"Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit
2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2, Amplified Bible)
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(CAPS mine for emphasis)
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to BIND UP and HEAL the brokenhearted, to PROCLAIM liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the OPENING of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2To PROCLAIM the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to COMFORT all who mourn,
3To GRANT [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to GIVE them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3, Amplified)
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, TEACHING in their synagogues, PREACHING the good news of the kingdom and HEALING every disease and sickness." (Matthew 9:35, NIV)
"The blind RECEIVE sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are CURED, the deaf hear, the dead are RAISED, and the good news is PREACHED to the poor." (Matthew 11:5, NIV)
"he SENT THEM out two by two and GAVE THEM AUTHORITY OVER EVIL SPIRITS." (Mark 6:7)
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and SENT THEM two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." (Luke 10:1)
"Go! I am SENDING YOU out like lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:3)
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.' 18 He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have GIVEN YOU AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SNAKES AND SCORPIONS AND TO OVERCOME ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY; NOTHING WILL HARM YOU. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' 21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'" (Luke 10:17-21)
"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25)
"And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros--a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra--a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or HOLD OUT AGAINST IT]." (Matthew 16:18, Amplified)
"...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." (1 John 3:8)
Have we stopped to consider the overwhelming majority of Jesus' ministry was offense, not defense?
Upon Jesus' baptism and His being filled with the Holy Spirit He was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan (Luke 4:1). Once Jesus stood this test, without sin or blemish, the remainder of His ministry (until He allowed His arrest, beating and crucifixion--which was for mankind, not Him)...the remainder of Jesus' ministry was offense, not defense.
"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil". satan was on offense. Was his offense fierce? Must have been. Even as God incarnate, when the temptation was over angels came to Jesus to attend to Him (Matt 4:11).
There is little else in the gospels which suggests Jesus was (or was concerned with being) primarily subject to Satan's offense. When Jesus approached someone with a foul spirit, the demon shrieked. They begged Him not to torture them before the appointed time. (Matthew 8) Jesus simply told them to go. He didn't make a big deal about them. Didn't make a big deal about people's suffering at satan's expense. He simply moved in power, restoring.
Jesus' ministry was power, signs, prophecy, teaching, miracles, healing, deliverance, resurrection and Truth. Jesus went to the people, into the crowd, proactively, and revealed the kingdom of God in power, word and miracles. He and the disciples were on offense, not defense. He dealt with the works of the devil, by simply destroying them with a word or a touch. He did not give any homage or fanfare to satan's crud which He came across. (Know anyone who gets dramatic about satan's attacks? "Oh my gosh, so-n-so is REALLY under attack! Pray for them!") This was not Jesus' attitude or approach, and it should not be ours.
"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (1 John 3:8) It does not say Jesus appeared to withstand the devil's attacks. It doesn't say Jesus appeared to resist, rebuke or oppose Satan's offense.
Ever prayed, or know some who pray, to rebuke the devil and all his schemes? That begs a question for another blog sometime: when did Jesus ever address satan in any prayer? He prayed to the Father "deliver us from evil", and He prayed to the Father "I pray...that You protect them from the evil one" (Jn 17:15). I know someone who addresses satan in most prayers I've heard them pray...and it made me think of this. I didn't think so much about it the first couple of times I heard this person, but when it became so frequent I began to ponder this. Why didn't Jesus rebuke (or even mention) satan in prayer? I don't pose this question as a point of theology, it's just the frequency with which I've heard this it makes me think "are we praying and talking to God, or to satan?"
Satan back on offense
It was not until Jesus' final hours had come that His hands prophetically came down. He had been destroying satan's work powerfully and decisively. Since the end of His temptation, He had been on offense, advancing and revealing God's Kingdom.
When His hour had come, Jesus was no longer on offense. He had taught and said all He was to say...for the moment. He had healed and freed all He was to have healed and freed...for a season. And only a fraction of the things He did were recorded in the gospels. (John 21:25)
It was now time for Him to become the sacrificial Lamb. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.". (Isaiah 53:7)
The Creator of the universe, the One through Whom the universe keeps existing as we know it (Hebrews 1:2-3), the One Who could have spoken a word and called over 80,000 angels to His side...did not.
