SPIRITUAL WARFARE

PERSECUTIONS TO DEATH

Part 2 of 3

    WHAT PEOPLE MAY THINK ABOUT YOU
 OR SPEAK AGAINST YOU

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect people will think you lie about this or that. It is written, Mt 9:2-4-AND BEHOLD, THEY BROUGHT TO HIM A MAN SICK OF THE PALSY, LYING ON A BED: AND JESUS SEEING THEIR FAITH SAID UNTO THE SICK OF THE PALSY; SON BE OF GOOD CHEER; THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE. AND, BEHOLD, CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES SAID WITHIN THEMSELVES, THIS MAN BLASPHEMETH. AND JESUS KNOWING THEIR THOUGHTS SAID, WHEREFORE THINK YE EVIL IN YOUR HEARTS? Also ref Lk 5:21.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will think you are doing things by Satan’s power. It is written, Mt 9:32-34-AS THEY WENT OUT, BEHOLD, THEY BROUGHT TO HIM A DUMB MAN POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL. AND WHEN THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT, THE DUMB SPAKE: AND THE MULTITUDES MARVELED, SAYING, IT WAS NEVER SO SEEN IN ISRAEL. BUT THE PHARISEES SAID, HE CASTETH OUT DEVILS THROUGH THE PRINCE OF THE DEVILS.
   Mk 3:22-30-AND THE SCRIBES WHICH CAME DOWN FROM JERUSALEM SAID, HE HATH BEELZEBUB, AND BY THE PRINCE OF THE DEVILS CASTETH HE OUT DEVILS. AND HE CALLED THEM UNTO HIM, AND SAID UNTO THEM IN PARABLES, HOW CAN SATAN CAST OUT SATAN? AND IF A KINGDOM BE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF, THAT KINGDOM CANNOT STAND. AND IF A HOUSE BE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF, THAT HOUSE CANNOT STAND. AND IF SATAN RISE UP AGAINST HIMSELF, AND BE DIVIDED, HE CANNOT STAND BUT HATH AN END. NO MAN CAN ENTER INTO A STRONG MAN’S HOUSE, AND SPOIL HIS GOODS, EXCEPT HE WILL FIRST BIND THE STRONG MAN; AND THEN HE WILL SPOIL HIS HOUSE. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL SINS SHALL BE FORGIVEN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AND BLASPHEMIES WHEREWITH SOEVER THEY SHALL BLASPHEME: BUT HE THAT SHALL BLASPHEME AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST HATH NEVER FORGIVENESS, BUT IS IN DANGER OF ETERNAL DAMNATION: BECAUSE THEY SAID, HE HATH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT.
   Lk 11:15-BUT SOME OF THEM SAID, HE CASTETH OUT DEVILS THROUGH BEELZEBUB THE CHIEF OF THE DEVILS.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will think you have a demon, as it is written, Mk 3:30-BECAUSE THEY SAID, HE HATH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some born-again people will question if you are of God. It is written, Lk 7:20-WHEN THE MEN WERE COME UNTO HIM, THEY SAID, JOHN BAPTIST HATH SENT US UNTO THEE, SAYING, ART THOU HE THAT SHOULD COME? OR LOOK WE FOR ANOTHER?

    Lk 7:39-NOW WHEN THE PHARISEE WHICH HAD BIDDEN HIM SAW IT, HE SPAKE WITHIN HIMSELF, SAYING, THIS MAN, IF HE WERE A PROPHET, WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHO AND WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN THIS IS THAT TOUCHETH HIM; FOR SHE IS A SINNER.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect others to have some very false ideas about you. It is written, Mt 14:1,2-AT THAT TIME HEROD THE TETRARCH HEARD OF THE FAME OF JESUS, AND SAID UNTO HIS SERVANTS, THIS IS JOHN THE BAPTIST; HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD; AND THEREFORE MIGHTY WORKS DO SHOW FORTH THEMSELVES IN HIM.
   Mk 6:14,15-AND KING HEROD HEARD OF HIM; (FOR HIS NAME WAS SPREAD ABROAD:) AND HE SAID, THAT JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND THEREFORE MIGHTY WORKS DO SHOW FORTH THEMSELVES IN HIM. OTHERS SAID, THAT IT IS ELIJAH. AND OTHERS SAID, THAT IT IS A PROPHET, OR AS ONE OF THE PROPHETS. BUT WHEN HEROD HEARD THEREOF, HE SAID, IT IS JOHN, WHOM I HAVE BEHEADED: HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD.
   Mt 16:14-AND THEY SAID, SOME SAY THAT THOU ART JOHN THE BAPTIST; SOME ELIJAH; AND OTHERS JEREMIAH, OR ONE OF THE PROPHETS.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will be positive you said things that you never said. You may have said something, but their ears heard words that never came out of your mouth. People were sure Jesus said things that He never said. Often people do not understand what you may mean, and so they believe you said something entirely different than what you actually said. Satan does have the ability to cause your words to be distorted or changed in the ears of the person that is listening. You may say, "One, two and three," but they may hear, "Four, five and six."
   Mk 15:35,36-AND SOME OF THEM THAT STOOD BY, WHEN THEY HEARD IT, SAID, BEHOLD, HE CALLETH FOR ELIJAH. AND ONE RAN AND FILLED A SPONGE FULL OF VINEGAR, AND PUT IT ON A REED, AND GAVE HIM TO DRINK, SAYING, LET ALONE; LET US SEE WHETHER ELIJAH WILL COME TO TAKE HIM DOWN.
   Mk 14:57,58; 15:29; Jn 2:20,21-AND THERE AROSE CERTAIN, AND BARE FALSE WITNESS AGAINST HIM, SAYING, WE HEARD HIM SAY, I WILL DESTROY THIS TEMPLE THAT IS MADE WITH HANDS, AND WITHIN THREE DAYS I WILL BUILD ANOTHER MADE WITHOUT HANDS. AND THEY THAT PASSED BY RAILED ON HIM, WAGGING THEIR HEADS, AND SAYING, AH, THOU THAT DESTROYEST THE TEMPLE, AND BUILDEST IT IN THREE DAYS. THEN SAID THE JEWS, FORTY AND SIX YEARS WAS THIS TEMPLE IN BUILDING, AND WILT THOU REAR IT UP IN THREE DAYS? BUT HE SPAKE OF THE TEMPLE OF HIS BODY.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people to be angry with you without a cause.
   Lk 15:28-AND HE WAS ANGRY, AND WOULD NOT GO IN: THEREFORE CAME HIS FATHER OUT, AND ENTREATED HIM. A person may be angry with you, because you kill a fatted calf and celebrate the return of someone to Jesus.

