Welcome back to The War Series, Dressed To Kill. I am so excited that you took the time to stop by and read this War Series. We have touched on a number of things since we gained intel on our uniform and how to wear it properly. We have discussed that the enemy has infiltrated God’s Kingdom and is corrupting the minds of the believer as well as the unbelievers. We have learned who Satan is and was in our last post, so now let’s get into this next post and find out more about the Breach In The Kingdom.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you as humbly as we know how asking that you help us the understanding we seek. Help us to have a peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, we know that the enemy is attacking us but our prayer is that you will help us strengthen our armor and our faith in you. Lord touch each and every one of us so that we may be reliant on you and only you. All these things we ask of you in your name, Amen!
FIX: LOCKED ON-TARGET:
In last week's post, we discussed and broke down the FIND element in the F3EA targeting tactic that the military uses to locate and learn their target for capture. We discussed who Satan is, what he goes by, the ways that we can recognize him, and how he came to be. This week we will be discussing locking in on Satan so that we will not fall victim to his schemes. As we mentioned last week, in this stage we have the enemy under surveillance and we are gaining information about his various whereabouts.
Some of these whereabouts will not be new to you as they are in plain sight while others are hidden and require some digging to uncover the truth behind them. I ask that you keep your mind open and get ready to learn just how sneaky and tricky the Devil is. As I mentioned before, if you do not have a strong and stable foundation in God you will be more susceptible to his schemes and tricks. This is why it is so imperative to educate yourself on our target so that you will not be ignorant of him. Let’s lock on to the enemy so that we can be aware of what to look for.
New Age Religion (A Counterfeit Gospel)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-10
You must understand that there is only one true Gospel, and that is the Gospel of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a follower of Christ, we are to place our faith in God and God alone and live according to his will. As followers of Christ, we understand that even though he is unseen he is still there for us at all times and we have to trust that he will help us in our time of need. Now that we have an understanding of what is expected let’s jump into what the world will have you believe.
With this New Age Religion, A Supermarket Spirituality, that has become so popular over the past couple of years it is so dangerous for those that are not steadily rooted and stable within God’s truth because it allows for you to think that it is okay to pick and choose what you want to believe in. New Age Religion is meant to tempt you from the truth of God’s word because it is rooted in things that are more tangible. New age religion is a concept that was founded by theosophist David Spangler (Red Flag #1) which rapidly grew in popularity in the 1970s.
His concept of religion is eclectic and operates under the guise that reincarnation, astrology, psychics, and the presence of spiritual energy in objects like mountains or trees are at the core of the belief systems. New Age Religion is based on half-truths from traditional religion and full of things that make people feel good. If you were to ask someone today they would most likely state that they consider themselves spiritual beings rather than religious. This form of “religion” draws heavily on many different forms of loosely related ideas (Red Flag #2). New Age Religion accepts a holistic form of divinity that pervades and places emphasis on the universe and sense of self. Which is fueled by the common misconception that semi-divine non-human entities can communicate with people through human mediators or intermediaries.
New Age Religion relies on astrology, the Age of Aquarius, to predict the current or upcoming astrological age that is discovered by the various methods of calculation (Red Flag #4) through combining science and spirituality. Other forms of objects that New Age believers use in their practices are crystals, chants, rocks, and so on. They believe that charging these crystals will give them spiritual power.
New Age believers would rather place their faith in things that are seen like man rather than what is unseen. Often times when there is a lack of understanding in the bible, many will turn from the bible and follow something that is easier to understand than digging deep and praying to God for clarification. Because God is unseen, many have forgotten his importance and have decided to push him to the background. They feel weird or awkward praying to him because they cannot physically hear or see him. The truth is there are too many distractions.
New Age Religion allows for so many distractions to be in place which keeps you from forming a connection with or building a rapport with God. As time continues to evolve and progress traditional gospel is becoming more and more obsolete and many are ostracized for believing in it. The truth is becoming washed out by half-truths and lies. When you choose to follow Christ as God has intended, you give up the“you” for God, and for many that is a hard concept to grasp.
It’s much easier for people to satisfy the flesh and engage in a religion that promotes self-spirituality, and individualism. In this, I challenge you to remember that “SELF” didn’t die for your sins “Jesus” did. New Age Believers will have you believe that there is no one true way to get to heaven or pursue spirituality (Red Flag #5). Remember that the bible says there is only ONE way to get to heaven and that is through Jesus.
