Reprise: Seeing the Unseen: The Nature of Spiritual Warfare

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

First posted July 19, 2017

Did the Lord Jesus teach his followers to “bind” the powers of darkness?  Should the emphasis on spiritual warfare be on prayer-infused power encounters? What exactly does the Bible teach on the nature of spiritual warfare? Well, according to Christian apologist Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason (STR), the Bible has a lot to say about how we are to defend ourselves against other worldly forces in the unseen realm. We must be armed to the teeth!

What does a Christian’s armor look like? “The very first step in arming ourselves for battle against the devil is to gird our loins with truth (Eph. 6:14).” In this piece from STR’s Solid Ground magazine, Koukl tells us what the Bible teaches about the armor of God. Some who read this will be surprised by his teaching for the reason that the way in which charismatics go about dealing with the demonic is highly unbiblical, only they don’t know it. To make matters worse, attempting to “bind Satan” is a ridiculous and foolish practice.  Taking on powerful, lying, deceptive demons is dangerous! Continue reading →

The Gospel Coalition Says Church Should Be ‘Safe Space’ for Homosexuals

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Pulpit & Pen News) The leftist [Social] Gospel Coalition wants your church to know how it can be a “safe space” for homosexuals. Written by Rachel Gilson, the “director of theological development” at Campus Crusades for Christ (CRU) Northeast, the post wags its literary finger at readers within the local church, shaming them for not being a safe enough of a place for people to live in their sin.

Gilson is a lesbian who wrote about her experiences at Christianity Today in a post entitled, “I Never Became Straight. Perhaps That Was Never God’s Goal.” In that article, she made the astonishing claim, “Slowly, I came to understand that ‘making me straight’ wasn’t the answer. There is no biblical command to be heterosexual.” Of course, being fruitful and multiplying – a central command from God to humanity – is a pretty clear requirement of heterosexuality. Homosexuals are clearly incapable of this reproductive fruitfulness. Continue reading →

Christians and Apostates

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life And see good days,Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12 (NKJV) 

This era of the Church is one of extreme deception due to compromise with the standards and focus of the world. Separation between the Church and the world is not being kept. Instead, the holy barrier between the two has been breached as false prophets have welcomed in not only the world and its ways into their churches. Not only that, but they have also embraced the mysticism of the Eastern religions. …  View article →

Destiny Destiny No Escaping That’s For Me

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Doug Evans – Asleep No More) You can’t read an article or listen to a homily from the Charismatic fringe without hearing the word “Destiny” being beaten into your head. Not just false prophesy but falsely prophetic merchandise like Destiny Pants and Destiny Cards are being sold to the theologically gullible. This got me to thinking; where is all this Destiny nonsense coming from.

Destiny is not just a vacuous concept, it’s a tired and overworked  Buzzword that the charismatics have been flinging at their followers like #4 birdshot at a flock of mallards. Destiny is defined as “the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future” AND “the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future” Continue reading →

Jesus Did Not Say Lust is the Same as Adultery – Response to Jerry Fallwell Jr.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

(all THINGS for GOOD) To be clear, this post is about theology, not politics.

In a recent interview on CNN, Dr. Jerry Fallwell Jr. said, “Jesus said ‘if you lust…in your heart, it’s the same as committing adultery.”

We need to be really clear…that is not what Jesus said.

Jesus’ Context

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching that the Law not only addresses external sins, but also sins of the heart.

What He actually says is, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 Continue reading →

Jim Caviezel: New ‘Passion of the Christ’ Will Be ‘Biggest Film in History’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(The Western Journal) Actor Jim Caviezel, who starred as Jesus in the 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ,” confirmed in a recent interview that he plans to reprise his role in an upcoming sequel to the blockbuster hit.

Moreover, Caviezel promised that the sequel, which is reportedly in the works, will be the “biggest film in history.”

“There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience,” the 49-year-old Catholic actor told USA Today. “It’s great. Stay tuned.” View article →

Trump’s Five Biggest Goals — and His Prospects for Success

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(Brenden Kirby – LifeZette) Immigration reform, fair trade agreements, prescription drug prices, infrastructure and more — the president’s agenda is ambitious 

President Donald Trump set forth an ambitious agenda for 2018 on Tuesday night during his first State of the Union address to the nation — perhaps overly ambitious given the intense polarization in the county and the close divisions in Congress.

Here is a look at the five biggest proposals the president made in his address and the prospects for actually achieving them. View article →

Speaking the truth in love

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Read 9-16 on the site)

Biblical discernment is not legalism. It is not being a know-it-all who just rains on everyone’s parade, taking all the fun away from those exploring new ways of “experiencing God” or “expanding their faith.” No, it isn’t that at all. First and foremost it is done from the context of maintaining unity within one body and one Spirit through speaking of truth in love so that all truly in Christ will grow up in every way into Him who is their head. Those who exercise this discernment from this motive may at times appear to be focusing on the shortcomings of certain “Christian leaders” to the chagrin of those who follow them. Well, when we do that it can be quite exasperating on our part I assure you. Why? Those who are deceived by these deceivers DO NOT LISTEN. View article →

Speaking up for discernment ministries

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Berean Research) Is it just me, or are discernment ministries getting raked over the coals?  And is it deserved?

