Divide and Conquer

One very simple rule of warfare is to “divide conquer”. One way to implement this strategy is to divide your enemy into sects that fight against each other and away from you. We see this in the Christian churches. They are divided into over one thousand separate denominations, doctrines, and sects some of which despise the others. Each is more concerned in maintaining their system than in combining forces against their common enemy, the Devil.

Another implementation is to assault your adversary from two or more fronts at one time. This causes confusion and it is pretty much guaranteed to overwhelm and demoralize the enemy and to wear them down in a war of attrition. This deadly dynamic has been proved effective on two notable occasions in history. One was during the Napoleonic Wars where Napoleon mounted a two-front campaign. The second was during World War Two when Hitler initiated a “Zweifrontenkrieg” (two-front war). History books are long in relating the disastrous results of these errors in tactics.

It is this second strategy I want to focus on. Napoleon and Hitler both initiated the two-front war. But, I want to call attention to the multiple-front strategy initiated from without (the dynamics are the same either way). It is being directed on all sides by those forces that are bent on destroying America and Christianity. These are the same forces that are plotted and choreographed by the same mastermind, Satan, who, from the beginning, has hated this country and its Christian population.

To counter the various and almost uncountable threats, many so-called “Right-Wing” organizations and Christian groups have marshaled their resources against the “Left-Wing” atheists, witches, tree huggers, baby killers, New Agers, and a plethora of other haters of our nation and our God. They are making constant pleas for funds so that they may continue taking a stand against those who hate truth, justice, and the American way

But that’s also my point. There are so many organizations that you almost can’t count them because there are so many heathens fighting against us that you can hardly deal with them. Surely they are doing a great work. But, the onslaught against truth and the cries for help are overwhelming the mind of the average Christian. Everywhere they turn they are being asked to help and to give. It may be to help rescue children from the slave trade in North Africa or it may be to help feed the indigent in the Appalachian Mountains. It is my opinion that, as a result, he simply shuts down and does nothing. The entire matter is just too much to contend with.

This perhaps helps to explain why such a large majority of “believers” and other lovers of truth simply do nothing. At least I certainly hope so. Nothing else makes much sense as to why the people of this great nation simply sit passively by one day at a time and watch it being ripped from their hands one piece at a time. They don’t contact their Congressmen, they don’t support those who are fighting for their very existence, and they won’t even vote! According to a CNN poll only about 25% of “Christians” vote. Of those, 25% vote for the baby killers and those who hate Christians. Go figure. Not much else other than epithets can account for this (and I prefer to think more positively about the family of God and other decent folks so I won’t go there).

Yet, what else can be said when the enemy is working indefatigably day and night to pillage our rights and nation and the good people of our country do…nothing. Watchmen are screaming the alarm from the rooftops and our people do…nothing. The internet is buzzing with truth. We have more information instantly available than at any other time in history and our people do…nothing. The churches are empty at most other times than Sunday and Wednesday because no one is crying out to God in prayer. They’re doing…nothing. Some appear to prefer abject ignorance while others don’t want to rock the boat. Others actually repudiate the truth because they bear no witness with it.

On such example is my ex-brother-in-law who is an intelligent hard working individual. He’s a great guy and good friend. Yet he would have none of this “crazy talk” about “Big Brother” taking over. There were no “ears to hear” concerning the government’s complicity in the overthrow of the working man and of the country. He wasn’t concerned as long as he had his new Sony big screen TV and his gas BBQ grill. I was unable to further communicate with him on the matter. He was in abject denial and was doing…nothing to save his sinking ship. He and I were divided on the issue.

And so the story goes day after day, church after church, home after home, neighborhood after neighborhood, city after city, and state after state. Save for the few brave stalwarts who have been and are sacrificing for the good of their country, the “Silent Majority” remains mute, divided, and immobilized.

Perhaps people only unite and cry out to God when they have to live on leeks and onions and are required to build bricks with mud and straw. We shall see.






.

