Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:18-19. I’m sure you are all familiar with the congregations who believe they can handle snakes without being bitten or harmed in any why. Verse 19 above is often misinterpreted by these folks. They believe that what Jesus is saying is that He has given all His disciples the power to tread on literal serpents and scorpions. They believe that it is only a lack of faith that allows them to be bitten and ultimately to die from snakebite. These are foolish people who hold to a form of biblical illiteracy.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17. The serpents and scorpions Jesus refers to in verse 19 above are supernatural, evil spirits (demons). Jesus gave His disciples His power – power to tread on demons. To advance the Kingdom of God unhindered.

When the 70 were out on their mission they encountered the malevolent supernatural realm and realized they did have power over devils through Christ’s name. The demons were no match for the power of Christ; it was not the seventy’s power but the power of Jesus (God Almighty) that prevailed against Satan and his horde.

These seventy disciples of Jesus’ understood His words as follows: “I gave you the power (authority, strength) that no matter what perils you might encounter, your progress would not be detoured or hindered by My enemy.” No matter what machinations and persecutions Satan had determined to throw at them, to thwart the preaching of the gospel, they would prevail. Interestingly, He’s telling us (His followers) the same thing today. As the serpents and scorpions (demons) continually attempt to thwart the preaching of the Gospel, we too shall overcome them – not by our power but with the power of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12. Power comes only from the Creator God of the universe. That power includes becoming sons of God, power to overcome the enemy’s evils, and power to stand firm in our faith. When we receive Christ and believe on His name, we are freely given this awesome power.

The malevolent supernatural beings have powers that humans can’t even fathom. They are beings with varying ranks, and the higher the rank the more power they possess. But to Jesus they were nothing, and He made it plain to His followers that by His power these demonic beings had no power over them. Nor do they have power over His saints today unless we allow them that power. How do we do that? We give them power through our unbelief, and even our doubts. We are surrounded and outnumbered by the demonic realm, yet with all their powers, which they wield mightily over the lost, they have only the power over us that we allow them. Many Christians allow the enemy sovereignty over their lives because they continue to walk in fear and doubt.

We must understand Jesus’ words “Nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Nothing can hurt the real us. The real us is spirit and the world of the demonic can’t touch us because we belong to Jesus. We are His property, His possession, and we should all hold to His promise.

When men and women go off to war they are supplied with materials to help keep them safe. Among many other items they are supplied helmets, bulletproof vests, special boots and clothing, and, of course, weapons. This is all helpful as they go out to meet the enemy, but not sufficient protection to insure them no harm. Compared to the protection God affords His children, our military’s protections are wholly insufficient. God’s protection far exceeds anything even the fiercest supernatural enemy has in his arsenal.

In Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians he describes the protection we need as a full buffer against the enemy. We have God’s power protecting us and we have the armor He has issued each of His children. When we put on God’s armor it becomes impossible for the enemy of our souls to breach that protection. The sad thing is few Christians put on the armor and many more never even give their God-given armor any thought.

“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. “Principalities”, “powers”, and “rulers of the darkness of this world” are ranks of fallen angels. Just as in military forces on earth, there are levels of power, so it is with the satanic realm. God did not leave us helpless and naked when it comes to standing firm against the enemy combatants. “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.” Ephesians 6:13.

So what are these pieces of God-issued armor? “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14. The first mentioned is that of being girt with the truth (the word of God). When we have the knowledge of the word of God firmly embedded in our minds and hearts we are indeed girt with the truth and we become a formidable foe to be reckoned with. There’s mighty power in His word, freely given to all who seek that truth.

The breastplate of righteousness is only given to those who have become God’s peculiar people, His possession – the born again. That breastplate (righteousness) is a God ordained supernatural boundary impenetrable by the enemy. The picture so far is that of an unyielding, fully protected soldier in God’s army – but hold on to your hats, there’s more protection available.

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15. This one is obvious. Wherever God sends us we are to be prepared “…to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15. The word “shod” actually means we are to bind to ourselves the Gospel of peace in the sense that that binding is permanent. Preparation means exactly what we think. We are to study the word of God so that we can’t be caught off guard by any wacked-out supernatural being, or any human being for that matter.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16. The shield of faith is the key to all the rest of the armor doing their individual jobs. If we have not faith we have no shield. If we have faith in God then the shield He provides covers us from head to toe. A lack of faith leaves us unprotected. Faith in Christ effectively quenches the fiery darts of the supernatural realm.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:17. To take the helmet of salvation means we’ve been born again, it is the protection of our spirit. Without salvation our spirit is fully open to the enemy’s attacks. As a matter of fact, without salvation we would belong to the enemy. When we take hold of the sword of the Spirit we’re taking hold of God’s sword. God’s inerrant word is your sword of protection. Take hold of it and use it every day. It’s your power base. Keep it near.

