Betrayed With a Kiss

Greetings. In surveying the religious scene and the gross hypocrisy that prevails among the so called 'pillars of Christendom' I have undertaken a study to compare Judas' betrayal of the Lord to the common pattern now found among these rich and famous pretenders to the faith in selling out the Lord Jesus Christ and their flocks for money as they work hand in hand with Satan to build up his religious 'Babylon'.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumberth not.

(2 Peter 2:1-3)

To make a proper comparison first of all a profile of Judas is needed.

(1) He was a thief.
(2) He held the bag of funds. John 13:29
(3) He had an interest in making sure the bag was full.
(4) He bargained with the religious leaders to sell out the Lord for 30 pieces of silver.
(5) He was numbered among the twelve and CONSIDERED TO BE A TRUE DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ.
(6) Judas was AN OPPORTUNIST who SOUGHT PRESTIGE from the religious leaders in the community and he obviously LOVED MONEY.
(7) While present with Jesus and the other disciples Judas was inspired of Satan who put it in his heart to betray the Lord.
(8) While at the Lord's Supper and after receiving a sop (piece of bread) was possessed of Satan. Luke 22:3
(9) Continued with the other disciples while watching for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (A VERY CONVINCING FAKE.) Mark 14:10-11
(10) Joined himself to a violent mob endorsed and led by the religious leaders. (Notice that HE WAS ATTRACTED TO THOSE GIVEN TO USING VIOLENT MEANS OF OBTAINING THEIR OWN ENDS. )
(11) Realized too late the true consequences of his actions.
(12) Committed suicide.

Matthew 26:46-49

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

I don't think that anything I have said here would offend a pastor who was truly filled with the Holy Spirit. Many do realize that there are many things that have been accepted by tradition that really contribute nothing to the spiritual health of their flocks and that some other practices commonly found in some churches are downright dangerous. (EG. Nicolaitanism - 'Upholding special class privilege(s) and a feigned priestly preeminence to thereby lord it over others rather than actually abiding in Christ to thereby set a godly example.') The things I have pointed out in particular, namely:

(1) The love of money. (2) Seeking prestige from man.
(3) Hypocrisy. (4) Allegiances with those given to violence.

Are all things that the Lord warns all believers and not just pastors to be on guard against. Any man who allows himself to be entangled and overcome by such will render himself unfit to pastor a church. If the pastor is not abiding in Christ what will become of those who are taught by him?

I define the word 'Church' as meaning those saints who are abiding in Christ. They tend to get along together though they may not agree on some relatively minor issues. Most of what is trying to pass itself off out there as 'Christian' these days definitely isn't and so those saints filled with the Holy Spirit will not be in agreement with them, nor should they be.

If the term 'Church' is broadened contrary to scripture to include all those pseudo-Christian groups and the true saints mix themselves in with the latter seeking harmony with such what will you end up with? I will tell you exactly what you will end up with, 'ONE BIG ADULTERATED ABOMINATION' and that is exactly what the devil is building through ecumenism. For Satan to maintain a totalitarian world government system requires that he consolidate the world's religions. Not to mention controlling politics, the banks, corporations, education, the media, and the military. Notice also the NWO program to simplify their system by amalgamating municipalities, school boards, etc. to facilitate global governance.

I seek no agreement with those who feign themselves Christian while trampling upon the Word of God while they put together their 'Anti-Christ Ecumenical Abomination'. The things I have listed above are the carnal influences being used to successfully pull pastors in under the influence of apostate religious councils. Like many satanic traps designed to ensnare Christians the bait is made to appear suitably attractive according to the target's religious aspirations and concerns. EG. A united front to combat evil in the community. Be part of some great move of God. Charitable works to help the poor. Reach a larger audience with the Gospel. Etc.