Trouble in The Body of Christ

Somewhat recent events in the politics of America reinforced a concern that I have seen in the Body of Christ for a long time. The events: the Presidential Elections of 1996, 2000, and 2004. The concern is the almost unfathomable and unthinkable fact that good, honest, decent, church-going "Christians" were going to the polls and voting for politicians who are supporters of the wholesale slaughter of babies in their mother’s wombs. But it doesn’t stop there. They were also voting for the same politicians who believe in the murder of full-term babies as they are being born (i.e. the inescapably horrific “partial-birth abortion”), the imposition of homosexuality as normative (even teaching it to kindergarteners!), and the imposition of homosexuals themselves upon our lives against our will and rights.[1] There is an entire litany of evils that they perpetrate including being resolutely and relentlessly against the Christians themselves and everything that they believe in[2]. Nevertheless, they were (and are) being elected into office with the help of “Christians”!

How could anyone who bears the name of Jesus love vote for the purveyors of evil without so much as a second thought or a twinge of conscience? How could anyone, especially the blood-bought, born-again, believers vote against themselves to their own destruction?! How can they fight bitterly for a cause and campaign with alacrity for the very people who hate them and everything in which they believe?!

Now, let’s go another direction. The body is also fragmented into hundreds and hundreds of separate sects, doctrines, denominations, and just about every imaginable schism. Instead of seeking for “the truth” of God’s word, they arrogantly and loudly proclaim that they have “the gospel” and everyone else is wrong (and perhaps even going to hell by not belonging to their specific group). They are the “defenders of the faith” and most others are heretical. Many act more like enemies than brethren.

Let’s also consider how often we have seen a “Christian” (even those in “ministry”) treat a brother or sister in a brutish or even evil manner and be completely oblivious to the fact that word of God, Christ Jesus, is living in that person? Such lack of fruition, wisdom, and such presentation of carnality appears to be the norm rather than the exception. It is easily observable that the body is completely without fruition and maturity. We can find little or no evidence that the Lord of the entire universe is, presumably, living in each of them. How shameful can this be?

This is also to say that we see no manifestation of the power of the Spirit of God as is so clearly demonstrated in the Bible. We are not observing the power which was set into the church for the edification of the saints and to empower them to be witnesses. They have a presumption and form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. This too is more than just sad.


Why?

The question that I was forced to take to the Lord was, obviously, "Why?" Why would Christians do such things and how could they be “Spirit-filled” and still act like undisciplined two year olds most of the time? How is it that the Spirit of the living God can indwell us and there be no power demonstrated to the world? Why is the body of Christ continually being beaten, overcome, and brought into bondage by an enemy who is already defeated? How can an army be empowered by the Holy Spirit and yet be consistently and completely defeated when the Bible teaches “liberty” in Christ Jesus?

There is only one thing that can account for such a contradiction in both common sense and scripture; “ignorance”. In fact, it all boils down to being “willingly ignorant”. “Willingly ignorant” is when you have access to “knowledge”, “wisdom”, and “understanding” (i.e. the Bible and access to God Himself and to revelation knowledge of the word of God by the Holy Spirit) and you do not avail yourself of it. Or you refuse to seek the truth thinking that the (established) doctrines of men are “the truth”.[3] In other words, you refuse to seek truth any longer thinking that you already have all of the “answers”. [4] This is what the Bible says:

Ø “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” (Hosea 4:6)

It also says this:

Ø “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7)

Make note that the Bible will not require a person to do something that cannot be done. We must “get” or “obtain” wisdom from God’s word as we will not get it through osmosis merely by carrying around a leather-bound Bible. Wisdom is readily available for all but it must be sought after. God will not just “grant” it to us since it’s available through His word and because He has instructed us to obtain it. There is only one specific example where wisdom was gifted to someone. That, of course, was the case of King Solomon. It is error to excise the rest of the Bible and make a doctrine (of getting wisdom by “grant”) on this one example.

