OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #28
| CHRIST OVERCAME MONGERS OF TERROR |
KJV Bible excerpts emboldened for emphasis
Outline
Introduction of this topic
1. Satan Takes Advantage
2. Carnal Terror Is a Tool of Evil
3. Kingdom of Christ Is A Fortress---
Conclusion: Doing Good and Being Happy
Introduction of this topic
1. Satan Takes Advantage
2. Carnal Terror Is a Tool of Evil
3. Kingdom of Christ Is A Fortress---
Conclusion: Doing Good and Being Happy
Introduction of this topic. This lesson, "Christ Overcomes Mongers Of Terror," is basically the
sermon which I delivered on August 9,1998. When it comes to terrorism, there are 101 different
angles that could be pursued, However, that is a temptation that I have resisted. Why? Because,
whatever took place between 1998 and 2005; or whatever takes place from 2005 onward, divine
principles are the same. The truth of Christ is timeless, Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, and to day, and for ever. It is worth mentioning that during early 2005, several times on
the internet I read a comment about terrorism: "Terrorism is the tool of the weak, to fight against the
strong." The idea was that since the small cannot head on match the big, they sneak under cover and
surprise. Well, that fits into the first point in that, Satan tempts people to choose weakness.
sermon which I delivered on August 9,1998. When it comes to terrorism, there are 101 different
angles that could be pursued, However, that is a temptation that I have resisted. Why? Because,
whatever took place between 1998 and 2005; or whatever takes place from 2005 onward, divine
principles are the same. The truth of Christ is timeless, Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, and to day, and for ever. It is worth mentioning that during early 2005, several times on
the internet I read a comment about terrorism: "Terrorism is the tool of the weak, to fight against the
strong." The idea was that since the small cannot head on match the big, they sneak under cover and
surprise. Well, that fits into the first point in that, Satan tempts people to choose weakness.
Satan Takes Advantage
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or
bad. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest
unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. That divine terror is a means by
which the Lord subdues wickedness, and keeps godly fear in the righteous. The terror of the Lord
helps propel the preaching of the gospel and the work of the church.
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or
bad. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest
unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. That divine terror is a means by
which the Lord subdues wickedness, and keeps godly fear in the righteous. The terror of the Lord
helps propel the preaching of the gospel and the work of the church.
Since the beginning, however, the devil has been a liar, a copycat, and a counterfeiter. In Genesis 3:5
the serpent (devil) said to the woman, "and ye shall be as gods..." The devil tries to imitate God,
even the Lord's terror. Satan tempts the weak to use a lying, counterfeit type of carnal terrorism,
telling weaklings that they can "be as gods." Weaklings, instead of confronting the corrupt in power
who are really at fault in their condition, use sniping tactics against some imagined scapegoats.
Instead of clean debate out in the open, they fight dirty in secret against those who will not fight back
dirty. Instead of speaking truth to power, Satan gets the weak to deceive themselves that their evil is
power, and deceive themselves that the kindness of the good is "weakness" to be torn and trampled.
the serpent (devil) said to the woman, "and ye shall be as gods..." The devil tries to imitate God,
even the Lord's terror. Satan tempts the weak to use a lying, counterfeit type of carnal terrorism,
telling weaklings that they can "be as gods." Weaklings, instead of confronting the corrupt in power
who are really at fault in their condition, use sniping tactics against some imagined scapegoats.
Instead of clean debate out in the open, they fight dirty in secret against those who will not fight back
dirty. Instead of speaking truth to power, Satan gets the weak to deceive themselves that their evil is
power, and deceive themselves that the kindness of the good is "weakness" to be torn and trampled.
Carnal Terror Is A Tool Of Evil
Carnal Terror Is A Tool Of Cowards. In Micah 2:1-3, those who were unwilling to get honest gain,
dishonestly used violent oppression. Notice that the violent oppression that they committed out in the
fields, they had "devised ... on their beds." They had planned their evil in hiding, but carried it out in
broad daylight.
dishonestly used violent oppression. Notice that the violent oppression that they committed out in the
fields, they had "devised ... on their beds." They had planned their evil in hiding, but carried it out in
broad daylight.