Early last summer I stepped back from my daily blogging and posting activities. Not by choice, but medical necessity. Eight months and three surgeries later, I’ve been slowly dipping a toe back in, and catching up on the news. Only to find that there’s been more than news to catch up on.

I wish I could say that I have been completely and mercifully unaware of a lot of the infighting and bickering played out like a Spanish soap opera on social media. I’ve attempted to steer clear of the carnage, and keep this site and my own personal opinions from sidetracking the task at hand: Pointing Christians to the truth, equipping them, and helping them steer clear of danger. As we state on our Home Page, biblical discernment comes from reading and meditating on the breathed-out Word of God, and not a news site. (See our White Paper, What Is Discernment?)  View article →

Parents outraged by schoolwork saying Jews, Christians and Muslims worship same God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

(Max Londberg – The Kansas City Star) “Pope Francis, while washing Muslims’, Hindus’, Catholic’s and Christians’ feet in a 2016 ritual, said, ‘All of us together … brothers and sisters — children of the same God — we want to live in peace, integrated.'”

Do Christians, Muslims and Jews believe in the same God?

A homework assignment given to sixth-grade students last month in Illinois asserted they do. When an Elgin Area School District board member caught wind of it, she harshly criticized the assignment. And earlier this week the issue boiled over as dozens of people attended a school board meeting to express their opinions on the subject. View article →

The Nature of Existence: All is One, or All is Two?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Oneism or Twoism, that is the question.

God reveals who He is and His ways in His Word, the Bible. Although God has made Himself known to mankind in the pages of Scripture, they have rejected His revelation of Himself and “exchanged the truth” about God for “the lie.” Instead of worshiping God, they worship His creation.

In his piece over at truthXchange, Peter Jones tackles The Lie that human beings are part of nature and that nature is divine, and then he reveals The Truth: Continue reading →

What are the words of God?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. John 3:34 (NKJV) 

In John 3:1-21 our Lord spoke the words of God to “a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.” In this passage our Lord clears the table and tells it like it is. He tells Nicodemus in v3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Of course, Nicodemus doesn’t “get it” at first and asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” in v4 and, “How can these things be?” in v9. In between those two perplexed questions, our Lord, the Λόγος or logos or Word, the living Christian proclamation as a whole of the New Testament proclaimed τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ θεοῦ or “the words of God” to Nicodemus in a way that he had never heard before. …   View article →

The ‘Brown Rice’ Controversy – Michael Brown espouses prosperity heresy & falsely accuses caller of being someone else.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Churchwatch Central) Chris Rice from ‘ThisIsNotSatire’ blog, recently rang in to the Line of Fire program (this program also uploaded on YouTube). During this call, Michael Brown went out of his way to attack the integrity of his caller by setting him up to fail in each response to the caller’s original question. And that’s not all.

Because Rice kept coming back to his question, it resulted with Michael Brown cutting Rice off and appearing to accuse Chris Rice (from Michigan) of being someone else, and we can safely assume he thought it was Pastor Chris Rosebrough (from North Dakota) who has previously rung in to speak to Brown on his program – Chris Rosebrough had put forward some tough biblical questions to Michael Brown on a previous program. By assuming Chris Rice was Chris Rosebrough, Michael Brown proceeded to very unfairly attack the character of Pastor Rosebrough.  You can see the YouTube video in question here: Continue reading →

Joseph Farah’s Works Based Salvation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Steve Lumbley – Apostasy Watch) We’ve written previously bout WorldNetDaily publisher Joseph Farah’s aberrant Christian beliefs > Joseph Farah – Ignorance, Pandering or Deception?

Well he’s at it again, this time with a column claiming to clear up confusion about what it means to be saved by grace. Unfortunately the only use of grace is in the title. His article is pure works based hokum, salvation by self effort.

In it he makes the following statement.

“There’s only one way to achieve immortality, and that’s to follow the prescription of our Creator. Follow His commandments, repent when you fall short, and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind. The nice thing about this recipe is that it works every time.” Continue reading →

Contemplative Prayer or the Holy Spirit – It Can’t Be Both

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

According to Ray Yungen, Christians are lulled into Contemplative Prayer (CP) by the emphasis on seeking the Kingdom of God and greater piety —  especially Christians who are not grounded firmly in the faith. Those who practice CP (silent prayer) seek to experience God in an inexplicable way, Church leaders and pastors should be able to discern what is spiritually unsound and lead the flock away from those who teach falsely. I mean, that’s their job, right? Unfortunately that’s not always the case, warns Yungen.

