PEANUT AND THE LAMB

PEANUT AND THE LAMB

My roommate Jane took a shortcut down the alleyway behind the paint store and found a little dog. His ribs were showing, and he was shaking. She stopped her car and got out to see if the dog would come to her. Instead, he crawled under her car. That’s when she called me.

She says I know dog talk and animals will come to me, so I got some dog food and water, and off I went. We both sat down on the cement in the alleyway and talked to the little dog quietly and offered him nourishment. He would take a small drink and a bite of food, then run back a ways, tail between his legs, and just look at us.

Finally, after a half an hour of coaxing, he still wouldn’t come, so we called Animal Control because we didn’t know what else to do. But when we started toward our cars, the little guy sensed it was his last chance. He ran over and jumped into Jane’s arms. Then I put him in the front seat of my car, and he snuggled up under my arm.

About that time a guy came down the alley. We told him what happened, and that we couldn’t keep the dog because of our aging cat, Snickers. He told us his name was Tony and said his landlady recently lost her dog and was looking for another. Tony thought our little alley dog would be perfect, so we made the arrangements in case we didn’t find the real owner.

Jane put up 40 signs to try to find the dog’s owner. We waited a week, and when no one called, we called Tony back and took the little one over. The dog stayed one night before we got a phone call saying they couldn’t keep him. It seems the landlady had territorial parrots that wanted nothing to do with a little dog. So, back he came to our house.

We called some friends associated with dog rescue groups, and they found two people who said they wanted the little guy. After the third week, they backed out, and now he’s ours. We bought him a bright blue collar and some toys and named him Peanut. He loves to eat and is filling out nicely. We took him to a nearby vet and found out that Peanut had his “peanuts,” so we got him fixed, and now he and Snickers the cat, eat together and even play together.

This experience reminded me of the story Jesus told about the lost lamb:

Luke 15:3-7 “And he spake this parable unto them, saying, ‘What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

‘And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

‘I say unto you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’”

God loves every single one of us and doesn’t want anyone left alone and afraid. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We took compassion on this little dog, looked after him, and are giving him a great home. How much more compassion does God have for us and for all those who He finds in the alleys of life, emaciated and scared and just looking for the right home?

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. Have you ever taken in any stray animals? How did you treat them?

2. When animals are afraid, how do you talk to them? Do you think some people are afraid of Jesus?

3. Where does it say God hasn’t forgotten even one sparrow?

4. What does it mean to you that God knows every hair of your head?

5. Cite a verse that tells us something about God’s love for us.

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ARE WE LOOKING TOO CLOSELY?

ARE WE LOOKING TOO CLOSELY?

My friend Tina from work went to a paint and wine event the other night. Each person got a small canvas and had the opportunity to paint a picture as the leader gave some instructions. Tina explained that she had a little trouble with the waterfall and that her painting looked better from a distance. We all examine things and people too closely sometimes and don’t see them in their true light. Our foreheads wrinkle up, and our minds get a confused and possibly twisted picture.

I did that with a faux wood sample I was working on. I got up right next to it and was seeing a light tan color as the base color. I tried to make my sample by starting with that color. But no matter what paints and tints I mixed, I just couldn’t get my version to look right.

The next day I sat eating lunch across the room from my sample, and it hit me: I was looking at it too closely! I needed to back up and see the big picture. When I did, I saw that the overall base color was much darker than I’d initially thought. I started with the new base color and finished my sample.

When I lived in Chicago, I liked going to the Art Institute and looking at paintings by Ivan Albright. He is “noted for his meticulously detailed, exaggeratedly realistic depictions of decay and corruption” (Encyclopedia Britannica). In his portraits, he painted every wrinkle, every hair, every pimple, every mole. His paintings were fascinating, but kind of ugly and gruesome. He was looking too closely.

I’ve noticed that this principle of narrow and intense examination can work negatively in real life as well as in paintings. If we start looking too closely, we’re more likely to see flaws and things we don’t like. If we back up to see the bigger picture, and make more of an effort to see people the way God sees them, then we won’t see all the little uglies that get our minds going in the wrong direction.

