Works of the Flesh

This entire horrific set up was painfully discerning.  Granted, only after she had consensually opened the ‘door’ through sexual sin did this evil force show intent of lien.  Demonic forces had entered in to set up house, building foundational walls for its strongholds.  There was nothing she could physically do about it.  First natural, then spiritual.  What appears on the surface subsists in duality—always.  It was a spiritual matter that needed to be dealt with as such.  But she hadn’t been to church in so long.  Or prayed.  Or read her Bible.  She had no weapons and her spirit was on life support.  Even so, she continued to dispute, refusing her fate (that is, his fate for her).

 In the end, Satan still needed for her to agree as to the terms.  Again, faith comes into play and is subjugated by our agreement with the devil.  The Bible states in Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything…it will be done.”  Now please understand that Satan has always taken scripture out of context.  Especially when people don’t know the truth.  He is aware that God’s Word is not “void.”  Notwithstanding, it can profit in anything it is applied to (evil acts included).  That is why the Bible also talks about “life and death are in the power of the tongue.”   Satan knows these scriptures and how to misapply them.  But do we know scripture, and are we fit to wield them effectively?  

Because she couldn’t see the truth for the lies, after three years, lies became increasingly more believable to her.  Even though the thought of it made her nauseous and she never saw herself yielding, she finally considered that maybe she was.  Saying the word or thinking it was the most painfully difficult acknowledgment ever—Lesbian.

b

Examining further.  We should get a sense of what lead up to this young woman’s acquiescence, but what of the aftermath? What did a typical day consist of? How did she manage this mantra of inflamed emotions? 

Well, life was hellish for her.  It was as noisome and migrainous as pelts of light flickering directly into the eyes, nonstop!  She still had to get up and go to work.  She still had to go grocery shopping.  Still dutifully paid bills.  Still cooked and cleaned her apartment.  Washed loads of laundry as needed.  She had no choice but to begrudgingly go about her routine of living although she would rather not go out at all.  And if it was not a necessity to do any errands, she avoided all contact with people.  Especially women.  She experienced overstated paranoia whenever in their presence.  She feared being induced. Unrealistically figuring that if she could avoid contact with the other half of the general population that this action would hasten an escape from the set up mapped out against her.  Acting as CHIEF STEWARD IN CHARGE OF REJECTION, rejecting herself before anyone else could. 

In the meantime, that self-same boyfriend alluded to earlier did not have a clue as to the questionings going on inside of her.  After dating awhile, she tried severally to set him free from wasting his time with the likes of her.  She had developed a reclusive heart toward him or anyone else regarding this latest secrecy. 

Blindsided, and in deep depression, humiliation roamed about in ghostlike fashion.  It did not register in her mind to seek any help or answers.  In this society, with all of its prejudices, no help or answers would be forthcoming any time soon.  She had rather bear it in silence; thinking, the curtains would eventually fall on this awful, cinematic scene.  Howbeit, that eventuality never came about.  The enemy of her soul did not grow the least weary with devouring her up like a dog gnawing away at a decrepit chew toy.  She must come to terms with the fact that there would be no letting up.  The trampling that she endured for three vigorous years had entered its fourth.

During this time, fears had magnified, with each social networking attempt ending in apparent failure.  Everywhere, in every venue, ostracized.  Unabashed lips, whispering rumors, did not cease.  Scornful looks in the eyes of every person she made contact with (including family and acquaintances).  Satan’s mass manipulation of people, counting on their prejudices and ill acceptance of all others, would aid in cornering a quailed submission to his will. 

The simplest of tasks set off panic within.  She was anxious, for nothing.  She had always been an introvert in the first place but now her ability to function in society had become extremely altered.  Proclivities to hideaway increased as daily life went from worse to unbearable, assuming people concluded the worst about her.  Unable to see anything else except what was revealed to their prejudiced mindset. 

Her value as a person was exceptionally diminished.  And no matter what her obvious talent, skill-set at work, spiritual gifts, loyalty within the family—she received a virtual stoning by all.   Relentless treatment (mistreatment) like this caused an escalation of withdrawal from the world.  Despondency, consequently, exiled this captive soul from society, at large.  Banished to live (exist) alone, on a virtual island.

 ~What? ~

Mentally tormented, this poor woman cried out from the depths of her soul.  Every day. Cowering spiritually.  Feeble.  Putting up no resistance.  Literally crouched in the corner of her sofa, wishing it would be quiet within (and without).  If just for a little while. These horrid days perpetuated  some of her very weakest points of resistance—No one can be more vulnerable than a person crouched in a fetal position! On a couch!   This was a typical day under Satan’s watch, though she was yet unyielding in her heart to simply accept this scenario for her life. 

