It’s quite evident, seeing how Satan came after us, that he had a plan. Yet, the Lord God Himself did too. And, the Lord’s plan is greater.
Satan A Limited Agenda
As manipulating and strong the Devil is, his power is surfaced to a limit. In no way can anything the Devil do be out of his own discord. Everything is monitored by God and he can only go forth as permitted.
This causes many to go to a line of thinking that God should just destroy the Devil. Which, God will do so, but He is not done with him yet.
All of us here at the ministry can personally attest that the Devil has an entire formula, and calculated motivation to lead us to destruction. Our Pastors words ring true, “different folks for different folks.” Each of us were led by Satan in a different way. All of our histories, cultures, traditions, personalities were part of the Devil’s operation for us to fail. But, God had other plans….
Born Again And Born To Hope
God’s predestined plan for us to be born-again destroyed all the Devil had planned. Of course the Devil is always planning destruction born again or not. But, the overall “course” of life unto evil that ensnared us was broken and we were given a new way of living.
One thing I had such bondage to being in the visible church was my past. I carried such a long shadow from my sins, and always felt ashamed. I could never be free from the memories that kept me looking back. As much as I wanted to be free, I was bound.
Becoming born again THROUGH the Resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth redeemed me, and washed away my past. As if all the shadows dashed away by light. I could finally be new and not held by what I did. In other words, I have such hope.
And it’s this hope I see with our ministry. The hope that Jesus of Nazareth is the God of salvation. And although the Devil took some of our past, I just see how all of us don’t care and have no regrets, shame, and fear about the past. Which is encouraging, since many people in religion have cut off their past, and live in dread, guilt, and pain of it.
Feel Stuck?
New life, means new. And if you are so overwhelmed with your past, it could be an indication you are still in sin.
We cannot psychologically brainwash ourselves through religion to bring change and forget the past. The supernatural power of God’s salvation involves no such process. Call 888-818-1117 our ministry hotline to get hope, encouragement, and clarity. THE LORD’S PLAN IS GREATER!!!!
Living with addiction is an extremely draining, and even a hostile environment. It seems as all the help and good you want to offer is rejected, and ignored—sucked into a black hole. Recently, I have received revelation with what to do if you live in a home with someone who abuses themselves with alcohol and drugs.
Step One
The first thing you must do if the person does not have an aggressive behavior is too indirectly confront them in the spirit of gentleness. Since, a lot of addicts take offense easily. It’s best during confronting to make it about yourself. For example, “I cannot do this anymore, it’s hurting me.” People who are in addiction often do not have self-awareness of how they harm others and themselves.
If you live with an aggressive person, confrontation is not the best and can be dangerous. Depending on the circumstance you may have to leave the environment, and go through the hassle of moving out.
Remember, always try to confront the person when they are sober. And make sure the timing is right. Do not confront them if they are too emotional, angry, and upset. Confrontation is always going to be uncomfortable, but if the person sees your perspective then they might get help. If they deny the confrontation and continue their addiction here is the next step.
Step Two
Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries!!!!
Maybe people who have been living with addiction are often blinded by the toxicity of the person’s problems. Blinded because of affections, emotions, and thus turn a “blind eye” to the person. And, in order to preserve themselves and their relationship with the addicted person they will become “servants” of the addiction.
Psychology calls it “co-dependency” but the best way to describe it is “toxic help.” The one living with addiction helps in every way, does things, takes care of them, but the one thing this person avoids is the abuse itself. It’s almost like how doctors often take care of the symptoms by prescribing medication but not taking care of the cause of the symptoms. In this analogy, the toxic help, will go on forever, never actually achieving any results.
Overtime, the person helping will begin to think they are responsible for “saving” the person. That they are the only ones who can help them. The error of this thinking leads to a devastating life of sadness, despair, frustration, and pain.
Step Two Contiuned
So, back to boundaries. A person struggling with “toxic help” has had the abusive person’s addictions walk all over them. What needs to be done is an assertive measure to refuse the addiction’s power from crossing over the boundary.
Sometimes this may be leaving the environment, or ending the relationship or “putting it on hold”. Temporary distance, maybe be required. Less interaction, less attention, are all ways to set up boundaries. Since, ultimately the goal of the abusive person is for you to go along with their addiction in all its excuses and rationalizations.