At the time of suffering and crucifixion, Jesus took what was dealt out. He was taking it...for us. Until then, His ministry since His temptation had been one of offense for God's Kingdom.
Body of Jesus on offense
What percentage of the American Body sits back, comfy in our church pews, enjoying our salvation, so thankful we have it, and wait for the unsaved, wounded and dying to come to us?
Does Christianity involve church activities, and that's pretty much it? Did we somehow stumble into a church, and now that we're in that 'safe haven' are we just to sit there, comfy and secure, warm and blessed?
Is a Christian a disciple of Jesus? If so, are we disciples same as any other disciples who have walked the earth at any time, or is there a different (man-made) classification or qualification of disciple that makes us different than any previous? (And "those who actually saw Jesus" doesn't count. That's irrelevant. If you're of the opinion it's relevant, there's no need to read the rest of this.)
As disciples who are no less (nor more) than any other disciples, the question bids: why are we sitting on our lazy kiesters when we've been given the SAME authority, same Power to plug into that raised the dead (Acts 20:7-12), defied natural circumstances (Acts 28:1-6), healed (Acts 3:1-10)? The list goes on and on and on.
Going On Offense For The Kingdom
First, Jesus wants our hearts before anything else. Specifically, He says to repent. Repent means to change of one's mind for the better, heartily amending one's ways, with abhorrence of past sins.
Let's first realize we can attempt to change ourselves. This is done as an act of our own will to "be better" or "be a better person". We determine within ourselves "darn it, I'm going to change!"
There's a big difference between this versus saying "Jesus, I can't help myself. Change me, Jesus."
If we determine to make this change ourself, the change will be partial and incomplete. The majority of our walk will be struggle and defeat, not victory. We will have a form of godliness but will not be walking in His power.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
Repentance is linked to the first part--deny. None of us has to spend much effort to live a fleshly life in rebellion against God. Doesn't take much at all. We have the choice at any time, any moment, to live according to our flesh (aka sin nature).
I'm not going to address the "take up his cross" phrase in this particular blog. (saving for later)
Jesus also says to follow Him. That's kind of broad. What do you mean by that, Jesus?
"Follow Me." Hmmm. Have we ever stopped to realize that we can do the first two without doing the third? We can deny ourself and take up our cross, but not follow. It happens all the time. Continuously.
We may be denying ourself and sincerely desiring to walk with Jesus. We may even know what taking up our cross is, and be doing so. But if we're not following Jesus then what we're doing doesn't count for beans.
What do you mean? You mean that my living a clean life, according to the precepts of the Bible, striving to live by it, having a decent prayer life and asking forgiveness when I know I've missed the mark is not "it"? How can that be?
These next verses come up pretty frequently in this blog. Matthew 7:21-23.
Did Jesus just say this because He was bored? Had nothing else to say or do? No, He was simply laying out the tenets of the Way.
Many say: accept Jesus, study the Word and develop a prayer life. Do this and you're on the Way.
There is scant teaching on learning to follow Jesus. Yet He emphatically says that unless what we do is of Him and through Him then what we do is useless (John 15:5, Matt 7:19).
Learning to follow Jesus, tangibly and actually in our lives (not theroetically or philosophically in our minds), should become our way of life before going any further in this thread.
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So when we are following Jesus. As we learn to follow Him and are chosen to be His hands and feet through which He moves in power, it's important both our motives and hearts about it stay in check. If we have any self-glory in desiring to be used of the Lord, or any self-glory when used of the Lord, this is absolutely not of Him. There is very specific note of this in Scripture (Acts 8:9-25, Luke 17:10).
Getting back on track. The power of the Gospel. Offense.
"Jesus came...to destroy the works of the devil."
This doesn't read "When the Son of God appeared on earth the devil's work was destroyed", nor "the devil was destroyed". satan's work did not disappear or go away just because Jesus was on earth. The removal of satan's handiwork required Jesus' proactive touch or word for healing, restoration and strengthening to occur.
Colossians 2:15. The power of satan and his hordes was rendered powerless through the cross. Doesn't say "the power and authorities were removed" or "...were thrown into hell".