This was that point of conclusion in which she acquiesced for the first time in her heart that she must be a “dyke” just like he said.  This is when that nauseous feeling stirred in the pit of her soul.  Coerced to cry UNCLE.    Strong-armed, wrestled. Did not want to, but did.  As a result, Satan wins this round.  No time to stop now.

b

  He is feeling victoriously pumped about this turn of events.  He does not want to waste a moment getting her to act out these lies that have been conceived.  Remember, it takes two to conceive, to agree. Conception had occurred in the mind and heart.  Now there would need to be a birth of his ideas (his lies).  There was not a moment to lose, he gathered.  The fact that she had believed his lie empowered him more. Thinking in grandeur fashion, Satan is talking to himself, talking about himself,

“She did it!”

“I did it!” 

“She agreed with me!”

“Praise…uhhh…me!” 

Emboldened to go forth in his efforts.  Satan recognizes her infantile, fragile state as the perfect opportunity to materialize his designs meant to disgrace her life.  Both mind and soul were like putty in his hands.  This was the ideal condition in which to magnify his purposes. 

And let’s not forget faith.  Her faith had played a major role in getting her here to this point.   And guess what follows faith?  That’s right, works (actions) follow faith.  You will find written in James 2:20, “But do you know, O foolish man, that Faith without works is dead?”  Satan knows this to be the next viable step on the agenda. To be impregnated with untruth meant nothing.  She must give birth!

Familiar Spirit Tactics

 Contemplative about the past as regards these emotional escapades while on the sofa, she wondered what could possibly happen next.  Her thoughts go on a further journey, entertaining other conjectures.  It was scary to look at, up close, or at any distance.  Her future.  It was not bright.  For she realized that she had been impregnated with something that she wished to abort; she did not want to give birth to it. 

     ~There goes that damned talking again!~

Blatant suggestions to enter into a lesbian liaison (tryst) pops into her head, strong as the devil.  Familiar spirits, evil, all clamoring for attention, wanting desperately to initiate their ideas.  What is Satan’s overall design going to be?  What kind of lesbian would be well suited to this newest prey?  Is there a kind?  Apparently, there is (this is made evident before science was used as a prop) They deduce while she sits there ‘numbified.’   Bull-dozing their sordid antics as though she is not there. 

A-ma-zing.  Amazing, in this sense, she could literally hear the conversations of demonic council as pertains her future.  Those demons were so excited to find a host to funnel their traits through that they could hardly be contained.  Satan’s very specific design of perversion was so tailored to fit that the very air fumed with its delirium.  The things that he is suggesting do not come naturally.  His well thought out scheme would definitely have to be adapted or familiarized (hence, familiar spirits). 

No wonder “the angels rejoice in heaven over one soul,” whoever it may be, that is brought back to Christ.  This festive effect seems to take place on both sides of the isle, excepting that demons would rather rejoice whenever someone does something iniquitous.

 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered…you are of more value than many sparrows,” so says Matthew 10:30, 31. This lets us know that we humans are of much value to God.  And so-far-as  holy angels, as well as fallen ones,  having a vested interest to this level in our lives says a lot!   Competition is fierce to win over the souls of mankind!

Let’s not forget that the rest of the world is yet thriving while being detained, immersed under this spell, in her apartment.  Hell spun by the hell-bent throws of an adversary.  Forced into living as a captive.   Hermitlike.  Nearly crazed. No voice.  No veto.  No choice.

b

Get ready for this clownish display, a devil’s delight, of just the sort of performance Satan expected during this dress rehearsal—a show to put on (put up with) as if on stage for his entertainment:    His creation must dress the part (that is to say, of a man).   Dress up (disguises) in men’s clothing.  Hair is to be worn in a certain cut, short-styled as a man would style his (crew cut).  This woman would be endowed with overt, masculine ways, strutting as a man does (i.e. cock).  Excuse the expression.   I am trying to make a vital point here. It’s just that his rude expectations for her to become ‘butch’ in every possible way, with every wit of his intent leaning toward emulating that of a man (minus the sex change) was beyond rude.  Absolutely appalling.  Shocking.  Brazen. 