Boundaries can be difficult to set up if you have been so drawn over with the person’s burdens. You may need time alone to assess what needs to be done, and what boundaries can no longer be crossed. For example, no longer drinking in the presence of an alcoholic is a boundary.
Caution!
People who abuse alcohol and drugs are extremely unpredictable. Anytime you interact with them, you must come in a “spirit of gentleness” or “innocent as a dove.” Yet, at the same time you must be an undercover “wise serpent” judging, and handling the situation with wisdom.
Never approach an addict with hostility, frustration or anger. It will only make things worse.
You have to know the addict, and yourself. Honestly, sometimes it’s just easiest to leave the environment, and stay somewhere else.
Step Three: Don’t Grow Weary
Living with addiction is a subtle gloomy, dark, and chaotic world. Everything good, full of life is sucked and pulled into the addiction. The Devil loves using people with addiction to create all hell, sadness, and havoc in the homes of loved ones; to steal your joy, and healthy attitude, and good outlook on life. Don’t fall in the trap of pessimism! Keep being optimistic….
Here at Pam Sheppard Ministries we can give you all the support, and comfort you need. In these times of quarantine it may be even more draining and tiresome living with addicted, abusive people. We are 11th hour workers, here online and you can reach out to us. Call now at 888-818-1117 or email getreadyforthelord@gmail.com
You are not responsible for bearing another person’s addiction. You are responsible though for notallowing their addiction to ruin YOUR LIFE! Be mentally strong, and fight the fight of your soul.
When I was religious I use to think that I had to search “land and sea” for some kind of deliverance worker to set me free. It seemed everywhere I went, no one really understood my complex spiritual issues. Yet, when I arrived to Pam Sheppard Ministries and began learning about deliverance, I discovered an important deliverance worker…ME! You see, you are a deliverance worker for your own soul!
Self-Deliverance
I recently watched a video of Pastor Pam Sheppard explain this concept. She goes onto tell how there exist many self “deliverance” ministries who give you prayers and such things. Yet, these traditions and practices do not have power and can leave you in an even worse condition.
Self-deliverance is simply YOU working out the deliverance of YOUR soul. It’s you taking a STEP, a MOVE, and WALK to actively GAIN BACK your ground from the Devil and his demons. Proclaiming your freedom by knowing truth, and REVOKING and REFUSING are what is involved.
Centrality of Truth
No amount of prayers, and “affirmations” can deliver you. I know this to be true. I would pray and pray, “decree and declare” to a vain defeat. Simply because in all my efforts I did not know nor understand the TRUTH, and the real reason behind my problems.
For example, I recently went to the hospital because of a horrible blistering migraine. Part of my going to the hospital was to get a diagnosis of why I was having them. But, to my (not) surprise they only gave me drugs and numbed the throbbing pain. Although the pain left, I never the less was left with the same issue and condition and lo and behold exactly a weak later I would be struck with another migraine! They only would treat the symptoms and not the underlying cause…
It’s in this way that nearly all deliverance workers operate they only treat the symptoms. And, they analyze their success by the “symptoms” being healed and not the underlying cause.
Doctor Patient Deliverance Analogy
It’s an excellent analogy to use: doctors and patients. You see, doctors have to figure out what’s wrong with you and your medical condition. However, they can only do so much to understand what’s wrong with you. At some point you will have to explain your issues, pay attention to your symptoms, and such so the doctor can properly diagnose you and provide treatment.
I would go from “doctor” to “doctor” to get healed in and even outside the church, but only superficially. My symptoms would leave, but then would return or new symptoms would strike. A common issue is that they did not have any experience with sound-deliverance. It wasn’t until I arrived to Pam Sheppard Ministries did I receive diagnosis of my spiritual condition and receiving true freedom and healing.
How can a doctor diagnose a medical condition if a doctor is only in med-school? You see, our Pastor and ministry leaders have a combined unique experiences and knowledge that are equipped to properly “diagnose” your issues and get the results you NEED.
