Good morning -
How have we been affected by "the spirit of Babylon"? I couldn't help but wonder as I read these words in Jeremiah:
"Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, Intoxicating all the earth. The nations have drunk of her wine; Therefore the nations are going mad." (Jeremiah 51:7)
Lest we dismiss these words as applying to an ancient time of judgment, almost identical words appears in the prophetic book of Revelation:
"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality." (Revelation 18:3)
The spirit of Babylon is a pervasive force that has influenced all the nations and rulers of the world; it is very much alive in the world today. Ample evidence can be found today in the fact that nearly all the nations of the world are drawn into a continuing conflict in the region of ancient Babylon. What's not so easy to discern is how the spirit of Babylon affects us personally.
The spirit of Babylon exalts self while paying homage to the enemy of God. It is subtle religiosity that becomes a clever substitute for the genuine truth and power of the One true God and His Son, Jesus. It is holding to a form of godliness while denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). It is a powerfully deceptive force that can be identified only by the most discerning.
The best way to avoid the deceptive counterfeit is to strongly embrace that which is genuine. The Apostle Paul states that those who succumb to end-time deception are those "who they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Notice that the deceived are not those who KNOW truth but rather those who LOVE it. Familiarity with truth is dangerous ground; it is only passionate love for it that will safeguard against deception.
Fall in love all over again today; return to the first love that you found at conversion, and to the truth of the Bible that led to conversion. Devour God's Word as you seek His direction today. Rekindle passion in your prayer conversation. Reconnect with those you love in the faith, because they are His living word in the world. Keeping in step with the genuine Spirit of God is the best safeguard against the dangerous spirit of Babylon.
Seeking to fan into flame a passion for my first love,
Pastor Steve
How have we been affected by "the spirit of Babylon"? I couldn't help but wonder as I read these words in Jeremiah:
"Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, Intoxicating all the earth. The nations have drunk of her wine; Therefore the nations are going mad." (Jeremiah 51:7)
Lest we dismiss these words as applying to an ancient time of judgment, almost identical words appears in the prophetic book of Revelation:
"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality." (Revelation 18:3)
The spirit of Babylon is a pervasive force that has influenced all the nations and rulers of the world; it is very much alive in the world today. Ample evidence can be found today in the fact that nearly all the nations of the world are drawn into a continuing conflict in the region of ancient Babylon. What's not so easy to discern is how the spirit of Babylon affects us personally.
The spirit of Babylon exalts self while paying homage to the enemy of God. It is subtle religiosity that becomes a clever substitute for the genuine truth and power of the One true God and His Son, Jesus. It is holding to a form of godliness while denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). It is a powerfully deceptive force that can be identified only by the most discerning.
The best way to avoid the deceptive counterfeit is to strongly embrace that which is genuine. The Apostle Paul states that those who succumb to end-time deception are those "who they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Notice that the deceived are not those who KNOW truth but rather those who LOVE it. Familiarity with truth is dangerous ground; it is only passionate love for it that will safeguard against deception.
Fall in love all over again today; return to the first love that you found at conversion, and to the truth of the Bible that led to conversion. Devour God's Word as you seek His direction today. Rekindle passion in your prayer conversation. Reconnect with those you love in the faith, because they are His living word in the world. Keeping in step with the genuine Spirit of God is the best safeguard against the dangerous spirit of Babylon.
Seeking to fan into flame a passion for my first love,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 10:28 AM
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