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JOHN BUNYAN

Uncategorized / By dgcg6 / November 28, 2019

THE DEVILÂ’S PHRASEBOOK

Satan is the prince of spiritual darkness, a liar from the beginning, the angel of light who comes from the pit, the devouring lion who springs, unsuspected, on his prey. It is he who is constantly seeking to confuse men, destroy orderly life and wreck any kind of real civilisation. It is he who is unwearied in his attack upon all that God gives to men in His kind providence, by which to order their lives and enjoy what He has so richly given. It is he whose chief concern is to deceive, if it were possible the very elect.

This attack of the enemy is seen in the subtle perversion of truth and the constant “double think” of the day. In the political realm, for instance, “an orderly form of government by a democratically elected body” is misrepresented as, “the illegal suppression of minority groups”. Anarchy and revolution is glorified as the legitimate struggle for freedom.

Such double talk is serious enough in civil and political life, but even more dangerous in the realm of spiritual truth and in the church where the attack of the enemy is all the more powerful and subtle.

A number of brief illustrations will expose but a few of the ways in which many are being deceived.

True religion is called the opium of the people.
Belief in the Bible as the
verbally inspired Word of God
is called Bibliolatry
The final authority of the Scriptures in all matters of faith, experience and practise is called Dethroning the Holy Spirit, or subordinating the Holy Spirit to the Bible.
Contending earnestly for the faith is called religious bigotry, being doctrinaire; a closed mind.
Tossed about with every wind of doctrine is called Being open to the spirit, -which spirit?
Studying to show oneself approved is called Getting religion from books
Expounding the Scriptures and preaching the word is called Letter preaching; academic preaching, dry doctrine.
Giving double honour to those who labour in word and doctrine is called The evil of a one man ministry
The work of ruling elders is called Acting like little popes.
People with itching ears heaping to themselves teachers is called Edifying the body by the exercise of spiritual gifts
Touting the gospel like a worthless supermarket free offer is called Preaching the good news
An emotional, superficial, transient response to the gospel of decisionism is called Being soundly converted
Conviction of sin is called Morbid guilt complex, psychologically dangerous
Continuing repentance and sorrow for sin is called Not accepting the blessings and joys which are in Christ
Inner conflict of flesh and Spirit is called Refusing to accept the freedom offered to you in Christ
Following in the footsteps of the flock is called The tradition of the elders, inherited religion.
Growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord is called Increasing bondage to traditional views.
Patient continuance in well doing is called The same old rut.
Being settled down in a false profession of Christ is called Assurance; not giving way to unbelief.
An artificial smile and foolish jesting is called Joy in the Lord
Illness appointed by God for the trial of faith is called Evidence of lack of faith -to be healed.
Growing sobriety in life and appearance is called Adopting an upper middle class pseudo-christianity
Hope of heaven and the inheritance of the saints is called Pie in the sky
A sad disregard for New Testament precepts is called The liberty of the spirit -which spirit?
Insubordinate, divisive behaviour in churches is called The free exercise of spiritual gifts.
Orderly church government is called Bondage to man-made rules
Exercise of church discipline is called Quenching the Spirit
Any sincere attempt at scriptural reformation in the church is called Going wide, or going off the rails.

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