Archives: Episode

Overcoming Barriers to Following Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

Jesus warned that being his disciple is only for those who are willing to pay a price.

Because we are born with a sin nature and are inherently self-centered, we all tend to take the easy way, just as water seeks the path of least resistance. Very few embrace the difficult path by choice, but that is exactly what Jesus tells us to do. Is it any wonder that many of his would be disciples turned back from following him? Let’s look at some of the barriers to following Jesus that are listed in Luke’s gospel and see how we might overcome them.

Pressures from Family

If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (NLT)

One of the first hurdles every follower of Christ likely will face is the conflict between following Jesus and pleasing his or her family. Being a disciple is not something we do it our spare time. It is not something we tack on to our lives without fundamentally altering everything else. Following Jesus is more like gutting a home and totally remodeling it than simply rearranging the furniture. Following Jesus means that we love him more than any other person or thing. Our relatives may misinterpret our dedication to Christ as hatred toward them. Some followers of Christ have suffered the loss of their families. This is a painful test which many fail.

If we cannot put Jesus ahead of family, we will get mired into compromise and disobedience, and our testimony to the family will be ruined.

We can only walk with those with whom we can agree to follow the same path. (Amos 3:3) The only way to overcome this barrier is to steel ourselves against rejection and trust the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to put God ahead of everything else, even family.

Putting Our Own Interests First

And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (NLT)

A cross was an horrible instrument of torture and death. Everyone who heard these words must have inwardly cringed. No one wanted to be crucified. Why would Jesus link following him with dying on a cross? This was not merely a metaphor. Many of his followers would die painful deaths for their allegiance to Jesus.

We are all inwardly motivated to preserve our lives, sometimes at all costs. The second barrier to discipleship is overcoming the impulse or habit to put ourselves first without regard for God’s will or the best interests of others. Being a disciple means we follow Jesus wherever he may lead and we fish for people. Sharing the gospel is potentially a dangerous business, especially in closed countries. But even here in the USA people may suffer for their declared allegiance to Christ and his teachings. Following Christ means we choose to embrace our Lord and the gospel, no matter what the personal cost. God has a vested interest in enlarging his family, which happens when the gospel is shared and believed.

People who do not yet know Christ have a desperate need to hear the gospel, which trumps our desire for self-preservation. Jesus calls his followers to put their self interests behind his and those they serve, trusting that God will take care of them.

Following Jesus may require us to make choices that may not always seem to be in our own best interests. In these cases we must choose Christ’s interests over our own.

These choices can involve to whom we relate , where we live, whom we marry, what job we take, how we spend our money and time, and possibly even whether we live or die. Martyrs make the choice to remain steadfast to Jesus at the cost of their own lives. This is the ultimate death to self, but the smaller day to day choices are what challenge most of us. The ability to put others first and trust God to take care of us is a true test of faith. Overcoming the barrier of self-interest can be done with God’s help. We must trust the Holy Spirit to do this deep work in our hearts.

Paying the Piper

But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29  Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30  They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31  “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32  And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33  So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. Luke 14:28-33 (NLT)

The third hurdle for every disciple is the financial cost of following Jesus, who is Lord of all, even our money. The rich young man chose not to follow Jesus because he was unwilling to part with his wealth. Wealth represents different things to different people. It can be our ticket to comfort and material things. For others it provides security. Still others imagine that it provides power, recognition, and esteem.

Parting with our money means we are willing to let go of what it gives us and choose to trust God to provide those things instead.

The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-24) did not realize he loved money more than God. He was surprised that Jesus’ offer of a place in his discipleship band carried such a heavy price tag – giving away all his wealth. When faced with having to make a choice between keeping his money or following Christ, he chose the former, to his own detriment and sadness. Jesus does not want us to be caught by surprise as was the young ruler, but to intelligently consider the cost of discipleship prior to launching out on our journey with him.

Jesus claims the right to all we have because he is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. If he demands that we give it all away to please him, we must do that. The cost of discipleship is more than monetary, however. Following Jesus will cost us our time, energy, freedom, family relationships, and may even impinge on our health. We must be willing to pay any and every price in order to follow Jesus. (Read Acts 4:34-37.) What financial cost have you paid to follow Jesus? What other costs have you incurred?