Things To Do
Part of the process of deliverance is “self.” The self, or soul of a captive must be liberated. And, it can only be liberated if the captive is willing to also work out their freedom. At our ministry we effectively give courses and books to help you in your personal road to spiritual recovery. If you desire to learn more about true deliverance, and need deliverance contact us. But, be prepared to put in the work, pay attention and FIGHT.
Zeal can simply mean “fire” or “hot” and fervent. It’s a sort of “sizzle” that you hear when you cook on the stove. We as humans can be naturally passionate. We can have zeal about anything really. Zeal about what we believe, our jobs, our interests. But, what is good zeal, as in the zeal a Christian should have? Let’s look further into this.
The Wrong Kind First
Let’s get out of the way the wrong kind of zeal. The Pharisees had zeal, in fact more than anyone. Saul was a great example of this before his born-again experience. He had more zeal than any Pharisee and persecuted Christians. He was “blameless” in the Law. Saul didn’t make mistakes, always did what was right and knew everything about the Scriptures.
Yet, in all of Saul’s work, zeal, passion, and “fire for God” he fell short of the mark. Why? Because his zeal was not centered on Christ. Out of all that he accomplished he himself “considered it all garbage” basically. This goes for “modern day Pharisees” too. All that church attendance, intense worship, prayers, good deeds, “witnessing” and studying of Scriptures is not true zeal.
True Passion
Our zeal and passion is true is when the Holy Spirit is governing them and directing them for the purpose of lifting up Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It’s when ALL our fervent feelings are directed and led by the Holy Spirit. If you can somehow imagine a radio, the Holy Spirit is the one to “turn up the volume.” However, YOU ARE NOT TOUCHING THE VOLUME. It’s all governed by the Holy Spirit, as He directs everything. We just need to make sure we are “tuned in.”
At times we can think that certain deeds, if done wholeheartedly means we have zeal. But, it may not even be what the Holy Spirit is lusting after. It’s when we are walking fully after the Spirit that true fire and zeal occurs. I like to think of our Pastor Pam’s example when it comes to this. She has “put all her chips in” to the Holy Ghost and is letting Him take over.
The Lord’s Example
Jesus Christ of Nazareth had the zeal of His Father and God “consume Him.” He has left us an example also, of what genuine zeal is. When there were merchants and worldly business people in the temple, He turned over their tables, rebuked them, claiming that the temple is a house of prayer. This is a little instance where we can see the zeal of God consuming Him. His passion for truth was so intense that lies could not abide in His presence, as we see Him proclaiming the truth and destroying the religious deception of the Pharisees.
Jesus understood that with God “you cannot be lukewarm.” You must be zealous-hot or dead-cold. The Spirit of God had all of Jesus Christ’s emotions, fully directed in harmony to the will of God. ALL passion, fervent, zeal, strength, and love was for His Father. There was “no room” for Him to be complacent because He was full of zeal, literally “consumed” by the intensive-passion from His Father.
You can see this zeal also working aggressively to war against the powers of darkness. He was at full throttle and friction against Satan’s kingdom, because of His zeal for God. Every desire Christ had, was every desire His Father had. Every heartbeat He had was a beat for God and His will.
Concluding Thoughts
In short, to compare the “religious zeal” and “Christian zeal” is simple. Religious zeal is passion for recognition, human honor, self-interests, traditions and rituals. Christian zeal is fiery passion for Christ and His labor, truth, walking in the Spirit, and Christ’s honor, so “we are not spit out of His mouth.” This whole process is rather done unconsciously…..
Lukewarm, or not caring is because we are not centered on the Lord’s passions, or maybe haven’t asked God to fashion our desires like His. Since, only the Holy Spirit can lead genuine fire. The fix to being lukewarm is simply “mind the things of the Spirit” and walk in what the Spirit is thinking…
NOT TOMORROW, NOT LATER, BUT NOW. IT’S TIME TO STAND UP. Against what? “Against the methods of the devil, principalities, evil rulers, the darkness of this age, and wicked spirit powers.”
Not Walk, Not Sit, But Stand
“Having done all to stand” STAND! Yes, you must do everything you can to stand. If you are running or walking, STOP AND STAND. If you are sitting, or laying down, GET UP AND STAND. Wherever you are, however you are, whatever you do, do what you must to stand!
