Banning Guns Won’t Solve the Problem :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: March 4, 2018March 20, 2018 by RR7

Gun Control?
“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

Once again the news is in a frenzy over a school shooting. It’s shocking and truly heartbreaking. One maladjusted person took 17 lives and ruined many others. Of course the blame is put on the gun. Did the gun walk into the school under its own power and open fire? No. This young killer had a gun, ammunition, hand grenades, and a gas mask…. he was ready for a fight. As you listen to the news and read through the headlines, be sure to sort through the political rhetoric and find facts.

Somehow he was able to buy all of this weaponry without any suspicions being raised. This 19-year-old killer had been expelled from school, yet he was able to easily enter the school. He was under psychiatric care and was taking mind-altering drugs, which are commonly prescribed to control behavior. These drugs are present in most, if not all, of the mass murderers whose crimes are so horrific.

This young murderer heard voices in his head that told him how to do this crime. Demons? Absolutely.

“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“ (Ephesians 6:12).

These evil entities will take every opportunity to control a person, and drugs (prescription or illegal) open doors for them to enter. If a person is prescribed these drugs, they should be barred from possessing guns, ammo, knives, crossbows, and any other weapon that can be used to kill a human being.

By the way, more people are killed each year by abortion than with guns. Think about it.

The common factor in these mass killings is legally prescribed drugs. The Greek word pharmakeia is defined as “the use or the administering of drugs, poisoning, sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it.” The English word “pharmacy” comes from this word, and we know that another name for a pharmacy is “drug store.” Pharmakeia appears three times in the New Testament and is translated as sorcery twice and witchcraft once; it’s never used in a positive sense.

Most of us would never go to a witchdoctor who uses hallucinogenic drugs (such as ayahuasca) to cure what ails us, but we trust medical doctors and psychiatrists to prescribe mind-altering “medication” because they have a PhD or MD after their names. My intent isn’t to slander these people who have studied long and hard to help people, but I do question their wisdom.

If you take any of these prescriptions, consider all side effects and make an educated decision for yourself. Guns get blamed for these murders, but we need to be aware of the drugs these killers are prescribed and stop those who take them from having weapons.

Christians need to hold God’s truth above the lies of the world. The Apostle Paul lists witchcraft (pharmakeia) among the works of the flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God“ (Galatians 5:19-21).

Sin tends to promote other sin. If you participate in any one of these works of the flesh, it’s almost certain that others will also be a part of your life. Sorcery (pharmakeia) and murder are just two.

Parents must take responsibility for their children. That means to monitor the movies they watch (do they promote violence and sin?), music they listen to (are the lyrics inspired by Satan?), and video games they play (filled with killing?). It also means to monitor what they are being taught in school, their diet, as well as the drugs they’re prescribed.

The fallen world around us will never believe the problem lies with anything but guns, but as Christians we must hold God’s word as the final authority. Christian parents have a responsibility to raise their children Biblically. Beginning in Genesis chapter 1, teach them the truth:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth“ (Genesis 1:1).

God created everything. Period. Homeschooling is the best option for Christians, but if you have no other choice but to send your children to public school, don’t allow them to be taught evolutionary lies or explicit sex “education.” Evolution is a satanic lie that’s easily disproved. Genetics alone show that evolution is impossible, but logic tells you it’s a sick joke.

Responsible parents must also give their child proper food instead of fast food and TV dinners. God made our bodies to use the food He created, but people have decided to add hormones and preservatives to food. Today we also have genetically modified food, which is even worse for us than additives and preservatives. This isn’t the way God intended people to eat, and a person’s body will react adversely.

Could these hormones be the root of evil behind so many people claiming to be homosexual? Yes, homosexuality is a sin. God knows what’s best for humans, but man foolishly corrupts what God gives.

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men“ (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Paul wasn’t saying God is in any way foolish; but even if He were, He would be wiser than people.

When a child can’t sit still or concentrate, what’s the solution that foolish men have come up with? Drugs. Rather than using discipline and proper nutrition, just control the mind with drugs. Never mind that drugs aren’t healthy for anybody. As long as that little boy or girl sits quietly and listens to the voices in their heads, everything is fine—until that voice tells him to kill his classmates—then we blame the gun.

When God is rejected, wickedness abounds. By and large, society today rejects God.

The Apostle Paul summed it up in the first chapter of his letter to the Romans, where we read that the reality of God is evident in His creation. No matter how many millions or billions of years a non-living thing waits, it will never become a living thing. Chaos will never move to order. Creation didn’t just happen—God did it.

