DIFFERENT CHAPTER 3 TURNING WORLDLY REBELLION INTO RIGHTEOUS REJECTION

 

DIFFERENT

CHAPTER 3

TURNING WORLDLY REBELLION INTO RIGHTEOUS REJECTION

Matthew 21:12-13 King James Version (KJV)

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

CAPTURED BY THE SPIRIT OF REBELLION

 

 DEARLY BELOVED OF GOD,

There is a menacing change in the atmosphere, full of rebellion against God. REBELLION takes many shapes and forms within individuals, groups, and entities. We can draw upon Satan's rebellion in Heaven to give us the scope, height and depth of rebellion as we have come to know it; for it has reached from Heaven to Earth.  Some know rebellion as a spirit, while others only acknowledge it as a behavior. 

Does it make a difference in how rebellion is perceived and believed to act and interact within the hearts of individuals and society? If we are to cast out a spirit, we need to know how to identify it and drive it from us. Then, again, there are still those people who will be inclined to believe that it is a more cerebral matter which has developed into learned cognitive behavior. In many ways, they are right, but, it doesn't fully explain the origin or root of rebellion. 

As Spiritual Beings and Believers, following the example of Jesus, we know that we must go beyond science and medicine, which are incomplete without including the spiritual laws of probability, cause, effect, certainty, and the guidance of God. Knowledge without God's guidance is blind.

As Believers, of this we can also be certain, God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Nothing can be done without Him and the end shall be determined by Him. Rejection of God and the Spiritual Realm is the beginning of rebellion itself, for, like Satan, it places self above God. 

God has made us in his image. Yet, within God, there is no rebellion. So, where did it come from? Didn't God create the Universe? Yes, but, He separated the Light from the Darkness and He is the Light. So, rebellion and its counterparts, which were not Good, for God is Good, remained in the darkness. Then who or what brings the entity of rebellion to man? If it exists it must have some form to be projected into the atmosphere, transported, or manifested within us. Some thought must materialize it, carry it, and transmit it consistently in a recognizable form for man to possess it. Yet, some say we are born with it as an internal defense mechanism--just another measure and means to protect ourselves. 

Did God create us in His image and have us innately possess rebellion in order to later correct our behavior? But, the Bible doesn't say that, but, some will say that it was left out. Or, did this happen after He had created us, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which then, transmitted and infused a spirit or poison of rebellion, that would be passed down from generation to generation? Then, what matter within us activates this chemical response within us which generates rebellion? 

After eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, without God's direction to guide them in their knowledge, Adam and Eve did what they thought was the best thing for them to do. They covered themselves, hid, lied and projected blame, when they were discovered and their sin was uncovered. Yet, pride had caused them to fall, before they had taken a bite from the fruit. Satan had appealed to their flesh and corrupted it with pride. 

Rebellion is only part of the corruption that grows from the rotting diseased fruit of pride. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil wasn't corrupt and the fruit wasn't corrupt, it was their reasoning for wanting the knowledge and going against God's Will that was corrupt. God knew what they would choose to do with their knowledge without His direction. The Tree of Knowledge produced fruit because it was fruitful, but, the knowledge within the fruit by itself was not fruitful without God's guidance. Thus, the bite from the fruit gave them unguided knowledge to seal their sin and corruption within them with the knowledge to lie and deceive like Satan. 

Satan could have used any number of lies to entice Eve into eating the fruit, but, he chose a lie that would appeal to her weakness, her flesh--her self-image which desired to be like God. Hence, the world is filled with rebellious men and women, fallen to the weakness of the flesh, who believe that with their knowledge and self-wisdom, they can be like God. However, their knowledge is unguided and misdirected, making them blind. This is the age we have created and now live in and Satan thrives in. There are millions of blinded people, attached to their flesh, void of the knowledge of God, led by their pride, and open for Satan to implant thoughts of evil and destruction.

Genesis 3:1-5 King James Version (KJV)

3 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Adam and Eve's desires and aspirations did not line up with the Word of God and what He told them not to do. They attached themselves to their flesh and the world instead of attaching themselves to God.

As spiritual beings we know that our mind follows our heart, which is our spirit, thus, a mind which follows a prideful, hardened heart in darkness will react with rebellion out of rejection of God. The origin of this darkness lies within the spiritual being who was sentenced to darkness by God. Within the darkness, which this spiritual adversary brings to us, is the spiritual essence of rebellion, which cuts off our fruitfulness, bringing negative behaviors that go against the Will of God. 

