“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 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. James 5:19
The devil likes to play with words, he manipulates like a fierce attorney. You may not “lose your salvation”, salvation can’t be lost – that’s ridiculous!…..but you can be cut off of from God’s holy family tree (Romans 11:17-23). You can, if you become lukewarm, be spewed out of His mouth (Rev 3:16). If you chose to deny Him, He will deny you before the Father (Matt 10:33). Is it possible for a name to be blotted out of God’s book? (Rev. 3:5,Ps 69:28, Ez 13:9).I would like to give a dire warning of the devils action plan to break you off from the vine while at the same time reassuring you of your salvation in Christ. The devil is always trying to break you down. Those trials you are going through – it’s not other people – it’s a spirit at work behind them.
***I had a vision about 2 years that explained this to me, and I have tried to put it into words so you can understand, I know it’s a long post, I tried to shorten it, but felt it necessary to back up each thing with scripture ***
THINK ABOUT IT:
1- you have an enemy – he works to destroy the hearts of men, to put out the flame of the Holy Spirit within you with attacks, daggers, lies, and anything else that works.
2- a lukewarm Christian is in great danger.
3- Are you following your flesh or the Spirit of God? (Galatians 5)One leads to life, and one leads to death.
4- Who do you really belong to? Do you speak from the world’s viewpoint? Or from God’s view point? Pay attention: “Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:18. 1 John 4:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.Revelation 3:5
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:16
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:2
PAULS Steps of Salvation WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF ACTS:
1-BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST- FAITH
2-CONFESS YOUR SINS AND REPENT
3-TURN BACK TO GOD- He wants you to SEEK HIM
4-BE BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST-WASHING AWAY YOUR SINS
5-PROVE IT BY THE WAY YOU LIVE
6-GET RID OF ALL SIN AND WICKEDNESS
7-WATCH OUT FOR FALSE TEACHERS AND WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Lose salvation? Let me reword this so I can explain this more clearly
The devil has a plan to completely cut you off from God- yes, even after you are saved. And how does he do that? Once you open a door for him to come in, he tries to sever you from the vine- this is in the extreme cases of ongoing sin. You need to watch yourself and be careful not go back to your old ways. You must be a new and transformed person, born again. The devil ultimately wants to cut you off from God – like cutting a branch off a tree and he “up’s his game” by choking out the word of God- just like the scripture says in Matt 13:22 and Mark 4:19. You go to church, you listen and listen, but hear nothing. Nothing is going into your heart. Eventually this chokehold and the strongholds will snuff out the fire of the Holy Spirit in you. You will be dark and like the dead. You trusted all those who told you once saved, always saved, but if you don’t call out to Him for help – you will never return on your own strength. They use your sins to tie you down and hold you captive by trying to destroy your heart for God and ultimately cut you off. They’ve got you tied up- your sins tied to ropes holding you down.
What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart! An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. “He wove my sins into ropes to hitch me to a yoke of captivity. The Lord sapped my strength and turned me over to my enemies; I am helpless in their hands. Proverbs 5:22 Isaiah 5:18 Lamentations 1:14
DON’T OPEN DOORS FOR THE DEVIL TO ENTER
Gen 4:6-7 Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master
– Watch out sin is waiting at your door, it wants to rule you, it wants to be your desire….but you must rule it:
The devil prowls around like a lion to kill steal and destroy- do you think he hears you say the sinners prayer and says “oh well, I guess I can’t try to destroy him”? No!!! He will put every type of temptation before you so you will open up a door for him to come back in – sorcery, horoscopes, witchcraft, adultery, pornography, drugs, or any weakness you had before and more! Doubt, faithlessness, lost trust- these will lead you along the wrong paths. Once the door is open, the action plan begins.
He Sends in the legions:
Wow! Your place was clean and swept clean (that is, your heart, I mean) so the enemy goes and calls in a legion more wicked than the ones who had previously held you captive.
Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man. “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation. Matthew 12:43-45 Luke 11:24-26,Mark 5, Luke 8:30
Their plan is to ultimately break you down. At this point, your salvation is still secure – even through the struggles, trials, and troubles. You must overcome temptation- and the Lord is always there to help you. Here’s where it gets tricky- if you decide to become a slave to your lusts and passions instead of putting God first- the strongholds set in and they soon begin to try to rule and control your life. Strong holds are a pair of demonic hands that wrap themselves around the different outflows of your heart. These outflows determine the course of your life and they also connect believers to the Lord –as if through a vine. The outflow of your heart is similar to our real heart with the chambers and how the blood flows to different parts of our body. So it is with the outflows of the spiritual heart. They outflow into different parts of your life. I saw 7 or 8 in the vision – family, work, life, happiness, etc. Once a demon has control over a part of your life – as an addiction or sin – the hands get wrapped around that one outflow-
The best way I can describe it would be to tie a tight string around a green stem or branch. Eventually the nutrients wouldn’t get though, and if kept there long enough with a stronger pull, the branch would eventually break and die. There’s more…..
Spiritual Heart? Outflows? It’s the WELL within you.
Pay attention to these verses: Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 John 7:38 Luke 12:34 Proverbs 27:19 Psalm 51:17
The outflow of the heart is what flows from the inside of your heart. You see, your heart is like a well. If you put good things in the well, your water will be pure and holy, but if you put wrong things in your well, the water that flows out will be dirty. It’s exactly as King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
What are you putting in your heart? What are you putting in your children’s heart? Everything you do, say, hear, and places you go – goes into your heart and flows out into your life. Are you depositing anger? Bitterness? Unforgivenes? Watching filthy tv? Movies? Whatever you put in your heart will flow out into your life. You must put in the living water (John 4, John 7) – the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ. Fill your well with praises, songs, and scripture – let your mouth only speak things that are true and honorable. Run the race to win. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling! (Phil 2:12)
The devils “Action Plan”
The devil’s action plan from here is this-to keep working on this person with temptations and troubles until they have a pair of strongholds on each outflow your life. If there is a legion who have taken over, the demons stays behind this person just in case a stronghold is broken by the person- let’s say, he finally breaks free from an addiction -then the next demon in line from the legion grabs that outflow and the person is back in bondage. He keeps breaking free, and breaking free – on his own, only to be defeated again and again. This is exactly what happens in the case of addictions. You are dealing with demonic entities and only the Power of God through Jesus can bring true salvation.
I heard the person say “ I can break free from this, I am strong, I can give this up if I want” and I saw the demons behind him laugh and laugh. They knew it wasn’t true. No man can match the strength of the legion in line behind him.
Okay, so now you have these strongholds trying to break you off from God and a legion of demons behind you. You continue to go to church, and struggle privately within yourself. Fear of people – we Christians need to STOP looking down on sinners and help them out! Okay, where was I ….yes, at this point, you struggle, but still have your salvation- you try, you try…now as time goes on…….you may make up your own rules- “well, maybe this is okay, maybe I can keep sinning”, make excuses, hmm…maybe this isn’t a sin- the world says it’s okay, maybe your conscience has even become seared… and the sin begins to rule your life.
Now at this point, the ultimate goal of the enemy is to break the outflow- to squeeze it so tight it actually is broken- like breaking a branch, wait…It’s exactly like breaking a branch. Just like the scriptures said, If God can cut the true family off the tree and graft you in – don’t think your so great or you’ll get chopped off too. Yes, we are tied together with Christ through the outflows of our heart. It connects us to Him. This is what Romans 11:17-23 tells us: “For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either”
IF YOU STOP TRUSTING YOU WILL BE CUT OFF: Romans 11:22
But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. **But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.*** 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.( Let me break this down from the original definition: you must continue in His goodness, in faithfulness and not in unbelief or unfaithfulness.)
I’ve seen and heard of people who were raised as Christians, believed and were saved, but then went the way of the world and now deny that Jesus is the only way. The bible is clear that if we deny Him, he will deny us. The bible is clear that we cannot stop trusting or we will be cut off.
And I will destroy those who used to worship me
but now no longer do.