The problem in this is that the true people of God are actually disobeying the Lord (By joining in league with false brethren.) and being yoked together with a majority; those who are NOT even born of the Spirit of God, (Those holding forth many different false gospels.) and therefore they will be slowly compromised and systematically subverted and diverted off course by that carnally minded and spiritually dead majority. (The main goal back of it all is however to bind Christians unto programs being steered by political (ecumenical) interests and so use them as pawns in the globalization of religion for the devil's New World Order.) The absolute necessity of the Lord's people to remain separate from the world to avoid corrupting themselves was introduced as a major doctrine under the law and then firmly re-established under the New Testament. To mix that which is 'Holy' with that which is 'unholy' always produces an ABOMINATION.

(1) THE LOVE OF MONEY
(Monetary incentives to embrace ecumenism.)

(2) SEEKING PRESTIGE FROM MAN
(Get recognition from other churches.)

(3) HYPOCRISY
(All gospels represented here are the Gospel.)

(4) ALLEGIANCES WITH PASTORS WHO CONDONE VIOLENCE
(Fellowship with works of darkness.)

Can you explain why so many Catholic and Protestant Freemasons are all working toward building an ecumenical global religion to 'go along' (Pause and think about that.) with their 'New World Order'? It would after all be impossible to control the world through a global government system without also controlling religion.

Freemasonry and the New Age Movement

The scriptures warn of this end-time anti-Christ world system that eventually leads the world to worship the 'man of sin' and so receive the 'Mark of the Beast'. If you prefer to trust in churches riddled with occultists to join in league with such rather than place your trust in God's Word alone then you will have no one to blame but yourself for having been deceived by the devil.

The promoters of the 'Alpha Course' have deliberately down-played its true origins because it came from the same people who promoted the 'Toronto blessing' and that amounts to gross deception. Because most Christians would be somewhat cautious about the course if they knew who all was behind it they simply don't tell them the truth of where it came from.

"The foundations of the Alpha course were originally laid in 1979 through the work of Charles Marnham. During his time at Holy Trinity Brompton in west London (one of the main proponents of the Toronto "Blessing" and where Steve Hill of Brownsville picked up his ability to "slay people in the spirit"), he sought to devise a course to look at the basics of the Christian faith in a way that would be helpful to new Christians. After Marnham's initial input, Alpha gradually evolved. One of the key figures in this and the main architect of the Alpha course as it now exists is Nicky Gumbel, currently curate at Holy Trinity Brompton. It was through Gumbel's vision and work that Alpha grew to have the impact it has today."

From: The Dangers of the Alpha Course

This excerpt from Nancy Flint's testimony regarding John Wimber's self appointment as pastor and the first official Vineyard meeting provides more clues as to the 'Christ' who spawned that movement.

"It was raining on the first day, so a friend of John's (John Wimber) let us use the Masonic Lodge. I wish I had a picture of the two thrones, royal blue, ornate, and the pentagram in the royal blue carpet. I sat in the front row, Carl led worship, and John and Bob sat on thrones.
I did not have a clue what a pentagram was, nor what the Masonic Lodge was, nor what the thrones portended.....just really rejoiced for being there.....Dumb sheep!"

From: Nothing New at the Vineyard

The fact that John Wimber was allowed to use a Masonic Lodge (Considered sacred (sic) ground by Masons.) reveals that this gathering had their (The Freemasons) blessing. Their subsequent behavior reveals the truth concerning the 'calling' they received and 'who' exactly was directing that show. It definitely wasn't the Spirit of Jesus Christ that inspired them to sit in a Masonic Lodge on thrones before a well known occult symbol to inaugurate a new church. Nicky Gumbel claims that his call to evangelism came in 1982 when an outpouring of supernatural power (He had to call out for it to stop.) (?) overpowered him as John Wimber prayed over him. It appears that Nicky has missed the boat altogether having embraced the Freemason's ecumenical FALSE CHRIST spirit. Not surprising when you realize that the Anglican Church (Nicky Gumbel's church.) has been a long time haven for Freemasons (and Druids) and their occult agenda.

The Nineteenth Century Occult Revival
REVEALS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE 'GNOSTIC' NEW AGE BIBLE VERSIONS,
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH'S APOSTASY AND OCCULT SPIRITISM'S INSIDIOUS
INFUSION INTO AND SUBVERSION OF MANY MODERN CHURCH MOVEMENTS.