It occurs when we perceive that there is a threat or clear and present danger to our flesh, our self that is attached to the will and way of the world.  Within this flesh, we claim as our being, we set up our pride to guard our life, which we've attached to our identity, wealth, possessions and livelihood. In resistance to the threat and even in resistance to the principles of God, we react with rebellion. 

God gave Adam and Eve the choice to obey or not to obey to keep them in the Light. It's the same choice He gives to us each day. Jesus said, it's not what you put in your mouth that defiles you. Eating with unclean hands does not defile you. What is in your heart and proceeds out of your mouth defiles you. Do you love God and want to obey and serve Him or do you love yourself and the world more than God? Would you stay in the Light if you didn't have a choice? God wants to know, "Are you with Me? Or, are you part of the rebellion?"

Matthew 15:10-20 King James Version (KJV)

10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

What do we do when the threat against us is evil and unjust? Mustn't we respond to justly protect ourselves? Yes. but, we respond with "Righteous Rejection" directed by God, having a clean heart untainted by fear, hatred, vengeance, vindictiveness, jealousy. prejudice, ignorance, selfishness, control, malice, etc. 

Here...here, we must distinguish between words in order to define the root and route of action. Words have power and they can have power over us, shaping who we are and  who we are to become. A child who is repeatedly called rebellious or a failure can experience self-fulfilling prophesy and become what has been spoken over them, but, hopefully one day come to know God to be delivered from rebellion to live in righteous rejection of sin and evil. Thus, if we are to turn the tables and take the advantage, we must chose our words and reactions carefully, speaking Truth into power to conquer sin, the enemy, and the world.

 

TURNING THE TABLES

After reading about Jesus disrupting the temple, some may only see Jesus as being a hypocrite. Was Jesus being a hypocrite when he had righteous anger and rejection in the temple? What was in His heart as He threw people out of the temple and toppled tables in anger? What was His motive to commit such a violent act intended to cause a violent upheaval? Couldn't He have been more subtle? There was no visible threat to Him. Why didn't He use reason and persuasion? He preached peace and love, but did what appeared to be the opposite.

From our perspective, Jesus' actions appear to be directed directly at the vendors in the temple, for they were the ones thrown out and directly effected by Jesus' actions. However, they were merely agents of darkness. 

Jesus walked and functioned in the Spirit. Jesus' actions were not simply violently expressed emotions. Jesus was overturning the spiritual realm. His wrath was directed at the real enemy and his control over God's people within the sacred temple God intended to be used for prayer--holy communion between He and man. Jesus was literally, turning the tables, taking the advantage, and sending Satan a message of what was to come. There would be no gentle hand or mercy for his rebellion against God. He must be overthrown and cast out, for he has no place with Light.

The rebellion taking place in the world today occurs because people have not been taught about or learned to function spiritually in righteous rejection, or they are incapable of taking such action because they have rejected God. People are being led by the enemy to react upon emotions of fear and hatred and then are being hung out on a limb to dry, having gained nothing, while the enemy prospers.

People have not learned how to "turn the tables." To turn the tables on someone is an old expression pertaining to board games.  A player, who was once at a disadvantage is allowed to gain advantage over their opponent by turning the board around to play from the winning side of the board. 

The path of rebellion travels directly through an individual onto its target to strike in whatever form the individual chooses. Righteous rejection springs from Truth, rejecting that which is false. Truth is God. As Believers possessing the Spirit of God, we reject lies and evil, surrendering our will to follow the Mind of Christ and be directed by God. The table has been turned and we are on the winning side, forever.

Created in God's image, we are Spiritual Beings. Therefore, that within us consists of spiritual matter which has materialized, which is a characteristic of being spiritual. We know this through God who is not bound by the laws of nature as we have been limited to knowing them. God is who and what He chooses to be, even to travel as a cloud by day and fire by night; to walk upon the earth; or to dwell within the tents of the Arch of the Covenant. In His infinite Wisdom, God turns the tables to keep the advantage over the adversary and within His infinite Wisdom we must walk in holiness and righteousness.

Washed in the Blood of Jesus, we are not prisoners of rebellion, nor bound to rebellious behavior or actions. Following the Mind of Christ, we turn the tables and gain the advantage over the adversary.

WORLDLY REBELLION VS RIGHTEOUS REJECTION

When we righteously reject the sin of the world, there is no malice or condemnation in our hearts; for if it were, we have rejected God, replacing Light with darkness. Has God not said that evil has no place with good? 

Can I say that I love my brother as myself and that God be in me, if I force my will upon others through laws? God does not do this to mankind, His own creation. Does God need man-made laws to defend His Word?

Can I say that I love my brother as myself and that God be in me if I allow my brother to thirst or die of disease, when I have withheld all that I could do to help him?

