Freedom in Christ - Part 14
Lure of Knowledge and Power

Everything a Christian does, Satan will counterfeit.

God is in control of our future.

All around us in modern society, there are New Age (occult) shops with adverts in television, newspapers, magazines, games, books etc. What is the effect of this?

What about films of ghost stories etc?

It's not doing any good at all.

Mediums and Spiritists Power, comes from Satan.

1 Samuel 15:23 (New King James Version)
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king."

God is supreme and can use Satan and his powers to discipline us

1 Corinthians 5:5
turn this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Most punk groups and heavy metal bands are ruled by Satan.

Satan rules the world including the press

New Age tells people - they are God, and they don't need God.

Satan tells us we don't need God. He says we are God.

Genesis 3:5 (New International Version)
"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

We must seek the face of Christ.

Nothing can stop us getting closer to Jesus, if we keep our eyes on Him.

Resisting Deception and Control

Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist

A person being deceived doesn't know it. Satan's primary weapon is therefore deception.

We cannot model perfection, but we can model growth - and to grow we will make mistakes, which in turn help us grow!

Satan will apply pressure to us, to be perfect Christians in others eyes. And therefore encourage us to hide behind masks - by pretending everything's ok.

We need to be honest, not only with each other, but also with ourselves.

Acknowledge our errors to God and move on.

If we don't do this, because of pride, God will humble us! Best do it ourselves! Give issues to God.

We live in the light; we must ask God daily if we have sinned against Him. That we may confess.

By the grace of God, we are what we are. We're not perfect and God knows.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

We must watch what we say and keep our tongue under control.

Bad company corrupts good character. Bad environments will affect us for the worst. We cannot keep bad company and not be affected by it.

False prophets can be inside a church. We must be careful. People aren't always genuine.

Gods Word is the only truth. Prophecies must be in agreement with Gods Word.

We shouldn't ask people for prophetic words of encouragement - but rather get on our knees and ask God only.

Satan can perform signs and wonders and use them to take people from God.

A false prophet is self domineering, independent and won't answer to a church.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings

How do we know, when we're being deceived?

We must continually read Gods word and therefore know the truth, which will give us discernment.

If we keep our heart close to God, we will learn to discern if it is from God or not.

If the Holy Spirit points out faults in our lives, He will do it gently. But Satan will trample on us.

Once we change camps (to God). Satan will continually barrage us.

Scripture quoted by permission. NET Bible® copyright © 1996-005 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org . All rights reserved.