Newsletter Vol.3, #9—March 25, 2007

Matthew 10 ²³When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. ²⁴A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

SOME SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL DECLINE

* WHEN the way to the meeting house SEEMS WAY TOO FAR.

* WHEN it seems TOO MUCH TROUBLE to get ready to go to the services.

* WHEN the singing comes HARD and SEEMS DREARY.

* WHEN the sermon seems much TOO LONG.
* WHEN you see much you DISLIKE in the brethren.

* WHEN the preacher’s or teacher’s lessons make you ANGRY.

* WHEN the members frequently say things that OFFEND you.

* WHEN PRAYER is a BURDEN.

* WHEN the reading of the BIBLE is DULL and puts you to sleep.

* WHEN it FRETS you to be called on to GIVE more.

* WHEN you try to make EXCUSES  FOR  YOUR SINS LIKE ADAM.

* WHEN you try to persuade yourself that God will NOT PUNISH or Judge you.

* WHEN you feel you are being SLIGHTED OR NEGLECTED!!

Kenneth E. Thomas ~ I edited the above quite a bit and then added the following:

* WHEN you would rather spend time with your worldly friends than with your brethren in Christ.

* WHEN you know the names of all the men on the baseball, basketball and racing circuit and their wives and children but don’t know the books of the Bible nor the names of the apostles of Christ.

* WHEN you tell your non-Christian friends everything with which you are displeased about the members of the local church where you attend.

* WHEN you don’t really enjoy a Bible study class and often miss attending them.

* WHEN you spend little time with “The Book of Books” and spend more time with the sports section of the local newspaper OR OTHER READING MATERIAL.

* WHEN gospel meetings and special lectureships do not interest you and you fail to prepare for and participate in as well as to pray for their success as God/Christ views success.

* WHEN you “second guess” and criticize every decision made by your overseers.

* WHEN you fail to submit to the proper spiritual oversight of the bishops/elders.

* WHEN you are guilty of passing along gossip and you sow seeds of discord among the members.

* WHEN as a husband and a father you fail to take the proper oversight of your family.

* WHEN as a wife and as a child you fail to respect your father’s/husband’s headship and oversight.

* WHEN you seldom if ever find anyone who is an object for your benevolence.

* WHEN you are a constant “taker” and not a willing and cheerful “giver.”

* WHEN your tongue is used both to bless God and to curse men.

* WHEN a lesson such as this angers you rather than causing introspection on your part.

* WHEN the “works of the flesh” are appealing to you. (Gal.5:19-21; 1 Cor.6:9-10)

Then these are all symptoms showing one’s spiritual decline and ones need for an “attitude adjustment” known as repentance, which is brought on by “godly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Let’s read the words of inspiration given as a warning to each of us lest we are overcome by the devil after having once been enlightened and having once escaped the pollutions of this world. (2 Peter 2:20-22)

Satan's Many Devices

Richie Thetford

One thing that we should learn is not to be ignorant of Satan’s many devices. We read in 2 Corinthians 2:11 "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." We need to realize that Satan is constantly trying to find out what it is that can carry us away from God. But if we stay tuned into the Word of God then we will be less susceptible to falling for his devices. Satan prefers to have good company (Job 1:5), and is always ready and willing to tempt the children of God. Remember Eve? Who did she quickly put the blame on when she was tempted? It was Satan, disguised as a serpent! Later, Satan came to tempt the Son of God, asking Him to "command these stones be made bread" (Matt 4:3). Jesus did not succumb to Satan’s temptation as he responded with "it is written". Jesus, the Son of God, in the form of a man, knew about Satan’s devices and was not about to sin.

Satan is the Prince of the World!

Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King, but Satan is the Prince of this world! There is nothing that Satan would like better than to get you and I wrapped up in the materialistic things of his worldly kingdom so that our minds will be made distant of doing those things that will please our Father. Do you think he’s succeeding? Sure he is, and its because man does not think enough about his soul to be concerned about where it will end up! We better make sure we are doing everything possible to ensure that we are going to heaven because Satan certainly will not be there (John 12:31). All Satan does is cause war. He has the power to just annoy! The apostle Paul wrote: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph.6:12). Man wrestle’s within himself because Satan is doing everything possible to lead us away from God.

Satan is a Deceiver and a Murderer!

We need to recognize who Satan is and what he is all about. The student of God’s Word will know the things that are pleasing to God and then realize that anything contrary to God’s will is something Satan would not only approve of, but try to get us to do! Jesus said: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). Satan is nothing but a liar! When someone tries to sweet talk us into doing something that we know is contrary to Bible teaching, it is Satan’s deception at work.

Satan is a Hindrance to Our Salvation!

Oh how much easier it would be to stay on that straight and narrow road to heaven if Satan wasn’t in the way! Notice what the Bible says concerning Satan’s hindrance to our salvation: "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Cor.4:4). He has blinded the minds of many people, keeping them from believing the truth of Jesus Christ who is "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb.5:9). Jesus has the truth and it has been revealed to us through His gospel. Satan says he has the truth, but he is a liar! He hinders our salvation! In the parable of the sower Jesus talked about Satan as being the one who takes the word away from the hearts of those who hear the word of God, so that they will not believe the teaching of Christ and be saved (Luke 8:12).

Satan will always try to make God’s Word serve his purpose (Matt 4:5-6). But we should always strive to resist him (Jam 4:7). Let us be ready and willing to fight Satan by putting on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11).