In other words, in these last days, some who call themselves Christians will be taken out by their having breathed in the toxic fumes given off by those things we, as believers, were never designed to take in. The noxious effects of which, by their very nature, can cause our demise. Religious spirits—deceiving spirits, are famous for this. Laying claim to having the only form of protection that can truly save them—the Holy Spirit alive within them—their being overcome proof positive nevertheless, He never resided within them.
Statistics tell us that, some 50–80% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation injuries, including burns to the respiratory system. Smoke inhalation kills in just a few minutes and also quickly obscures vision, creating disorientation that can prevent a safe escape. I read this excerpt recently, regarding 1 Timothy 1:4 that said: There is a set-up in the activity of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons on the earth that is causing a society-wide shift from God’s Truth—to deception. Said Scripturally: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” –1 John 4:3.
Maybe these held familial beliefs ingrained in them since childhood? Maybe they had, in some superficial way, made those beliefs their own? They attended church, read the Bible, did the stuff, went to the Bible study, and the conferences—until they did not. Until that one day when, perhaps unawares, some other word caught their attention, seeped into them, and they began breathing in that noxious thing. In these last days, many will die of smoke inhalation. Seduced into removing the one thing from their lives that is certain to save them, the shield of God’s Truth. Hold fast beloved! Do not be deceived, if that were possible, into removing the only thing that can save you! And pray as never before! For those who are deceived, blind, are being led astray! Deceiving spirits are here in force! This is what Paul is telling us here. What the Holy Spirit stressed to him—is stressing to us, too concerning the times in which we live…
Fire! Fire! Noxious fumes have filled the air! Those that may have stood firm in the faith at one point, drifting. Moving away from what they once held dear, knew to be certain and True. Scripture does not make clear why they drifted, only that they did. Is it possible they were never truly anchored to His Truth at all? Others will reject God’s Truth entirely—blatantly. Claiming perhaps that their truth is the truth instead—this doctrine of demons. The tickling of the ears that have come to wage war with God’s children in these last of the last days. This one final, brazen, frontal assault on God, and on His Church. Not a popular message for sure, this, but I have to share it, nonetheless…
Expose the lie that claims his truth, or her truth, that their truth is the truth— and not God’s Word! I must share with those who say, “Who is this God to tell me what I am or how I should feel, think, love, or should marry?” To this, I say I love you, therefore I must share His Truth with you. I am duty-bound. Love Himself commanded me to. Thousands before me have stood facing this very moment. Shall I seek popularity and remain silent, or risk offense and possibly be used as the hand that pulls one from the fire? I have never been the popular kid, so for me, that decision was easy. I will risk the fire. I must. I have been called to. And as I said, I love you. Not with a feel-good love that prevents me from sharing the Truth, no. Rather with the love of Christ. A love that wants to share both Him and eternity with you. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” –2 Timothy 3:1-5. Notice friends, that among this long list, Paul says not one thing ever about hating anyone. He does not say name call or demean those we do not see eye-to-eye with. He does say clearly, however, have nothing to do with such people. Meaning, not taking on what they are doing. Rather share what you know to be right and true and good, instead. We are not God. We cannot save anyone. We are called to love everyone, to share the Word of God, and pray for everyone beloved. Pray that their eyes be genuinely opened to His saving Truth…
The shield of the Holy Spirit that each Blood bought believer possesses must be worn daily, moment by moment, in all situations as our protection. Whether we see evidence of a fire—or not. He must be the filter through which all of our decisions pass—our conversations too. If not, we run the great risk of being overtaken by smoke. Made weak or sick by the noxious fumes given off by those whose only motive is to kill, steal, and destroy—some intentionally, others having been overtaken and used. They may have been a best friend, a family member, a mentor—it does not matter. Hard to hear I know. But a necessary lesson. What did we think Scripture meant by remaining alert? Being awake? Vigilant or watchful? These were not casual suggests—they are life-saving tools we must implement as we navigate our way around the blaze that is these last days. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” –Ephesians 6:12.
We may not instantly recognize the deceiving spirit that came walking into our living room because it cleverly hid behind the smiling eyes of our son or daughter, a friend, or that guest in the church. We have been tricked, however briefly, into thinking that we are seeing the one we know, perhaps love, and have trusted, when all the while it is an antichrist standing before us. Some demon from hell sent to rip off our mask and take us out!
That one we see before us having been used by, duped into doing the dirty work of the god of this world—or one of his insidious minions. Deceiving spirits who momentarily blind us. Dis-abling us from seeing their true identity by wafting in attached to, somehow, that one we know—or wanted to at least. In these instances, the enemy does not come at us like the roaring lion Peter warns about in 1 Peter 5:8, though his end game remains the same, his tactic changes. There is no warning, no roar, the hair on the back of our neck does not stand up when that familiar one stands before us; our belly is relaxed, calm. Now, instead, with those familiar to us, too often he will come cleverly disguised like the wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. That one spoken of Matthew 7:15. Though this particular scripture refers to false prophets, the same principle applies. What is standing right in front of us is not who it is professing to be. “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” –Romans 16:17.
“A victim of smoke inhalation may be rendered unconscious very quickly, leading to rapid death.”
As it is in the natural, so too in the spirit-man. Keep your shield on beloved. Noxious fumes are swirling all about you. Scripture says it this way: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee” –Proverbs 23:7.
Beloved, hold fast to God, and the Truth which lives within you. Share it freely and without fear. God is your rear-guard. Nothing shall befall you that has not first passed through His hand. And if He allows it to touch you, trust it is for your edification—a needed lesson, a stretching for some future time. “I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”—2 Timothy 4:1-5.
And friend, if you’re here today for the first time and something in you is saying, “I want to know more about this God, I want to be saved from the noxious fumes of this world.” Maybe even those swirling around you right now? Then put down that joint, throw away your pipe finally, and ask this same Jesus to come into your heart right now. If you read this far then you have read about the odds of surviving smoke inhalation. Jesus wants to give you the only thing that will save you from this world—His Holy Spirit living in you. A relationship with Him. Won’t you ask Him to show Himself real to you?
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