WHAT PEOPLE SEEK TO DO TO YOU:

• DESTROY YOU, ACCUSE YOU,

• ENTANGLE YOU IN YOUR WORDS,

• HIDE DECEIT FROM YOU,

• SEEK TO KILL YOU WITHOUT A REASON,

• SEEK TO DELIVER YOU TO THE AUTHORITIES

• SEEK TO ENTANGLE YOU IN YOUR WORDS

• STRIVE WITH YOU ABOUT THE LAW OR BIBLE

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to destroy you, even as they did to Jesus and others. It is written, Mt 2:13-AND WHEN THEY WERE DEPARTED, BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARETH TO JOSEPH IN A DREAM, SAYING, ARISE, AND TAKE THE YOUNG CHILD AND HIS MOTHER, AND FLEE INTO EGYPT, AND BE THOU THERE UNTIL I BRING THEE WORD: FOR HEROD WILL SEEK THE YOUNG CHILD TO DESTROY HIM.
   Mk 11:18-AND THE SCRIBES AND CHIEF PRIESTS HEARD IT, AND SOUGHT HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM: FOR THEY FEARED HIM, BECAUSE ALL THE PEOPLE WAS ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE.
   Mk 6:19-THEREFORE HERODIAS HAD A QUARREL AGAINST HIM, AND WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM; BUT SHE COULD NOT.
   Mk 14:1-AFTER TWO DAYS WAS THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER, AND OF UNLEAVENED BREAD: AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES, SOUGHT HOW THEY MIGHT TAKE HIM BY CRAFT, AND PUT HIM TO DEATH.
   Lk 4:29-AND ROSE UP, AND THRUST HIM OUT OF THE CITY, AND LED HIM UNTO THE BROW OF THE HILL WHEREON THEIR CITY WAS BUILT, THAT THEY MIGHT CAST HIM DOWN HEADLONG.
   Mt 13:25-BUT WHILE MEN SLEPT, HIS ENEMY CAME AND SOWED TARES AMONG THE WHEAT, AND WENT HIS WAY (the enemy seeks to destroy).
   Lk 19:47-AND HE TAUGHT DAILY IN THE TEMPLE. BUT THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES AND THE CHIEF OF THE PEOPLE SOUGHT TO DESTROY HIM.
   Lk 23:22-24-AND HE SAID UNTO THEM THE THIRD TIME, WHY, WHAT EVIL HATH HE DONE? I HAVE FOUND NO CAUSE OF DEATH IN HIM: I WILL THEREFORE CHASTISE HIM, AND LET HIM GO. AND THEY WERE INSTANT WITH LOUD VOICES, REQUIRING THAT HE MIGHT BE CRUCIFIED. AND THE VOICES OF THEM AND OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS PREVAILED. AND PILATE GAVE SENTENCE THAT IT SHOULD BE AS THEY REQUIRED.
   Mt 12:14-THEN THE PHARISEES WENT OUT, AND HELD A COUNCIL AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM.
   Jn 10:10-THE THIEF (Satan) COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to find something to accuse you of. It is written, Mk 3:1-6-AND HE ENTERED AGAIN INTO THE SYNAGOGUE; AND THERE WAS A MAN THERE WHICH HAD A WITHERED HAND. AND THEY WATCHED HIM, WHETHER HE WOULD HEAL HIM ON THE SABBATH DAY; THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM. AND HE SAITH UNTO THE MAN WHICH HAD THE WITHERED HAND, STAND FORTH. AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, IS IT LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH DAYS, OR TO DO EVIL? TO SAVE LIFE, OR TO KILL? BUT THEY HELD THEIR PEACE. AND WHEN HE HAD LOOKED ROUND ABOUT ON THEM WITH ANGER, BEING GRIEVED FOR THE HARDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS, HE SAITH UNTO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND. AND HE STRETCHED IT OUT: AND HIS HAND WAS RESTORED WHOLE AS THE OTHER. AND THE PHARISEES WENT FORTH, AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK COUNSEL WITH THE HERODIANS AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM.
   Jn 8:3-6-AND THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES BROUGHT UNTO HIM A WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY; AND WHEN THEY HAD SET HER IN THE MIDST, THEY SAY UNTO HIM, MASTER, THIS WOMAN WAS TAKEN IN ADULTERY, IN THE VERY ACT. NOW MOSES IN THE LAW COMMANDED US, THAT SUCH SHOULD BE STONED: BUT WHAT SAYEST THOU? THIS THEY SAID, TEMPTING HIM, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO ACCUSE HIM. BUT JESUS STOOPED DOWN, AND WITH HIS FINGER WROTE ON THE GROUND, AS THOUGH HE HEARD THEM NOT.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets their light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to find some reason to deliver you to the authorities. Lk 20:20-AND THEY WATCHED HIM, AND SENT FORTH SPIES, WHICH SHOULD FEIGN THEMSELVES JUST MEN, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HOLD OF HIS WORDS, THAT SO THEY MIGHT DELIVER HIM UNTO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will try to entangle you in your words with trick questions. If they succeed, they can accuse you and discredit you. Be slow to speak, lest your emotions rise, and you speak in haste and make a mistake. It is written, Mt 22:15-22-THEN WENT THE PHARISEES, AND TOOK COUNSEL HOW THEY MIGHT ENTANGLE HIM IN HIS TALK. AND THEY SENT OUT UNTO HIM THEIR DISCIPLES WITH THE HERODIANS, SAYING, MASTER, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART TRUE, AND TEACHEST THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH, NEITHER CAREST THOU FOR ANY MAN: FOR THOU REGARDEST NOT THE PERSON OF MEN. TELL US THEREFORE, WHAT THINKEST THOU? IS IT LAWFUL TO GIVE TRIBUTE UNTO CAESAR, OR NOT? BUT JESUS PERCEIVED THEIR WICKEDNESS, AND SAID, WHY TEMPT YE ME, YE HYPOCRITES? SHOW ME THE TRIBUTE MONEY. AND THEY BROUGHT UNTO HIM A PENNY. AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, WHOSE IS THIS IMAGE AND SUPERSCRIPTION? THEY SAY UNTO HIM, CAESAR’S. THEN SAITH HE UNTO THEM, RENDER THEREFORE UNTO CAESAR THE THINGS WHICH ARE CAESAR’S; AND UNTO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S. WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THESE WORDS, THEY MARVELED, AND LEFT HIM, AND WENT THEIR WAY.
   Mt 19:3-THE PHARISEES ALSO CAME UNTO HIM, TEMPTING HIM, AND SAYING UNTO HIM, IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO PUT AWAY HIS WIFE FOR EVERY CAUSE?
   Mk 10:2-9-AND THE PHARISEES CAME TO HIM, AND ASKED HIM, IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO PUT AWAY HIS WIFE? TEMPTING HIM. AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, WHAT DID MOSES COMMAND YOU? AND THEY SAID, MOSES SUFFERED TO WRITE A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT, AND TO PUT HER AWAY. AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, FOR THE HARDNESS OF YOUR HEART HE WROTE YOU THIS PRECEPT. BUT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION GOD MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. FOR THIS CAUSE SHALL A MAN LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THEY TWAIN SHALL BE ONE FLESH: SO THEN THEY ARE NO MORE TWAIN, BUT ONE FLESH. WHAT THEREFORE GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER.
