Christian Music – slaveofjesuschristdotme

War on Consciousness Pt. 4 – CHARMED

There is a pervasive element within western society that isn’t given the attention that it deserves. This element needs to be addressed, because of the damage that it does to individuals, families, neighborhoods, and society at large. This pervasive element makes strong men weak, and enslaves them. It sets traps for the simple, and then devours them. It manipulates the innocent in order to perverts them. Coming as a friend, while it is actually an enemy, it is a deceiver at heart. Although many times it appears to be benevolent, it is a ravenous wolf in disguise. It gains the trust of the unsuspecting in order to infiltrate their circles. It sows the seed of corruption for the sake of destruction. The pervasive element that needs to be brought to our attention is the “seducing spirit”.

The seducing spirit operates from two positions. One is the position of weakness, and the second is the position of strength. The seducing spirit must start off from the position of weakness in order to gain the position of power. The goal of the seducing spirit is control. Whenever the seducing spirit operates from the position of weakness it usually uses deception, subtly, and appeals to the one’s desires and convictions. Manipulation, and is the best way to operate when one is weaker than one’s opponent, because instead of fighting a battle which one cannot hope to win, it instead, tricks the opponent into believing that both parties are actually on the same side. The result of this deception would be for the opponent to believe the solicitation, which is to either take from the deceiver, what is being offered, or to join forces with the deceiver, being convinced that both parties are on the same side, and therefore, should work toward a common goal. However, the goal of the seducing spirit is never to help, but only to gain control over the opponent.

The control that the seducing spirit desires is that of making the opponent dependent upon the spirit so that the opponent cannot break free from its hold. Whenever this happens, the opponent becomes a slave to the spirit, who is now operating from a position of strength. The spirit has gone from that of a solicitor, to a tyrant. For example: this transition from solicitor, to tyrant can be seen in the Genesis chapter 3 account, which is the fall of man. The serpent comes to Eve, and convinces her that disobeying God, and listening to the serpent instead, is in her best interest. Satan is the serpent, and his goal is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Yet, he isn’t able to do anything to Adam and Eve, because they belong to God. However, Satan knew that if Adam and Eve did not keep God’s law, which was to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would have to die. Therefore, Satan had to work from the position of weakness, as a solicitor, in order to convince Eve to make a decision that would destroy her. The result was for Adam and Eve to become subject to the control of sin, as well as their descents (Romans 5:12). This fall into sin, which was rebellion against God, allowed Satan to become the god of mankind, because whomever one submits to then becomes that one’s slave (Romans 6:16).

Another aspect of the seducing spirit’s solicitation is for the purpose of gaining the love and adoration of the opponent. In this way, the stronger opponent voluntarily submits to the weaker spirit as though it is worthy of honor and adoration. This approach can be extremely difficult to resist when one is deceived by the solicitor, because of the influence the spirit has over the opponent’s conscience, and because it is hard for the opponent to refuse the demands of the one it is in love with. An example of this can be seen in the account of Samson, who had two lovers that committed emotional blackmail against him by crying until he give them vital information that could cause him trouble. Samson’s enemies were too weak to over power or out smart him, so they gained the advantage over him by causing his lovers to play the role of the seducing spirit. This brought Samson to complete ruin and oppression by his enemies, who trapped him, blinded him, enslaved him, and made a mockery of him before their nation, and before their pagan gods.

Whenever a seducing spirit gains the position of tyrant over a person, it plays out in various ways. For Samson, he was physically, and emotionally, enslaved. First he was enslaved by the women he love, and later he was enslaved by the Philistines, which he hated. Because of the effects of the seducing spirit, people should not be naive, but careful in regards to who and what they fall in love with.

The seducing spirit is the enemy, and it comes to steal, kill, and destroy. It comes in many forms, but it is always the enemy. This is always true, whether it is a teacher, pastor, family member, politician, musician, actor, friend, media personality…etc.

The hardest person to turn away from is the one that we’re in love with.

The hardest idol to identify and turn away from is the one that we love and worship.

The hardest false teacher to turn away from is the won that we love and learn from.

The hardest artist to turn away from is the one whose art we love.

The hardest false doctrine to identify and call a lie, is the one that we love.

The hardest worldly philosophy to turn away from is the one that we love.

We are not exempt from seduction, because no one of us is all-knowing and sinless. That is why we put our trust, not in our own moral fiber, but Christ’ righteousness, which is perfect, and never fails. This perfect righteousness of Jesus is what made him a suitable sacrifice for our sins. Not only that, but if we sin, he is also our mediator between us and the Father. Therefore, if we confess our sins, instead of defending ourselves before God and others, he is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Furthermore, we can be sure that we belong to God if we abide in the teachings of Christ through studying, meditating upon, and obeying them. In this way, we will both know the truth, who is Jesus Christ – the Son of God, and will be set free by him. That includes being set free from the sins of the seducing spirit, and its control over our soul.