After scornfully laughing out loud at hearing his utterly ridiculous aspirations, she intuitively debated this idea with Satan.  She tried to argue the point that this was too abstract, besides being ‘ridic’ (shorthand for ridiculous).  Here she was, a petite-framed female at five feet four inches tall and maybe a hundred pounds.  And this is his best offer.  The mantle he chose for her to wear.  Evil amusement for this dark horse.  Opposing anything sound.  This did not make any sense; and the nonsense added to support it is called ‘science.’

     ~What a joke! ~

This contrary notion was kind of like when he called Jesus, Beelzebub.  It is so opposite of any truth that it becomes offensive (absurd).  Yet, this was his scheme.  He required the cloud of shame to be substantial enough to the point of complete abhorrence of self for allowing it to happen.  For bowing to Baal.  He had to know that she would make a most pathetic version of a ‘man.’   And that is precisely how he wanted it!

 He went on, suggesting the means to accomplish (coach) this type of behavior.  Or the avenue that was to be used to feed (encroach upon) her senses, at least, until the right amount of time had passed before reaching an inordinate level of comfort to seek this on her own.  

      ~Well, well…  Media~

Media of every sort.  Television, magazines, video, pornography, internet.  A world wide web of nets and traps and pitfalls.  Temptations of every sort, through the eyes, through the ears, and all the rest.  These are what he makes use of as his resources to entice, seduce, and persuade.

  To watch a simple television program became impossible to sit through.  Uncouth with his suggestions, often interjecting statements openly, such as,

“It’s okay to look at her because she can’t see you.” 

“Go ahead, look.”

 “No, really look.” 

He shows you pictures, scenes that you are not even thinking about, corruptive things not even on your level.  Obscene images.  These types of media would allow for outright lewdness without suffering the penalty of it being offensive to the same sex.  Without suffering ostracism.  No need to fear being demonized.  You get the picture?  Of course you do.  Satan was trying to school her, prepare her for what was to come next.  His plan was foolproof and strategic.

 From a bird’s eye view, it is clearly discernible where and how Satan strikes. He proudly plants his tares to grow alongside the good seed that our Father has planted within an individual’s heart, mostly when we are at our most vulnerable state, which is at some stage in conception.  We all have become the object of Satan’s obsessive predatoriness all because God, the Creator, made us the “apple of His eye.”

 Satan, on the other hand, once a much cherished thing of beauty, never exactly held that spot.  Only man has been privileged to be made in God’s image.  There is no higher compliment.  This is the reason He always stressed for mankind never to make any images of Himself, because we are already made in His image (via Adam).  Living, breathing beings. 

It’s no wonder that Satan did everything possible to contaminate the very dirt that our Creator used to make us.  Any expert of science can easily expound on how the components of dirt contains all there is in the earth—minerals, metals, and other building-blocks vital to the body.  It’s in the dirt!  Murders, death, kill, pride, jealousy, envy, strife, adultery, fornication, perversion, incest, fear, torment, and, yes, homosexuality.  All of Satan’s devices right there in the contaminate dirt! 

b

Was God laughing at this calamitous event?  She felt as if this was the case.  Proverbs 1:26, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes.”  Is this the life of a prodigal?   A life out of control.  Spindling.  Holding on to a thin thread of sanity. Alone.   Like a lost child who is not yet aware that they are lost.  Really lost.

Sadly, progressive pursuits against the mind did not take place only on the home front—the workplace is another area where her thoughts were completely under siege.

It’s another day at the office where she works.  (She’s off the couch now).  Employed at a downtown legal firm, situated in a high-rise office building, for the last three years.  It actually is in one of the city’s oldest landmark churches, in the vicinity of Daley Plaza, city hall, and the Secretary of State building. Over ten floors of office space readily available for businesses. The higher you go, the better the view. 

The main corridor is outfitted with a non-denominational cathedral.  A chapel situated off to the right side as you enter through the revolving doors of the building, available to the public, as well as the office workers of that building.  All faiths are welcome to visit, pray, and worship freely.  77 West Washington in Chicago, Illinois, if memory serves aright, is where this iconic church’s bell chimed over downtown.  Ironically, it was the perfect headquarters for Satan to operate.

  This is the place of continuum for her.  She simply cannot vacate the premises of her mind on any level.  The veil of sanity is ever thinning.    A state of mind in utter contempt for this other ‘truth’.   An unstoppable union.

~Head is ringing…cannot hold on much longer!~

Dragging in to work on this day, her attendance would prove itself an especial event.  Today she had a visitor.  There were the usual sound bites of conversation going on inside her head.  What came next was unexpected though, for the enemy of her soul had come in person (reminiscent of when she was about fifteen years old).  Except this time Satan did not send his imp.  It was the “father of lies” himself, if you can believe it.  This occasion must have been of high priority for his appearance to be of such formal stance and pomp. 

