Spiritual Warfare

What does it really mean to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? The key word that runs through this chapter is believe — used seven times — because believing is the key that connects every promise Jesus makes to us. Now, believing isn't just accepting the historical facts about Jesus; it's a change that takes place in the deepest part of you, where Christ becomes what your life is about and makes you into a new creature. That comes about through the new birth. Jesus said, "...he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also..." — and that word is shall, not will — meaning it's not optional or something you decide to do after you're saved; it's what becomes your nature when Christ is in you. He also promised that even after going to the Father, he would still be present with us, still working, and that "...if ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." But that promise is conditioned on our walking in his steps, keeping his commandments out of love, and living as his representatives in this world. The only way to really know what Jesus is like and examine whether you're truly like him, is to read and study the Word of God — particularly the Gospels — and let the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit that you are truly his - or not.

The biggest struggle of every life is the fight to hold onto hope. Satan's greatest weapon against us is to deceive us into thinking that all hope is gone. He wears us down until discouragement and despair overwhelm us. Expectation is the object of hope, and when our expectations become unreachable, or even seem to, we quickly fall into despair. Earthly hopes in people, family, church, or circumstances often disappoint, but the believer's true hope must be anchored in God, not in this world. We have many good examples to look to from the Word of God to help us in this struggle to hold onto hope. Faith in God and love for others restores hope, while self-pity and despair come from looking too low, and forgetting about God. Then we also have the "blessed hope" of Christ's presence, His coming again, and the certainty that God will always make a way.

We are trying to explain how the King James Bible (KJV) came into being and why we believe it is important to understand its history, not just preach from it. This generation is far removed from those of times past who knew and understood where the Bible came from, and no longer automatically trusts the Bible, especially since they are so unfamiliar with it. The people of this generation are also under a lot of pressure to lay aside the King James Bible and take up one of the countless "versions" that are on the market, so teaching its background and history is very important, and should be visited often. The process and the motives that produced the KJV were vastly different from the way modern Bible translations came about. It came from the pure line of transcripts, while the modern versions ALL come from corrupt texts, and it came at the price of blood and much suffering. It was the greatest gift to the world that God has ever given, except his Son, who is the theme of the whole book.

Understanding the history behind the King James Bible requires patience, humility, an honest heart, and a broad view of God's work through time. The Scripture makes it clear that God is sovereign over rulers and nations, and often accomplishes His purposes through imperfect people, so the value of the King James Bible does not depend on King James, or any of the other men involved in it's development, being flawless men. Instead, the focus of our study should be on the remarkable providence of God in raising up a learned, capable king in a very turbulent time who desired to give his people the Word of God. If we desire to get at the truth, especially in this matter of the Scriptures, we must avoid the slander, the revision of history and oversimplified criticism, and instead recognize the King James Bible as a lasting gift of God's providence that has been changing the world for centuries.

The deepest need of every human heart is to truly know God the Father, and that this is only possible through Jesus Christ. Beneath all unbelief, rebellion, and false religion is an inescapable longing for God. Christ came to open the way through "the veil" so people can truly come to know the Heavenly Father, know He hears them, and live with peace and assurance in their hearts that all is well between them and the God who created them. Seek God sincerely through Christ, turn from your sin, and be born again. Then you can enter into a real relationship with Him before it is too late.

This a study of the history the English Bible from Tyndale through the Geneva Bible, and leading up to the King James Bible. It shows that this line of Scriptures came from the preserved "received text" rather than the corrupt Alexandrian tradition. The promise in Isaiah 55 that God's Word will prosper applies very well to the Reformation, because we can see that the spread of faithful Bible translations brought spiritual light, freedom, and revival, while the opposing line produced corruption and darkness. The true history of the Bible reveals it's divine preservation and spiritual authority. It is a great help to believers in understanding why they can trust the King James Bible they hold in their hand, and to be prepared to defend it.

