Every human being is influenced by spirits from a different world. Even those people who don't believe in spiritual beings are nevertheless under their control. The reality of the spirit world is not based on human reason. It is based on fact. It is what it is. The fact that it is invisible to the human eye does not make it any less real.
Instead, they basically make science their religion. They stake their eternity on their scientific understanding. That even goes for those who doubt the reality of the immortality of the soul. They think they are right....or at least they hope they are right. They certainly hope there isn't a "bad eternity" for those such as themselves who are not Christians. They don't know it for a fact, but they are "wishing" that it will play out according to their personal opinions.
The Christian worldview has a message for those who reject the idea of a spirit world: "Your stubborn refusal to accept this teaching is in part the result of those spiritual forces which influence your thinking." It's true. Those forces really do exist. They even have a blindfold over your spiritual eyes. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers." (2 Cor. 4:4) Try to picture that one.
Satan is the leader of the rebel forces. You may not believe in these forces, but they believe in you….they surround you….they in essence "control you." "Wait a minute," you say. "No one controls me. If anything, science controls my thought process."
OK. You think that you are scientific, but not spiritual. That's a natural and expected response. Who wouldn't think the same way….unless of course you came under the influence of God in the spirit world. The Scriptures explain it this way: "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (1 John 5:19) The "evil one" is a reference to the devil.
"How am I under the influence of the devil? Just because I don't believe in supernatural stuff doesn't make me a devil worshipper." No it doesn't….but according to God, it means you are blind to a world that really does exist. God would know....He created every angel and everything in the spirit world. You reject it because you can't prove it. That's understandable. It's natural to think that way. Who wouldn't…unless of course your eyes were opened by God to see heaven and hell….and angels and demons….and the true nature of Christianity.
When someone begins to "see" the spirit world as a Christian, it is not a "seeing" with our physical eyes. It is a "seeing" in our thought life that comes with belief….and confidence that God's Word truly came from the Holy Spirit and was not from the prophet's own interpretation. I know….it's not scientific enough for you.
Well….God didn't intend for the Bible to answer all of our scientific questions about the universe or the spirit world. There would be no need for faith if science answered everything.
We are told that many of the miracles Jesus performed "are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31) The supernatural things Jesus does are done to encourage us to believe in Him....not to answer every scientific question imaginable. Science is helpful in many areas, but it won't save your soul….and it won't convince you about the reality of the spirit world.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to many people. One of them was Thomas, who we have all come to know as "doubting Thomas." He said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:25-27)
That may also be your challenge today....that is, if you too are a doubter. This world often praises the doubters. Heaven never does so. "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6) Heaven rewards those who believe God and take Him at His Word. "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor. 5:7) What makes you think you are smarter than God?
So are you under the control of the evil one, or under God's control? Those without Christ are under the evil one's control and under the control of sin. "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." (Romans 8:9) Whether you like it or not....and whether you believe it or not....the spirit world influences and controls every single person. Man would rather live under the delusion that he is in control of his own destiny with no outside spiritual influence whatsoever.
Just look at the things which the Holy Spirit seeks to do....and compare them to what the devil seeks to do. Which of those two beings do you think is working to convince you that the spirit world does not exist, especially here in the West where science is king? The truth is that the spirit world is all around you....so maybe it's time to stop living as though science could somehow save your soul when your body expires.
Science has never been a god that anyone could trust to help them beyond the grave. That's because science is impotent when it comes to saving man's soul. Don't be afraid to let that one bounce around in your mind for awhile. There is not room on the throne of your heart for both science and Jesus to be King.
What does it profit a man if he gets a check in every scientific box in this world....and yet loses his soul? Going to your grave satisfied isn't the same thing as going to your grave saved. The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can save your soul....and that happens through faith in Christ. But you will never prove it scientifically on this side of the grave....you can only prove it "scientifically" after you go to heaven. So are you going there?
One of the most critical realities of the spirit world is this: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) "Faith comes from hearing the message." (Romans 10:17) Are you beginning to see who might have a vested interest in motivating you to ignore the message of the cross? There is a battle going on for your soul....and yet, you may be totally oblivious to the spiritual warfare all around you.
I can assure you of this my friend....the day is coming when you will no longer be oblivious to the needs of your soul. You will awaken one day from your earthly slumber. Don't wait for that day only to be horribly startled out of your sleep. Come to Christ now. "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14) His light enables you to see things you never saw before.
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THE MAGIC MAN IN THE SKY:
Effectively Defending The Christian Faith
by Carl Gallups
Publisher: WND Books - Washington D.C.
#1 Best Seller Amazon (Science
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DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT Carl
Gallups' Home Page - http://www.carlgallups.com/ This is a daily site of devotions, videos,
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witnessing tool! Listen to this clip of
Carl leading a talk show host back to the Lord - largely because of the host
landing on Carl's site - amazing! HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3gX-Buf_7s&feature=plcp
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