Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 35 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and five amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has written several books, including two that are available on Amazon - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles.

The Key to Stress Free Living

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The key to stress free living is pretty simple. We only need to give God control of our lives.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews listed repentance from dead works as one of the six foundational doctrines of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1 NASB) Dead works can be defined as our human efforts to make ourselves look good in God’s and people’s eyes through our words and behavior.

We are unable to put ourselves in a right standing with God through our own effort. The prophet Isaiah warned us that the attempt to do so is repulsive to God.

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6 (NASB)

Nevertheless, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we can make a few adjustments, try harder, and turn things around spiritually, not realizing that everything originating out of self is a dead work.

Anything that does not originate with God’s Spirit and derive from faith is a dead work.

Sin is much deeper than words, acts, and attitudes. It infects us to the core and is part of what we inherited from our forefathers due to the Fall. When we are born, we come into this world as little sin factories. No matter how hard we try to overcome this inherited condition, we will fail.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. Romans 7:14 (NASB)

That which originates in our own human effort is called the “flesh,” as opposed to that which originates in God, which is called the Spirit.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 (NASB)

Religion is mostly man’s attempt to gain and maintain a right relationship with God through human effort, which is a dead work. Religion approaches the sin problem and its resultant separation from God in one of two ways. It might deny there is a problem, as do Eastern religions which insist that both good and evil exist in God (Yin and Yang) and should not concern us. (e.g. Star Wars “the Force,” Buddhism, modern psychiatry, and various perversions of Christianity). This approach insists that God does not condemn anyone and salvation consists in coming to that realization. Basically, I’m okay and you’re okay. We don’t need a Savior because we are not separated from God. It is all an illusion, and Jesus died needlessly.

Those who deny that sin is a problem may gain a counterfeit and illusory form of peace, but will still have to account to God for their sinful condition and acts.

The other end of the spectrum is found in the Jewish Law of Moses. Under this system, by keeping God’s laws we gain access to God’s favor and blessing. This approach recognizes that sin is real, separates us from God, and causes death, but insists that we can work hard at keeping God’s commands and earn a right standing with God.

But the Apostle Paul explained that the purpose of the Law is to reveal our hopeless condition and the impossibility of gaining a right standing with God through keeping its requirements.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:21-24 (NASB)

Those who fall for the deception that a right standing with God can be achieved through self-effort either become religious zealots and intolerant of those who fall short of their standards or demoralized when they finally come to end of their striving with the realization that it is a hopeless endeavor.

When we choose this second option, there is no possibility of rest for our souls because we can never be good enough to clear the bar of God’s perfect holiness.

That is why we need a Savior and repentance from all self-effort.

The Essence of Sin: The Self-Directed Life

At its core, sin originates in a mistrust of God. Satan induced Adam and Eve to doubt God’s goodness. The result was their attempt to become independent from him. Sin is a rebellious self-aggrandizing attempt to make our own decisions, run our own lives, and impose our own rules – to be little gods. Satan deceived Adam and Eve into thinking that they could throw off the Creator’s built in limitations on our lives and “be like God” – needing nothing.

Because of the generational aspect of sin, the allure of living a self-directed life pulls at the heart of every person and is the essence of sin.

Repentance and the God-Directed Life

The gospel calls people back into alignment with God’s original plan – living in harmony with God and his will.

Through faith in Christ, we can be forgiven of our rebellion and come back into God’s family and blessing. We can experience his life inside us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. But for this to happen, we must repent. Because of our pride, it is deeply humbling for us to admit our need for God and to obey him; nevertheless, it is the most rewarding way to live. We think that becoming servants of God will strip us of our dignity and freedom and deprive us of some of the things that bring delight to our lives. This is the lie that Satan set up with our first parents and still pulls at us today.

Jesus, the perfect God-man, lived the way God intended. In his own words:

...“I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. John 5:19 (NET1)

When Jesus calls people to repent and enter God’s kingdom, he challenges us to turn away from the vain attempt to direct our own lives and to embrace His rule.

Repentance requires us to stop playing God and to acknowledge the rightful ruler, Jesus the Lord.

The Gospel and Christ’s Lordship

Paul understood that Jesus is both Lord and Savior. He calls us to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that he is the risen Savior – the Lamb of God.

The gospel challenges and invites us to repent (make Jesus Lord) and believe (receive salvation) – to surrender our “rights” and receive God’s blessings.

