One of the most anticipated parts of a baby being born is seeing who the child resembles! Some children strongly resemble their father while others strongly resemble their mother. Some children resemble both father and mother and are a balance between the two. A child of physical descent can be expected to resemble its parents in some manner. While this is true in the natural realm, this ought also to be seen in the spiritual realm. A child of God, who has believed on Christ and been born of the Spirit of God, can and should resemble their heavenly Father. There ought to be a family resemblance.

In 1 Peter 1:14-16, the Bible says, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Our Heavenly Father is a holy Father. Holiness is God’s chief attribute. Every other attribute of God flows through his holiness. His love is holy. His mercy is holy. His wrath is holy. God is the purest of pure. He is the holiest of holy. He is set apart from sin and all defilement. And God calls us who are in the family of God to resemble His character in our daily lives.

God never extends grace to the sinner and leaves him in his sin. Rather, He stoops down to the lowest sinner, extends His saving grace, and commands him to “go, and sin no more” (Jn. 8:11). God’s grace reaches to the lowest of low, but God never leaves the sinner in his sin. God always saves with the purpose of sanctifying. God calls us into His family and expects us to begin bearing family resemblance as we strive to be holy as God is holy.
We are not to fashion our lives “according to the former lusts in ignorance.” Before salvation, we gave ourselves up to the lusts of our flesh. After salvation, however, we are to begin the pursuit of holiness. We are not to form or model our lives according to the dictates of culture, but rather, the character of God. To be like Christ is our greatest pursuit. And to pursue Christlikenss is to pursue holiness. Christ was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26). To be like Christ, is to be holy. It is to be set apart from sin. It is to be “unspotted from the world” (Jms. 1:27). It is to be separated unto Christ.

Our goal should not be to resemble the culture in which we live. Rather, our goal should be to resemble the God in whom we have the hope of eternal life. A preacher once said, “we live in a day when we are more afraid of holiness than we are of sinfulness.” This ought not to be. We should strive to be like Christ. For when we are like Him, holiness will be the result.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

What kind of worship and service pleases God? Are good intentions enough? Is sincerity all that God is looking for? Many people in society today mistake sincerity for reality. Many believe that if you are sincere, it doesn’t matter what you believe or how you behave. And although many people [even professing Christians] have bought into this type of thinking, the reality is that you can be sincere and be sincerely wrong at the same time.  And we must be on guard against the idea that “sincerity alone” is all that matters in service and worship to God. Sincerity is vitally important only when it is connected with obedience to God’s Word.

When one reads 1 Chronicles 13, it becomes apparent that God is concerned with more than sincerity alone. This passage tells us that David had a sincere desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant from a town called Kirjath-jearim back to the city of Jerusalem. David had a desire to reestablish the worship of God in the city of Jerusalem. This was a good desire that David had. However, when David went to fetch the Ark of the Covenant, the Bible says that “…they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab…” (1 Chron. 13:7). What’s the problem? David’s desire was good and his actions were sincere. That is unmistakable! Was David sincere? Yes. Was he obedient? No. God had specifically told the Israelites that the ark was to be carried only on the shoulders of the priests.  

Later in the passage, we find that as the Ark was being transported “…Uzza put forth his hand to the ark; for the oxen stumbled” (1 Chronicles 13:9). The oxen stumbled that were pulling the Ark and the Bible says that Uzza reached out his hand to steady the Ark. What’s the problem? Surely Uzza was sincere when he reached out his hand to steady the ark. Was Uzza sincere? Yes. Was he obedient? No. This act was strictly forbidden by God. No human hands were allowed to touch the Ark. Numbers 4:15 says, “…they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die.” Uzza made a split-second decision to disregard God’s clear command in favor of what seemed right to him and the Bible states that God became angry with him and “…smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God” (1 Chronicles 13:10b).  We are reminded here that good intentions do not justify disobedience to God’s clear commandments in His Word.

God was not pleased with the ‘sincere’ worship and good intentions of the Israelites. God was pleased, however, when the Israelites offered up worship and service in both sincerity and obedience to God’s Word. Sincerity in worship or service must never be divorced from obedience to God’s Word. Sincerity and obedience to God’s Word must always be married together.