Carnal Terror Is Often Done In Secret. In Genesis 26:12-18ff, the Philistines envied the great
possessions of Isaac. The water wells dug by the servants of his father Abraham, the Philistines "had
stopped them, and filled them with earth." So Isaac went to the valley of Gerar and digged wells of
water there. There they "found a well of springing water." The herdmen of Gerar argued with them,
as also in Sitnah. But in Rehoboth, the striving ceased because, "now the Lord hath made room for
us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." The enemies may operate in secret, and then may rant and
complain, but God's answer can be very public, for those who obey the Lord, as did Abraham and
Isaac.
possessions of Isaac. The water wells dug by the servants of his father Abraham, the Philistines "had
stopped them, and filled them with earth." So Isaac went to the valley of Gerar and digged wells of
water there. There they "found a well of springing water." The herdmen of Gerar argued with them,
as also in Sitnah. But in Rehoboth, the striving ceased because, "now the Lord hath made room for
us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." The enemies may operate in secret, and then may rant and
complain, but God's answer can be very public, for those who obey the Lord, as did Abraham and
Isaac.
Carnal Terror By Losers Who Will Not Face Self. The 1990's saw a lot of crimes and arrests of
those who turned on their own citizens. Included were shootings in high schools, bombings of targets,
subway rampage, homocide among celebrities, disgruntled worker revenges, and attacks in public
places. Just as tragic are the sorry excuses voiced by the perpetrators. Bullied at school, rejected by
peers, alienated from inn-crowd, frustration at society, jealousy and envy. And so trouble from home
leads to killing at large, and rejection from society. A lot of prevention happens when parents teach
the Proverbs to their children. Thus, people will learn early in life that brute force and mayhem will
not give them "rule" over people (like God). It will not even give them relief, but more sorrow.
Proverbs 1:10-19 says, My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11. If they say, Come
with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12. Let us
swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13. We shall
find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14. Cast in thy lot among us; let
us all have one purse: 15. My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their
path: 16. For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17. Surely in vain the net is
spread in the sight of any bird. 18. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for
their own lives. 19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the
life of the owners thereof.
those who turned on their own citizens. Included were shootings in high schools, bombings of targets,
subway rampage, homocide among celebrities, disgruntled worker revenges, and attacks in public
places. Just as tragic are the sorry excuses voiced by the perpetrators. Bullied at school, rejected by
peers, alienated from inn-crowd, frustration at society, jealousy and envy. And so trouble from home
leads to killing at large, and rejection from society. A lot of prevention happens when parents teach
the Proverbs to their children. Thus, people will learn early in life that brute force and mayhem will
not give them "rule" over people (like God). It will not even give them relief, but more sorrow.
Proverbs 1:10-19 says, My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11. If they say, Come
with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12. Let us
swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13. We shall
find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14. Cast in thy lot among us; let
us all have one purse: 15. My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their
path: 16. For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17. Surely in vain the net is
spread in the sight of any bird. 18. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for
their own lives. 19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the
life of the owners thereof.
Carnal Teror Effects Go On, Even After Killing And Maiming are Cleaned Up. Consider the effects
of land mines. First of all, if people had rejoiced that "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness
thereof" (Psalm 24:1), there would not be killing over land in the first place. But where people have
booby trapped the place, the evidence remains. Lost limbs and altered lives. And how any so-called
sane person can with a straight face, praise suicide bombers, even among their own children, is cut
off from what it means to be human.
of land mines. First of all, if people had rejoiced that "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness
thereof" (Psalm 24:1), there would not be killing over land in the first place. But where people have
booby trapped the place, the evidence remains. Lost limbs and altered lives. And how any so-called
sane person can with a straight face, praise suicide bombers, even among their own children, is cut
off from what it means to be human.
