^“18 And He (Jesus) said unto them (His Disciples), Are you so without understanding also? Do you not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man, it cannot defile him; ¹⁹ Because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?

²⁰ And He said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man.

²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: ²³ All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23

Out of the mouth flows the abundance of the heart.  Holiness does not sanctify evil, it dispels evil.  While evil, on the other hand, defiles that which is holy.  Pride and foolishness is the fruit of a defiled heart.  No matter one’s abilities, intellect or earthly wisdom (which is devilish by the way [James 3:15]), a defile heart cannot produce fruit unto God.

Many professing Christians have the outside of their cups nicely polished but from the inside comes evil thoughts, covetousness and pride. The inside of their cup is filthy and defiled.  Their incantations have failed them, and fail them they must, and they are left wanting.

“²⁸ Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take My Yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For My Yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

When we recognize the abundance of our heart is full of death and our lying to ourselves and unto God in the Name of Jesus have failed, Jesus will be standing at the door knocking.  Those Who follow Him, will find rest unto their souls.  Learning of Him, Who He is and what He has done to break the power of sin for the broken Believer, dispels the defiled parts and causes a praise to be constantly on our lips.  Jesus Christ is our strong tower which we run into and are safe.  Without Him, we cannot resist the devil and the devil will not flee.  It is the devil’s wish to defile.  Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus gives us life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Recognize the defiled parts.  Learn of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be determined to know nothing else among you.  He will give you the rest in which your soul seeks.  Joy unspeakable and peace beyond all understanding is found in Him…He is our strong tower.

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

-Donna Clark Warren

Certain destruction awaits those who attempt to defeat satan in their own strength and this is exactly what most religious teach.  Spiritual warfare ministries specialize in such teachings.  The methods and mantras of the super spiritual are given to the “unlearned” in order to overcome sin. Family curses, soul ties and other “curses”, which were in fact broken the day of the believing sinners Salvation, all have a specific incantation designed to break the curse.  This is nothing more than an attempt of “white” witchcraft given in order to manipulate the spirit world of righteousness and has absolutely nothing to do with faith in the Cross of Christ for dominion over sin.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the Law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

These incantations, often called “prayers”, become the object of one’s faith to overcome the problem or circumstance at hand and makes the Cross of Christ of no effect.  They become the law given to gain victory when under Grace through faith we maintain our victory.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 1 Corinthians 1:17

These wisdom of words are commandments of man being taught as doctrine from behind the pulpits and have many in the Church, and I speak here of those who truly love the Lord, under bondage to satan.  Unknowingly they have been deceived and their faith has been shifted to these various doctrines which are constantly tossing them to and fro.  This corruption of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified through the wisdom of words has presented another Jesus and another gospel for victorious Christian living, while maintaining Jesus Christ and Him crucified for their Salvation.  This spiritual adultery committed by the sincere Believer has them bound by the powers of darkness.  No matter the lies they may tell themselves, others and even God, they do not have joy unspeakable and peace beyond all understanding.

“For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are Saved it is the Power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Cross of Christ is foolishness to them who are perishing.  Are you perishing? We must recognize how we receive the preaching of the Cross of Christ for daily living unto God.  The Cross of Christ was a place of great suffering for our Lord but for the Believer it is a place of great blessing.  Sadly, many have been led away from the Cross of Christ and their blessings have been off.  No longer are they in God’s Will for their life because after having done all, they did not stand but ventured out to fight the devil in their own strength.

^“11 Put on the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:11-13

Satan is a formidable foe to those who do not stand in God’s Armor.  One cannot withstand the evil day in their own strength.  It is God’s Armor, not our own.  In Christ Jesus, we stand and see the Salvation of the Lord.  In all others, certain destruction awaits.

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10.

-Donna Clark Warren

^“11 And He (Jesus) said unto them (His Disciples), Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: ¹² That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Mark 4:11-12

The prying eyes and ears of unbelievers are not given the knowledge to perceive nor understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God.  Many of these unbelievers are professing Believers who have an intellectual knowledge of Scripture and a knowledge of miracles, signs and wonders but because they do not perceive nor understand the Scripture, they cannot discern the miracles, signs and wonders are nothing more than signs and lying wonders from the powers of darkness and not from God.  These are not Disciples of the Jesus but followers of satan’s ministers who have been transformed as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).  Sadly, they fail to realize satan has power to perform miracles.