It is clear from the Scripture that God has provided the means through the local church for believers to grow spiritually, gain wisdom, and avoid living a vain, regret-filled life marked by poor decisions and worldly influence. The goal of the Christian life is to mature and grow into the likeness of Christ through sound teaching, unity in faith, and consistent exposure to God's Word, which equips people to navigate relationships, and hardships properly. The end of a life lived this way does not end in vanity and confusion, but in peace and joy and love. Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

We are studying the history of the Scriptures, tracing the history of the Bible to show that the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God, contrasting it with modern translations that come from a different line of manuscripts. We look at how early Greek manuscripts from Antioch (the Textus Receptus) were brought to western Europe after the fall of Constantinople and helped spark the Reformation, especially through figures like Erasmus and William Tyndale, and others, who translated and spread the Scriptures despite severe persecution. The message emphasizes the cost and sacrifice behind preserving and translating the Bible, highlights doctrinal differences between the Roman Church and Bible-believers (such as "repentance" versus "penance") and emphasizes that the issue is about final authority—whether people will submit to a preserved, unchanging Word of God or treat Scripture as something flexible and subject to personal choice.

In Genesis 6, the rapid moral collapse before the flood began when the "sons of God" (God's people) compromised and united with the ungodly world, breaking down moral boundaries and unleashing widespread evil. Abandoning God's moral law, which always begins with sexual purity, leads quickly to a society filled with violence, hatred, and disorder, much like today. Evil is the natural result of sin, and multiplies once restraint is removed. But the Scripture also points to hope in the example of Noah, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord by separating from the world around him and living faithfully and righteously before God. Believers now need to do what true believers have always done in times of apostasy - guard their minds, and live righteously, and stand firm in a corrupt world as the time of God's judgment approaches.

The "Dark Ages" was 1000 years of widespread spiritual darkness that resulted from the suppression of the Scriptures by the Roman Catholic Church, which restricted ordinary people from reading the Bible and enforced its authority through brutal persecution. This message traces how groups such as the Albigensians and Waldensians, along with reformers like John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and Martin Luther, and many others challenged church authority by teaching that the Bible—not church leaders—was the final authority. These faithful men and their followers were persecuted or killed, mostly by being burned at the stake, yet their efforts to translate and spread the Scriptures in the English language eventually helped spark the Protestant Reformation, aided by the printing press of Johannes Gutenberg. Bible-believers who know the truth of history are overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness for the sacrifices made by earlier generations who suffered and died so that later Christians could freely possess and read the Word of God.

"Who hath believed our report?" said Isaiah, and Jesus, and Peter. Although many people hear the message of Jesus Christ, only a few truly believe it in a saving way. People often ignore, reject, or misunderstand the gospel—sometimes trusting in religion, traditions, experiences, or intellectual agreement rather than genuine faith. True belief is more than knowing the facts about Christ; it involves surrendering one's life to Him and living in obedience to the gospel. While many resist or remain spiritually blind, those who truly believe show it through a transformed life. The responsibility of God's people is simply to faithfully proclaim the message and leave the results to God.

God's Word is eternal, true, and unchanging, and the Bible is God's complete revelation to humanity. Throughout history the Bible has faced strong opposition, with many believers suffering persecution or death for translating and publishing it. The New Testament began with the apostles preaching Jesus using the Old Testament, and how the Gospels and epistles were later written to record that message. The lesson is meant to give a basic history of the Scriptures and emphasize the importance and authority of the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 1:18—"in much wisdom is much grief." People begin life in innocence and joy, like children who trust others and find wonder in simple things. But as people grow older and gain knowledge of the world's sin and hypocrisy, they become more and more cynical, critical, and unhappy, focusing only on what is wrong with others and with life. This kind of "wisdom" can fill the heart with pride, bitterness, and misery, especially in a world where knowledge and information constantly increase. Instead of letting evil and negativity consume the mind, believers must seek the wisdom that comes from God, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. God intends for people to enjoy the simple blessings of life—family, work, fellowship, and daily provisions. True wisdom allows a person to recognize the evil in the world without becoming bitter, and to live with joy, gratitude, and trust in God.

