Why We Must Not be in a Passive State

1 Peter 5:6-11 WEL So, let yourselves be humbled under God's mighty hand, so he may lift you up at the right time. 7 Cast all your worries on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour. 9 Resist him, [be] immovable in the faith, realizing that the same kind of afflictions are being faced by your brothers who are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will mend you, make you resolute, give you strength, and support you. 11 To him [be] glory and supremacy forever and ever. Amen.

A1 Passivity

B1 Defined

C1 My definition of passivity is a person being in a passive state instead of active state. It is the shutting out mental thought and activity. It is termed “by-passing the brain,” “not using your brain,” “quietness,” “stillness,” “silence,” etc.

C2 It is different than a trance.

D1 Bing dictionary: a half-conscious state characterized by an absence of response to external stimuli, typically as induced by hypnosis or entered by a medium.

D2 Wikipedia: Trance is an abnormal state of wakefulness in which a person is not self-aware and is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli but is nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an aim, or is selectively responsive in following the directions of the person who has induced the trance. Compare: Altered States of Consciousness.

C3 Passive mind: Free Dictionary: Receiving or subjected to an action without responding or initiating an action in return: the mind viewed as a passive receptacle for sensory experience.

B2 Passivity (some more)

C1 Defined: Definition of passive (Source)

1a(1): acted upon by an external agency

(2): receptive to outside impressions or influences

C2 In the spiritual sense: Different than finding a quiet place away from noise and distractions, the silence is referring to a stillness of the mind. (Source) [More information can be found in the pdf: The Silence Quotes by LHTrails]

C3 It goes by various names as contemplative prayer, etc. See here and search for passivity, passive, mysticism, etc.

B3 Dangers

C1 Being deceived

C2 Drifting away from true faith

C3 A change in lifestyle from a Christian to a mystical lifestyle

C4 Direct disobedience to the Holy Spirit:

D1 1 Peter 5:8 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour.

D2 Luke 21:36 GW Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.

D3 Romans 13:11-14 GW You know the times in which we are living. It's time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers. 12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. So we should get rid of the things that belong to the dark and take up the weapons that belong to the light. 13 We should live decently, as people who live in the light of day. Wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, and jealousy cannot be part of our lives. 14 Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your sinful nature.

B4 The Scriptures instructions

C1 Verses on being alert, having an active mind, not bypassing the brain or using any form of contemplative prayer

D1 Bible words showing alertness and vigilance is a must.

E1 H4929 מִשׁמָר mishmar diligence

F1 It means diligence.

F2 It is used 22 times in the OT and usually translated as prison.

G1 Proverbs 4:23 NKJV Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life.

G2 Proverbs 4:23 GW Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.

G3 Proverbs 4:23 NLT - Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

G4 Comment from JFB commentary on this verse: with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character.

G5 Comment from Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse: Keep thy heart with all diligence] "Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray.

G6 Comment from Albert Barnes commentary on this verse: Better, as in the margin, i. e., with more vigilance than men use over anything else. The words that follow carry on the same similitude. The fountains and wells of the East were watched over with special care. The heart is such a fountain, out of it flow the “issues” of life. Shall men let those streams be tainted at the fountain-head?

G7 We have to be alert to be able to guard.

E2 H5341 נָצַר natsar

F1 Keep

F2 It is used 63 times in the OT and as keep as in observe carefully and guard. One must be alert to do these things.

G1 Proverbs 4:6 NRSV Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

G2 Proverbs 23:26 NRSV My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

G3 Jeremiah 31:6 NRSV For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of G3 Ephraim: "Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God."

E3 G1127 - γρηγορεύω grēgoreúō (info below is Strongs).

F1 To keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):—be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).

F2 It is used 23 times in the NT.

G1 Matthew 24:42 Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know what day your Lord is coming!

G2 Matthew 25:13 Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know the day or the hour!

G3 Mark 13:33 Watch out! Be alert, because you do not know when the time is!

