VIDEO Revelation Warns Of The Dangers Of The Silent Compromising Church

Although Revelation was written nearly 2000 years ago, it rings true with resounding clarity for churches today. In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses a church in Pergamos that compromised doctrine and was silent about sin. They were motivational and encouraging, but powerless against breaking Satan’s grip.

While Pergamos was soft on sin and compromise, churches at the opposite end can be critical and judgmental sin-sniffers. Neither attitude or position is pleasing to God.

The compromising, silent church often lacks boldness; it’s easier to be passive. But it’s not healthy, wise, or God-honoring. Jesus lovingly challenges the silent compromisers in this church: “You’re a nice church – you feed the homeless and reach out to those in need – but I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” (italics added; Rev. 2:14).

The silent church allows false teaching because they don’t want to rock-the-boat. They are liberal in twisting or reinterpreting the truth, or they avoid it all together. This is where the word “liberal” comes from. “Can’t we all just get along” is their rallying cry. The pulpit may not be dead (as it was in Ephesus) but it will be misled. Pastors of these churches are cheerleaders but never coaches. They encourage but rarely convict. Like a thermostat, the pulpit affects the spiritual temperature of the church. The leaders of this church keep the thermostat comfortable: “Come on in…the temperature is perfect: not hot with the realities of hell and not cold with boredom.”

What if God’s Word remained silent about sin? What if worship lyrics and preaching failed to convict? What if those who offer counsel simply listened but never challenged? What if law enforcement never enforced the law? You see where I’m going with this: the true church that Christ built cannot remain passive or silent about sin.

Granted, Matthew 7:5 sheds much needed light. Jesus said, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Our sinful tendency is to point out the flaws in others. With this in mind, a first step toward confrontation begins with removing our plank first. Words seasoned with grace coming from a merciful heart – carry power and weight. Words from a critical, judgmental spirit will hurt and destroy.

Now on to The Doctrine of Balaam. The lesson here is that you cannot curse what God has blessed. However, free choice, fueled by compromise and liberalism, can entice followers to leave God’s protection by disobeying Him. People can harm themselves when enticed by fleshly and sexual appetites. Where might you be compromising? Ask God to help you see clearly.

The Pergamos mentality may please men, but it does not please God. There is a very troubling trend toward moral compromise in the evangelical church. I’ve witnessed soft porn images on Christian websites, questionable movie clips played during sermons, and youth pastors talk about their favorite sexually charged movie with the youth, all under the guise of “relating” to the culture. Wake up Pergamos!

The church in Pergamos, and many today, still “have there those who hold” to false doctrine – that purity and holiness do not matter. Reader Harris once challenged a congregation about power and purity: “Those who want power, line up to my right. Those who want purity, line up to my left.” The congregation lined up 10 to 1 – for Power! It’s no secret why we lack New Testament power – because we lack New Testament purity. Our silence about sin and obedience is deafening.

I’ve learned that the little compromises lead to the big problems. How do little compromises begin, “It’s just one drink! A little flirting is not a big deal. It’s a harmless glance…or two. We’ll make a little money on the side – no one will get hurt. I’ll buy just one more prescription to get through this week. Kids sports will be over in a few years – then we’ll get back to church.” And on and on it goes.

Most walk away from Christ not because He fails them, or because the Word of God proves to be untrue, but because of the love of this world (gratifying the flesh). In short, The Doctrine of Balaam. We cannot overlook the seriousness of this issue. Jesus said that the worries and desires of this world, along with the deceitfulness of wealth, come in and choke the Word of God, making it unfruitful (cf. Mark 4:19).

The passion we once had for the purity of God’s Word can easily be exchanged for the pollutants of the world. What we put into our mind affects our relationship with God at a very deep level. Remove the “little” compromises before the “big” problems are born. Jesus adds. “If you don’t remove them or deal with them, I will…and you may find yourself fighting against Me” (paraphrasing Rev. 2:15).

We cannot love both Christ and this world. Carnality destroys our relationship with Him and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. A carnal Christian does not pray, really pray and seek the heart of God. A deep prayer life exposes facades and crushes hypocrisy. Carnality also destroys spiritual power and hinders the infilling of the Spirit. It also affects our home life. In short, everything that God calls us to be is compromised.

