- Passivity among believers is a great setback to the completion of the work of kingdom building. It is vital that believers take active steps towards fulfilling their roles in the kingdom, as the enemy often inspires passivity in individuals to render them useless and unproductive. Instead, we must recognise that we are all called to be active participants in the work of the kingdom and take responsibility for our role in building it. This can involve engaging in activities such as prayer, community service, and evangelism, as well as cultivating a personal relationship with God. By doing so, we can become effective agents of change in the world and a threat to the dark kingdom of the devil, ultimately contributing to the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.
- Passivity is a form of religious paralysis, a state in which one's will is weakened and rendered ineffective in the face of adversity. It is akin to having weakened knees and limp arms that hang down, offering no value to God or to one's fellow man. This inaction can have dire consequences as evil often triumphs when good men are passive and choose to do nothing, even when they know what needs to be done. It is therefore important to have the resolve to attempt damage to the enemy camp and take action against injustice. By doing so, we can prevent evil from gaining a foothold and make the world a better place for all.
- Passivity is a dangerous state that can hinder the work of building God's kingdom and cause harm to individuals, the church, and society. It is important to remain active in the fight against evil and to tap into the spiritual resources that are available to us through Christ. Passivity can hinder the building of God's kingdom and affect spiritual growth, leading to a lack of energy towards God and a misalignment of His character. To prevent this, we must be aware of the dangers of passivity and take active steps towards fulfilling our roles in the kingdom through prayer, community service, evangelism, and cultivating a personal relationship with God. By doing so, we can become effective agents of change in the world and prevent evil from gaining a foothold, contributing to the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.
- Passivity among believers is a common error, and one example of this is when some believers assume that Christ's return is imminent and therefore neglect their responsibility to tend to the flock, providing food at the proper time, caring for the lost, shepherding the entire flock, and restoring the cast sheep. In reality, there is still much work to be done in spreading the gospel and ensuring that all members of the flock are cared for and nurtured in their faith. It is important to remember that while we await Christ's return, we are called to be active and diligent in our efforts to care for and serve others.
- A critical moment in the story of Esther is where she is warned about the wicked schemes of Haman and urged to take a bold stand against him, who is plotting against Persian Jewry. The warning is a call to action that requires Esther to set aside any burdens or advantages she may have in order to act decisively. It is a reminder that sometimes, in order to fight for what is right, we must be willing to make sacrifices and take risks. The passage highlights the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity, and inspires readers to be courageous in the face of injustice. It is a message that resonates with many, as it speaks to the universal human desire for justice and the inherent value of taking bold action to make a positive impact in the world. As we reflect on the story of Esther and the warning she received, we are reminded of our own responsibility to take action when we see injustice and to stand up for what is right. This can be a daunting task, but it is also a vital one, as it is through our collective efforts that we can create a better world for all. So let us take inspiration from Esther's example and be willing to make sacrifices, take risks, and stand up for what we believe in, for the sake of justice and the common good.
- Much active service for God is lost, unwittingly, through a choking of the spirit of man. This choking can be caused by a suffocation of energy towards things of God, which is usually brought on by a misconception of various legitimate Christian doctrines that have been twisted out of shape by devils. The result of this is that the will of the person becomes frozen and they are no longer able to actively serve God. It is important to understand that this is a subtle form of attack by the devil, who seeks to undermine our faith and keep us from fulfilling our purpose. Therefore, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against these attacks, and seek to deepen our understanding of God's truth. By doing so, we can strengthen our spirit and remain active in service to God.
- According to Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." This sentiment is echoed in the idea that Satan works tirelessly to lull the spirit within the church to sleep and inactivity, allowing evil to gain a foothold. It is important for believers to be aware of this danger of passivity and to remain vigilant, so that they may be ready to act when needed. By doing so, they can unlock the potential for much good that is otherwise left unrealised.
- It is often said that the truth can be a powerful and transformative force, capable of changing the course of our lives and the world around us. However, it is also true that the truth can be easily misinterpreted, twisted, and manipulated in ways that can lead to confusion, conflict, and even harm. In fact, some argue that a distorted or incomplete truth can be even more dangerous than having no truth at all. When we believe that we know the truth, but our understanding is flawed or incomplete, we may act on faulty assumptions, make poor decisions, and create unintended consequences that can be difficult to undo. As the saying goes, 'the last state is worse than the first.' This means that it is better to have no knowledge of the truth at all, than to have misunderstood or distorted knowledge that leads us down a path of destruction and despair. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant in our pursuit of truth, to seek out multiple sources of information, and to be open to new ideas and perspectives that challenge our assumptions and beliefs.
Selected Quotes from Chapter 4 :
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/7b02168b-d733-49b2-89a5-d190476d119d/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/7b02168b-d733-49b2-89a5-d190476d119d/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “Suffering directly caused by evil spirits may be discriminated from the true fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, by a complete absence of result, either in fruit, victory, or ripening in spiritual growth…. God’s character is thus often maligned to His children, and the deceiving spirits do their utmost to arouse rebellion against Him for what they themselves are doing…”
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9a7aa6b5-6e33-4ccd-8e7f-846859e4e7d0/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9a7aa6b5-6e33-4ccd-8e7f-846859e4e7d0/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “The shock is great when the believer first apprehends the truth of deception and possession as possible in himself, but as the ultimate issue is realised, the joy of the one who sets himself to understand, and fight through to full deliverance, is more than words can tell. Light pours in upon the unsolved problems of years; both in personal experience, and in the perplexities of environment; as well as on condition in the church and in the world”
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/57dedc5c-7a2b-4215-8064-8488b2257801/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/57dedc5c-7a2b-4215-8064-8488b2257801/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “Passivity! How many have fallen into it, little knowing their state. Through passivity of their faculties much time is lost in dependence upon the help of outward circumstances, and environment. This is the key to understanding the lamented ‘apathy’ and the dulled sympathy of Christians to spiritual things, whilst they are keenly alive to the social, or worldly elements around them.”
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