The Pied Piper...Music in the Church

Bringing the World into the Gospel

The danger of mainstream “Christian” music, with specific emphasis on Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel, and all associated artists’ content.

Part 1: Worship

Romans 12:1

What is worship? Worshipping God is our primary purpose in life (Isaiah 43:7). It’s why humanity was created in the first place. The Hebrew word for worship, “shachah” (H7812), defines it as; to depress or lay prostrate in homage or loyalty to God, bow down, fall down flat, to humble one’s self, to make reverence to, to obey. The Greek version is “proskuneo” (G4352) meaning to kiss, that is as a dog licking his master’s hand.

Biblically, worship is described as a spiritual sacrifice made to God (2 Chronicles 7:12-15). This can be in teaching, preaching, reading, or studying his Word, and even when admonishing and reproving one another (Colossians 3:16). Worship means to praise God (Psalm 69:30). Worship is leading others to God in our witnessing (Luke 19:40). It’s singing a song of praise (James 5:13) and submitting to Him on your knees in prayer (Matthew 2:11). The bible describes our prayers and act of worship as a sweet-smelling incense that goes up to God (Psalm 141:2). Giving God the glory and raining thanksgiving upon Him is worship (Psalm 66:4). In the OT worship was represented by performing physical animal sacrifice to interact with God. Now we know that our prayers and our time dedicated to The Lord are spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15-16), figuratively illustrated as incense before Him (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). Any act of service to God is a form of worship (Luke 4:8). And we must take all forms of worship seriously, making these sacrifices faithfully, truthfully, while having the wisdom and understanding of what we are doing, why we are doing it, who we are doing it for, and how it’s being done. Worship is everything. And it must be performed in the holy way God has prescribed it to us.

John 4:24

When we pray, worship, teach and preach the word of God, all of this must be done in total Truth. God does not lie (1 Samuel 15:29). There is no deceit in him, or in his Word (John 1:47). If his doctrine is presented as anything less than complete and total truth, it becomes falsehood, and thereby an abomination in His eyes (Jeremiah 23:36,39). Consider a pure glass of 100% water (John 7:38-39). One can drink it and it will quench their thirst, nourishing their body. Now imagine someone adds just the tiniest bit of arsenic to that drink. The water is still 99.99% pure. But once consumed, the drink becomes lethal due to the poison that was added to the cup. The same concept applies to the Word of God. Even the slightest acceptance of

falsehood poisons the bread of life (Galatians 5:9). We must fight to keep our wells purified (Proverbs 25:26).

Amos 5:21-23

Notice what happens when God is not worshipped in spirit and in truth. He despises these people. He hates their sacrifices. He will not tolerate their musical songs of worship. This is what happens when we compromise God’s word and use worship songs that stem from falsehood. This does not glorify God. Standing for his word and defending his doctrine brings true glory to him. When we accept musical songs of “worship” created by false Christian enterprises who malign the Word of God to satiate the itchy ears-he cannot be glorified. We must not tolerate organizations that outpour heresies continually, let alone contribute to them by the sponsoring of their content, or even worse by financial support (Matthew 6:21). These people are worshipping God with their lips…but not their heart; just as it was in Amos, which is representative of how it will be in the last days. There’s no coincidence that this issue is so prevalent throughout Christian churches today. God must be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth. In Amos 8:10, God continues to warn us. If we do not repent, he will turn our foolish songs into weeping.

Colossians 3:16

Teaching the word of God, admonishing one another by the Word, praying to the Lord; This needs to be the priority when it comes to worship. Worship should not be focused on entertainment or emotional stimulation. True worship always points back to the bible and to the teachings therein.

Psalm 47:7

When we do praise the Lord-it must be done in Truth, and we must understand that truth. Our songs need to be reflective of scripture and used to teach one another. The Psalms taught God’s word. The Song of Moses (Revelation 15:9), the Song of Solomon; these were musical scriptural hymns that taught God’s word in a memorable and considerable way. This is what we need to get back to. Worshiping with purpose. Singing Biblically. Doing all of it in truth, and in the understanding of that truth (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Exodus 30:9

Every single detail matters according to God…that’s why his Word is so incredibly specific, even to the point of seeming monotony. From the precise genealogical record keeping of the very first man and his offspring, to the birth of our Lord Jesus, to the extensively detailed instructions of building God’s tabernacle and temples; the significance of these details cannot be understated and were all put there for a reason. God explains to us exactly how to prepare our sacrifices to him (worship) in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. He also tells us the

consequences of what happens when we do not worship according to his Word, not following His way or His instructions.

