Suicide and Spiritual Warfare

[evangelist6589]

I have been grieved by the news of late which brings up the issue of Spiritual Warfare and the hidden devils that launch their attacks on humans daily. I know that many Christians do not believe in Spiritual Warfare, and so satan and the devils come right in. Eventually the US will be like it is in some Third world countries where the devils show up daily in possessed people.

Below are some of satan's tactics in Spiritual warfare

Indifference

The first strategy I believe the devil uses is indifference as he wants us to think that he does not exist. Some recent surveys by the Barna group indicate that many evangelicals do not even believe that Satan exists! This shows why so few churches even speak of him.

Infiltration

I believe another major strategy that the devil utilizes is infiltration. The devil gets in the lives of those that tolerate sin (Eph 4:27). In the Garden the serpent deceived the woman & the man to disobey God and he used clever and deceptive speech to do so.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and
pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took
some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it (Gen 3:6, NIV).

One of his biggest lies is Hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure) which is deceiving many today. Eve did not think before she sinned but simply felt and let her sensations take over. Eve thought it was best to feel and experience rather than to think, just as many today make their decisions on their emotions. As Christians live in a ungodly world we need to be set apart and not fall for the lies and deceptions of Hedonism. I myself am a lover of food. If food were my god it would be very easy for me to eat at lots of different restaurants, and spend lots of money on buying lots of different types of foods, as the different styles and flavors of food are endless. But food is not my god and I have learned and trained myself to be Godly, and in being Godly I have set apart myself for holiness and holiness involves saying no to the pleasures of the flesh. Learning
to say no is not easy, and often takes prayer, and trial and error.

Another major one of the serpents lies is the lie of Pantheism. In Gen 3:5 the text reads "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil"(NIV). Pantheists believe that everything in nature is God and we are all a part of God. To the Pantheist the final reality in all the universe is spiritual. Pantheists deny matter and the material universe in order to escape into the reality of the mind. The spiritual universe exists in the mind of the Pantheist and the only true reality. Pantheists believe that man is his own savior and that it was not us that fell but God. These Pantheists are obviously under the lie of Satan and his demons, and the devil has used not only the Star Wars films, but many other movies, books, music, and methods to get the lie of Pantheism into society. Christians that are wise, will be discerning and will know the word of God (1 Pet 2:2) so that they can be able to detect and discern these lies, just as how the Bereans in Acts 17 were truly discerning and searched the scriptures and tested Paul.

Another of the serpents lies that is all over the culture is the lie of Relativism. To the relativist there is no such thing as absolute truth, for what is true for you may not be true for me, for truth is all relative. The philosopher John Dewey can be blamed for giving relativism credibility in America. Relativism thrives in our culture and so many do not believe in any absolute truth. For example many think there is nothing wrong with living with someone they are not married to. They think that they can do or so whatever they wish, and no one can impose their morals, ethics, and beliefs on them. These people will often accuse the Bible believing Christian as a "Bible thumper"or "hate monger." I personally have been accused of being "divisive" on internet message boards where relativism was the dominate philosophy. What really surprised me was that many of those that have called me divisive have professed to be Christians! They have called me divisive because I hold to a biblical standard, and although I am far from perfect the word of God is my authority. The word of God does not teach that life is all about us, and all about us finding our dream job and being fulfilled. Life is about obeying God (Ecc 12) and carrying out his commission of evangelism to all the nations (Mt 28, Mk 16). I am a slave of Christ and my duty is to obey my master. John MacArthur wrote a most excellent book "Slave" that I would strongly encourage you to purchase. I am convinced that there will be many professing believers who have been changed by the lies of relativism that will be told by Christ to depart from him, for He never knew them (Mt 7:23). There is such a thing as absolute truth and it is contained in the Word of God, and those that want to know truth must get to know God whom is truth (John 1:17, 14:6).