...because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NET1)

Confessing that Jesus is Lord is the most fundamental act of repentance. Doing so opens the door to receive all the benefits he died and rose to win for us. That begins a lifelong journey of daily surrender to God’s will.

The Restful Life

Attempting to direct our own lives creates stress that we were not designed to carry.

We do not have the wisdom, knowledge, or power to live self-directed lives. Repentance opens the door to life as God intended it to be. Jesus invites us to:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NET1)

Confessing that Jesus is the Lord is the gateway into the blessings he won for us on the cross, which include a life of rest by faith.

We are able to cease from religiously striving to be right with God when we accept that he won that privilege for us through his own perfect life.

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10  For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:9-10 (NLT)

The Lordship of Christ is an absolutely crucial part of the Gospel, requiring us to repent from the self-directed life, which Paul calls the “flesh,” which God refuses to bless, since it is an abomination to him.

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body [repenting], you will live. 14  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NASB)

The only life that can receive the fullness of God’s blessing is the life that we live in cooperation with and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Surrender to Jesus the Lord is the narrow door through which Gospel blessings are accessed.

Application

If you have never made a conscious decision to surrender every aspect of your being to Jesus, now is the time. This will include the following: relationships, time, money, health, your future, security, provision, self-image and fulfillment – everything, even life itself. Do this and you will begin to experience true freedom and a new level of rest.

In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions. Luke 14:33 (NET1)

The Greek word translated “renounce” means to “say good-bye.” Say good-bye to everything that stands between you and a full surrender to Jesus. Say hello to the Spirit-led life and the rest that comes from being in a right relationship with God.

Prayer

Jesus, I am tired of trying to direct my own life. Please forgive me for living independently from you. I surrender myself and all I have to you. Thank you for forgiving my sins and including me in your forever family and blessings. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me. I look forward to seeing what you will do with my life. Have your way in me from this day forward. Amen.

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The World’s Greatest Short Prayer

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And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36  And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37  For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38  And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.Luke 1:35-38 (ESV)

We honor Mary because she was willing to embrace God’s will for her life, even though it cost her immensely. She experienced the suffering associated with people, including her fiance at first, thinking she was a “loose” woman who got pregnant outside of marriage. The Roman Catholic Church added non-biblical status to Mary, claiming that she was born without a sin nature through what is called the Immaculate Conception. This would make her the equal of Jesus. The RCC also claims that she was taken directly up to heaven upon her death, which is called the Assumption. These erroneous doctrines make Mary a kind of super-human Mother of God, an undisguised attempt to elevate her into a type of deity on the par with Diana of the Ephesians, a pagan goddess. But in reality Mary was a simple girl whose life was intersected by a strange and fabulous call to be, not the Mother of God, but the mother of the human side of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah King. Jesus’ divine nature came directly from the Holy Spirit, who overshadowed Mary and conceived the God-Man in Mary’s womb.

Whenever we may be confronted by circumstances that are confusing or painful, or if God asks us to do something that seems strange and that will cost us, we are well to remember Mary’s simple yet profound response when this happened to her. “Let it be to me according to your word.” I encourage you to pray the following 10-word prayer. It may be the most life-impacting declaration you ever make.

Prayer

Jesus, you are my Lord. Glorify yourself through me. Amen!

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You Are Not Alone

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One of the greatest encouragements when we find ourselves in difficult situations is to know we are not alone. Sin isolates us from God and each other. So does fear. Christmas is the annual celebration of the coming of Emmanuel – God with Us. There is no greater truth in the Bible than the amazing good news that, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we need no longer be alone. Emmanuel has made it possible for us to not only know God and his forgiveness, but to experience what it is like to have him actually live inside us! (John 14:17)

Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave us as orphans (John 14:18), or, as Paul described it – “without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12).

Without Christ people are hopelessly alone, but with him we are never left on our own.

God’s answer to Moses’ fear was that he would be with him. (Exodus 3:12) King David knew this glorious truth, too (Psalm 23:4), as did the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 41:10). When the disciples were afraid in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus comforted them with these words:

...“It is I; do not be afraid.” John 6:20 (ESV)

I prefer the translator’s note in the New Living Translation: “Do not be afraid. The I AM is here.” Jesus, the perfect representation of the Great I AM, the Creator-Sustainer-Redeemer-Righteous Judge and King, transcends all that seeks to attack and intimidate us.