A righteous and holy God would not leave mankind without a clear and preserved revelation of Himself. From creation to the present, God's Word has existed, and Scripture promises that His pure words would be preserved forever (Psalm 12; 1 Peter 1). Therefore, believers can be confident that the true Word of God still exists today. The King James Bible is that preserved Word for the English-speaking people—tried, proven, historically rooted, and used by God to shape nations and fuel revival. This multitude of modern versions creates confusion, undermines authority, and weakens certainty about salvation and truth. The real issue is authority: without a sure Word from God, faith has no firm foundation. Believers must study the history of the Bible for themselves, settle the matter in their hearts, and stand in awe of God's Word—believing it, defending it, and obeying it as the final authority for life and eternity.

Jesus is not just "the life" in doctrine—He must be our life personally (John 14:6). Just as God breathed physical life into Adam, spiritual life comes only when Christ gives life to the soul. Without Him, a person may be religious, moral, or successful, but is still spiritually dead. Church attendance, denominational loyalty, knowledge of Scripture, or good works cannot save. Only a real, personal relationship with Jesus—through surrender and faith—brings eternal life. When Jesus truly is our life, it shows: we begin to think like Him, love like Him, live with conviction, and seek to honor Him above all else. The message is simple and urgent: Don't settle for religion. Know Christ Himself, and let Him be your life.

2 Thessalonians 2:7–12 warns that the "mystery of iniquity" is the growing power of deception in the world. When people reject the truth of God's Word, God allows them to believe lies, because man has a free will to chose good or evil. The real mystery is how intelligent people can call evil good and good evil—but it happens when they refuse to love the truth. Throughout history people have justified great evil while believing they were right. The root problem is abandoning God's authority and replacing it with human opinion. Without the Bible as the final authority, morality collapses and society drifts into confusion and delusion. The only safeguard is a personal return to God—loving His truth, living by His Word, and refusing to be shaped by the lies of the age.

Many people try to have religion - church attendance, moral living, or even biblical knowledge without truly knowing Christ. But without Him, it is all empty—like artificial flowers that look real but have no life. Dead religion, emotional religion, or intellectual religion cannot give life. Only Jesus can. The message stresses that we must seek Christ Himself first—not merely the way or the truth as ideas. When a person bows before Him in faith and surrender, the way becomes clear and the truth becomes understandable. Eternal life is found in knowing Him personally, through the Word of God. Anything short of giving Him the supreme place in our lives leaves us in confusion and spiritual death.

That God is faithful is a common theme throughout the Bible There is a great contrast between God's perfect faithfulness and human inconsistency, showing that while people often fail—through weakness, forgetfulness, or lack of love—God never fails. He keeps His promises, gives counsel, forgives sin, shows mercy, protects His people, and never forsakes them. Faithfulness is more than occasional good deeds or keeping rules out of duty. True faithfulness flows from love. God is faithful because He is love, and if we truly love Him, we will respond with steady, wholehearted faithfulness in return. God has never failed us, so how can we ever justify being unfaithful to Him?

Human reasoning, religion, philosophy, and even biblical knowledge alone cannot bring saving faith. People can know facts, organize doctrines into systematic theology, and even perform religious works, yet still be spiritually lost. Truth is not a system to be assembled — it is a Person. Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet but God incarnate, the exact image of the Father, who humbled Himself to become a man in order to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. This calls for complete surrender: forsaking personal opinions and beliefs, pride, and self-made religion in order to truly know Christ. Salvation comes not from intellectual agreement with known facts, but from yielding to Jesus Christ as Lord and King. In the end, all we have, need, and claim is Jesus — and only by knowing Him can we know the truth and be made free.

We should apply to ourselves the words of Jesus to Peter in John 21:22 "What is that to thee? Follow thou me." We need to stop worrying about what others are doing — their faults, failures, faithfulness, or hypocrisy — and instead focus on our own walk with God. People will disappoint, churches will never be perfect, and this world will always be fallen, but none of that excuses us from obeying God. What will matter in eternity is how faithfully we walked with the Lord, not how much time we spent judging, fretting over, or trying to control others. The call is to live joyfully, trust God with other people, love even enemies, and keep our eyes on Christ.