Satan has promoted the lie of evolution, and God is being systematically removed from schools, government, and even churches. Is it any wonder that wickedness abounds? Removing God is pure foolishness.

“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 fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour 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 for ever. Amen“ (Romans 1:22-25).

Rejection of God is the basis of all sin. Without His moral guidance, sin abounds.

Today it’s a crime to break a Condor egg, but when an unborn child is killed in the mother’s womb, it’s called “a woman’s right to choose;” and this murderous act is protected by law.

When God is rejected, He allows the consequences of sin to run its course. We reap what we sow, so to speak. God gives those who reject Him over to a reprobate mind and they embrace every sin imaginable.

“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“ (Romans 1:29-31).

That’s quite a list of evil that happens when God is rejected. Banning guns won’t solve the problem that’s caused by banning God.

Scripture tells us that things will get more perilous as we draw closer to the end of time.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

As we approach Daniel’s 70th week, we can see that evil is overtaking every nation. Christians will be Raptured before that final week, but things will get much worse before then. The Rapture isn’t an escape from troubles, but rather a blessing from God that we escape His wrath, which will be poured out upon the earth and those left.

That final week is described in Revelation; and as plagues and judgments are poured out, the people who remain on the earth will harden their hearts. They refuse to repent.

“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts“ (Revelation 9:21).

There’s that word “sorceries,” which is pharmakeia.

We can see that wickedness is growing stronger while Christians remain silent. We have the truth of God’s word and can see the wickedness all around, but still we don’t speak out.

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19).

Before we ban guns and make secular judgments about the reasons behind all of these mass killings, I urge everyone to listen to the February 18, 2018, commentary by J.D. Farag, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Ut0LyUq6Y) and another very well thought out commentary by Anthony Brian Logan, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkPrVbjXYE0).

Drugs, prescription or non-prescription, open our minds to demonic entry. Couple that with secular music, violent video games, movies that show killing after killing, and you have the devil’s playground. Turn from this evil right now.

If you’re a Christian, take a stand for Christ every day. Don’t compromise.

If you have never given your life to Christ, it isn’t too late. You are a sinner and you need salvation. Salvation only comes through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Repent of sin right now and ask Jesus to forgive you and help you out of that sin. Repent means to change your mind and see sin as sin and turn away from it. Drugs, satanic music, and sinful lifestyles are all forgivable sins, but you have to earnestly repent and accept Jesus as your Saviour.

Banning guns won’t solve the problem.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

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Repentance or Remorse :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: March 4, 2018March 20, 2018 by RR7

What’s the difference between repentance and remorse? The two are similar, but there is a subtle difference that’s important to salvation.

When Jesus walked among men, He had many followers. Crowds gathered when they knew He was coming, just to see Him. Sometimes people would bring loved ones who were in need of healing, and Jesus was always willing to heal. Aside from the crowds that gathered around Him, there were twelve men whom Jesus chose especially to walk close to Him.

“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him“ (Matthew 10:2-4).

Scripture is silent on some of these men but others we learn quite a bit about. Matthew had been a tax collector and he wrote a Gospel. John had been a fisherman and we learn many lessons from his writings. Peter wrote letters and had a strong personality. Another one was Judas Iscariot. What a sad way to be remembered: “… and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”

It’s hard to understand how Judas could have betrayed Jesus. Just like the other eleven men, he followed Christ and heard what He said and saw what He did. Jesus healed lepers, restored sight to the blind, cast demons out of people, and raised people from the dead. Judas saw all of these things, yet he betrayed the Lord who was the only one who could offer him salvation.

Did Jesus know that Judas wouldn’t be a true follower? Of course He did. Judas was the subject of prophecy.

“And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD“ (Zechariah 11:12-13).

This foretold that the Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver; and that’s exactly how much Judas was paid. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, but He still called him and gave him a chance to change.

Judas had shown signs of his low character all along. Money was important to him; and he resented it when he thought anything of value was wasted, such as expensive oil:

Jesus spent time with a man named Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. They had been friends for a long time, and Jesus had once raised Lazarus from the dead. Can you imagine the joy and gratitude Mary and Martha felt? Sometime after that, Jesus went to visit, and they had dinner together. Martha served the meal, but Mary worshipped Jesus.

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein“ (John 12:3-6).

The disciples knew Judas was a thief, but none of them confronted him or tried to get him to change his ways. Not only was Judas a thief, but he resented the worship that Mary gave to Jesus. Eventually Judas committed the ultimate betrayal. The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus, and Judas decided to help them.

