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| "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18 (KJV) |
Every family needs some place to heal, to rejoice, to gain strength and courage to keep fighting for peace, justice and righteousness! The Lord Who supplies every need has provided us such a place (Philippians 1:19). So are you surprised that the Enemy of Christ is targeting this fortress for attack? I'm not!
In earlier posts, I mentioned how ruthless and shrewdly the Devil, our enemy works! He is thoughtful, strategic, and lethal in his attacks to put a wedge between husband and wives. Once he has destroyed this unity, the vulnerable children become the next target. He tries to confuse our minds, with modern day rhetoric that teaches empowerment is in possessions, status, and personal fulfillment.
He inflames the passions of our flesh to seek pleasure (wherever and with whomever it may be found) over commitment to God's truth. Every area of our lives is an attempt to infiltrate us with his lies (John 8:44) and he uses the world's culture to justify every move. The mind, the flesh, and the world. These are his favorite and most successful combat zones. But one battle ground that he will never conquer is the True Church of Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18)! Still that doesn't mean he won't keep trying to disillusion and keep families away! Look at some his lies:
👿Churches are filled with Hypocrites!
Are there hypocrites in the church? You darn betcha!... Are they Christians?...No! The beauty of our church is that everyone is welcome to come, hear the truth of God's word and repent of their sins. It is not God's will that anyone perish (I Timothy 2:4). There all kinds of people who come to church and some even join. That is God's act of grace for hurting people (Matthew 11:28-30). It is not until seekers get to church and study God's word that they understand that we are all a work in progress! Not one single person in the church has reached perfection but the true Christian holds to the promise that one day our imperfect lives will become so (Romans 7:21-25; Phil. 1:6).
👿All Preachers are Pimps and Prosperity Seekers!
At one time in our Black American experience, preachers were the most upstanding and respected people in the community. They were the most revered if not the most educated because of their knowledge of God's word. This is what made them significant among the masses! Did you miss that I did not say they were the most prosperous? They weren't! Genuine preachers and pastors, like true Christians are defamed by the antics of false ones! And these are the ones that get media attention! This is no different than in the early church. See what the Apostle Peter wrote in the first century:
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; (2Peter 2:1-4)
You don't have to worry about preachers who are not what they appear to be, just be discerning of where you place your family in worship and fellowship. Choosing not to attend church is a win-win for the Enemy. He keeps you from contributing your support to the good ones and allows the unfaithful ones to grow in their influence (Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:17).
👿Christians are Haters and Out of Touch with Society!
I don't know one true Christian who is unaware of the good or the evil residing in our world today! How could we miss it? In some we ways we may seem like an old relic desiring the simple and less chaotic modes of living, but Haters we're not! It is our peculiarity that actually makes us who we are (I Peter 2:9). People have been seeking special knowledge and enlightenment for centuries. They've wondered how we came to be and what lies beyond the known. But most of all they want to know where they fit in! As Christians we have the answer and it's in God's word! We hold the truth and that's why our words, our lifestyles, our prayers and encouragement and most of all our love for others compels us to speak out! Even though we are misunderstood and persecuted when we do so (I Peter 3:15)
The Church is not something you go to,
its a family you belong to.
As a Family, we need to learn to equip ourselves to battle Satan and his lies. It is in the Truth of God's word where we find our power. It is in Unity that our strength is magnified, and it is the Church that we find the courage to continue to fight for it all!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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