Did God Send Evil Spirits?

Sometimes when studying God's Word, the avid Bible student will come across a passage that is more than just difficult to understand. In fact, it may just be downright hard to understand. Sometimes this passage may lead the student to a temporary battle with confusion and questions concerning God and His nature.

Such is the case with passages like Judges 9:23, 1 Kings 22:20-23, 2 Chronicles 18:20-22, and even passages in the New Testament like 2 Thessalonians 2:11 where "God sent a strong delusion, that they might believe a lie". Does this mean that God sends or sent evil spirits to people? Does this mean that God caused or causes people to sin? Don't these things defy the nature of God?

Let us begin by establishing the nature of God. The Lord is holy (Isaiah 6:3), and it is established that he cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Thus, any lying that may be done must be attributed to some other being. As we continue to observe the nature of God we see that he does not tempt man (James 1:13-15). In fact, James gives a rather stern warning not to say that when we are tempted that we are tempted by God. He clarifies the point further by saying that when we are tempted, we are tempted by our own desires. Not only does God not tempt us, he keeps the faithful Christian from being tempted beyond that which they can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). This along should be sufficient to realize that God is not to blame when man falls prey to his temptations.

Let us continue by examining the nature of these passages. In Judges 9 and 1 Kings 22 we see an evil spirit being sent to man. Notice in 1 Kings 22 that in vs. 19 this account is presented from the standpoint of a vision. Wayne Jackson notes that it is "highly symbolic; it is folly to press it as though it were a literal circumstance". He further writes:

"…there is a common idiom in sacred literature by which the permissive will of God is expressed in forceful, active jargon. For example, the Lord is said to have "deceived" His people (Jer. 4:10), or to have given them "statutes that were not good" (Ezek. 20:25). In the New Testament, God is characterized as sending a strong delusion that some might believe a lie and be condemned (2 Thes. 2:11-12).

All of these passages simply indicate that when men are determined to disobey their Maker, He will allow them to follow the base inclination of their own hearts."

All of these things can relate to the type of situation described in Romans 1:18-32. There we read that God "gave them up" or "gave them over" to their iniquity. Surely when man abandons God, the Lord will allow him to suffer from his evil devising.

Examine also briefly the nature of these "spirits". God is the creator of all, and none other is eternal (without beginning or ending, Isa. 45:5-6). These spirits were not created by God as a temptation, because God does not tempt man (cf. James 1:13). God will not tolerate any sin in heaven (Revelation 21:27), and so as beings rebelled against Him (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) they were cast out. Even the devil (who had a beginning, 1 John 3:8) sinned and suffers the same fate. All of these things, and the imagery described in 2 Chronicles 18 point toward the fact that as created beings, these spirits had an opportunity to be obedient to God or to choose rebellion. Many chose disobedience. James writes of the demons that believe and tremble, but are still not obedient to God (Jas. 2:19). The ability to choose is a similarity between us and them. The sad truth is, though, that these beings also have no benefit from Christ's blood (Hebrews 2:16) and no hope of redemption. In making such decisions they become subject to eternal punishment.

From all of these things realize this: God ultimately gives His creation the right to choose obedience or disobedience. Even in the cases where spirits lied, the hearers had an opportunity to choose to heed or flee the lie. In heeding a lie, they fell victim to their own desires based on what they heard. God does not tempt man.

Footnotes:

Jackson, Wayne. Does God Condone Lying?. http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/686-does-god-condone-lying

Winkler, Dan. Angels: The Ministers of Heaven. Pp 20-21. Winkler Publications 2005

 

“Life After People”

I was sitting in my living room trying to make myself sleepy a few nights ago when I saw something that made me wake up instantly. I was channel surfing, and I came across a show on the History Channel titled Life After People. I had heard of the program before, but I hadn't watched it. For anyone who has neither seen nor heard of this program the premise is simple. It explores what would happen to all of the great and wondrous works that humans have built after no humans are left to take care of them. It shows what the world would be like after one week, one month, one year, 10 years, one thousand years, and so on. Why are there no people around? Simple: Because some great and catastrophic event (most likely a disease) has caused all of humankind to be extinct, just like the dinosaurs. This is approached by the "documentary" as inevitable fact.

I want to first notice that there are some things that the program has spot on. There will be a day when no man walks upon the face of the earth. There will be a day when nothing that man has ever built will stand as a testament to him. There will be a day when all of the things that man has devised in this world and for this world will be shown to be fruitless and pointless. Where this "documentary" strays from the truth is in exploring the idea that all of these things will happen on different days.