Every fear must bow the knee to Jesus.

King David put it wonderfully.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

We all feel fear from time to time. When this happens, we must choose to put our trust and confidence in God. When we do this, fear must go. It is often a battle, but it is one we can and must win.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)

We let our hearts be afraid when we forget that the Great I Am is with us. With him at our side and inside of us, we truly have nothing to fear.

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Prayer for God’s Intervention in Government and the Public Arena

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Lord, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. 9 Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. 10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. 11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent. 12 But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor. 13 Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence. Psalms 140:7-13 (NLT)

King David, a man who knew and understood God’s heart, was not timid about asking for God to intervene in behalf of God’s people and for the sake of righteousness.

While it is very important for us to realize that sometimes God allows his people to suffer at the hands of tyrannical rulers, it is never a good thing for evil to triumph.

When we pray for divine judgment, it is vital that we temper our prayers with mercy because we all need it. We should always be careful to forgive and pray “for” our enemies that they might be saved. In addition, we can and should pray according to basic principles of righteousness, asking God to intervene in behalf of his people against wickedness in government and in the public arena. Only God knows who among our enemies is capable of repenting and who is not. Let him be the final arbiter of justice and mercy.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for my government, as Paul commanded us. I pray that you will work through our leaders to provide just government to our nation. Lord, you are sovereign in power and overflowing in mercy. You know that evil people are scheming and working to accomplish their plans at the expense of those who love your name because they hate you and your rule.

Do not let their evil plans succeed. Work things so that their plans turn out to be a blessing for your people and for your glory instead. Let the plans of evil people backfire. Do something creative and entirely unexpected by the perpetrators of evil. Let truth prevail and liars be exposed. Uncover the hidden things of darkness so that truth wins.

In the midst of your judgments, have mercy on us and all those who are willing to repent. Open our enemies’ hearts to believe the Gospel. Strengthen those of your people who are suffering persecution for your sake around the world. Have mercy on the persecutors. Bring justice to the poor and oppressed. Let your people always be praising you, no matter what. Amen.

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Prayer When I Am Afraid

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Fear is both natural and spiritual. Natural fear is a built in response to danger put into us by the Creator. It alerts us and prepares us to fight or take flight, so to speak. Spiritual fear is something different. Instead of working to our advantage, it works to destroy us.

Spiritual fear is the opposite of faith.

In fact, it works to destroy faith, propel us to take actions that will harm us, or simply weakens us, so that we sink into hopelessness, despondency, and despair. We have all felt fear. Some of us may be feeling fearful at this moment. Here are some insights that will help you. The prayer will come at the end.

Learning to Be Still

Fear churns up the soul, creating panic and motivating us to do something rash or to give up and do nothing at all. This might be called believing we are powerless.

The opposite of fear is quiet confidence in God. 

When we are afraid, one of the best things we can do is become still in God’s presence, reminding ourselves of who he is, what he has promised, how he has helped us in the past, and how much we can trust him to faithful now and in the future.

A great example from the Bible is when King Jehoshaphat was afraid when a huge army came against his kingdom.

Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4  So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD’s help. 5  Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the LORD. 6  He prayed, “O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7  O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8  Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9  They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ 10  “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11  Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12  O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:3-12 (NLT)

God spoke through Jahaziel the prophet in response to the king’s prayer with these reassuring and faith building words.

He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16  Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17  But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!” 18  Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:15-18 (NLT)

Jehoshaphat’s response was as important as the prophecy.

God’s promises make no difference in our lives if we do not believe them.

Being still before God opens our hearts to be able to hear his voice, and when we hear him, we make the choice to believe him or not.

Faith in God’s promises and character is the antidote to fear.

And, yes, God did just as he said he would by defeating Judah’s enemies without the king’s army even having to fight. What will God do for us?

Be Still Because I Will…

The psalmist succinctly states this powerful truth.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)

We can have peace because God is good and will keep his promises.

He will glorify himself. He is our fortress in times of trouble!

Now this is not to say that he will not require us to do something. Faith takes whatever action is necessary. It is never passive. As we listen to God, he will instruct us what to do.