This passage reminds us that in our worship and service to God, good intentions and sincerity are not enough! Sincerity and obedience to God’s Word are vital for true worship! In John 4:24, Jesus made this clear- “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is to be worshipped ‘in spirit’ [sincerely] and ‘in truth’ [Scripturally]. God desires more than sincerity. God desires Scriptural worship and service. He desires His work to be done in His way! The worship of God must be from the sincerity of our hearts and according to the sufficient Word of God.  

By Scottish pastor, Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

*The following is a reminder that in these spiritually dark days, God is still raising up watchman to lift up their voices like a trumpet and expose “the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11) and point people back to the Word of God. Although their message is often ignored or rejected, a true watchman is willing to courageously speak the truth in love regardless of how it is received by those around him.  Consider the timely words of a Scottish preacher in the 19^th century who gave the call to Christians to be the ‘watchman on the wall’ in every generation:

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, however dark it be;

Lead me by Thine own hand, choose out the path for me.

“…if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” (Ezekiel 33:6-7)

“Some one, then, must undertake the ungracious task of probing and laying bare the evils of the age; for men must not be allowed to congratulate themselves that all is well. If others will not, He will.

If others shrink from the obloquy of such a work, he will not…. he loves his fellow-men too well. They may upbraid him; they may call him a misanthropist, or a prophet of evil; they may ascribe his warnings to the worst of motives, such as pride, or arrogance, or self-esteem, or malice, or envy; but he will give no heed to these unjust insinuations.

He will prefer being thus misunderstood and maligned, to allowing men to precipitate themselves upon a ruin which they see not. Rather than that they should perish, he will allow his own good name to be spoken against. He will risk every thing, even the hatred of brethren, rather than withhold the warning. If they give no heed to it, he has, at least, saved his own soul. If they do, he has saved both his own soul and theirs.

He would rather take up the glad tidings of peace, and tell men of Him who came the first time for shame and death, and who is coming the second time for glory and dominion; but he feels as one who has a special and personal message to deliver, which cannot be postponed.

He must remember that he is a watchman; and, having seen danger pressing on, he must not hesitate to make it known. He must speak his message of forewarning and rebuke, sparing no arrows, and neither smoothing down nor hiding any form of sin, but laying his finger upon every sore, and beseeching men to turn from their ungodliness. The evils around him press upon him sadly; the coming evils are foreshadowed upon his spirit, and, therefore, he lifts up his voice like a trumpet.

Satan has many snares which need to be detected; the world has many spells and lures which must be disenchanted; religion has many guises which must be unmasked, many devious paths of inconsistency which must be pointed out, many cherished errors which must be condemned, many carnal taints which must be abhorred and shunned. All these he must protest against without fear or favour.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Instead of counting our burdens, we ought to cultivate an attitude of counting our blessings! True faith rejoices in Christ not only in good times but even during difficult times. Consider the wise words of the preacher Vance Havner (1901-1986) who preached on what he referred to as “The Forgotten Beatitude” based on Matthew 11:6- “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Consider an excerpt from his timely sermon:

“It is nothing new to be offended in Jesus. More people have been offended in Him than in any character in history. . . . We have murmured that we pray and do not receive. We gave our tithe and now we are in adversity. We were faithful to the Lord’s house and landed in a hospital. We prayed for our children and they became worldlings. We craved joy and peace but we are despondent. Across the street is an ungodly family that has suffered no loss, while our dearest was taken. “There is no use in praying. It reads very lovely in the devotional books but I seem unable to make it work.” We were in distress, and the Lord “abode where he was” and when He did appear we grumbled. . . . All such grumbling means that we have not learned the Forgotten Beatitude. Anybody can believe during fair weather. There is a deeper experience and a higher state which not many reach, a state in which, no matter what happens, we are never offended in the Lord, a state in which, whether it makes sense to us or not, we still believe Romans 8:28. Habakkuk started his book pouting and ended it praising. And blessed is the man who can say: “Though I don’t get what I want; though I may sow much and reap little; though others get the plums and I get the sack, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”

Source: Vance Havner, “The Forgotten Beatitude” (articles.ochristian.com/article10714.shtml).