Does it occur to you that evolution has to have its reverse? If the world came about slowly, and as an accident, then its demise must be slow and agonizing. This program attempts to compare the life and death of the human race with the life and death of the evolutionary idea dinosaurs. We are just another race destined to extinction. In my mind, this type of reasoning also lowers mankind to the level of mere animals. The claim is that we'll die just like they did.

This fallacy is not confined to science. Some, claiming to be Christians have taught similar doctrines. There are some of these ideas that are part of Preteristic doctrine. Those who believe that Christ has already come a second time (they claim his second coming is figurative) and that he will not be coming back as is described in passages such as Matthew 24:36-44, 25:31-46, 2 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, and 2 Peter 3:10-13 subscribe to the same manner of thought. God is not going to destroy the earth. It will just wither away.

Remember what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:17? When the Lord comes to take those who are faithful to Heaven with Him, there will indeed be those who are "alive and remain" on this earth. The implication is that the judgment will happen before mankind is ever "extinct". Peter also handles this issue very plainly and clearly. In 2 Peter 3, Peter wrote to remind Christians (vs. 1) that there will be those who come who question the second coming of Christ and the ensuing and immediate judgment and destruction of the earth. In verse 3 Peter tells them that "scoffers will come", walking "according to their own lusts". What are they scoffing about? Peter says in verse 4 that they are scoffing because "all things continue as they were from the beginning". Where is the promise of Christ's second coming?

In verses 5-7 he wrote this:

"For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

What are you saying Peter? He's saying that just as God created with the power of his own words the earth and the heavens, then destroyed them by his word during the flood, so the world is held and "preserved" now by that same word. In other words, everything in the Universe is held together by that same power: the Power of God. The Christian can rest assured that there will not be some strange, tragic epidemic which destroys all of mankind and leaves this world behind. Peter makes it clear that the earth and all of those things on it are reserved "for fire until the day of judgment". The judgment of man and the destruction of the earth are indeed the same day.

 

 

The Pursuit of Contentment

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

These words are among the most famous contained in the Declaration of Independence. Many people take the final part of the phrase, "the pursuit of Happiness", absolutely and fully to heart. After all, this is a "free" nation, and we have the right to pursue our own happiness, right?

Many pursue happiness in their job. You know that person who just can't seem to keep a job. These people toil along with a job for a while, but they soon tire with it and move onto the next great job. (cf. Matt. 6:19-20). Others pursue happiness in their relationships. Some guys and girls just can't seem to keep a boyfriend or girlfriend. There is always someone else that is better or more fun to be with. Sometimes this pursuit finds its way into marriages. Everyone has the right to be happy, don't they? This is the argument that is used to split many a marriage (cf. Mal. 2:16).

Paul has something interesting to say about the pursuit of happiness. Remember what Paul wrote the church in Philippi?

"…For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:11-13)

Paul could be content. Does anyone remember what it means to be content? The American Heritage Dictionary defines the adjective for of the word as meaning "desiring no more than what one has; satisfied". The noun form of the word is defined as "something contained". One could make a case that being content in its whole refers to appreciating everything that one's life contains at the time.

Look back to the previous text. Remember where Paul was when he wrote this? Paul was imprisoned in Rome (cf. Phil. 1:12-16; Eph 6:20). If anyone was qualified to speak on this matter, it would be an imprisoned Paul. Look closely at what he says, though: he learned to be content. As with most people, impatience may have been a part of his nature. Paul instead fought that tendency, and learned to be content with whatever state he was in.

As Paul worked for the Lord, there were no doubt times that he experienced loss and need (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-28). Despite his station in life, Paul knew how to be content. Paul knew where true strength and contentment came from. It did not come through pursuing happiness on this earth, but rather pursuing God and His will (Matt. 6:33). Paul found his contentment in working for the Lord. How about you?

“Rise Up and Build”

I just finished (well, I guess it was really last week) reading Neal Pollard's book Rise Up and Build. As the name suggests, it was a book about church growth. Or at least that's what I expected it to be. As I read the book, though, I was pleasantly surprised to find out what it really was.

This book is not just a book about growing in numbers but about growing together. There are many ideas and concepts that are brought up in the book that you know you know, and you know you should know, but you may have forgotten. The chapter that had the most impact on me was the chapter titled "Edification" (note: all of the chapter titles are alliterated and start with an "E"… very nice). Of course, one of those things that everyone knows but that sometimes we ignore or forget about is that growth begins from within (Eph. 4:16). If we don't start from within, how can we be teachers (cf. Heb. 5:12-14)?

Another point which I appreciate being handled (and is related to the above) is the difference between swelling and growing. Many congregations (if many of them still qualify as true congregations of the Lord's Church) adopt denominational ideas and practices. Even if they don't explicitly do something that a person could point to and say "AHA! You are erring!" they still have a denominational "feel". They have steered away from complete nutrition (meat and milk) and are on a liquid diet (milk only). Because of this they swell. We want to make sure that we grow. Just like with a bruise, the swelling will eventually go down. But, if a child grows to an adult, they will remain fairly constant in their size.

