Category Archives: Growth Articles

How Deliverance Ministries Lead People to Bondage

deliveranceA Warning Against the Warfare Worldview

by Bob DeWaay

(Shared with Permission from the author)

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

In 1977 I was in a ministry that specialized in inner healing and deliverance. People came to us from all over the country seeking release from hearing voices, addictions, emotional trauma due to past hurts and abuses, and many other forms of spiritual bondage. At the time our ministry was considered “cutting edge” in the world of spiritual warfare. Ours was a Christian community where people could come and live with other Christians to find healing. Continue reading →

How To Interpret Scripture

by Dan R. Smedra

Below are comments regarding various aspects of biblical interpretation.  Italics denote phrases or quotations from Lewis S. Chafer’s Systematic Theology.

Interpretation of Holy Scripture involves two parts, both being necessary to ensure the most correct and accurate understanding of any subject at hand. Continue reading →

Should Christians Judge?

scalesIn these days of burgeoning confusion on the Geo-political front often impacting the theological front in which Christians struggle to make sense of current events, the need was felt to clearly state the meaning of the term “Judge Not” as mentioned in the scriptures, but which has been loosely and callously used by one and all without a clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach and mean by the term. Equally abused terms are “prejudice” and “bigotry”. These have been explained below:  (Ian D’Souza)

Continue reading →

THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

IS IT THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR CHRISTIAN MATURITY?

Arthur F. Temmesfeld, Th.M.

bapPerhaps the area of greatest doctrinal controversy in Christendom today (circa 1970s), apart from the issue of the Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture, is the teaching concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. This controversy has manifested itself in open conflict and even permanent division in a great number of churches, as charismatic and non-charismatic have come into confrontation over the use of the gifts of the Spirit. The conflict is not likely to decrease in the next few years, particularly if we continue to witness the degree of growth of the charismatic movement that we are now seeing worldwide. Continue reading →

Causes of Backsliding and its Remedy

By George D. Watson

1240991527Throughout the Scriptures we are taught the infinite frailty and weakness of men; and even the best of men are set forth as having no strength of their own. Abraham said he was “but dust and ashes”; Isaiah said, “We all do fade as a leaf”; Job said, “I abhor myself”; Paul said, “I am less than the least of all saints”; and Jesus said, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”

All strength must be imparted to the soul from God. There are some few characters in the Bible against whom no blemish is mentioned; but in those characters it is recorded that all their goodness was imparted. They claim nothing of and from themselves.

It is possible that in six thousand years there have lived a few persons whose hearts never consciously wandered from God. Doubtless there are many who have had many wanderings, without the humility or the fullness of light to perceive or confess it. And the millions of God’s children have been painfully conscious of shortcomings – backslidings of greater or less extent. Continue reading →

Lazarus and the Rich Man

By Ian D’Souza

[It is suggested that you view the video first and then read the article that follows below for a detailed explanation]

In (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus shares the story of Lazarus (Meaning: “God is my help”) and Dives (Dives: Latin for “Rich Man”).

Today, it is customary perhaps for the Rich to be listed in some Fortune Magazine and hailed as heroes of society, alongside a summary of their total net-worth. However, in this parable, God the owner and creator of all wealth does not project the rich man as an example to be followed; rather it appears that the case of Lazarus is being highlighted.  It must be noted that Lazarus was not poor because he was immoral, nor was he under judgment for any crime committed. Neither of these men represented in the parable gained their moral state, nor received their everlasting reward, based on their physical earthly condition.  The Scriptures remind us that God sees the disposition of the heart always (cf.1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Peter 3:4). The heart of man is independent of one’s earthly possessions, though it must be said that earthly possessions can certainly influence one’s heart condition for the better or the worse, as the parable reveals. Continue reading →

Living on the Edge

125770256Eutychus is a rare name in the Bible found only in Acts 20:9; an unknown individual, with no recorded history.  There are no books written on his life and rarely would one have heard a sermon concerning him.  An insignificant person perhaps, but yet holding and important lesson for each of us.

In Acts 20:9-10 we read, “And a young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. He sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer; and being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and embracing him said, ‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him’”.

This brief incident of Eutychus in Scripture is put there I believe to illustrate a very important and practical truth. Let us begin by asking ourselves the question, “Why did Eutychus fall from the window?” Continue reading →

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus!

The above song video is based on a true story of how a Christian family was martyred for their faith and is being sent out as an Easter Greeting! Please view and listen carefully to the awesome story details that made this song a headliner today.

The DIVIDE of the CROSS

crucifixion-255x189In the crucifixion narrative of Mark’s Gospel in Chapter 15 verse 16 onward, we catch some important glimpses of the various people involved with and gathered around the Cross of Jesus.  Mark’s view is not the view of the crowd looking at Jesus, but rather the view from the Cross itself, looking at the crowd. Gathered around the foot of the cross were a great number of individuals, or groups of individuals, who he brings before us so that we might see their reactions to the crucifixion of our Lord. Let’s look at them one at a time: Continue reading →

SUFFERING IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

suffering1“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Heb 12:5-7)

Ever since the days of Job saints in all ages, have been asking the question – Why has the Lord dealt with me in such a way? Our Heavenly Father uses chastening (suffering) in our lives for various reasons.  His purpose is always “child training” for our spiritual development. Let us look at several reasons why God takes His children through suffering. Continue reading →