We only have the right to see others as God sees them. We can’t make ourselves critical examiners. We don’t know a person’s whole story. Our job is to be meek to God. If He shows us some ungodly characteristics, it’s because He trusts we will at least pray and perhaps do more as the Lord directs us to help them or even just get away from them.

Jesus said: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matt. 7:1-3).

These are powerful words. If we are sick or are upset about some problem at home and we come to work or school and speak harshly to others, do we want them to judge us and think horrible things about us? No. We want them to accept us, maybe pray for us, forgive us and still think the best of us.

Jesus told us: “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). If we can go to that place within and tap into the big picture of how God sees us and others, that’s where we want to be. Our pictures will be true.

When Tina showed me a photo of her painting, I was very impressed. I found out that it was her very first painting. She did an awesome job.

When I finished my wood-grain sample, the head designer came to look at all the samples we’d completed. When shown the piece I did, the designer asked, “Is it real?” In my business, that’s the biggest compliment you can get!

I’ve tried to remember this lesson at work as well as in relationships: Always take the time to step back and look from a distance to see the overall picture. Treat people like you want to be treated. Try to see people from the Lord’s point of view, and let Him deal with the dirty details. It’s not always so easy, but it’s what God wants for us. This way of thinking will keep us humbler, healthier, and happier.

Love, Carolyn

INFORMATIVE AND INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS:

DEVIL ON EVERY DOOR KNOB PART 1 & 2 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=CAROLYN+MOLICA+DEVIL+ON+EVERY+DOORKNOB&ref=nb_sb_noss

DIRTY LAUNDRY, CLEAN HEART

DIRTY LAUNDRY, CLEAN HEART

I took a pair of my work pants out of the basket and hung them on the line. I’d washed them and used lots of bleach. But when I pinned them up, a sadness came over me, and I started to get choked up.

There were dozens of paint spots and stains from all the recent projects. There were more than I realized. I thought of how many stains are in our lives. No matter how we try to bleach them out, they remain a stain. And no matter how open we think we are about our lives, if we take an honest look, we’ve all got something to hide, something we don’t want to be shared.

God already knows every one of those things. The Lord was right there with me when I stole that makeup. He was there when I ganged up on that girl and threw her bike in the creek. He was there when I broke a friendship by saying something hurtful. God said to Jacob: “but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins. Thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities” (Is. 43:24). Instinctively we know that God is omnipresent, but still we do stupid and wrong things in His presence. Why?

Because we don’t really BELIEVE He’s there. In our bedrooms, in the bathroom, at the bar, the casino...you name the place or situation, He’s there. The Lord is with each of us everywhere, whether we like it or not! There’s no hiding from God. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Ps. 139:7-8).

God sees all our stained laundry, but He loves us so much for believing in His son Jesus, that He’s willing to overlook all our sins and miraculously wipes them out, for His own sake! He doesn’t WANT to look at our stains. He only wants to see that we believed in His son Jesus and for that alone, He “blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Is. 43:25).

I went out and got my painter’s pants off the line, smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, they’re stained but as clean as they can be for now. Though God was there when every splash of paint hit them, He doesn’t care. He only sees who wears them—me, the one He loves.

Love, Carolyn

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USER-FRIENDLY BIBLE PRINCIPLES FOR EVERYDAY LIVING: real-life stories of how GOD works to make ordinary life extraordinary.

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SONS OF BELIAL PART 5 - RECOVERING FROM AN ATTACK

SONS OF BELIAL PART 5 – RECOVERING FROM AN ATTACK

Peter got into a mess when he went into an area controlled by a son of Belial. He was taken down, but in time, he fully recovered. Peter was trying to see what was happening with Jesus after the officials bound him and took him to the high priest, Caiaphas. Peter followed them to the gates of the inner circle of Caiaphas’ servants. Caiaphas was a devout follower of Satan. He was a son of Belial, determined to get rid of Jesus in whatever devilish way Satan would reveal to him.

One of Jesus’ disciples already knew the high priest and was not affected by him or his evil ways, so he was able to go into the palace where they took Jesus. Only people with a special anointing from the Lord can be in this position and survive. Most Christians, including the great apostle Peter, weren’t among them.

