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THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
The Spirit Of The World :
Paul encourages us not to be conformed to this world — renew your mind. (Romans 12:2)
John reveals how the world seduces us: (1 John 2:16)
The lust of the flesh — consumerism
The lust of the eye — my wants
The pride of life — accomplishments
John reveals that the love of God is not in any of the above. It is a spirit that makes people love the things of the world in order to separate them from the Father. But John warns that all of these will pass away with the world and only those who are in the Father, in Christ, will remain. (1 John 2:15-17)
James warns that whoever becomes a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
Paul told Timothy that Demas, one of his fellow-workers, had left him and the ministry to go after the “world.” (2 Tim. 4:10; Colossians 4:14; Philemon 23)
The Church of Laodicea was boasting of “great worldly accomplishments.”
They claimed to be wealthy rich.
They claimed to have need of nothing.
Jesus saw them: wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked.
The church of Laodicea was seeing itself from a worldly/kingdom of darkness perspective and Jesus was seeing them from a Kingdom of God perspective — two different views — two different kingdoms!
A Spirit Of Entertainment And Stupor And Controlling Spirit :
Throughout time, all cultures have had a form of group relaxation and recreation.
Technology has done great things for humanity, but Satan has also been able to use it to keep people captivated in their own amusement and away from God.
The radio, the movies, TV, the computer, and all new electronic gadgets have the power to keep people constantly in a state of personal gratification and entertainment—minds get disconnected in order to be entertained. This is dangerous because Satan can use his spirit of stupor to completely neutralize your witness and work for the Lord. All Satan does is to lure the person to relax, disconnect from problems, and just be entertained. A mind at rest is just what Satan wants in order to bring his spirits to talk to you.
Controlling Spirits Of Addiction :
Drugs, alcohol, nicotine, gluttony, internet games, gambling, and other types of addictions.
Demonic Control :
Unclean spirit returns to claim its control over a person –(Matt. 12:43-45)
Demonic control over a person — the Gadarene demoniac (Luke 8:29)
The man with an unclean spirit — Mark 1:23-26
Man under the control of a deaf dumb spirit — Mark 9:25-26
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