It has been said countless times: “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Yet, though it be a well-worn phrase, the truth still remains! The message of the Cross does a marvelous thing in the lives of those who receive it by faith. The call of the Gospel is not a call to a particular group of people, but rather, it is a call to all people everywhere to repent and believe on Christ! The Gospel transcends cultural differences, economic standings, and one’s position in society.

And the reality of this truth is seen in the family of God! There is only ONE way of salvation and that is through faith alone in Christ alone. And all who will be saved must come this way or be lost eternally in Hell. Any who will come must come by the way of the Cross, the way of faith, the way of the ‘new birth’ to enter God’s forever family. Regardless of one’s language, ethnicity, social standing, economic status, all must come by the way of the Cross if they are to be saved and receive the gift of eternal life.  Within the family of God there is much diversity in the people represented, yet there is one common theme in the life of each person. That common theme is faith in Christ as Lord and Savior!

This truth is illustrated in the short book of Philemon. Philemon is unique in that is was written to an individual rather than a local church or churches. Paul wrote this brief letter to a man by the name of Philemon. Philemon had a slave by the name of Onesimus who had run away from him and ended up in Rome. While in Rome, Onesimus was saved under the ministry of Paul and became a valuable help to Paul in his ministry. However, Paul felt an obligation to reach out to Philemon regarding Onesimus letting him know that Onesimus was now a Christian. In his letter, Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back again, not as a mere servant, but as a brother in Christ. Paul urged him to receive him “not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord” (Philemon 1:16). Paul tells Philemon that his relationship with Onesimus has changed. He went away as a rebellious, runaway servant, but he was now returning as a beloved brother in Christ. Therefore, he was urged to receive him. Philemon and Onesimus were now brothers in Christ, unified in the gospel.

There is a special bond between those who have been saved by God’s grace regardless of their standing in the eyes of the world. There is a special unity between those who are brothers in Christ that this world knows nothing of. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Within a local church there are many people represented. There are many backgrounds, preferences, occupations, and social standings. However, when a church keeps its eyes on Christ and the mission Christ has given it, there is a sweet pleasantness as we dwell together in the unity of the faith and focus on both propagating the faith and contending for the faith. Charles Spurgeon once said, “As to brethren in spirit, they ought to dwell together in church fellowship, and in that fellowship one essential matter is unity. We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity: oneness of life, truth, and way; oneness in Christ Jesus; oneness of object and spirit –these we must have, or our assemblies will be synagogues of contention rather than churches of Christ.” The more a church is unified in truth and purpose, the more pleasant the fellowship will be!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

Every year around this time, stores are flooded with Halloween décor, yards are decorated with anything from pumpkins to goblins, and Christians are left wondering how they should respond to Halloween.

The Popularity of Halloween

Halloween is quickly becoming one of the most popular holidays in America. According to the Statista website, “…annual Halloween expenditure is set to reach an all-time high of more than 12 billion U.S. dollars in 2023…In 2023, more than 70 percent of consumers in the United States said they intended to celebrate Halloween.” (https://www.statista.com/topics/1727/halloween-in-the-us/#topicOverview).

The History of Halloween

In order to properly understand how a Christian ought to response to Halloween, it is important to go back and study the history of Halloween. Sadly, many people who think Halloween is all about trick-or-treating or candy or ‘innocent fun’, forget its dark past and occultic roots.

Consider its ancient origins:

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin…During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops for relighting their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts thought to be present. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day. The period was also thought to be favourable for divination on matters such as marriage, health, and death.”(https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween)

“…on or about the 1st of November the Druids held their great autumn festival and lighted fires in honour of the Sun-god in thanksgiving for the harvest. Further, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of this festival Saman, lord of death, called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. Thus it is clear that the main celebrations of Hallowe’en were purely Druidical, and this is further proved by the fact that in parts of Ireland the 31st of October was, and even still is, known as Oidhche Shamhna, “Vigil of Saman.” On the Druidic ceremonies were grafted some of the characteristics of the Roman festival in honour of Pomona held about the 1st of November, in which nuts and apples, as representing the winter store of fruits, played an important part.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Britannica-on-Halloween-1996335)

It is undeniably clear that Halloween had its origins in ancient paganism. It was associated with death, darkness, and the occult.