In his piece over at Lighthouse Trails, Ray Yungen tells us why Contemplative Prayer aka Centering Prayer has no place in Christianity: Continue reading →

To be light in this present darkness

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) 

Probably the quickest and/or easiest way for a Christian to discover the truth of the incredible depth and breadth of spiritual darkness in this present world is to stand firm on God’s Truth, and within that firm stand, tell that truth boldly to professing Christians. It will not take very long for those who hold to a version of Christianity that is apostate to make the reality of their spiritual darkness known in ways accompanied by fiery darts from our enemy. …   View article →

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in the trespasses, he made us alive with Christ — by grace you have been saved — 6 and he raised us with him and seated us with him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus 7 that he might display in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

In this post we will focus on our wonderful God with worshipful, grateful hearts. Back several years ago when I was confronted with Reformation Theology, I was amazed that the passages that the Holy Spirit used to “nail it” firmly in my heart were not only those that best lined up with the Bible in all areas of Reformed doctrine, but were also many if not all of the same passages that I had taught from, memorized in Evangelism Explosion training, and read every day during my devotions. … View article →

John Piper Ignites Debate for Saying Only Men Should Teach at Seminaries

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Michael Gryboski – Christian Post) Bethlehem College & Seminary Chancellor and DesiringGod.com founder John Piper has ignited another debate on women’s leadership roles in the Church after he said he doesn’t believe women should teach courses at seminaries.

In an installment of the Desiring God podcast “Ask Pastor John” posted Monday, a listener named Scott asked Piper about his opinion of women serving as professors at theology schools.

“I’m a seminary student at an orthodox but interdenominational school in the United States. I share your complementarian understanding of God’s design for male and female roles and relationships in the home and church,” wrote Scott. Continue reading →

The Turpin Case Has Nothing To Do With Homeschool. And Public School Is Still More Dangerous.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(Matt Walsh – Daily Wire) It’s not as though thousands upon thousands of homeschool parents have their starving, unwashed kids chained to a bedpost. On the other hand, the sexual abuse problem in public school is a verified national crisis — 100 times worse than it ever was in the Catholic Church, in fact — even if we decline to acknowledge it.

The country has been repulsed and horrified by the case of the Turpin family in California. David and Louise Turpin, monsters in vaguely human form, have been arrested for torturing and tormenting their 13 children. The Turpin kids — some of them now adults in their twenties — were emaciated, filthy, and shackled to their beds with chains when police found them. The house was strewn with the carcasses of dead dogs and cats and various other debris. The details get even more disturbing from there. Continue reading →

The Purpose of Disabilities

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3)

The disciples had evidently been taught that sin and hurt, injury and handicap are linked together; that human hurt is the result of human sin. Notice that Jesus does not deny that. It is helpful to note right from the beginning that he recognizes there is such a link. However, it is not the one that many people think, as he will make clear.  View article →

Photo of Obama with Hate Group Leader Surfaces After Being Kept Secret for Years to Protect Him

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

A new photo has been recently released of former President Barack Obama with the leader of a black nationalist hate group.

The picture shows former Illinois Sen. Obama posing with the leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan.

Farrakhan is known for his radical anti-Semitic and anti-white views, outlined by the Southern Poverty Law Center. View article →

Why Bill Johnson says the Bible is not enough

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

(Holy Pivec – Spirit of Error) One of the core beliefs at Bethel Church in Redding, California, is the need for new revelation from God, which is in contrast to the so-called old revelation of the Bible as it has been understood for the past 2,000 years.

New revelation can refer to many different things. It includes knowledge about what’s currently taking place in heaven and new interpretations of Scripture that are based on direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, apart from a historical and grammatical hermeneutic. It also includes what Johnson calls “new revelation of Jesus.” And it includes creative ideas–such as fresh music lyrics that will result in mass conversions to Christianity and breakthrough inventions in science and medicine. Continue reading →

Is It a Cold or the Flu? Knowing the Difference Could Save Your Life

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙

(LifeZette) With the deaths of 30 children so far this flu season, health experts are sharing critical information and precautionary measures

Knowing the difference between the common cold and the flu can be crucial to your well-being — and that of your loved ones — this winter.

On January 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that during the 2017 to 2018 flu season, there were 30 child deaths.

There have also been reports of adults who had the flu and died from complications. View article →

Breaking the Power of Sin

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin. John 8:11b

In this passage, a woman caught in adultery was brought by the church leaders to Jesus. I do not know if we can accurately picture what was going on when this woman was brought before Jesus. I can see her being dragged in, red faced, her hair in disarray. She is angry, upset, rebellious, and bitter, perhaps striking out against her accusers. But when she sees how Jesus handles this crowd of hypocritical judges, and feels that his sympathies are with her, somewhere the mercy and love that was in his face and voice began to touch her. She realized how wrong she was, that she had sinned, and she repented. When she did, Jesus forgave her, obviously anticipating his death upon the cross for her. View article →

A Guided Tour to 2017’s Bestselling Christian Books

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

Blogger, author and book reviewer Tim Challies urges us to keep in mind that just because a book is published under a Christian label and sold in a Christian bookstore doesn’t mean the book is filled with truth. A large number of so-called Christian books are stuffed full of error. “At a time where truth is easier than ever to access and book reviews abound,” says Challies, “there’s no reason to be taken in by the junk.”

Now listen as Tim Challies offers his view of  some of the bestselling “Christian” books of 2017. He writes: Continue reading →