Believing the Delusion

Believing the Delusion

2 Thessalonians ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

============

 

Meeting with the new leader, I quickly understood where he stood. He wanted to use his work title to have wild parties at any occasion. I wanted to move up, so I turned my head to the drunken, lewd, insatiable comments to the staff. But then, the requests to make the parties happen left me with a paradox. Either I cave in or get another job.

 

• I really wanted to get a promotion.
• I thought that I could overlook something that was wrong, as long as I wasn’t participating.
• I figured I could remain unstained by “helping out” and ensuring the “bar and the babes” were available after the conventions (my part was to get the business suite someone else did the rest).

 

Paul mentions some very difficult realities revealed to him by the LORD. He spoke about the coming of the False Prophet that was part of the unholy trinity This being will oppose everything JESUS stands for. Unfortunately, there will be some who will believe in his lies and will perish due to “strong delusions.”

 

My Observations

• JESUS is the only Savior for me to put my trust in.
• Lies, deception and twisted thinking will be exposed by JESUS, so I must confess to HIM I need HIM.
• Receiving the “love of the truth” may be difficult for me, because sometimes my desires match what the world has to offer.

 

What is scary is GOD allowing people to believe in lies and deceit. I mean, can’t GOD just make everyone believe in HIM? HE doesn’t seem to work that way. In fact, HE created humans to have “free will” which is the only condition where love can exist. GOD doesn’t coerce anyone to love HIM, It has to be voluntary.

 

JESUS volunteered to be a sacrifice and save humanity from death. This was a very difficult thing to do and may have been very hurtful to the FATHER. BUT HE allowed it. HE wants all to believe but it has to be a choice. I gladly believe in JESUS and accept the truth of HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer speak of when he says “GOD will send them strong delusion?”
• Is there something that you have done or believed in that later you realized was wrong?
• Will you examine your beliefs and see if they align to the salvation, love and truth of JESUS today?

Another Way

Another Way

Ephesians 2: In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. ² At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. ³ Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God's anger.

 

============

 

Growing up obeying the rules, I decided to step away from them to see what would happen. When I did not get struck with a bolt of lightning or get swallowed up by a fiery pit, I said to myself, “Maybe I can try more things that the rules say I shouldn’t.” When I found myself in deep trouble, I wondered how I got there.

 

• I was in a bad place with no hope.
• I felt I did not have a way out.
• I thought I was a disappointment to GOD and even HE would not help me.

 

Paul describes a progression towards a state of being that provides life. He spoke of a time in which the spiritual powers blinded people into following ways that would lead to GOD’s anger. Everyone suffered the natural condition. It seemed hopeless. BUT GOD had another way.

 

My Observations

• JESUS saw I could never achieve HIS required state of perfection so HE died for me.
• JESUS is GOD who became a human for me, was murdered by HIS creation and was raised from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS gave me another way that provides hope and a future.

 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”  GOD loved everyone enough to gave a gift. It is up to me to accept HIS gift and live inside of HIS path. Unfortunately there is an adversary who wants me to doubt GOD or blame HIM or question HIS authority or ways.

 

I then say things like “Why does GOD do…?” and “If GOD is so loving then why…?” I then question other people’s walk with JESUS and eventually my own. BUT GOD wants me to have a solid relationship with HIM. HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to dwell inside me and guide me to places of peace in stormy times. I am grateful GOD cares for me and I do not have to worry.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer is mentioning “the past?”
• Do you see there is an alternative?
• Will you seek a life that provides hope by asking GOD to handle all of your difficulties today?

Dual Life

1 Corinthians 10: ¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel; those who eat what is offered in sacrifice share in the altar's service to God. ¹⁹ Do I imply, then, that an idol or the food offered to it really amounts to anything? ²⁰ No! What I am saying is that what is sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be partners with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink from the Lord's cup and also from the cup of demons; you cannot eat at the Lord's table and also at the table of demons. ²² Or do we want to make the Lord jealous? Do we think that we are stronger than he?