Wall to wall windows allotted the perfect lighting necessary to amass an unforgettable description of this lying adversary:  He displayed himself in a suit of clothing that resembled the caricature of Uncle Sam—including the top hat and matching top coat (stripes and all).  His height projected to about seven or eight or nine feet tall—taller than any average man. It looked to be that way from her seated position (He carried himself that-a-way).  But an even more noticeable element is the fact that he did not actually fit into the Uncle Sam suit.  Satan was wearing the suit in the same manner as the ‘Earthworm Jim’ cartoon character (you may have to Google this).  He was in the suit, but he did not fit the suit!  And when this stunned young woman dared to look into his face, into his eyes, what she saw of his person could actually fit directly under her foot.  His entire physical being, such as it was, was the size of one’s head.  A human head.  It was as if he had the head but he did not have the body.  He needed a surrogate.  And not only was this the case, it was also like looking into a ‘black hole’ or abyss in three dimensional form.  Remember the tar droppings, after the big BP oil spill fiasco of our century (21^st), when workers were scraping it off of the beaches along our southern U. S. coasts?  Yes, he favors those tar balls.    Looks closer to wet dirt—Dirt without a soul—than anything else that could properly describe him (like sludge). 

There is no scary looking, red, horned devil scurrying about.  Truly, he was “without form, and void” with two very fearful reflectors for eyes that actually moved “to and fro.” Those eyes appeared to be reflecting its light-source from the light within the room.  It did not come from him; there was no light in him.   

It is noteworthy, also, that he avoided with all of his might, looking directly back at her.  His beady, bitty eyes darted with a runaway look.  Satan tried to mask his (fear) urge to flee the situation in the room with stoicism.  Try as he may, his response was parallel to fight or flight parody so typical in humans.  He was just as scary to look at as he was scared. Believe it or not—he is the one who is so full of fears, torments, and every other ungodly trait.  Although few, these details were detected and able to be discerned, albeit in a feeble state. 

Luke 10:19, 20 describes how we have no need to fear, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you….” Although, Satan continues to expend, without hesitation, infinite time and effort to smear us with his devilish causes, it is regardless to the fact that his own loss is eminent.

In any case, this is who spent the day at the office with her.  This is where the final assault happened.  Satan came prepared to arbitrate a deal for her very soul.  His speech.  Constant, persistent, quick, and nimble. 

LOVE IS LIKE HEALING WATERS

 No longer behaving contentiously with God about seeking her own desires was such a relief for her.  It was nowhere near over yet.  But the battle was the Lord’s now.  Had always been. 

Excitement is in the air at the thought of reconciliation back with the eternal Father.  She is more than ready now, and willing, to be under His “yoke.”  His “burden is light” in comparison to the exhausting, prodigal events that sought to consume her life thus far.  Just like the Bible profoundly describes it in Psalm 131: 2, “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”  To be weaned, taken away from the thing that sought to corrupt her entire soul, is beyond comforting.

b

All is quiet now, back in her apartment.  The thoughts which are orbiting her mind right now make more sense.  Tis true.  It is wonderful to once again be able to think on His goodness.  To be enlightened by the true Light, watching it unfold before her eyes.  Seeing the scales and stones begin to defrost and melt away from her heart.  The hard, fallow ground, at last to be cultivated by the hand of God.  Hope was in her sights, although there would be many more battles to fight in order to realize the outcome of her newfound victory. 

     ~It will take years and years~

Each day, during the early hours, from the time that she awoke until about 3:00 p.m., listening intently, tuned in deep fellowship with her heavenly Father.  Making herself completely available; contentedly sitting before His throne with attentive ears. (Consider this to be a ritual of friendship,  not a sacrilegious exercise of appeasement.)  It was more about being attuned with God, sharing a genuine joy of presence, and not preoccupied or pressed with her own interests. 

Time for reading the Bible again was eagerly reinstated.  Hmm?  Where to start?  First choice.  A hunter green Gideon Bible taken from, where else?  And second choice.  The only other Bible she owned at the time had been gifted to her from the funeral parlor where her estranged mother was eulogized (1990).  It was a gift that she held close, and still possesses to this present day (2014).  Both Bibles would require a light dusting after years of avoidance.  Too many years had gone by.  But regardless, it was a start. 

b

It was most important that she listen for His voice!  Yet, learning to listen was a challenge. We must attain the ears to do this.  It was such a mild, meek voice that it might easily be missed.    For His voice is His presence, and His presence is like a dove (i.e. easily ruffled).  If she, for instance, watched endless hours of television or talked constant on the phone she might miss when He spoke, if not careful.  So it became of utmost importance not to habitually engage distracting activities such as these.  Instead, the days were heavily meditative.  Had to be.  Distractions are deceptive.  It causes you to miss out:

“Sing to me,” she would sometimes hear His voice speak to her heart.  