The lie of Esotericism is also widespread in our culture. Esotericism means the belief in a transformation of consciousness that initiates us into true spirituality. Many years ago I attended a church that was very big on trying to experience God. In their midweek service people would all gather together in a room that was darkened with candles everywhere. Everyone that gathered there got on their knees and attempted to have an "experience with God." Sometimes people would claim that the Lord directly spoke to them and told them something, and other times no one experienced anything. Those that had an "experience with God" in such a setting were deemed as the most spiritual and closest to God. People would learn and try to model after their example. At the time I was ignorant and had no read up on the danger of such a setting and its pathways to the New Age movement. There are two pathways to this "experience" that is common in Esotericism that Satan and his demons can use. One of these is called transcendental meditation, and the other is psychedelic drugs. Sadly there are professing Christian counselors that practice transcendental meditation and unfortunately some years ago I was in a transcendental meditation session. Transcendental meditation and the quest for an experience are all over the Charismatic movement. Charismatics believe in new and continuing revelation so its no wonder that many seek an experience with God. They do not seek to know God by studying the scripture unfortunately, and with regret the devil and his demons are stationed all over the many Charismatic churches in the world, and deceive people all the time. The only defense against the lies of Esotericism is the scripture and those that know it will keep far away from churches that practice Esotericism.

Intervention

Intervention is another one of the devil's tactics that he uses against Christians. Satan does whatever he can to get Christians sidetracked in their lives and on other things rather than on God. Looking at the state of the Church today I'd say that he has been very successful. Satan & his demons have kept many Christians fighting and dividing over secondary issues of doctrine and church methodology. Christians argue, debate, and divide over the secondary issue of Church music. Music style is a preference and if the doctrine is Biblical there is no reason to divide over preferences.

 

[JonC]

Eventually the US will be like it is in some Third world countries where the devils show up daily in possessed people.

I have to disagree here. I find it ironic that you and I have come to such different conclusions. I believe that eventually the US will be like much of Europe…ambivalent. America can be adequately defined as being a post-Christian culture. But in those third world countries we see the Church growing. I believe the "center" of geographical Christianity is not moving...it has moved. If demonic activity is so prevalent there, then I surmise that it is because that is where spiritual warfare is being waged and the Church is growing. But when I look at America, a line from Yeats comes to mind, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have to disagree here. I find it ironic that you and I have come to such different conclusions. I believe that eventually the US will be like much of Europe…ambivalent. America can be adequately defined as being a post-Christian culture. But in those third world countries we see the Church growing. I believe the "center" of geographical Christianity is not moving...it has moved. If demonic activity is so prevalent there, then I surmise that it is because that is where spiritual warfare is being waged and the Church is growing. But when I look at America, a line from Yeats comes to mind, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

How is the church growing in those third world countries? Is it not due to the Charismatic pretenders? Is that a real church?

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

I have been grieved by the news of late which brings up the issue of Spiritual Warfare and the hidden devils that launch their attacks on humans daily. I know that many Christians do not believe in Spiritual Warfare, and so satan and the devils come right in. Eventually the US will be like it is in some Third world countries where the devils show up daily in possessed people.

Below are some of satan's tactics in Spiritual warfare

Indifference

The first strategy I believe the devil uses is indifference as he wants us to think that he does not exist. Some recent surveys by the Barna group indicate that many evangelicals do not even believe that Satan exists! This shows why so few churches even speak of him.

Infiltration

I believe another major strategy that the devil utilizes is infiltration. The devil gets in the lives of those that tolerate sin (Eph 4:27). In the Garden the serpent deceived the woman & the man to disobey God and he used clever and deceptive speech to do so.



One of his biggest lies is Hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure) which is deceiving many today. Eve did not think before she sinned but simply felt and let her sensations take over. Eve thought it was best to feel and experience rather than to think, just as many today make their decisions on their emotions. As Christians live in a ungodly world we need to be set apart and not fall for the lies and deceptions of Hedonism. I myself am a lover of food. If food were my god it would be very easy for me to eat at lots of different restaurants, and spend lots of money on buying lots of different types of foods, as the different styles and flavors of food are endless. But food is not my god and I have learned and trained myself to be Godly, and in being Godly I have set apart myself for holiness and holiness involves saying no to the pleasures of the flesh. Learning
to say no is not easy, and often takes prayer, and trial and error.

Another major one of the serpents lies is the lie of Pantheism. In Gen 3:5 the text reads "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil"(NIV). Pantheists believe that everything in nature is God and we are all a part of God. To the Pantheist the final reality in all the universe is spiritual. Pantheists deny matter and the material universe in order to escape into the reality of the mind. The spiritual universe exists in the mind of the Pantheist and the only true reality. Pantheists believe that man is his own savior and that it was not us that fell but God. These Pantheists are obviously under the lie of Satan and his demons, and the devil has used not only the Star Wars films, but many other movies, books, music, and methods to get the lie of Pantheism into society. Christians that are wise, will be discerning and will know the word of God (1 Pet 2:2) so that they can be able to detect and discern these lies, just as how the Bereans in Acts 17 were truly discerning and searched the scriptures and tested Paul.

