[Faith-talk] Satan and the Saint, Part 8

[Paul]

While we could continue for many days on the last category of the demonic powers mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-12, we are going to bring this series to a close.

As we conclude the study of the divisive work of these religious devils called "wicked spirits in high or holy places," let us turn to I Timothy 4, which begins, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

We note from this that the blessed Holy Spirit speaks expressly, with no uncertainty, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.  This departure is bad enough, but far worse than this--those who depart will then give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

Man, being incurably religious, must seek for some kind of religious experience to satisfy the spiritual longings of his heart.  If he does not know Jesus Christ as personal Savior, or if he deliberately turns from the truth of the Gospel, Satan is eager to substitute his lies in place of the truth.

Note that the Holy Spirit says that those who depart will be giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.  It will be these wicked spirits in high or holy places who will endeavor to indoctrinate men and women in the latter days to truly believe that their devilish doctrines are correct.

Let us take note of some of these in the following verses found in I Timothy 4:2-4, "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving to them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving."

It is plain--yes, crystal clear--from Scripture that the sexual revolution of our day is not only unscriptural, but actually devilish.  All the sacredness of marriage has been lost in promiscuous living and outward rebellion against God's Word.  Behind all this you will find these demonic powers at work.

How strange it is today, also, to find some of those, engaged in gross immorality, who will yet make a religion out of the fact that they do not eat meat! They are strict vegetarians, feeling that this produces virtue, as has been so eloquently stated, in the verses quoted, by the blessed Holy Spirit Himself.

I should like to make it plain to many of our dear readers who may be sickly and thus, for health or dietary reasons, choose not to eat meat that I am not including them at all.  It is only when a religion is made of not eating meat that it is unscriptural.  There may be those who are unable to eat meat (and this is covered very well in Romans 14).

Nevertheless, as we are drawing nearer and nearer to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Satan knows that his time is very short.  I should not be surprised that, as we draw nearer to the rapture of the church, conditions will become increasingly worse.  Gross immorality will spread throughout all the world, and it may be that Christians in America will actually suffer greatly for their testimony.

We can see a trend already developing in the area of homosexuality.  Cities are endeavoring to place known homosexuals as teachers in the public schools, in the police departments, fire departments, and all areas of civil government.  Who would ever have believed when the hour would come in America when special privileges would be accorded to that which the Bible denounces as an abomination?

I am sure that many of you readers who served in our country's armed forces were fully aware of the fact that no homosexual could ever function in military service.  May God help us if the day should come when homosexuals would freely be admitted to the Army, Navy, or Air Force of our nation.

As of this moment, they are not permitted to enlist.  Why is this? Because no natural American male would be able to tolerate close association or companionship with a known homosexual.  The Armed Forces discovered this quickly and have forbidden their enlistment in the service.  However, the time may come when this, too, will be done away with, and only our Lord knows the great immorality and rebellion toward Himself that will stalk our land under the guise of "civil liberties."

Yes, the hour may well come when Christian ministers will be strictly forbidden to preach against known sin, revealed sin, that which God calls sin.  All of this chaos and confusion in society is weakening our nation and eating away at the very fiber of our strength.  It will not be invasion from afar by an enemy power, but inward corruption that may destroy America.  This certainly is being carried on systematically by these wicked spirits in high or holy places.

While we bring this series of messages to a close today, you may want to make a further study in your Bible regarding each and every category of demonic power.  However, let us remember that, as the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, we can say with all meaningful knowledge and joy that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!

And there you have Part 8 and the final part of this series, which I pray gave you some insight into the activities and workings of our adversary, Satan.  I've read these eight parts over several times, and each time I gain new insights.

There are several comments I'd like to make here.  One is the area of Bible versions available to us.  Some time ago Joel Niederhood mentioned on the radio that, in English alone, there are more than 400 versions or paraphrases of the Bible! With all this to choose from, we need the Holy Spirit more than ever for us to choose the right one that He wants us to read.  Some versions twist verses around, while others leave out certain ones.  I'm not in a position to tell you individually which version you should or shouldn't read.  I'll leave that up to our Counselor, the Holy Spirit.  Did you know that some years ago a guy named Anton LeVay (not sure of spelling) actually wrote a book called The Satanic Bible?

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe more than ever, individually and collectively in these last days in which we live.  Lord willing, tomorrow we will return to the Daily Thought articles.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul