- In the biblical narrative, Jacob cunningly deceived his father in order to receive the blessing that was meant for his brother, Esau. The story of Jacob and his uncle Laban is one of betrayal and deception. After working for seven years to marry Rachel, Jacob was instead given Leah, Rachel's younger sister, by Laban. This act of treachery highlights how people can be deceived and replaced by those who seek to achieve their own ends. Similarly, Satan is known to use falsehood to deceive people and lead them astray. He may present lies as if they were truths, causing individuals to believe in them and act accordingly. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and discern the truth from the lies. What untruths are you currently accepting as accurate?
- Satan seeks to deceive individuals by offering them a counterfeit religious experience. This often takes the form of mystical experiences that may provide temporary feelings of euphoria and ecstasy but ultimately fall short of the genuine baptism of the Holy Spirit. The result of embracing such counterfeit experiences is the development of what can be described as a 'dead-sea mentality': a state of being where there is no outlet or connection with the rest of the Body of Christ or with the purposes of God. This is a dangerous position to be in as it can lead to spiritual stagnation and a lack of growth in one's faith. Therefore, it is important to be discerning and to seek the true baptism of the Holy Spirit which provides a deep and lasting connection with God and equips believers for effective service in His Kingdom.
- This introversion, or inward focus, is a fundamental aspect of many Eastern religious traditions. These traditions encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, including some that may be considered aberrations or cult-like movements. Examples of these practices include yoga, transcendental meditation (TM), clairvoyance, clairaudience, automatic writing, new age philosophy, and many others. Despite their differences, these traditions share a common emphasis on the importance of turning inward to connect with one's inner self, rather than relying solely on external sources of guidance or validation. This inward focus can be seen as a way of cultivating self-awareness, developing a deeper understanding of one's own nature, and ultimately achieving a sense of spiritual fulfilment. While these practices may not be for everyone, they have played a significant role in shaping the spiritual landscape of the East and continue to inspire many people around the world today.
- True authority ‘flows from His throne (in heaven) unto His own (on earth)’. This means that for those who believe, true authority comes from God, who rules from heaven and shares His authority with His followers on earth. It is not something we can attain on our own, but rather a gift from God. Furthermore, the path to freedom from sin and bondage is not something that can be achieved ‘within’ the range of human experience or ability. Instead, it ‘comes from above’. In other words, it is only through the grace of God that we are able to overcome our sinful nature and find true freedom. It’s important to understand that this is not a process that we can go through alone. We need to rely on God and His power to transform us. It’s like trying to clean a dirty pig - one pig cannot tell another pig how to get clean! Similarly, we cannot rely on our own strength or knowledge to achieve true freedom from sin and bondage. Instead, we need to turn to God and allow Him to guide us on the path to true freedom.
- While it is indeed important to be confident in oneself, it is equally important to remain grounded in reality. When we assume too much about our abilities or accomplishments, we risk becoming disconnected from the truth. Therefore, we must strive to maintain a level-headed perspective of ourselves and our worth. This will enable us to see ourselves clearly and make decisions that are in alignment with our true capabilities. In other words, we should never think of ourselves more highly than we should, but we should also never underestimate our potential for growth and development.
- It is a tragic fact that many people in our society fall prey to spurious religious guidance. Such individuals are often led astray by cults and false prophecies, which can have disastrous consequences for both the individuals themselves and those around them. What is perhaps most troubling about these false teachings is that they represent the devil's last stand against the truth. By leading the simplistic astray, these teachings serve to further the cause of demonisation, a fact that is all too apparent in the realm of mental illness. For example, individuals suffering from schizophrenia often hear voices that they believe to be coming from the devil. This can lead them to surrender their leadership to the Evil One, with tragic consequences for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
- For the Christian, it is crucial to be aware of the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing, which refers to those who present themselves deceptively as harmless but in reality are dangerous. These wolves can take the form of false teachers or even Satan's minions who seek to lead believers astray from the true path. As such, it is imperative for Christians to remain vigilant and discerning, always seeking to distinguish between true guidance and erroneous or malevolent influences. This requires a deep knowledge of the Bible and a willingness to seek out and follow trusted spiritual leaders who can help to guide believers on their journey of faith.
- True guidance or wisdom from above is not only beneficial, but also essential for living a purposeful life. It is not intended to inhibit or crush the human spirit, but rather to empower it. The Holy Spirit provides direction and discernment, allowing individuals to interpret God's will for their lives. The mind is active and alert, free to choose God's way of living. The Holy Spirit desires that believers make informed decisions, as responsible beings with the capacity to choose. Therefore, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will not confuse or mislead us, but rather provide us with the clarity and wisdom we need to make the best decisions for our lives.
Key Scriptures for Chapter 6 :
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/d36d9653-a3b3-47bf-ac89-ace638cc58e9/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/d36d9653-a3b3-47bf-ac89-ace638cc58e9/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> ‘Awake sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you… Therefore, be careful how you walk… because the days are evil… understanding what the will of the Lord is.’ Eph 5
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b0a9499b-a906-48a9-b863-b1469d5c4585/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b0a9499b-a906-48a9-b863-b1469d5c4585/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> ‘This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy…’ (James 3: 15-17)
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/a9e09694-36a5-4a6a-8219-d2803f10c157/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/a9e09694-36a5-4a6a-8219-d2803f10c157/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> ‘But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat… and drink…; … eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly…’ (1 Cor 11:28)
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/c33c2663-6492-4ec8-9c5a-a537f3323e9f/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/c33c2663-6492-4ec8-9c5a-a537f3323e9f/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> ‘My sheep hear my voice…’ (John 10: 1 ff)
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