Baphomet (A Counterfeit Church)
I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan
Revelation 2:9
There is a counterfeit church that was created and founded by Anton S. Lavey, called the Church of Satan. The current High Priest of this Church is now Peter Howard Gilmore. The mission of this church was to study Satanism and the occult sciences. Members of this church read counterfeit bibles or texts called the Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devil’s Notebook, Satan Speaks, Letters from the Devil, The Secret Life of a Satanist, The Church of Satan, and The Satanic Scriptures. All of the books except The Church of Satan and The Satanic Scriptures were written by Anton Lavey.
Scholars of religion have classified LaVeyan Satanism as a new religious movement. The Church of Satan and its members were very active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines that were devoted to Satanism. In the Church of Satan, there is a hierarchy that is constructed of five degrees registered member, active member, witch/warlock, priestess/priest, Magistra/magister, and Maga/magus.
These Satanists believe that satanism begins with atheism and it begins with the universe. Their belief system operates under a nontheistic religion and states that there is no God; instead, they place value on indulgence, vital existence (self-preservation), undefiled wisdom, conditional love, vengeance, non-empathy, humans are the most important beings, worshipping the seven deadly sins as it represents gratification, and that Satan is the best friend of the church.
The Church of Satan also has Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth as well as The Nine Satanic Sins that its followers must abide by. Let me tell you these rules are wild and so far from what Christ would have you do.
Church of Satan founder LaVey believed in “rituals” or “ceremonies” that were meant to celebrate various occasions. These rituals and ceremonies were done with magical acts where members were encouraged to practice magic for their own selfish needs. LaVey stated that these rituals were designed to be done alone because concentration was needed to perform the magical acts. LaVey uses Baphomet as a satanic symbol that is meant to represent duality, fertility, and the powers of darkness.
Baphomet was and is their primary mark or distinguishing mark of their Church. LaVey called for its members to engage in three different types of rituals/ceremonies, sexual rituals, compassionate rituals, and destructive magic which seeks to harm others. Let me interject here, as followers of Christ we are not to engage in sexual immorality, we are to be selfless like Jesus placing others before ourselves, and we are not to wish ill will upon anyone instead pray for them by interceding on their behalf. Our Heavenly Father would not be pleased to know that his children are out here intentionally treating others cruelly.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
LaVey places importance on the upright five-point pentagram that is meant to be a beacon of power for these rituals, with statues of Baphomet on their alters as well to strengthen the black magic that is being performed. As followers of Christ the Bible tells us that we should not concern ourselves with magic or any form of sorcery, nor should we give into the pull of the flesh. LaVey’s Satanism detests anything that God holds true and instead seeks to dismantle the Christian religion by going against it.
LaVey established a Black Mass that was created to decondition the person from any teachings that were learned while living a Christain lifestyle. Let me insert a Holy Clap Back right here; in the Bible, Jesus says, that I am the way the truth, and the light no one gets to the Father except through me. [John 14: 6]
Witches, Medians, Fortunetellers (A Counterfeit Prophecy)
A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 20:27
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8
The use of witches, medians, fortunetellers, and familiar spirits is becoming more and more popular in today’s society. With it flooding television and social media. People are consulting God less and less and turning to other people that channel spirits to find out information or to cast spells on others. These witches, medians, and fortunetellers use seances, ouija boards, and sacrifices to connect with the spirits of the dead to find answers about the future.
So many people have abandoned Christ because they do not hear from God when they call on him, that they are influenced by New Age Religion to seek out these people to find their answers. Let me interject here God says in the bible And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? [Isaiah 8:19].
We know that God has the final say and that we should consort only with him about what our future holds. Psychics try to discover the future through palm reading tarot cards, pendulums, and/or black magic. Many use crystals and various elements to create potions that are meant to greatly impact the person it is directed at. Often times the spells spoken in these encounters are meant to bind people to objects, sicknesses, animals, thoughts, and even other people. This form of witchcraft is centered around creating specific effects which go beyond one’s natural powers by calling on the occult for assistance.
Witchcraft has been used primarily to awaken the dead, arouse sexual passion in someone, kill an enemy, and/or bring ruin to someone or something. Some people will try and convince you that there are good witches that practice white magic, but the fact still remains that this person is invoking powers that are not of God whatsoever to perform the incantation.
Historically, witchcraft has been used in Satanism and in Black Mass to give praise to the Prince of the Air and commit sacrilegious and blasphemous deeds. As followers of Christ the bible states If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. [Leviticus 20:6]
Fortunetellers and medians historically have relied on astrology, horoscopes, and palm readings to communicate false visions of the future. Let me tell you a story of what happened to Saul in the bible. If you turn in your bibles to 1 Samuel 28:1-24 and read it gives the account of Saul who sought the assistance of a median and what happened as a consequence of this action. If you invoke the Devil or any other powers to enter the darkness for assistance or attempt to seize the powers that belong to God alone you are now in direct disobedience of the authority of the God Almighty. In this, you put your soul in jeopardy and have blatantly turned away from God.
