Ignorance is not bliss – as is proven by the couple that were cheated by the devil through deception of their standing with God. It is important to recognise that the devil is a master of deception and can easily manipulate those who are not well-versed in the ways of God. In this case, the couple's ignorance of God's true nature and intentions left them vulnerable to the devil's schemes. It is a cautionary tale that serves as a reminder of the importance of being knowledgeable and informed in matters of faith. One must be vigilant and seek out the truth, lest they fall victim to the devil's tricks.
While it seems that Moses is asking for numerical advantage from the perspective of the whole of the biblical narrative, numbers alone do not guarantee success. This is a hard lesson for leaders to understand, with God “he can deliver through many or through few”
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/6b0d9fbf-48b8-4e79-a4a4-98a121724672/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/6b0d9fbf-48b8-4e79-a4a4-98a121724672/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armour, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”
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The statement "For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few" (1 Sam 14:6) implies that God is not limited by human resources or numbers. Therefore, leaders in positions of influence should not rely solely on their own power or the power of their followers, but should trust in God's power and ability to accomplish His will. This can lead to a humble and dependent leadership style that seeks to align with God's purposes rather than promoting personal agendas or relying on human strength.
The reason for the Lord to strike the kingdom with a judgement of plague was because David's decision to count the number of men in his army was seen as a lack of faith in God. David was putting his trust in the strength of his army rather than in God, who had always been faithful in delivering him and his people. This was considered a sin and so God, in response, sent a plague upon the kingdom. The plague caused the death of 70,000 men, and it was only after David repented of his sin and made a sacrifice to God that the plague was lifted.
2 Samuel 24:24 is a verse from sacred history of the Jews, particularly from the life and times of King David, who sinned against God by taking a census of Israel. As a punishment, God sent a plague upon the people, and David was instructed to make a sacrifice to end the plague. When David went to offer the sacrifice, the owner of the land offered to give him everything he needed, but David refused, saying "I will not offer that which costs me nothing." This shows that David understood the importance of sacrifice and that true sacrifice requires something of value, not just something that is easy to give.
Yes, there is another example of demonic interference in the life of an iconic biblical leader. In the book of Job, Satan interferes with the life of Job, a man who is described as blameless and upright. Satan challenges God, saying that Job only serves Him because of the blessings and protection that God has given him. God allows Satan to test Job's faith by taking away his possessions, his children, and his health. Despite the intense suffering that Job endures, he remains faithful to God, and in the end, God restores his fortunes and blesses him with even greater prosperity than before. This story illustrates the power of faith in the face of adversity, and the importance of trusting in God even when things seem to be going wrong.
The devil, ever the cunning adversary, employs all his tricks to conceal himself and remain undetected by the world. He operates in secrecy, moving with stealth and precision, leaving little trace of his presence. Indeed, his efforts to hide his tracks are often most intense precisely when he is on the verge of being exposed, for he knows that any slip-up could prove fatal to his cause. In short, the devil is a master of disguise, and it takes a discerning eye to spot him when he is at his most elusive.
It is even better if the evil entity can successfully present their ideas in a way that appears truthful, respectful, and pure. This can be achieved by utilising rhetoric and persuasive techniques that create a convincing argument that is difficult to dispute. Additionally, the use of reliable sources and credible evidence can help bolster the credibility of the argument, making it even more difficult to question the legitimacy of the idea being presented. By doing so, the person is able to effectively communicate their message while still maintaining the appearance of honesty and integrity.
In the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, there was a crucial deception that they both failed to recognise. The serpent convinced Eve that if she ate from the forbidden fruit, she would become like God, knowing good and evil. This was a tempting proposition for Eve, who desired to elevate herself to the same level as God. However, the deception was that they could not both become like God and disobey him at the same time. By disobeying God's command, they were rejecting his authority and could not become like him. This misunderstanding was the root of their downfall, and ultimately led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
The root cause of evil in human beings, nations, and ideologies is the conflict between two opposing forces: the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the Woman. This struggle for power and control can manifest in various forms, such as personal animosity, political strife, and religious intolerance. However, by embracing love, compassion, and understanding, we can overcome the forces of evil and create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.