No, they are still in our midst. The world is under the control of the devil. I raise this point after hearing someone recently say "satan is already defeated". Folks, satan doesn't get thrown into the lake of sulfur until Revelation 20. He is alive and doing much evil in increasing measure all over the globe.
There is a difference between satan's power being rendered powerless and him already being defeated. A difference between his works being destoyed and he being destroyed. To say he (himself) is defeated indicates the battle/engagement/fight/war is over. And it's not...yet.
"We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (1 John 5:19)
"Again, the devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'" (Matthew 4:8-9)
"The world hates me because I testify that what it does is evil" (John 7:7)
"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:19)
Here's the good news. Actually, it's more than good. We as Followers have the authority in the name of Jesus to trample on scorpions and snakes, and to destroy the works of the devil even moreso than Jesus did (John 14:12).
Again, bear in mind that walking in the power of Jesus must coincide with being led by the Holy Spirit.
I spent time with a brother in Jesus last night who was involved in a horrific accident early this year. He was thrown by a man off a 50 foot building. He has a brain injury, a bad back, and either hip can become dislocated at any time.
This brother's heart belongs to Jesus. He loves the Lord deeply and truly. My heart went out to him, and we ended up praying together. As much as in my Christian flesh I would have liked to have seen the Lord heal him on the spot, that was not in the works last night. Can God heal him? Absolutely. Instantly? Absolutely. But it was not to be last night.
As we prayed I did not get a green light from the Holy Spirit about healing last night.. The Spirit did not fall down or lead in power for that purpose. We had great fellowship and prayer time together, and I did anoint him with oil, but his thorn remains at least for a moment.
After we prayed together, we were walking over to another location. He told me of an experience he'd had recently. He was in public somewhere, and a lady came eagerly toward him. As she approached she said "Where have you been? Where have you been?!?" Turns out she was a Follower, and she prayed for him and anointed him with oil, etc.
This brother walks with a stroller/walker with wheels. After this sister prayed for him, she said "You can walk without that now. You don't need it anymore." He appreciated her compassion, her time and her desire for the Lord to work powerfully at that moment, but it didn't happen. Why not? It wasn't God's timing. I guarantee it was not due to a lack of faith in this brother. There was nothing "wrong" with him. There is no unbelief. There is no "hidden sin" that prevented anything.
it is admirable that this sister acknowledges Jesus' ability and power to heal. That's awesome. She's already ahead of the part of the Body that thinks the power of God was for times past, not present. And I'm glad she felt compassion for this brother upon seeing his situation.
What I'm most thankful for is that this brother's faith did not waver one bit. How many thousands have been turned off because of someone whose heart and intentions were in the right place, but whose actions were not by the leading of the Holy Spirit? Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 8:14. My two staple verses.
it's about learning to be led by the Holy Spirit, friends. As I spent time with this brother last night, and heard his story, the compassion and longing for him was strong beyond description. Nothing could have been more glorious than for the Lord to reach down and touch him.
And why wouldn't He? I mean, this man is around many others. Many people know he walks with a stroller walker. They know of his affliction. Wouldn't it absolutely glorify God for this man to be touched? Yep.
Friends, we are called to follow Jesus. He is not called to follow us.
One of the spiritual cancers in America is the Dominion Gospel, where there is teaching that we are to invoke and/or "name and claim" things we want to see, things we want God to do, people we want to see healed...and God and Jesus are to just do it all.
Do what I want, Lord. Make my life content and prosperous. Bless me, Lord. Give me smooth sailing. Make my job enjoyable. Make sure my car runs well. Solve all my family conflict. Make sure there's plenty of food in the cupboard.
Bless my life, Lord, and I praise You and thank You for doing it and making it so. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Friend, you need to get back to the basics of the Lord's prayer. "Not my will, but Yours be done".
I reminded someone of this this past week, their response is "Oh, I know. I know." I saw right through their crap. I exposed their Dominion Gospel for what it is, and they gave lip service to knowing and following the Truth.
Same thing applies to this "Wild At Heart" crud. The Wild At Heart author says man should "live from his deep heart".
Really? How about living according to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit?
This advocacy of this author, for people to live from what's in their heart, without clearly drawing a distinction between the thin line of living a Scripture-based life versus a Scripture-based life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is a recipe for disaster.