Prayer

Lord, I am afraid and need your help. Your word says that you rule over all things, and I believe it. You are Lord over me and my circumstances. I believe Romans 8:28, that you are working all things out for my good and your glory. I now choose to quiet my soul in your presence, O God, and ask you to speak to my heart, so that I can be encouraged in my faith. I claim what Isaiah the prophet said so long ago:

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)

I rebuke and renounce fear. You have given me the Spirit of faith, not fear. (2 Corinthians 4:13 and 2 Timothy 1:7) I ask you to remove all fear from my heart. Cause praise and faith to well up inside me. I give you thanks because you are faithful and true. You are loving and powerful. You will never abandon me. Holy Spirit be my Helper and Comforter! Thank you, Lord, for working this situation for my good. I thank you in advance. Now I wait to see how you will do it. Amen.

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Overcoming Past Occult Involvement

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Many people may need to overcome obstacles before receiving the baptism in the Spirit. My previous articleremoving hindrances in this series illustrated how to conquer the strongholds of traditions of men and passivity. This article looks at how to get past a potentially severe blockage which can be erected in our lives due to past occult involvement. If you have ever been an occult practitioner of any sort, consulted such a person, or even dabbled in things you thought were harmless, such as a Ouija board, you should read this article and take the necessary steps to extricate yourself.

… I do not want you to be partners with demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20b  (NET)

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul warned those early disciples not to participate with demons in any way. In the modern world many do not even believe that such malevolent beings as demons exist, but demonic oppressionanyone who takes the Bible seriously cannot afford to dismiss them. The Bible does not tell us much about their origin, but we do know that they are evil spirits which desire to inhabit human bodies and oppress anyone they can.

 

The Greek word that describes the activity of demons is “daimonidzomai,” which simply means to demonize.

Some translators of the Bible unfortunately used the English word “possess,” which carries all altogether different meaning of ownership and complete control. Using this poor translation as their basis, some argue that it is impossible for Christians, who belong to God and in whom dwells the Holy Spirit, to be possessed, owned, or completely taken over by an evil spirit. I agree wholeheartedly with that logic, but I insist that it is possible for believers in Christ to be demonized or oppressed by evil spirits. I have seen too many examples to think otherwise. Believers in Christ belong to God but can be oppressed by the devil. I think we all agree with that.

Our theology must be congruent with the clear teachings of the Bible without contradicting what we all know is true about life.

Oppression can take many forms, ranging from mild to severe. While demons, or anything or anyone else for that matter, cannot block the Holy Spirit, in his kindness and wisdom God may require us to properly distance ourselves from the demonic before he allows us to move forward with him. God is properly “jealous” in the sense that he refuses to “cohabit” with evil.

You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this {evil} world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. 5  Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.” James 4:4-5 (GW)

Demons do not care how they gain access to people. They will take advantage of any doors we open to them, even when we do it unknowingly.

In fact, innocent people are often exposed to demonization by the actions of others, as in the case when adults introduce young children to sin, especially sexual sin and occult practices, such as witchcraft.

Why is occult involvement such a hindrance? I suppose it is because through it we open ourselves up to Satan’s power when we involve ourselves in his world and sometimes even invite demons to inhabit our bodies, which were created to house the Holy Spirit. It is an affront to God when we turn to demons for help, instead of relying upon him.

Martha and I were once ministering to a young woman who was not able to get a breakthrough when it came to speaking in tongues, even though she had repeatedly asked to receive the baptism in the Spirit. I asked her if she had ever been involved in the occult. She replied that she formerly had practiced witchcraft. I then inquired if she had ever renounced that, and she said, no. She did not know that she even needed to do so.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)

We led her in a prayer of repentance in which she renounced her past involvement with witchcraft. Immediately she told us that she felt as if an anvil were pressing down upon her chest. Suddenly the pressure lifted, and she began speaking in tongues. God waited for her to confess the sin and get rid of the demon, which had been oppressing her, before he gave her his marvelous gift.

Some of the occult activities you may need to renounce include the following: seances, Ouija board, fortune telling, tarot cards, witchcraft, astrology, etc. If you have in any way dabbled or immersed yourself in anything connected with the kingdom of darkness, you should repent and verbally renounce those things. Ask for and receive God’s forgiveness through Christ’s blood. Then command any attached spirits of darkness to depart in Jesus name. They must obey that command.

We carry Christ’s authority which is backed up by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. We speak the words and the Spirit of God enforces them.