Another of the serpents lies that is all over the culture is the lie of Relativism. To the relativist there is no such thing as absolute truth, for what is true for you may not be true for me, for truth is all relative. The philosopher John Dewey can be blamed for giving relativism credibility in America. Relativism thrives in our culture and so many do not believe in any absolute truth. For example many think there is nothing wrong with living with someone they are not married to. They think that they can do or so whatever they wish, and no one can impose their morals, ethics, and beliefs on them. These people will often accuse the Bible believing Christian as a "Bible thumper"or "hate monger." I personally have been accused of being "divisive" on internet message boards where relativism was the dominate philosophy. What really surprised me was that many of those that have called me divisive have professed to be Christians! They have called me divisive because I hold to a biblical standard, and although I am far from perfect the word of God is my authority. The word of God does not teach that life is all about us, and all about us finding our dream job and being fulfilled. Life is about obeying God (Ecc 12) and carrying out his commission of evangelism to all the nations (Mt 28, Mk 16). I am a slave of Christ and my duty is to obey my master. John MacArthur wrote a most excellent book "Slave" that I would strongly encourage you to purchase. I am convinced that there will be many professing believers who have been changed by the lies of relativism that will be told by Christ to depart from him, for He never knew them (Mt 7:23). There is such a thing as absolute truth and it is contained in the Word of God, and those that want to know truth must get to know God whom is truth (John 1:17, 14:6).

The lie of Esotericism is also widespread in our culture. Esotericism means the belief in a transformation of consciousness that initiates us into true spirituality. Many years ago I attended a church that was very big on trying to experience God. In their midweek service people would all gather together in a room that was darkened with candles everywhere. Everyone that gathered there got on their knees and attempted to have an "experience with God." Sometimes people would claim that the Lord directly spoke to them and told them something, and other times no one experienced anything. Those that had an "experience with God" in such a setting were deemed as the most spiritual and closest to God. People would learn and try to model after their example. At the time I was ignorant and had no read up on the danger of such a setting and its pathways to the New Age movement. There are two pathways to this "experience" that is common in Esotericism that Satan and his demons can use. One of these is called transcendental meditation, and the other is psychedelic drugs. Sadly there are professing Christian counselors that practice transcendental meditation and unfortunately some years ago I was in a transcendental meditation session. Transcendental meditation and the quest for an experience are all over the Charismatic movement. Charismatics believe in new and continuing revelation so its no wonder that many seek an experience with God. They do not seek to know God by studying the scripture unfortunately, and with regret the devil and his demons are stationed all over the many Charismatic churches in the world, and deceive people all the time. The only defense against the lies of Esotericism is the scripture and those that know it will keep far away from churches that practice Esotericism.

Intervention

Intervention is another one of the devil's tactics that he uses against Christians. Satan does whatever he can to get Christians sidetracked in their lives and on other things rather than on God. Looking at the state of the Church today I'd say that he has been very successful. Satan & his demons have kept many Christians fighting and dividing over secondary issues of doctrine and church methodology. Christians argue, debate, and divide over the secondary issue of Church music. Music style is a preference and if the doctrine is Biblical there is no reason to divide over preferences.

Music is very important, Carnal music will grieve the Spirit of God away and make our evangelistic efforts much weaker, a clean heart is the most effective evangelistic boost we can have. So i disagree with your comment about music.

 

[JamesL]

How is the church growing in those third world countries? Is it not due to the Charismatic pretenders? Is that a real church?

The church has always flourished in the midst of persecution. That is the very thing believers have been called for (1Peter2:20-21).

As for pretenders and hucksters in the Charismatic movement, some have a much clearer and biblical gospel message than Baptist of any flavor.

You should be careful about throwing a blanket over the whole movement as false converts. One of these days, you just might be dragged through a Charismatic church by God.

I've told you how that happened to me.

 

[evangelist6589]

Music is very important, Carnal music will grieve the Spirit of God away and make our evangelistic efforts much weaker, a clean heart is the most effective evangelistic boost we can have. So i disagree with your comment about music.

It depends on the style of music. In a church with music so loud one can't hear the words and music focused on the flesh then I agree with you. However not all churches think that drums are of the flesh as is the case in every IFB church I have ever attended.

 

[evangelist6589]

The church has always flourished in the midst of persecution. That is the very thing believers have been called for (1Peter2:20-21).



As for pretenders and hucksters in the Charismatic movement, some have a much clearer and biblical gospel message than Baptist of any flavor.



