We are all well aware of the obvious, straightforward, direct ones such as hatred, racism, violence and adultery - but it is the more insidious, subtle weapons which affect the world for the worse and ultimately undermine the cause of Christ!
False Guilt
One of the enemies most subtle weapons is false guilt! We should feel guilty and be convicted for our sins - but Satan's name literally means, "the accuser" and he wants us to feel condemned all the time! The Holy Spirit convicts - the devil condemns! Unless we are striving to grow in Christ, we will not be able to discern the difference!
One of the enemies most subtle weapons is false guilt! We should feel guilty and be convicted for our sins - but Satan's name literally means, "the accuser" and he wants us to feel condemned all the time! The Holy Spirit convicts - the devil condemns! Unless we are striving to grow in Christ, we will not be able to discern the difference!
How many of us would be able to identify a genuine Van Gogh from an excellent forgery? The obvious fakes would be easy to spot. If one of his paintings is purchased on a shiny poster at Walmart for $9.95 - I'm guessing is probably not the original!
But what about master forgeries which are so difficult to differentiate from the real thing that they are sometimes sent out to be tested by labs to be authenticated? I know I could never tell the difference - but an expert can!
We must strive to know God, His Word and His voice so well that we can easily spot the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the lying accusations of our enemy - the devil!
We must strive to know God, His Word and His voice so well that we can easily spot the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the lying accusations of our enemy - the devil!
False guilt can result in sleepless nights, lack of peace and many bad decisions! Perhaps one of its consequences that most negatively impacts the world is that it causes Christians to be fearful about sharing Christ boldly and without apology!
Agape Love (God's Love) Requires Boldness!
We are rightfully taught that one of the marks of a true Christian is love. Yet so often, the our understanding of love becomes clouded by false guilt! We have all heard of, or experienced, those who rage against sin with hate, anger, arrogance or even violence! We are right to rest and be repulsed by these false representations of Christianity!
We want to avoid this kind of attitude but if we are not careful, we can allow the devil to twist our desire to love into believing that to boldly stand for God's Word is offensive and unloving. We must be clear that it is not!
We want to avoid this kind of attitude but if we are not careful, we can allow the devil to twist our desire to love into believing that to boldly stand for God's Word is offensive and unloving. We must be clear that it is not!
The result is that we shrink back! We are afraid to boldly proclaim our faith because we fear it might be unloving. So we play it safe and water down our message so as not to offend. As Billy Graham said, "We are unwilling to offend anyone except God!"
To be more concerned about a person;s welfare than whether we are loved in return is true love. Parents discipline their children at the risk that their children may hate them. Selfish parents spoil their children. The result is that those children grow up to be self-centered aand usually, unhappy adults!
Some spoiled children may be relatively successful in this world. But there is much mire are stake in proclaiming biblical truth! In fact the eternal destiny of each person hinges on obedience to God;s Word! To refrain from proclaiming those truths from a lost and dying world is not loving. When we applaud in others what God condemns, we are setting them up for an eternity away from God.
People may temporarily feel better when we hide unpleasant truths from them - but how will they feel when they appear before God?
It's time to "Come Out!"
The world is often bold in proclaiming what it stands for - but we Christians are often timid! Well known pastor, author and radio minister, Dr. Tony Evans, recently said, "It's time for Christians to come out" [of the closet]! The unbelieving world is "coming out" - unashamed of behaviors which offend God. Any kind of ungodly belief is proclaimed boldly in movies, TV, songs, internet and literally paraded in public for all to see! Many who claim to represent freedom and tolerance are on a mission to shut down all opposition!
Christians are to boldly proclaim the message of the gospel - accurately, fully and in its entirety! The world ready accepts a church that worships God privately and shies away from politics and public view. As long as we stay hidden in our monasteries, as long as we do not define or expose anything as sin, we are not a threat to Satan or his kingdom!
Yet unbelievers in the western world are bold to declare Christianity as archaic - but fine for the ignorant and naive! The world is fine with us - as long as we remain "in the closet!" They have no problem shutting down the voice of any Christians who accurately declare the truths of the Bible!
As Christians and ambassadors for Christ, we must never feel guilty for proclaiming the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of God's Word!
As Christians and ambassadors for Christ, we must never feel guilty for proclaiming the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of God's Word!
Paul exhorted Timothy to be bold:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...
2 Timothy 1:7-8a
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TEN BASIC STEPS TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY
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