The Lord illustrates this through the contrast in offering “strange incense” (Exodus 30:9) compared to “holy incense” (Exodus 30:35); Incense being a figurative representation of our spiritual sacrifices to God (Revelation 8:3). The aroma of our spiritual sacrifice can either be a sweet, pleasing, and acceptable savor to Him (2 Corinthians 2:15). Or it can be an utter abomination to him (Isaiah 1:13). Our incense can either be pure, or it can be strange. It matters how we prepare it. It matters what combination and quality of ingredients are used. And it matters how the offering is made. We must be careful, diligent, and pure in all forms of worship.

Leviticus 10:1-11

Here we find a biblical portrayal of what happens when members of the Levitical priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) do offer strange incense upon the Lord’s alter, not according to the formula He prescribed or by the instructions He commanded. What was the consequence of offering this impure form of worship? Immediate death. This is not an example we should haphazardly follow when offering worship in the context of choosing acceptable music. We cannot compromise the purity of our worship formula. We must not permit any ingredients that do not belong in that mixture into our offering. Our spiritual sacrifices are critical when it comes to maintaining and deepening our relationship with God and with one another. We can see this teaching further expounded upon in Jeremiah 44:16-22. All these things were written to us so that we may learn from them and instruct one another in the faith (Romans 15:4). Let us heed these warnings and strive to uphold God’s Word within The Church.

Part 2: Doctrine

Deuteronomy 8:3

If God places so much emphasis on the purity of our worship, He places even more so on maintaining the purity of His doctrine. The bible refers to God’s word, figuratively, as the bread of life. His Word is what gives us access to salvation. His doctrine is that which we establish our faith and our entire lives upon (Romans 10:17). The Holy Bible was written by over 40 different human authors, over thousands of years. Yet there is only one author driving towards the same central message and continual storyline throughout (God’s redemption of his creation through love). The Bible is 100% written by man, and 100% written by God. Jesus Christ himself was 100% man and 100% God. John 1:1, 14 explains that God is his Word, and His Word is Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh. His doctrine, his message, and his teachings cannot be separated from Himself. The Bible is perfect, as He is perfect. Those who distort his word and his teachings

are not on his side, rather they are against him (Matthew 12:30). If we align ourselves with those who are against God, He will be against us (Leviticus 26:17).

John 6:48

Jesus, The Word, is the bread of life. God’s Word is the manna which came from heaven and sustained the Israelites as they traversed through the wilderness of sin for 40 years (Exodus 16:4). Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God’s word, given to us from heaven, written of within the pages of the Bible. The bible (a figure of Christ himself) is our bread. This is what sustains the Christian as he traverses through the wilderness of our modern age. The Bible strengthens us. It sustains us. It instructs us, guides us, protects us, and corrects us. It changes us entirely once we become born again through the washing of its living waters (Ephesians 5:26). Our bread is precious. It is pure. It is holy, and it may not be tampered with.

Exodus 12:15

God illustrates the criticality of having correct doctrine through the example of leavened vs unleavened bread. We can see in the book of Exodus that if anyone eats of leavened bread during the holy week, or even has leaven within their households at that time, they will be cut off from Israel. The severity of this punishment has eternal implications; therefore, we must understand it fully to ensure we do not make that mistake.

Leaven is a figurative representation of false doctrine, or the false teaching of God’s word (Matthew 16:12). It can be characterized by hypocrisy, malice, and wickedness (Luke 12:1, 1 Corinthians 5:8). Those who teach the word of God falsely, and those who are misled by those false teachers; both parties are entangled in wickedness, and both are thereby cut off from Israel as a result (Isaiah 9:14-16). Jesus Christ commands us to continually purge our households of leaven (1 Corinthians 5:7, Deuteronomy 16:4). Otherwise, if it is allowed within our walls, our entire faith will be corrupted (Galatians 5:9). A little bit of leaven leavens the entire lump. The characteristic of leaven is that it grows exponentially. It’s like cancer. As each cell begins to split apart, multiply, and reproduce, slowly it spreads throughout the body, ultimately causing its death. The same is true of leaven when put in the context of baking bread. For the bread to be pure and acceptable for consumption, no leaven may be found in it. If so, eventually, the entire lump of dough will become leavened, and those who eat of it will be cut off-according to God.

If there is even the tiniest whiff of leaven found within our midst as the holy body of Jesus Christ (bread), it must be immediately identified and purged from among us. The leaven that is put fourth by these corrupt music producing entities (Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation), is no different, and must be handled appropriately (John 2:15).