 

============

 

Seeing the rated “R” movie put me on a path to wanting to see a rated “X” movie which put me on the path to wanting to try the real thing. I was “good” by comparison. But something inside me along the way said “This is wrong.” The further I went each step along the way, there was something saying “Stop.”

 

• There have been many times when I wanted to do whatever I wanted to do.
• There have been many times when I wanted to live any way I wanted to live.
• There have been many times when I wanted to justify my sinful choices before GOD.

 

Paul explains that, while an idol has no power, an altar offered to demons is taking things one step further. He warns everyone not to partner with demons because there is no way to expect to be with GOD when partnered with demons.

 

• GOD wants me to let go of my path and follow HIS.
• GOD wants me to check if I am serving HIM or my own selfish desires.
• GOD wants me to drink from the LORD’s cup and eat at HIS table only.

 

Follow GOD or follow self, that is the choice. I mean, HE does give extreme freedom to do what I want to do and justify my actions. BUT HE sees the heart. HE is the one who knows my future and HE is the only one who can forgive. HE wants me to turn from “my” ways and turn to HIS way. I gladly let go of my way.

 

• Are you trying to serve two masters?
• Do you realize you cannot serve the world and serve GOD?
• Will you let go of anything you may have inadvertently partnered with that is not of GOD and follow HIS way so HE can guide you to HIS abundant life today?

Unpreached

Unpreached

John 14: ²⁹ “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. ³⁰ I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. ³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

============

Over the years, I have heard many people speak about sin, marriage, raising kids and money. But I rarely heard about demonic forces, who’s sole purpose is to rob humans of their true relationship with GOD. When I did hear it mentioned, it seemed to be in a context that gave humans some sort of comic-book like super-power to fight the forces of evil.

• Sometimes I feel alone when I speak about demonic forces.
• Sometimes I feel laughed at when speaking about the “ruler of this world” being demonic.
• Sometimes I feel I am not taken seriously when I mention there is a spirit that is against JESUS.

JESUS says HE would not speak to the followers much because the “ruler of this word” was coming and this ruler has “nothing in JESUS.” HIS words spoke more than HIS death. HE spoke about the spiritual blindness humans would fall into.

• To believe in JESUS, means I believe I need HIM.
• To believe in JESUS, means I also believe there is something that would cloud my judgment, trying to skew HIS words away from what HE really said.
• To believe in JESUS, means I believe that I am susceptible to being tricked by lies that seem sound.

It is not popular to mention Satan and a demonic force. I mean movies portray evil as this ugly, weird, alien thing, with blood or green acid dripping from sharp fangs. BUT JESUS saw different. HE saw the need to teach unpopular views so we, who follow HIM, would not be fooled.

HE saw through cravings for comfort, control and lusts for power as distractions away from HIM. HE saw the rich and educated as distractors from HIM as well. HE is the sower of the seeds of love and wants me to believe HE can heal any sickness, fix any problem and grow any person who believes in HIM. I believe in JESUS.

• Do you believe you can be lied to?
• Do you feel you are following JESUS with all your heart?
• Will stop trying to fit into the world and start trying to seek those who need JESUS?

Permitted Protection

Luke 8: ³⁰ Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

³² Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. ³³ Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

³⁴ When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

============

“He’s alright” nodded the person as I tried to get into a restricted place. I had not been amongst the lavish before so I never noticed the plain clothed guards at discreet entrances. Once inside, I could see why the rich and powerful craved these kind of places because I felt secure.

• There were times when I needed permission to pass through “security.”
• There were times when I was allowed into a secure place.
• There were times when I was the one who was guarded and protected.

JESUS permitted the demons to leave the possessed man and enter a herd of swine. HE could have said “No”, but instead allowed them to wreak havoc on the herd. HE protected the healed man from any more harm and danger. JESUS also allowed the townspeople to ask HIM to go away. HE heeded their request.