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20. Jesus tells these 70 disciples, thus He’s telling us as His followers today, to take no joy in the fact that the malevolent supernatural beings are subject to us. It’s not our power that repels the demons – it’s not our strength that keeps them at bay – it’s Christ’s power that prevails. God gets the glory for who we are in Christ and how we stand for His Kingdom. Our rejoicing comes into play as we realize that our names are written in Heaven.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18. Prayer is our direct line of communication to God; praying always with the desire and need for God who is always in control to be ever vigilant on our behalf and on the behalf of our brethren. Especially as we watch the persecution of the saints intensify in these extreme last days.

The closer we get to the Rapture of the saints our individual wills will be tested…for some, most exceedingly. What kind of power could we possibly possess which would enable us to stand against the enemy? It’s spiritual not physical. We have no chance when it comes to physical strength to withstand the wiles of the devil. That spiritual power given to us by Jesus Himself is far greater than anything we might be faced with emerging from the enemy camp. Yes, the human followers of Satan can kill our body but they can’t touch who we really are. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:

For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Many believe that Paul is only speaking about a marriage union between believers and nonbelievers. Actually there’s much more to this verse and the subsequent verses than most people like to believe. Corinth was a city full of pagan worship. Every deviant sexual practice and every form of satanic worship was there.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was to people who had accepted Christ but had not separated themselves from these pagan ways. Paul was not wishy-washy in his admonishment of their sins. The context is not marriage, but in fact it is about our Christian walk.

Christians are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers in anything. That means if you are a Christian don’t be married, don’t be in partnership with, and don’t be buddies with non-believers. So, why do we try to ignore this admonition or try to limit it to just marriage? Why do we try to justify fellowshipping with Belial? Because we don’t want to: leave our pagan ways and serve Christ.

This idea of not being yoked together with unbelievers is not new to the New Testament. In the Law it is written:

“Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together” (Deuteronomy 22:9-11).

These were pagan practices and God called the Israelites out of pagan ways. These things may seem trivial, but like us, the Israelites were to be separate and not unequally yoked to the pagan world.

As believers we are to live our lives as close to the way Jesus would have us live as possible. Not as a works oriented faith, but as how we show our love for Jesus. It is the lifelong sanctification process. Like the Corinthians we live in a society that glorifies ungodly ways, but Christians are admonished to not take part in worldly activities.

Before we became born-again we were a part of this pagan world and as such we were a part of the ungodliness. Now that we profess Christ as our Savior, that has changed…or should have. We are now to present ourselves to an unbelieving world as new creatures bathed in Christ. Christians are only sojourners passing thorough this life in an infinitesimal period of time and we need to represent Christ well, no matter what those in the world think.

“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:15)

The word “Belial” is from an Old Testament word that meant worthless or wicked and later became synonymous with Satan. “It is set in contrast to Christ and represents a personification of the system of impure worship connected especially with the cult of Aphrodite” (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). In other words we shouldn’t be yoked with Satan.

Everything that isn’t of Christ is of Satan. Influences and temptations are too powerful for us to combat…peer pressure abounds. If we are mingling with those who don’t have the moral guidance of God, then our own walk is hindered. For instance we are not to lie, but if our non-Christian buddy sees no problem in sidestepping the truth we usually find ways to see his lying as okay and begin to lie ourselves. Our own Christian beliefs are compromised and we are taking the path to fellowship with Belial.

Many Christians believe that they can live as the world does and still be separate from the world, but in all actuality they are being dragged down to a level not at all in standing with the high calling of Christ. Have you ever been with friends and foul language is spewed? Even though this is offensive you don’t say anything and soon you, too, are using those foul words. You are unequally yoked and are being influenced by the unrighteous.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7, emphasis added).

Believers aren’t to continue in fellowship with the world, for the world will dominate. The evil ungodly influences will eventually become a part of the believer’s life.

There are many ways we fellowship with Belial. Do your friends have tattoos? Do you? “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). Now, before you hit me with heated emails saying that we are not under the Law, let me just say that you are correct. But the Law tells us what God thinks.

Cutting ones flesh and tattooing were pagan practices. These things were part of the requirements of the demonic gods they worshipped. The one true God called the Israelites out from the pagans and required them to be separate. It’s the same for Christians. If you say with your mouth that you are a Christian but practice things that are pagan, whom are you fellowshipping with?

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

We are not under the Law, but under grace. That is not a license to fellowship with Belial.