Overcoming this barrier requires that we honestly face our relationship with money and choose to put God first, trusting the Holy Spirit to develop faith in us that God is our ultimate Provider.

The Willingness to Endure Conflict

Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus will experience resistance and conflict. Spiritual warfare comes from the devil and from people who have a worldly perspective and are thus, often unwittingly, aligned with Satan. Our enemy seeks to harass, intimidate, demoralize, and stop the work of God. The more important our call and role is in God’s kingdom, the more intense the warfare we should expect. God does not want us to be surprised by this, nor does he want us to surrender. God has made his children more than conquerors, but it takes courage and perseverance to overcome the enemy.

Spiritual warfare does not always show up the way we might expect.

Suddenly everything may seem to start “going wrong.” Appliances or automobiles break. Loved ones get sick. Strife erupts. Discouragement pays a visit. Unless we are alert, we may be well on our way to losing the battle without even knowing that we are under attack.

Disciples need to be alert and determined to acknowledge and praise God in all things because we truly believe Romans 8:28. Once we understand that we are in warfare, it actually gets easier to make a stand.

We cannot afford to be uninformed and oblivious to the devil’s tactics. (Read Ephesians 6:10-18.)

What was the most costly conflict you have endured thus far that came as a result of being a disciple of Jesus? Were you surprised when it happened? Had you already made up your mind to push through it, or did you have to regroup? Have any loved ones suffered as a result of your commitment to Jesus? How is this different from personal suffering?

Overcoming this barrier to discipleship requires that we choose up front to keep going when we encounter conflict and resistance – spiritual warfare. Retreat and surrender cannot be an option. Double minded people are unstable and often abandon ship in the midst of a storm. Ask the Holy Spirit to inwardly fortify you to endure warfare.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

Giving Up Everything

The last instruction Jesus gave to his followers was to renounce everything they owned. When we declare allegiance to Christ at water baptism, unknown to many, Jesus gets us to sign a blank check. He will choose when, where, and how much the amount will be collected, up to everything we have.

It is one thing to agree to the principle of Jesus’ ownership of everything, but it is quite another to deliberately renounce our “rights” to all we own.

Renunciation makes it official. All we have belongs to Jesus and every good gift comes from God. He allows us to use it as he sees fit, and we should be ready to dispose of it at a moment’s notice. Whoa! Did just write that? Yes, I did.

Renunciation does not mean we do not appreciate or get to enjoy what God has given us. It means nothing “owns” us but God.

This is not necessarily a one and done proposition. We will probably need to continually disentangle ourselves from the pull of what we have until the day we let go of it all at death. He does not require the same things at the same time from everyone. We cannot compare ourselves to others in this matter. Ours is to faithfully follow our Lord.

Prayer

Jesus, I choose to be your disciple and I embrace the cost. I choose my relationship with you over all my other relationships. I am willing to be rejected by people who may misunderstand or hate my loyalty to you. My desire is for my family and friends to walk together with me on this journey of faith, but, if need be, I choose to put you ahead of them, no matter how much it hurts to do so. Lord, forgive me for loving myself more than I love you. I purpose to put you first from now on. Help me to boldly embrace any persecution or suffering which may accompany boldly witnessing to you and sharing the gospel. I choose to carry my cross daily and put your will over mine whenever there is a conflict. Lord, I give you my finances. All I have came from you and belongs to you, and I give it back to you. Help me to never back away from any cost associated with following you, even if it means death. Help me never to retreat or surrender to the attacks from Satan and those who serve him. I renounce everything I have – my relationships, my choices, my money, my right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, my comfort, my time, my peace – so that I can please you. I know that you will give me back more than I can ever give you. I totally depend on your grace and Holy Spirit to enable me to follow you as a disciple. Allow me to be an encourager to all those who call on your name. Amen.

Share this post...

How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 3 – Mockery, Fear, and Intimidation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When lies and false accusations fail to accomplish their ends, the devil and his allies will resort to mockery, intimidation, threats, and fear to derail us from God’s purposes.