From a technical standpoint, the chapters are laid out very well. This book could be used for personal study, but is also set up to be used for Bible class. The "Application" section is very useful and helpful, along with the questions that are given to ponder on at the end of each chapter. Overall, I actually got about 20 sermon outline ideas. Not all of them are even related to church growth. Some of them are just plain old good Bible teaching.

I really enjoyed this relatively short read (only took about 3.5 hrs) and liked it enough to give it to one of our elders (reminding him of where the book belonged). I hope that you will pick it up at your local faithful Christian bookstore and read and enjoy it as much as I did.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

Using Multiple Webcams for Live Production

Note: I claim no originality for this idea. I'm simply using this to serve as a reminder of the capabilities of technology. Use it wisely.
I probably should have added a couple more graphics to the mix, but it gets the idea across as is.  I hope to do a little more work with these things and see what the possibilities are and inspire some thought.

Note: I think the battery in my microphone was dying. I apologize for the occaisional high pitched metallic sound heard in the audio track.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/3945937]

Technical Specs (for those who care):

• One Logitech webcam


• One Microsoft webcam


• WebcamMax Software (http://www.webcammax.com)


• Photoshop CS2 was used to create the graphics.


• Video was shot at 320 x 240 and was recorded to Windows Media file (.asf).

Almost…

I tried to see how far I could get reading through the New Testament in one day. I had the crazy hope of making it most of the way through. I spent about 6 hours total reading and made it up to John 11. It seems as though I can't just read… I have to study. More coming on this later.

I will say that this has been a very encouraging thing for me to do. As I said before, there will be more on this particular subject to come.

Kyle Butt and Dan Barker Debate

If you haven't already visited, you can view the debate between Kyle Butt (Apologetics Press, Christian Thiest) and Dan Barker (Christian turned Athiest) over the existence of God. To view it on the AP website go to:
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/240071

I understand that the debate is also available in a much higher quality DVD from Apologetics Press as well.

All Things Work Together...

All Things Work Together

Isn't it "funny" sometimes how things work out? So many in the world today look at the things that take place around them and approach them as though there is some sort of chaos that reigns and that everything that happens amounts to an accident. Sometimes Christians approach life in the same way.

                Think back to the last time that you prayed. What did you pray for? If you are like most, you probably began by being thankful for the things you've been given, being thankful for even the avenue of prayer itself, and then started laying out a list of needs and wants. That same prayer probably ended by asking for the forgiveness of your sins (or maybe even began that way) and closing the prayer in Jesus' name.

                Now, think really hard about that prayer. Were you really thankful for all of the things you said you were thankful for? Sure you were. Were you really asking for forgiveness? Sure you were. It's probably not a stretch in your mind to realize that God appreciated your thanks and has forgiven you. Why, then, is it such a stretch for us sometimes to think that when we pray for God to take care of us that he actually will? Do we not often fall into the same idea that the world has: chaos rules?

                We live in very turbulent times. Our economy is questionable at best and everyone knows of someone who has lost their job. It also seems like every time someone turns on the news they are greeted by a report of some sort of tragic story of a lost life. Things don't just happen in "big cities" anymore. They happen in small towns, like Samson, AL. Isn't it sometimes hard to look at these things and think "God is going to take care of me"?

                I'm reminded by this of a group of people who may have even found themselves in a similar situation. Think back to Matthew 6, the middle of the "Sermon on the Mount". Jesus is standing before a multitude of his followers, and he authoritatively speaks these words which begin in verse 25, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" He continues by describing how God takes care of everything, even the fowls of the air, which we might even consider of little value (vs. 26). Who can do anything more for himself by worrying about tomorrow (vs. 27)? Does God not even "clothe the grass" which we cut (vs. 30)? God knows all of the things that we need (vs. 32)! He concludes this passage in verse 33 by saying this, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

                What is this? This is a promise, from the Son of God, which says that if you seek after Him first, putting all other pursuits behind Him, then "all these things shall be added unto you". What things? The things God knows that we need! Not every want or desire, but our needs. God takes care of His children!

                Now, our blessings are not a gauge by which we measure how righteous we are (cf. Matt 5:45), but it is assurance to those who are obedient to Him that if it be His will they will survive. Think on what Paul wrote in Romans 8:28. Notice who Paul says things work together for: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." What does this mean? It means that there will be sunshine and rain, bad and good, but God is in control and takes care of those who love and are obedient to Him. Things don't just work out... they "work together for good".

 

-Daniel Howell