   The religious leaders tried to create a question to prove Jesus was wrong. As it is written, Mt 22:23-33-THE SAME DAY CAME TO HIM THE SADDUCEES, WHICH SAY THAT THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, AND ASKED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, MOSES SAID, IF A MAN DIE, HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND RAISE UP SEED UNTO HIS BROTHER. NOW THERE WERE WITH US SEVEN BRETHREN: AND THE FIRST, WHEN HE HAD MARRIED A WIFE, DECEASED, AND, HAVING NO ISSUE, LEFT HIS WIFE UNTO HIS BROTHER: LIKEWISE THE SECOND ALSO, AND THE THIRD, UNTO THE SEVENTH. AND LAST OF ALL THE WOMAN DIED ALSO. THEREFORE IN THE RESURRECTION, WHOSE WIFE SHALL SHE BE OF THE SEVEN? FOR THEY ALL HAD HER. JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, YE DO ERR, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD. FOR IN THE RESURRECTION THEY NEITHER MARRY, NOR ARE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE, BUT ARE AS THE ANGELS OF GOD IN HEAVEN. BUT AS TOUCHING THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, HAVE YE NOT READ THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN UNTO YOU BY GOD, SAYING, I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB? GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING. AND WHEN THE MULTITUDE HEARD THIS, THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE. Also ref Mk 12:18-27; Lk 20:27-38. Mk 12:27-YE THEREFORE DO GREATLY ERR.
   Mt 22:35-40-THEN ONE OF THEM, WHICH WAS A LAWYER, ASKED HIM A QUESTION, TEMPTING HIM, AND SAYING, MASTER, WHICH IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW? JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT. AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
   Mk 12:28-AND ONE OF THE SCRIBES CAME, AND HAVING HEARD THEM REASONING TOGETHER, AND PERCEIVING THAT HE HAD ANSWERED THEM WELL, ASKED HIM, WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF ALL?
   Lk 11:54-LAYING WAIT FOR HIM, AND SEEKING TO CATCH SOMETHING OUT OF HIS MOUTH, THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to provoke you in some way. It is written, Lk 11:53-AND AS HE SAID THESE THINGS UNTO THEM, THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES BEGAN TO URGE HIM VEHEMENTLY, AND TO PROVOKE HIM TO SPEAK OF MANY THINGS.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to hide their deceitful ways and schemes from you. As it is written, Mt 26:25-THEN JUDAS, WHICH BETRAYED HIM, ANSWERED AND SAID, MASTER, IS IT I? HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU HAST SAID.
   Mt 22:16-AND THEY SENT OUT UNTO HIM THEIR DISCIPLES WITH THE HERODIANS, SAYING, MASTER, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART TRUE, AND TEACHEST THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH, NEITHER CAREST THOU FOR ANY MAN: FOR THOU REGARDEST NOT THE PERSON OF MEN. They thought that they could trick Jesus into making a mistake by making out that they were followers and believers in Jesus.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect wicked people will watch you with evil intent. It is written, Lk 20:20-AND THEY WATCHED HIM, AND SENT FORTH SPIES, WHICH SHOULD FEIGN THEMSELVES JUST MEN, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HOLD OF HIS WORDS, THAT SO THEY MIGHT DELIVER HIM UNTO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR. (Also see Ps 37:32.)
   Jn 8:59-THEN TOOK THEY UP STONES TO CAST AT HIM: BUT JESUS HID HIMSELF, AND WENT OUT OF THE TEMPLE, GOING THROUGH THE MIDST OF THEM, AND SO PASSED BY.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will seek to arrest you. As it is written, Jn 7:32-THE PHARISEES HEARD THAT THE PEOPLE MURMURED SUCH THINGS CONCERNING HIM; AND THE PHARISEES AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS SENT OFFICERS TO TAKE HIM.
   Jn 11:57-NOW BOTH THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES HAD GIVEN A COMMANDMENT, THAT, IF ANY MAN KNEW WHERE HE WERE, HE SHOULD SHOW IT, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HIM.
    Jn 7:30-THEN THEY SOUGHT TO TAKE HIM: BUT NO MAN LAID HANDS ON HIM, BECAUSE HIS HOUR WAS NOT YET COME.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect to suffer in various ways. As it is written, Mt 16:21-FROM THAT TIME FORTH BEGAN JESUS TO SHOW UNTO HIS DISCIPLES, HOW THAT HE MUST GO UNTO JERUSALEM, AND SUFFER MANY THINGS OF THE ELDERS AND CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES, AND BE KILLED, AND BE RAISED AGAIN THE THIRD DAY.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will despise (or think against, or not esteem) you, even though the Bible warns them not to do this. It is written, Mt 18:10-TAKE HEED THAT YE DESPISE NOT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES. And again in Lk 10:16, Jesus said, HE THAT DESPISETH YOU DESPISETH ME.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people will sin against you. However, as a follower of Jesus, you are to forgive them. It is written, Mt 18:21-THEN CAME PETER TO HIM, AND SAID, LORD, HOW OFT SHALL MY BROTHER SIN AGAINST ME, AND I FORGIVE HIM? TILL SEVEN TIMES?
   Mt 18:22-JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I SAY NOT UNTO THEE, UNTIL SEVEN TIMES: BUT, UNTIL SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect some people to murmur and complain against you and what you do. It is written, Mt 20:1-16-FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A MAN THAT IS AN HOUSEHOLDER, WHICH WENT OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING TO HIRE LABOURERS INTO HIS VINEYARD. AND WHEN HE HAD AGREED WITH THE LABOURERS FOR A PENNY A DAY, HE SENT THEM INTO HIS VINEYARD. AND HE WENT OUT ABOUT THE THIRD HOUR, AND SAW OTHERS STANDING IDLE IN THE MARKET PLACE, AND SAID UNTO THEM; GO YE ALSO INTO THE VINEYARD, AND WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT I WILL GIVE YOU. AND THEY WENT THEIR WAY. AGAIN HE WENT OUT ABOUT THE SIXTH AND NINTH HOUR, AND DID LIKEWISE. AND ABOUT THE ELEVENTH HOUR HE WENT OUT, AND FOUND OTHERS STANDING IDLE, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, WHY