When Nehemiah endeavored to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, he encountered every form of satanic resistance and attack. The book of the Bible named after him is one of the best study guides for identifying and countering deception.

King Artaxerxes of Persia authorized Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. When the Jews under Nehemiah’s command made the decision to take on this prodigious task, here is the first thing Israel’s enemies said.

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. Nehemiah 2:19 (NLT)

This statement contains mockery combined with a false accusation. The last thing these three men wanted to see was Israel return to any sort of strength. But Nehemiah refused to be intimidated. He replied:

...“The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:20 (NLT)

Work was begun immediately resulting in tremendous progress being made.

Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2  saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3  Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” Nehemiah 4:1-3 (NLT)

The purpose of mockery in demoralization. If the enemy can discourage us, we may stop ourselves, without his having to actively resist in any way. Being made fun of is a powerful weapon. We must steel ourselves against being thought of poorly by others. What others think is not our business.

Nehemiah recognized it as a formidable attack and responded appropriately.

Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5  Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” Nehemiah 4:4-5 (NLT)

If mockery fails to accomplish its objective, God’s enemies will escalate things.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8  They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9  But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. Nehemiah 4:7-9 (NLT)

The threat of physical violence is designed to either harm or kill us or to incapacitate us through fear and confusion. If we have to defend ourselves, how can we get anything done? Another possible response to the threat of violence is to cease from doing what provokes the enemy’s anger. Nehemiah refused to be intimidated.

So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. 14  Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” 15  When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16  But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17  who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18  All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm. Nehemiah 4:13-18 (NLT)

When we are under satanic attack, as was Nehemiah, we must be prepared to encounter mockery, fear, and intimidation without letting those things deter us from doing God’s will.

Later Israel’s enemies lied and falsely accused the Jews of rebellion to the Persian government, but that tactic was overcome, too. In 52 days, the wall was completed, an amazing feat.

We are not trying to rebuild a physical wall. Instead, followers of Christ today are working to build and extend God’s kingdom here on earth through preaching the gospel and making disciples. Satan works overtime to keep us from obeying God in these two areas. It is my firm belief that the devil will tolerate many things that churches do, such as fellowship, pray, worship, and teach the Bible.

However, when a local assembly makes the commitment to pursue obedience to the Great Commission, it can expect to encounter strong satanic resistance.

When this happens, a decision must be made whether that church will continue on course or abandon the quest to obey God.

Applying these principles to the national political scene, the COVID-19 panic has contained every element of a satanic attack.

We were lied to regarding the mortality rate of the disease, which induced us to fear and opened us to take draconian measures that limited our freedom and greatly damaged our economy. In other words, lies and fear led us to make self-destructive decisions. People who questioned the data and conclusions were mocked and cut off from having a platform to voice their dissenting ideas, which were labeled as “harmful disinformation” by Big Tech. Government officials used threats and intimidation to keep the populace at bay. They falsely accused dissenters of needlessly killing people by minimizing the deadliness of the virus. This is the most un-American thing I have ever witnessed in my lifetime – a stripping of our rights under the pretext of increasing our safety. Now the question is whether or not the people of this nation will continue to submit to such governmental tyranny and censorship by Big Tech.

The people of our nation have an opportunity to rebuild the walls provided by our Constitution that insure personal liberty. Our forefathers were willing to take on the most powerful nation in the world to establish this nation. They did it because freedom was better than life in bondage for them. Nehemiah was willing to endure the mockery, lies, threats, and even physical attack in order to rebuild Jerusalem. Restoring Jerusalem was more valuable than his own life. But we are part of something so much bigger – the kingdom of God, which will never be destroyed. Earthly kingdoms come and go, but God’s kingdom never ends.

But let us not forget that if the United States ever “flips” into totalitarianism, the church will come under intense attack. At that point, we will be tested in our willingness to stand up to every form of satanic attack all the way to martyrdom.

What do we value enough to fight for?

Share this post...

How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 2 – False Accusations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most revealing names given to Satan by the Bible is the “Accuser.”