Temptation is more than the pull toward sin; it includes trials, afflictions, and persecutions that test whether our faith is genuine. Every temptation asks the same question: will we trust God and remain faithful, or will we turn aside for relief or an easier way? God never tempts anyone to do evil, but He allows trials while the devil uses lies to deceive and destroy. Temptation always involves deception, offering promises that never deliver. Enduring temptation is possible because God provides a way of escape, and those who endure are strengthened, proven in their love for God, and promised the crown of life. Victory comes by taking temptation seriously, maintaining godly boundaries, and staying anchored in the Word of God.

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. In times of discouragement, spiritual darkness, personal trials, and cultural decline, believers often lose heart because they lose sight of who God is. By considering God's infinite power revealed in creation, Scripture, and His dealings with His people, we are called to stop relying on our own strength and plans and to trust Him fully. God's work is never limited by our circumstances, failures, or imaginations. He is able to save to the uttermost, sustain the weary, defend His people, and finish what He has begun. Therefore, we are exhorted not to despair, not to give up on lost loved ones, not to grow weary in well-doing, but to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord who never fails.

The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way to God, but that way is a holy, obedient way, not merely a belief or profession of faith. While most all professing Christians can agree on and accept the fact that Jesus forgives past sins, the real issue—and the great dividing line—is how a person deals with present, ongoing sin. It is our present sin over which theologians put a fork in the road. Scripture makes clear that those who are truly born again do not live in habitual, continual sin, because Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and to change lives now, not just someday in the by-and-by. Salvation is not just forgiveness of past sins, but a new life marked by repentance, obedience, and righteousness. True faith produces a changed heart and a changed direction.

The greatest danger in the last days is not violence, fear, or world events, but spiritual deception. Scripture teaches that many will depart from the faith by listening to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Jesus warned us repeatedly about the danger of being deceived in the last days. The constant exposure to the world's ideas, voices, and "knowledge" leads to confusion, fear, and spiritual decline. Deception often works through guile—truth mixed with error—which makes it especially dangerous. That's how the serpent deceived Eve. He didn't deny God outright—he questioned, reframed, and let her draw the wrong conclusion. In the end, guile doesn't shout. It whispers. And by the time you realize where it's led you, your thinking has already shifted. The only safeguard against deception is wholehearted devotion to Christ, disciplined separation from corrupt influences, and a faithful commitment to seeking truth from God alone. Christ must remain the sole authority over the believer's mind and heart.

Slander, blame, and false accusation are sins that are rooted in pride and are driven by an evil spirit—the spirit of the devil, who is the accuser of the brethren. The Scripture shows us clearly that blaming others began in the Garden of Eden and has marked every generation since, especially the last days. Accusation and slander are often used to hide personal guilt, justify sin, and destroy others, and they now dominate the world, politics, media, churches, and personal relationships. God condemns this behavior and promises judgment for those who practice it, while blessing those who walk uprightly, speak truth, refuse to backbite, and do not take up a reproach against their neighbor. The child of God is called to reject this spirit, guard the mind, repent of blaming and slander, and follow Christ's example—showing truth with mercy, taking personal responsibility, and living in charity and righteousness.

The righteous hate evil because God's Word gives them understanding, and His precepts define what is right in every area of life. True faith in God is identified by what a person loves and hates: loving good requires hating evil. God's people are often hated by the world because righteousness exposes sin, and following Christ brings reproach and persecution. The righteous hate evil because of the destruction it causes, the deadly end it always brings, and the dishonor it brings upon God. Evil is dangerous, deceptive, and progressive, often entering the life through what is popular, tolerated, or excused, and it leads to ruin of individuals, families, and nations. Believers are called to reject compromise, learn to discern good and evil through consistent reading and study of Scripture, separate from corrupt influences, and actively fill their lives with godly truth and fellowship. Only by esteeming God's Word above culture, guarding the mind and heart, and living out the truth can a Christian remain faithful in a world that increasingly calls evil good and good evil.