The “rejection” in Hosea 4:6 is a “default”. It is a non-seeking of the Kingdom of God and a lack of studying of the Word of God (i.e. a choice not to). It is reliance upon any other “source” instead (or no source at all; either of which produce the same results of the default status of being ignorant). That means that, when you reject “knowledge”, you reject God’s word (the source of all knowledge). God’s word and God are one (John 1:1) so the result is the rejecting of God. Hear again the word of the Lord:

Ø “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst” (Isaiah 5:13 AV)

This "ignorance" is depriving the body of the fullness of the will of God and bringing them into a bondage/captivity of the triple yokes of “secularism”, “humanism”, and “religion”[5] (all three are “worldliness” because they are without “Godliness”). This condition precludes knowledge of the word of God which, in turn, precludes the blessings of the “New Covenant” and its abundant grace. The covenant promises which Christians have with God in Christ are made of no effect. This ignorance prohibits their coming into the knowledge of “the Truth”. A lack of knowledge of “the Truth” is also a lack of (Godly) wisdom since both are congruent with God’s word. Importantly, a lack of knowledge of “the Truth” is also a lack of knowledge of Christ Himself since He is “the Truth”. Not a least consideration is that a lack of knowledge of “the Truth” represents a lack of freedom as well.[6] There is no reasoning for this condition since all things pertaining to life and Godliness have been given us in abundance.[7]


Repentance from Ignorance

It is high time that we become aware of our status and repent. To “repent” means to “turn away from”. However, that also means that we must “turn to” the Lord. When we turn to the Lord we will find that there is no part of the truth of God’s word being hidden from us. We must seek the Kingdom of God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our might, mind, and strength so that we are no longer steeped in ignorance, powerlessness, and even deception. Let’s say it this way: all truth, all wisdom, and all power are available in God’s word but we must diligently seek it through study, meditation, and prayer.[8] There are, therefore, no excuses for remaining ignorant and in captivity to the doctrines of men and demons. There is no reason to be defeated by Satan our adversary.

Remember this also: it is never a problem to be in error. God’s grace and forgiveness is sufficient to cover our frailty and our sin. It is, however, a problem to remain in error. Being in error is a problem because we are cheated out of the covenant promises in Christ and from ever arriving to the full will of the Lord. That also means the Lord’s people can suffer unnecessarily (and they surely do) for a lack of understanding such things as “spiritual warfare”. It means that that our adversary, Satan, is victorious though he was defeated 2,000 years ago. We can start where we are and begin the process of becoming manifestly “Christian” with the living word of God (the word of Truth) abiding in us. It is never too late to seek the truth of God’s word.

Though the body of Christ is in trouble, there yet remains hope. If we will humble ourselves and turn our hearts and minds toward God (and not the world), and if we will seek Him (and His Kingdom) first and turn from our worldliness (and our “religion”), we will grow up unto Him who is our Savior. Only then will we arrive at the knowledge of “the truth” and be “free indeed”.


[1] They would even force the acceptance of homosexuals in the pulpit!
[2] Other evils encompass a rabid desire to overthrow (from within) the governmental system we recognize today and replace it with socialism
[3] Assuming that, since they have been around for a lengthy time, they are correct and valid
[4] There is no inactivity in the Kingdom of God since inactivity is “darkness”. That’s why it is necessary to seek after the things of God and to “press” into the Kingdom (of Light). Therefore, inaction leads to the default of ignorance (darkness)
[5] A shocking amount of Protestant doctrine and practice is actually Catholic (an unclean mixture of paganism and Christianity) and it is also “humanistic” through such doctrines as “Calvinism”
[6] “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)
[7] 2 Peter 1:3. But, remember; just because something is “given” doesn’t mean that is automatically “taken”
[8] There are no other qualifications for being able to receive knowledge and wisdom in the word

Line Upon Line


There is a principle for learning the Bible that, though obvious, is not being taken into account by almost all of Christianity. It is the principle of comprehending God’s word as a “Line Upon Line Revelation”. This principle is simply an application of the “Law of Sowing and Reaping”. We know this because the word of God is a “seed” (as seen in Mark 4 and Luke 8) and it will bear fruit under the conditions prescribed in the Bible. Let’s first anchor this with what the Bible says:

Ø “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10)

We actually see this principle used in the “natural” all of the time. We send our children to school knowing that you have to teach them (i.e. we plant the seed of) the “basics” of learning day by day, month by month, and year by year until they are (hopefully) competent to enter into society and into the work/business force. No one at any time expects a “short cut” because there are none. However, an interesting phenomenon rears its ugly head when we get “religious” with this principle. Man has set doctrinal parameters so that any “knowledge” which is not recognized by their denomination is highly suspect at the least and heretical at the worst. This disallows actually knowing the word of God.

