They ARE Out There

They ARE Out There

by David Brenneman 

‭"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 1:7-11.

‭"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4.

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:18-19.

"You can't fool me!" Many have said this, and probably meant it at the time. "I can see right through you!" Is another often uttered response. 

Yet, how little those in the Church understand and know of the Spiritual battles in which they really are in the midst of.  

Not all battles are like are portrayed on television or in the movies. Some are all inside of a person.

We often are overwhelmed. This is a battle. 

We often are flabbergasted. This is a battle.

We often are buried in confusing circumstances. This is a battle.

There's a war going on. A world war. It's all about what we see, what we hear, it's all about the information. Of how to manipulate and control people. Neither God nor Satan has any care in the world or in Heaven concerning your things. Satan's out to discredit any aspect of his Creator in any way possible.  

We read of a few things starting out in this post. Perspective is everything is the next thing to remember. While these battles are what we do face every single day, those in Christ must keep their eyes, their minds, on the prize. Must remember that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  

He also doesn't want us introducing fear where fear need not be.

We're going to likely run across evil people. Recognize them for who and what they are. All too often I have told many people that it's incredibly interesting to me that 2000 plus years ago the people in Jesus's day could identify those who were ill from those who were demon possessed...yet today Satan's convinced the world (let alone the Church) that demons don't exist today.

We who are Christians are targets in this world. There's no hiding off in a corner after you get saved. Satan's fully aware of who he's lost. 

Scripture says that we are sealed in the Spirit. His mark is put upon us. We are the called, the separated, in this world. 

A very good piece of advice is to know your enemy. Know your enemy enough to identify their behavior, but do not engage. We, of ourselves, are not powerful enough to take on much of the evil that's in the world. Much prayer is required. Much.  

We must also be extremely careful about who we listen to with regards to supposed Biblical teaching. Jesus Himself will dismiss many who claimed to have spoken and had done things in His Name. 

Our trials and tribulations are part of God working all things together for our good and His glory. 

People who've gone through boot camp know how rigorous instructors are at stripping erroneous thoughts and behaviors from recruits. Removing their set ways to teach them to be who they enlisted to be. 

We come to Christ, He doesn't leave us as He found us. He begins a new work in us. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. There it is.

Was reading in a new-to-me devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah this morning. In it he's explaining how to consider it all joy at our trials and tribulations. It's not that we are to force a smile or fake happiness because of what we are going through. Rather to look ahead to the end result and know that it's going to grow us in Christ and be happy in that.

It's very easy and extremely convenient to grab ahold of teachers to tell us what we want to hear. Be careful, be extremely careful, because that's how people are described in the last days before Jesus returns.  

As you go through this day and the days to come, realize that you are behind enemy lines. Realize that the helmet of salvation is there to protect your mind, your way of thinking. Read Ephesians 6 again about the Full Armor of God. That Armor is there to protect each of us. It only comes off when we step into Heaven. We should keep it on at all times. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.