OUT OF THE BOX

A friend of mine read an article encouraging Christians to show love and not condemn those practicing unbiblical lifestyles. The author was correct in making that point, but his article also tended to make Christians feel guilty for believing what we believe and articulating it when we need to. Below is a reprint of an email response I sent to my friend. ---Billy Long TAKING A BIBLICAL STAND ON THE ISSUES A letter to a friend I am sure that you already have the correct posture on the issue and towards those who disagree in belief and practice. You have the correct Biblical belief and I know that you love people in the way the Lord tells us to. So I am pretty sure you have the right attitude. You want to share your belief and you don’t want to condemn anyone. God is the Judge. However, the problem occurring today is that we are accused of a hateful and condemning attitude for simply believing and especially for articulating the Biblical position on homosexuality and other moral issues.

There are many areas where Satan is working in our nation today. Christians usually recognize what is blatantly evil, but they are often naïve, blind, and susceptible to the enemy’s areas of subtle nuances where he craftily sows deceptions to lead a person or a people astray. I am discussing here just a few areas where we see his deceptive activity. His work is insidious. It appears harmless until it is too late to avoid the damage. It works as a snare hidden from view awaiting its chance to entrap. Below is a short list of “the serpent’s” subtle and insidious work. These items will be obvious to those who follow Jesus and believe the Bible to be the word of God. However, the world along with professing Christians who question scripture will not recognize the danger in some of these practices and cultural trends. Here is a list of areas where the devil comes as an angel of light to deceive. YOGA Yoga is the new religion of Hollywood. It seems every other commercial shows someone on a y

YOUR FATHER KNOWS Recently when I was experiencing a particular time of distress, Jesus spoke peace to my heart and mind with the words from Luke 12:30. “Your Father knows that you need these things.” Those words made an immediate impact upon my spirit. “Your Father knows.” We often forget that the eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch over the good and the evil. He sees all. He knows all. He sees me and He knows me. That knowledge, along with His Fatherly love, should give comfort to all of us. Too often we are like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were mourning His death, not recognizing the risen Lord standing before them. He asked why they were so sad. They said to Jesus, “Are you the only one in town who doesn’t know what’s going on?” How often do we feel the same way. It is foolish to think that God does not know. It is also foolish to think that He does not care. JESUS KNOWS THE "ALL" AND THE "EACH." It is true that our Heavenly Fathe

Demons Constrained The demonic realm is real. And its obscurity and limited ability to openly manifest and reveal itself is another evidence of the restraining hand of God. There are spirits everywhere. But why is it they can only show themselves in a limited way? Why not openly show themselves, take charge, and govern directly, and in the daylight? Why do they not simply show themselves and make us their open slaves and release a flood of control, fear, pain, and chaos upon us? Why do they tend to skulk around in the dark? Why are they so hidden? The answer is simple. God has confined them to the realm they are in and has given them limited power of influence and operation. Otherwise, they would visibly show up, command obedience, and do as they please as any tyrant and evil dictator would do. But the goodness, wisdom, and mercy of God is evident in His restraining hand. The powers of darkness are hidden because God has ordained it so. However, They do exercise much power and influenc