When you stand, you must stand IN the power of the Lord Jesus. The power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead. There is no other power we can stand in, and win. We can be victorious brethren! We do not have to be in a position of ground-low defeat. No, we don’t need to be face in the mud beaten. Nor crushed and pressed to a point of spiritual despair. BECAUSE YOU CAN STAND UP IN THE LORD AND IN THE MIGHT OF HIS STRENGTH!
ENOUGH excuses! Rise up, and “PUT ON THE ARMOR” not lacking one piece!
The Fruit Of Resistance Is Retreat
When you hear the word “flee” you can also think of “retreat.” When the evil day dawns on you, the enemy comes with a method. A specific plot, design, and strategy all creatively planned and timed to KNOCK YOU DOWN TO THE GROUND.
When you are “sober and vigilant” you can hear the enemy’s roar and charge. You will sense the plot, sense the method and all the wicked spirit powers approaching in ruthless aggression. RESIST! And, resist. AND RESIST TIL THE END! You must refuse all of it, until there is a “fleeing.” This “flee” is a retreat, a temporary one as the enemy “regroups” for another evil day of slaughter.
Figurative Example
I was currently reading on what made new male prisoners targets for sexual assault. The rapist would often target the “submissive and passive” type, or the “effeminate” type of men. Guys who were more “assertive” and “aggressive” and had an attitude of RESISTANCE were less likely to be targeted. And even if they were attacked they would fight their heart out. Even if it meant terrible defeat, it earns respect among the prison.
THIS IS SIMILAR to how Satan operates. He is looking and targeting souls who are more willing to be passive to his operations, schemes and methods. This does not excuse the resistant ones, because he will come for you too! However, as long as the defensive armor is up it will bring the fruit of retreat because of ACTIVE resistance and vigilance. The problem is not the armor, the strength of the Lord, but US not actively refusing and being made powerful in the Lord.
Never Give Up
We can never give up the “good fight.” Never allow a defeat to tear you down to a point of despair, but rise brethren. Rise from the dust, and brush the dirt of your face. Know, that ALL THE BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD ARE GOING THROUGH TRIALS, AND THE CLOUD OF WITNESS ABOVE WHO WERE BEFORE US HAVE ALL BEEN THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING. And better yet, THE LORD JESUS CHRISTTHE FORERUNNER ALSO WENT THROUGH EVERY TEMPTATION YET KNEW NO SIN!
The devil’s time is short and he is angry and going to bring a special warfare against the saints of these times. We must be sober, we must be ready and watching. UNITED together IN CHRIST to stand against the foe. Therefore, it’s time to stand up!
What is the religious demon? Pastor Pamela Sheppard said this about the religious demon, “The spirit of the Antichrist, is the biblical name for it. It is a fallen angel that imitates God, that masquerades as the Lord or as the Holy Spirit or even as the Father. The whole purpose of this spirit is to kill, steal and destroy your faith in Jesus Christ forever.” She goes on to say, that the spirit of the Antichrist is to get us to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
The Shock
It’s a stunning, but true revelation. The Antichrist is out to get us at all costs, to cut ourselves off from Christ, as extreme as it is…that is his only goal. Pastor Pam goes on to explain how the Antichrist is a fallen angel of rank and has specific demons under his control fitted for this slaughter. He operates at an endless rate to get as many people to accept him as God and deny the true Christ.
This is not just an ordinary falling away or open rejection, but a calculated, persistent order and direction to lead every person away from God. Why the Antichrist is successful at this is because he is disguised “as” God. To say, people being lead by the Antichrist sincerely believe they are following God and never question it. The Antichrist is at constant work of plotting every move, with such advanced strategy so that we take the steps into losing faith.
Every weakness of yours, in fact everything will be used against you by the Antichrist both in the invisible and visible realm. There are opposing forces constantly against your faith in Jesus Christ. All designed to completely kill it.
How Do You Overcome?
We may have all the forces of hell against us, but remember the gates of hades shall not prevail against the Church of Christ no matter what age, time, or powers that come against her. If you have been born-again, know this well. But, this fact does not mean INDIVIDUALLY. As an individual true, you are the Church of Christ, but the Church is to be ONE body of born-again believers dead and alive and soon to be born-again. So, the first step to overcoming the Antichrist is this very concept: BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH TRUE BELIEVERS.
Being united with Christ is to be united with His Body or Church. That is a huge blow to the Antichrist. The Antichrist will first need to isolate you off from others, and get you distant (at heart, mind, spirit, etc.) from other believers. Once this is achieved the operation begins to break lose all kinds of accusations, condemnation, fear, deception, and a “covering” over the mind so that light is not as visible. Once a believer is not as receptive to the truth, the heart becomes hardened and then corruption begins. This only leads a believer to a place of hardships. But, the Antichrist may have everything, but the one thing he does not have is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH.
“Putting on” the Lord Jesus IS how to resist the Antichrist since the True Jesus is the conqueror of the Antichrist. When you “have on” the Lord you have on the very STRENGTH to empower you through the trials of the Antichrist.
How The Antichrist Got Me
I was always intrigued by the supernatural, especially at a young age. At ten years old I was already soothsaying. If I lost one of my stuffed animals or toys, I would throw a stick in the air. Whatever direction it pointed to, that’s were the stuffed animal or toy “would be.” Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. This is more the occult demons at work, however it was only to groom me into the influence of the Antichrist.
Once I had touched everything in the occult by the age of 20, I then realized a lot was wrong with me. I got religious by a supernatural voice telling me to read the Bible. I thought the voice was God, and so I obeyed it and began learning the Bible. Once I read about the occult section in the Law I “became conscious of sin.” From there the Antichrist began to work in me. Accusations, condemnation (not conviction) about my sins that drove me to do religious works. My worship as sincere I was, it was not in spirit or truth and was to the Antichrist indirectly. Although I had dropped the occult, I picked up religion, not to mention I became re-exposed to it once I joined charismatic churches.
To say, I simply turned from evil and into a different form of evil. I’d call it “counterfeit good” evil.
Counterfeit Good
Counterfeit good is how the Antichrist got me. Everything I thought was good, was simply a counterfeit inspired by the spirit of the Antichrist. The healing, guidance, revelations, prayers, signs, wonders, tongues, “fire” and everything in-between was all a supernatural counterfeit good to get me into deception.
Only until the REAL HOLY SPIRIT LEAD ME OUT of this deception of the Antichrist in the church did I begin to have freedom from it. And, not only that but the deception of my salvation which the Holy Spirit lead me out of and then in His timing caused me to be born-again IN TRUTH. BUT THIS DOES NOT EXEMPT ME FROM THE ANTICHRIST.
As of recently, I have experienced a different side of the subtle operation of the Antichrist who was a few steps ahead of me. The Antichrist and Satan cannot use the accusations of my old self and sins any longer like they could before I was born again. But, NOW they use a more “tainted” accusation that gets me feeling defeated, wrong, discouraged, and hopeless. They will quietly (trying to imitate the Holy Spirit) in the form of suggestions tell me what I am doing is wrong (no matter what it is), how I need to “touch not, handle not, do not” so forth. Overtime it made me uneasy, and started to take my peace and freedom. Note, that these accusations also came in a “counterfeit good” but THEY WERE NOT OF GOD!
Why does it matter? Even if the accusation may be somewhat true and may lead to a “good”? BECAUSE THEN I WOULD BE OBEYING THE “CONVICTION” OF THE ANTICHRIST WHICH LEADS TO FURTHER DECEPTION!
Wait It Out!
The best thing to do is wait. Wait to see if things are from God. DO NOT ASSUME that apparent goods are of God, because the enemy can use them just to get you on his command.
I have to be honest to say, that this ministry MAY BE OF THE FEW that actually KNOW how to overcome the Antichrist out of THE ENTIRE INHABITED EARTH. I’d have to estimate that billions, yes billions are already under the influence of the Antichrist and Satan’s occult and religious deception. If you are searching for truth you have come to the right place!
It’s time to declare, “I REFUSE TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ANTICHRIST.” Once I asked the Father to expose the presence of the Antichrist and remove any veil of deception, I COULD SEE the “invisible plots” strategically placed in front of me. ALL DESIGNED to destroy my faith…
TAKE HEART and resist the Antichrist, Satan’s specific wicked agent to destroy the faith of the saints.