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16).

Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled through Judas. Jesus had one final meal with His disciples; but the time had come, and Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had to do. Jesus knows everyone and He knew Judas wasn’t a true follower, but He had given him the same opportunity as He gave to the other 11 men. Judas chose to follow the way of destruction.

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him“ (John 13:2).

Though he walked with Jesus, it was Satan who Judas truly followed. Prophecy had to be fulfilled, and Jesus willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice to be for our sins—The Lamb of God that takes away sin and not just covers them.

When dinner was over, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. He knew what was about to happen and asked Peter, James, and John to stay with Him. While Jesus prayed in agony, those three men slept. They woke up too late.

“Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also which betrayed him, stood with them“ (John 18:3-5).

Jesus was arrested, illegally tried, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. This all fulfilled prophecy. If Jesus hadn’t died, He wouldn’t have gained victory over death.

Judas had some remorse about his betrayal of Jesus. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that“ (Matthew 27:3-4).

The Greek word metamelomai is translated “repented himself.” This word means Judas was sorry for the result of his sin, but had no brokenness for committing the sin. All the remorse he felt couldn’t change what his action had taken.

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself“ (Matthew 27:5).

Judas has an eternity to regret his actions. Had he truly repented, Jesus would have forgiven him. Too often we commit sin, but like Judas we don’t truly repent. We just feel sorry that sin had a bad result.

Peter also followed Jesus. It’s hard not to identify with Peter who was rash and enthusiastic; but when his faith was tested, he denied Jesus. Jesus knew what Peter’s ultimate choice would be, just as He knew what Judas would choose. It was Peter who was on a boat with the other disciples in the middle of the sea being tossed about. Jesus had stayed on the shore but walked on the water to join them. Peter was full of amazement and asked to join Jesus on the water.

What a sight that must have been! The waves billowing, the wind blowing, and Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus. Then Peter looked at the problem and took his eyes off of Jesus.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried, saying, Lord, save me“ (Matthew 14:30).

Of course, Jesus did save him. The other disciples must have been amused, and I especially wonder what Judas thought. Did he mock Peter? This wasn’t the last of Peter’s rash actions which were followed by seeming failure. Once Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was. Oh, there were lots of ideas. Then Jesus made it personal.

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God“ (Matthew 16:15-16).

Amen, Peter. He should have stopped there but that wasn’t Peter’s way. Jesus told His disciples that He had to go to Jerusalem and explained that He would be killed, but would be raised from the dead on the third day. It was Peter who took Him aside and rebuked Him. Peter had declared that Jesus was the Christ, but he had no idea what that meant.

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men“ (Matthew 16:23).

Jesus knew Peter’s words were from Satan, but there was another one among them who would be the instrument of Satan’s evil plan. Did Judas smirk when Jesus rebuked Peter? Whether he did or not we aren’t told, but Judas would soon betray the Lord.

The night that Jesus was arrested was one that caused the disciples to take a good look at themselves. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times that night for fear of also being arrested. The same man who declared Jesus to be the Christ denied that he followed Him.

The days following the crucifixion were miserable. They had lost their Friend, Judas had committed suicide, and fear of being arrested gripped them. They had forgotten what Jesus had said about rising from the dead on the third day. When that day dawned, the tomb was found to be empty! What joy and confusion they felt. On that joyous morning a group of women had gone to tend to the body of Jesus but found an angel there instead; and he had a message.

“But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you“ (Mark 16:7).

Peter hadn’t committed the unpardonable sin. He still had hope of being restored. Judas had betrayed Jesus, but hadn’t repented of that sin before taking his own life. Peter could still repent.

Jesus did meet them at Galilee and He very lovingly brought Peter to repentance and restoration. Peter had denied Jesus three times – and Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?” The anguish and heartbreak can be felt each time Peter answers.

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep“ (John 21:17).

Peter was a changed man. He was brokenhearted for his sin, and forgiven. Jesus will forgive every sin, but you need to truly repent. Not metamelomai like Judas who just felt regret about the outcome of his sin, but metanoeo, which means to “change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.”

Many people today are like Judas. They are given the opportunity to honor Christ but their hearts are not surrendered to Him. Many who sit in pews on Sunday betray Him on Monday. They give the outward appearance of following Jesus, but fall short of giving their life to Him. Thankfully there are many like Peter who truly repented and faithfully served Jesus.

You have the choice today…repentance or remorse?