Have you ever wondered if you're really in control of your own life? I'm sure we'd all like to think so. But on the other hand maybe you're not so sure.
For example, maybe you reckon your life to be pretty much at the beck and call of a tyrannical boss. Or perhaps you're under the thumb of a domineering spouse. But it could be that it's not a person at all, but something much less tangible.
For example, you may feel that your life and lifestyle are determined by the size of your bank balance, or restricted by the limitations of your intellectual ability, or simply by the demands of routine family responsibilities. The list can go on and on. Of course, it could be a combination of factors, most of which we consider to be beyond our control.
But can I suggest that behind all these things there's something else, or rather someone else, far more sinister and far more dangerous than any of the above...
SUBTLE SATANIC STRATEGY
If we haven't yet consciously and deliberately put the ordering of our lives into the hands of our Maker, Almighty God, then, though we may not believe it, we're actually in mortal danger. We can be going about our daily living completely oblivious of the fact that we're actually facing the judgement and condemnation of God.
Now at this point I can hear you say, 'Barry, what on earth are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?' Well, can I respectfully yet firmly refute this. On the authority of the Bible, unless we've surrendered control of our lives to Almighty God, we're under the control of Satan, the god of this world, or of this 'age.' …
The god of this age has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.'
2 Corinthians 4:4
Of course at this point you might want to say to me, 'This is rubbish, I'm not under any evil influence. After all, I'm not a murderer or a rapist. I pay my taxes, give to charity and I even believe in the existence of God. I'm a respectable member of society and my lifestyle proves it!' And it's entirely understandable that you believe this. However... '
...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.'
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
GLORIOUS GODLY GRACE
Commonly referred to as the devil, or Satan, he's a past master of deceit, his schemes are subtle, his lies can be believable and he loves to accuse those of us whose aim it is to please God. But his best trick of all is to convince as many of us as possible that he simply doesn't exist! Of course present day Satanists know otherwise, as do the increasing number of witches and devotees of the black arts. But of course the good news is that we don't have to live under his control at all. We can be delivered from the what the Bible calls the 'kingdom of darkness' into the 'kingdom of light' when we call on the risen Lord Jesus Christ who died on the Cross of Calvary to rescue us. But the Lord's 'salvation' won't be forced on us, we must WANT to be rescued, if not, the consequences are unthinkable... '
...how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?'
Hebrews 2:3
As every person belongs to one kingdom or the other... which one applies to you?
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