G4 Mark 13:34 It is like a man away on a journey, who left his house and gave his slaves authority—to each one his work—and to the doorkeeper he gave orders that he should be on the alert.

G5 Mark 13:35 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or early in the morning—

G6 Mark 13:37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be on the alert!”

G7 Luke 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and 19 serve them.

G8 Luke 21:36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.

G9 Acts 20:31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

G10 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act courageously, be strong.

C11 Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

G12 Colossians 4:2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving,

G13 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then, we must not sleep like the rest, but must be on the alert and be self-controlled.

G14 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

G15 Revelation 3:2 Be on the alert and strengthen the remaining things that are about to die, for I have not found your works completed before my God.

G16 Revelation 3:3 Therefore remember how you have received and heard, and observe it, and repent. If therefore you are not on the alert, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you.

G17 Revelation 16:15 (Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is on the alert and who keeps his clothing, so that he does not walk around naked and they see his shamefulness!)

E4 νήφω nḗphō, G3525

F1 Thayer’s: to be sober; in the N. T. everywhere tropically, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.

F2 It is used 6 times in the NT.

G1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 WEL Therefore, let us not sleep like others do, but let us be alert and be clear headed. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, are drunk at night, 8 But let us who are of the day, be clear headed, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

G2 2 Timothy 4:5 WEL Instead, you need to clear headed in everything, endure troubles, do the work of an evangelist. Make full proof of your ministry.

G3 1 Peter 1:13 WEL Therefore, have your minds constantly ready for action, be clear headed, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revealing of Jesus Christ.

G4 1 Peter 4:7 WEL But the end of everything is near. Therefore be clear headed and attentive in prayer.

G5 1 Peter 5:8 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour.

F3 In summary: the Greek word for be clear headed is G3525 νήφω. Of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet: - be sober, watch. It is used 6 times in the NT. One example: 1 Peter 5:8 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour.

E5 G1864 ἐπαγωνίζομαι epagonizomai

F1 It means to fight for.

F2 It is used one time in the NT.

G1 Jude 1:3 NKJV Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

G2 A person needs to be alert in order to fight.

E6 The Greek word for watch is G991 (Strong’s) βλέπω. A primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively): - behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. It is used 135 times in the NT. One example: Mark 13:32-33 WEL 32 "But, concerning that day and hour, no one knows, no, not even the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, only the Father. 33 "Watch, be alert and pray, for you do not know when that time is.

E7 The Greek word for watch is G69 (Strong’s) ἀγρυπνέω: To be sleepless, that is, keep awake: - watch. It is used 4 times in the NT. One example: Mark 13:32-33 WEL 32 "But, concerning that day and hour, no one knows, no, not even the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, only the Father. 33 "Watch, be alert and pray, for you do not know when that time is.

C2 In summary: All the above clear instruct Christians to be alert, watchful, awake, having your eyes open, etc. These words do not teach an used mind, silence, contemplative prayer, passive states, etc.

A2 Demons Or Unclean Spirits

B1 Hebrew words

C1 Devil (H7700): שֵׁד shêd shade From H7736; a daemon (as malignant): - devil. (Strong’s). It is used 2 times in the OT.

D1 Deuteronomy 32:17 NRSV They sacrificed to demons, not God, to deities they had never known, to new ones recently arrived, whom your ancestors had not feared.

D2 Psalms 106:37 NRSV They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons.

C2 H8163:שָׂעִר שָׂעִיר śâ‛ı̂yr śâ‛ir saw-eer', saw-eer'

From H8175; shaggy; as noun, a he goat; by analogy a faun: - devil, goat, hairy, kid, rough, satyr. (Strong’s). It is used 59 times in the OT.

D1 Leviticus 17:7 NKJV They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

D2 2 Chronicles 11:15 NRSV And had appointed his own priests for the high places, and for the goat-demons, and for the calves that he had made.

C3 אוֹב 'Ôb obe From the same as H1 (apparently through the idea of prattling a father’s name); properly a mumble, that is, a water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar): - bottle, familiar spirit. (Strong’s). It is used 17 times in the OT.