In closing, remember how subtle sin is. Woe be to the church who is silent and compromises God’s standard. They may find themselves in the same spiritual condition as Samson: “He knew not that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him” (cf. Judges 16:20).

Hear more here:

by Shane Idleman 

https://barbwire.com/2017/11/30/dangers-silent-compromising-church/

The Last Will Be First

Those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12

Recently I was among the last in line to board a large passenger jet with unassigned seating. I located a middle seat beside the wing, but the only spot for my bag was the overhead compartment by the very last row. This meant I had to wait for everyone to leave before I could go back and retrieve it.

I laughed as I settled into my seat and a thought occurred to me that seemed to be from the Lord: “It really won’t hurt you to wait. It will actually do you good.” So I resolved to enjoy the extra time, helping other passengers lower their luggage after we landed and assisting a flight attendant with cleaning. By the time I was able to retrieve my bag, I laughed again when someone thought I worked for the airline.

We serve Him best by serving others.

That day’s experience made me ponder Jesus’s words to His disciples: “Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

I waited because I had to, but in Jesus’s “upside down” kingdom, there’s a place of honor for those who voluntarily set themselves aside to attend to others’ needs.

Jesus came into our hurried, me-first world not “to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). We serve Him best by serving others. The lower we bend, the closer we are to Him.

Loving Lord, help me to follow You into the needs of others and serve You there.

Jesus’s kingdom is upside-down.

By James Banks 

INSIGHT

Mark 9 is an action-packed chapter in our second gospel account. The chapter opens with the transfiguration of Jesus (vv. 1–13), where Peter, James, and John witness the glory of Christ and the voice of the Father while seeing Moses and Elijah join Jesus on the mountain to discuss His coming death and resurrection. Then, after descending the mountain and entering the valley below, the Lord of light is confronted by the power of darkness—from which He rescues a demon-possessed boy (vv. 14–29). After Jesus reminds the disciples of His coming death and resurrection (vv. 3–32), the disciples argue about which of them will have the highest place in the kingdom. This discussion of greatness initiates Jesus’s call to servanthood. After hearing how their Master would sacrifice Himself for them, they must be reminded that they too were called to lay themselves down for the benefit of others.

Our natural inclination is to put self first. How might you intentionally look to serve someone today?

Bill Crowder

Finding Satisfaction

Philippians 4:11-13

God has provided us with many things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17). But our lives are frequently filled with turmoil instead of contentment. Here are four practices that create dissatisfaction.

1. Busyness. We live in a hurry-up society, dashing from one activity to another. Jesus did not rush, yet He accomplished everything God gave Him to do. Rarely did He tell His followers to move faster. He even praised Mary for choosing to stop and spend time with Him (Luke 10:39, Luke 10:42).

2. Earthly perspective. Too often we live focused on our circumstances. Our minds are filled with what occurred earlier in the week, what’s on today’s agenda, and the activities happening next week, month, or year. No wonder enjoyment of life remains elusive. The solution is to have an eternal perspective, which acknowledges God is in charge and our goal is to please Him.

3. Self-imposed pressure. We have all experienced the unavoidable burdens of schoolwork, employment, and relationships. But we bring needless pressure on ourselves when we allow unnecessary “musts” and “shoulds” to rule us. The remedy is to turn to God, acknowledge His right to order our days, and ask for His plan.

4. Unhealthy attitudes. Things like perfectionism, false guilt, and apathy all undermine our enjoyment of life.

Satisfaction is found in a life that reflects God’s priorities—and time with Him comes first. Reading His Word, we become mindful of the Father’s great love, learn what He views as important, and experience the joy of belonging to Him. When contentment is elusive, it’s time to reexamine our priorities.

Did He Really Die?

“And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.” (Mark 15:44-45)

The absolute and total physical death of Christ is essential to the gospel. Certain liberals and detractors have for years tried to obscure or deny this vital teaching, claiming that Christ merely “swooned” on the cross and later revived in the tomb, then appeared to His followers who falsely claimed His resurrection.

But to the Christian, the death of Christ is not an option. The Bible teaches that sin had separated each man from God: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” being declared righteous only “through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:23, 25) that was shed on the cross. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” of sin (Hebrews 9:22). There can be no Christianity without the real death of the real, sinless Son of God.