Many young Christians today don't know about the old 'Latter Rain' heresy and so wouldn't recognize that deception in its new package as presented by the Vineyard that is suspiciously top heavy with 'Latter Rainists'. Paul Cain a prominent Latter Rainist (William Branham's sidekick) was preacher at Holy Trinity Brompton in the days just prior to the so called 'revival'.

False Prophet - Paul Cain

The 'Latter Rain' movement was denounced as a heretical cult by the Pentecostal Churches back in the 50's. New Christians would have difficulty filtering out those heretical beliefs when they are slowly introduced to them through the 'Alpha Course'.

The New Order of the Latter Rain

Doctrines of Demons: The Endtimes Sealing and Glory

Last Days Leaven - Latter Rain Heresies
{A Four Part Series}

Obscuring the 'Alpha Course's' roots hides its connection to the 'Toronto blessing' and its father the 'Latter Rain' movement. The Latter Rain heresies have made a major comeback by using low key methods and sneaking in the back door using a new generation that for the most part knows little about that particular deception.

Filling in the Blanks with Fuller

A standardized program to teach Christian basics is not needed in the first place. (And especially so when it comes with hidden and subversive baggage and so vague concerning the true Gospel that even Rome can use it.) That sort of assembly line (McDonald's - over ... millions served.) method of itself can actually be extremely dangerous in that it allows for the rapid transmission of the same errors on a grand scale. If a man who is pastor of a church can't teach the basics of the Christian faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit sans an inter-faith guidebook (approved by Rome) he has no business pastoring a church. Are ecumenical book-tape peddlers taking the place of the Holy Spirit's guidance regarding Christian instruction in the churches? Certainly looks like it!

NICKY GUMBEL GOES TO ROME

When Karol Jozef Wojtyla took over the papacy as Pope John Paul II, the defining vote was cast for him by Cardinal Sebastiano Baggio, a Freemason. He was also handed the keys to the Catholic Church by another Freemason, Cardinal Jean Villot.

Matthew 24:3-5

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

In addition these deceivers are tied in with the Freemasonic scheme to bridge the world's various religions through 'mysticism' to facilitate the formation of an inter-faith global religion. Mysticism is defined here as 'religious experiences' that are NOT of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth.

The United Religions

The Evangelical Attraction to Mysticism

All in all it is a sneaky way to direct people Rome-ward while they are seduced and under the influence of 'Toronto blessing' type mysticism. God's Word tends to take second place to their experimental 'feelings based' spirituality. (A fleeting, unstable, sensual, emotions based, so called, 'faith' (easily manipulated) rather than an actual immovable, solid, biblical, 'Truth based' faith established upon the sure and unchanging - eternal 'Word of God'.) Religious social bonding is exalted above maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, (Abiding in the Truth and in the love of God.) and emotionally stimulating entertainment and sensual arts take the place of being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. There is also a tendency to pragmatism; (If it gets results use it) as in 'aura manipulation', a 'psychic healing' practice, and a focus on seeking after signs and wonders (For example; 'magical' gold - pixie dust.) with a poor emphasis on actually living a godly life.

The Roots: John Wimber and the Vineyard

Marian Apparitions and Gold Dust

Their error revolves around an attempt to have a 'mystical religious experience' rather than on repenting so as to receive Jesus Christ according to God's Word to thereby continue in Him by believing and obeying the Word of God. To downgrade the Word of God that is given by the 'HOLY SPIRIT' (The Spirit of Truth) to then follow something called the 'Holy Spirit' that guides by way of deceptive sensual experiences, flattering (elitist) false prophecies, and 'signs and wonders' is to repeat the errors of the Catholic & Protestant mystics.
(Filthy dreamers who were (are) actually DEMON INSPIRED or POSSESSED.)
Satan has managed to produce an entire army of false apostles and false prophets to thereby deceive many and pull them under his influence as the 'man of sin' prepares to usher in the ultimate end time deception.

