These are not in Heaven
Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
Revelation 22:13 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Romans 4:15 “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.”
Quote; “Sin must have our consent first. It is not in the power of Satan to force anyone to sin. Sin is the sinner’s individual act. Before sin exists in the heart, the consent of the will must be given, and as soon as it is given, sin is triumphant, and hell rejoices. But there is no excuse for sin, either great or little. Christ has been provided as the tempted one’s refuge. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” {ST, 18/12/1893}
James 1:13-16 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.”
Please notice the downward spiral; Firstly Satan Tempts; Satan uses the avenues that you provide, that grab your attention, he pulls on those handles (your “Hang Ups”), these are often called your own private lust, and this entices or woos or seductively beckons us, offers us a perceived benefit; I mean fantasy. Secondly Satan sits back; your own lust and drive will do the rest to bring you onto his ground and under his control and away from the safety of Jesus Christ. Thirdly the lust conceives; your lust grows, develops, and sprouts forth. Fourthly Satan watches the “Birth” of this downward path and we have sin. Fifthly Satan just lets sin fulfil its role; Sin brings death (Wages of Sin) and separation from God. Now that is where he watches to make sure that you never return to God in Repentance, Confession and Cleansing.
All Satan has to do is to watch and monitor you, stimulate your weakness and lust, manipulate a couple of things to get it to blossom, push in a temptation suggestion, and the rollercoaster ride has been tripped. God’s solution is the “Holy Spirit” which trips the warning bells, danger is imminent, and that should stop the whole thing before it even gets started. We should be so “In Christ” that when temptation knocks on the door of our heart, we get Jesus to open the door for us and Satan will flee, using the “Sorry wrong house excuse.” We must get smarter with these door knockings and let Jesus answer more often. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Job 1:10 “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” Satan well knows that “In Christ” you are beyond his grimy clutches, he had to get God to remove the barrier so that he could attack Job, a right life “In Christ” puts you beyond Satan, as the barrier is this wonderful relationship, and the Bible is a shield.
Quote; “Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness, and that, should he reveal himself openly, he would be met and resisted. Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from their strong fortification, while he lies in ambush with his forces, ready to destroy all who venture upon his ground. Only in humble reliance upon God, and obedience to all His commandments, can we be secure.” {DD 12}
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Galatians 5:16 “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” 1 John 2:16 “For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Dear reader, there is power and safety only in Jesus Christ, covered by the blood of the Lamb, filled with the spirit and walking by Faith, so let us each resolve to be this continually.