A person's true spiritual identity is revealed by what they love and what they hate. Scripture consistently shows two opposing realities: the righteous hate evil, and the wicked hate the righteous. There is no middle ground. Those who genuinely belong to God will hate evil—not redefine it, tolerate it, or coexist with it—but avoid it, distance themselves from it, and speak against it. This hatred of evil is not self-righteousness; it is the fruit of knowing and loving God through his Word. Jesus taught that the world hates His followers for the same reasons they hated Him first.

In John 14:6 Jesus declares that He alone is the way to God. A "way" is a passage that makes the unreachable reachable, and without a way, no one can arrive at the destination. Sin separated man from God, leaving mankind lost and unable to find its way back. Jesus did not merely point to a way—He Himself is the way. There is no knowledge of God, no access to the Father, and no hope of eternal life apart from Him. Men are skilled at making roads, bridges, and paths in the world, but spiritually they cannot build a way to God. All human religions, efforts, and self-made paths lead to destruction. Only Christ bridges the great gulf between sinful man and a holy God. To know Jesus is to know the Father; to see Jesus is to see the Father. The Christian life is a journey, not mere observation. Seeing truth is not enough—one must enter the way and follow it. This requires dying to self, abandoning all other ways, and submitting fully to Christ. The way is narrow, simple, ancient, and unchanged, and few find it because few are willing to give up their right to rule their own life and follow Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, the revelation of God, the mediator between God and man, and the only safe place for the soul. To be "in the way" is to continually look to Jesus, follow His steps, and trust Him through every trial. Salvation and life are found only by looking to Christ, believing Him, and walking in Him.

What we have been teaching on biblical womanhood and God's design for marriage, is from God's Word - not my opinion, and His commands are the only way to real joy, stability, and blessing. Much confusion and misery today comes from rejecting God's order, especially regarding marriage and the roles of men and women. Women have a clear responsibility before God to live according to His Word, and they will answer to God for their attitudes and obedience, just as men will. Submission, as Scripture teaches it, is not weakness or humiliation but a place of honor, power, and influence, rooted in humility and love. A godly woman, with a meek and quiet spirit and a pure heart, has great power to bless her home, change the world, and even win an unbelieving husband. Marriage belongs to God and only works when both husband and wife commit to His design. Ignoring God's ways leads to heartbreak, while obedience brings peace, strength, and blessing in the home.

Turning to John 14:6, we see Jesus' words that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Salvation cannot be divided into parts. I cannot seek the way, the truth, or the life separately or on my own terms. Christ must come first. True salvation is total surrender and union with Him, where He becomes preeminent in my life. Seeking religion, knowledge, moral living, or happiness without Christ always leads to confusion, pride, or emptiness. Many people try to find fulfillment through church activity, doctrine, pleasure, success, or self-made spirituality, but none of these bring real life. Only Christ changes a person, fills the emptiness of the soul, and gives abundant life. Salvation is not a ritual, a prayer alone, or a label—it is Jesus Himself. The call is simple but demanding: seek Christ first. When I know Him, I find myself walking in the true way, knowing the truth that sets me free, and living the life God intended.

Titus 2 teaches that older women are to live holy, steady, honorable lives and use their experience to guide younger women. They should avoid gossip, vanity, and lack of self-discipline, and instead teach what is good. Younger women, in turn, are to be sober-minded, love their husbands and children, be morally pure, run their homes well, and respect their husbands. These instructions are God's design for women of every age, leading to stability and blessing, while ignoring them leads to trouble and disappointment.

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." - John 14:4 The issue isn't ignorance but refusal. Jesus said they knew, while they said they did not know. Who is telling the truth? People know God is real, know right from wrong, and know the way of righteousness, yet resist submitting to God because they don't want to give up their right to themselves. Unbelief isn't lack of understanding — it's a deliberate refusal to trust God with your life. It's choosing your own way while pretending you don't know better. God has made Himself known to all people through creation, conscience, Scripture, and preaching, so no one has an excuse. The call is simple: stop resisting, stop blaming others, and walk in the way you already know God has shown you.

