There is no doubt at all that this world holds a lot of evil. Too many people blame God for that evil, but that just shows a lack of understanding of Scripture. God has given us Truth, but most people pick and choose what they want to believe at any given moment. Instead of studying Scripture and knowing God’s heart, God gets blamed for the bad happenings in life. Scripture leaves no room for doubt that it is Satan who deserves the blame for evil. God created the beautiful Garden of Eden and placed Adam and Eve there. He told Adam that if he ate the forbidden fruit, death would become a reality. When Eve chose to speak with Satan, who was in the form of a serpent, she believed his lies over God’s truth.

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).

That was a lie, but people still seem to believe Satan over God.

“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).

That was more of Satan’s lies. Eve was deceived, but she had made the mistake of allowing Satan’s words to confuse her. Instead of standing firm on what Adam had said about the fruit (God had told him), she questioned God’s truth. That always brings trouble. Then, Adam went along with the lie. He was directly told by God not to eat the forbidden fruit but chose sin.

“For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:13-14).

Whether you are male or female, don’t allow your minds to be corrupted by allowing Satan to twist God’s Truth. Scripture is God’s truth.

There is much beauty in this world, and we can thank God for His creation. Sadly, Satan has deceived the weak-minded to believe lies. Acclaim for creation is now given to nothing – first there was nothing, and then it exploded. That is a huge lie from Satan, and like the lie about the forbidden fruit, people listen to him and are deceived.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:21-23).

Nature is worshipped. Animals are worshipped. “Mother Nature” is worshipped. What about God? Only God is worthy of our worship and praise. He is patient, but when the creation is continually worshipped instead of the Creator, trouble happens.

“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:24-25).

This passage of Scripture goes on to say that homosexual behavior is the result. Not only is that activity an abomination, but it brings disease and leads to more sin.

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:29-32).

Brothers and sisters, if we claim to be Christians, why do we turn a blind eye to the evil?

Evolution is taught in schools, drag queens have story time with children, teachers are teaching children how to hide homosexual urges from parents, furries are allowed to have litter boxes, and so forth and so on. If we claim to be Christians, then we need to study and believe Scripture. None of the ungodly things of the world should be acceptable to Christians. Yet, we keep silence. We don’t want to be known as “haters,” and we don’t want to offend anyone. We aren’t to judge, but we are to use Scripture as our guide. Our silence allows people of the world to die in ignorance of God. Shame on us. If someone was about to be hit by a train, we would take action, yet we keep silent as many people die in their sin.

When Adam sinned, the evil darkness that Satan promoted seemed more tempting than light of the truth of God. The darkness of sin is great. Look around and you can see the result of Satan’s evil. Just as we read in the first chapter of Romans, humanity is on a downward spiral.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Men loved darkness? That means mankind loves Satan. Christians should be different. We should not conform to the darkness of Satan but walk in the light of Jesus and His love.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Each one of us must decide who to follow and who we conform our lives to. God wants us to follow and love Him, but loves us enough to give us free will to choose. He told us what the result of our sin and disobedience would be, but we make our choice and can’t blame God for the result of our sin.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

If you have confessed that you love Jesus, then you need to turn away from sin and evil and allow Jesus to transform you into a child of God.

Sin will always tempt us, but in those times when the flesh is weak, that’s when we need to pray and ask for God’s strength to resist. Satan was arrogant enough to even try to tempt Jesus, but do you remember what Jesus did? He answered each temptation by quoting Scripture. Not the twisted Scripture that Satan uses to tempt us, but Jesus used the pure word of God; Jesus was God.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Are you tempted to judge others? Are you tempted to let pride inflate your ego, so you feel justified in putting others down? Does anger rule your emotions? None of these things can be seen in Jesus. When we conform to God rather than to the world, our sin nature will diminish while the light of God will shine through your life. The world and the ways of the world can offer no hope. You may find it easier to conform to the world and the sin found there, but only conforming to God’s ways will give you peace in your soul.

There are so many things we see in the world that are opposed to God. We are in a spiritual battle, and Satan doesn’t want you to find joy in your Christian walk. If you’ve truly accepted Christ, then your salvation is safe, but you need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

That might take effort on your part, but trust the Holy Spirit to strengthen you.

“For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds:) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

If you keep your mind fixed upon Jesus and have Scripture memorized, Satan and his minions will have no power over you.

Another truth found in Scripture is that wickedness and deception will abound as we draw closer to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, also known as the Tribulation. Because Christians seem to be conforming to the darkness of Satan rather than standing firm upon God’s truth, wickedness is able to flourish. Look around and you’ll see that evil is being called good.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

The world, run by Satan, promotes “gay pride,” abortion, and sexual freedom. This is calling evil good. Jesus likened the end times to the days of Noah (Luke 17:26) and also to the days of Lot (Luke 17:28). I would encourage everyone to study, really study, Genesis to understand what truly was happening in Noah’s time and in Lot’s time. Most mainline pastors will teach a man-made story that Seth’s sons married Cain’s daughters, so God destroyed the entire Creation. This is another lie from the father of lies. In Noah’s time, fallen angels were mating with human women, and monstrous creatures known as Nephilim were the result. Genetic manipulation is going on today, and Christians turn a blind eye.