2 John 1:9-11

Whoever abides in the doctrine of Christ has both Christ and God. Whoever does not abide in this doctrine, has not God. The Bible tells us that those who preach a false gospel or

represent a false Jesus will be eternally condemned to the outer realms of darkness where there is hellfire, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:25-28, Matthew 7:21-23). John continues to warn us not to allow anyone who teaches a false doctrine into our house, or to even bid that person “Godspeed”. If so, we too will be guilty of their evil deeds.

This is a grievous warning we need to earnestly heed. When we share the content of a false teacher, we are bidding them Godspeed. When we support a false ministry financially, we are partaking in their evil deeds. Financial support equates to ministerial support. Any amount of funding that our church contributes to a ministry spreading false teaching means that we too are spreading those heresies, albeit indirectly. Indirect or not, God judges both actions equally. We are commanded not only to refuse support of these diseased institutions, but to also identify them (Romans 16:17), to call them out (Galatians 2:11), to correct them (Ephesians 5:11), and to withdraw from them (1 Timothy 6:5), otherwise we will be cursed by God as they are (Galatians 1:7-8). We cannot have fellowship or association (1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14) with these deceitful wolves (Matthew 7:15). We must drive them out from among our flock so that we may continue to keep our brothers and sisters from harm (1 Timothy 4:16).

Part 3: Apostacy

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

In The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) Jesus teaches what the signs of the end of the world will be (Matthew 24:3). He speaks of wars, earthquakes, and famine. He speaks of tribulation, persecution, betrayal, and of abominations against the Most High. He warns of deception repeatedly (Matthew 24: 4, 5, 11, 24), of false prophets, false Christ’s, and of wicked men who will even perform miracles-leading God’s people away from Him. All these signs show that we are getting closer to the coming of our Lord; one of those leading indicators being the apostacy (Matthew 24:12).

God tells us that before the Lord comes to gather His people; First, there will be a falling away from the faith, and then the Antichrist will be revealed. Followers of Christ will apostatize and be led away from the faith in the end due to the rampant deception and wickedness that is taking place (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Because the devil knows his time is short, he will unleash a full display of force doing everything he can to destroy God’s people (Revelation 12:15).

1 Timothy 4:1-2

How will this apostacy take place? Because God’s people will allow it. They will allow false teaching to creep into their pews (Galatians 2:4). They will start to compromise God’s Word, giving credence to worldly philosophies (Colossians 2:8). They will give up the teachings

of Jesus, choosing to accept the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1). This is a prophetic certainty. In fact, it’s already happening.

The Holy Spirit expressly warns us that this will happen. The term “expressly” means to apply great latitude, in the sense of a commandment. God uses this term only twice when He speaks throughout the entire Bible; Once to warn of the apostacy in 1 Timothy 4:1, the other when he sends His prophet Ezekiel to warn an already apostate Israel of their impending doom (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:3). It is no coincidence that the only time The Holy Spirit uses this term in the great expanse of scripture, is only in the context of apostacy, used once in the Old Testament and once more in the New. It would be wise of us to heed His warning…

Unfortunately, many of us will not do so (Matthew 24:10). Many will be led astray by false prophets (Matthew 24:11). And they will love to have it that way (Jeremiah 5:31). They will love the sound of their lying preachers blessing them continually. Assuring them of peace and safety when there is none (Jeremiah 28:8-17). They will love their weekly sermons; bowls of milk filled with motivational speech and feel-good messaging (Hebrews 5:13-14), delivered by so called “shepherds” telling their flocks only what they want to hear. How else would they keep the seats filled and donations flowing (2 Timothy 4:3-4)? By appeasing their masses, the sheep remain ever blinded to the reality (Revelation 3:17) of our fast-approaching destruction.

Please see below for a front row viewing of the Bible’s prophetic fulfillment:

Apostate Church #1….Bethel · Bethel incorporating Islamic mysticism into worship: https://www.takeheed.info/islamic-sufism-influences-bethel-worship/ spinning to feel closer to God (Galatians 1:6-9)

· Bethel opens, closes, re-opens a school of miracles and healing: https://christianresearchnetwork.org/2022/07/27/irony-alert-bethel-church-reopens-healing-schools-after-being-shut-down-2-years/ (Matthew 16:4). Word of Faith is an occult practice wrapped in the guise of Christianity. Built upon principles of the law of attraction, manifestation, etc. this church teaches that you can become a healer and miracle worker, for a price. There’s only one healer. Jesus Christ. (John 6:26-27,35)