And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.
2 Chronicles 33:6
I encourage you to read this story in the bible as well in the bible 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 this gives the account of a king that deliberately followed other idols, practiced witchcraft, and engaged in needless sacrifices all while leading his followers astray. This passage also tells how the Lord our God dealt with this stubborn king.
False Prophets (A Counterfeit Doctrine)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
1 John 4:1-3
False doctrine is not something that is new to the world in fact it has been around from the very beginning. Historically many people have used false doctrine or teachings to take control over others; this is especially true for kings, queens, dictators, and even slave owners. Their goal was to enslave your mind or bend you to their will by filling your mind with half-truths. That is why John tells us to not believe every spirit. He speaks on the imperativeness of testing the spirits so that you can discern whether or not what they speak of is true. The Devil uses people who are charismatic or have a grand following/influence to spread his lies. As I mentioned earlier if you are not steadily studying the word or following his works then you will fall victim to these lies. Remember just because it sounds appealing does not mean that it is what God intended. In all things pray to the father and he will guide your path in the way that you should go.
All hope is not lost. Take the time to read the word and works of the Lord so that you will come to know and understand the truth within them. This will make it easier for you to be prepared when a false teacher or doctrine approaches you with something that is untrue.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
There are quite a few pastors that are famous and some that are not famous that teach a prosperity doctrine that only highlights the tribulations within the bible. They teach you to believe that God is a genie that is there to grant wishes at your beck and call. These teachers will say things like “God said that a blessing is going to be given to you if you give ‘X’ amount of dollars” that is a red flag. God wants you to come as you are he would never charge you, in fact, salvation is freely given for all that want it and is there for the taking it’s not something that has to be bought, or earned it is freely given.
These false teachers want you to believe that you have to pay for your blessings when in all actuality all you are doing is filling their pockets. Prosperity doctrine tells that you have to give a certain amount to receive more. This is a blatant lie, no where in the bible does it say that. The Bible says that you should live your life according to his will and he will bless you with the desires of your heart more abundantly than what you could ever dream of asking for.
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Revelation 22:18-19
God is not something that you should play with, he is not a toy. As followers of Christ, we should not be adding to or taking away anything from the Lord. In fact, unless God told you something specific you shouldn’t even be speaking on his behalf, in fact, it would be better for you not to say anything at all. Things to look out for are when you hear “God told me..” or “God wants you to know that…” this is when your discernment should kick in to determine if what they are saying is a truth or a lie. Remember that God moves in decency and in order, he would never insult you or put you down to prove a point. He corrects yes, but not demeans. In some cases, people will begin with a statement “God told me to tell you that you are…” and the rest of that sentence is demeaning, hurtful, and completely inappropriate. Just LOUD and WRONG! This is especially common in churches when pastors or preach will talk out the side of their neck, and usually are not in the spirit at this point but in the flesh!
False doctrines will use these phrases or use the bible by taking it out of context to end an argument especially if the person using the phrase is narcissistic. These false doctrines are often times hypocrites and will present themselves as one way in public and be completely different in private. Remember the Devil is a manipulator, a hypocrite, and a liar by nature and he will do anything he can to present himself as God to deceive you. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing waiting to bait you with false pretenses so that he can devour you. Do not be deceived. At the end of the day, we cannot claim to know what the Lord Almighty is thinking so we should not act as if we do. I encourage you to verify what you hear before you go along with it as truth. The Bible says that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [ John 1:1].
Golden Words of Wisdom:
Satan is everywhere and he has his hands in everything. Staying “FIXED” or locked on to the target will help you to keep him under surveillance so that you will know where he is at all times. Keeping the Devil under surveillance will help prepare you for when he attacks. Satan is sneaky, manipulating, hypocritical, and a liar; he doesn’t care about you, please remember that. The sin that he advertises may seem interesting and even appealing but remember that it is a trap. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.
Questions To Consider: Ask yourself these questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability.
1. How do you feel knowing this kind of information about Satan? Does it make you want to gravitate to God more?
2. Was there anything from this post that caught you by surprise?
3. What did you think of 1 Samuel 28:1-20, do you think that Saul’s punishment was just?
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:21
Stay tuned for the next blog post!!!
WEEK 7:[THE WAR SERIES, DRESSED TO KILL]: A Breach in the Kingdom [Part 3]
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