Let’s explain some of the history of theology this way. When revelation came to someone, that particular truth was established as “orthodoxy”. An example is when Martin Luther had the revelation that we are “saved by grace through faith”. This is an absolute truth and it is not negotiable. It is the bedrock of Christianity and all else must be based on this foundational truth. However, rather than continuing to grow and learn (with the understanding of the “line upon line” principle) men have “camped” on that one revelation and ceased to mature. A typical scenario is that this revelation starts with a man who establishes the truth. Because there is no further revelation (i.e. “growth”), the work becomes a movement. Again, because of a lack of growth and additional truth, becomes a machine. When the originator of that doctrine dies, the church/denomination then becomes a monument.[1]

Then, in a natural progression of revelation, another person will receive a legitimate revelation of the word of God by the Spirit and will establish this ensuing truth (along with the first one) as “orthodoxy. At this point the people of the “first revelation” now consider the people of the “second revelation” heretics. Strangely, the exact dynamic will play out with the people of the new truth. According to them, all others (before and after their “truth”) are considered partakers of false doctrine(s) and may well be considered “heretics”. In fact, most denominations will declare that there is no other “revelation” of the Bible other than what they teach.[2] This thought is in direct denial of the principle of “Line Upon Line” revelation and even challenges common sense.

Another way to demonstrate this principle is this: all of us who have read the Bible have read certain passages many many times. Then, all of sudden, seemingly out of nowhere (and even after years of being a believer), we actually have a revelation of a certain scripture and it comes alive (is “quickened” by the Spirit) as never before. Sometimes we may even ask ourselves “who put that verse in there?!” This is simply progressive revelation of what is already in the Bible. It is the Holy Spirit making the truth of His word real and alive to His people. Let’s make this statement, then: there is no further revelation of the word of God to man other than what is in the Bible. This is an absolutely correct assertion. However, because of a lack of understanding to the progressive (i.e. growing in) revelation of the word, people will cease to grow thinking that their doctrine is the bottom-line truth of God’s word. In fact, it is a partial truth and therefore is false.

Doesn’t “progressive revelation” make sense? How can you teach trigonometry to someone who has no understanding of algebra? How can you teach auto mechanics if they have no idea of the workings of an internal combustion engine? Yet “religion” will exclude common sense such as this.

Peter the Apostle addressed the matter too. He said this:

Ø “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3)

It is clearly understood that infants don’t eat meat. Is it any different when we speak of spiritual matters? Not according to the Apostle Paul who said this:

Ø “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The meaning is clear: because “babies” are “carnal” (i.e. worldly), they are unable to grasp the “meat” of God’s word. Notice that Paul the Apostle wasn’t unwilling to feed them with a greater revelation of the understanding of the word that he had; he was unable to. He could have taught for endless days and they would not have understood what he was saying. They had yet to mature spiritually just as any “baby” in the natural must mature.

This principle is exactly why we as believers must stay in the word without ceasing and earnestly so that we can receive “fresh bread” on a continual basis. Bread/food must be eaten regularly for someone to remain in health. So it is in the “spiritual” realm. We see the Bible addressing this exact issue on many occasions:

Ø “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8)

Ø “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:18)

Ø “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16)

Ø “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2)

Ø “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)

There is little doubt that the Bible is showing us to inundate[3] ourselves in God’s word.[4] Considering today’s technology, this is easier than ever. Virtually every believer has a Bible on hand but we are now in the age where we can play the Bible on cassette or CD all day if desired. We also have (free) streaming audio available so a person can even listen to the word while working at the computer.[5] Besides the on-hand hard copy materials there are also any number of Bibles and helps (concordances, commentaries, et. al.) available which are easily installed on a computer. In other words; there are no reasons or excuses not to continually be studying the word of life and stay in the ignorance of false doctrines. That’s also to say that there are no excuses for not having a revelation of “the truth” of God’s word since, as we study, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to us.[6] We can also say it this way: there are no reasons to remain immature and in bondage and captivity. .