· Bethel sells “declaration clicker” to grow an individuals “faith” by tabulating the amount of “declarations” they make. More law of attraction, manifestation, and spiritual nonsense. Doctrines of devils https://shop.bethel.com/products/declarations-clicker There’s only one way to grow your faith. Read the Bible, Pray, and follow Jesus. (Luke 17:5)

· Anyone can be a prophet. Just because you’re wrong doesn’t make you a false prophet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKeNVT7iwuo Direct opposition to God’s word (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

· Bethel church condones grave soaking, and teaches heresies such as these in their “Supernatural School of Ministry” https://bssm.net/school/introduction/ https://protestia.com/2021/07/07/bethel-church-does-damage-control-over-grave-sucking-fails-miserably/ This is necromancy, an abomination in the eyes of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) · https://www.krisvallotton.com/my-8-eschatological-core-values https://www.bethel.com/ministries/kris-vallotton Eschatological Blasphemies. All 8 points here, supported by Bethel, are completely opposite of what the Bible teaches.

· Bethel female pastors leading the flock. Anti-biblical. (1 Timothy 3:2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP-51xyMUjw · https://christianresearchnetwork.org/?s=bethel+church&submit=Search

Barely scratching the surface; this church operates in the spirit of antichrist in open opposition to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZf3nSiw-WQ

Apostate Church #2….Hillsong

· Founder of Hillsong Brian Houston, “The Muslim and you (The Christian) actually serve the same God”. This is Ecumenical blasphemy. Deceiving the sheep in preparation for the antichrist world religion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GywGxCyp64 (Revelation 13:3-4) https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-06/abu-dhabi-abrahamic-family-house-2022-human-fraternity.html

· Hillsong performing Hindu dances worshipping Shiva the destroyer (Satan) a third member of the antichrist trinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMWJzr8KHoo (Revelation 13:8)

· Hillsong teaching that Jesus is NOT the only way. On Oprah. Heretics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0zoqFD5yNs (John 14:6) · Hillsong sexual abuse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uHd7auGw64 covered up by church leadership for years (Matthew 25:40)

· Hillsong preaching a false gospel; Prosperity. (Jude 1:11) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C_hHU7olpE, Brian Houston: Hillsong Founder and Senior Pastor. Author of “You need more money” https://www.amazon.com/Need-More-Money-Brian-Houston/dp/0957733607 (1 Timothy 6:5-6)

· Hillsong parading “Naked Cowboy” onstage at “Women’s conference”. Watch the crowd’s reaction. This church is leading people to hell while eviscerating the holiness of our faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag80JoYbf7U (1 Corinthians 6:9)

· Hillsong Co-Founder “Bobby” Houston claims the church needs to “grow up” and get with the times. In direct opposition to Paul the apostle, Hillsong continues to place women in pastoral leadership positions https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-bobbie-houston-explains-why-hillsong-church-does-not-sideline-the-girls.html (1 Timothy 3:2)

· At the 15minute mark Hillsong begins worshipping “Ishtar” (Jeremiah 7:18), the Babylonian goddess of fertility, as Mary. Ishtar is the mother of Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14),

the “son of god” in the Babylonian religion. Antichrist. Satanic trinity v2, re-iterating their previous worship of Shiva in the Hindu faith.

o I remind you-we sing songs produced by these people every Sunday.

· Hillsong satanic ritual-Crucifying Christ 5min30s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clbu65bcCOY

I could carry on. This doesn’t even begin to address the financial scandal, pattern of sexual abuse, adultery, physical abuse and more. (1 Corinthians 5:11)

Apostate Church #3….Elevation

· Steven Furtick denies the trinity and endorses modalism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_G0bmv6FV0 A false Christ. (Matthew 24:24) Proof against Elevation Doctrine: John 20:22

· Steven Furtick-no reverence for the word. Motivational speaker/comedian. Not a preacher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t275-_we0fA (Hebrews 12:28)

· Affiliation and praise of false teachers-Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Joseph Prince, Carl Lentz etc https://www.facebook.com/treasurechrist1/videos/they-became-friends-with-joel-osteen-then-this-happens/413695617635947/ (Matthew 7:15) (1 Corinthians 15:33) “Joyce Meyer is the greatest Bible teacher alive today” -Elevation Church Steven Furtick

· Elevation teaching that God broke his own law. Making him imperfect and a sinner. This is blasphemy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr9Bmp9yv0A (Matthew 5:17)