 “It’s been a long time since I sang any songs;”

 “I don’t think I know all the words to any,” she would sheepishly reply.  

 “How about a song you used to sing when you were a child?”  He would gently chide.

As she thought about which ones that might be, His Spirit reminded her of such familiar songs. Waves of excitement rushed her as she recalls the easy lyrics and repetition of these lost songs.  They are the most simple and sweetest songs to sing.  She gladly sang as many as she could remember with joy.  Honored to do it!

Mystery of the Matrix

Moving forward, the upcoming topics will begin to address the reader at large to not only spectate, but will begin to challenge you to identify and participate in working out your own situation.  The woman in this story is done speaking for now.  Her story has been told.  Therefore only one perspective will be addressed from this point on, to sincerely navigate those who desire it into a better way.  Jesus Christ is the Way.  In my opinion, He is the only right way to go, though there may be many ways to follow after.

   ~Welcome, to the twelve-step program.  Symbolically speaking~

You have taken a huge leap toward the first step if you have been persuaded to acknowledge the idea of a new birth experience in Christ as the necessary step.  Oh, it’s okay if you are not sure exactly how to proceed further.    Right here, right now, is where you begin to rewrite the script.  Reboot!  Rebirth! 

Mysterious sounding, isn’t it?  But mostly, a simple prayer is involved and a “leaven” amount of faith.  And actually, whether you know it or not, a prayer is already at hand within the archives of your heart.  This, along with a small measure of faith, jumpstarts your journey back to God.

b

There is a story in the Bible about a man unidentified by his given name (called himself Legion). As it is told, Jesus saw fit to go and see about him one day.  All that this man had left in him, after being tormented and driven by devils, was a cry of the heart and hope that someone would hear what he was really trying to say thru his torrential screams, and thru his public display.  In the Book of Mark, Chapter five, you’ll find his story.  As you read it, you get the sense that others were repelled by him; yet Jesus was compelled to come to him, to answer the cry.  Jesus could not ignore the faith of that man.  For that man was not crying out to be a public nuisance, disturbing the peace; but he was crying out to God to come save him.  Neither was he cutting himself just for insane purposes.  He did it to stay alive.  And for as long as he did cut himself, and all the rest, he knew he was yet alive able to hold on to his hope.  Hope is the one thing the man had left.  This demoniac (maniac) man held on to all that he owned, which was a “mustard seed” faith, believing that he might be saved in time.  Before what happened to the swine could inevitably happen to him.   

Jesus understood that this man wanted to be in his right mind.  To be a sound member of society, not an outcast.  Nor a byword, the one everyone else in town gossips about.

I think that homosexuals face this same plight.  No one, but God, understands a troubled soul’s predicament.  God understands all languages and peoples; all cries of the heart.   

On the flip side, the swine in the story, that immediately ran off into the waters and drowned, could not have possessed that same will of this man to live.  Or display any measure of faith, to hold onto any hope until things changed for the better, because they were animals without any ability to cope.  No animal knows how to recover from this type of trauma or any trauma of substance, for that matter (i.e., mad cow disease, mange, rabies, swine flu, foot-mouth disease).  In such cases, they are fit to be put down, mercifully so, in order to avoid more suffering.  A ‘mercy killing’ is about all that can be done for them.

From this tale we get to see how man is much more resilient and adapts to suffering longer than other created beings. A few give up hope, most do not.

b

A simple prayer of the heart may express itself in the form of an insane cry, hushed groans, shed tears or spoken in a few words.  He even bottles up every one of our tears.  Salvation is given to whoever willingly receives it.  Salvation means to set free, to give without restraints.  There’s no catch! No trappings.  Remember ever seeing the Take One, Please placards—this implies that something is free if you’d like to have it.  There exists many prayer templates that you can reference to attain (release) your free gift.  Here is one from II Samuel 24:10,

“Lord, I have sinned greatly in what I have done; 

But now, I pray, O Lord,

Take away the iniquity of Your servant; 

For I have done very foolishly.”