* Another Jesus, Another Spirit, Another Gospel *

That whole business whereby they maintain that God's Holy Spirit is at their beck and call (IE. "Come Holy Spirit") and even arrives on cue for weekend retreats, so many weeks into the 'Alpha Course', is plain evidence that their 'Holy Spirit' is NOT the 'HOLY SPIRIT' at all. An actual abiding in Jesus Christ (If they are even born again to begin with.) is actually being substituted by a carnal 'Rome friendly' superficial 'fake' spirituality dependent on 'another Christ'. This Freemasonic ecumenical 'Christ' with his Gnostic bibles, false prophets, false revelations, and love for 'The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth' is definitely NOT
Jesus Christ.

A profoundly slick deception and very very dangerous! Pray for them!

What's Wrong with the 21st Century Church?

Special Note: In the first chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ it is revealed that the local churches were all established as autonomous assemblies accountable directly to the Lord. There is not one iota of evidence from scripture to prove that Jesus either established or approved of any multi-church governing body to act in His stead as Head over any church. The only church governance revealed in the New Testament as approved by Jesus Christ was by way of elders who led by way of a godly example and taught from the scriptures and that authority was internal and localized and certainly not something that governed any other church.

The apostles established autonomous churches as is plainly revealed by the Lord in the book of Revelations where no mention whatsoever is given concerning any 'Asian church board'. I conclude that all such multi-church governance is primarily a work of the flesh and is based on man's carnal desire for power and is nothing more than a comprehensive extension of Nicolaitanism. Even the well meaning 'Big Brother' attempts to maintain standards of purity across various churches through bureaucratic controls (As opposed to simply warning others and preaching the Word of God to errant churches.) amounts to 'playing God' and is simply the proud spirit of man subverting the Holy Spirit's direct guidance concerning each local church.

These practices are extra-biblical, subversive, and spiritually stifling vestiges of Romanism that were retained by tradition and incorporated into Protestantism. Small wonder that so many Protestants (An actual misnomer in such cases.) are returning to Rome; because spiritually those movements on the whole never completely departed; their foolish hearts having modeled their churches and denominations upon Rome's wicked anti-Christ pattern. It appears that man's inherent pride and carnal lust for power over others knows few bounds as regards self-deception.

These end time false apostles and false prophets would mesmerize you with their lies, rob you, and lead you back into bondage all the while boasting in their delusions that they are sent of God to lead you into the promised land. In that the people desire to turn back to the false security of Babylon (Egypt) through bowing before these false apostles and prophets, their allegiance to Jesus Christ alone is thereby repudiated and their liberty by way of Him, disowned. These proud and self-deluded imposters actually have no clothes, let alone a crown, or a scepter. (Rev. 3:17&18) They have no authority from Jesus Christ - some having never known Him, while others having once repented to embrace the truth of the Gospel departed to follow after doctrines of demons; Fear them not!

There is no KING, but JESUS!

Rick Joyner & The Knights of Malta

The Colossian Heresy
Gnostic Dreamweavers

Ecumenism Fostered By Mysticism

That brings us to Mel Gibson's Catholic film the 'Passion of the Christ' based on the visions of a Catholic mystic. Strange isn't it that the actress that played Mary Madeline turns out to be a famous Italian porno queen. Despite the Pope's blessing and the rave reviews from some Protestant quarters concerning the historical accuracy of that film I must protest that it contains pure fantasy.

(1) An anti-Christ child in Satan's arms sneering at Jesus.
(2) Satan portrayed as a transsexual.
(3) Demon children tormenting Judas.
(4) Jesus stepping on the head of a snake in the garden of Gethsemane.
(5) The apostles calling 'Mary' mother.
(6) The 14 Catholic stations of the cross, a falsification in and of itself, being carefully adhered to. Ad naseam.

The Passion of the Christ
An International Hoax

All in all it was a Catholic travesty of God's Word that promotes the false gospel of Rome while avoiding the true Gospel altogether.

"According to Romanism, Jesus Christ died on the cross and purchased redemption and then delivered this redemption to the Catholic Church to be distributed to men piecemeal via the seven sacraments. Man cannot receive eternal salvation directly from Christ through faith; he must approach Christ through the Catholic Church, via baptism, confirmation, mass, confession to a Catholic priest, etc. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not once for all and sufficient, but must be perpetuated in the mass, which is called a non-bloody sacrifice."

