Spiritual Warfare Library of PSM

Overcoming the world is both something past and present. The world is the system on earth that does not have Christ as it’s God. Instead, “the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). There are two results: the world overcomes us, or we overcome the world.

Warning, And One Of The Upmost Importance

The Apostle John warned, “Little children do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him,” and the Apostle James said also, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (1 John 2:15, James 4:4). The world is a serious subtle threat to us. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” are in the world, and not of the Father, but of the world. The world contaminates us, draws us away from Christ—making us enemies of God, and lures us into ultimate destruction. We not be friends with the world, but even if we “wish” to be, we make ourselves enemies of God…

At times we can be “standing tall” and think we are doing well at hating the world, and loving God. But, I can honestly confess that like Lot’s wife, although all my “possessions” are left in “Sodom” I nevertheless still “look back” within my heart from time to time. My soul clinging to self-preservation and self-seekingness that the world offers. It’s been my constant battle to overcome the world, but in order to presently overcome, I need to look at what has been overcome.

Believe It Or Not, You Have Overcome

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith” (1 John 5:4). 1) If you are born-again you have overcome the world by God’s gift of salvation given to you and 2) the faith He gave you to believe in Jesus Christ “is the victory that overcomes the world.” This is where you must first stand, in order to overcome the world. Next, “But far be it from me,” the Apostle Paul says, “to boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:4). This is the next ground to stand, personal crucifixion to the world. Notice Paul says, “to me”? Paul considered the world crucified to him, and him to the world. You personally must embrace the world crucified to you, and you to the world— more importantly, realize that it has been at the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he says “by which.”

Don’t Forget There Is A Present Overcoming

Since you have overcome, there is now an “overcoming” to fulfill. “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever,” this is why the Apostle Paul says, “Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that by testing you may be able to discern what the will of God is; what is good, perfect and acceptable” (1 John 2:17, Romans 12:2-3). 1) You must recognize the world’s lusts, and pride are not eternal substances. There is nothing the world has that lasts, but everything in it is perishing 2) You must first, stop conforming to the world by resistance, then submit your mind to be renewed in the truth and Word in order to understand with testing what God’s will is and 3) Once you know His will, do it and you will “abide forever.”

Simplicity In Overcoming

This really is the simple essence of overcoming the world: 1) Being born again 2) God’s faith given to you to believe in Christ 3) United in Christ’s death at His Cross, realizing your personal crucifixion to the world and the world to you 4) Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed in mind and 5) Do the will of God.

Pam Sheppard Ministries has such rich experience in how to overcome the world. We offer exhortation, counsel, and wisdom to bring light and truth to your walk in the world and not being of the world. The Lord prayed that His disciples not be taken out of the world, but that the Father keep them from the evil one (John 17:15). We cannot run away from the world and live in a cave. We must be in the world and do the will of God. Contact 888-818-1117 if you are struggling with the world, temptation, and oppression. We can help!

Why the wrath of God? Why does God have wrath? God’s grace and love is always mentioned, and His goodness. But, we cannot deny that God has serious anger also. Let’s take a look at what anger is, and how it effects us. We also need to observe why our gracious God has this wrath, and how we are saved from it.

What Is The Point Of Anger?

Have you ever had such anger at someone, or something? Such frustration, and wrath? Well, the whole concept of anger, in essence is when something is wrong. Yes, when something is going wrong, or someone is doing wrong you get angry. For example, when a child does something extremely cruel, or wrong, you as a parent will show anger to display the seriousness and reveal to the child how wrong they behaved.

Anger is to awaken a person to their error. Have you ever been yelled at by someone who is angry? Does not their yell, and anger stir you up to realize what’s happening is wrong (from their perspective)? This is the whole concept of wrath is that it’s to fully reveal the depths of wrong being done. How can you fully realize the consequences of your actions, if no one says anything? Or, if someone is polite in confronting you doing the wrong thing, won’t it not “fear” you as much? Won’t you not truly realize how wrong you are?

Why God Has Wrath

It’s this very essence of wrath, that God has wrath. The Apostle Paul was given revelation of “the wrath of God from heaven against unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). This section in the Scriptures tells much as to why God is angry, namely because of unrighteousness. All humanity is left, “without excuse” before God. Therefore, because of unrighteousness God must display His wrath upon it, in order for the unrighteousness to truly realize how wrong they are. Yet, this wrath has a “day” reserved by God. We now are in the era of grace, as we await the “Day” of the LORD.

Many people don’t even acknowledge what they do is wrong. Even the “religious” ones. The simply have “suppressed the truth by their unrighteousness.” The religious ones, because of their “self-righteousness” have not the faith in Christ that brings about true righteousness. Wrath is God’s last resort to awaken the slumber and rejection of righteousness that comes from Christ, and why He has a specific day that His wrath will be manifested upon the ungodly and unbelieving.

Being Saved From God’s Wrath

Those who have been saved and born-again have “escaped” God’s wrath. Because, Jesus Christ of Nazareth bore your punishment of God’s wrath on His Tree. The one act of righteousness transcends to all who believe in the Son, thus escaping the “day” of wrath of God upon unrighteousness.

It’s important not to have fear, while understanding the wrath of God. God desires that His elect, “should not perish but all come to full repentance.” There are too many “religious” preachers installing fear and terror into people about God’s wrath and punishment. Yes, this is true the wrath of God. It’s also true, that God is merciful and “mercy triumphs over judgment.” He has revealed all goodness through Jesus Christ His beloved Son, and will show mercy to whom He shows mercy.