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10 (NLT)

Satan began his assault on humanity by accusing God to Eve.

He claimed that God did not have her best interests in mind, could not be trusted, and should be disobeyed. It worked. Sinful people gravitate toward “dirt.” We more easily believe a lie than we do the truth in many cases. The closer to the truth we come with our accusation, the better it is. If Satan was not afraid to accuse God, he certainly will have no qualms about accusing us!

False accusations are violations of God’s command not to bear false witness.

Lying about people in order to convict them in court is called perjury, and carries a heavy penalty. Lodging false accusations against people is also a sin that carries a heavy price tag because it has the potential to destroy lives. God’s justice will see to it that liars are punished.

Modern politics is largely accusatory. Guilt or innocence is not the issue. Mud is thrown in the hope that some of it will stick in the minds of the voting populace. The current case of General Flynn bears this out. He was set up by President Trump’s enemies who framed him, bore false witness against him, ruined his sparkling military career, besmirched his character publicly, bankrupted him and his family, stole his freedom, and disrupted his life for years.

Jesus said that Satan is a “thief” whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) False accusations are a tool to accomplish that end.

Being falsely accused is one of the most difficult of tests. Everything in us wants to set the record straight. It is a fundamental violation of our character, integrity, and our reputation. Jesus endured this test without feeling the need to retaliate because he fully trusted in God’s ability and promise to eventually vindicate him.

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

Waiting for God’s vindication is difficult, but the reward will be worth it.

Looking at the current political landscape in America, it is obvious that we are under a severe satanic assault in relationship to the use of false accusation.

The mainstream media has relentlessly accused Trump and his supporters for the last several years. Almost all of these accusations have been proved false, but this has not stopped the president’s enemies for continuing their railing against him. Accusing authority falsely will be punished severely. Keep your eyes wide open to watch this happen down the road. God will see to it.

So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10  He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. 2 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT)

Lately in response to the COVID-19 shutdown, we are being encouraged to accuse our neighbors by reporting them to the authorities if they appear to violate the stay in place orders. Totalitarian societies use this tactic to keep their citizenry under their thumb.

Such accusation is a betrayal of friendship and breaks down trust in a society. It is a tool of the devil used to demoralize a populace. He uses it to steal our freedom, kill our joy, and destroy our lives.

When people begin to accuse one another, you can be sure the devil is hard at work. When leaders are falsely accused, our eyes should be wide open to his operations.

How Can We Defend Ourselves?

When Satan accuses us of being sinners, he is right. After following his rotten advice in the garden, mankind has been on a downward trajectory. We are born with a sin nature called the “old man” or the “flesh” whose natural desire is to rebel against God. Jesus came and died on the cross as God’s Lamb. He took the accusations, the guilt, and the punishment for our sins, so that we can walk free of all three.

“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)

The first defense against Satan’s accusations is to accept what Christ did to free us from them. Now when Satan accuses those of us who trust in Christ n order to condemn us, he is a liar and engaging in false testimony.

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:33-34 (NLT)

In the courtroom of heaven, God is the judge, the defense lawyer, and the jury. When Satan falsely accuses us, the case is thrown out of court immediately. This was settled over 2000 years ago. On an individual basis, we have been set free from the power of false accusation in the spiritual realm.

But what about the natural world in which we live? How can we defend ourselves and our nation against the accuser of the brethren?

The first thing we can do is pray that God will expose this activity of the devil and cause it to backfire.

We can also point out when false accusation is being employed by those around us. This is similar to exposing the activity of a gossip. It needs to be brought to the light. Lastly, we can make sure we do not engage in the same.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. James 2:13 (NLT)

False accusers show no mercy, and none will be shown to them. Let’s be mercy people. The Lord knows we need mercy; so, let’s sow it in order to reap the same.

Share this post...

How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 1 – Lies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more understanding we gain, the easier it becomes to navigate life. Knowledge relates to facts and information. Understanding assembles knowledge in a systematic way that gives insight. Wisdom uses knowledge and understanding to plot a prudent course of action. Satan undermines a society by sabotaging the flow of truthful information, which short circuits the ability to gain understanding and act with wisdom.