• GOD wants me to ask permission for any request.
• GOD wants me to realize HE has the power over any force.
• GOD wants me to know HE has the power to protect me and make me feel secure.

Humans can only temporarily protect me with their limited power. BUT GOD can protect me from every force that tries to come up against me. With HIS permission, I am allowed into HIS family. HE wraps HIS loving arms around me and places me in HIS hand for which no one can pluck me out.

• Are you facing something very large that seems impossible to get out of?
• Are you afraid of an outcome that is out of your control?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS permission to protect you and cleanse you today?

Powerful Mercy

Mark 5: Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

============

Driving on a sunny day made me feel great. I was on my way to a friend’s house to enjoy some company. As I drove through the intersection near his house, a car ran a stop sign and hit my old junker. With little apology they threatened me instead of providing their insurance. I wanted them arrested for the rest of their lives!

• Sometimes I want revenge!
• Sometimes I want “justice!”
• Sometimes I want “that” person to get what’s coming to them!

JESUS does something absolutely amazing in this slice of history. A legion of demons, whose job was to torment people, asked for mercy.  JESUS had the power to immediately speak them into being eternally tormented but restrained for it was not the right time.

• JESUS says to me “Vengeance is MINE.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM full of mercy and grace.”
• JESUS says to me “Judge not lest you be judged.”

This conversation between the demons and JESUS shows me that HE can give mercy to anyone who asks. I need to follow HIS example of giving mercy to those who may be against me.

• Did someone do something to you?
• Did they deliberately hurt you?
• Can you accept the power GOD is giving you by showing undeserved mercy on them?

Fate of the Seed

Matthew 13: ³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

============

GOD put me here for a purpose, namely to speak about HIS SON. Everything else is a distraction. Yet I find myself focused on the things and worries of the world. People tend to pop up with new shiny messages that keep me from focusing on the glory of GOD.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face each and every day.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM, not in humans around me.

One day GOD will harvest those who believe in HIM. I’m not just talking about HIS existence. I’m speaking about HIS love. The way HE died and was raised from the dead. I’m talking about the HOLY SPIRIT who was sent on my behalf, who now lives in me. That belief!

GOD does not want me to be part of the weeds, so HE grows me to bear fruit.

• Are you being distracted with the things of the world?
• Do you desire to be grown?
• Can you allow yourself to be led of GOD’s SPIRIT today?

Fading Demons

Matthew 8: ²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

============

“The devil made me do it” were the words of a comedian I watched as a kid. Next came the movies of demon possession with spinning heads of the actresses with bloodshot eyes screaming obscenities. My final stage was attending higher learning and being taught there is only a scientific reason for how humans behave. “Demons don’t really exist, do they?” was now my question.

• Over time I slowly stopped believing in the demonic world.
• In order to not look crazy I pacified my beliefs that demons existed.
• After seeing what the crowd believed I ceased my beliefs in demons.

Books and movies have seemed to explain away the demonic world. When I went to church to verify the existence of demons, I was met with easy sermons of how to live right versus the difficult message that there is a battle against a realm that I cannot see.

• GOD taught me that HE threw the devil out of heaven because of the devil’s pride.
• GOD taught me that HE threw out a third of the angels because they followed the devil.
• GOD taught me that demons not only exist, but some are stronger than others and wreak tons of havoc.

When I read this I realized I had not heard many sermons related to the demonic world that I was convinced that the person believed nor the audience. I felt my belief in demons was strange to say so I kept it to myself. BUT GOD wanted me to grow.

GOD wants me to see that my battle is not against humans or politics rather it is against a force that is stronger than humans but far less mighty than GOD. They bow to HIM and follow HIS commands. How can I protect myself? Through prayer and fasting brings GOD’s protection.

• Have you written off demons?
• Does mentioning demons seem weird?
• Do you believe GOD can protect you from demons if you believe in this realm?
• Will you stop looking at movies and pay attention to what GOD says about HIS control over the demonic world?