· Elevation promotes Hollywood style, spontaneous baptism productions. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elevation-church-spontaneous-baptism_n_4849533 These are planned events where insiders are planted in the congregation, and step up to initiate random baptisms within the church. Notice “training of volunteers” page 4. https://ia801404.us.archive.org/2/items/ElevationSpontaneousBaptismGuideMarch2014/Elevation%20-%20Spontaneous%20Baptism%20Guide%20-%20March%202014.pdf This is outright deception and a putting on of a show. Benny Hinn style fake healing performances. (James 1:16) · Furtick making a mockery of Genesis 3:15 https://disntr.com/2020/03/12/steven-furtick-thinks-hes-jesus-says-satan-bruised-his-heel-as-he-was-crushing-his-head-on-stage/

· Elevation teaching that we are all “gods” and that Furtick is “God Almighty” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R_DgQMpg6U This is clearly the serpent speaking, not a Christ follower. (Genesis 3:5). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4fVB2s7Kgg This teaching is a foray into the false doctrine of Gnosticism, prevalent during the early church age. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/gnosticism-11629621.html It’s time to separate from these heretics. Nothing new under the sun.

Part 4: Resolution

1) Beware of the apostacy: In the end times, there will be a falling away. Christians will depart from the faith. Matthew 24:9-11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 warn us of this. As does Jonah. As does Ezekiel. As does Jeremiah. As does Zephaniah. As does the book of Numbers. As does Jude. The Greek word for “rebellion” or “falling away” used in Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2 is G646; Apostasia. This is where the term “apostacy” comes from and it means to defect from the Truth. You cannot defect from something that you were never a part of…which means those who once knew the truth, and were a part of the truth, will depart from it, and will do so on a large scale before the coming of our Lord.

2) Mark the wolves in sheep’s clothing: False prophets creeping into the flock (Matthew 7:15). False teaching creeping into the church (2 Peter 2:1). False doctrine spreading throughout Christianity (1 Timothy 4:1). This is how the apostacy is going to take place. The source of deceptive deluge is going to come directly from Satan and his wolves (Revelation 12:9,15, 16:13-14). This is the commandment given to us by God Almighty: Mark those which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned; and avoid them. We cannot support apostate churches and their false teachings by sharing their content and singing songs they create for profit. If we pay their licensing fees and expand their reach into our congregations, we partake in their evil deeds (Ephesians 5:11).

3) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock: If there is going to be a falling away, and if our brothers and sisters are going to be deceived and misled from Christ, then we have to do something about it. We must shut these false ministries down through exposure, correction, and rebuke, while keeping our flocks informed and aware of the present danger at hand. We are called to be shepherds. We are called to be overseers. It’s time to act like it (Acts 20:28).

4) Rebuke, Reprove, Reproof…Continually: The Bible is the most important and complex piece of literature written on the face of the earth. Penned in multiple languages, spanning thousands of years, filled with history, prophecy, poetry, metaphor, figurative language, instruction, philosophy, morality, spirituality, social law, and so much more: It is infinite in nature and is likely impossible to fully understand the depths therein. This is our faith. This is the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). We must cherish it, defend it, and protect it at all costs, even to the point of death. We must strive to fill ourselves with the wisdom and teaching within its pages so that we can become more like its Author (1 John 2:6). We are called to keep watch of all things and to make our ministries full proof (2 Timothy 4:5). To be full proof means that our ministries cannot contain error. To keep watch means to always guard against teaching that is contrary to the Word we have been given.

5) Purify the incense & Purge the leaven: Incense is a figure for our spiritual sacrifices made to God (Psalm 141:2). Leaven is a figure for false doctrine that creeps into the bread of life (Matthew 16:12). Impure incense equates to immediate death (Leviticus 10:2). Having leavened bread results in being cut off from Israel (Romans 11:21). When we see the gross collection of false teachings above, spread by Churches taking part in

this global musical production phenomena; We must purify ourselves of that contaminated incense. We must purge their leaven from our midst (Jeremiah 10:15). Supporting these false ministries through financial alignment, by advertising the content that they produce, and by leading our congregations to embrace their music, we thereby commit a grievous error as Christ’s Body, and as his representatives on earth. By doing so, we take part in their wickedness (2 John 1:10-11), while also forsaking our responsibility as righteous shepherds to protect God’s flock. We must repent, and we must do so together in humility. Come out of her my people! Be not partakers of her sins, that you be not partakers of her plagues (Revelation 18:4).