“Peter was standing outside at the door” (John 18:16). Right at that point, Peter should have turned around and left. But he didn’t; that one action led him down a path that nearly destroyed him.

A woman kept guard at the door. Peter’s friend talked to her, and she opened the door for Peter to come into the palace courtyard, where the evil priest’s servants congregated. Peter knew he was going into enemy territory, and he hadn’t prepared himself. But there he was inside the gates.

“Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, ‘You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?’” He panicked and answered wrongly, something I think we’ve all done under stress. “I am not” is what he said (v. 17). The influence of the son of Belial was already getting to him, and he denied being a follower of Jesus.

Then Peter sidled up to the fire and sat down among the followers of Caiaphas, probably trying to mix in and be anonymous. But we are never anonymous when it comes to demons. They know who we are, and Peter was now in a spiritual trap. 

Peter had no business being there. The influence of that SOB started to wear him down quickly. Someone else asked Peter if he’d been with Jesus and he denied Jesus the second time. The third denial—the final blow and most important for our understanding—is when one of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you with him in the garden?” (v. 26). By this time, it’s almost like Peter was under a horrible spell. His head just wasn’t right, and he denied his Lord again. But there’s something more to this third accusation.

The accuser used the phrase: “I saw you in the garden.” “Garden” refers to the earth, and here it’s connected with the physical, cultural, and spiritual influence of where Peter grew up. It’s where the Girgashites lived in Old Testament times and the Gadarenes in the New Testament. It wasn’t a well-thought-of area.

The guy was telling Peter to get back to the slum he came from. He was telling Peter he was a failure and wasn’t worthy of being an evangelist for Jesus; he was just a fraud and he ought to admit it and get back to the only thing he was good at—fishing. And Peter listened. His confidence as a believer was annihilated. After all, he knew he hadn’t stood up for Jesus even after he was given three chances to speak the truth. His guilt was overwhelming.

A little background on Girgashites and Gadarenes will help us to see the bigger picture here. The word “Girgashite” means “clay dweller.” Girgashites and Gadarenes focus on things that are visible, natural things they can see. The Gadarenes who came from the Girgashites were pig herders. It’s said that it’s physically impossible for pigs to look up at the sky. (Somebody who knows more about pigs than I do will have to confirm that).

The spiritual aspect of Girgashites is that they only believe what they can physically see, and they lead people away from focusing on heavenly things, eternal things, things more substantial than what’s in front of their cute little noses.

When Jesus healed the Gadarene man in Matthew 8, the demons went into the pigs and they ran off the cliffs and drowned in the waters below. Drowned animals in the Bible were called an abomination because they died without shedding their blood. “The life is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11). This Girgashite/Gadarene spirit is still in the world today, causing good, wonderful people to drown before they’re able to succeed and flourish in life like they want to.  

Sons of Belial who’ve risen to the top of businesses, universities, government agencies, and other areas of life are crushing the lifeblood out of good Christians and sending them back to the spiritual slums of living like the Gadarenes, in the tombs, in empty places where they hide or have little influence.

Jesus found Peter as a practical fisherman carrying out the traditional Girgashite way. More than once, we hear Peter say, after a long night fishing: “We caught nothing.” But when Jesus sent him out, “He and all his companions were completely astounded at the catch of fish which they had taken” (Luke 5:9).

Jesus broke him away from the narrow-mindedness of the Gadarene/Girgashite spirit. He called him out to be a bold evangelist, a “fisher of men” (Luke 5:1-11).

But when Peter got into the presence of those who served a demonic ruler, he crashed hard. The influence of the evil son of Belial priest was too much for him. The demons worked on him with words and accusations to the point Peter could no longer see himself as the Lord saw him. Peter was deflated. He lost all his confidence in a very short time.

Then when the rooster crowed, Peter realized how low he had sunk—he’d denied his Lord Jesus and that ruined him.

Matthew 26:75 says: “And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus when he had said, ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].”

Most of the Christians I’ve seen who’ve been too close to a son of Belial have gone the same way as Peter. They’ve been demoralized, cut down, abused, falsely accused, their confidence ripped from them. Some were threatened with jail time. Instead of being the gregarious social leader, they shrink back to only a few close friends or family members. Instead of reaching outward, they go inward and lack the energy they once had.