It is vital that we understand and believe that evil spirits have no option but to obey a command to leave when we properly repent and use Christ’s authority. We need never find ourselves in a power struggle with a demon. It is always a truth and authority issue. Their power was destroyed at Calvary when Jesus rose from the dead.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

Once we remove any “platform” or “hook” a demon may have used to oppress us through repentance and renouncing, it is an easy matter to break their grip using the authority of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is the Enforcer of Christ’s victory and his authority. He comes to our aid when we do our part. Once we properly distance ourselves from the occult, we will be ready to receive the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit.

 

POTF front coverWant to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to order.

I have also written more extensively on how to be set free from demons. Click here if you are interested.
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Overcoming the Traditions of Men & Passivity

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Because of receiving bad information in the past, many people must overcome obstacles before receiving the baptism in the Spirit. My previous articleremoving hindrances in this series illustrated how to conquer fear and legalism. This one looks at two more common hindrances and shows how to get past them.

 

Traditions of Men

Religious groups tend to form their own culture and traditions over time. Non-denominational churches often begin as a sort of protest against dead formality and ritual, but over the years such churches develop their own set ways of doing things. This is part of what it means to be human and is not necessarily a bad thing.

If our traditions stand between us and the our apprehension of the truth and our reception of God’s promises, however, they are evil and must be set aside.

Jesus confronted dead religious traditions quite often, thereby incurring the wrath of the establishment. Once traditions are set, they assume a stature as if God himself set them up. Some churches, such as Roman Catholicism, officially elevate church tradition to the status of scripture. More evangelical churches would never openly say such a thing, but in actuality they sometimes put their traditional interpretation of scripture over the truth. Once again, this is a human propensity. For those steeped in the traditions of men, the old and established way of doing things always seems better.

Jesus warned against following our traditions when they nullify the clear intent of God’s Word.

And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4  "For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' 5  "But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," 6  he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7  "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8  'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 9  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" Matthew 15:3-9 (NASB)

When it comes to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the only thing that matters is what the scriptures say, not what our church traditions may teach. Just as in Jesus’ day, sometimes it requires great courage to resist and overcome time honored traditions in order to serve the Lord.

Passivity

There is a time for “waiting upon God,” which describes our having the attitude of being surrendered to God’s will for our lives and honoring him as the initiator. Waiting on God is a function of our understanding the danger of operating independently from the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

However, once we know what his will for us is and are confident that now is the time for us to act, passivity becomes a sin.

Nothing substitutes for acting in faith, not even prayer or worship. If our mother asked us to clean our rooms, when we were young children, she would not be happy to find out we never did it because we were praying instead. There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Jesus instructed his first disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Spirit, but this was because their first experience of this extraordinary gift from God had to take place on the exact day of Pentecost, perfectly fulfilling God’s eternal purpose for that Old Covenant feast. They waited and prayed for days in the upper room, but when the day of Pentecost finally arrived, the Spirit was powerfully poured out.

Since then, every day is Pentecost. There is no longer any need to wait. We can receive instantly.

In addition, we should not expect the Holy Spirit to somehow take control of us, as if God superimposes himself over our desires and will. In his goodness and love, God expects and encourages us to partner with him. The Spirit, who dwells within us, also comes alongside us allowing us to participate with him in ministry. He lets us know the things that God has freely given to us, which includes the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

Our role is to ask for and receive God’s blessings. If we do not ask, why should we expect to receive? If we have asked, what is stopping us from actively receiving?

It is true that sometimes God blesses those who do not seek or ask, but almost always he wants our participation, especially when we know the truth. Therefore, we should not be passive when it comes to the baptism in the Spirit. Remember: faith acts as if God’s Word is true… because it is.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8  "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

 

 

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Freedom from Fear of Death

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The gospel has the ability to provide freedom from the fear of death.

The last enemy God will destroy will be death.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26  The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 (ESV)

Death may also be the last fear we will face head on in this journey called life. Death lurks in the background of every moment, waiting for its time. The picture of the Grim Reaper knocking at our door tells the story. Adam and Eve opened the door to this enemy when they chose to disobey God, giving Satan permission to invade all our lives. The wages of sin is death, and God will not be mocked. We all will reap our wages because we all are sinners. Should we be afraid of death or should we regard it as a natural part of life, as unavoidable as taxes and as inconsequential as the sun coming up in the morning?

Death is unnatural, and God calls it an enemy. Our Lord never intended for us to experience death.

Mercifully, God did not walk away from us when we turned our backs on him. He determined from the outset to defeat Satan and death on our behalf.

