FIVE SATANIC DECEPTIONS DESIGNED FOR
THE END-TIMES - Part IV
Another end-times satanic strategy that
threatens to erode the effectiveness of the mission and message of the church
is a seemingly all-pervasive sexual
immorality, which increasingly plagues both pulpit and pew. While sex, in and of itself, is a God-given
gift that authorizes matrimonial fulfillment between husbands and wives and procreation
of the human species, it is intentionally regulated by divine will and writ. That is to say, while the Word of God clearly
endorses sexual relations between spouses, it patently prohibits pre-marital or
extra-marital intimacy. (I Corinthians 6:18 – Galatians 5:19 – Ephesians 5:3) It is a divine directive that all believers be
“sanctified,” i.e. set apart for service. (I Thessalonians 4:3-5 and Ephesians
5:26) Therefore, we are responsible and
accountable (via the ongoing process of Word purification) to proactively
“cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” (Ephesians
5:26 and II Corinthians 7:1)
In light of this, the question is
begged: ‘How have sex and sexuality become such powerful preoccupations and/or challenges
for members of the institutional church?’ To answer accurately, let’s take a look back
in time. The evidence of scripture
suggests that Eden’s ‘original sin’ could POSSIBLY have been sexual in
nature. There are several circumstantial
clues. First of all, Adam and Eve’s
initial sin robbed them of their INNOCENCE and “opened” their eyes. (Genesis
3:5) Secondly, they became keenly aware
of their NAKEDNESS, which caused them to cover themselves and hide from God.
(Genesis 3:7-8) Thirdly, one of the post-Edenic
judgments of God was CHILD-BEARING via multiplied “sorrow” and “conception.”
(Genesis 3:16) There is at least a POSSIBLE
IMPLICATION here that Eve might have been impregnated by the initial act of sin
and would therefore ‘labor’ to bear children. In my judgment, “the tree in the midst of the
garden” (Genesis 3: 3) COULD well be a euphemism for sex. It’s just an opinion – so please don’t ‘kill
me’ for expressing it.
We could extend this conjecture all
the way to the instigator of original sin, Satan himself. As the archangel Lucifer, he deliberately
defied divine order and sought to usurp God’s authority and throne. (Isaiah
14:12-17) Incredibly enough, the
scriptures tell us that Lucifer somehow managed to convert ONE-OUT-OF-THREE
ANGELS to join in his insurrection against ALMIGHTY GOD! It begs the question: ‘What did Lucifer
possess (or do) that was so attractive to so many God-created beings that they
risked everything to rebel against THE OMNIPOTENT GOD?’ Have you ever wondered about that? I certainly have.
Scriptures are silent on this
matter, so we cannot at all be sure. But
perhaps his strategy was some form of sexuality or sex. The circumstantial evidence here is the related
possibility that Satan (a.k.a. Lucifer) might have introduced a similar (and now
familiar) temptation to Eden’s first couple. It’s just an opinion – so please don’t ‘kill me’
for expressing it. One additional sidebar:
‘Have you ever wondered why the area of Lucifer’s greatest expertise (MUSIC)
has become a veritable hotbed for sexual promiscuity and perversion within the
institutional church?’ Think about it. Sexual distortion surely seems to be an area
of satanic expertise.
We certainly cannot be sure of that
which is inferred or conjectured above. However,
it is quite certain (and increasingly evident) that Satan is NOW making full
use of sexuality and sex to diminish the influence and impact of the
institutional church. To verify this, we
need only consider recent sex scandals that have rocked the church world. These scandals cover a wide range of
territory, including pedophilia, fornication, adultery and even rape. As a result, the church is paying a hefty
price relative to its reputation, its witness and its financial stability, due
to monumental litigation and settlement costs.
One additional sidebar: ‘Have you
ever wondered why sexuality has so greatly influenced the way we DRESS (and
even how we MINISTER) in today’s church?’ In many quarters, worship has morphed into
something subtly resembling pagan IDOLATRY. Bottom-line: Praise and worship seems to have
become more-and-more infused with sexuality and less-and-less inspired by
spirituality. In far too many cases, our
moments of worship have deteriorated into God forsaken fashion shows, replete
with sexually suggestive hip gyrations by praise-team-pom-pom-girls! In many cases, Christ and His anointing have
simply exited the scene. Or should I say
“exited the STAGE?”…because more-and-more that is what our altars have become! This is the tragic result of a satanic
deception of the highest order. Perhaps,
the worst fall-out of all is the corrosive cynicism with which many non-believers
have come to view church leaders and laity. Where and when will it all end?
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