Some may be surprised to learn that many modern-day Halloween activities are rooted in the ancient occultic practices of the Celts. Consider a few examples given by Frederick Suppe (a historian who specializes in Celtic and Medieval history):

The Jack-O’-Lantern

“The jack-o-lantern custom consists of placing fire—which imitates the good magic of the sun—inside a hollowed out vegetable, representing the harvest,” Suppe says. It was done “in hopes that the good magic will help to preserve the harvested food through the dark half of the year, until the next growing season could replenish the community’s food stocks.”

Trick-or-Treating

“…the practice of trick-or-treating originates in the Celtic custom of giving token bits of the harvest to spirits wandering outside of houses on the evening of Samhain, to placate them and prevent them from doing destructive things to the harvest or to homes.”

Consider its medieval modifications:

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “In the 7th century CE Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, originally on May 13, and in the following century, perhaps in an effort to supplant the pagan holiday with a Christian observance, it was moved to November 1. The evening before All Saints’ Day became a holy, or hallowed, eve and thus Halloween.”(https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween)

When the Protestant Reformation came on the scene, Protestants were opposed to the celebration of Halloween. This refusal to celebrate Halloween was carried over into the New World where the celebration of Halloween was forbidden by the early American colonies who were largely influenced by the Puritans. The Puritans viewed Halloween as a Catholic holiday with pagan roots. Therefore, they strongly rejected it!

The celebration of Halloween came to America when large numbers of Irish immigrants came to America in the mid-19^th century during the Irish Potato Famine. Roman Catholic Irish brought Halloween with them. Even then, Halloween wasn’t widely celebrated until the 1900s.

Over the years, Halloween has come to be associated with pranks, costumes, trick-or-treating, and Halloween parties, jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, black cats, vampires, ghosts, and witches.

When one studies the history of Halloween, it becomes clear that it isn’t simply a time of ‘innocent fun’, but rather, is a holiday that is rooted in death, darkness, and the occult.

With that in mind, should a Christian partake in the celebration of Halloween?

Ephesians 5:11 says- “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

The word ‘fellowship’ means “to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

According to Bible, Christians should not partake in/have fellowship with that which is associated with spiritual darkness (that would include any glorification of death and darkness or any association with occultic practices such as witchcraft, divination, or demons)! Halloween glorifies the very things that Christians are called to separate from!

Sadly, many Christians still refuse to recognize Halloween as a holiday rooted in the occult!

In Their Own Words

Even professing witches and Satanists know that Halloween is an occultic holiday.

A Wiccan high priestess, Doreen Valiente (known as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’), said of Halloween: “Halloween is one of the four Great Sabbats of the witches that everyone has heard about. To witches, Halloween is a serious occasion, however merrily celebrated. It is the old Celtic Eve of Samhain.”

Satanist Anton LeVay, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966 and authored The Satanic Bible in 1969 called Halloween the third highest day on the satanic calendar for Satanists.

LaVey: “After one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween.” (The Satanic Bible, 1969, p. 96)

Throughout the month of October 2023, there is an event called “The Festival of the Dead” in Salem, Massachusetts. The event page refers to Halloween as “…the special time of year when the shades of the dead whisper from forgotten places and spirits walk among us…The Festival of the Dead beckons guests to step through the veil into a realm where spirits await.”(https://www.festivalofthedead.com/)

Even occultists and witches recognize the connections between the occult and Halloween! Halloween is undeniably associated with witchcraft, divination, and consulting familiar spirits (demons).

Light and Darkness Cannot Mix

Instead of asking, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?”, maybe a better question is, “Why should a Christians celebrate a holiday that is rooted in paganism and promotes darkness, fear, death, and the occult?”

These things are in total contradiction to the Christian life that is associated with life and light!

Ask yourself the following:

Should Christians who have not been given “the spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7) celebrate a holiday that is marked by fear?