He promised us that one of Eve’s children would crush the head of the serpent, but at great cost to himself. The serpent would bite his heel.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

Overcoming this enemy came at a great price, the death of God’s only Son. Jesus defeated death by dying and rising again.

Death could not be avoided. Jesus faced, experienced, and conquered it through the cross and the resurrection.

Many people live as if they never expect to die, pushing out of their minds their inevitable demise, as if not thinking about it will make it go away. King Solomon warned us:

None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NLT)

Since we cannot avoid death, we should prepare for it.

That is why people make the effort to write wills and take other steps to make ready for the inevitable. It is more important that we prepare ourselves spiritually. Amos the prophet spoke this ancient warning to Israel, which applies to us today: “Prepare to meet your God in judgment.” (Amos 4:12)

Death is God’s judgment against sin, but there will follow another judgment on the other side of death.

Jesus warned us that we should fear that and prepare for it.

Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:4–5 (NLT)

If we do not face the fear of death and conquer it, it will capture us.

Thankfully, Jesus has done all the heavy lifting on our behalf.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

When Jesus died on our behalf, the Bible says that we were included in that death.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15  and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB)

For all of this to make sense, we must realize that there are two deaths, a physical one and a spiritual one.

All must die physically because God’s beautiful creation is under judgment for Adam’s sin. In addition, those who do not put their faith and allegiance in Christ will experience what the Bible calls the “second death,” which is an eternal spiritual death apart from God’s presence, who is the source and sustainer of life.

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus promised that all who put their faith and allegiance in him will never experience the second death.

Paul taught that God has removed us from the domain of darkness and death and transferred us into his kingdom of light and life. (Colossians 1:13) Jesus confirmed this truth, as recorded below.

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

Later Jesus explained himself in more detail to one of his followers named Martha following his friend Lazarus’ death.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)

Here Jesus promised that life continues after death, spiritually and eventually physically in the resurrection.

Our Lord made the glorious promise that believers will never experience the eternal second death. We who trust in him will never die, not really. We simply transition from earth to heaven when the body expires.

Those who put their faith and allegiance in Christ are united with him spiritually (1 Corinthians 6:17). Therefore, wherever Jesus is, so are we. Colossians tells us that Christ is seated on God’s throne in heaven, which is where we are likewise seated. (Colossians 3:1-3. See also Ephesians 2:6.) This means that, just as Christ told us in John 5:24, we have already passed from death to life. We are already in God’s presence in heaven in the Spirit.

When we believers die, we do not spiritually die or go anywhere. I believe that we simply “wake up” in heaven, where we have been spiritually all along.

Our bodies may die and decompose, but the spiritual part of us never dies. One day the body will be raised in a glorious new form that will no longer be subject to death.

For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NLT)

In John 11:26, Jesus asked Martha if she believed his words. Now we must ask ourselves the same question. The gospel provides the antidote to the fear of death, but will we believe and receive it? Those who do are delivered from their slavery to the fear of death. Hallelujah!

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Overcoming Fear & Legalism

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This article address two potential obstacles to receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit – fear and legalism.

Fear

Fear is often a subset of ignorance. We often fear and reject what we do not understand.

Advances in knowledge and understanding are often met with stiff resistance. The Anabaptists were put to death by Protestants and Catholics alike for practicing believer (adult) baptism, as opposed to the practice of infant baptism, which had been the acceptable mode in the church for centuries. Infant baptism was considered to be the means for children to enter the church, similar to infant circumcision in the Old Covenant. It was part of the sacramental system, which teaches that grace is communicated through the sacraments, rather than through the direct personal work of God’s Spirit. If a child were not properly baptized and should die, it was feared that he or she would be consigned to either hell or a place called limbo, a kind of shadowy unbiblical ghost-like existence away from God’s presence. Through sacramentalism the church maintained an iron grip upon the people, who believed they had no direct access to God. Only the priests, another Old Covenant construct that was improperly transferred to the church, were able to minister the sacraments. This rendered the common people (the laity) dependent on men instead of God. When the Anabaptists introduced the radically new practice of believer baptism, it upset this long established tradition and belief system, bringing incredible wrath upon its practitioners. Today much of the church, including the part with which I associate myself, accepts believer baptism as the normal way of doing things, but not then. The rest of the church accepts or least tolerates the practice today. God restored this long lost truth regarding water baptism to the church during the Reformation. Since the early 20th  century the Lord of the harvest has been restoring truth about the baptism in the Spirit.