It’s totally understandable. They are not alone. Look at Peter again. He was a weakened man. After Jesus’ crucifiction, Peter still hung out with the disciples, but it wasn’t the same. One of the saddest scriptures I know comes during this time. Jesus was raised from the dead and reappeared on earth to check on his disciples. Were they preaching the gospel to all nations? Healing? Casting out demons? Nope. They were back up in the area of the Girgashites.

A sad man, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said, “And we are coming with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat; and they caught nothing” (John 21:3).

THANK GOD THE STORY DOESN’T STOP THERE!

Even though Peter had 40 days with Jesus, that didn’t instantly restore the gregarious and bold Peter we once knew. There was only one event after the Son of Belial destruction, that saved Peter and got him back to his right mind.

Jesus told the disciples to get up out of the land of the Gadarenes and go to Jerusalem, and they did it.

They obeyed. They went. The big change came. Jesus told them: “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). “Power” here is the Greek word “dunamis.” It’s a root word of dynamite. It explodes miracles, giving us the ability to think the right things about ourselves and the world around us. Dynamite from the Lord strengthens our character, to make the right choices. The disciples with Peter allowed the dynamite of God to ignite their lives; we can too.   

From watching Peter up to this point, we can see that he needed some dynamite—we all do. Anyone attacked by sons of Belial needs to be restored to a place of being filled with the miracle power of Jesus. God’s Spirit on the inside becomes like dynamite and explodes marvelously, filling a person with power and love and brightness that overflows. It’s the only thing that rescues people from drowning like the poor harmless Gadarene pigs.

Acts 2 tells us the disciples were together, and they were expecting the freeing power to permeate and charge them. It did. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues” (v. 4). Speaking in tongues is one Biblical evidence that a person has Holy Spirit power in them. When we read a little further to verse 14, we see that the real Peter is back!! Peter stood up and lifted his voice and belted out with boldness about the true power of the Holy Spirit. He was experiencing it, and he never lost his confidence again.  

I know a couple of Christians who have regained their vitality and vigor after being attacked by a son of Belial. They recovered themselves the same way Peter did. They obeyed the Lord even though they were downtrodden. They asked the Lord to light up their “dunamis” dynamite once again, and now their light shines brightly.

If you or someone you love has been affected by sons of Belial, and they have not recovered yet, please be compassionate and understanding. Pray for them, that they have the willingness to continue to follow and look to Jesus so they will receive the dunamis they need and deserve.

Love, Carolyn

SONS OF BELIAL PART 4 - HE FELL INTO HIS OWN PIT

HE FELL INTO THE PIT HE MADE

Eric looked at me: “We’re running out of copper paint.” I said, “Okay, I’ll make some.” It would take some time, so I started immediately. Meanwhile, he went out into the other part of the warehouse where we were painting a five-step faux finish. Eric ignored the other workers and began on a section of panels he could call his own. I had no idea he was digging a pit for my downfall. But God had other plans.

When I got back to the panels, I could tell Eric had rushed through the steps to get as many panels done as possible. The room was three-quarters full of pieces he’d completed. He was so proud of his production—achieving way more than my partner and I did, especially with me having to mix more paint. Then it hit me what he was planning.

This guy Eric was what the Bible calls a “son of Belial, “a worker of iniquity.” He was looking for power and position in the company, and it didn’t matter who he had to step on to get there. He was not a team player but did things his way and tried to get others to follow, though he was never given that authority. I knew the demons had already told him about me because he targeted me and tried to get me talking about obscure and distasteful things. But I knew 2 Samuel 23:6-7: “The sons of Belial cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced [filled] with iron and the staff of a spear.” In other words, I knew I had to stay away from him and start using the scriptures against is plotting.

There were three of us who were above him in the chain of command, and he didn’t like it at all. He wanted to be running the job and wanted me out of the way. He brought discord into the group, and everyone was uneasy with him around. He was always scheming and critical of everyone. He would wander around the warehouse and offices and act like he was special. We never quite knew what he was up to, but we had the nagging feeling that he was spying on us, and spewing lies about us to the higher boss. His bad-mouthing had already caused one person above him to be fired. It was horrible. I had to do something.