D1 Leviticus 19:31 NKJV 'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

D2 1 Samuel 28:7 NKJV Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, [there is] a woman who is a medium at En Dor.”

B2 Greek words

C1 G1139 δαιμονίζομαι daimonizomai Middle voice from G1142; to be exercised by a daemon: - have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil (-s). (Strong’s). It is used 13 times in the NT. Verse: Matthew 4:24 GW The news about Jesus spread throughout Syria. People brought him everyone who was sick, those who suffered from any kind of disease or pain. They also brought epileptics, those who were paralyzed, and people possessed by demons, and he cured them all.

C2 G1140 δαιμόνιον Daimonion Neuter of a derivative of G1142; a daemonic being; by extension a deity: - devil, god. (Strong’s). It is used 60 times in the NT. Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 GW Hardly! What I am saying is that these sacrifices which people make are made to demons and not to God. I don't want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons. You cannot participate at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons.

C3 G1142 δαίμων Daimōn From δαίω daiō (to distribute fortunes); a demon or super natural spirit (of a bad nature): - devil. (Strong’s). It is used 5 times in the NT. Verse: Revelation 16:14 GW They are spirits of demons that do miracles. These spirits go to the kings of the whole world and gather them for the war on the frightening day of God Almighty.

C2 G1228 διάβολος Diabolos From G1225; a traducer; specifically Satan (compare [H7854]): - false accuser, devil, slanderer. (Strong’s). It is used 38 times in the NT. Verse: Revelation 20:2 GW He overpowered the serpent, that ancient snake, named Devil and Satan. The angel chained up the serpent for 1,000 years.

B3 See 4132 malevolence of demons.

B4 See 4133 possession by demons

B5 See 4135 Jesus Christ’s authority over demons

B6 Some character traits

C1 Evil (Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:9-10).

C2 Intelligent and wise (1 Kings 22:22-24; Acts 16:16).

C3 Powerful (Mark 5:1-18).

C4 They have knowledge (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15).

C5 They have feelings (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7).

C6 They have emotions (Acts 8:7).

C5 Seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1).

A3 4 Conditions of Escape

B1 Not sleeping: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NRSV So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

B2 Being alert: Matthew 24:42-51 NRSV Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. 45 "Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. 51 He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

B3 Be clear headed: 1 Peter 5:8-9 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour. 9 Resist him, [be] immovable in the faith, realizing that the same kind of afflictions are being faced by your brothers who are in the world.

B4 God’s armor:

Ephesians 6:12-18 WEL For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the highest spiritual forces, powers, rulers of darkness of the world, and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. 13 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to resist on that evil day, and after doing everything possible to still stand. 14 Therefore, stand having truth fastened around your loins and having the breastplate of righteousness on, 15 And your feet shod, prepared by the Gospel of peace. 16 Most importantly taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts from the wicked. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 Always be praying in the spirit with all prayer and requests, and be alert in the same with full perseverance and request for all the saints.

C1 Resist

D1 1 Peter 5:8-9 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour. 9 Resist him, [be] immovable in the faith, realizing that the same kind of afflictions are being faced by your brothers who are in the world.

D2 To resist is to stand for the Christian faith in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. 1 Corinthians 15:58 WEL Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch, as you know that your labor in the Lord is not futile.

D3 God gives grace. 2 Timothy 2:1 NRSV You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

D4 God gives wisdom. James 1:5 WEL If any of you lack wisdom, then ask the God, who gives to all profusely and doesn't scold, and it will be given to him.

D5 God gives the strength we need. 2 Corinthians 12:9 WEL He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I would rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ might rest in me.

D6 God forewarned us this would happen. 2 Timothy 3:12 WEL Indeed, all who choose to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

D7 God promises us that He will not leave us. Hebrews 13:5 WEL Let your conduct be without covetousness. Be satisfied with what you have, because he has said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

C2 Stand

D1 Stand has the idea of not just walking around but to stand in the face of opposition, whether mild or fierce.

