THE SONS OF THUNDER (EXPOSING A DEMONIC SPIRIT) After coming to the knowledge of the truth we all face many attacks to get us off track by the enemy. When we first believe we receive the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13.) Satan is always lurking and waiting to deceive believers with unclean spirits (Gen 4:7.) On a daily basis we must be on guard to face the attacks from the enemy. While we all have the Holy Spirit we also face temptations from many types of demonic spirits. We receive many warnings to be on guard for these types of attacks. Verses that tell us to be sober, vigilant because our enemy seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:10) are no joke and must be taken seriously. We are asked to test each spirit as well to see if it from God or not (1 John 4:1.) While the wiles of the devil are many (Eph 6:11) and we should not be ignorant of his attacks (2 Cor 2:11.) I want to focus on a specific issue because the subject matter involving spiritual warfare is vast. There is a specific account in Luke 9 about John and James (The sons of Thunder.) At the end of Yeshuas ministry He is going to Jerusalem. On the way He asks John and James to go to a nearby town and find Him a place to stay: 51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” Luke 9 The town rejects the disciples request and this angers James and John. I imagine they were completely offended. Here they are with the Savior of the world and this town wants nothing to do with them. To them it would only make sense that their rejection be met with a swift and harsh judgement. That would teach them a lesson because of their hard hearts. But Yeshua rebukes them: 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” And they went to another village. Luke 9 Satan uses this tactic to this very day in the church. He tells believers all the time, Look at those people rejecting the truth. They should be punished and you should be the one who does it. They will never change its time for a purge. Many believers fall prey to this lie just as James and John did. Instead of considering the patients and long suffering that God used with us. We want their immediate punishment. Im sure some members of the church today would actually stone people if given the right circumstance. This type of demonic behavior is not limited to unbelievers but is aimed at members in the body of Christ as well. Everyone is a potential victim. It is a spirit that is contrary to love (1 Cor 13.) It seeks to cause division where unity is required. It tells us God does not have the power to change a mans heart just like He did to ours. It is a lying spirit. These thoughts our not our own and we must take them captive (2 Cor 10:5.) Once each thought has been examined it must be compared with what Yeshua said to them, For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. As believers we are called to make disciples (Matt 28:16.) We are not called to condemn people to hell it is not our position to do so. Everyman will stand before God and be judged for what they did either good or bad (2 Cor 5:10.) But it is Gods will that all men should be saved (2 Peter 3:9) and He has chosen the church to be the minister to achieve this goal (1 Peter 2:9.) While there is still another day left before His return their is still hope (Heb 3:13.) Especially now more than ever as that time nears lets spread the good news of salvation and truth. Let us encourage and build one another up and not tear each other down (1 Thess 5:10.) That is what Satan wants not God. A house divided can not stand (Mark 3:25.) But with God we are unified if we love and the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church! 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 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. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3 --AMEN to that!
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:20:32 +0000