I began to come to work early and park in a remote spot, where I’d get out my verses—those psalms of David that are specific weapons (spears)—against people like this. After looking over the verses, I was led by the Holy Spirit to use three sections in particular, and I prayed them out loud with conviction.

“He made a pit and dug it out and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown” (Ps. 7: 5-16).

“Set a wicked man over him and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, and let another take his office. Let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him” (Ps. 109: 6-13).

“Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them flow away as waters which run continually; when he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun” (Ps. 58:6-8).

I prayed others too, but those were the main ones. I prayed them every day before work.

By the grace of God, I knew what to do, and I did it. 

Back to my story of that one fateful day: This son of Belial sent me to mix paint so that my production would falter. Then he sped up and finished multiple panels. He planned to show how inferior I was and how great he was. But God had something else in mind. 

The artistic director came in and started looking at the pieces. He was horrified. He called another lead person and me over and started handing us the panels, “This one has to be done over. This one too, and this one and this one!” By the time he’d finished, there were 40-plus panels that had to be re-done, nearly all of them the ones Eric did. 

Eric’s plan failed miserably. He’d gotten me out of the way so he could show off for the boss and instead of being rewarded, he was humiliated. It was so bad that the boss sent him out of town on a different job for a week. I was thinking, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he never comes back.” 

What happened is that he did come back—for only one day. He was in street clothes, and he resigned! I found out later that God got him so far out of the way that he ended up in a job half way around the world!

“He made a pit [for Carolyn] and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made.”  

God warns those who try to hurt us: “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (Ps. 105:15). For years I have spoken this scripture in my morning prayers and seen it work to benefit me and take down those who would try to throw me down.

Love, Carolyn

PART 3 - DAVID VERSUS SONS OF BELIAL

PART 3 - DAVID VERSUS SONS OF BELIAL

God said: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). David dealt with sons of Belial many times. When he was about to die, he gave specific instructions to his children regarding them. “These be the last words of David” (2 Sam. 23:1). Verse 6: “The sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands.” This statement is vitally important, and the first thing we need get straight when it comes to dealing with those who are sons of Satan: We should never make the mistake of getting too close to these people. The closer you get to them, the more dangerous they are to you. Only engage if the Lord specifically gives you that instruction.

They are so connected to demons in the evil spiritual realm that they will instantly recognize the Christ in you and begin to target you. You can’t fight demons by being intelligent or smart on a physical level—you will lose. David tells us in verse 7: “the man that shall [absolutely] touch them must [imperative] be filled with iron [full of the strength of the Lord] and the staff of a spear.”

Envision yourself holding the “staff of a spear.” There’s a distance between you and the enemy. Rather than being close enough to put a hand on them, you need the length of the spear between you. Sometimes that distance is physical.

Say, for instance, the company you work for is run by sons of Belial; stay as far away as possible. If you believe Jesus wants you there, stay under the radar, keeping a low profile while you do what you need to and learn what you need to learn. If you become too noticeable to them, they will come after you in some way or other. Remember, they are following the lead of Satan, whose mission is to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) anything and anyone that God loves.

If there comes the point where you can’t do your anointing, and can’t be who you really are, it’s time to get out. I know it’s probably not what you want to hear, but it’s true. Don’t try to be a martyr and think you can tough it out, or that you can be the one who will change the whole company. If SOBs are in authority, most often the best thing to do is walk away. You can do a lot more after you’re gone than if you stay. They’ll beat you down until they can get you fired, or you have to quit because your physical or mental health is so bad. If you stay too long, it may take a much longer time to recover your true self.

I can’t reiterate enough: These people are disciplined and dedicated, more so than most Christians you know. They are in direct communication with Satan. Because they know him, and he knows you, Satan gives these people instruction on how to get to you in ways you could never imagine or prove in a courtroom.

I’ve seen these SOBs weaken good Christian people to the point of suicide, heart attacks, mental disorders, and very long and tough recovery periods. It’s awful. So if it looks like you’re in a no-win situation, be willing to let go. Walk away. Ask for the Lord’s wisdom, and when He says, “Go,” RUN!

Jesus told his disciples: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Mark 6:11). These are strong words!