STAND YE HERE ALL THE DAY IDLE? THEY SAY UNTO HIM, BECAUSE NO MAN HATH HIRED US. HE SAITH UNTO THEM, GO YE ALSO INTO THE VINEYARD; AND WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT, THAT SHALL YE RECEIVE. SO WHEN EVEN WAS COME, THE LORD OF THE VINEYARD SAITH UNTO HIS STEWARD, CALL THE LABOURERS, AND GIVE THEM THEIR HIRE, BEGINNING FROM THE LAST UNTO THE FIRST. AND WHEN THEY CAME THAT WERE HIRED ABOUT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, THEY RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY. BUT WHEN THE FIRST CAME, THEY SUPPOSED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MORE; AND THEY LIKEWISE RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY. AND WHEN THEY HAD RECEIVED IT, THEY MURMURED AGAINST THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE, SAYING, THESE LAST HAVE WROUGHT BUT ONE HOUR, AND THOU HAST MADE THEM EQUAL UNTO US, WHICH HAVE BORNE THE BURDEN AND HEAT OF THE DAY. BUT HE ANSWERED ONE OF THEM, AND SAID, FRIEND, I DO THEE NO WRONG: DIDST NOT THOU AGREE WITH ME FOR A PENNY? TAKE THAT THINE IS, AND GO THY WAY: I WILL GIVE UNTO THIS LAST, EVEN AS UNTO THEE. IS IT NOT LAWFUL FOR ME TO DO WHAT I WILL WITH MINE OWN? IS THINE EYE EVIL, BECAUSE I AM GOOD? SO THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST: FOR MANY BE CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to be tempted in various ways to turn you from following Jesus. It is written, Lk 8:13-THEY ON THE ROCK ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HEAR, RECEIVE THE WORD WITH JOY; AND THESE HAVE NO ROOT, WHICH FOR A WHILE BELIEVE, AND IN TIME OF TEMPTATION FALL AWAY.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to be persecuted in various ways to try to turn you from following Jesus. It is written, Mk 4:17-AND HAVE NO ROOT IN THEMSELVES, AND SO ENDURE BUT FOR A TIME: AFTERWARD, WHEN AFFLICTION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH FOR THE WORD’S SAKE, IMMEDIATELY THEY ARE OFFENDED.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to go through certain afflictions to try to turn you from following Jesus. It is written, Mk 4:17-AND HAVE NO ROOT IN THEMSELVES, AND SO ENDURE BUT FOR A TIME: AFTERWARD, WHEN AFFLICTION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH FOR THE WORD’S SAKE, IMMEDIATELY THEY ARE OFFENDED.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect all sorts of "cares of this world" to come upon you. This is often to test your faith to see if you will put Jesus first, or the cares of this world first. Which is more important to you? The purpose of these temptations that Satan often brings is to try to turn you from following Jesus. If your faith is founded upon Jesus and obedience to God’s Word, you will continue to follow Jesus. Doing God’s will will come first. However, if your faith is not genuine, you will follow the cares of this world, and following and obeying Jesus will come last. It is written, Mk 4:19-AND THE CARES OF THIS WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, AND THE LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS ENTERING IN, CHOKE THE WORD, AND IT BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL.
   Lk 10:39-42-AND SHE (Martha) HAD A SISTER CALLED MARY, WHICH ALSO SAT AT JESUS’ FEET, AND HEARD HIS WORD. BUT MARTHA WAS CUMBERED ABOUT MUCH SERVING, AND CAME TO HIM, AND SAID, LORD, DOST THOU NOT CARE THAT MY SISTER HATH LEFT ME TO SERVE ALONE? BID HER THEREFORE THAT SHE HELP ME. AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER, MARTHA, MARTHA, THOU ART CAREFUL AND TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS: BUT ONE THING IS NEEDFUL; AND MARY HATH CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART, WHICH SHALL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER. Martha appeared to be worried about many things. She even tried to pull Mary away from hearing God’s Word, but Jesus plainly told her that she was wrong. Being in the Word is far more important than any other thing. Without God’s Word, faith can be expected to fail, for faith comes by the Word of God. Mary’s priorities were right; Martha’s priorities were wrong.
   Lk 21:34-AND TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES, LEST AT ANY TIME YOUR HEARTS BE OVERCHARGED WITH…CARES OF THIS LIFE, AND SO THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES. This is a warning, that the return of Jesus can come unexpectedly to those people who allow the cares of this life to "overcome" them. They will not be ready for the Rapture when the trumpet blows. They can expect to be left behind to face the horrible Tribulation.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to be tempted with the deceitfulness of riches in various ways to try to turn you from following Jesus. It is written, Mk 4:19-AND THE CARES OF THIS WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, AND THE LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS ENTERING IN, CHOKE THE WORD, AND IT BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL.
   Lk 18:18-25-AND A CERTAIN RULER ASKED HIM, SAYING, GOOD MASTER, WHAT SHALL I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, WHY CALLEST THOU ME GOOD? NONE IS GOOD, SAVE ONE, THAT IS, GOD. THOU KNOWEST THE COMMANDMENTS, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT KILL, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER. AND HE SAID, ALL THESE HAVE I KEPT FROM MY YOUTH UP. NOW WHEN JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, HE SAID UNTO HIM, YET LACKEST THOU ONE THING: SELL ALL THAT THOU HAST, AND DISTRIBUTE UNTO THE POOR, AND THOU SHALT HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN: AND COME, FOLLOW ME. AND WHEN HE HEARD THIS, HE WAS VERY SORROWFUL: FOR HE WAS VERY RICH. AND WHEN JESUS SAW THAT HE WAS VERY SORROWFUL, HE SAID, HOW HARDLY SHALL THEY THAT HAVE RICHES ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! FOR IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO GO THROUGH A NEEDLE’S EYE, THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Also ref Mt 19:16-23.
   Mt 19:24-AND AGAIN I SAY UNTO YOU, IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO GO THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE, THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