I receive Your forgiveness

And thank You for forgiving me for all of my sins.  Amen. [Adlib]

In Job 33:27, 28 it says, “…‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it did not profit me.’  He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, and his life shall see the light.”  See, you can say it too, 

Lord, I have sinned

And perverted that which was right,

And it did not profit me;

Please deliver my soul

And help me to see the light of your love

Through Christ, Your only Son. 

I thank You, Father God, Amen. [Adlib]

The New Testament prayers are even more precise if you believe the words you repeat in your heart.  For instance, by quoting from John 3:16-18, pray,

[I believe]

“’For God so loved the world

That He gave His only begotten Son,

That whoever believes in Him

Should not perish

But have everlasting life. 

For God did not send His Son into the world

To condemn the world,

But that the world through Him

Might be saved.’” 

[I confess]

“’He who believes in Him is not condemned…’”

Thank You, Father, God.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. [Adlib]

b

It is good news to know that Jesus is the Door that we must walk through.  He has access that only a Son can have.  As any parent can attest to, there have been those times when their own children invited peers home who were a little shady, often allowing entrance to them based on their child’s vouchsafe for those standing at the front door.  Knocking, waiting to get in.  Admit it, many parents have been tempted to hesitate (think twice) more than a few times, or resisting the urge to give a thorough pat down after they are ready to leave the premises. 

Well, Jesus does the same for us. We gain access into the Kingdom through Him.  And God, as Father, grants all those who come in Jesus’ name free admission.  Our Father is saying, in part, Welcome to the Family!  As a part of the Family of God you are welcome to partake of all the riches found in Christ Jesus.  The good, and not so good, are welcome.  Jesus has left His keys, “Keys of the Kingdom,” for us.  But He is the Door.  It is as simple as that. 

b

Last of all, you can pray words from your own heart, such as: 

Dear God,

I believe that You have always loved me. 

And I thank you for sharing Your Son with us,

In the way that You did;

For the purpose of saving us. 

He took my place and was sentenced to death

So that I would not have to die for what I do,

For what I have done already, and will do. 

I am who I am 

And I come as I am

Because You invited all to “Come as you are.” 

I believe in Jesus Christ, that He is Your only Son. 

I believe that I am saved

Because of what He unselfishly did for me. 

Thank You, Father, for forgiving me even before I asked.

Let Your perfect will be done,

Amen.

If you prayed any of the prayers cited (or your own prayer) and believe it in your heart, then something truly special is taking place.  And I mean NOW!

b

It has been quoted that hindsight is 20/20.   As we begin to rethink the matrix of the world that we live in, we will come to understand just how true that statement is.  Upcoming is an insightful depiction that  helps explain what is invisibly happening inside each of you who prayed these prayers to God: 

 Throughout history, we have tried to recreate the paradigm of the paradise we lost.  But it will never be that way again as long as Satan is here and has high-jacked our earth.  The affairs our enemy connives in the world are vicious; as this hypnotic world follows along, feeding off its’ own lusts, savagely striving for what is temporal, wasteful, and rotting treasures here on earth. 

We are all guilty of having followed on blindly with the rest of the world.  As individual creatures of creation, we have the chance to no longer be blind mice chasing after any of these temporary treasures.  The Bible talks about this very thing in James 4:1-3, “Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have.  You murder and covet and cannot obtain.  You fight and war.  Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

Yes.  The life we were born into resembles a warzone (once known as a paradise).  The sincerity that is truth lay as its remains, buried deep inside your core.  It has to be awakened.   It is asleep on the inside, entangled in a web of lies.  This is the essence to the reference “dead in sins.”  That real, authentic person that you are, is buried in a seed-form, eager for life.  Through much study and understanding, it does become easier to receive our sight and to see our need of hope.  And the key is in allowing full exposure to the light of truth—the beginning of freedom we long for. 

This will be the hardest thing that you will ever have to do—to understand your freedom and stand firmly in your liberty.  Freedom is worth fighting for, worth maintaining, even as this world is constant with its lures, dangled in front of your eyes, to keep you from seeking any depth of wisdom into the real person you are meant to be.  

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Is not the body a type of womb, temporarily housing our spirit body?  I think so.  Our spirit (hologram) is kept either in a state of death (inactivity) or in a state of life.  Remember, our spirit lost the ability to generate life in the Eden.  As it stands, we can only generate death in us. 