Jesus experienced several times when He had to walk away too. Matthew 12:14-15 is just one example: “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” Remember how Jesus told some of the Pharisees in John 8:44 that their father was the devil? (“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.) “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.” You see? Jesus got out of there fast, and immediately, he got great results and was back healing and doing wonderful things for the people.

The problem with most of us Christians is that we often stay in a bad situation too long. We’re way too religious about thinking we can handle it. The Lord is coming back soon. There’s no time to tough it out. God has much more for you to do in these last days–exciting things, ideal things.

If you are not in a situation where SOBs are already in top positions, they may be invited into your space. The thing is, you may not recognize them at first, because like the tares among the wheat, they look and act the same as ordinary people at first. It seems unfair that you should have to be the one to leave since you were there first, but again, you need to go to the Lord, and He will tell you what’s best. Be willing to hear and act on what He says.

David in the Bible was harassed by followers of Satan coming at him from every angle. He told his children sons of Belial could only be held off and destroyed by you being filled with the strength of God, not by clever physical means, but with the “shaft of the spear.” The Word of God is that spear. Multiple times in the Bible, God’s Word is called a sword.

Ephesians 6:13 tells us to “take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day.” Part of the armor is to “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v.17). 

The following are some of the “spear” verses you can use against sons of Belial, whether in their company or out. These verses work.

I suggest that you carefully read them over and choose the ones that you can relate to in your own situations. You will not only be able to see results for yourself, but in using these spears, you will be able to help others who have fallen prey to sons and daughters of Satan.

Please take the time to read and speak these cutting scriptures against the sons or daughters of Belial that come against you or those you love. These are all phrases God told David, his beloved, to use.

Ps. 7:11-16 “He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.”

Ps. 35:4-6 “Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor…. Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.”

Ps. 69:23 “Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually.”

Ps. 37:12-15 “Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”

Ps. 52:5 “God shall likewise destroy you [SOBs] forever. He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.”

Ps. 55:15 “Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.”

A powerful verse in Psalm 149:9 tells us to “execute on them (SOBs) the written judgement [the above scriptures and many more that are found in Psalms]—this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!”

Strong stuff, I know. But in these times, we need strong stuff.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. What were David’s last instructions to his children regarding the sons of Belial? Where is this recorded in the Bible?

2. Are SOBs lazy?

3. What does Jesus say about those who will not receive you? Cite a scripture or two to back this. Cite a scripture that shows Jesus Himself walked away.

4. Where in the New Testament do we find a definition of what kind of a sword we have?

5. Name and recite a few of the “sword” scriptures you can use against sons or daughters of Belial?

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SONS OF BELIAL PART 2

SONS OF BELIAL PART 2

Too many of my friends have been fired, pushed out of their jobs, or are being oppressed right now by evil people in positions of authority. These domineering people are willing to literally sell their souls to Satan for the money and power they receive. Many are bullies and rule by fear. They thrill at the feeling of power they get when they can control and rule over other human beings.

It’s sad but true. And anyone who has been under a person like this knows how horrific it really is. These bullies rip the joy right out of you and leave you so exhausted at the end of the day that you have no energy left. They suck the life out of you. And they care nothing about you, except what you can do for them.

If you’re a giving person and full of life, they will make it so that you have no one to give to. They steal your anointing away from you and make you feel useless, worn out, and flat-lined, and you might not even know why. But I’m going to tell you why. The answers are all in God’s Word.

The Bible calls these powerful people “sons of Belial,” “workers of iniquity,” “lewd fellows of the baser sort,” “enemies of righteousness,” “wicked ones,” “generation of vipers,” as well as “seeds of the serpent.” They propound the words, ideas, and actions of Satan against the Lord Jesus, God, and the people who love the truth of the Bible.

The sons of Belial (I call them SOBs) willfully serve Satan. Mostly they won’t come right out and tell you that. Only recently have some of the boldest musical artists admitted and proclaimed the actual rite of selling their souls to Satan, the blood sacrifice ritual involved and the signed contracts with Satan, that generally last about ten years, as far as we know.

