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)
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.
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.
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
“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