    As a follower of Jesus you can expect to be tempted with pleasures in various ways to try to turn you from following Jesus and doing the will of God. It is written, Lk 8:14-AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE, AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect Satan will put thoughts into your mind that Jesus does not care, to try to turn you from following Him. This is a lie from the Devil. It is written, Mk 4:38 (doubt)-AND HE WAS IN THE HINDER PART OF THE SHIP, ASLEEP ON A PILLOW: AND THEY AWAKE HIM, AND SAY UNTO HIM, MASTER, CAREST THOU NOT THAT WE PERISH?

    As a follower of Jesus, you are called by God to suffer in various ways. Through suffering we learn to endure, depending upon God for all things. Jesus is our example. It is written, Lk 17:25-BUT FIRST MUST HE SUFFER MANY THINGS, AND BE REJECTED OF THIS GENERATION.
   Mt 13:25-BUT WHILE MEN SLEPT, HIS ENEMY CAME AND SOWED TARES AMONG THE WHEAT, AND WENT HIS WAY. The "tares" try to choke and destroy the wheat. Satan’s followers try to choke and destroy the true born-again Christians.
   Indeed, Satan will try to discourage us to turn from Jesus in our sufferings. But Jesus said in Jn 16:33-THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION (or we may say sufferings and problems): BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to be tempted with words in various ways to try to turn you from following Jesus and doing the will of God. Jesus was tempted at His weakest time, when He was dying. It is written, Mt 27:42,43-HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE. IF HE BE THE KING OF ISRAEL, LET HIM NOW COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS, AND WE WILL BELIEVE HIM. HE TRUSTED IN GOD; LET HIM DELIVER HIM NOW, IF HE WILL HAVE HIM: FOR HE SAID, I AM THE SON OF GOD. What a temptation! They were challenging His trust in His Father. They were challenging His claim of Who He was. Also the purpose of Jesus was to save men’s souls through believing on Him. Here the people are saying they will believe, if only He will come down off the cross. Yet, Jesus would not waver from doing the will of His Father in heaven.
   Mt 12:38,39-THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND OF THE PHARISEES ANSWERED, SAYING, MASTER, WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, AN EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION SEEKETH AFTER A SIGN; AND THERE SHALL NO SIGN BE GIVEN TO IT, BUT THE SIGN OF THE PROPHET JONAH. If the people will not believe God’s Word, neither will they be persuaded by a sign, or even a person rising from the dead.
   Mt 4:3-9-AND WHEN THE TEMPTER CAME TO HIM, HE SAID, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, COMMAND THAT THESE STONES BE MADE BREAD. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. THEN THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND SETTETH HIM ON A PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE, AND SAITH UNTO HIM, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, CAST THYSELF DOWN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE CONCERNING THEE: AND IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY TIME THOU DASH THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE. Satan used the Word to tempt Jesus, but he used it incorrectly. JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD. Jesus responded both times with the Word of God. AGAIN, THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO AN EXCEEDING HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHOWETH HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD, AND THE GLORY OF THEM; AND SAITH UNTO HIM, ALL THESE THINGS WILL I GIVE THEE, IF THOU WILT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP ME. Now we see the true face of the devil. He wants to be like God. He wants worship. The devil was willing to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, if Jesus would worship him. Jesus responded again with God’s Word. It is written, Mt 4:10-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.
   Mk 8:11,12-AND THE PHARISEES CAME FORTH, AND BEGAN TO QUESTION WITH HIM, SEEKING OF HIM A SIGN FROM HEAVEN, TEMPTING HIM. AND HE SIGHED DEEPLY IN HIS SPIRIT, AND SAITH, WHY DOTH THIS GENERATION SEEK AFTER A SIGN? VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NO SIGN BE GIVEN UNTO THIS GENERATION.
   John the Baptist was foreordained by God to be called John. However, the people tempted his father to call him something else. Lk 1:59-64-AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT ON THE EIGHTH DAY THEY CAME TO CIRCUMCISE THE CHILD; AND THEY CALLED HIM ZECHARIAH, AFTER THE NAME OF HIS FATHER. AND HIS MOTHER ANSWERED AND SAID, NOT SO; BUT HE SHALL BE CALLED JOHN. AND THEY SAID UNTO HER, THERE IS NONE OF THY KINDRED THAT IS CALLED BY THIS NAME. AND THEY MADE SIGNS TO HIS FATHER, HOW HE WOULD HAVE HIM CALLED. AND HE ASKED FOR A WRITING TABLE, AND WROTE, SAYING, HIS NAME IS JOHN. AND THEY MARVELLED ALL. AND HIS MOUTH WAS OPENED IMMEDIATELY, AND HIS TONGUE LOOSED, AND HE SPAKE, AND PRAISED GOD.
   Temptations come through people’s words in many ways, to challenge a person to go astray. Lk 7:32-THEY ARE LIKE UNTO CHILDREN SITTING IN THE MARKETPLACE, AND CALLING ONE TO ANOTHER, AND SAYING, WE HAVE PIPED UNTO YOU, AND YE HAVE NOT DANCED; WE HAVE MOURNED TO YOU, AND YE HAVE NOT WEPT.
   Even the apostles sometimes tempted Jesus to do contrary to the will of His Father in heaven. It is written, Lk 9:12-AND WHEN THE DAY BEGAN TO WEAR AWAY, THEN CAME THE TWELVE, AND SAID UNTO HIM, SEND THE MULTITUDE AWAY, THAT THEY MAY GO INTO THE TOWNS AND COUNTRY ROUND ABOUT, AND LODGE, AND GET VICTUALS: FOR WE ARE HERE IN A DESERT PLACE.
   Jesus was being tempted to do as the Pharisees said and to be afraid. It is written, Lk 13:31-THE SAME DAY THERE CAME CERTAIN OF THE PHARISEES, SAYING UNTO HIM, GET THEE OUT, AND DEPART HENCE; FOR HEROD WILL KILL THEE.
   Lk 19:39-AND SOME OF THE PHARISEES FROM AMONG THE MULTITUDE SAID UNTO HIM, MASTER, REBUKE THY DISCIPLES. Again, Jesus is being tempted by the words of other people to do contrary to His Father’s will.
   Lk 23:35,37,39-AND THE PEOPLE STOOD BEHOLDING. AND THE RULERS ALSO WITH THEM DERIDED HIM, SAYING, HE SAVED OTHERS; LET HIM SAVE HIMSELF, IF HE BE CHRIST, THE CHOSEN OF GOD. AND SAYING, IF THOU BE THE KING OF THE JEWS, SAVE THYSELF. AND ONE OF THE MALEFACTORS WHICH WERE HANGED RAILED ON HIM, SAYING, IF THOU BE CHRIST, SAVE THYSELF AND US. Again Jesus is being challenged to disobey His Father and to turn aside from the calling that He was to follow. The various people were saying, in a manner, "prove what you say is true."
   Jn 7:2-5-NOW THE JEW’S FEAST OF TABERNACLES WAS AT HAND. HIS BRETHREN THEREFORE SAID UNTO HIM, DEPART HENCE, AND GO INTO JUDAEA, THAT THY DISCIPLES ALSO MAY SEE THE WORKS THAT THOU DOEST. FOR THERE IS NO MAN THAT DOETH ANY THING IN SECRET, AND HE HIMSELF SEEKETH TO BE KNOWN OPENLY. IF THOU DO THESE THINGS, SHEW THYSELF TO THE WORLD. FOR NEITHER DID HIS BRETHREN BELIEVE IN HIM. The brothers of Jesus also tempted Him to do as they desired. Jesus did only as His Father directed. He never turned to the left or to the right.

    Simon Peter tempts the others with his words. It is written, Jn 21:3,7,9,15-17,19-SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO THEM, I GO A FISHING. THEY SAY UNTO HIM, WE ALSO GO WITH THEE. THEY WENT FORTH, AND ENTERED INTO A SHIP IMMEDIATELY; AND THAT NIGHT THEY CAUGHT NOTHING.
   Then Jesus appeared on the scene.
   THEREFORE THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED SAITH UNTO PETER, IT IS THE LORD. NOW WHEN SIMON PETER HEARD THAT IT WAS THE LORD, HE GIRT HIS FISHER’S COAT UNTO HIM, (FOR HE WAS NAKED,) AND DID CAST HIMSELF INTO THE SEA. AS SOON THEN AS THEY WERE COME TO LAND, THEY SAW A FIRE OF COALS THERE, AND FISH LAID THEREON, AND BREAD. SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED, JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY LAMBS. HE SAITH TO HIM AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP. HE SAITH UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? PETER WAS GRIEVED BECAUSE HE SAID UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, LOVEST THOU ME? AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, LORD, THOU KNOWEST ALL THINGS; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP. THIS SPAKE HE, SIGNIFYING BY WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD. AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THIS, HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FOLLOW ME. Did Simon Peter love his old worldly job more than winning souls? Did he love to do other things more than feeding the lambs and sheep with God’s Word? Was he already turning his back on the last three years of teaching that he had received from Jesus? Jesus very plainly asked him, which he loved the most, his old job or obeying Jesus. He that hath an ear, let him hear.

    When Jesus calls, there should never be any excuse to hesitate. Trust God and go forth. Mt 8:21,22-AND ANOTHER OF HIS DISCIPLES SAID UNTO HIM, LORD, SUFFER ME FIRST TO GO AND BURY MY FATHER. BUT JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, FOLLOW ME; AND LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD.

EMOTIONS AND A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD’S WORD MAY CAUSE YOU TO MISLEAD PEOPLE

    The disciples misled those that wanted to bring their little children to Jesus. They were corrected. It is written, Lk 18:15-17-AND THEY BROUGHT UNTO HIM ALSO INFANTS, THAT HE WOULD TOUCH THEM: BUT WHEN HIS DISCIPLES SAW IT, THEY REBUKED THEM. BUT JESUS CALLED THEM UNTO HIM, AND SAID, SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME, AND FORBID THEM NOT: FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER THEREIN. Also ref Mk 10:13-15.

    Again, we note how the apostles misled people by what they said. They were corrected. It is written, Mk 9:38,39-AND JOHN ANSWERED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, WE SAW ONE CASTING OUT DEVILS IN THY NAME, AND HE FOLLOWETH NOT US; AND WE FORBADE HIM, BECAUSE HE FOLLOWETH NOT US. BUT JESUS SAID, FORBID HIM NOT: FOR THERE IS NO MAN WHICH SHALL DO A MIRACLE IN MY NAME, THAT CAN LIGHTLY SPEAK EVIL OF ME. Also ref Lk 9:49,50.