"A nation rises or falls with the virtue of its women. The degeneracy of women marks a nation's fall." That standards for godliness for the female gender are clearly stated in the Word of God. Ignorance is not the problem - most people know what the Bible says, but they have set themselves against God in this matter and chosen to stand with the ungodly world and defy God and his Word. The standards God has set down in his Word concerning the relationships between male and female are the pillar of all morality. Moral collapse is always immediately preceded by the abandoning of God-given morals concerning sex. Men and women are mutually responsible to guard one another from fornication. However, there is an obvious double-standard among almost everyone now. This message is directed to women about their responsibility in this matter. We will talk about men and their responsibility later.

True thanksgiving isn't just words — it starts with a genuine heart of gratitude. Gratitude is a feeling of goodwill and appreciation toward the one who has blessed us, and it naturally leads to spoken thanks. Without that feeling, spoken "thanks" are empty; and without expressing it, the feeling doesn't bless the giver. True thankfulness always shows up both in the heart and in the mouth. Failing to give thanks — to God or to other people — reveals a darkened, selfish heart. Scripture shows that an unthankful heart is one of the first steps to a darkened heart. Many people enjoy God's blessings but never acknowledge Him. Telling others what God has done is part of true thanksgiving. Thankfulness must be expressed openly. The Bible tells believers to "make known His deeds among the people." Likewise, in everyday life we ought to openly thank spouses, family, friends, and anyone who blesses us. Children should be taught to say "thank you," not just as manners, but to form hearts that appreciate and are grateful for the kindnesses shown to them.

Jesus spent His last moments before the cross reassuring His disciples. They were scared and confused because He was leaving, but He told them not to let their hearts be troubled and reminded them that He had already overcome the world. He promised His presence, the coming of the Comforter, and that His death would lead to something greater. The lesson is that we often react just like the disciples when life gets difficult—we forget God's past faithfulness and let fear take over. Jesus' answer is to trust Him. Faith means relying on God's promises in every season. Just as He guided the disciples, He'll guide us too. So we're called to stay steady, remember what God has already done, and trust that Christ will never leave us without comfort.

Jesus said, "…lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth…" Earthly treasures are things that make us appear successful, comfortable, or proud — clothes, property, money, conveniences, status, and all the modern comforts people feel they must have. Jesus wasn't just warning against materialism — He was warning against the selfish mindset behind it. So when Jesus said, "…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…" we must consider that a selfish mindset is just as wrong in spiritual things as in earthly things. We cannot think of "laying up treasure in heaven" as personal gain or spiritual profit. The real heart of laying up treasure in heaven is tied to the greatest commandments, which are to love God, and to love your neighbor as ourselves. Treasures are not laid up in heaven by "taking care of myself spiritually." Instead, it comes from serving others, sacrificing, giving, helping, and seeking their good — not our own. We are laying up treasures in heaven when we are serving others, as part of the kingdom of God, and for the glory and honor of God, and not for ourselves.

We either trust in the Lord will all our heart, or we lean to our own understanding. The natural tendency is to lean on one's own wisdom. We trust in what we have learned through our experiences in life, both good and bad. We trust in what we have learned from the culture we have lived in. We trust in what our denomination or group that we have identified with. We trust in our feelings about things, but have a hard time really and truly trusting in the Lord with all our heart in everything. If the Bible says "thou shalt not..." and we do it anyway, we are NOT trusting in the Lord. If the Bible says "thou shalt..." and we refuse to do it, we are not trusting in the Lord, we are leaning to our own understanding. Next time you have a dilemma in your life, or a problem, or anything that perplexes you, stop and take a good, long, honest look at yourself and see how much you are leaning on your own understanding to figure it out, and how much you are really trusting in the Lord about it.