Carnal Terror Is Used To Wear Down Resistance. Jesus said, "If any man will do his will. So,
obviously Satan wants to break down a good will. Then the devil would replace it with a passive
acceptance of evil, then an active part in evil. However, the devil does not need to recruit the masses,
but just make them passive, non-reactive, desensitized. What the Bible calls "lukewarm", makes
even God want to vomit at the mouth, Revelation 3:16. The devil knows he can always get a few
impressionable bozos to coordinate the evil, if he can just get the multitude to shut up and go along.
So terror is used to get people to accept and react, instead of defend and act. But James 4:6-7 shows
the necessity of keeping resistance: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. One of the reasons the founders of America wrote up the Declaration of
Independence, was because they realized that England was trying to "fatigue them into compliance."
Get them too tired to do anything about "taxation without representation." Well the founding fathers
threw off the old yoke, wrote up our own constitution, and charted a new course to be our own
sovereign nation. Likewise, believers in Christ cannot afford to just go along with those who would
steal their future and their freedom.
obviously Satan wants to break down a good will. Then the devil would replace it with a passive
acceptance of evil, then an active part in evil. However, the devil does not need to recruit the masses,
but just make them passive, non-reactive, desensitized. What the Bible calls "lukewarm", makes
even God want to vomit at the mouth, Revelation 3:16. The devil knows he can always get a few
impressionable bozos to coordinate the evil, if he can just get the multitude to shut up and go along.
So terror is used to get people to accept and react, instead of defend and act. But James 4:6-7 shows
the necessity of keeping resistance: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. One of the reasons the founders of America wrote up the Declaration of
Independence, was because they realized that England was trying to "fatigue them into compliance."
Get them too tired to do anything about "taxation without representation." Well the founding fathers
threw off the old yoke, wrote up our own constitution, and charted a new course to be our own
sovereign nation. Likewise, believers in Christ cannot afford to just go along with those who would
steal their future and their freedom.
Kingdom of Christ Is A Fortress - -
For Safety. Proverbs 18:10, The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,
and is safe.
and is safe.
Against the Secrecy of Terror. John 18:19-21, The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples,
and of his doctrine. 20. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the
synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know
what I said.
and of his doctrine. 20. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the
synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know
what I said.
Against the Evil Intent of Terror. Hebrews 4:12-13, For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Against the Desperation of Losers. Philippians 3:7-8, But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ.
counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ.
That is House-to-House and Public. Acts 20:20-21, And how I kept back nothing that was
profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ.
profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Of Wisdom Better Than Weapons of War. Ecclesiastes 9:18. Wisdom is better than weapons of
war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Of Weapons Mighty Through God. 2 Corinthians
10:4-6, (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ; 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Of Weapons Mighty Through God. 2 Corinthians
10:4-6, (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ; 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Conclusion: Doing Good And Being Happy
The way to defeat zealots who use terror and promote error, is to obey and to live the gospel of
Christ. It is also the way to do good and be happy at the same time. Nothing blunts the mongers of
terror more than when people obey Christ, and at the same time are more happy and fearless in
standing as one.
Christ. It is also the way to do good and be happy at the same time. Nothing blunts the mongers of
terror more than when people obey Christ, and at the same time are more happy and fearless in
standing as one.
1 Peter 3:10-16.
10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from 11. Let him
eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but
the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled;
15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and 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:
16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from 11. Let him
eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but
the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled;
15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and 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:
16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Philippians 1:27-28.
27. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see
you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:
which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
27. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see
you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:
which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
| If holy souls are shown their error, they will correct it. If fanatics are shown their error, they will kick up a sandstorm. The sandstorm is supposed to blind eyes to the absurdity of their cause. But neither the calm demeanor of a Dr. Jekyl, nor the roaring gymnastics of a Mr. Hyde, will be able to hide the personal error behind their public terror. |