    Again, the disciples tried to tell Jesus what to do. Mt 15:22-28-AND, BEHOLD, A WOMAN OF CANAAN CAME OUT OF THE SAME COASTS, AND CRIED UNTO HIM, SAYING, HAVE MERCY ON ME, O LORD, THOU SON OF DAVID; MY DAUGHTER IS GRIEVOUSLY VEXED WITH A DEVIL. BUT HE ANSWERED HER NOT A WORD. AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME AND BESOUGHT HIM, SAYING, SEND HER AWAY; FOR SHE CRIETH AFTER US. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, I AM NOT SENT BUT UNTO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. THEN CAME SHE AND WORSHIPPED HIM, SAYING, LORD, HELP ME. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, IT IS NOT MEET TO TAKE THE CHILDREN’S BREAD, AND TO CAST IT TO DOGS. AND SHE SAID, TRUTH, LORD: YET THE DOGS EAT OF THE CRUMBS WHICH FALL FROM THEIR MASTER’S TABLE. THEN JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER, O WOMAN, GREAT IS THY FAITH: BE IT UNTO THEE EVEN AS THOU WILT. AND HER DAUGHTER WAS MADE WHOLE FROM THAT VERY HOUR.

    The multitude of people tried to discourage the two blind men from doing what was right. If they would have obeyed the crowd, they might never have been healed. Mt 20:30-32-AND, BEHOLD, TWO BLIND MEN SITTING BY THE WAYSIDE, WHEN THEY HEARD THAT JESUS PASSED BY, CRIED OUT, SAYING, HAVE MERCY ON US, O LORD, THOU SON OF DAVID. AND THE MULTITUDE REBUKED THEM, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HOLD THEIR PEACE: BUT THEY CRIED THE MORE, SAYING, HAVE MERCY ON US, O LORD, THOU SON OF DAVID. AND JESUS STOOD STILL, AND CALLED THEM, AND SAID, WHAT WILL YE THAT I SHALL DO UNTO YOU? THEY SAY UNTO HIM, LORD, THAT OUR EYES MAY BE OPENED. SO JESUS HAD COMPASSION ON THEM, AND TOUCHED THEIR EYES: AND IMMEDIATELY THEIR EYES RECEIVED SIGHT, AND THEY FOLLOWED HIM.

    The crowd of people tried to persuade the blind man to be still. If he would have followed their advice, he might never have been healed. It is written, Mk 10:46-52-AND THEY CAME TO JERICHO: AND AS HE WENT OUT OF JERICHO WITH HIS DISCIPLES AND A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BLIND BARTIMAEUS, THE SON OF TIMAEUS, SAT BY THE HIGHWAY SIDE BEGGING. AND WHEN HE HEARD THAT IT WAS JESUS OF NAZARETH, HE BEGAN TO CRY OUT, AND SAY, JESUS, THOU SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME. AND MANY CHARGED HIM THAT HE SHOULD HOLD HIS PEACE: BUT HE CRIED THE MORE A GREAT DEAL, THOU SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME. AND JESUS STOOD STILL, AND COMMANDED HIM TO BE CALLED. AND THEY CALL THE BLIND MAN, SAYING UNTO HIM, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, RISE; HE CALLETH THEE. AND HE, CASTING AWAY HIS GARMENT, ROSE, AND CAME TO JESUS. AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT WILT THOU THAT I SHOULD DO UNTO THEE? THE BLIND MAN SAID UNTO HIM, LORD, THAT I MIGHT RECEIVE MY SIGHT. AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, GO THY WAY; THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE. AND IMMEDIATELY HE RECEIVED HIS SIGHT, AND FOLLOWED JESUS IN THE WAY. Also ref Lk 18:35-39.

    The people had wrong thoughts. It is written, Lk 19:11-AND AS THEY HEARD THESE THINGS, HE ADDED AND SPAKE A PARABLE, BECAUSE HE WAS NIGH TO JERUSALEM, AND BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPEAR.
   In some cases, the followers of Jesus are wrongly called followers of Satan. Mt 10:25-IT IS ENOUGH FOR THE DISCIPLE THAT HE BE AS HIS MASTER, AND THE SERVANT AS HIS LORD. IF THEY HAVE CALLED THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE BEELZEBUB, HOW MUCH MORE SHALL THEY CALL THEM OF HIS HOUSEHOLD?
   The people indicated that Jesus had a devil and was mad (or insane). They were wrong. It is written, Jn 10:14,20-I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN OF MINE. AND MANY OF THEM SAID, HE HATH A DEVIL, AND IS MAD; WHY HEAR YE HIM?
   Jn 7:20-THE PEOPLE ANSWERED AND SAID, THOU HAST A DEVIL: WHO GOETH ABOUT TO KILL THEE?
   The people again were wrong. It is written, Jn 8:48-THEN ANSWERED THE JEWS, AND SAID UNTO HIM, SAY WE NOT WELL THAT THOU ART A SAMARITAN, AND HAST A DEVIL?
   The people were sure they were right in what they thought. Yet, they were wrong. It is written, Jn 8:51,52-VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, IF A MAN KEEP MY SAYING, HE SHALL NEVER SEE DEATH. THEN SAID THE JEWS UNTO HIM, NOW WE KNOW THAT THOU HAST A DEVIL. ABRAHAM IS DEAD, AND THE PROPHETS; AND THOU SAYEST, IF A MAN KEEP MY SAYING, HE SHALL NEVER TASTE OF DEATH.
   Again the people were wrong in what they thought. It is written, Jn 7:27-HOWBEIT WE KNOW THIS MAN WHENCE HE IS: BUT WHEN CHRIST COMETH, NO MAN KNOWETH WHENCE HE IS.
   Jn 9:1,6,16-AND AS JESUS PASSED BY, HE SAW A MAN WHICH WAS BLIND FROM HIS BIRTH. WHEN HE HAD THUS SPOKEN, HE SPAT ON THE GROUND, AND MADE CLAY OF THE SPITTLE, AND HE ANOINTED THE EYES OF THE BLIND MAN WITH THE CLAY. THEREFORE SAID SOME OF THE PHARISEES, THIS MAN IS NOT OF GOD, BECAUSE HE KEEPETH NOT THE SABBATH DAY. They were wrong. They did not understand. OTHERS SAID, HOW CAN A MAN THAT IS A SINNER DO SUCH MIRACLES? AND THERE WAS A DIVISION AMONG THEM.
   Jesus was accused of being a sinner. They were wrong. They did not understand. It is written, Jn 9:24-THEN AGAIN CALLED THEY THE MAN THAT WAS BLIND, AND SAID UNTO HIM, GIVE GOD THE PRAISE: WE KNOW THAT THIS MAN IS A SINNER.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 9:29-WE KNOW THAT GOD SPAKE UNTO MOSES: AS FOR THIS FELLOW, WE KNOW NOT FROM WHENCE HE IS.
   The people had wrong thoughts. They did not understand. It is written, Lk 24:21-BUT WE TRUSTED THAT IT HAD BEEN HE WHICH SHOULD HAVE REDEEMED ISRAEL: AND BESIDE ALL THIS, TO DAY IS THE THIRD DAY SINCE THESE THINGS WERE DONE.
   They had wrong thoughts. They did not understand. It is written, Jn 7:52-THEY ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, ART THOU ALSO OF GALILEE? SEARCH, AND LOOK: FOR OUT OF GALILEE ARISETH NO PROPHET.
   They had wrong thoughts. They did not understand. It is written, Jn 8:13-THE PHARISEES THEREFORE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU BEAREST RECORD OF THYSELF; THY RECORD IS NOT TRUE.
   The people did not understand. They were wrong in what they thought. It is written, Jn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