The definition of the Hebrew word “Belial” is “worthless, unprofitable, wicked, evil, destructive, ungodly.” Deuteronomy 13:13 gives us the first usage of the word: “Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known.’”

We can learn a lot from where a word in the Bible is used for the first time. Here we see that these people are called children of Belial. In John 8:43-44, Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

In Judges 19:16 we read: “Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, ‘Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.’” The usage of the word “know” in this verse means to have sex with him.

We see from 1 Samuel 1:16 that women can also be SOBs: “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.”

1 Samuel 2:12 tells us: “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.”

Psalm 52:1-3 speaks of these wicked people: “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness.”

And Psalm 55:3 declares: “Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.”

Although we haven’t heard much about them in church, more and more Christians are becoming aware of their presence and learning what to do about them. The devil has manipulated and fed into people’s ego throughout history to manipulate and oppress others. From what I’ve seen, they especially like to rule over Christians. In the workplace, these SOBs (sons of Belial) love to have Christians work for them because generally, Christians are good workers, on time, detail-minded and loyal. The SOBs use this to their advantage.

David prayed to God about them: “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.”

I want to expose just a few more prominent aspects of their character from the Word of God so that you will be more apt to recognize who they are and what they do. And remember, they also like to train others to follow them and be like them, so you may encounter people with these characteristics who are not yet totally sold out to the devil directly.

SOBs are “merchandisers of men” (2 Pet. 2:3). They gather and use good-hearted workers as stock items to carry out their deeds. They don’t care about the individual, only what that person can do for them. They abuse workers in sneaky ways: requiring more tasks than what’s reasonable, extra hours without pay, “mandatory” social events, etc. Since they love to prey on Christians, they will often use the guilt trip as a technique to get what they want.

When SOBs want what you have, they’ll send someone to sidle up to you and try to learn or extract skills from you, only to get rid of you and give the job to one of their SOBs-in-training.

Often they are not the spokesperson, but the one behind the scenes calling the punches. They desire to be applauded and put on a pedestal for all their good charitable works, but behind the scenes, they are out to take down anyone they perceive as being in their way. They talk peace and work wickedness at the same time, speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They are extraordinarily sneaky and try to befriend and snare people with their smooth words. They are never to be trusted.

Proverbs 6:17-18 tells us, they have “a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

These are some of the general characteristics of these sons of Belial. We can now recognize them.

When we become aware of their motives and methods either through experience or studying it in the Word of God, we will be able to recognize them in the future and be able to protect ourselves and others who have been pulled unknowingly into their realm of power and destruction.

In next week’s chapter, we’ll learn from King David a way to escape from, avoid, attack, and bring down the spiritual bullies that unfortunately embody some of the people around us. God gave David an entire arsenal of specific weapons that we’ll read about and talk about next time.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. What is the definition of “Belial”?

2. What are some of the other phrases used in the Bible for these sons of Belial? Look up a couple of these.

2. Who does Jesus say is the father of the evil spirits dominating and ruling these wicked people? Where is that found in the Bible?

3. What are a couple of characteristics of sons of Belial? Document these characteristics with scripture references.

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THE LORD EXPOSES SONS OF BELIAL AND SHOWS US HOW TO OVERCOME

THE LORD EXPOSES SONS OF BELIAL AND SHOWS US HOW TO OVERCOME

When I was visiting in Kinshasa, our host and his family drove up to where we were. They had just buried one of their sons who died of tetanus poisoning. Our host was a wealthy man and worked directly for the King of the country, but he could get no tetanus vaccine, and his son died. The king of Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo) had riches beyond belief, but the man who served him could get no help for his son. Why not? The KIng oppressed the people under him, and they suffered. This kind of despotism has not only invaded the political realm, but we see it in education, business, entertainment, religion, and almost every institution of life.

God calls these evil people sons of Belial (see Deut. 13:13 and 2 Sam. 20:1). I call them SOBs for short. God says they are merchandisers of men (2 Pet. 2:3). They abuse, oppress, and make the good people under them feel like they can never do anything right.