The Bible says that Satan is the “father of lies” and that “there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) He overthrew Adam and Eve by lying to them about God’s character and motives.

A chief characteristic of a Satanic attack is deception.

Any person or organization that lies as a matter of course is satanically affiliated and is motivated and empowered by hell. (James 3:6) Over the past several years politics and reporting by the media has been characterized by deception and misinformation. You connect the dots. Many realize what is happening, which is maddening. Others, who have lost their ability to judge truth from falsehood, have no clue that they are being duped.

Booker T. Washington said it well. “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”

Since lying is satanic, those who give themselves over to lying become tools of the devil.

The scariest thing that can happen to a person is for God to give him or her over to the evil from which they refuse to renounce. (Romans 1:24, 26, 28) If that happens, there is no escape. Repentance is a gift from God, and if the Holy Spirit stops working in someone to influence them toward good, the evil present in them will gain mastery over them.

“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7  You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

Sin mastered Cain because he refused to repent from his hatred and bitterness, resulting in his murder of Abel. This is what happened to Pharaoh when he repeatedly went back on his word and “hardened his heart” against God. When we refuse to respond to the Spirit’s promptings to turn away from evil, the Bible says that God “hardens our hearts.” (Exodus 9:12) The Lord gives some people over to their sin. He stops actively working to turn them away from their habitual disobedience, thereby allowing them to become captives to Satan to do his will. Paul wrote:

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NLT)

Abandonment of the truth leads to captivity by Satan. Large numbers of people in our government and the media have given themselves over to lying and have become active agents in a satanic attack on our country.

The purpose of satanic deception is to undermine our faith in God and human authority and cause us to make destructive decisions, thereby bringing upon ourselves God’s judgment.

This is how the first lie worked in the garden of Eden, and this is how Satan operates today. False information leads to bad conclusions which result in destructive actions. It should be obvious that this is happening all around us, especially in government, but also in society at large. Large numbers of people have swallowed lies regarding homosexuality, transgenderism, sex outside of marriage, abortion, and so on.

Believing lies results in disobedience to God, bringing upon ourselves the negative consequences associated with sin.

Nobody ever “gets away with” sin. We always reap what we sow, eventually.

How Do We Defend Ourselves?

The key to fending off satanic attacks is to first discern the nature of the attack, which allows us to respond appropriately. It should be obvious that the antidote for lies is the truth. Armed with the truth, we can make our stand against the lies and schemes of the devil.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:10-14 (NLT)

Jesus is the Truth. He stands opposed to Satan’s lies. His truth sets us free from the power of the lie.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NLT)

Once we embrace truth, it is like turning on the lights. The dark power of the lie simply goes away. It cannot survive exposure to the light.

Our job is to be proclaimers of truth, which starts with sharing the gospel. It includes a wholesale acceptance of the Bible as God’s written truth to us. God’s Word is truth. (John 17:17) But our responsibility extends beyond the confines of religion. We are to stand for truth in every area. We must be declarers of truth wherever we discover that lies are being propagated. In our day, this is nearly everywhere: government, education, medicine, the news media, television, the movies… the list goes on. Remember:

He [Satan, the anitchrist] will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11  So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12  Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NLT)
Steps to Freedom
  1. Confess that Jesus, who is the Truth, is your Lord. To follow Christ is to embrace truth.
  2. Read, think about, and put into practice the teachings of the Bible.
  3. Repent in any area where you have embraced deception.
  4. Become a truth teller.
Share this post...

What Are We Waiting For?

 

 

 

 

The disciples ask Jesus to eat something, but he replied that he had food of which they knew nothing. As they wondered aloud what he meant…

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35  You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36  The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37  You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38  I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4:34-38 (NLT)

Principle: What Are We Waiting For?

The disciples were asleep to the opportunities for sharing the gospel that were all around them.

There is a joy that is associated with sharing the gospel and leading people to faith in Christ that is more satisfying than food. In another place, Jesus told his followers about this.