Heresies of Catholicism

(PS. If your pastor can't tell the difference between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and these wicked anti-Christ heresies, it's because he has denied the faith and is a Hell-bound heretic himself; Get away from that wicked counterfeit church!)

(2 Peter 2:1-3)

The subtle blending of Romanist theology throughout was no doubt intended to help fill pews in the Catholic Church while stupefying Protestants all at the same time. That so many so called pastors would endorse this phantasmagorical tripe indicates that they like Mel Gibson are actually part of the entertainment industry. That Gibson's promotional campaign managed to mobilize a small army of undiscerning 'Christians' to spread the 'Good News', the gospel according to Mel, the master purveyor of smut and violence, is a strong indication that "TV" rules over the hearts and minds of many modern disciples.

TELEVISION - A Blessing or Tool of the Devil?

"Watch and pray" apparently has taken on an entirely new meaning among the 'faithful'. The term 'television programming' takes on ominous undertones when even the pastor's sermon reveals his addiction to the 'tube', (Often accompanied with profuse plugging of music, sports, and Hollywood celebrities and perhaps even the Pope.) and the high priority he places upon 'amusing himself'.

With all due apologies to the author of 'Onward Christian Soldiers' I present this song in hope of breaking up some marriages between God's own people and the appropriately named 'Idiot Box' A.K.A. 'TV'.

AWKWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop dear pastor, and don't forget the dip,
TV, the royal Master, will enthrall us once again,
And God's Word upon the mantle is certain to remain.

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop dear pastor, and don't forget the dip.

As our minds drift off to La-la land and Satan's host doth celebrate;
And lest God Almighty should at this time our souls do take,
And we all land in Hell abruptly before the program ends,
Let's do it all in Jesus' Name and thereby make amends.

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop dear pastor, and don't forget the dip.

Let's deceive ourselves with pleasures, and amuse ourselves no end,
No way we'll fear the wrath of God; treading where angels fear to tread,
We are not divided, the TV guide doth make us one,
One in blindness and delusion, lost in having fun.

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop dear pastor, and don't forget the dip.

To heed warnings from godly men, tis something we eschew,
Since we didn't see it on the tube we know it can't be true,
Long as earth endureth, this god we will behold,
So comfort us, Oh Illustrious One, lest God our souls do mold.

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop dear pastor, and don't forget the dip.

The bombs do fly and nations fall to build a world that's sicker,
But safe we are before the 'Box' that responds without a flicker,
They marched the pastor off to jail, their crusade without his blessing,
Their council seat he did vacate; his fear of God prevailing.

Awkward, Christian soldiers, munching on their chips,
Serve up the pop thou two horned one, and don't forget the dip.

PSALM 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The following article is from Brother Dan at Jesus-is-Lord.com

Christian, do you have a television in your home?

You do? Why?

If Jesus came back tonight, do you think He would be happy to find His army staring glassy-eyed at some flesh-pleasing trash being pumped out of Hollywood into the minds of His soldiers?

Have you ever stopped to think about that thing that you stare at night after night, day after day, year after year?

Did you spend more time on your television today than you did on your knees or reading your Bible?

You did? Why?

Do you allow your children to sit hour after hour, day after day, year after year in front of a boob tube?

Why?

Would you invite Satan to come into your home, sit down in your living room, talk, tell jokes, show evil pictures for hour after hour to your wife and children? Would you invite a sex pervert into your living room to brag to your family about his or her "alternate lifestyle"? Would you let a drug-pusher come into your home and give everyone in your household a drug that would dull their mind, make you forget God, make you feel nice and happy and stupid, day after day, year after year?

Isn't that what many Christians do [by watching mindless television]? Are you one of them?

If statistics are true (and every one knows they lie), then 97% of American homes have a television in them. Have you wondered why that is so? Does your preacher ever mention it?

I wonder why not.

What does God say about it?

In the second epistle of John, verses 9-11, we read:

9
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The Word of God tells us to not invite someone into our house who abideth not in the doctrine of Christ.