The seducing spirit is indeed a trap, but thanks be to God, that through Jesus Christ, we can be brought back from the deceiver. In fact, this is the reason that Jesus came into the world; to destroy the works of the ultimate seducer & tyrant, who is that old serpent, the devil, and Satan, who deceives the who world. Satan has brought the whole world into the darkness of deception and sin, but the light has come into the world, and whoever abides in him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Therefore, we all must repent of our sins, turn away from the seducer, who is Satan, and believe Christ’ good news of salvation. If we do not turn from our sins, and put our trust in Christ, we will die in our sins. Yet, everyone who believes in the Son of God has the right to become the children of God, and are set free from sin and the seducing spirits of this world.

John 8
12   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
23   And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24   I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
31   Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32   And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
34   Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35   And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36   If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 1
11   He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12   But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13   Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1John
5   This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6   If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10   If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1John 2
1   My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2   And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3   And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4   He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5   But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6   He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1John 3
3   And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4   Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5   And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6   Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7   Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8   He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9   Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10   In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1John 5
1   Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2   By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3   For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4   For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5   Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
18   We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19   And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20   And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21   Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Authors of Confusion Pt. 11 – The Mainstream Christian Music Industry

What makes mainstream Christian music an author of confusion is the principals on which the industry operates. The principals of Christian living, according to Scripture, and the principals of the world, are not the same, but are opposites. For example: Music is not for Christians to bring to the world, but it is for Christians to use music to worship God, and also to build up believers in their faith.

Ephesians 5
18   And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19   Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20   Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Psalm 98
4   Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5   Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6   With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

However, the mainstream music industry has been using the Christian’s music, for worshiping, God as a means of making mass profits. The industry also perverts worship music to the point of making the lyrics sound no different than love making music for the latest generation of baby-bummers. If that wasn’t bad enough, God, whom the worshiper is singing to, or about, isn’t clearly mentioned or identified as God. Indeed, as worship singers attempt to sing to God, too many times, only result in the worshiper singing about themselves. Instead of God being glorified, the worshiper becomes the object of worship, thus resulting in the same kind of hypocrisy that Jesus condemned the pharisees for engaging in.

Matthew 6
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

The common excuse made for this attempt at making Christian worship music palatable to their mainstream audience is for the sake of communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world through their albums. However, this clearly is not the agenda, because if it was, Jesus Christ, and his gospel of salvation would be communicated in the music. Instead, the Jesus of the “American Dream” is communicated in their music, thus giving the audience the idea that godliness is a means of gain. Furthermore, instead of preaching Christ, they preach the good news of themselves. This is another principal of Scripture that is contradicted, since Christians are taught to be humble, and to give all praise to God, and never to share in his praises as though they too are gods. Nevertheless, even if the intent was to proclaim the gospel of salvation, Scripture teaches that God has assigned the gospel proclamation to preaching, and not singing.

Romans 10
14   How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15   And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16   But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17   So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Corinthians 5
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Romans 12
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

God did not call his church into the entertainment industry, which is of the world. Instead, he has called us out of the world, and has told us not to be lovers of the world, because the lovers of this world are God’s enemies. Satan is the God of this world, and he owns every mainstream industry. He will not compromise with God’s people, whose desire is to glorify God in the arts and entertainment industry. In fact, God calls his church to the standard of holiness, which means to be set apart from the wickedness of the world for the purpose of doing God’s will.

2Corinthians 5
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Hebrews 12
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

1John 2
15   Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16   For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17   And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1John 5
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Just as Christ did not call his church into the mainstream entertainment industry, he also has not called his church to become idols, to be adored and worshiped by anyone. This sin has always been blasphemy before God; starting with Satan.

Acts 10
24   And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25   And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26   But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 14
8   And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9   The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10   Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11   And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12   And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13   Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14   Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15   And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16   Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17   Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18   And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Isaiah 14
12   How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13   For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14   I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15   Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

The mainstream entertainment simply is not the churches calling. This industry leads to gaining the world, and losing one’s soul. Christ calls his church to follow his example of self-denial and persecution for convicting the world of sin righteousness and judgment. Satan uses the music industry to tempt God’s people into getting rich as they entertain the world, that is in need of hearing the gospel of salvation. The entertainment industry renders Christians useless to the kingdom of God, because of the compromise that they are forced to make in order to become rich and famous.

Mark 8
34   And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
36   For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37   Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38   Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Matthew 4
8   Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9   And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10   Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

These compromises can be seem in the Christian artists’ confused sexuality, their promotion of ancient pagan symbols on their albums, clothes, the stage on which they perform, and even in certain hand signs. They are also seen making themselves equal with God, such as on their albums covers or in their lyrics. They can even be seen taking on the characteristics of Satan, such as a liar, murderer, or rebel.

The mainstream arts and entertainment industry, as a whole, is a trap for Christians, and they have no need to be involved in it. It will only corrupt the artist, and those who love them, are led into idolizing them.

Ephesians 5
1   Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2   And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3   But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4   Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5   For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6   Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7   Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8   For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9   (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10   Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11   And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12   For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13   But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14   Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16   Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.