^“9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved.

¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Miracles performed by the power of God will always edify His Word.  The sick will be healed. The lame will walk.   Please understand, this writer BELIEVES in miracles.  I have seen miracles in my own life.  However, we must also realize that the spirit of the antichrist  is already in this world (1 John 4:3) and satan gives them power to perform “miracles”, which in fact are nothing more than lying signs and wonders to deceive the very elect.  The delusion of those who don’t love the Truth that they might be Saved is because they had pleasure in signs and lying wonders from the devil.   Remember, the power of God is the Cross of Christ to those who are Saved (1 Cor. 1:18), NOT oil secreting Bibles and statues of dead Saints.

Those who have ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the churches are Jesus’ Disciples Who follow Him daily.  Those who follow the Jesus of the Bible, the Jesus Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe and continue to believe the Cross of Christ is the power of God to those of us who are Saved.  Not by might, not by power but by His Spirit alone is the work of God superintended in the hearts and lives of the Believer when our faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ and miracles will FOLLOW.

“¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

Seeing, many see not.  Hearing, many hear not.  Those who do not hear nor see are not Disciples of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and they are not given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, therefore they concoct their own philosophies from their vain imaginations which appeal to the itchy ears of the curious.

“²³ If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. ²⁴ And He said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.” Mark 4:23-24

Take heed what you hear.  The measure of which you hear…it shall be measured to you.

-Donna Clark Warren

The Sacrificial System was implemented immediately after Adam’s fall to reconcile fallen man unto God and remained in effect until being fulfilled in Christ Jesus. The Blood of bulls and goats could not pay the penalty of sin, which is death, but served to restore fellowship between God and man.

Every lamb offered was a Type of Christ; a symbol of Jesus’ redemptive work on Calvary’s Cross.  Jesus Christ was and is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.  Whosoever believes upon His Redemptive work on Calvary’s Cross shall be saved.  The Cross of Christ is the power of God for those who are Saved but unto others It is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18).

As for me and my house, we are determined to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2).

“Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

-Donna Clark Warren

^“40 And there came a leper to Him (Jesus), beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If You will, You can make me clean.

⁴¹ And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His Hand, and touched Him, and said unto him, I will; be you clean.” Mark 1:40-41

When we understand that we too are as the leper; loathsome in our filthy rags of self righteousness while forever seeking the speck in the eyes of others and humble ourselves before the Cross of Christ for our daily needs, we will see the Hand of God move on our behalf.  Many believe God will heal the leper but fail to understand they are as the leper and never seek the Lord for cleansing.  The Sunday morning social services convince them they are a product of their environment and by changing their environment and attending their religious services they will be cleansed.  Vain philosophies are being taught as biblical doctrine instead of the fear of God through the preaching of the Word (Matthew 15:9).

“…Gather Me (God) the people together, and I will make them hear My Words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:10

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Hearing vain philosophies taught as biblical doctrine directs one’s faith away from the Cross of Christ for daily living for God to those vain philosophies.  Such is the corruption of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified which is made of no effect through the wisdom of words presented from many pulpits.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 1 Corinthians 1:17

The preachers of vain philosophies do not stand up and declare they are going to corrupt the Gospel and here is how.  Unless we search the Scriptures daily for ourselves to see if those things are so, we too will be deceived. Our money and our faith will be placed in them and their doctrine as we follow them right into a ditch.  This is not the preachers fault but the Believer’s for not contending for the faith and coming out from among the error.  The false teachers are doing what false teachers do…teach heresy.

“If My People, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

There are many lepers in the modern church who do not realized their own leprosy.  As we take our eyes off of the Cross of Christ and begin discerning the specks in other’s eyes, we quickly forget our own condition.  Yes, we believe the Blood of Christ cleanses but we fail to see our own need of cleansing…daily.

I’m not speaking here of Salvation but of Sanctification.  The lost do not seek God.  They do not believe God heals.  I’m speaking here to Believer’s who have sought other methods, vain philosophies of man, to cleanse themselves of all unrighteousness who need to repent of their wicked ways and turn back to the Cross of Christ.  Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive from God…there is no other way.  Without faith in Grace (the Cross of Christ…the power of God [1 Cor. 1:18]), the Holy Spirit is not commissioned to superintend the work of God in the heart and lives of the Believer.  Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness (Matt. 6:33) and HIS Righteousness comes by Grace through FAITH, not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

-Donna Clark Warren

^“38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

In Christ Jesus, the love of God vindicates HIS Righteousness in spite of ours.  Continue looking unto Jesus as He authors and finishes our faith.  Precept upon precept and line upon line, all things are new and old things pass away as we are a made a new creature in Christ Jesus.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.” Psalm 34:8

-Donna Clark Warren

^“21 Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.