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Did you catch that? “I will dwell in them”. Once a person becomes reborn God indwells that individual by the Holy Spirit. Every time we lie or are sexually impure or in any way are unequally yoked with the non-believer, we drag God right along with us into the perversion of fellowshipping with Belial.

I’ve noticed that many Christians keep one foot in the world in their actions and understandings. The born-again believer must step away from worldly influences and allow God to influence and renew his/her mind. Idols are many in this world of materialism. What music do you listen to?

What TV shows and movies do you watch? I have not watched television for many years, but from hearing what people say is broadcast none of it should be watched by a Christian…not even most of the so called Christian programs. Our minds and thoughts need to be filled with Christ, not with comedies about sex or shows about vampires, zombies, and other satanic creatures.

In my commentaries you will notice that I don’t use the word “church” when talking about believers. I use the word “Ekklesia” instead. Why? The word church is a building, but it is also a word used to indicate a doctrine or belief system. The Presbyterian Church interprets God’s Word differently than the Methodist Church which is different than the Catholic Church and so on

All of these (and every denomination) pick and choose which part of God’s Word they feel needs to be followed, or needs to be updated to agree with modern life. We can be sitting in a pew every week and be fellowshipping with Belial if the doctrine of that “church” does not conform to God’s word. On the other hand, the word “Ekklesia” means to be called out, and this is the word used in the original language of the New Testament and mistranslated “church” in most Bibles.

Why is Ekklesia important? Because God’s word emphasizes that Christians are called out from the world and are not to be a part of the world. Our lives need to reflect Christ, not Belial.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

This isn’t Paul or me saying this. No, the Lord Almighty said it. He said it many times to the Jews. Abraham lived in a very pagan culture and his family was heavily into idol worship. “And said to him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew the” (Acts 7:3).

Did Abraham obey? Sort of, he went a ways from his home, but took his father and nephew with him. He dwelt in Haran until his father died then went on with his nephew Lot to the land God promised him.

“For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foe’s shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:35-37).

We are called out. When we accept Christ we need to put Him and His ways first, even if it means we must leave our family…or friends.

Whether you are a new Christian or you’ve been a Christian for years there are ways to help someone else in their walk. Using God’s Word we must admonish those Christians who are still walking in the world. We must also avoid fellowship with non-Christians. It’s not judging someone when you admonish a fellow Christian using God’s Word as a standard.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

We must prayerfully study our Bibles and use Scripture to correct doctrine that is in error. But we also use the Scriptures to correct lifestyles that are in error…including our own.

There are many Christians who are living a lifestyle contrary to Scriptures. Do you have a friend who professes Christ yet is “living with” their girlfriend or boyfriend? This is contrary to God’s word and needs to be confronted. This is fellowshipping with Belial. You need to stand firm and not fellowship with them. By not confronting sin you are agreeing with it.

When we confront someone who is sinning, we can be accused of being “holier than thou” or being judgmental. What does God’s word say? Sexual activity outside of a one man, one woman, marriage, is sin and according to Old Testament Law they would be stoned to death.

Does that tell you anything about how God feels about sexual immorality? Many times we will be verbally attacked if we confront sin because so many people want to stay in their fellowship with Belial. But it would not be showing Christian love to allow them to continue heading in the wrong direction by keeping silent. These confrontations need to be done in love.

When a woman who had been caught in adultery was brought to Jesus, what transpired? First Jesus quietly convicted the accusers and then He showed love to the accused. But He did not pat her on the back and say to keep on sinning. No, He said “…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).

As Christians we need to make it a priority in our own lives to keep ourselves right with Christ’s teachings.

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

This means we need to know what the Bible teaches, and even though our human urges want to fellowship with Belial and tell a “little white lie,” have sexual encounters, etc., we must deny these Satanic urges and follow Christ even if we lose a friend: Holier than thou? No, just following Christ.

Does this mean we are to have no contact at all with unbelievers?

Jesus commanded: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

He also prayed to the Father concerning the disciples, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15).

How can we reach the lost if we don’t have contact with them? We can’t. Jesus never said to be isolated, but we are not to be yoked with the world. We are to preach the gospel so the lost will come to know Jesus and be saved. If we are only preaching the Gospel with our mouth but living unequally yoked lives─fellowshipping with Belial – what good will our preaching do?

Whether you believe as I do that the Rapture will happen soon, or if you don’t believe in the Rapture at all, understand that none of us know when our life on this earth will end. If we are not living for Jesus in all our ways then we are living with one foot in the world and fellowshipping with Belial.

If we are condoning sin in others by fellowshipping with them and not admonishing their sin, shame on us. If you are a believer then represent Him well. If you have not accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation, now is the time. Begin today to study God’s Word, fellowship with Christ, and stop fellowshipping with Belial.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham