'As I look back on all the experiences in my life in which I was enticed by devils and how others have demonstrated being influenced by devils I realize how prevalent this is in our culture today and growing worse.
We live in a culture that hates correction, even persecuting anyone through various means, who does not bow to whatever they wish for us to believe. Self elevation takes priority over God and even over personal human relationships. Many cannot tolerate friends who challenge them to think deeper, they must have bobble headed flying monkeys who do their every bidding while shaking their head in yes movements to validate their god.
The devil has become very clever and covert in his seduction of Christians in our culture. He has made evil things and doctrines appear godly. Even convincing people of things that are against the Bible that are based on how they feel rather than truth.
Sadly a person is more likely to stick with the first thing they heard that made them feel good about themselves. When someone else comes along with scripture to show that it is not Biblical they do not only refuse to listen many actually rage. They do not stop there, they become determined to undermine your character in order to justify refusing to ever listen to you.
I know I have several facebook friends who love the Lord and have encountered vitriolic "Christians" whose basic aim is to be seen as a good person but lack any real allegiance to Christ. They are "religious" people who love to appear spiritual but do not use the Bible, God's Word as their measure of truth.
When Christ is everything to us we will question everything that others say as we pray and search the scripture to verify if it really did come from God. If scripture does not confirm what is said then we reject what was said. We never twist the scripture to fit what we heard or believe what is said simply because we like the person. No human being should be loved above God. When we love God first every person will be subject to evaluation according to God's Word.
We do not evaluate the word of God based on how much we like another human being. If our allegiance is not to Christ first then we have an idol, that being the human being.
Raging is a sign of rebellion and a contentious spirit. Those who badger you again and again after you have stated the truth about the Word of God are not interested in truth, only in appearing to be right.
We must be willing to speak boldly the truth even if it means losing friends who refuse to listen to the Word of God. It always saddens me when a friend does not listen to God's Word, but the loss of someone who despises God's Word never bothers me, it even seems like a relief that I no longer have to contend with a stubborn heart. Jesus Christ never hung around those who rejected His word, He moved on to others who have not yet heard. God is quite capable of bringing new people into the lives of stubborn people, even when they are "Christians."
No human being is the head of the church!
Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."
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