Truth is usually resisted at first, but wins out in the end.

Today many are afraid of the baptism and gifts of the Spirit because they seem unfamiliar and strange. Their church leaders may have never taught them about these things, or, even more sadly,  may have taught them lies based on man-made theology and traditions. Jesus warned us about using doctrines of men to block obedience to God’s Word.

And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 7  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' 8  "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." 9  He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. Mark 7:6-9 (NASB)

The Jewish leaders feared Jesus, because they did not understand him and feared what he would do. Their idea of the Messiah did not mesh with who he really was and is. They were afraid he would upset their traditional way of handling things; therefore, they hated and rejected him, eventually putting him to death. Satan always resists the advancement of truth. He fears the truth and the power of God, and instills that fear into his followers. If you have allowed fear to stand in the way of your receiving God’s blessing of the baptism and gifts of the Spirit, be careful that you are not following the traditions of men or simply allowing your fear of the unknown to block you from God’s best.

Satan cannot stop God from blessing you, but your fear and unbelief can.

Repent and ask God to remove fear and open your heart to him and his truth.

Legalism

Legalism is a man made attempt to gain or maintain a right standing with God through our own efforts, instead of believing and receiving what Jesus did for us.

Regarding the baptism of the Spirit, legalism shows up in our thinking that we are not yet good enough or holy enough to receive this remarkable gift.

We may think that we must clean up our lives or overcome some particular sin first. It may be that we do need to repent of a sin prior to receiving from God, but that can be done instantly.

Legalism wants us to delay things until we feel that we are good enough.

That will never happen. We will never be good enough on our own. Jesus made us worthy to receive all God’s blessings and love.

The baptism in the Spirit is designed to be one of the first experiences a new believer has with God.

The Holy Spirit comes into our lives to make us more like Jesus. He will take care of remaking us in Christ’s image, which is a lifelong endeavor. First things first! Now simply receive God’s blessings. Later we can cooperate with the Spirit in the transformation process. Now we need to simply open our hearts to God and receive his blessings by faith.

The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Galatians 3:2 (NET)

Both fear and legalism indicate that we do not yet fully trust God. Isn’t time we let go of these two things and simply receive his wonderful blessings?

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Irrefutable Evidence

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Evidence is what we see, hear, or otherwise apprehend directly and personally, not secondhand or by hearsay, which helps to demonstrate the truth of some assertion. Evidence must be something objective and external to us, rather than inward feelings or conjecture. It is something that can stand up in court. Evidence does not cause something to happen. It proves that something did happen.

The Bible says that the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues and prophecy.

This teaching is limited to the evidence of speaking in tongues, since that is more common than prophecy as an initial evidence. When we observe someone speaking in tongues, we have irrefutable evidence that he or she received the baptism in the Spirit. If the person does not speak in tongues, but says he knows he has received the baptism in the Spirit by faith, even though it may be true, we cannot corroborate his statement because we have no evidence.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Unfortunately, we often read into the scriptures our own prejudices and experience. This is called eisegesis, as opposed to the proper task of exegesis, which is extracting from the Bible what it means. While it sounds very noble to claim that we do not practice eisegesis, we all are influenced by our own experience, traditions handed down to us, and a priori beliefs. Only the Holy Spirit can properly interpret the Bible since he is the Author or Inspirer.

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT) —

It is a misguided endeavor to limit our interpretation of the Bible to what scholars determine was the human author’s intention and meaning when he wrote, especially when it comes to prophecy, since we are told that it was the Holy Spirit “carrying them along” (2 Peter 1:21) when they spoke and wrote, often about things regarding which they had limited understanding at best.

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NLT) —

Knowing that we all tend to approach Scripture from the frame of reference of what we already think, have experienced, or have been taught, we should be careful when interpreting those things that are outside of our own experience.

Humility keeps us open to receive more from God and does not insist that truth conform to our own theology or experience.

Another big obstacle is bad doctrine. Some Bible teachers have done a great disservice to the body of Christ by disseminating false teaching regarding the baptism and gifts of the Spirit. Overcoming such indoctrination is often quite a challenge, especially if we love, respect, and trust our previous instructors.

Just because someone knows a lot about the scriptures in general does not mean he or she understands everything.