6) Stay Sharp: Proverbs 27:17 is one of the most famous verses in the Bible. As iron sharpens iron, so too does one man sharpen another. Another figurative symbol of the Bible, in addition to bread, manna from heaven, The Word, and Jesus Christ himself, is the sword (Ephesians 6:17). The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12) …it is our weapon. It’s the tool we use to tear down the armies and strongholds of the enemy (Proverbs 21:22). We are engaged in ongoing spiritual warfare…but it’s not warfare like the hyper charismatics display; fighting with demons, calling down angels, and the like nonsense. The real battle field is in our minds; in our actions, in our speech, and in the messages we speak to the world. It’s a battle of competing ideas, of contradictory philosophies, of good versus evil, and of truth versus fallacy. The Bible is our sword. And if wielded properly it acts as fire and a hammer, destroying the mental strongholds of the evil one (Jeremiah 23:29).

· Sharpening cannot happen unless there is friction. The bible teaches that open rebuke is better that secret love (Proverbs 27:5). That whoever rebukes a man will find more favor with him than the one who flatters (Proverbs 28:23). That a rebuke is a gift worth its weight in gold (Proverbs 25:12). If you rebuke a wise man, he will love you for it, whereas the fool will hate (Proverbs 9:8). And he who loves instruction, loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is like a beast (Proverbs 12:1).

· Jesus tells us that he rebukes and chastises those whom he loves. Those who are saved. The born again Christian needs to embrace the rebuke of a brother. We need to focus on sharpening our knowledge, wisdom, and understanding daily so that we can be used more effectively by God in the battlefield. That only happens when we challenge one another, especially when in error. Doing so creates a virtuous loop of repentance and sanctification, which helps us build one another into a more purified image of Christ (Revelation 3:19). Let us embrace mutual instruction and always strive to be the best Christians we can be, and corporately; as a bride without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

7) Equip, Unite, Expand: When Jesus was with his disciples he sent them to go and preach the kingdom of God, but to take nothing with them (Luke 9:2-3). When Jesus was preparing for death, he gave his disciples the same commandment (Luke 22:35-38), except this time he told them to sell everything they have in exchange for a sword. The disciples presented two swords to him and he said “It is enough”. When Jesus was with his disciples, he was leading the charge in preaching and they were under his guidance and leadership. When Jesus went to the cross, he was leaving the Apostles to fend for themselves (with the helper at their side of course). In doing so they needed not just one sword, but two. Whatever knowledge they had, they needed to double it. They needed to ready themselves for the battle that was going to take place upon his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Holy Spirit can only work through the man who is versed in the Word. The Word is the Sword of the Spirit. Let us take up two, so that we may be of more use in the war against our souls.

· We need to be properly equipped, trained in the Word of God. We need to be sharp, so that our tongues can easily cut through the enemies’ lies (Revelation 1:16). We need to be on guard against any false teaching that contradicts the Word of Truth. We need to keep watch for our flocks who may not be as learned in the teachings of the Bible, thereby more vulnerable to deception, and to devouring (1 Peter 5:8). We need to drive out the wolves from our midst so that we may have one unified body, united in the pure doctrinal truths of Jesus Christ and his Holy Word.

· It’s not easy to be united. It’s not easy to act as one body in complete alignment. We all lead different lives and struggle in different ways. We all have different levels of spiritual understanding. However, we are commanded to do just that (Ephesians 4:3-4). We have no choice but to be united. A house divided against itself cannot stand. And Christianity has never been so divided in its history as it is today. It’s time to repent from our errors and to unite in one body. In the book of Judges there was a period where the tribe of Benjamin was lusting after the false god Belial. During this time Israel was able to unite as “one man” first to call Benjamin to repentance, and once Benjamin refused, they sought the Lord’s council and went to them with the sword. When Israel approached both the Lord, and their enemy, they found success. Despite two failed attempts, Israel remained faithful, and was able to overtake the Benjamites in the end (Judges 20:1, 11, 48). Their unity brought them success. They were able to cleanse their land of this false god and maintain their purity of Faith. We need to follow their lead, unite ourselves in the body of Christ, and in doing so we will be able to expand his kingdom, overtake the enemy, and purify our lands.

It is with great love and care that I write these words, and I pray that these moments of abrasion will not cause us to separate, but rather serve to sanctify us. If there be disagreements among us, we must stand to reason together (Isaiah 1:18), yet remain united in the end (1 Corinthians 1:10). I hope to remain united in the truth with you all, now and forever, and pray that the Lord be with you. Amen.