We need to note at this point that there are no exclusions or pre-qualifications for having “revelation knowledge” of God’s word. We are all equal and God is no respecter of persons. No one is required to first be a “minister” before qualifying for the “meat” (deeper revelation of the word). To impose this thought on the believer is to be in error and to be of the Nicolaitan spirit.[7] One simply has to diligently seek the Kingdom of God through prayer and the word of the Lord.


The Law of Sowing and Reaping

Another major consideration concerning learning is the “Law of Sowing and Reaping”. Since the Kingdom of God is within us, not one aspect of the Kingdom of God or our Christian experience can be precluded from this law.

In Mark 4:14 we see that the word of God is a “seed” In addition, we see this:

Ø “For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear” (Mark 4:28)

For some reason, many people will not hear the parables of Jesus for what they are. Most dictionaries define a “parable” like this:

Ø par·a·ble (păr'ə-bəl) n. A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson

In Christianity we further understand it to also mean:

Ø The use of “natural” things to explain “spiritual” things.

We see Jesus using parables continually. He is using the obvious (like farming and fishing) to explain the Kingdom of God. Why, then would be not hear what He has to say and not apply it to our Christian experience? Unfortunately, some of these parables are dismissed and ascribed historical significance. This ought not to be.

Since the word of God is a “seed”, then we know that it must be planted. The fourth chapter of Mark explains that there are even different types of soil in which to plant the seed.[8] This means that it take time to “grow” faith (faith being a “fruit”[9]). How can it not likewise mean that the revelation of God’s word is the same (i.e. line upon line until it becomes fruitful)? Let’s say it this way; if you continually plant the seed of the word of God, you will reap a harvest a revelation. The understood part here is that we must prepare our “soil” (our heart) and then keep our “garden/farm”[10] free from “weeds” (cares of the world[11]) and “stones”.[12]



Conclusion

We’ve seen that the entire Kingdom of God is, basically, a garden. Seed is sown. That seed, then, must germinate (i.e. be “quickened” by the Spirit). Then, it will gradually grow into full fruition. It is our responsibility as individual believers, to not stop at any given point of that process. If we do, we will either create a new doctrine or get caught up in an existing “partial doctrine” denomination/church. Now we also know that this growth process is “line upon line” revelation according to the “Law of Sowing and Reaping” as the word of God is sown into our hearts and minds.

Another way to look at this is to note that it is little different than being good stewards or, more accurately, good husbandmen over our “garden” (the Kingdom of God is within us). As doers of the word, we disallow the planting of “dark” seed and such things that are “un-peaceful”. The birds of the field are not allowed to eat our seed (the word of God) and are resisted. This is also to say that we are “peace makers” and “peace keepers” who protect the “garden of peace” (the Kingdom of Peace) and don’t allow the defilement of what God has given us. As we do this, there is no hindrance to the revelation of the word. The word is not choked out by the cares of the world. It all comes together as a harvest unto a complete/completed revelation of the truth that makes free.












[1] A recognized path of apostasy http://users.bigpond.net.au/joeflorence/loyal.html and http://www.touchet1611.org/CostlyAge.html
[2] With some even being so exclusive that only those recognized in or by their church are saved. All others are Hell-bound
[3] “To overwhelm as if with a flood; swamp”. We are to wash/flood ourselves with the “washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26)
[4] E.g. Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2
[5] http://www.higherpraise.com/AudioTalking.htm
[6] Studying is a “corresponding action” to our faith and is being a “doer of the word”
[7] Conquerors of the people
[8] We can even say “different types of farms that have different soils”
[9] Galatians 5:22
[10] Isaiah 5811
[11] Also in Mark 4
[12] Mark 8:17

Counselors Not of God

In their “ times of troubles”, believers may turn to counsel from respected "ministers/pastors/teachers". Not amazingly (at least to me), only too often their reach for help finds little if any resolution to the problem. This is despite the pastors diligently giving the counselee benefit of their (often enormous) education.[1] In such cases, instead of a resolution of the matter, they bring them further into bondage because of both errant doctrinal teachings that preclude any involvement of the Christian in his own life and because of a denial of the power of God.[2] He is taught, for instance, that there is nothing that he can do to be a better Christian or to help himself through his problems (i.e. a lack of empowerment). Instead, he is taught that God will cause things to happen in his life to (bludgeon) him into being a better person. In this instance, the individual is counseled that God will help him or not at His discretion. God is projected as sovereign and in control therefore one is to just accept the circumstances that are killing them, stealing from them, and destroying their marriage and even their life. No account of the covenant and of the grace of God in Christ is ever considered.