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7 (NLT)

Most of the church seems to find their satisfaction in hanging around other believers. If you are reading this article, I hope it is because you feel the pull to be an ambassador for Christ who ventures out of the comfort and safety of the local church to search out those who are open to the gospel. If you are, be encouraged by Jesus’ words. Whether or not we are in the midst of an awakening, the harvest is ripe. There are people whom the Holy Spirit has prepared to hear and believe the Good News!

Being Christ’s ambassador is perhaps the most satisfying occupation in the world.

It was more important to our Lord than food. May the Spirit of God awaken us to the opportunities around us. May he give us the love and boldness to engage people. May he equip and inspire us to operate in the supernatural realm of the gifts of the Spirit, and may he give us success in effectively sharing the gospel. If all that happens, the only thing that remains is to disciple our converts to become just as we are – followers of Christ and fishers of men.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
Share this post...

Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready

 

 

 

 

The Samaritan woman at the well abandoned her water jar to go round up the rest of the village to come meet Jesus.

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28  The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29  “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30  So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:27-30 (NLT)

Principle: Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready

Many new believers imagine that they should wait until that magical day when they finally will be ready and fully equipped to share the gospel. This is partly the fault of the church. We think that sharing the gospel is more to do with having our doctrine right than it is with being “on fire” for Christ. It is partly our fault for buying into the notion that it is better to say nothing at all than risk making a mistake.

The Samaritan woman did not know much, but God used her to bring the entire village to Christ.

And this is not the only time that Jesus commissioned a new convert to be an evangelist. The Gerasene man whom Jesus delivered from many demons was immediately put into service, too.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19  But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20  So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. Mark 5:18-20 (NLT)

Didn’t Jesus realize that it is dangerous to put a new convert into the ministry, especially one who had been so unstable?

By the time we are thoroughly trained to properly share the gospel, we likely have lost contact with many of the people who most need to hear our message. This is because we stop “hanging around” with unbelievers and spend all our time with other Christians at church meetings.

The most opportune time for us to share our faith is when we first come to Christ, before our unbelieving friends relegate us to the “weird Christian” category.

Another reason we should start sharing our faith immediately is that we likely never will be quite so enthusiastic about Christ as when we are first saved. Some call this “first love” or the “honeymoon” period of Christianity. This is not to say it should be this way, but it often is. By the time disciples are thoroughly trained, they often have  picked up plenty of excuses for not be evangelistic and become quite comfortable simply going to church, rather than actively sharing the gospel. I call this Great Commission drift.

Most of the American church is more in love with comfort than with sharing the gospel.

The night I came to Christ, I immediately began telling my friends that I just met Christ and that he is real. That is about all I knew, but it was worth sharing. Over time I have added to my knowledge and understanding of who Christ is and what he did for us, but my fire to share the gospel has never been stronger than it was on the very first night.

Don’t wait until you’re “ready”. Start sharing the gospel and never stop.

Share this post...

Look for Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Work

 

 

 

 

After Jesus satisfactorily answered the Samaritan woman’s question about the rift between Jews and Samaritans, she showed that she was one of those who eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah.

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26  Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!” John 4:25-26 (NLT)

Principle: Look for Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Work

When a disciple of Christ begins a conversation with someone he or she has never met, it is something like opening a long buried treasure chest. What is in it? That is one of the things that makes fishing for people a most interesting occupation.

Going into an encounter, we do not know how God may have already been working in a person’s life, but our hope is that God will lead us to those he has already been preparing to receive the gospel.

It is obvious from the passage above that the Samaritan woman had been thinking about and longing for the coming of the Messiah. She was more than ready to meet and believe in Jesus. She just did not realize at first to whom she was speaking.

When a fisherman leaves home for a day on the water, he or she anticipates catching a big one. We know they are “out there.” That’s what makes it fun. Will God privilege us to meet someone like the woman at the well? I am convinced they are “out there.” We only need to find them, and the Holy Spirit knows exactly who they are. Don’t forget that she was a most unlikely person. We dare not judge people superficially. Only God knows the heart.

We should pray daily for the Spirit to orchestrate encounters like the one Jesus had at the well.