In Lot’s time, homosexual activity and desire for “strange flesh” were so evil that God sent fire and brimstone upon Sodom and the surrounding cities. God’s judgment is coming, and Christian’s sleep. Pastors are more interested in tickling ears than in preaching God’s truth. That’s another sign that the end is drawing near.

Paul directed the young pastor, Timothy, to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Does your pastor speak God’s truth and encourage the congregation to conform to God? Many pastors don’t want to step on toes, so they tell jokes, promote their favorite sports team, and give an ear-tickling sermon so as not to upset anyone. Christians accept this and sleep. As bad as the preachers who don’t preach the word of God are, there are ones who embrace the sin of the world and promote it. If you’re sitting in a congregation where the preacher has compromised God’s word in order to conform to the world, then you need to speak up and/or find a congregation that teaches the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. Don’t conform to the world.

Do you conform to God, or do you conform to the world? It does matter.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

 

There’s no doubt about it. People enjoy celebrating. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduation, retirement, and more. Then there are the big celebrations like Christmas and Thanksgiving. These are all happy occasions which should be celebrated with friends and family. God wants us to enjoy life, but He also wants us to use discernment in how and what we celebrate.

Human beings seem to be able to corrupt many celebrations. For instance, look at what we’ve done to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We don’t know the exact date that He was born, so we celebrate on a Pagan holiday and center festivities around Santa Claus. It has become very commercialized, and few people actually celebrate Jesus’ birth. There are office parties, overspending on gifts, sending cards, and so much more that has nothing to do with Jesus. By the time it’s over, we are exhausted and have gained weight because of all the extra food we consume.

Then, New Year’s Eve comes along, and once again, there’s a celebration. Eating, drinking, and being merry. We make resolutions for a better new year and healthier eating habits. When Valentine’s Day comes along, we celebrate with candy. Then Easter is celebrated with chocolate bunnies and colored eggs.

What do they have to do with celebrating Jesus who shed His blood for our salvation? As Christians, we need to celebrate Jesus instead of allowing our celebrations to be secular and worldly. Celebrate Jesus each and every day and live so our Lord is honored. The choices we make in our daily life will either reflect Christ or dishonor Him.

One of the most evil celebrations will soon be here. Halloween. This is a very demonic day when children are encouraged to dress up and go knock on doors for candy. Christians join in as if it’s just another celebration. We dress our children up as ghosts, monsters, and other sinister creatures of darkness, but it’s all meaningless and in good fun. Right? The little ghosties and ghoulies go around knocking on doors saying, “Trick or treat,” and they collect candy. Hopefully, none of the treats have been tampered with. Over the years, the costumes have become very evil.

When I was a child, I did dress up and go Trick or Treating. The scariest costume I ever wore was one my mother made. I was a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater. By today’s standards, it was pretty dull. Today, we see Freddy Krueger costumes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre costumes, and many more demonic ones. Little girls dress as seductive witches, and their parents think their daughter is lovely. God does not think witches are lovely. He knows the evil power they use is real and not to be taken lightly.

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” (Exodus 22:18).

That’s a strong punishment. Today we are not under Jewish Law, but it was designed to teach us about God and what He expects. Today, instead of putting a witch to death, we need to share the Gospel. Christians have allowed demons to be glorified while we justify our participation in the evil.

Years ago, a pope decided that November 1 is All Saints Day, and November 2 is All Souls Day, a time to remember martyrs. Why do we celebrate death and evil spirits on October 31? Maybe we should be more concerned with sharing the Gospel and fighting the wiles of Satan and his minions. There was a time long past when people would dress up as Biblical characters, knock on doors, offer to pray for the household, and receive sweets. That’s an interesting idea.

Actually, a bit of research shows that October 31 is the date when the Flood of Noah’s time occurred. We know that the flood happened to clear the earth of the genetic corruption of which the Fallen Angels were guilty. The Nephilim were the offspring of sexual relations between Fallen Angels and human women. They were absolutely evil. The unredeemable souls of the Nephilim were not welcome into the abode of the dead. These souls roam the earth seeking embodiment, and we gain some understanding of this fact from the time Jesus went to Gadara and met with the young man possessed by numerous demons (see Matthew chapter 8, Mark chapter 5, and Luke chapter 8). Jesus cast out the demonic entities, who went into a herd of swine. They needed a body, any body, to inhabit.

Ken Johnson of Biblefacts.org has done much research into the Dead Sea Scrolls and has shared the knowledge he has acquired over the years. Here is a short study he has done regarding how the date of the flood relates to our Halloween date (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZclRveGOOU). Maybe, instead of costumes and customs that relate to the evilness around us, we might use this time to share God’s truth of the Flood and His greater story of His shed blood for our redemption.

October 31 is an important day in Christian history. It was the day that Martin Luther bravely nailed the 95 Theses to the All Saint’s Church in Wittenberg, thus declaring a protest against the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. I always wonder why Christians promote the demonic side of Halloween rather than celebrating God’s truth. Too many Christians don’t even know what Martin Luther did or why he did it. Do some research into the subject, and you’ll understand why we should celebrate what Martin Luther did.