Should Christians who are “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) partake in a holiday associated with darkness?

Should Christians who are “passed from death unto life” (John 5:24) celebrate a holiday that is associated with death?

Should Christians celebrate a holiday that glorifies witches, wizards, and familiar spirits which the Bible calls an ‘abomination unto the LORD’(see Deut. 18:10-12)?

1 Thessalonians 5:22 makes it clear- “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

What type of message is being sent to the world when Christians participate in Halloween? How can Christians celebrate a holiday associated with evil while avoiding ‘the appearance of evil’ at the same time?

Christians need to recognize that we are called to “…cast off the works of darkness, and…put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12). Ephesians 5:8- “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” 2 Corinthians 6:14 makes it clear that spiritual light and spiritual darkness cannot coexist in the same heart- “…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness.”

~Pastor Aaron Francis

How is the Christian life and a submarine similar? One might be surprised at the similarity between the two. When submarines were first built, they were not equipped with any mechanism that allowed them to see above the water. In 1854, the earliest type of a naval periscope was designed that allowed those submerged underwater to see above water. With the help of periscopes, objects above water (ships, boats, etc.) could be seen and focused on. The periscope was the eye of the submarine that directed its movements and actions.

In Colossians 3:1-2 the Bible says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” When a person gets saved, they become a citizen of heaven. Earth is still our temporary residence until Christ calls us to be with Him in Heaven. While we live on earth, we are called to live in the world, yet to remain distinct from the world. We are to be in the world, but not allow the world to be in us. We are to work, raise a family, pay taxes, love our neighbors as earth-dwellers. However, this verse reminds us of where our focus needs to be. We must constantly be “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb. 12:2). We must live here below for the time God has appointed, but we must never get our spiritual eyes fixated on what’s below. We must continually be focused on that which is above. We must constantly look to that which is eternal. We must always be laboring to lay up treasure in heaven.

The Christian is constantly tempted to focus on the here-and-now while neglecting eternal realities. When we focus on the here-and-now, we are tempted to put down roots on earth instead of looking “for a city whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). When we focus on the here-and-now, we are tempted to lay up “treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” instead of laying up “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. 6:19-20). The kingdom to which Christians belong is not of this world. Our citizenship is heavenly. Therefore, we must strive to invest our lives for things that will impact eternity. We must constantly make decisions in light of eternity and choose things that will advance the Gospel truth.

Christians are like the submarine submerged under water that uses its periscope to keep its focus above water. A submarine must know what is above water in order to know what to do and where to go. So it is with the Christian. A Christian whose mind in constantly upon heavenly things, will makes decisions that impact their life on earth for eternity!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

Many of the God’s choicest saints are not strangers to seasons of discouragement, weariness, and depression! Sometimes these black clouds of discouragement can come into a person’s life and fix themselves overhead for a long season. There are seasons where the strongest became weary in the battle! The well-known ‘Prince of Preachers’ C.H. Spurgeon was known to struggle with seasons of discouragement during his ministry. He said, “Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.”

Such was the case with Elijah the prophet in 1 Kings 19. In the chapter leading up to this, we find Elijah boldly denouncing the sin of King Ahab and standing up against false prophets of Baal and defeating them upon Mt. Carmel. A few chapters earlier, we find God using Elijah to perform great miracles- even raising up a widow’s son from the dead! With a ministry like this, nobody would expect a man like Elijah to struggle with discouragement!

Without 1 Kings 19, we may think that Elijah never struggled with discouragement. We are reminded, however, in James 5:17 that Elijah “was a man subject to like passions as we are.” The truth of this is illustrated in 1 Kings 19 as Elijah is found running for his life from Jezebel and in a fit of despair. On the heels of the great victory on top of Mt. Carmel against the false prophets of Baal, Elijah, the man of God, sinks into a state of deep depression. The Bible states that “he…came and sat under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers” (v. 4). Elijah, revealing the weakness of his humanity, said “It is enough”. The work of God was difficult and exhausting. It brought opposition and persecution. The work of Mt. Carmel did not lead to a national revival or a return of the people to God. Elijah felt isolated. He felt that he was all alone in his stand for God. Elijah saw his work as a failure.