One sad example is that of a young man who called into a radio “teacher’s” program.[3] The “teacher” is a well-respected and nationally-known “grace” teacher. The caller, a believer, was expressing how he was bound by his flesh and by alcohol addiction. He had no understanding of how to resist the enemy and his flesh. He was under the constant guilt and condemnation brought about by his constant failure to overcome his addictions. He was desperate for relief because his entire life was being devistated. He felt utterly helpless and his voice reflected his hopelessness; he was literally begging for help. The “teacher” just shuffled around and about spewing his graceless doctrinal blather and told the guy to just “leave it at the cross” and “give it to Jesus” and all would be well. He should have taken authority in the name of Jesus and introduced the “anointing” that destroys the yoke. But, his powerless religion would have none of it. He smugly went on with the rest of his program thinking that he had "helped" but he left the poor man to drown in a satanic sea of bondage; without help and without hope. The man may well fall away and lose his salvation because of this “teachers” ignorance or he may simply end the suffering with a bullet to the brain.

Another tragic example of such ignorance is that of my own next door neighbor (a believer). She had been diagnosed with cancer. When it came to my attention, I asked if she would like prayer for healing. “Oh, no!”, She said, almost offended. “My heavenly Father gave me cancer because He loves me!”. I didn’t know whether to throw up or cry. She had received counsel (probably from her pastor) that was clearly extra-Biblical. She died not understanding why God would assassinate her in the prime of her life but blindly trusting in His “love”. It is little wonder why those in the world think that Christians are mentally unstable.

Another horrific example was that of one in the news some years ago. A young man was experiencing extreme emotional duress. He asked his pastor if God would send him to Hell if he committed suicide. He was advised that suicide was allowed by God as an acceptable escape from one's problems. The young man, rather than fight against such pressures (as the Bible teaches in an incredibly plain way) took the path of least resistance and did just exactly what the counselor (the pastor of a huge church of great renown on the west coast) had condoned; he committed suicide. After all, this man of “great wisdom and knowledge” had told him that it was acceptable with God. The parents, understandably, were devastated and sued the man and his church. This travesty made national headlines.

Obviously, the counselor/pastor did not advise the man to commit suicide. In fact, I don’t question the man’s heart or intentions in the matter at all. But, why didn't this “great teacher”, lauded of many men as a spiritual giant among men, know even the basics of our “warfare" as prescribed in the Bible? [4] Why wasn’t he a “peace maker” and help this person resolve his angst and fear to God’s peace in Christ? Why didn't he resist the Devil as exhorted in the Bible?[5] A question that screams to be asked is "why didn't the 'great man of God' rebuke that spirit of suicide and set the young man free? The answer is sadly obvious; there was no understanding of such matters. He was ignorant; plainly and simply ignorant and completely powerless. It is written “For a lack of knowledge are my people destroyed…..” (Hosea 4:6) and “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…..” (Isaiah 5:13). The pastor did nothing to free the young man from bondage.

Other questions in all of these examples are “Where was the word and power of God to set the captive free?” and “Where was the “anointing that destroys the yoke”? Because of the lack of understanding of the word of God (i.e. because of false doctrine/un-truth), two lives were ended prematurely while another was tossed to Satan to be devoured at his will. What kind of “powerful gospel” is this?

There is no “powerful gospel” because he really doesn't know what the Bible actually says. He merely has his denominations teachings from which to operate. Astonishingly, this noted preacher boasts that he is not a “concordance cripple” and that he can cite a great deal of the Bible by heart and knows the “address” of much scripture text!. However, he really does not study the Bible; he actually only studies his doctrines and had no “rhema” (or revealed/quickened) truth of the word of God. He has never actually received bottom line fundamental basic teachings of God's Word hardly at all. He only has seminary training which programmed him with their doctrines.

