What is reality, when the body is controlled by spirits? Are you doing what you are doing, or is it a spirit that is making you do whatever it is that you are involved in? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? That is until you read the verses.
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. NKJV
According to verse 2 above, there is a spirit at work in the “sons of disobedience,” which is controlled by “the prince of the power of the air.” According to verse 3 above, that spirit is making those who are controlled by it, fulfill the desires of their flesh, and of their mind; their sinful nature. They are by nature, children of wrath.
That’s how the devil controls the world system. Check the following verse before you go away in disbelief.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. NKJV
The whole world is under the sway (influence, power, control) of the wicked one. Imagine that. That’s why the Bible says that our fight is not against flesh and blood. In other words, it’s not the person, but what controls the person.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. NKJV
For example, a gay person is not a problem, but what controls that person is the problem. I didn’t have to use “gay,” I could have used any sin that “leads to death.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. NKJV
Homosexuality is not the only thing on that list. There are a lot of married couples that participate in sodomy these days. That’s just as much of a sin that leads to death, as homosexuality, as well as any sin on that list.
Let us repent and return to the Lord our God. Father in the name of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us for our sins, and deliver us from the spirit of disobedience. Wash us clean with the blood of Jesus Christ, that we may serve You with a clear conscience. Fill us with Your Spirit, and, forgive us for grieving Your Spirit. Lead us into all truth that we may walk in Your ways, and bring glory to Your Holy name. Amen.
What do I mean by “sins that lead to death?” Look back at the verse above. The unrighteous “will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” They can be saved, but they have no inheritance. As it is written, a slave to sin does not abide in the house forever (John 8:35). However, knowing the truth will set us free, sanctify us, and give us an inheritance.
Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. NKJV
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. NKJV
John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV
Faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17), and once we realize that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11), then we will know how important it is for a saved person to continue in the Word of God, after they are saved. The Word itself will work on the inside of those who believe it (1 Thessalonians 2:13); changing them from the inside out.
Do the following passages of scripture give you any insight about how a “brother” can continue in sins that lead to death, and end up not having an inheritance?
1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. NKJV
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. NKJV
According to Ephesians 4:13-14, when we know the scriptures, we cannot be tricked by false doctrines, such as “once saved, always saved.” A person who has been saved, into the Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:12-14), or seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6-8), still has the responsibility to live by faith in order to receive what is promised (Hebrews 10:36-39).
Therefore, the Christian life is not a “say this sinners’ prayer, and then go your own way” type of life. No, saved people have been given the right to share in the inheritance, according to verse 12 below. Know that for yourself, because I have never heard it preached anywhere in the past twenty years.
Colossians 1:12-14 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. NKJV
As it is written in verse 12 above, we have been “qualified” to partake (share) in the inheritance. Those who speak against that are simply liars, and do not know what they are talking about. The difference between a saved person, who continues in sins that lead to death, and a saved person who puts to death the misdeeds of the body through the Holy Spirit, is that those who continue in sins that lead to death, do not have an inheritance.
Ephesians 5:5-7 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. NKJV
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NKJV
Yes I know there are a lot of people out there who preach the exact opposite, and they have all kinds of degrees, and I’m just a high school dropout, so why should you believe me? I have no letter of recommendation from anyone, for you to read, but I speak as the Lord my God has gifted me to speak, and that is in accordance with what is written in the Bible (Jeremiah 23:22).
Test my words for yourself. Those who have not heard, and those who have not rejected God’s Word will see and understand (Romans 15:21). They will hear my words, and know.
False teachers simply measure themselves, by themselves (2 Corinthians 10:12, and therefore, they need each other for approval, but one who is approved by God, never speaks to please men (1 Thessalonians 2:4-5, Luke 6:26). Those who speak to please men, cannot possibly be servants of the Lord (Galatians 1:10, John 7:7).
Jesus Christ delivers us from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13 above), and therefore, He saves us from being “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3 above). We not only have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, but Jesus wants to “redeem us from “every” lawless deed” (verse 14 below).
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. NKJV
Notice that grace itself teaches us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lust, according to verse 11 above. Therefore, grace itself will teach us to deny the desires that we all used to follow, which were brought on by the spirit of disobedience according Ephesians 2:1-3 above.
Therefore, through the grace of God, we can now stop following the spirit of disobedience, which is controlled by the wicked one (1 John 5:19 above), and we can choose to follow the Holy Spirit. In doing so we will put to death the deeds of the body (verse 13 below).
Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV
It may not happen overnight, but that is how all Christians are supposed to be putting to death the deeds of our body. We are going to continue in our faith (Colossians 1:21-23), to the point of being sanctified (made holy) in our conduct.
Does the Bible give us different instructions for different types of sins? No, the same instructions that will deliver the homosexual are the same instructions that will deliver the drunk, or the swindler. If you do not think so, then you have been deceived by a man’s doctrine.
Why was the Apostle Paul sent to the Gentiles (verse 18 below)?
Acts 26:15-18 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ NKJV
Not only should we be preaching the forgiveness of sins, but we should also be preaching about the inheritance! My friend, we can’t get there without allowing ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. Does the following passage of scripture say that we “must” sow to please the Spirit, in order to have “everlasting life,” or is it okay to continue in sins that lead to death?
Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. NKJV
If you would like to learn more about being “Spirit Controlled,” check out chapter 19 of my latest book, “Stop Sinning and Be Healed.” The electronic version is on sale now for $0.99 cents. The iPad, and Mac versions have study questions. If you read on your iPhone, or any phone, try the Kobo App.
If we are going to stop sinning, then we are going to have to allow ourselves to be controlled by the Spirit, to the point of becoming God’s slave.
Romans 6:15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. NKJV
I’m Alan Ballou; a servant. If you have any questions, please contact me.