We get a glimpse of the spiritual warfare going on by the Apostle Paul’s usual metaphoric language. Of course, there’s much to be said about Ephesians 6:10. But there’s one piece of armor that the Foe wants us to forget (and appears to achieve at doing so at times) while he fires ceaseless arrows from hell…
A Slight Vision
The Wicked One, Satan is the “father of lies” and the “ruler of this world.” He also has 1/3 of the angels who were cast down with him and expelled from heaven. Not to mention evil spirits, the off-spring of fallen angels and humans. All these forces work in a “slaughtering” manner of sinister offense against God’s people. From dusk, to dawn, night and day; they are at work to destroy.
They are armed with weapons, specifically “fiery arrows.” This “fire” is dipped from the pits of the abyss. Scorching hot, and harmful. Note, arrows, the plurality is important. Not, one arrow is fired at you, but many. In fact, multiple at one time, are being flung across the air to shoot you down from your position in Christ. And, these arrows are not shot without care, but diligent precision to strike the target with perfect aim; as if it’d be the most skilled archers known to us.
There is no mercy, no care, no sympathy, but a ceaseless firing of hellish arrows all across the heavenlies all from the Wicked One and his militia. The aim is only to take down the people of God. Destroying the peace they have, the joy they have, the unity they have, the love the have, the zeal they have, and anything good, anything causing harm to their kingdom of darkness is a direct target for a multitude of fiery arrows.
Are You Ignorant Brethren?
When you feel oppressed, suffocated, down and under. When you are not “yourself” or weak. As if, there is a hellish fire of chaos around you that seems unbearable. Or, when you are surrounded and in-conflict, and appear “out numbered” and over-powered. I must ask, “Are you ignorant brethren? Do you not know?” TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH.
Yes! Do not just stand there, and take the arrows of the devil. Don’t just passively allow these satanic arrows to bombard you, your mind or any faculty of yours! Instead of taking the arrows of the “god of this world.” TAKE UP THE ARMOR OF GOD OF HEAVEN: THE SHIELD OF FAITH. Don’t just “take” or “grab” or “hold” the shield. Take “UP” the shield of faith, with the “strength of the Lord and in the might of His power,” “UP”!
Of all the armor there is, this is the one that is ABOVE ALL, as it’s written, “Above all, take up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Wicked One” (Eph. 6:16).
All Means All
This is the power of faith when taken-up, that it is an instant defense against the masses of arrows on fire flung across speedily with precision in the heavenlies. Not one arrow is left aflame. And, do not be doubtful of the shield of faith, because it is an armor of promise, “YE SHALL BE ABLE” says the Apostle, who was a mighty warrior of Christ.
You will have the full assurance of ability to end the burn of the darts from Satan with this shield taken up. I’m sure there is a time at which you remember. A time that you felt near defeat, and overcome. But, then upon your remembering of this blessed shield from the God of Christ, behold: now you are on the attack! For, isn’t the best offense a good defense? And upon this raised solid-plated resilient shield of resistance, the Foe must begin retreat, (as it’s written, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” [James 4:7]) and plan another scheme to cause your shield to be taken-down.
Be Prepared For That Day
Everyday is a wicked day, but there is that “day” of wickedness. A reserved day of planned attack from the Foe. And, when that day comes you must remember the shield of faith, and to take it up.
Discouragement, fear, doubt, oppression, sin, heaviness, bondage, confusion, deceit, temptations, hindrance, stumbling, trials, tribulations, tests, accusations, lies, yes all the darkness, all the wickedness, curled up into evil arrows soaked in tar and set on fire with profuse ammunition, aimed and ready to be strung at the people of God in Christ………ALL OF IT. IS QUENCHED. By God’s shield of faith TAKEN-UP!
Out of all the “isms” why is perfectionism one that can be so frustrating, defeating, and even dangerous? We live in a world with standards that are not of God, but why are we so compelled to think that we must “perfect” what the world demands of us?