There is a great contrast between the natural man, who lives according to fleshly desires and discerns everything by his physical senses, and the spiritual man, who is transformed, and directed by the Spirit of God dwelling in him. The only way for the natural man to be changed into a spiritual man is by being born again—spiritual rebirth through the Word and the Spirit. Only those in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells can truly understand and embrace spiritual realities, overcome the world and the flesh, and live in accordance with God's will. Spiritual discernment is not derived from human reasoning, education, or worldly experience, but from the Holy Spirit's guidance, which enables believers to judge all things according to God's Word, reject the works of the flesh, and embody the fruit of the Spirit. We all need to be honest with ourselves and recognize whether we are truly walking in the Spirit or still living after the flesh.

The Bible teaches clearly that there are only two roads in this life. There is the broad road that leads to death and the narrow road that leads to life. Most travel the broad road because there is lots of company there which makes it feel like it surely must be the right way. Those that are after the flesh travel the broad road and those that are after the Spirit travel the narrow road. Those that are after the flesh are not saved and are headed to hell. Those that are after the Spirit have the assurance of God and the witness of his Spirit that they are going to be with God in eternity. Which road are you on? If you make your choices and decisions without regard to God and you cannot be happy unless you are conforming to this world, then you should be alarmed about the condition of your soul, even if you claim to be saved and on your way to heaven. There is too much at stake to risk on a misunderstanding of the Gospel.

The defining mark of true discipleship is that we love one another as Jesus has loved us. This love is not merely emotional or sentimental but is a deliberate, obedient, and sacrificial new nature based upon Christ's example—especially His love for the unlovable and even for his enemies. Genuine faith produces a changed heart, evidenced by a consistent, selfless love that prevents personal offense, grudges, and prejudices. This love is inseparable from salvation, joy, and obedience to God. The Bible is clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that without such love, even the most devout religious acts are meaningless. We need a return to the 'old-time religion' where love for God and neighbor is inseparable and life-changing.

True contentment is not passive acceptance but an active, Spirit-led disposition of peace, submission, and thankfulness that rejects the insatiable hunger of covetousness. Discontent is manifested by murmuring and complaining and is not only spiritually destructive but offensive to God, as it reflects a lack of trust in His provision and wisdom. Thankfulness is the key to being truly content, because it transforms our perspective to recognize God's daily blessings, even in hardship, and brings inner peace and satisfaction. We must intentionally cultivate gratitude, to view material needs as sufficient, and to find joy in the assurance of God's faithful care.

To observe all the evil in this world and suppose that nothing will ever be done about it is absurd and against the sense of justice every human being is born with. To think that people can do all the unspeakably evil things to others and simply go to sleep and rest in peace for eternity is a fantasy of those who have forsaken God. Hell is not a metaphorical grave or a temporary state, but a place of everlasting punishment where the soul and body are punished forever for their wickedness. Jesus declared that in hell there is unquenchable fire and gnashing of teeth. The widespread disbelief in hell stems from self-righteousness and moral relativism, where people judge themselves by comparison to others rather than by God's perfect standard, leading to the dangerous illusion that good people go to heaven and bad people to hell—when in fact, even morally upright individuals who reject God are worthy of eternal punishment, too. They have done to God what cruel and wicked men have done to their fellow men. Sin is not merely harm to others, but a profound offense against a holy God, and true salvation requires a radical transformation of the heart through faith in Christ, not not simply a good life toward others.

The first commandment is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The last commandment is "Thou shalt not covet." The violation of the last commandment leads to the violation of the first. The overwhelming desire for "things" of this world, and knowledge to merely satisfy our curiosity is what leads us to having other "things" that take the place of God in our life. Jesus warned about a snare that would come "on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth" in the last days. This snare would cause them to be overcharged with eating and drinking and cares of this life. That smartphone that you hold in your hand has done just what Jesus warned us about. It has become our god; it has usurped God in our lives in everything. For most people it is the first and only source of information, their counselor about the issues of life, and even spiritual guidance. It has undermined all order and authority, and given us the ability to gaze upon every evil thing that ever existed. In every aspect it has become the god of this generation. It is up to every individual to keep themselves out of this snare that Satan has laid for us all.

