---NEW--- Discerning the Opposites “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:9-10). The most needful ability and the most lacking ability for the church is discernment. Without discernment we are open to deception. Those blood washed saints of God in that first century church knew about discernment. The Bible says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Webster’s defines noble as above anything that can dishonor your reputation. The Bible says this church at Berea was noble, in that, they received the preached word of God and searched the Scriptures daily to see if Paul and Silas were preaching the truth. About three weeks ago, I had the LORD made it clear to me to slow down in my preaching, so that those attending the meetings will be able to turn with me, in their Bibles, to a reference of a verse that shows a righteous principle that He has me preach. I have found it pleasurable to see people reading along with me as a preach, and above that, I know that we, as a church, are doing what a noble church should do, which is to not take any preachers word for it, but check the Scriptures to make sure what is said is so. Therefore let us be noble and take a few moments and see how needful it is to discern the opposites of right and wrong. Notice, in our verse of study, the name of the adversary, “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.” That first name used “old serpent” recalls his ways. The Bible gives us the first words spoken by the devil to humans, those words are “Yea, hath God said…” (Genesis 3:1). His words were to question God’s word. This first way of the serpent has not changed. He has not stopped questioning the word of God. Not only does he question if the Bible is the word of God, he questions what does the word of God actually say. The Bible tells us that there are those, even in the leadership of the church, who transform themselves into what seems to be ministers of light but are actually deceivers working for the devil (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). The Bible tells us to not just believe a preacher because he is a preacher but test and try everything said (1 John 4:1). We are told of the extent of the devil’s deception. Our verse of study says the devil is the one “which deceiveth the whole world.” Every part of this reality is touched by the devil’s deception. There is no other way besides the written word of God to discern who is preaching deliverance or preaching deception. Jesus tells us that at the very end of time, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). It isn’t by the feelings that their preaching invokes on you. It isn’t by and miracles or things that make you wonder. You can discern right and wrong in only one place and that is by the written word of God, the Holy Bible. The Bible says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It is the word of God that discerns the preacher and the people in the pew. The Bible says, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). To be able to use the word of God to discern right and wrong, good and evil, is a sign of spiritual maturity. As those verses in the Epistle to the Hebrews state, we must take the word of God and by “reason of use” discern between good and evil. When the devil is cast down, our verse of study says the loud voice proclaims, “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God.” The idea of the kingdom of God has a lot to do with discerning the opposites of good and evil. The idea of the will of God has with it the underlying thought of God’s will being done. You may, remember how the LORD’s model prayer starts. Jesus taught us, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10). Do you see it? The coming of the kingdom has with it God’s will being done. That is the key to discernment. Good is the LORD’s will being done, and in like manner, evil is the LORD’s will not being done. Many Satanist, pagans, and humanist seek to live by the thought: “Do as you will,” but Jesus lived “not my will, but thine (Father God’s), be done” (Luke 22:42). We are to live as Jesus lived. Some raise objections to that thought because they are under the deception! However, the Bible states, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). We are called search the Bible and to live it. We are called to live “not my will Father but yours be done.” We are called to avoid the deception of the devil by using the word of God to check everything in our lives. When we have done this, we will be able to discern the opposites of good and evil. Chris Fisher, Pastor The Church of the New Beginning 09/07/14
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 00:22:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015