The Cause And Issue
Perfectionist often are made to be ones. Often because of being in an environment that demands “perfection.” Which, in most cases is the whole world. Religion, business, work, secular all indeed demand a “perfect” behavior, perfect decisions, perfect understanding, perfect this, that and there! Whether they want to confess that or not…
What then happens, is the person who is in a perfectionism atmosphere and does not understand the truth, they will succumb to the lie of trying to be perfect. Not only that, but also the lie that if you “perfect” those standards, you are “perfect.” Living in this lie of perfectionism in whatever area of life is defeating, simply because the truth always comes around. It comes around to remind us that, “WE ARE NOT PERFECT.” And, then we feel defeated, and continue to drive even more toward perfection. Rather than acknowledge our flaws and continue on humbly, a perfectionist will be consumed by flaws. And this consummation will lead to worry, anxiety, distress, selfish-ambition, deceit, and boasting.
Perfectionism Is An Illusion
The whole concept of being perfect according to the world and religion, is an illusion. Perfect image, behavior, and what not is all an illusion. Jesus Christ of Nazareth was completely perfect to God, and perfected all that God asked of Him. But, what about the world toward Him? They insulted Him, beat Him, betrayed Him, and killed Him. This is to reveal to us, that the world’s standards (religion is part of the world) and ideas of perfection do not align with God’s idea of perfection.
And, indeed even before God we are not perfect, only Christ. And, it’s only by Christ do we have a chance of being “perfect.” When the Scriptures talk about being “perfect” it should be noted NOT as in behavior or image, but as in “whole, complete, full” or “mature.”
Only God can achieve perfection by His work of salvation through Jesus Christ His Son by His Holy Spirit! There’s nothing we can do to be perfect!
Then, How Do We Behave?
The Apostle Paul said, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (2 Co 15:9-10).
If anyone knew anything about imperfection, it was Paul as revealed here. But, he did not have an attitude of despair, anger, or fear for not being perfect, but he humbly moved forward with God’s grace. And this is how it should be for us: the grace of God is greater than our imperfections. And, interestingly it is our imperfections that God uses, because His “strength is made perfect through weakness” (2 Co. 12:9). And, He is the God that, “makes the weak strong” (Hebrews 11:34).
You have the freedom to be yourself, weakness, imperfections in all. That’s how you are to behave. It’s the people who embrace their weaknesses, flaws, imperfections, and mistakes before God, but proceed with Him that are made strong, flaws turned to beauty, imperfections turned into fullness, and mistakes turn into wisdom.
Beware Of Pride
“God resists the proud” (James 4:6). Even those who appear “very kind.” Many times the driving force behind a perfectionist is fear and pride. Pride, working to maintain this “perfect image” of spotless reputation according to false standards. Fear, working to keep the perfectionist in bondage to not be imperfect, or make error, or be seen as flawed.
Know, as we mention before, that God will resist any person with pride. And, the very flaws that you attempt to cover up. All the imperfections you attempt to conceal, are the very things that need exposure. Exposing imperfections is “humbling yourself.” And with that, you will receive grace from God. But, continue to be a perfectionist and you will be resisted by God.
Talk with our ministry about your imperfections, we can help you! All of us are far away from perfectionism. And have been through it ourselves. There’s no shame we have toward you and your imperfections…
In my religious times I was much like how the young Saul was. Zealous, “blameless” or very self-righteous. When I would go to worship, I’d be the one standing out the most. Hands in the air, singing with all my heart, you get the idea. Despite how genuine I was, “My lips were near, but my heart was not.”
Pharisee Hearts
The Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry rebuked the Pharisees and said the prophesy of Isiah was fulfilled because of them. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts is far from Me” (Matt. 15:6-8)
A Pharisee heart or a religious heart is this very concept. Mouths and lips that praise, sing, and boast about God, but hearts that do not know God or draw near to Him. I know this for fact, even in my “sincerity” I did not have a heart that knew God, or was close to Him. I was even the one who would judgmentally observe others and see this very verse be true to others! But, despite what I thought, I didn’t know the reality of my heart in it’s sinful nature.
You Need A New Heart To Be Near
The only way any heart can be near to God is being born-again in Christ. A heart that is in bondage to the fallen-spirit, is still under the power of Satan. It’s a heart “desperately wicked.” Even the apparent “good” the heart may do, it’s still in bondage to deceit and error.