It seems that the gospel writers, in recounting the events of the crucifixion, go to great lengths to make sure no one misunderstands. In Mark 15, for example, nearly 20 people are mentioned who no doubt would testify to His death. Consider the likely testimony of the Roman guards who had tortured Him to the point of death (vv. 15-23), nailed Him on the cross (v. 24), and watched Him die. The executioner (v. 25) and the centurion (vv. 39, 44-45) were trained in killing. They knew how to recognize death. The thieves (v. 27), the mocking passersby (v. 29), the chief priests and scribes (v. 31), the grave keepers (v. 46), all would have had no doubt. Pilate was convinced (vv. 44-45), as were His many friends who watched (vv. 40-41, 47).

There can be no doubt Christ surely died, and He died “to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). JDM

It is well

2 Kings 4:18-23, 25-37

The greatest earthly blessings are uncertain; the son who had made the Shunammite so glad was now to cause her grief.

2 Kings 4:18, 19

Perhaps the harvest sun was too hot for him, and he suffered from sunstroke, as many do in the east.

2 Kings 4:21

Full of grief she was, for she had lost her son; but she had a hope left, for she had not lost her faith.

2 Kings 4:22, 23

Her answer was the one word “well.” Her heart was full and her faith sorely tried, therefore she said but little, and would not pain her husband by mentioning their crushing loss until she had proved the power of the prophet’s God.

2 Kings 4:27

She was in an agony, tossed to and fro between faith and fear, therefore she acted not in the manner usual to her, but fell passionately at the prophet’s feet.

2 Kings 4:28

She argued that surely the son was not sent to mock her and break her heart, yet she felt that if he were to be soon removed it looked very like it, and this she could not believe to be the Lord’s intention. Thus her faith and her anguish pleaded with Elisha.

2 Kings 4:31

God would not grant this blessing to a mere form; there must be mighty prayer.

2 Kings 4:35

By faith this woman received her child raised to life again as the woman of Sarepta had done before. Although a miracle will not be wrought for us, we ought to have a like faith, and we shall then see things equally worthy of our gratitude.

2 Kings 4:37

We must imitate this good woman, and in all times of trouble go with it to the Lord, and he will surely help us through. “Trust ye in the Lord for ever.”

 

Shall I, for fear of feeble man,

Thy Spirit’s course in me restrain?

Or, undismay’d in deed and word,

Be a true witness for my Lord?

 

Awed by a mortal’s frown, shall I

Conceal the Word of God Most High?

How then before thee shall I dare

To stand, or how thy anger bear?

 

Give me thy strength, O God of power!

Then let winds blow, or thunders roar.

Thy faithful witness will I be:

‘Tis fixed! I can do all through thee.

 

---

Zion stands by hills surrounded,

Zion kept by power divine;

All her foes shall be confounded,

Though the world in arms combine:

Happy Zion,

What a favour’d lot is thine!

 

Zion’s Friend in nothing alters,

Though all others may, and do;

His is love that never falters,

Always to its object true.

Happy Zion!

Crown’d with mercies ever new.

 

---

God is our refuge, tried and proved,

Amid a stormy world:

We will not fear though earth be moved,

And hills in ocean hurl’d.

 

When earth and hell against us came,

He spake, and quell’d their powers;

The Lord of hosts is still the same,

The God of grace is ours.

 

---

Jesus our Lord is love,

All gentle are his ways,

And since he suffered in our stead,

No fear our heart dismays.

 

No fiery vengeance now,

No burning wrath comes down;

If justice call for sinner’s blood,

The Saviour shows his own.

 

Before his Father’s eye

Our humble suit he moves;

The Father lays his thunder by,

And looks, and smiles, and loves.

 

---

Our soaring spirits upward rise

To the celestial throne,

Fain would we see the blessed Three,

And the Almighty One.

 

Lord, how our souls are all on fire

To see thy bless’d abode;

Our tongues rejoice in tunes of praise

To our incarnate God!

 

And while our faith enjoys this sight,

We long to leave our clay,

And wish thy fiery chariots, Lord,

To fetch our souls away.

 

---

Straiten’d in God we cannot be,

No bounds his power and bounty know,

His grace is an exhaustless sea,

Which flows, and shall for ever flow;

And if its course suspended seem,

The hindrance is in us, not Him.