You should be careful about throwing a blanket over the whole movement as false converts. One of these days, you just might be dragged through a Charismatic church by God.



I've told you how that happened to me.

Hey I ordered a book by Grudem so not all are pretenders. However many bad news bears in that movement. Read Strange Fire.

 

[Yeshua1]

I have to disagree here. I find it ironic that you and I have come to such different conclusions. I believe that eventually the US will be like much of Europe…ambivalent. America can be adequately defined as being a post-Christian culture. But in those third world countries we see the Church growing. I believe the "center" of geographical Christianity is not moving...it has moved. If demonic activity is so prevalent there, then I surmise that it is because that is where spiritual warfare is being waged and the Church is growing. But when I look at America, a line from Yeats comes to mind, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

Spiritual warfare is between the saved and satan and his buddies, NOT between them and the lost, as they until saved are already in his kingdom!

 

[JonC]

Spiritual warfare is between the saved and satan and his buddies, NOT between them and the lost, as they until saved are already in his kingdom!

Just to understand you, you do not believe that "spiritual warfare" involves those the Church is trying to reach with the gospel but only those who are saved (it has no bearing on the efforts of the Church towards the lost but only to the believer's walk as a child of God)?

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

It depends on the style of music. In a church with music so loud one can't hear the words and music focused on the flesh then I agree with you. However not all churches think that drums are of the flesh as is the case in every IFB church I have ever attended.

It's all about the drums would be played. I have never been one who said drums were of the flesh.

 

[Yeshua1]

Just to understand you, you do not believe that "spiritual warfare" involves those the Church is trying to reach with the gospel but only those who are saved (it has no bearing on the efforts of the Church towards the lost but only to the believer's walk as a child of God)?

No, its both, as satan will try to hinder the work of the Gospel getting out, but usually the warfare is between us deciding whether to submit to God or doing what we want to do first!

just saying that there is really no warfare between the lost and him, as both on same side!

 

[evangelist6589]

It's all about the drums would be played. I have never been one who said drums were of the flesh.

Since I went to BJU I am familiar with your views as you also attended a FUNDAMENTALIST school. I would say to read John Frames book on this topic which someone else mentioned.

 

[evangelist6589]

No, its both, as satan will try to hinder the work of the Gospel getting out, but usually the warfare is between us deciding whether to submit to God or doing what we want to do first!



just saying that there is really no warfare between the lost and him, as both on same side!

The devil will do all he can to stop people doing evangelism. Just look around this board and you see the apathetic attitude of most towards evangelism.

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

Since I went to BJU I am familiar with your views as you also attended a FUNDAMENTALIST school. I would say to read John Frames book on this topic which someone else mentioned.

Not sure what your trying to say here.

Do you still hold to the music position that BJU taught you?

 

[evangelist6589]

Not sure what your trying to say here.



Do you still hold to the music position that BJU taught you?

Nope. But it's a very secondary issue in my POV. Far more important things to worry about.

For my birthday I will be getting a book on the trinity, basic Christian doctrine(music I doubt is mentioned) homosexuality, and prophecy. Those are far more spelled out in the bible.

Read the book 9 Marks of a Healthy Church or What is a healthy church. Music is not mentioned.

 

[OldRegular]

I have been grieved by the news of late which brings up the issue of Spiritual Warfare and the hidden devils that launch their attacks on humans daily. I know that many Christians do not believe in Spiritual Warfare, and so satan and the devils come right in. Eventually the US will be like it is in some Third world countries where the devils show up daily in possessed people.

I believe there is a being named Satan. I do not believe that Christians can be possessed by demons, evil spirits, whatever you wish to call them. Scripture tells us: 1John 4:4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The believer is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. There is no room for a demon!

 

[JonC]

Do you still hold to the music position that BJU taught you?

Being a Christian and from SC, therefore having a negative view of BJU…what are y’all talking about?

 

[evangelist6589]

Being a Christian and from SC, therefore having a negative view of BJU…what are y’all talking about?

How far from Greenville SC?

 

[JonC]

How far from Greenville SC?

Spartanburg. Not far at all.

 

[JonC]

I think what gets me about BJU's stance is that they ignore the fact that the tunes often sung in churches were contemporary at one time. I noted on another thread that one of my favorite songs is "How Great Thou Art," yet it is set to a Swedish Folk tune. Is it that they believe music must sound foreign to be acceptable? But, is it foreign to God (or does he say "hey, that is a Swedish folk tune?).