So where does life come from?  We are the soil God has chosen to use, having been formed into man and woman, and are made for planting.  Planting?  Planting what?  His Seed.  Most people miss this, that not only literal seed has been implanted in man but spiritual also.  The Lord God is the Husband (husbandry) and He holds the Seed.  Mankind is the Wife, spiritually.  That explains why the Bible says there is no more “male or female,” not in the Body of Christ. 

Just as the body proves to be the perfect embryonic vessel in which to experience birth naturally, it makes perfect sense that the same applies spiritually.  This concept ideally makes a wonderful groundwork to recreate a new life or a new beginning.  It is where everything is made good once again. As the very Seed of His Spirit becomes newly planted in our spirits, opportunity for “good and evil” fruit to sprout becomes impossible! 

Our spirit (seed) along with God’s Spirit (Seed) planted into the very heart of man is what germinates spiritual life in us.  This constitutes only the conception of life, or the beginning.  There will be a birth later, as in the natural.  This mystery is defined as rebirth, or born again.  This means we embody a new creature (creation) now in this life!  It will look like you and be in character like the living God. 

God does this impossible thing!  He makes all things new!  That is why it is a must that the seed of life newly planted in us be well-watered with the Word of Truth—In due time a ‘born again’ you will arrive.  Born of the Holy Spirit. 

Mary (Mother of Jesus) bore the Prototype (Jesus the Christ).  If this is accurate, then, we who receive Christ have become impregnated, also, with His life bearing qualities. 

It is Written

 Here, in this segment, I would like to quote from a highly respected commentator, Matthew Henry.  His explanation and text relates so well to what needs to happen for us to maintain the gift of liberty we have been given through Jesus Christ.  In Matthew 4:4-10, there is a famous passage of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.  The following are excerpts of Matthew Henry’s take on that experience:

1)                  It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered, being tempted:  for thus it appears that temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are afflictions only;

2)                  It is one of the wiles of Satan to take advantage of our outward condition;

3)                  Outward afflictions are the great augments Satan uses to make the people of God question their sonship;

4)                  The devil aims to shake our faith in the word of God, and to bring us to question its truth;

5)                  Christ answered all the temptations of Satan with, ‘It is written.’  He is himself the eternal Word;

6)                  The devil can but persuade, he cannot compel; he can but say, cast down thyself; he cannot cast us down;  

7)                  Every man is tempted, when he is drawn aside of his own lust {all lust is not wrong, some lusts are God given i.e. Hunger} . . . [lust is] not forced, but enticed;

8)                  Is Satan so well versed in scripture as to be able to quote it so readily?  It seems he is so.  He misquotes it;

9)                  If we expect that because God has promised not to forsake us, therefore he should follow us out of the way of our duty:  that because he has promised to keep us, we may willfully thrust ourselves into danger… This is presumptuous this is tempting God;

10)             The best of saints may be tempted to the worst of sins.  It is their affliction, but while there is no consent to it…it is not their sin;

11)             Christ was tempted to worship Satan.  Some temptations are openly wicked, they are not to be disputed, but rejected.  It is a just indignation;

12)             Satan will yield, if we keep our ground.  Knowing the truth about God is a must, in order to believe in the good news about salvation as well as what is written about yourself.

~Did you know that God made you good?~

Think about what this means.  Because remember, God is holy.  All that He created was of an excellent nature.  Anything contrary to His holy nature is known as abomination (falls into the abomination category). You may read in your Bible where many such things pertaining to the earth are viewed in this context by a Holy Father.   Any person, place, or thing opposite of what God originated, is basically opposing what and how the Creator of the person or thing authorized him or it to be used.

 For example, God has given us Saturday as the Sabbath Day of rest, but certain people choose Sunday.  Why?  Just because they want to.  Because they can.  God has the sovereign right to claim that doing so is an abomination! 

  Look at it this way.  As long as something is brand new, its status is subject to change almost immediately after the first handling of it.  Everyone accepts this as normal business practices, the cost of doing business.  Drive a purchased, brand new car off the lot of any dealership and then try to return it a day later.  You won’t get the same price that you paid for it, only the day before, will you?  New shoes become scuffed shoes the first time you wear them.  A new stove in the department store won’t look the same anymore once you fry grease on it in your own kitchen, will it?  Same with furniture, clothes, or anything you can name.  Department Store policy does not permit them to resell an item as ‘new,’ even if unopened or unused.  Everybody knows that.

The point being, God, in His role gave the perfect start to man!   Whatever falls short of that perfection will always be characterized as abomination or as unacceptable to receive God’s approval.  He is simply communicating to us, via His veto power, regarding such substandard conditions in which mankind reduced themselves.  He did not do this to man or make man this way.  He did not play a part in this outcome.

