Eight key principles for humbling yourself under God’s sovereignty during challenging circumstances. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)… Read More How To Be Humble Amidst Trials
Seven reasons God appoints sorrows in our lives. These include divine trials to reveal one’s true state, prompting duties, convicting sin, correcting or preventing sin, uncovering hidden corruption, and exercising graces in the Christian. Such afflictions are appointed by God and are essential for spiritual growth and reflection.… Read More Not Without Purpose: God’s Hand in Our Trials
Demons retreat in exorcism, not because it is of divine efficacy, but because they want to further entrench men in superstition. That demons would feign to be defeated by the use of mere formulas of words, crucifixes, holy water, prayers to Mary, or any other carnal means should be no surprise to us. Scripture teaches that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and that he presents himself as “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14) in order to deceive us into error and sin. False teachers likewise appear to us “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat. 7:15; cf. 2 Cor. 11:13). Demons love to harden men in their superstitions by pretending that carnal means are inherently efficacious, so that men will be turned away from true remedies and sound doctrine.… Read More Satan’s Feigned Retreat
The Church’s method of countering demonic influences should be grounded in the Bible’s teachings, not emotional responses or popular trends. Using the name of Jesus as a magic formula against demons is misleading. Rather, declaring “the name of Jesus” signifies proclaiming the truth of Christ’s person, work, and salvation freely offered. Scripture warns against false phenomena performed in Jesus’ name (Mat. 7:22-23), and Satan himself can use it for deception (2 Cor. 11:13-15). “The devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19); and demons even profess “Jesus, thou Son of God most high” (Luke 8:28). So merely uttering His name is not inherently effective and does not automatically work to exorcise demons or to deliver someone from demonic attacks. Rather, we must trust in Christ alone to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness; employ the means of grace, and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil and his schemes.… Read More Do Demons Flee At The Name Of Jesus?
What is demon possession? What is exorcism? What methods does God give us in the Bible for delivering people from demonic attacks? The question is not whether praeternatural or miraculous things happen, neither is it whether people may be demonized today, nor that people may be delivered from demonization. The question is: Should Christians today seek to practice exorcism? Does God deliver demonized people through prayer, fasting, preaching the Word, and conversion. Or does he deliver them through a Christian directly confronting and rebuking demons?… Read More Demon Possession & Exorcism
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments of God which are due unto them; thereby to drive them, if he can, into despair, which is a more grievous sin than all the sins that they committed, or he can accuse them of.… Read More The Christian’s Encounter With Satan
Every affliction upon the servants of God has some special goodness in it. This is a ground of comfort for the Christian. “We know that all things work together for good unto them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). And in regard hereof, the crosses which are endured by God’s children, are so far from being prejudicial to their salvation, that they are rather helps and a furtherance of the same. Now this goodness is perceived two ways: first, by the fruits and effect of it; and, second, by the quality and condition thereof. In both respects, afflictions are good.… Read More Seven Reasons God Sends Affliction
“Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Mat. 4:7) William Perkins The Combat Between Christ and the Devil Displayed Point 3 of the Second Temptation Works, vol. 1, pp. 133-138. “Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”… Read More What Does It Mean To “Tempt” God?
“The Lord hath heard thy affliction.” (Genesis 16:11). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Robert Hill’s 1604 Preface to The Combat between Christ and the Devil Displayed By William Perkins The Works of William Perkins, Vol. 1 Now of… Read More God Sends Affliction
“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 John Owen Temptation and Sin Works, vol. 6, exc. ch. 6. The Lust of the Flesh. First, In general it is said to lust: Gal. 5:17, “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit.” This word expresseth the general nature of that opposition which the law of… Read More The Lust of the Flesh
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