This was why only my lips and mouth during my times as a “Pharisee” could draw near to God. No matter how hard I tried, my heart remained far off.
Self-Praise Motivated
The “God” I knew (which was not really God) and worshiped I truly believed by my efforts I would earn special favor. I did not find this to be true at the time, but now I see. I see, that I really was all about my self. The “God” I zealously served, and everything I did was for MYSELF.
Many people would compliment me, and I would say “Praise God.” Thinking I’d glorify Him, but my heart did not meet those words. Simply, because “God” was not involved, it was ME. So, in all my praise it was all about praising my SELF!
A New Heart Near God
Once the Holy Spirit worked salvation in me by means of the faith of God given to me to believe in the Gospel, I received a new spirit and a new heart. A “heart of flesh” with the Law written on it. I remember first thinking, “I actually KNOW God.” Part of knowing God is being NEAR to Him.
At the Cross is when I truly felt MY SEPARATED DISTANT HEART from God. I didn’t ever realize it until then. My stony heart was HUMBLED!
Are You Near?
Part of the reality check our hearts need is, Are they near to God IN TRUTH? In truth specifically means a heart being made new by means of the rebirth in Christ.
Finding out your hearts true distance before God, is a step to possibly closing that distance. EXAMINE YOUR SALVATION with our ministry, to make sure your heart is in the right place!
The word “cult” has a long-complex history, and it’s sense of terms is highly controversial between scholars. Whenever the world attempts to define truth we should have an instant red-flag go up. And it seems that both the religions of the world, and modern worldly social groups have all defined what a cult is. But, we must object and clearly define and ask, “What is a cult?”
Further Look Into The Definition
The word cult is defined as a “social group.” This social group is considered to have abnormal beliefs and have common interest. In other words they all have one goal, and all share bizarre beliefs. There usually is within a cult an authoritative figure who controls the followers, and has a systematic ritual to bringing in other people into the cult. Cult sizes can be small, but they can also be millions of people.
As you can see, these “terms” of a cult get extremely grey. And, it’s important that we rightfully discern these terms, lest we falsely accuse groups or people being a cult. First of all, let us first discern a cult as a “group” with a “collective false belief.” This is the essence of cult. The leader of a cult is simply a dictator-type figure, and the followers “blind-submissive slaves.” This group works in a functioning harmony of upholding their belief system and serving the leader’s selfish delusion.
False Accusations, True Accusations
It’s very easy for any group of people to be accused of being a cult. Typically because of religious worldly people whose mouth and mind is under the control of Satan, “The Accuser of the Brethren.” These religious “know it all” type will slander any group of people that have a different way of thinking, or different belief system. When, not realizing, that just because people have a different belief does not mean it is wrong or false.
Interestingly, it should be noted that cults are a group of people upholding a false belief or doctrine. With the true definition of a cult, it’s easy to see how the entire church system is a giant cult. It’s a group of people who uphold false doctrines inspired by demons as prophesied in the Scriptures. The biggest indicator of cults and those under the influence of one, is that they refuse to acknowledge their faulty beliefs and heed to the truth.
Personal Experience
I had been in an extremely legalistic cult for nearly six months, and then joined another legalistic cult not as “extreme.” Both cults had members who confessed to me that they (the congregation) were a cult (jokingly) but, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Both cults had an extremely controlling leader who did not know the truth about the Gospel, and submissive followers upholding their false teachings. Cults often have a “mass mentality” that makes it difficult to break free of them. Thankfully, by the grace of God I was delivered out of the church-cult system and into this ministry to receive counsel from my spiritual and psychological abuse.
It should also be noted that both these cult leaders were under delusions. They do not know the truth about both the Gospel, and spiritual matters. And were not willing to fess up to their error. They also used fear to bring others into subjection and had false humility to make them appear “trustworthy.”
Conclusion
To conclude, anytime we examine a social group, or any group of people and start to accuse them of being a cult, we must ask ourselves, “What is a cult?” If there is a group of people who all share a belief that is not in accords with the truth; then it is a cult. Simple as that.
Spiritual Warfare Library of PSM 