These top evil despots worship and serve Satan, and he pays them with what they desire: riches and fame. Luke 4:6 tells us the devil gives them kingdoms because they worship him, and he can use them to further his evil ways on the earth. They love people to admire and applaud them. Just like their boss, Satan, they want their co-workers and underlings to worship every idea and plan they have. (see Jude 1:16)

Sons of Belial, or wicked men, as the Bible names them in other verses, are not just interested in the top levels of the mega-organizations. Anywhere they can get a position of decision-making, they will try to get in. Their oppressive ways trickle down to affect everyone under them if possible.

John 8:44 tells us these evil people are liars. Psalm 28:3 says they are hypocritical and deceptive. They will be nice to you one minute and turn on you the next. You can never trust them.

They will take a small mistake committed by a Christian worker and blow it up and add fresh accusations of things that never existed (see 1 Kings 21:10). Working under or around these people is usually extremely difficult and stressful. The SOBs use a person’s words and deeds, twists them, and turns them back on the person.

There’s no reasoning with these people. They are insane in their thinking, so they don’t respond to logic at all. They make up their own rules—whatever works for them to achieve their desired result.

If an SOB doesn’t like you, it doesn’t matter how great a worker you may be, or how great your ideas, you will continuously be the target of their evil. These sons of Belial are masters of slander. They will take something you actually said or did and turn it around to look like it was the most terrible thing ever. They aim to trap those they don’t like (see Ps. 141:9-10 and Ps. 64:3-6). They motivate by fear and oppression.

Under the rule of one of these SOBs, there is never room for individualism but only place for automatons in their juggernaut of control and tyrannical governorship.

These sons and daughters of Belial need to be stopped, and God shows us how to do it.

The Lord exposes them and shows us through the life of His beloved David, what we can do to bring them down.

GOD TRAINED DAVID EARLY TO BE A FIGHTER OF GIANTS. As a shepherd boy, he fought for the life of his sheep when he killed a bear and a lion (1 Sam. 17:37). As a young man, he killed Goliath to protect the people of Israel. As an adult, he fought the devil spirits working in the sons of Belial. We often think of how awesome it was that he killed Goliath with only a slingshot and a small pebble, but we miss the first weapon he used in the battle—the WORDS he fired against Goliath:

David answered, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he’s handing you to us on a platter!” (1 Sam. 17:45-47 MSG)

These words of David were powerful, and when he spoke them, they came to pass. When David became king, many SOBs came against him. Just like God gave David words to speak against Goliath, He gave David (and He gives us) strong words to speak against the spiritual Goliaths we encounter.

These words are violent, and they are for those who are ready to battle a strong Goliath that must be taken down. The following are just a few of the Psalms David prayed against the sons of Belial:

Psalm 58:6-8: “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.  As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.”

Psalm 7:11-16: “God is angry with the wicked [SOBs] every day.  If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”

Psalm 109: 6-12: “Set thou a wicked man over him [the SOB]: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him.”

Second Thessalonians 1:6: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.”

There are many more of these prayers in the Psalms that you’ll now be able to recognize and use. Knowing how to wield these verses will help you in situations of personal attacks and also enable you to go to battle for others.

A while back, I experienced an exceptionally intense attack of these evil SOBs when they came into positions of authority over several friends and their children in different places around the globe. I prayed the above scriptures and other pertinent ones every day out loud. Some of my friends were able to escape. Some healed quickly, and others are still in the process of recovery.

I’ve given you a brief overview of this powerful weapon against an enemy who effects so many and yet is still so well hidden from most Christians. We are in a spiritual war, and the devil is getting bolder and more vicious the closer he gets to the end. He is out to steal, kill, and destroy like he did in literally killing my African friend’s son. We can turn the devil’s tactics back on him and help rescue our fellow Christians from death and destruction.

“This honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord” (Ps. 149:9).

I highly recommend Dale Sides’ book, Exposing Sons of Belial: Identifying and Overcoming Children of the Devil for information on this subject.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. What are some of the characteristics of a person the Bible calls a son or daughter of Belial? Look up and cite some of the scriptural references for this.

2. Have you ever experienced or perhaps read about a person who fits this Biblical description of a person who serves Satan? Explain.

3. What was David’s first weapon fired against Goliath? Where is this found in the Bible?

4. What are some of the scriptures David has given us in the Psalms that we can pray against these SOBs who knowingly do evil against God’s people?