One common problem in helping a person out of his sin and into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ is the unwillingness to receive counsel. We see this at Bethel when a man leaves without the approval of his counselor. I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5&6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Part of trusting in the Lord is trusting in the Word of God as your counsel. Proverbs 11:14 tells us; “Where there is no counsel, the people fail; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
How many times have you tried to reason with a person that’s gone astray? They have been in church, they have read God’s Word, they know the way. And, yet; they are back in the den of bondage to their particular lust. And, of course, the end of their foolish choice is; “the backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways.” Proverbs 14:4.
What is going on with the repeat offenders of the truth? One possibility is that they are holding to a “form of godliness” and are ‘always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” II Timothy 3:4
I recently confronted a student with the truth of II Timothy 3:1-7 and he responded with the answer; “That’s me!” There’s hope when one sees the truth about himself. But repentance must follow or he will continue in the lie and his wisdom and knowledge has deluded him; “for he has said in his heart, ‘I am and there is no one besides me.’” This spiritual battle cannot be resolved in the wisdom and counsel of the world. It is a spiritual stronghold that refuses to bow itself to the Lord God Almighty!
What can be done in cases like these? My first inclination was to mention warfare prayer while writing this, but the Lord added another dimension to my mind. “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21. Fasting one day a week for a loved one in captivity is a worthwhile goal. Particularly pray against the spirit of antichrist which resists godly counsel and holds your loved one in captivity. In addition, pray against the spirit of bondage that has held him captive. Isaiah 49:25; “But, thus says the LORD; ‘Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.’”
There is hope, my friends, but you’ll need to fight the good fight with prayer and fasting. I suggest you purchase the book by Mark Bubeck, The Adversary. It was the first book I sought to educate myself in spiritual warfare when I arrived at Bethel Colony twenty years ago. May God bless you. Keep the faith!