Can I say that I love my brother as myself, when I feel that I am more deserving  or superior to others? -If I feel I must invade or bomb other countries for my benefit, where is God within me? How can I speak or call upon His name? 

Can I say that I love my brother as myself and that God be in me, if I withhold medical care from my brother, allowing him to suffer or die; when, each day, God continues to spare my life? Do I consider that He even has mercy upon my spouse, my children, family, friends, and others whom I care about, or who benefit me?

Can I say that I love my brother as myself when I allow countless people to die from guns because of my own fear and selfishness; when God has said that fear is not of God and those who live by the sword shall indeed die by the sword? Let it be known that the sword is THE HAND OF ETERNAL DEATH. Can I say that I put all of my trust in God and my faith looks up to Thee alone, Oh, God clinging to my guns and weapons?

Can I say that I love my brother as myself, when I seek to control women as if they are objects, even to the point of controlling their body and their will, which God has given freely to man and woman alike, never seeking to control us? Does God need man-made laws to defend His Word?

Can I say I have unconditional love, when I cannot love others because of the choices they have made and feel that I have the right to continuously punish, impugn, judge and condemn them? 

Can I say that I really believe God's Word that He forgives and offers salvation to all?

Can I say that I worship and serve God, when I seek to be Lord over all, using God as a tool to laud myself and exert my authority over His people and His creation? 

If I am filled with corruption or turn my back when I see corruption in order to forward my own agenda, then, I have not only turned my back on the people I am accountable to, but, I have rejected and turned my back on God!

Can I call others murderers, when the words upon my tongue kill, steal, and destroy and are devices of the devil?

Oh, how blinded are they who live within lies creating division, suffering, and death; blinded from seeing that they are tools of Satan. How ignorant of the Power of God and Life within His Kingdom. They have chosen to make the world their home and the grave their eternal bed.

When every word I speak proceeds from a lying heart I have rejected God and I am consumed with darkness. My mind follows my lying heart, thus, my thoughts and actions are conceived in darkness and I work mischief and evil. I cannot serve two masters and bless with one side of my mouth and curse with the other. No. I have rebelled against God. I am not a friend of God. I am an enemy of God and an enemy to His people, open to righteous rejection to those who love Truth; Truth, which is the Almighty God. These offenses God has me repeatedly write, for they trouble Him greatly.

Within abundant and eternal life, we are no longer confused by worldly rebellion which took hold of us and sought to destroy us. We have chosen to live within righteous rejection of a world which does not know God. How does this differ from rebellion? We hunger for Holiness. Yet, our appetite is not like that of ravenous wolves or poisonous snakes. We have no need to kill, steal, and destroy to survive. We do not feed on lies or hide, cloaked behind a veil of darkness to hide our true identity. 

Our rejection is not of people, race, gender, ethnicity, or nation, but, of that which fills them with the plagues of darkness.  We shine our Light and hunger for the presence of God to be felt and lived in others around us and within us continually. We hunger for unconditional love to be the food of justice and humility to be its rightful dessert served with compassion, grace, and mercy; that all laws reflect the character of God living within US and those who create the laws. We are not parading a banner of statehood or patriotism , but, a banner of true righteousness conceived in love for one another and hope for our fellow man; not condemnation; spite or malice; injury; or death.

We righteously reject evil by projecting the image of God. If we truly love our neighbor, we hunger for the presence of Holiness within our Brothers and Sisters and reject that which comes against them to destroy them. We pray for them and set examples for them. We reject darkness through the Word of God, the armour which we wear, and the Truth which we speak. 

Is The Word powerful enough? Does it carry weight? The Word was there in the Beginning. It was spoken and created a Universe. It came down to Earth and defeated darkness. The Word IS Power and God is more than enough. He is ALL AND ALL; in all. Fear cannot come against He who is without fear and carried the sinful weight of the world upon His shoulders. Hatred finds no place with He who is Love. Do you believe?

There is no need to lift up a word against our brother, when we lift up THE WORD of God; for nothing and no one can stand against Him. There is no need to put our faith and trust in guns to defend us. But, wait! Is there never a time to pick up arms to defend ourselves? Yes, God may indeed aid us with weapons to defend ourselves, but, what need does God have to defend His Word? It proves itself as Truth and that it is not without absolute power and authority.

Within those who live and exude unconditional love, righteous rejection of the world and the sin and evil projected within it is not rebellion. As Believers, we have chosen to see the world through God's eyes. What we see may often cause heartache, pain, and sadness, because, we long and hunger to see man embrace the Kingdom of God. 