Yet, the tenderness of God always reaches down and picks up the weary Christian. God never leaves His children to die on the battlefield. God came and ministered to Elijah. God listened to his frustrations. God knew the exact remedy that the discouraged saint needed. And in 1 Kings 19, God is seen meeting the needs of the discouraged saint by giving him: rest and replenishment (v. 5), a personal encounter with God (vv. 11-12), a reminder that God wasn’t done with him (v. 15), a friend and successor (v. 16), a promise to claim (v. 17), and a timely reminder that he was not alone in his stand for truth (v. 18).  

When the clouds of depression and discouragement hang over the head of the weary, but faithful servant of God, don’t look to the world to find help. Don’t look within for help. You won’t find true help there! Rather, fix your gaze upon God- the One who cares for His servants and the One who always has the exact remedy we need! God is able to give rest to the weary, strength to the weak, and joy to the discouraged!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

• When we no longer love Christ like we once did.
• When we are more consumed with earthly interests than eternal pursuits.
• When we would rather scroll on social media or watch TV than pray or read God’s Word.
• When church potlucks are better attended than church prayer meetings.
• When our service to God becomes joyless and passionless.
• When we have time for sports, hobbies, and other interests but not for church, Bible study, and prayer.
• When we can sit through sermons and not be convicted or moved by the Spirit of God.
• When we are more consumed with pursuing earthly riches than we are with pursuing eternal riches.
• When family worship no longer happens in the home.
• When the pursuit of a career becomes more important than fulfilling the Great Commission.
• When sin is not confessed, repented of, and forsaken in the church or in our personal lives.
• When we honor God with our lips but our hearts are far from Him.
• When sitting through a church service bores us instead of stirs us.
• When following Christ becomes of a matter of convenience rather than conviction.
• When our conversation with others is no longer spiritually edifying but is marked by gossip, a critical spirit, and a lack of charity.
• When we begin looking more like the world than like Jesus Christ.
• When we avoid the fellowship of God’s people.
• When we are more influenced by people’s opinions than we are by the Word.
• When we are not actively involved in praying for the lost and seeking the salvation of the lost.
• When we are fine with watching movies and television shows and internet videos that use God’s name in vain and that promote immorality.
• When we get to a place in our life where we don’t see our need for revival!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

Contrary to Hollywood’s misrepresentation of the Devil holding a pitchfork and dressed in a red suit, the Bible describes him as one that masquerades himself as an “angel of light.” It is essential for Christians to understand the nature and work of our enemy- Satan. Great military commanders have understood the importance of studying their enemy’s tactics before engaging in battle. We as Christians are engaged in a battle against our “adversary the devil” (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore, we must understand his tactics in order to outmaneuver his evil ploy.

Many Christians fall prey to the tactics of Satan because they are looking for him in the wrong places. Many remember that he is a “roaring lion” with an insatiable appetite for the souls of man. He seeks to devour all people, but he is smarter than we often realize. Satan is the master con-artist. He is the master-deceiver. He is the father of lies. And he uses his deceptive tactics to keep lost men from coming to the truth but to also keep Christians from growing in their faith.

Satan minions are not relegated to the bar, the nightclub, or the casino. Satan’s dominion already reigns in those places. Rather, Satan moves beyond the regions of spiritual darkness and advances his tactics into the kingdom of light. Christians forget that Satan has his own churches, ministers, seminaries, denominations, and authors. This is what we see in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15- “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…” Vance Havner once said, “Satan does far more harm as an angel of light than as a roaring lion.” He said, “Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.”

“All that glitters is not gold” in the sphere of Christian profession. Christians need to be on guard. This comes by knowing the way Satan works against God’s program. It is becoming apparent that we are living in the times when men “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Satan is using the medium of “Christian” bookstores, “Christian” radio, and “Christian” television to spread his lies that are robed in “truth.” That is why we must be like the Bereans who “…received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Anchoring ourselves to the truth of Scripture will keep us from being carried away with “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) that Satan uses to oppose God’s work and God’s people.

~Pastor Aaron Francis