D2 1 Corinthians 16:13 WEL Be on the alert; be firmly standing in the faith; don't be cowardly; be strong.

C3 Truth

D1 The Bible understands truth to be according to the correspondence theory, that is, reality. An example: John 4:17-18 WEL The woman answered and says, "I have no husband." 18 Jesus says to her, "You answered honestly that you have no husband, for you have had five husbands, and the present one you have is not your husband, you have told the truth in this.

D2 The importance of truth is God wants us to know, so He tells the truth. Otherwise, we will not know what to believe or how to live.

D3 Safety in truth

E1 John 17:17 WEL Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.

E2 Truth keeps us from being deceived.

C4 Righteousness

D1 Righteousness is thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to God’s thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. It is God’s standard. 1 John 2:29 WEL If you know that he is righteous, then know that everyone who is doing righteousness is born of him.

D2 Our Christian life should be a righteous life: 1 Peter 2:24 NRSV He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

D3 We learn this from the NT Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

C5 Gospel

D1 There is only one Gospel from Genesis to Revelation.

D2 We must personally belief God’s Gospel or we will go to eternal conscious torment.

D3 A link to know the Gospel: Are You a Good Person?

C6 Faith

D1 Faith is believing God.

D2 Believing God from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21

D3 Believing God is more important than believing ANY teacher.

C7 Salvation

D1 This is related to the Gospel above.

D2 Ephesians 1:13-14 WEL In whom you also trusted, after you had heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation. In whom, after you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of [God's] purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

C8 Scripture

D1 We must know it.

D2 To know it we must study it.

D3 In studying it, we must believe it.

D4 If we really believe it, we will live it.

C9 Prayer

D1 Prayer is talking to God.

D2 No one can manipulate God. There are no special words, chants, actions that can guarantee the answer we want.

D3 Answers are according to God’s will. 1 John 5:14 WEL This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

D4 Known, unconfessed sin, continuing in sin, etc. will cause prayers to NOT be answered. Psalms 66:18 GNB If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not have listened to me.

A4 Other verses

B1 Genesis 3:15 GW I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other. I will make your descendants and her descendant hostile toward each other. He will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.

B2 2 Corinthians 2:11 11 WEL Fearing that Satan would take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his plans.

B3 Ephesians 4:27 WEL 27 Don't give an opportunity to the devil.

B4 James 4:7-8 WEL 7 Therefore, place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, sinners, and purify [your] hearts, double minded.

B5 1 Peter 5:8 WEL Be clear headed. Be alert, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around seeking whom he can devour.

A5 Days of Praise

October 28, 2018

Satan's Strategic Plan

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

The magnificent book of Genesis sets the foundation for Scripture, revealing the “Roman numerals” upon which the rest of the Bible’s message is built. Apart from the actual events of the creation week, the fall of Adam and Eve, and the subsequent horrific growth of sin and the awful judgment of the Flood, the gospel message would make little sense.

Paul’s warning showcases the importance of Satan’s strategy to ensnare humanity in the same trap. The Devil’s tactics change with time and culture, but the strategy remains the same.

First, Satan always attempts to make us doubt the Word of God (Genesis 3:1). If we question the accuracy, the meaning, the authenticity, the historicity, or any other shade of “all scripture” (2 Timothy 3:16), then we begin edging onto a slippery slope that will only lead to the next stage.

Second, Satan always confronts the doubter with a denial of the Word of God (Genesis 3:4). When one begins to deny the authority, the capability, or the will of God to carry out His Word, the slide into the final phase is inevitable.

Third, Satan ultimately heaps denigration on the Person of God Himself (Genesis 3:5). Once one embraces the thought that the Word of God is not trustworthy and that God either will not or cannot do what He says, it absolutely follows that God is either a liar, a hypocrite, or a capricious and whimsical ogre.

May God protect us from the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). HMM III