The above pastor had no actual revelation knowledge of the Word of God. Even the common sense of the scriptures had been taught out of him by his (denominational) seminary training (and it cost a man his life!). Also, he has received absolutely no teaching/training about spiritual warfare. In fact, his particular beliefs do not involve (true) spiritual warfare at all. Tragedy like this ought no to be. Though (sincerely) thinking that he is doing the correct things, his beliefs cause him to fight against the purposes of God! In most cases the “doctrines of men” that he clings to remove the faith, hope, and power (which would bring about an overcoming life of victory) completely out of a Christian’s life and leaving them completely at the non-existent mercy of Satan (and thinking that it’s God who is allowing them to be destroyed). Rather, this minister has been fed the “Pablum” of the doctrines of the “spirit of error” and has based all of his faith and beliefs on un-truth and lies. His followers suffer accordingly.

These are clear examples of the kind of dangerous and deadly error that we are subject to by not basing our beliefs on the bottom line of God's Word. Such error is based on men's doctrines that are of the "spirit of error". Sadly, such error is typical of “mainstream Christianity” and is evidence that the body of Christ is not seeking the Kingdom of Truth. They are accepting the “spirit of error” without question.

Let us be mindful, therefore, to seek the Lord for the bottom-line revelation of His Word. It is written: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. There is absolutely no excuse for not ultimately coming into the knowledge of “the truth” (and therefore freedom) as it is freely available to all. It is, in fact, available even to those who are previously pre-programmed with the doctrines of man if they will but seek the Lord and study His Word and not merely their doctrines. We can seek the truth of the word of God and Christ is that truth (the anointed living word of God). To not do so is to remain in bondage.

We should note that the qualification for ministry is a manifestation of the (living) word and power of God in that respective ministry. That means that there will be a spiritual validation and gifting of the Holy Spirit to fulfill that calling and to confirm the truth of what is being taught. It further includes the wisdom and maturity to be a servant of the Lord. Otherwise, there is only a form of Godless but it is only a powerless “gospel”. Such a powerless “gospel” then leaves the helpless individual at the mercy of what can only be men's doctrines, religion, and any other philosophy and psychology at hand. That is the Devils realm over which he reigns with diligence and with an iron fist.

It should be noted here that where the Spirit of God is there is always yoke-destroying power....always. If there is no power, there is no qualified and God-sanctioned ministry. We see no exceptions in the Bible at all. This is because the Lord went “with them” (Mark 16:20) and where the Lord is, power is. Where the Lord is not, power is not. How do we know this? The King is in His Kingdom and the Kingdom of God is one of power because of it. The Bible says this:

Ø “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:19-20)

Here we see that the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power. We see in scripture also that, when the word of God taught or preached, it is done so in power. The first “evangelists” preached the gospel with power and with signs and wonders following. There were no exceptions. The unchanging Kingdom of God is as powerful now as it was then.

Likewise, the Kingdom of God is with us because the King and the Kingdom of God are in us (Luke 17:21). Therefore, anyone who calls himself a minister or preacher will have power in demonstration or they are not yet qualified according to scripture. Any other representation is to preach a powerless “gospel” and is false. It is a form of Godliness (powerfulness because God is powerful) but the power is actually denied because it is not in manifestation (also per 1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

The conclusion is simple; stay away from powerless ministers and ministries. Seek first the Kingdom of God (i.e. the Kingdom of Power) and His righteousness (according to Matthew 6:33). Get wisdom and with all your ability, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

Make a note also that you can’t have “wisdom” without having power because the word of God is God’s wisdom. It is with His word that He created all things. Therefore you cannot separate wisdom from power. The Bible confirms this in Mark 6:2.

Let the body of Christ no more be found in subjection to the powerless doctrines of men and of the spirit of error. Let us walk in the glory of the awesome power of our God and Father of us all who has given us all things liberally and who hinders not. Let us receive of His unlimited grace those things which were reserved for us (not from us) from before the foundation of the earth. Let us seek the fellowship of His Spirit and walk in the light and Spirit as He is in the light. Let us also ask the Lord for His anointed servants and teachers who carry the truth of the powerful gospel of Christ. Amen.


Footnotes:

[1] Worldly education is hardly a substitute for the powerful word and Spirit of God who were given to reconcile the body of Christ to peace
[2] By the default of ignorance
[3] I had been listening to the radio while traveling
[4] 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
[5] James 4:7