As others look upon our pain and sorrow, they may fail to realize that there is more to the story than just what they see on the outside. We might be in a period of deliverance, restoration and reconnection. Our righteous rejection may appear to look like rebellion. However, rebellion sets one upon a destructive path of behavior, habits, addictions, violence, hatred and all ill means to destroy, while, righteous rejection leads us down a path to resolution, solvency, peace, love and God. 

Within rebellion, we find that we are at war within ourselves, with no foreseeable end to the battle, even, when the battle appears to have ended, adverse thoughts and behavior remain. Tied to rebellion, we are disconnected from God. Yet, the path of righteous rejection restores peace and keeps one connected to God.

But, wait! Can't we have faults that God allows for some reason? You may have some reason, but, God always has A reason, to keep you humbled and submissive to His Will. Therefore, He may allow something to remain and remind you to be humble and keep you close to Him. Be sure that you are living in righteous rejection and not passive denial that keeps you from completely surrendering your will to God. Then, accept that which He has allowed as a blessing in disguise.

Peace be unto you, my Brothers and Sisters.  Minister to those led by pride and rebellion. Teach the wisdom of righteous rejection of sin and evil. Stay within God's Will.

your servant and soldier, united with the One,

mishael

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SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror

Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the questions below.

DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.

QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog.

1. Can we TEACH people how to bear good fruit? How does the Bible say we come to bear good fruit? John 15:4
2. Is there a difference between an act that was committed because of someone bearing good fruit and the same act done because of learned behavior that elicits a favorable reward, response, or internal feeling?
3. Have you chosen to rebel against something? Do you understand what rebellion is? Who controls rebellion? What is your rebellion based upon? Who will your rebellion benefit? Who will be glorified? What do you plan to do to rebel? Will your actions be fruitful or harmful? Will God be pleased? Is God pleased with our harming ourselves or others? Upon what are you basing your information? Have you been fully informed? Do you truly understand or is your information and knowledge the result of rebellion? How can you become better informed? Do you want to be better informed? Why not? Are you afraid of being DIFFERENT?
4. Have you chosen righteous rejection of sin and evil? Do you understand righteous rejection of sin and evil? Does God try to control us? What is your rejection based upon? Who benefits from your rejection? Who will be glorified? What do you plan to do in your righteous rejection? Will your actions be fruitful or harmful? Will God be pleased? Is God pleased with our harming ourselves or others? Upon what are you basing your information? Have you been fully informed? Do you truly understand or is your information and knowledge the result of rebellion? How can you become better informed? Do you want to be better informed? Why not? Are you afraid of being DIFFERENT?
5. Was Jesus being a hypocrite when he had righteous anger and rejection in the temple? If no, why not?
6. Do you possess a behavior(s) that may have developed because of rebellion (i.e., fear or phobia, smoking, drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity or addiction, lying, stealing, verbal abuse, physical abuse, self mutilation, bulimia, anorexia, adultery, compulsory disorders, vandalism, violence, etc.)?
7. Are you seeking professional help? If not, why?
8. Do you want to be helped? If not, why?
9. Do you see how your behavior is connected to your pride? If not, why?
10. Are you willing to let someone else help you to understand your problem and your pride? If not, why?
11. Do you believe in God and His Word? If not, why?
12. How do your beliefs line up with God's Word?
13. If your beliefs don't align with the Word of God, do you believe that you have rejected God? If not, why? Do you understand that God IS the Word?
14. Do your beliefs coincide with other Believers that you know?
15. How do you feel about Believers who do not agree with you?
16. What do you think needs to happen to Believers or anyone else who doesn't agree with your belief(s)? Whose mind are you following to come to that conclusion? Do you care about the well-being of other people?
    
17. What is the difference between respecting the beliefs of others and understanding their beliefs?
18. Understanding people who have different beliefs does not require us to compromise our own beliefs, but, should empower us to influence and help change flawed beliefs in others. Could it be that some people fear because their own beliefs are flawed?
19. Do you believe that if we follow the Mind of Christ, we will all be on one accord? Why hasn't this happened yet?
20. How do we know when someone is following the Mind of Christ?
    Does there decision bear fruit? Is there love, faith, hope, patience, forgiveness, and other spiritual fruits?
21. Should we make laws that don't bear fruit and/or go against God's gift of freewill?
22. If there is fear and control involved in our decisions, will they solve problems or create further problems?
23. By outlawing God within our schools and public institutions, have we created our own problems of moral decay, injustice, and the need for greater control and protection in society? If NO, why not? If yes, how and in what ways?

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REFERENCED SCRIPTURE

John 15 King James Version (KJV)

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

1 Peter 2:1-10 King James Version (KJV)

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.