 

Long as our faith’s capacity

Is stretch’d to admit the blessing given,

We drink the streaming Deity,

And gasp for larger draughts of heaven!

But when we lose our emptiness,

The oil, the joy, the Spirit stays!

 

Empty us, then, most gracious Lord,

And keep us always empty here,

Till thee, according to thy word,

We see upon the clouds appear,

Thy glorious fulness to reveal,

And all thy saints for ever fill.

 

---

Since like the weeping Shunammite,

For many dead in sin we grieve;

Now, Lord, display thine arm of might,

Cause them to hear thy voice and live.

 

Thy preachers bear the staff in vain,

Though at thine own command they go;

Lord, they have tried and tried again,

They find them dead, and leave them so.

 

Come, then, thyself to ev’ry heart,

The glory of thy name make known;

The means are our appointed part,

The pow’r and grace are thine alone.

 

Fortresses in Your Brain

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)

2 Corinthians 10:4

Once while I was ministering in southern England, I had a few free hours between services, so I asked the local church leaders to take me to see a famous old castle that was nearly one thousand years old. As I approached the castle, its tall, thick stone walls loomed upward overhead. After climbing to the top of the ancient tower, I stopped to enjoy a view of the entire valley below that was simply beautiful.

This particular castle was famous for its history because its lofty position on top of the small mountain had made it impenetrable for hundreds of years. Although many aggressors had attempted to attack and overtake it, its high position on top of the mountain, coupled with its tall, thick walls, had kept those who resided inside secure from outward attack. Over the years, enemies who tried to attack and conquer the fortress had been perpetually frustrated as a result of these advantages that prohibited such a victory.

As I stood in the top tower of that ancient fortress, looking down at the valley below and hearing the stories of all the foreign armies who had unsuccessfully tried to take this stronghold captive, I thought of Paul’s words in Second Corinthians 10:4. He wrote, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)”

What are the “strongholds” Paul is talking about in this verse? Whatever they are, Paul lets us know that they are so reinforced and resistant that they can only be eradicated by the power of God and the weapons supplied by the Holy Spirit.

The word “stronghold” comes from the Greek word ochuroma. It is one of the oldest words in the New Testament, originally used to describe a fortress, such as the one described above. It depicted a fortress, a castle, or a citadel. Ancient fortresses had exceptionally thick, very high, impregnable walls that were designed to keep outsiders from scaling the walls or from breaking inside. Such walls were intended to keep intruders outside.

But by the time of the New Testament, the word ouhuroma also came to be the very same Greek word used to describe a prison. Since the most secure, highly guarded prisons were usually constructed deep inside such fortresses, it makes sense that the word for a fortress or stronghold is the same identical Greek word used to picture a prison. Whereas a fortress keeps outsiders from getting in, a prison keeps insiders from getting out. Prisons are places of detention or holding tanks. They also have fortified walls, as well as bars of steel, that are designed to hold a prisoner in captivity.

The “strongholds” Paul refers to are lies that the devil has ingrained so deeply in your mind and in your belief system that they now exert power over certain areas of your life. Just as ancient rulers liked to build their castles perched high on a mountainside, the devil attempts to build strong lies in your mind so he can rule you from a lofty position in your thoughts and emotions. Although you may know logically that the lies the enemy speaks to your mind are untrue, these lies still wage war in your soul, attempting to sabotage your sense of self-worth and your self-image.

You see, when a person has a stronghold in his mind or emotions, he has thick, invisible walls around him that act like both a fortress and a prison in his life. Like the walls of a fortress, these lies insulate him from people who may try to break in to help him see the truth. Although others may want to help this person, they often find it impossible to break through the invisible barriers that surround his mind and emotions.

As a result, the person under mental and emotional assault is held captive like a prisoner to those lies. He sits behind mental and emotional bars, viewing life through the illusion of bondage that Satan has put into his mind. He looks at others, sadly wishing he could be free like them, not realizing that he has already been set free by the blood of Jesus Christ. The lies that operate in his soul keep him bound in an inner “prison” that he can’t seem to break out of by himself.