While a bachelor can teach on marriage from the Bible, a married person will probably have much more insight and wisdom about life as a couple from having experienced marriage firsthand. A person may know what the Bible teaches about the new birth, but until we have personally experienced it, we cannot properly understand it. Likewise, well-intentioned Bible teachers have taught on the baptism and gifts of the Spirit without ever having received or experienced them, often because they have rejected that they are for today.

Jesus said we must obey the Word to understand it.

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  John 7:17 (NLT) —

Spiritual strongholds are lie-based logical arguments we embrace that block us from believing God’s revealed truth and receiving the attached blessings.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT) —

If we are taught and embrace a lie about the baptism or gifts of the Spirit, it sets itself up in our minds to keep us estranged from one of God’s biggest blessings – the Promise of the Father. Sowing lies is one of the devil’s primary strategies to hinder people from first coming to Christ and then, after we become Christians, to keep us from advancing in our faith and devotion to Christ. Overcoming lie-based strongholds requires us to embrace God’s truth, even when it opposes our previously held beliefs.

Traditions of men cannot be allowed to stand between us and God’s blessings.

The Record from Acts

Luke’s record of how the Holy Spirit worked through the early disciples of Christ in the years following his resurrection is found in Acts. We should allow the record to speak for itself instead of superimposing our own understanding and traditions on top of the Bible’s clear testimony.

Unfortunately, over time, unexperienced truth can be lost and buried like old ruins.

Thankfully, God has restored much to the church regarding the baptism in the Spirit over the last century beginning at Azusa Street, continuing through the Latter Rain Movement, and the Charismatic Renewal. In addition, over the past decades, God has restored our understanding and experience of apostles and prophets, two of the more neglected components of the Five-Fold or Ascension Gift Ministries described in Ephesians 4:11-12.

The first example of people being baptized in the Spirit is found in Acts 2.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)  

The word Luke used in the above passage to describe what happened to the disciples is that they were “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his followers that they would be “baptized” in the Spirit.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)

We should not be confused by the overlapping terminology. The “filling” recorded in Acts 2 was the ‘baptism” promised in Acts 1. The important thing for us is that this was another experience with the Holy Spirit, different from the new birth. This baptism in the Spirit filled those men and women to overflowing with the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit, to equip them for preaching the Gospel and ministering in Christ’s name.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Speaking in tongues is the supernatural overflow of this filling or baptism in the Spirit.

Jesus taught that we speak out of whatever fills our hearts.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (ESV)

We all talk about the things that excite us. If we are football fans, we love to speak about football. If we are fans of cooking, we share recipes. If we love nature, we talk of the outdoors. If we are filled with God’s Spirit, we will talk about Jesus. In some cases, we do so in other languages inspired by the Spirit of God.

When we overfill a pitcher of water, the overflow comes out of the spout. When God overfills us with his Spirit, the excess spills out in various ways, usually in verbal form. Our mouths are sort of a pressure relief valve.

Paul wrote the following.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)

Why should it surprise us that people begin speaking and singing when filled with the Spirit? The only real surprise is that we can and often do express our joy and excitement by speaking in unknown languages.

Here are some more examples from Acts.

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God... Acts 10:44-46 (ESV)  

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6 (ESV)

When Peter and John visited Samaria on the heels of Philip’s preaching the gospel there for the first time, they laid hands on the new believers because, even though they had believed and been water baptized, they had not yet been baptized in the Spirit. How did the apostles know? The most reasonable explanation is because they had not yet spoken in tongues.

When Peter and John prayed, something so remarkable happened that Simon the Magician begged to be given the power associated with laying on of hands. Most probably he heard the people begin to speak in tongues, just as happened the other times people were baptized in the Spirit in Acts.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19  saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-19 (ESV)
Conclusion

The record of Acts clearly shows us that the first disciples received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and prophecy. This irrefutable evidence allowed Peter to argue successfully that he had to water baptize the Gentile Cornelius, since God obviously demonstrated his acceptance of him by giving him the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

There was no difference between what happened to the first disciples on Pentecost and what happened to Cornelius and the others later.

For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47  “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ... Acts 10:46-48 (ESV)

We should desire and expect no less for us who live today. God is the same, the promise is the same, and the need is the same.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  Acts 2:38–39 (NASB95) —

To access this entire series, click here.

POTF front coverWant to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to find out more.
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