God's immense love for His creation led Him to make a decision to restore what is rightfully His. To achieve this, He intends to turn people away from Satan and back to Him through repentance, forgiveness, and transformation. His plan for restoration includes addressing issues such as poverty, injustice, and oppression, and transforming communities and nations. God's decision to enter the fray is a call to all people to join in the work of restoration and transformation.
One of the most common methods of deception among those who consider themselves to be educated is to distort, manipulate, or dilute the original meaning of Scripture. This is often done with the intention of distracting or detracting from the Truth. However, we must remain vigilant and study the Bible carefully to discern the true meaning and intent behind its words. By doing so, we can avoid being led astray by those who seek to deceive us.
Satan is known for his deceptive tactics where he seeks to take legitimate Christian teachings and turn them into something else. For example, he may take teachings on marriage, healing or fasting and twist them into something that is not in line with the Bible. These twisted teachings, also known as doctrines of demons, can lead people astray from the true message of the cross or the plain meaning of the text. It is important to be aware of these tactics and guard ourselves against them by studying the Bible and relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Early detection of counterfeit spirits and immediate treatment is crucial in preventing their harmful effects. As stated in 1 John 4:1, "Believe not every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." This means that it is important to be vigilant and discerning in identifying the true intentions and nature of the spirits that we encounter. By testing these spirits and examining their source, we can protect ourselves from being misled and harmed. It is also important to note that the process of testing and discernment is ongoing and requires a continuous effort to stay attuned to the spiritual realm. Therefore, it is vital to cultivate a strong spiritual foundation and seek guidance from trusted sources in order to navigate the complexities of the spiritual world.
In order to ensure that we are truly getting to the heart of the matter, we must be willing to engage in a process of testing that is rigorous and thorough. This process can be likened to the sifting of wheat, where the goal is to separate the valuable grain from the chaff that surrounds it. By doing so, we can ensure that we are not simply relying on appearances, but are instead getting to the Truth itself. It is important to remember that things are not always as they seem, and that even success may not be what it appears to be at first glance.
When we consider the motivations of Satan and God, it becomes clear that they are fundamentally different. Satan is concerned with the here and now, and is focused on achieving temporary gains that will ultimately lead to the destruction of our souls. He knows that his time is short, and is therefore willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. On the other hand, God is focused on the ultimate good, which is our salvation. He is willing to work patiently and tirelessly to ensure that we are able to achieve eternal life. By turning our eyes away from what is obvious or what works for a season, we can stay focused on what is truly good and right, even in the face of adversity.
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b682e5a5-ea07-421e-bc45-61ea2a6e3b89/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b682e5a5-ea07-421e-bc45-61ea2a6e3b89/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “Truth of every kind makes free, while lies bind up in bonds. Ignorance also binds up, because it gives ground to Satan. Man’s ignorance is a primary and essential condition for deception.”
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<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/47979e1e-3d19-4e22-913b-e8f9ee158ec2/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/47979e1e-3d19-4e22-913b-e8f9ee158ec2/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “The devil’s great purpose, and for which he fights, is to keep the world in ignorance of himself, his ways, and his colleagues, and the Church is taking sides with him when siding ignorance about him.”
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<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b72f910d-d068-46b0-a665-513535ed10d9/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b72f910d-d068-46b0-a665-513535ed10d9/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “It is possible for a man through ignorance to stand against God and to attack the very truth of God, and also defend the devil, and oppose God, unless he has knowledge.”
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<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/99e262a7-2cb0-4431-9e4d-03ab05f5e349/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/99e262a7-2cb0-4431-9e4d-03ab05f5e349/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “From Genesis to Revelation the work of Satan as deceiver of the whole inhabited earth can be traced, until the climax is reached, and the full results of the deception in the Garden of Eden are unveiled in the Apocalypse.”
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