gospel for the world and myself. If I have knowledge, I compare it to the Word, and it cannot stand. Outside of the Word I am a fool. Immersed in the Word, I am a child. To God alone be the Glory.
Praise to him, for he has made attaining his wisdom simple.
Trust in Him. Listen to the Spirit. Dig deep in the Word of God. Measure all your thoughts, desires and activities by these, alone.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (Eph 5:1)
Self love is at the root of pride, including spiritual pride….. and pride is bound up in the ego and self-ishness of mankind.
The Lord Jesus knows our hearts, and this is just one of the many blessed words our Lord had to say about spiritual pride. I hope you will take the time to watch the video, it is a true blessing.
” He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Lester Sumrall was one of the last true Apostles of the Lord to speak to the America people regarding the last days warnings regarding the moral and spiritual decline of the United States. We are surely seeing these warnings coming to pass in this hour, in 2016. The election of a new America President will not change these warnings. Without a true collective and heartfelt repentance of the American people back to the God of the Bible, judgment will surely follow.
The Old Timers, our grandmothers and grandfathers knew how to read their bibles…and did. These were folks that were devout and went to church every Sunday without fail, rain or shine. One of the sayings they had, was “We’ll be there, the Good Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise”. Many of you youngsters have probably never heard that one, unless the saying was passed on to you by your great grand parents. because that goes back a long ways when they really did have to traverse streams and creeks on dirt roads in horses and buggies to get to church, or a neighbors. Another saying, the one in my post title, had to do with someone these old timers knew to be a “sinner”, who may have been a drunkard, or a “loose woman”, or some other individual who was thought of as dishonest, or immoral. They called these people “Snake bit”. The reason for the “snake pit” moniker was because of the scriptures in Numbers where the Hebrews had been sinning by speaking out against the Lord, murmuring and complaining, and the Lord sent fiery poisonous snakes among them, and some were bitten and some died. Then the Lord God made provision in His Mercy and goodness, and had Moses to make a brazen serpent on a pole, so that when they would look upon this image, they’d be healed. As you will see, in the scriptures, this was a shadow and type of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, that is to say, “Him who had been made sin for us”. The serpent on the pole represented sin. So, you see, there is a correlation between sin, sickness and disease. The Lord wants us to look upon Jesus Christ and Him crucified, who suffered death on the Cross, for our healing from sin, sickness and spiritual death. I hope you will see the connection the Lord made for us to understand, because it is a very powerful revelation that has to do with our being able to appropriate our healing, whatever the need.
Here is how it went…
“And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”
Jesus Himself made the connection between the Brazen Serpent on the pole, and His own death on the Cross, when He said:
“ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” John 3:14
Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I believe that every member of The Body of Christ is a full and equal peer under ONLY Jesus. I contend that all Christ followers are true siblings and that no believer ever has the “rule” over and above other believers. Many in the traditional “church” believe in Ruling Elders and that only the Clergy are to be in charge over the church. I say that ONLY Jesus is The Head, Ruler and true Shepherd of His Church.
It seems that most traditional “church” Pastors disagree with my stance on church leadership. I mention these Pastors here because they often quote Hebrews 13: 17 as a validation of having humans rule over others in the church. Today I want to take an honest look at that verse and determine what it might really mean to all of us in His Church.
This is a very important subject that should be addressed more seriously within the Body of Christ. We are living in an age of sexual promiscuity, and temptation is everywhere you look. There is no escaping the way the world flaunts this in our faces, and we are vexed with it on a daily basis. We’d have to be taken out of this world to avoid it entirely. I remember a young spirit filled preacher I used to fellowship with, and he brought up this subject, and how during his college days, before he was saved, he’d been very sexually promiscuous, but then after he was saved, and living for the Lord Jesus, became concerned about what effects his previous sexual freedom may have opened portals for demons to come in and attack him in various ways.
I believe he made some very valid points; ones that are clearly outlined in this message. It’s a serious issue, dear friends, and one not to be taken lightly. We can avoid serious spiritual consequences by keeping our minds, bodies and spirits clean according to the word and the admonitions in this teaching. Pass this on to your young teens…as they are going to be facing temptations so much stronger than ever we did, back in our day.
Scans from the book Demonic Warfare: Exposing Demonic Traps in Your Life By Edward Johnson
I CORINTHIANS 6:15-20
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your…
So most of you who follow me know that I’ve been absent since I’ve started this blog almost one year ago. I’ve shared a few reasons why I’ve been absent. See, the enemy has been hard at work trying to kill, steal, and destroy up in my family. Let me tell you about his latest scheme. I told you already about him trying to destroy my son’s life through addiction. Well, here is a new scheme he tried pulling on us.
A few months back I started to be really sick, just sucked of all my energy, then sinus infection, one right after another. I went to see a specialist and we made arrangements for me to go ahead and have surgery done because during his exam, he found a polyp in my nasal cavity. I was ecstatic to have it removed to finally be rid of what had been…
The Old Timers, our grandmothers and grandfathers knew how to read their bibles…and did. These were folks that were devout and went to church every Sunday without fail, rain or shine. One of the sayings they had, was “We’ll be there, the Good Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise”. Many of you youngsters have probably never heard that one, unless the saying was passed on to you by your great grand parents. because that goes back a long ways when they really did have to traverse streams and creeks on dirt roads in horses and buggies to get to church, or a neighbors. Another saying, the one in my post title, had to do with someone these old timers knew to be a “sinner”, who may have been a drunkard, or a “loose woman”, or some other individual who was thought of as dishonest, or immoral. They called these people “Snake bit”. The reason for the “snake pit” moniker was because of the scriptures in Numbers where the Hebrews had been sinning by speaking out against the Lord, murmuring and complaining, and the Lord sent fiery poisonous snakes among them, and some were bitten and some died. Then the Lord God made provision in His Mercy and goodness, and had Moses to make a brazen serpent on a pole, so that when they would look upon this image, they’d be healed. As you will see, in the scriptures, this was a shadow and type of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, that is to say, “Him who had been made sin for us”. The serpent on the pole represented sin. So, you see, there is a correlation between sin, sickness and disease. The Lord wants us to look upon Jesus Christ and Him crucified, who suffered death on the Cross, for our healing from sin, sickness and spiritual death. I hope you will see the connection the Lord made for us to understand, because it is a very powerful revelation that has to do with our being able to appropriate our healing, whatever the need.
Spiritual Abuse Sanctuary 