We are to be "swift to hear slow to speak, and slow to anger." But the nature of man is to do exactly the opposite, which results in anger. Words provoke anger more than any other thing. "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." That means that when we allow our anger to control us we NEVER do what is right in the sight of God. If we would focus on being a listener and a learner - swift to listen and slow to speak, we would have a lot less anger to deal with in ourselves and others, and we would live a life much more pleasing to God. Godly people deal with evil with a sound and calm mind, according to law and order - not anger.

You should always suspect the devil's involvement in anything that the whole world makes such a stir over. The work that Charlie Kirk was doing was a good thing and he was standing against evil and trying to reach the brainwashed and devil-possessed on the college campuses, but what we have been witnessing the past two weeks is not true revival and it is not going to lead to true revival. It is going to lead to a great sweep of the traditional churches into the one-world, contemporary, modern paganism that is masquerading as Christianity. The devil is not stupid, but many people are, and he works every angle in his strategy to annihilate all righteousness and bring this world completely under the rule of evil.

In order to deal with the moral confusion in contemporary society, we must emphasize the need to be able to discern between good and evil. Our modern culture is increasingly upside down in this matter. "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) Other passages warn against justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous. Cain and Abel show us that the wicked have hated the righteous since the beginning - enough to murder them. They murdered the prophets, they murdered Jesus, and the Apostles, and the martyrs, and they still do it today, as we have witnessed this week. The battle is spiritual, not political, and not carnal. We MUST return to biblical standards of righteousness! Stand firm in the faith and recognize that true change begins with individual commitment to God's word and the courage to reject worldly influences.

There is profound significance in the phrase "the Lord be with your spirit." Paul ended three epistles with those words. He used the word "spirit" to emphasize that it represents a closer walk with God than simply wishing for general well-being, such as we hear often in our prayers, "Lord be with..." this person or that one. Grace is the divine influence of Jesus Christ dwelling within, which is quite different than the common perception of Jesus as an external figure who merely takes care of our problems and fixes our messes. True spiritual life, guidance, and victory over temptation arise from the Lord Jesus Christ controlling our spirit. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

The sermon delivers a urgent, pastoral call to spiritual vigilance, emphasizing that the Christian life is a continuous battle against the devil, not a passive existence of comfort or self-fulfillment. Grounded in Scripture—James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11–12, and Revelation 12:11—it affirms that believers must actively resist Satan, who operates through subtle deception, modern distractions, and worldly compromise. The preacher warns against the dangers of complacency, moral relativism, and the erosion of biblical authority, particularly in the face of digital temptations like pornography and the proliferation of ungodly voices on social media. He stresses that victory comes not through human effort but through the blood of Christ, the Word of God, and steadfast faith, urging believers to put on the full armor of God, guard their minds, and courageously oppose evil with both defense and offense. Ultimately, the sermon challenges every Christian to live with awareness, discernment, and resolve, recognizing that the fight is real, ongoing, and essential to enduring faith.

A continuation of Sunday morning's message about the dangers of gainsayers—those who contradict and oppose truth, and reemphasizing the fact that their opposition stems from selfish motives and a disregard for sound doctrine. Believers have a responsibility to stand against these individuals, using Scripture to expose their falsehoods with the hope and goal of convincing them of their sin, and also offering a path to recovery. This message shows the importance of maintaining clear God-ordained distinctions, such as those between male and female, and emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God's commandments in love, rejecting the notion that believers are free from moral accountability.

The message emphasizes the necessity of unwavering obedience to the Word of God, rebuking those who selectively embrace portions of the Scriptures while rejecting others or attempting to justify their actions with worldly philosophies. It underscores the importance of confronting 'gainsayers'—those who contradict scripture—with biblical truth, advocating for a resolute stance against deceptive teachings. The message calls for believers to be bold in defending the faith, resisting the temptation to compromise with the world, and actively engaging with scripture to discern truth and reject the influence of false doctrines, ultimately urging a commitment to a life of holiness and unwavering devotion to God.