    The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 2:19-JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, AND IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP.
   Nicodemus did not understand. It is written, Jn 3:3,4-JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. NICODEMUS SAITH UNTO HIM, HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER THE SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHERS WOMB, AND BE BORN?
   The people did not understand. They murmured. It is written, Jn 6:41-THE JEWS THEN MURMURED AT HIM, BECAUSE HE SAID, I AM THE BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 7:34-36-YE SHALL SEEK ME, AND SHALL NOT FIND ME: AND WHERE I AM, THITHER YE CANNOT COME. THEN SAID THE JEWS AMONG THEMSELVES, WHITHER WILL HE GO, THAT WE SHALL NOT FIND HIM? WILL HE GO UNTO THE DISPERSED AMONG THE GENTILES, AND TEACH THE GENTILES? WHAT MANNER OF SAYING IS THIS THAT HE SAID, YE SHALL SEEK ME, AND SHALL NOT FIND ME: AND WHERE I AM, THITHER YE CANNOT COME?
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 7:41-OTHERS SAID, THIS IS THE CHRIST. BUT SOME SAID, SHALL CHRIST COME OUT OF GALILEE?
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 8:21,22-THEN SAID JESUS AGAIN UNTO THEM, I GO MY WAY, AND YE SHALL SEEK ME, AND SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS: WHITHER I GO, YE CANNOT COME. THEN SAID THE JEWS, WILL HE KILL HIMSELF? BECAUSE HE SAITH, WHITHER I GO, YE CANNOT COME.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 8:26,27-I HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY AND TO JUDGE OF YOU: BUT HE THAT SENT ME IS TRUE; AND I SPEAK TO THE WORLD THOSE THINGS WHICH I HAVE HEARD OF HIM. THEY UNDERSTOOD NOT THAT HE SPAKE TO THEM OF THE FATHER.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 8:32,33-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE. THEY ANSWERED HIM, WE BE ABRAHAM’S SEED, AND WERE NEVER IN BONDAGE TO ANY MAN: HOW SAYEST THOU, YE SHALL BE MADE FREE?
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 10:3,6-TO HIM THE PORTER OPENETH; AND THE SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE; AND HE CALLETH HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME, AND LEADETH THEM OUT. THIS PARABLE SPAKE JESUS UNTO THEM; BUT THEY UNDERSTOOD NOT WHAT THINGS THEY WERE WHICH HE SPAKE UNTO THEM.
   The people were wrong. They did not understand. It is written, Jn 10:24,30,31-THEN CAME THE JEWS ROUND ABOUT HIM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, HOW LONG DOST THOU MAKE US TO DOUBT? IF THOU BE THE CHRIST, TELL US PLAINLY. (He did) I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE. (What difference did it make?) THEN THE JEWS TOOK UP STONES AGAIN TO STONE HIM.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 10:36,39-SAY YE OF HIM, WHOM THE FATHER HATH SANCTIFIED, AND SENT INTO THE WORLD, THOU BLASPHEMEST; BECAUSE I SAID, I AM THE SON OF GOD? THEREFORE THEY SOUGHT AGAIN TO TAKE HIM: BUT HE ESCAPED OUT OF THEIR HAND.
   They did not understand. It is written, Jn 12:3-5-THEN TOOK MARY A POUND OF OINTMENT OF SPIKENARD, VERY COSTLY, AND ANOINTED THE FEET OF JESUS, AND WIPED HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR: AND THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THE ODOUR OF THE OINTMENT. THEN SAITH ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT, SIMON’S SON, WHICH SHOULD BETRAY HIM, WHY WAS NOT THIS OINTMENT SOLD FOR THREE HUNDRED PENCE, AND GIVEN TO THE POOR?
   They did not understand. It is written, Jn 12:9,10-MUCH PEOPLE OF THE JEWS THEREFORE KNEW THAT HE WAS THERE: AND THEY CAME NOT FOR JESUS’ SAKE ONLY, BUT THAT THEY MIGHT SEE LAZARUS ALSO, WHOM HE HAD RAISED FROM THE DEAD. BUT THE CHIEF PRIEST CONSULTED THAT THEY MIGHT PUT LAZARUS ALSO TO DEATH.
   The people did not understand. It is written, Jn 12:34-THE PEOPLE ANSWERED HIM, WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW THAT CHRIST ABIDETH FOR EVER: AND HOW SAYEST THOU, THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP? WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?
   Jn 16:2-THEY SHALL PUT YOU OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUES: YEA, THE TIME COMETH, THAT WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU WILL THINK THAT HE DOETH GOD SERVICE.
   She was wrong, as she did not understand. It is written, Jn 20:1,13-THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK COMETH MARY MAGDALENE EARLY, WHEN IT WAS YET DARK, UNTO THE SEPULCHRE, AND SEETH THE STONE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE SEPULCHRE. AND THEY SAY UNTO HER, WOMAN, WHY WEEPEST THOU? SHE SAITH UNTO THEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY MY LORD, AND I KNOW NOT WHERE THEY HAVE LAID HIM.
   They were wrong They did not understand. It is written, Jn 21:22,23-JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, IF I WILL THAT HE TARRY TILL I COME, WHAT IS THAT TO THEE? FOLLOW THOU ME. THEN WENT THIS SAYING ABROAD AMONG THE BRETHREN, THAT THAT DISCIPLE SHOULD NOT DIE: YET JESUS SAID NOT UNTO HIM, HE SHALL NOT DIE; BUT, IF I WILL THAT HE TARRY TILL I COME, WHAT IS THAT TO THEE?