We should also prepare ourselves mentally to be alert when such opportunities present themselves. Jesus could have simply sat there in weariness, but he engaged this woman. We must also be alert to using the gifts of the Spirit. They are not just for church meetings. Lastly, we should prepare far ahead of time by thoroughly familiarizing ourselves with the gospel message. Don’t waste your opportunities!

(Learn more about the gospel by clicking here.)

Share this post...

Address Root Questions

 

 

 

 

After Jesus fully gained the Samaritan woman’s attention, she addressed the heart of the controversy between Jews and Samaritans.

So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21  Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22  You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23  But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:20-24 (NLT)

Principle: Address Root Questions

There was no point ignoring the “elephant in the room.” The Samaritan woman re-posed her opening question – “Why are you talking to me?” – in more theological terms. When we converse with people outside the boundaries of “normal” social interaction, these sorts of questions may arise. Rather than skirting the issue, he explained it in terms of the New Covenant, which breaks down the walls separating Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well, coupled with his answer to her question, made her realize that God’s plan included her. The gospel bridges cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and political divides. The key is for us to be able to explain how.

Jesus did not go into much detail as to how this would happen. He did not need to do so. He was and is the embodiment of the New Covenant. Since we are not, we must be prepared to give a reason for our hope by explaining the gospel as best we can.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

(If you want to learn more about how to share the gospel effectively, click here.)

Share this post...

Depend on the Holy Spirit

 

 

 

 

After Jesus moved the conversation to a spiritual plane, the woman responded by asking for eternal life, whether she fully understood or not.

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” 16  “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17  “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18  for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19  “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. John 4:15-19 (NLT)

Principle: Depend on the Holy Spirit

When Jesus used the gift of the word of knowledge, a subset of prophecy, to identify the woman’s hidden sin, it changed the entire dynamic of the interaction.

It moved her from curiosity to full attention. It proved to her that Jesus was from God. It showed her that God knew all about her without condemning her. It convinced her that Jesus was someone she could trust and to whom she should listen. All that happened because Jesus shared one thing he could not have known without the Spirit’s help.

This takes us back to the synagogue in Nazareth when Jesus launched his itinerant ministry by reading from Isaiah 61.

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19  and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” Luke 4:18-19 (NLT)

A big secret of Jesus’ effectiveness was that he ministered under the influence of the Spirit.

Try to imagine how he would have operated without miracles and the gifts of the Spirit. He would have been reduced to how a modern evangelical operates. How sad, for him and us. How tragic that today his disciples act as if the power of the Spirit is no longer available.

We need to return to New Testament methods if we want early church results. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit in a greater way.

Share this post...

Move the Conversation to Spiritual Matters

 

 

 

 

Using the open door provided by the Samaritan woman’s question, Jesus masterfully moved the conversation to spiritual matters, from a drink of water to eternal life.

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12  And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13  Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:11-14 (NLT)

Principle: Move the Conversation to Spiritual Matters

It was immediately apparent that this woman was no one’s fool. She wanted to know the practicalities of how Jesus was going to provide a new kind of water in a place where the only source was this well that her forefather Jacob had provided. She wondered just who Jesus thought he was, but her thinking was still on a natural level. She realized that she was speaking to a very interesting person, but might have wondered if he were some sort of “nut job.” She certainly had no clue yet that he was the Messiah.

Instead of immediately responding to her natural question, Jesus offered what seemed to her to be a puzzling reply that moved things toward a spiritual plane entirely. This is an important key to fishing for people the Jesus way.

Certainly our desire is not to come across as “weird;” rather, we should strive to be authentically and spiritually interesting, which requires that we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Probably Jesus had quickly discerned her spiritual hunger and led her down a conversational path to satisfy her deep longings for God. In our case, since we usually cannot so easily “read” people, we may have to be more “experimental” in our approach, offering interesting spiritual conversational tidbits to see if the one with whom we are talking responds positively.

The important thing is to try to move the conversation toward spiritual matters instead of allowing it to focus on the kind of mundane and trivial small talk that the world prefers.

Share this post...
Share this post...