Examining Your Salvation

The Apostle Paul had to warn the Romans that God will render according to one’s works, and how there will be punishment, wrath and anguish for everyone who does evil, without partiality. You want to have the assurance that you belong to Christ and that you have escaped the wrath of God….

If you are not assured, and cannot recall your born-again experience, I would recommend you contact our ministry. We specialize at helping those seeking truth, honor and immortality understand the Gospel and examine their fruits of salvation. Please contact us at 888-818-1117 if you have questions, or want to discuss your salvation, or in need of deliverance.

It’s without doubt how we are emerging into what will be the most perilous times. Times never seen on the history of the earth. We will see specifically why they are perilous, to have faith, and to overcome. It’s either have faith in perilous times, or fall away…

The Prophecy Of Paul—Last Days Wicked “Christians”

Wickedness is not new under the sun. There has always been wicked times in the world. However, the wickedness in the world is unique now, because of the overall working of lawlessness. Fallen angels interfering with men. The global deception. And specifically, “God’s people” departing from the faith, and wicked men claiming to belong to Christ.

The Apostle Paul warned about men in the last days who would come in, claiming to be followers of Christ. Many Christians erroneously think that Paul is talking about the “unsaved” but Paul is speaking to Timothy and giving counsel on how to oversee God’s people. It says,

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men (professing Christians) will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

The overall denial of the faith from the majority professing to be Christian is a huge reason for why there’s peril. This Scripture is Paul’s prophetic insight in the last days, and this is why times will be hard, “for Christians will be as these.”

Having Faith To Leave The Perilous Environment

Notice how he says, “turn away from people like this”? And how many people, churches, and “believers” who profess Christianity are as these? And indeed, we must turn away from Christians who are like these. We must have faith, and leave. Having faith is the key to walk through trials and the fires that surround them. Even in our unique wicked times, it’s the way to overcome.

At Pam Sheppard Ministries we are a place that you can run to. Every church is the reason why the times are peril, because of “men like these,” the overall apostasy of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel, and their religious works of death. We are here for you, as a ministry to help you have faith in these times. To encourage you, by the grace given to us.

Overcoming Means Being Surrounded By True Believers

This is how you overcome, “to be encouraged by one another day by day” (Hebrews 3:13). It’s within each day of encouragement that sin does not deceive us and make in us a harden heart. Our ministry, is a ministry if you are trying to overcome the perilous times, remain faithful, and not be deceived.

You will not overcome the peril of the last days if you are surrounded by a bunch of “lovers of themselves, money, pleasure” and so on. How can you? “Bad company corrupts good morals.” You can not possibly think that being surround by end times Christians as Paul prophesied about and not be effected by them.

We understand, for most of us here were once in the religious system. Contact us at 888-818-1117 if you need help, counsel, and are struggling with your faith, and feeling overcome by the peril. God did not design His people to be overcome by evil, but for His people to overcome evil with good.

(A metaphorically story on the reality of religion)

“There are multiple advertisements on the T.V. with a wonderful preview revealing a new show coming to the local theater. “The greatest experience of your life!” The commercial says. “Dramatic, thrilling, exciting, an emotional rush of love and power!” This voice proclaims, as clips and previews of the theater’s actors performing their roles, the stage, lights and cameras all presenting a wonderful image, and piece of artistic expression. “Behold!” It says, “Your local theater performing, “Religion.”

A desperately bored, or helpless individual finds as a “last resort” desire to check out this theater as “something to do.” Their intentions seem to be that, maybe this will be an exciting play! Maybe this will inspire and give hope to their life again! They purchase the rather expensive tickets, and enter into the theater. As they sit down in the packed full theater, they give their attention and begin to observe the play.

Loud dramatic music is cued, along with the intense lighting, and the actors and actresses appear in their dramatic roles, with costumes, hair dues, make-up, and emotional appearances. They are in their postures, and positions, creating a “suspense” of emotions, as the packed watching crowd is beginning to be “moved” by all the sensory stimulation.

Now the actors begin their lines, speaking with excellency, wisdom, sensuality, creativity, and all emotional power. “Stunning” the crowd thinks. The acting is phenomenal, appearing so authentic and real. The theater cast are making such a display of “Religion,” the crowd is now hooked into what’s happening. “What love!” “What tragedy!” The crowds utter quietly, because if any were to criticize loudly of their performance, security will come and kick them out!

So enough the grand finale appears, just to keep the crowd caught up in the fantastic ending—eventually the curtains close. “Let’s come back” they exclaim. As the lights shut off, the people begin to grab there things, the “exiting” commotion commences. The theater is now empty, the crowd goes back to their lives, as well as the actors and actresses. Everyone goes back to living just as they were. “Sigh” an actor expresses, “I can finally be me!” Of course the actors and actresses are well pleased with all the glory the crowd gave them. They love the applause and praise of men. “What a good performance,” their director and producer commend, as they collect all the crowds ticketing money. And soon enough they prepare for the next showing of “Religion……””

The word “hypocrite” in the ancient Greek language, literally means “to play a part, or wear a mask.” This expression was used in the theaters of the ancient Greek days. It also is figuratively used in the Bible to describe a hypocrite. You see, a hypocrite is exactly this, one “playing the role.” Acting out a part with controlled behavior, but the inner-essence of the actor contradicts what they externally display. And notice how the “playing part” achieves “praise from men”? This is the ultimate intention as to why a hypocrite “puts on a mask” is to receive praise from men, or “the crowds.”

Loved one, is this not the reality of religion, one big play of “godliness” that denies the power of God? The entire scheme centered on praise from men, money, and getting a large crowd to watch and “win fans?” This is the reality of all the churches: they are simply a theater.