Do the people on your TV screen abide in the doctrine of Christ?

Do you think that those actors and producers out in Hollywood love the Lord and abide in His doctrines? Maybe you think so. I don't. Friend, you don't have to be in Hollywood long to realize what kind of a place it is. I lived there once years ago, and I don't think it has probably changed much. It's not the kind of environment you want to bring into your living room everyday. In fact, those Hollywood people who pump out their programs into your household hate the Lord and despise His doctrines and blasphemously mock Him. Should ANYONE give ear to their programs? Millions do -- Christians among them! Why is this?

Do you think that the sponsors of television programs tell you the truth in their advertising? You don't? Then why do you sit there listening to LIES?

The Law of God tells us that we should not covet. Now what do you suppose is the purpose of ALL advertising you see on TV? Is it to encourage you to a simpler lifestyle? Is it to make you content with the things that God has blessed you with? Does it make you want to sell ALL and follow the Lord with a whole heart?

Remember the sin of Achan. He brought destruction on his entire household by coveting a goodly Babylonish garment (Josh. 7:21).

Psalm 101:3 says:

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Is your TV a "good thing"? Do you think that if the Lord Jesus were here on earth today, He would sit and watch the things you watch?

In 2 Corinthians 6:17, the Bible says:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you . . .

Friend, are you being separate when you sit in front of your TV? Do you think that the shows you watch on TV are "clean" by any biblical definition?

Walk down your street sometime at twilight. Look at the houses you see along the way. What is that glowing thing in the living room of house after house of Christian and non-Christian alike? Who are these zombies transfixed by staring into its flickering glare?

"Well, what about Christian programming?" I hear you say.

Well, what about it? Is it really Christian? Is it necessary? Is it for you?

"Well, I know someone who was saved by watching a Christian program." Well, fine. Now that they're saved, there's no reason to go on watching it, right? The Lord has better things for them to do from that point on than to sit and gape stupidly at their television set any more.

"Well, what about the news? How am I supposed to know what's going on in the world if I don't watch the 6 o'clock news?" you say.

Friend, do you really think that the 20 minutes of non-advertisement time in the 6 o'clock news is pure and objective? Are the values of CBS, NBC, CNN, ABC YOUR values? Do they honor God? It seems to me that these networks, in their news presentations, are among those who call evil good, and good, evil. They are very powerful in shaping people's attitudes, Christians and non-Christians alike. You need to be very wise to withstand them. There have been dramatic changes in people's attitudes toward sin in the past few decades. A lot of this has come from constantly breathing the poisonous atmosphere of television.

Friend, God tells us in His Book, that we should "redeem the time." I think that has a special application to this time in which we live and our television watching. Get into your King James Bible, get down on your knees in prayer, lift up your hands in Holy praise, don't waste your time and the Lord's time glued hour after hour to your TV.

"Well, you can't tell me it's a sin to watch my TV," you will say.

Of course I can't. But let me ask you, do you control your television watching, or does it control you? If you can have the thing sitting in your living room and turn it on occasionally for something really "time-redeeming," then fine. Let it sit there. It's your choice.

But if you are someone who needs to turn the thing on compulsively every time you are in the same room with it, then by all means, get rid of it NOW! Haul it down to the dumpster right now. Get evil out of your living room and out of your life. After a couple of days, you will forget all about it. Television is like any addiction -- once you go for a few weeks without watching it, you'll soon forget all about it -- it's really the easiest of all addictions to break, which is all the more remarkable considering how many people are snared by it.

Friend, I ask you to examine your attitude toward TV watching. Go to the Lord and ask Him what you should do about it. Listen carefully to His answer, and then if He tells you to unplug it and hide it in your closet, then DO IT! If He tells you to take it out to the dumpster, then DO IT! If He tells you to warn your friends and co-workers and fellow-church members about it, then DO IT, but not until you have resolved this important issue in your own life first.

God wants us to lead pure and holy lives.

"But thou oh man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

(I Timothy 6:11)

And may the Lord richly bless you.

John 8:31b -32

IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED; AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.

The Lord Jesus bless you!