²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

Prophesying, casting out devils and doing many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus are not qualifications for being born again.

“Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go you out to meet Him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:1-12

Religiously keeping your lamps trimmed and nicely kept are not the requirement for being born again.

 ^“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Believing that God sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of sin (death) for whosoever will believe and that He was Resurrected on the third day, which is the proof that every sin was paid in its entirety for those who have believed, and that He now sits at the Right Hand of the Throne of God making intercession through His Sacrifice for those who have freely chosen to follow Him is the requirement for being born again.  Jesus Christ went to the Cross once for whosoever will believe.  Those who have believed go daily.

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

In order for the Disciple of Christ to follow Him, we must bear our cross…we must pick up our cross and crucify ourselves daily.  We cannot pick up or bear our cross lest we first deny our self will, self efforts, abilities, intellect, etc. and then only can we follow Jesus on a daily basis.  This is not for Salvation, we were born again when we first believed in the Cross of Christ.  However, for God’s Grace which always sufficient unto the day, we must follow Jesus as a child, utterly dependent upon His atoning work on the Cross for the supply in which we need today.  Sufficient for tomorrow is the evil thereof.  Today is the day of Salvation.

“And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Narrow is the way and few have found it.  Today many will go about trimming their candles and doing many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus.  They believed upon Jesus Christ for Salvation but have since followed the commandments of men as doctrine and added to His Work.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified has been corrupted and they have buried their talent in the dirt waiting on their Lord’s return. The Light which was once given to them upon Salvation, has been taken away and given to another with an abundance of light.  They have been a slothful servant.   Are they saved?  I wouldn’t dare to say.  The Word of God says Jesus did not know them.

^“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-15

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁵ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

²⁶ You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26

Religion will give us many ways to overcome the sin that so easily besets us.  The sin that so easily defiles us begins in our heart.  The Apostle Paul said “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

The majority of Christianity strives to make clean the outside of the cup, while within they are full of extortion.  Not knowing how to clean the inside of the cup, man resorts back to something they must do to cleanse the outside.  A method or vain philosophy is given as doctrine to overcome sin in a sincere attempt to make clean the outside but has no effect on the heart…which is where the problem exists.

Some may declare incantations (spells) that are referred to as “positive confession”.  They dare not “claim” the evil which is in their heart lest it be true. Instead of seeking victory over the sin in their heart, they deny the sin in their hearts and lie to both themselves and God.

The inside of the cup is cleansed by the Cross of Christ (Grace) through faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) but it must be faith that God can accept.  Faith in Buddha, God cannot except…this is obvious.  However, less obvious to the Believer is faith in ourselves.  Faith in our efforts, intellect, talents and abilities for victory over sin makes the Cross of Christ of no effect.  Even Scriptural ordinances, even though Scriptural but were not given to overcome sin, God cannot honor.  If God could honor good intentions, the Cross of Christ was in vain.

“And He (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

Daily we must deny ourselves and place our faith in Grace, which IS the Cross of Christ, for victory over sin…otherwise, we cannot follow Jesus.  Getting in front of a mirror daily and pretending to put on the Armor of God will not cleanse the inside of the cup but spit shines the outside and prohibits the Believer from following Jesus.  Just to be sure, the Armor of God is God’s Armor.  We have the Armor of God on when we are in Christ Jesus through our faith in Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe, not when we get in front of a mirror and play dress up.  Some religious institutions teach this practice to the Believer and their faith is directed to their putting this armor on for their victory that day…utter foolishness.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the Law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

Sin’s dominion was broken by the Cross of Christ (Grace).  We cannot clean the inside of our cup any other way.

“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death.” Romans 8:2

The Holy Spirit superintends the cleaning of the inside of our cup.  He is the one Who circumcises our heart and makes us a new creature in Christ Jesus when our faith is in the Cross of Christ for victory over sin.  This is faith which God can honor and faith which the Holy Spirit is commissioned to superintend…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Fight the good fight of faith….DAILY.   Lay hold on eternal life.

-Donna Clark Warren