So when you read Paul’s words about “strongholds” in Second Corinthians 10:4, you need to picture both a fortress and a prison in your mind and then apply this picture to your own life. Are there any areas of your mind that are currently controlled by the enemy’s lies of fear, doubt, and worry? Do you find yourself being repeatedly attacked in the areas of your self-worth and self-image? Are these attacks debilitating and crippling? Do you feel like a hostage to these areas of your mind and emotions? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have probably allowed the devil to build strongholds in your mind and emotions that are hindering you from stepping out to do something God has purposed for you to do in your life.

If that’s your situation, first recognize and repent for permitting those strongholds to develop in the first place. Then go back and see how the devil gained this foothold in your life. After you discover how the devil was able to work so deeply in your mind and emotions, ask the Lord to forgive you and to cleanse you from this devilish operation in your soul.

Once you have received this divine cleansing, it is time for you to arise in the power of the Spirit with the weapons of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Reject the devil’s claim on your mind and emotions, and command him to leave in Jesus’ name! Then get back on the path to right believing and right thinking by renewing your mind daily with the Word of God. If you truly want to be permanently set free from the lies that have controlled you for so long, you will have to use the weapons of the Spirit to pull down every stronghold the devil has erected in your life!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I realize that the enemy has been attempting to control my self-worth and my self-image through lies that have been operating in my mind and emotions for a very long time. Because I allowed the devil access to my thought life in times past, I have been like a hostage held captive in an inner prison. I can see now how others have tried to help me, but they haven’t been able to break through the strong walls of these mental lies that have surrounded my thinking. So today I am turning to You, Holy Spirit. I ask You for help as I learn to utilize the weapons of my warfare that You have supplied. Please help me uproot, tear down, and permanently walk free of every mental lie of the enemy for the rest of my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I will no longer permit the devil to have a foothold in my mind and emotions. I am employing the use of the power of God, the weapons of the Holy Spirit, and the name of Jesus Christ, and I command the devil to withdraw his lies from my mind and emotions and to flee from me! The enemy has no right to operate inside my mind, and I refuse to allow his operation in my soul to continue. I will believe right, think right, and renew my mind daily with the Word of God. I am now permanently set free from lies that have controlled me for such a long time. From this moment forward, I am dominated by the truth of God’s Word. Lies that have held me captive for so long have no more power over me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you know of any areas of your mind and emotions that continually lie to you and try to hold you in some kind of spiritual captivity? What are those areas, and how long have they been exercising dominion in your life?
2. What are some of the steps you can start taking right now to step out of that bondage and into the liberty Jesus Christ wants to give to you?
3. Can you think of key scriptures you need to memorize and start confessing in order to renew your mind to the specific truths of God’s Word that will help you think rightly about yourself? Why don’t you write down those scriptures and put them in a visible place in your home to remind you about the truth God declares about you?

 

The Brevity Of Life

Billy Graham, in his absorbing autobiography, “Just as I Am,” written at age 78, commented on his surprise at turning “old” so soon.

 

Ray Ortlund puts the brevity of life in perspective:

 

“Strip down. Get tough on yourself… Soft Christianity is the laughingstock of hell! Redeem your time. Buy up every opportunity for living your life right!

 

You say you have 70 years to get it all done. No, you really don’t.

 

What did you know about life up to age five? Not much. That leaves 65 years.

 

But you sleep 25 years or so; so you have only 40 years.

 

Some years are spent in rest and recreation; some years may be wasted in wickedness or just laziness…

 

How much is left? Not much!

 

And how much total time will you have for your life, anyway? Keats died at 26. Shelly at 30. Schubert at 31. Alexander the Great at 33. Mozart at 35.

 

On the other hand, it‘s never too late to start really living! Michelangelo began building St. Peter‘s Cathedral at 76. Verdi was nearly 70 when he composed his “Te Deum.“ Grandma Moses started painting when she was 78. Tennyson was writing his greatest lines at 83… ”

 

The Scriptures also remind us of life’s brevity,

 

“My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. They skim past… like eagles swooping down on their prey.” (Job 9:25, 26b)

 

“The span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man‘s life is but a breath… like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall.” (1 Peter 1:24b; Psalm 39:5b) (See Job 14:1, 2; Psalm 89:47; 90:5; 102:3; James 1:10; 4:14)

 

QUESTION: Have you gotten going yet in life? If not, why not now?