They no longer ask for the LORD’s guidance
or seek my blessings. Zephaniah 1:6
The Vine
When I talk of these outflows of the heart that go into other parts of your life, they are a vine that flows straight to the Father and through this vine, you are connected to Him. Jesus is the vine. You’re part of a great vine connected together with Him and other Christians. The enemy’s plan is to cut you off- to break your branches/outflows with strongholds so you are ultimately cut off from God.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. . …. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. (John 15) Colossians 2: 18
THE CHOKEHOLD
If the situation gets really bad, there is a demon who is in charge of the chokehold. Or maybe, I wonder, if he’s there before? But I saw this near the end when all the outflows of the heart had a tight grip(on each one I saw the word Stonghold) and each about to break. The person was going to church and trying and trying- but nothing was getting through. He went through all the motions, but there was a pair of demonic hands around his neck stopping each word of God that was supposed to go in His heart. It’s just like the scripture says in the parable of the farmer and the seeds:
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matt 13:3-23, Luke 8, Mark 4. Let’s not forget the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25). They all originally had oil and they all were waiting, but only half left with the groom and the other half was left behind. Don’t forget about the scripture about those who cried out “Lord, Lord, we did this and that for you… and the Lord replied:“Go away, I never knew you”(matt 7)
ENEMY’S PLAN IS ALMOST COMPLETED- THE FINAL BREAK
So far the enemy’s plan is working, the strongholds are in place, the chokehold is not allowing the water of life in, the fire within the heart has now been ultimately snuffed out. Complete darkness. A deep dark and lonely place! If you think you are in this place, you must turn back to the Lord , call on Him and He will rescue you. Ask for prayer! Seek help. You will not be able to conquer this on your own strength!
The end of the vision was the scariest part, the outflows had been broken or cut and the darkness I saw terrified me. The outflows no longer flowed connecting to the Lord- each one had been severed, yet one, in the end of my vision…. I could see one left, barely a thread left, as if a vine had been shredded and there was still a small sliver left. I could see the Lord’s hand reaching down to help this person. I could see his arm stretched out and that He loved this person –as if he were the only his only son!!!! But it was ultimately up to the person – who would he turn to? Would he turn back to God and renew himself? Or would he ultimately cause the last break and cut himself off from God?
Let’s end with a few thoughts:
We are not taking about salvation by works here, nor are we abusing the precious Grace of God. The devil has a plan to knock you and your salvation out. If you don’t watch yourself, you will fall into his trap. It is not by works you are saved, but you better be ready that you don’t go back to your old sinful ways. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Matt 7) Well who can get in????? “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” Mark 10, Matthew 19
If we are always saved, once saved, what’s the point of the bible’s warnings?
Why did Paul bother to keep returning to people to get them back on the right path?
Why did the Lord end the bible with these warnings: Wake up! Come back to you first Love! Turn from your indifference! You tolerate wrong teaching! Repent!
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD
Beware of false teachers, don’t follow them along their road to destruction 2 Peter 2:1
You are saved by God’s grace – and it is not by works Gal 5
If you keep sinning after you know the truth and knowingly continue in sin, there is no longer any sacrifice for these sins. Heb 10:26
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-28
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness matt 7:21-23
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also 1 John 2:19
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Hebrews 6:4
Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. (Warning to Sardis)
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.(Warning to Laodocia)
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6
Warning to Pergamum: But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Warning to Ephesus)
Don’t ever give up! Turn from your wicked ways and come before Him with a repentant heart, call out to Him with fear and trembling. “Dear friends, work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear” For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,Phil 2:12)
When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. Ezekiel 33
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him that heareth say, Come! And let him that is athirst come! And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev 22:17
Dear Lord,
I pray for those suffering through this, may you restore them Lord. Break the binds that have held them down, release the captives and set them free. Protect them from all evil and give them wisdom and understanding. Give them a new heart and renew a right spirit within them. Give them a desire to seek you and love you above all things. Release the prisoners and those who are about to perish. Restore the lost and help us gather them back in. Save us, restore our sight so we can see. Make the path ahead plain for us and bring those who have fallen away -back into your everlasting arms. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen
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