For our natures to perform in this way so easily; finding these acts to be quite enjoyable, is far from holy.   It should be understandable, therefore, if God’s reaction is likened to a disgruntled restaurant patron, who declares,

“Excuse Me, I did not order this!”

Here is the very last example on this.  Let’s say a most famous, expert pastry chef is contesting with rival chefs in a bake-off.  No one is privy to the others secret recipes, containing all the pertinent ingredients and precise measurements that make these cakes world renown.   Everything is meted out as it should be, according to the directions.  When this unsuspecting chef turns away to preheat the oven, however, sabotage takes place behind his back.  One of his unscrupulous competitors has added a cup of salt to the cake batter while this chef is busying away.  Salt is now the dominate flavor of the entire mixture as it is baking, without any clue that there has been a violation in this contest.   A golden beauty, the cake finally comes out of the oven; it smells delicious.  It evenly stacks up to a five-star quality.   Pristinely decorated, it is plated and placed before the tasters.  Yet, there is the matter of the one ingredient which dominates all of the other ingredients (like sin).  One after another, judges are seen spewing cake from their mouths, crying,

“Foul!”  

“This cake is foul!” 

Now, of course, God was well aware, unlike the chef, of Satan’s wiles in the Garden.  He knew that Evil was present.  I think He was counting on Adam and Eve to trust Him in regard to handling any “knowledge of evil.”   All they would have had to do was enjoy the benefits of the “good.”  However, they had been tricked into eating.  And as soon as they ate, their eyes were opened (they tasted a mouth full of salt).  Just as the salt dominates, sin now dominates all of Adam and Eve’s posterity. 

While under better circumstances, salt usually would be appreciated, if used in accordance.  Likewise knowledge would usually be appreciated for its value, if used in its proper terms.  But, it’s just that “obedience is better” than all the knowledge in the world!  Obedience is better than knowing how evil tastes, no matter how sensual it may look.  Negate the desire to touch, when God says, “Touch not, taste not, handle not.”  It should suffice.

This audacious deed (disobedience) cannot be undone unless you were to bake another cake that is entirely new.  One that does not have impurity in the mix.  Our Father understands this, frankly.  That is why He put on our same flesh and experienced the promptings from our same nature so that He could understand it even more.  Take notice of how every day that He would visit in the garden in Eden, He did not come to smell the flowers or pet the animals.  He came there to be with us, mankind.  He has always wanted to be “God, with us.”

Regime Change—The Art of Spiritual Warfare

It is crucial to note what comes with Satan’s intense, direct, step-by-step plan of attack against all of creation.  Every specific tactic implements a usage that is detrimental to our good-will, and which plays a role to help facilitate our defeat.  A big disadvantage for us is in not knowing that we are under this attack.  Let’s face it, we were born into a war.  A spiritual war is going on in the heavens and every newborn on earth is a target, including the baby, Jesus.  Who said all is fair?  All is not fair.

  ~Unfair warfare~

Potential for ruin typically comes directly from the family tree, historically.  Generational curses that are inherited (held within the family) have allowed Satan to maneuver a range of opportunities to pollute entire family lines.  For instance, if a person is divorced, they probably can find a history of it in their family.  If a person is a teen parent, they can discover others in their immediate family have followed this same course.  If a person has participated in homosexual relationships, surely if they screen the family tree they will find an overt link within the family. Whether posing under the ruse or umbrella of adultery, pornography, promiscuous casual sex, or other closeted sexual perversions, it’s all in the family.  

Showcasing this acuteness in familial dynamics, plus one’s own impetus sin nature, adds sin to sin.  Collateral damage of this magnitude is never easy to overcome nor to readily succumb to.

 ~The ‘It’s Just Sex’ generation of yesteryear, exists today~

However, there is much we may take comfort in valuing Jesus Christ’s contribution to the cause of our victory in this war.  Unlike the boy Jesus, who himself “grew in spirit without measure,” we were not afforded this Divine advantage.  He was the One Tree, and only One, whose fruit had life in it.  The Bible stipulates that he had “no guile” in his nature.  It states that Jesus learned well how to subject himself to his parents.  Jesus learned well from the elders in the temple of his day, besides.  He gathered and understood the facts about his enemy, and ours.  He came as the Word (a Spokesman) in the flesh.  The Son of God and the Son of man.  There is no way Jesus could be blindsided by the war as we had been.  He recognized Satan, his devils, and his tactics implicitly.

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