There are three sources of thoughts in my head: my flesh, the devil, and the Holy Spirit. How is telling someone "live from your heart" clarifying any distinction between these three? There are plenty already, and here come more Believers who will be living, doing and invoking their own Bible-based flesh into the world. Just like this lady who approached the brother to pray for him and he could throw his walker down.
Is she a Christian? Yes. Mean well? Yes. Love the Lord? Yes. Scripture-based Believer? Yes. Heart go out for this man? Yes. Led by the Holy Spirit? No.
Are you being led by the Holy Spirit, friend? Are you following Jesus...or asking Him to follow you?
Are we hearing the Holy Spirit? Are we learning in increasing measure to distinguish between the Holy Spirit, our own thoughts and the thoughts planted by the enemy?
We may be reading our Bible and striving to live by its principles. When we're faced with a situation, what do we do? Are we to "turn the other cheek", or do we "trample on snakes and scorpions"? The Bible says both of these things. Which is it? "There's a time for peace and a time for war" (Eccl 3). How do I know which to do?
Tune in to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was not just speaking to hear Himself talk when He said:
""I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5, Amplified)
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things..." (John 14:26a)
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears..." (John 16:13)
John said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)
A couple of things I share about the Holy Spirit that you need to know about my background.
I grew up in a dead church. Dead. Full of religion. Full of ritual. At Christmas time Jesus was referred to as "the Christ child". What? That would be like me calling my blood brother "the male who was born before I".
The Holy Spirit was referred to as "one of the mysteries of God". Also commonly heard "that we don't understand" added to that statement.
I grew up not having the faintest clue about the Holy Spirit. He was mentioned as some distant, vague, unknowable entity.
Jesus made no bones about the Holy Spirit. Jesus was quite clear about Him, and more overt than many American churches care to acknowledge.
There is no mystery to the Holy Spirit. If you wish to know Him as you would get to know any other person or friend, you can.
"What father among you, if his son asks for]a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:11-13, Amplified)
One of the most incredible things I come across in talking with other Followers is their fear/hostility/avoidance with regard to the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a GIFT. A gift from God.
Jesus clearly affirms the Holy Spirit is a good gift. The Greek word for "good" He uses also means advantageous.
So, putting this all together: the Holy Spirit is a gift from God that is to our advantage to have. He is not a mystery. He is not something we're incapable of understanding. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to disciples, and He delivers.
Remember this. The Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all gentlemen. They do not dwell where they are not welcome. If they are disbelieved, scorned, yawned at or uninvited, they may show up briefly, but they don't dwell.
This blog may have drifted from its original, but to wrap it all together: we must live by the Holy Spirit's guidance, not our Christian-based flesh or our own Christian-based thoughts, if we are to be the Lord's hands and feet, His offense, in this world.
Trust in, cling to and rely on the Lord. Seek Him. Ask Him for the advantageous gift of the Holy Spirit, that He may guide, lead and teach. If we are to walk in the power of the Spirit (Acts 10 :38), then let us be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
There is mighty Power of the gospel we are called to walk in for the advancing of God's Kingdom. It is not our own. We are simply the conduit through which God does amazing works, to draw people unto Himself, not draw them unto us. This is not a gospel of words or human wisdom, but rather a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:4-5).
"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39
We have the option to be and do for God, or to shrink back. Shrink back into comfort. Shrink back into our cushioned pews. Shrink back into conformity with society. Shrink back into man's opinion.
Shrink back into thinking that things like potluck dinners in the name of Jesus are the "works" He has called us to. Shrink back into thinking that being a Christian means conducting a PR campaign for Jesus, where we're to be admired and liked for being Christians instead of hated (Matthew 10:22, Luke 6:22, John 15:19, John 17:14).
Maybe we need a soul search as to what we're truly called to as followers of Jesus. Apart from the scales over our eyes, as to what our society says our faith and our calling consists of. Apart from what a denomination says. Apart from the opinions we have formed ourselves about God. Aside from the teaching of the Holy Spirit and God's Word which we've received from man (rather than from God).
Let's hit our knees and hear straight from the Holy Spirit. Let's be transformed, as He renews our mind. We will not only be surprised. More importantly we will be empowered by the very hand and heart of God.
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