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to go through many difficulties to test your faith. Satan uses various "devices" to try to turn you from following Jesus. The world’s ways are contrary to the ways of repentance, faith, and holiness. It is written, Mt 14:24-BUT THE SHIP WAS NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA, TOSSED WITH WAVES: FOR THE WIND WAS CONTRARY.
   Mk 6:48-AND HE SAW THEM TOILING IN ROWING: FOR THE WIND WAS CONTRARY UNTO THEM: AND ABOUT THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT HE COMETH UNTO THEM, WALKING UPON THE SEA, AND WOULD HAVE PASSED BY THEM.
   Satan wants to take the Word of God out of a person’s heart. He is able to do this easily if their heart is a wayside type of heart. In a stony heart, persecutions, afflictions, and problems succeed at destroying a person’s faith. In a thorny heart, the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, lusts, and pleasures succeed at destroying a person’s faith. Through the process, a person often is carried about like a leaf in the wind, first going this way, and then going that way, until he falls. Only the good heart fully believes God’s Word and stands through the storms of temptations, problems, and difficulties. No matter how severe the rains, floods, and winds are, these do not give up. They stand firm in Jesus. It is written, Mt 13:4-22-AND WHEN HE SOWED, SOME SEEDS FELL BY THE WAYSIDE, AND THE FOWLS CAME AND DEVOURED THEM UP: SOME FELL UPON STONY PLACES, WHERE THEY HAD NOT MUCH EARTH: AND FORTHWITH THEY SPRUNG UP, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO DEEPNESS OF EARTH: AND WHEN THE SUN WAS UP, THEY WERE SCORCHED; AND BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ROOT, THEY WITHERED AWAY. AND SOME FELL AMONG THORNS; AND THE THORNS SPRUNG UP, AND CHOKED THEM: BUT OTHER FELL INTO GOOD GROUND, AND BROUGHT FORTH FRUIT, SOME AN HUNDREDFOLD, SOME SIXTYFOLD, SOME THIRTYFOLD. WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR. AND THE DISCIPLES CAME, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHY SPEAKEST THOU UNTO THEM IN PARABLES? HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, BECAUSE IT IS GIVEN UNTO YOU TO KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT TO THEM IT IS NOT GIVEN. FOR WHOSOEVER HATH, TO HIM SHALL BE GIVEN, AND HE SHALL HAVE MORE ABUNDANCE: BUT WHOSOEVER HATH NOT, FROM HIM SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY EVEN THAT HE HATH. THEREFORE SPEAK I TO THEM IN PARABLES: BECAUSE THEY SEEING SEE NOT; AND HEARING THEY HEAR NOT, NEITHER DO THEY UNDERSTAND. AND IN THEM IS FULFILLED THE PROPHECY OF ESAIAS, WHICH SAITH, BY HEARING YE SHALL HEAR, AND SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND SEEING YE SHALL SEE, AND SHALL NOT PERCEIVE: FOR THIS PEOPLE’S HEART IS WAXED GROSS, AND THEIR EARS ARE DULL OF HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED; LEST AT ANY TIME THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND SHOULD BE CONVERTED, AND I SHOULD HEAL THEM. BUT BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES, FOR THEY SEE: AND YOUR EARS, FOR THEY HEAR. FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT MANY PROPHETS AND RIGHTEOUS MEN HAVE DESIRED TO SEE THOSE THINGS WHICH YE SEE, AND HAVE NOT SEEN THEM; AND TO HEAR THOSE THINGS WHICH YE HEAR, AND HAVE NOT HEARD THEM. HEAR YE THEREFORE THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. WHEN ANY ONE HEARETH THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM, AND UNDERSTANDETH IT NOT, THEN COMETH THE WICKED ONE, AND CATCHETH AWAY THAT WHICH WAS SOWN IN HIS HEART. THIS IS HE WHICH RECEIVED SEED BY THE WAY SIDE. BUT HE THAT RECEIVED THE SEED INTO STONY PLACES, THE SAME IS HE THAT HEARETH THE WORD, AND ANON WITH JOY RECEIVETH IT; YET HATH HE NOT ROOT IN HIMSELF, BUT DURETH FOR A WHILE: FOR WHEN TRIBULATION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH BECAUSE OF THE WORD, BY AND BY HE IS OFFENDED. HE ALSO THAT RECEIVED SEED AMONG THE THORNS IS HE THAT HEARETH THE WORD; AND THE CARE OF THIS WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL.

PEOPLE WILL TRY TO OVERTHROW YOUR FAITH

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect to encounter many obstacles that can cause you to have doubts. People may try to use persuasive words to try to cause you to doubt. It is written, Mk 5:35-WHILE HE YET SPAKE, THERE CAME FROM THE RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE’S HOUSE CERTAIN WHICH SAID, THY DAUGHTER IS DEAD: WHY TROUBLEST THOU THE MASTER ANY FURTHER? They tried to cause the person to doubt. If the person would have followed their advice, his daughter might never have been raised from the dead.
   The Pharisees tried to overthrow the faith of the officers. It is written, Jn 7:46-49-THE OFFICERS ANSWERED, NEVER MAN SPAKE LIKE THIS MAN. THEN ANSWERED THEM THE PHARISEES, ARE YE ALSO DECEIVED? HAVE ANY OF THE RULERS OR OF THE PHARISEES BELIEVED ON HIM? BUT THIS PEOPLE WHO KNOWETH NOT THE LAW ARE CURSED.
   Next they used deceitful words to try to overthrow Nicodemus’ faith. It is written, Jn 7:52-THEY ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, ART THOU ALSO OF GALILEE? SEARCH, AND LOOK: FOR OUT OF GALILEE ARISETH NO PROPHET.

    God’s Word shows clearly that there are blind guides (blind teachers, preachers, and rabbi) who teach wrongly, causing others to go astray. They swear by the temple and say it is nothing. They use God’s Word, but mix deceit and false teachings with it. They sound like they are from God, but are really of Satan.
    They lead people to hell, not to heaven. Jesus said in Mt 23:16-24-WOE UNTO YOU, YE BLIND GUIDES, WHICH SAY, WHOSOEVER SHALL SWEAR BY THE TEMPLE, IT IS NOTHING; BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SWEAR BY THE GOLD OF THE TEMPLE, HE IS A DEBTOR! YE FOOLS AND BLIND: FOR WHETHER IS GREATER, THE GOLD, OR THE TEMPLE THAT SANCTIFIETH THE GOLD? AND, WHOSOEVER SHALL SWEAR BY THE ALTAR, IT IS NOTHING; BUT WHOSOEVER SWEARETH BY THE GIFT THAT IS UPON IT, HE IS GUILTY. YE FOOLS AND BLIND: FOR WHETHER IS GREATER, THE GIFT, OR THE ALTAR THAT SANCTIFIETH THE GIFT? WHOSO THEREFORE SHALL SWEAR BY THE ALTAR, SWEARETH BY IT, AND BY ALL THINGS THEREON. AND WHOSO SHALL SWEAR BY THE TEMPLE, SWEARETH BY IT, AND BY HIM THAT DWELLETH THEREIN. AND HE THAT SHALL SWEAR BY HEAVEN, SWEARETH BY THE THRONE OF GOD, AND BY HIM THAT SITTETH THEREON. WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE PAY TITHE OF MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, AND HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH: THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE. YE BLIND GUIDES, WHICH STRAIN AT A GNAT, AND SWALLOW A CAMEL.
    Some will try to deceive you by making false statements. It is written, Mt 24:48-BUT AND IF THAT EVIL SERVANT SHALL SAY IN HIS HEART, MY LORD DELAYETH HIS COMING.
    The church age in which we now live is called the Laodicean; it is the seventh church. It is the one that will end with the Rapture. This church is by far, the most deceived of any church age listed among the seven. Over and over Jesus warned, do not be deceived. In particular the warning came regarding MEN or people deceiving you. Deceit will come from people. It is written, Mt 24:4-AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU.
    Lk 21:8-AND HE SAID, TAKE HEED THAT YE BE NOT DECEIVED: FOR MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING, I AM CHRIST; AND THE TIME DRAWETH NEAR: GO YE NOT THEREFORE AFTER THEM.
    Mk 13:6-FOR MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING, I AM CHRIST; AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY.
    Mt 24:23,24-THEN IF ANY MAN SHALL SAY UNTO YOU, LO, HERE IS CHRIST, OR THERE; BELIEVE IT NOT. FOR THERE SHALL ARISE FALSE CHRISTS, AND FALSE PROPHETS, AND SHALL SHEW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.
    Mk 13:21,22-AND THEN IF ANY MAN SHALL SAY TO YOU, LO, HERE IS CHRIST; OR, LO, HE IS THERE; BELIEVE HIM NOT: FOR FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL SHEW SIGNS AND WONDERS, TO SEDUCE, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT.
    Note, MANY false prophets. This is the generation of false prophets, and it will continue to get worse. Mt 24:11,24-AND MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. FOR THERE SHALL ARISE FALSE CHRISTS, AND FALSE PROPHETS, AND SHALL SHEW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT. In this deceived generation, many people are persuaded and led astray by those performing miracles. Through these deceptions, they lead their followers to hell.
    Mk 13:22-FOR FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL SHEW SIGNS AND WONDERS, TO SEDUCE, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT.

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