When my daughter was in youth group, they went to a “Revelation House” instead of a haunted house. The group was led through a theatrical performance where a young person had made a choice to reject Christ while another had accepted Him. As the youth group walked from one room to another, they were shown how the choices affected the lives of those two young people. The performers eventually showed the two main characters having died. The one who had accepted Christ was shown as being in a wonderful eternity in Heaven, while the one who had rejected Christ was depicted as going to Hell and torment.

That Revelation House had a strong impact upon the youngsters in the youth group. Scary? Yes, it was, but it also showed the reality of death and what follows. It showed how important choices are. It didn’t glorify the demonic powers around us but showed the outcome of the choices we make. Many of the group gave thought to the reality they had seen and chose to give their lives to Christ. Had they been out trick or treating, that choice wouldn’t have been easily made.

Most people don’t see any problem with Halloween and even justify it as a Christian holiday. Be sure you don’t close your eyes to the reality of the Satanic practices surrounding it.

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12).

What does the Satanic schedule look like for October? On October 13, preparation begins for the rituals to follow. It begins with the abduction and preparation of a person for human sacrifice. October 28-30 is a Satanist High ceremony that involves blood and human sacrifice. Then on October 30-31, All Hallows Eve is celebrated, and the rituals involve blood and sexual perversion. Then November 1 is a satanist high day associated with blood and human sacrifice (information taken from https://www.theopenscroll.com/hosting/SatanicCalendar.htm.

If you think Halloween is all innocent fun, think again. There is a very evil side to it. Satan is real, and so are his demonic minions. They will do everything they can to destroy God’s creation and His people.

Christians make the mistake of thinking things just don’t matter. So what that prayer was taken out of school. So what that schools teach evolution instead of God’s truth (read the first chapter of Romans and see what God thinks of it). So what that schools teach that gender is a choice. So what that schools provide litter boxes for kids who believe they are animals. So what? It matters a lot and affects the entire world. When you look around you and see what is promoted by secular entertainment, you should come to the conclusion that it all matters very much. Christians must keep our thoughts on Jesus.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Parents need to make Bible-based choices and teach their children to do the same. If your children aren’t allowed to watch movies that promote violence and sex at home, do they understand they aren’t to watch such movies at a friend’s home? Do your children understand just how demonic Ouija Boards are? Do you? These evil boards are popular at many pajama parties. When you “play” with these “toys,” you open doors for demonic forces to come through. The battle we face is spiritual, and unless you’ve placed your full faith in Jesus Christ, you will succumb to the enemy. Plant your children’s feet solidly on Christ and pray for their protection.

You can’t win the battle by your own strength, but you must allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Spiritual warfare isn’t new. The weapons Satan uses today might be electronic weapons of technology, such as the internet, music, movies, and such, but the weapons of God still remain and are more powerful than anything Satan uses. Christians need to choose to stand with God and against Satan.

When Paul wrote to the Christians living in the Pagan city of Ephesus, he spoke of spiritual warfare. He began with family. God set the structure for family in the very beginning. Adam was created first and was to lead his family physically and spiritually. Adam failed by allowing Eve to convince him to disobey God, but the structure is still there. Paul tells us how a husband is to love his wife.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

A woman shouldn’t settle for a husband who isn’t a God-fearing man who will lay down his life for her. Satan has done his best to destroy the family unit. Many women have decided that marriage isn’t necessary for raising a family. One-night stands are good enough, or they settle for a man who doesn’t love the Lord. Children are raised by two families, so the joy of a God-blessed family unit isn’t part of their life.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22.

Submit to your own husband, not to any man that comes along. Honor God by honoring your marriage. Satan wins battles because Christians don’t hold God in the highest esteem.

After Paul talks of how a family is to be structured, he talks about spiritual warfare. It’s all part of the same battle. If the family is destroyed, it’s easier for the spiritual battle to tip in Satan’s favor. It’s like dominoes falling. Satan is able to take control of one part of life, then moves to the next. This is a spiritual battle, and Christians are siding with the enemy. It’s time to put on the full armor of God and fight the battle before us.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of Righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Learn to use these weapons and never take off God’s armor.

Satan and demons are real. One of Satan’s ploys is to convince humanity that he’s just a myth – a cute little troublemaker that runs around in a red suit holding a pitchfork. He’s not a myth, and he isn’t cute. We’re told that he can disguise himself as something lovely to look at. If you get trapped by one of his snares, your life will be miserable. The only way to avoid being trapped by Satan is to keep your whole life in line with God. If you’ve given your heart to Jesus, then you need to follow Him and not look back.

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

It’s not good to live with one foot in the darkness of the demon realm and one foot in the light of the Lord. You cannot serve two masters. Once you’ve truly accepted Christ for salvation, don’t return to Satan’s influence. When you celebrate, celebrate Christ and turn away from worldly ways. Teach your children God’s Truth and help them to grow strong in their faith.

So, what are you celebrating? You can’t go wrong if you celebrate Christ in all things.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.