“For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

Sin cannot be improved upon.  It cannot be rehabilitated.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?⁴ Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:1-7.

We are all born with a sin nature because of Adam’s fall.  It is only through our faith in Jesus, in Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross, that the Holy Spirit is commissioned to baptize us into Jesus’ death…that we are alive unto God because the Spirit of God dwells in us.  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2. 

Until we allow the Holy Spirit to baptize us into the death of Jesus through faith and faith alone, we are alive unto our sin nature and dead in sin and trespasses.  We cannot do this through fasting (as Scriptural as fasting is, it was not given to overcome sin), through 40 days of purpose or any other scheme man has declared to overcome sin.  None of these rituals or ceremonies will baptize one into the death of Jesus, whereby we are then planted together in the likeness of His Resurrection.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to baptize us into the likeness of Jesus’ death, which is the only way we are freed from sin, when we have anything other than simple faith in Jesus and His finished work.

The Cross of Christ is the power of God to save man from death, hell and the grave…all others are perishing.  “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.

Sin is the problem in the world today and the modern church wants to rehabilitate sin.  Jesus Christ defeated sin and made a mockery out of every demon in hell.  When the church decides to follow Jesus Christ to the Cross, preach and proclaim His victory over sin through His death on the Cross…they will be raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father.

“Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵ Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: ⁶ And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.”  Ezekiel 37:4-6.

Oh ye dry bones, won’t you hear the word of the Lord?  We can not rehabilitate sin.  Faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone is the only way the Holy Spirit can free us from sin through the baptism into His death…”Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6.  His Spirit baptizing us into His death which can only be done through faith in His finished work…Jesus Christ – be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:11-13.

The prodigal son failed when he wanted his father’s goods without wanting his father.  The son’s failure did not come because of his riotous living but his riotous living was a result of his failure.  We do not see the failure in a person’s heart until we see the manifested result of the failure.  Once the result of the failure has manifested and the sin nature is once again on it’s throne in one’s heart, we blame the result for the failure instead of the failure for the result.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13.

Satan’s goal is to remove our heart from the Lord.  The devil knows the result of this failure will be death.  I want you to understand, the modern church failed a long time ago and we are now beginning to see the results of fallen hearts…hearts far from the Lord Jesus.  They have sought, decreed, declared and proclaimed the promises of Jesus Christ but have not lifted up the name of Jesus Christ…they wanted the Father’s goods without wanting the Father.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

These are those who are ever learning with every wind of doctrine that comes down the pike of the church but never coming to the knowledge of the Truth in Christ Jesus…their hearts are far from God.  They are seeking the Father’s goods without seeking Him and the results have manifested.  The failure occurred when their hearts turned away from the Lord Jesus Christ and sought other means for their deliverance.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.

Anything that directs our faith away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross is an attempt of the devil to steer the heart’s of His Children away from Him.  This includes many of the doctrines in the churches today which incorporate psychology (worldly means) into the Gospel of Jesus in order to achieve godly results.  Make no mistake, worldly means will never manifest into godly results but in fact turn a heart away from the Lord.

Discern what is being preached by where it is directing your heart and not by the words being said.  Does it direct your heart toward self will or self efforts?  Does it direct your heart toward that prayer shawl?  Where is your heart being directed?  God knows.  “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁵ Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.” Luke 15:24-25.  The elder sons heart also failed.  His heart was directed toward his works and he was left in the field…his Father knew his heart was not toward Him and the manifested result of the failed heart was self righteousness.

Where is your heart?  Don’t answer, ask the Lord to show you…daily.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:7-8.

Satan is much more dangerous disguised as a humble and respectful religious person than as a roaring lion.  To make him flee, one only needs to resist him.  However, to stand against him, we must engage the whole armor of God.  “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11.

Through the mouths of the religious, satan will exhort one to stand when the Lord has said resist, which in turn causes the Child of God to stand without the whole armor of God being engaged, thus destroying their faith.  It is our faith in Jesus’ finished work, in Jesus’ utter defeat over satan and his wiles, that satan tries to destroy.  If our faith is not placed solely and exclusively on Jesus’ finished work (not ours) we do not have dominion over satan (Romans 8:2).   By satan continually tempting the Saint to stand against him, when the Lord says to resist him, one’s faith in Jesus’ victory is eventually destroyed because they are standing without the full armor of God and failure is imminent.

For a Child of God to stand against the devil without the full armor of God engaged, reproach is brought upon God and he is not glorified.  We have no strength in and of ourselves, it is God’s strength that the Believer needs for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.

“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 power of God comes through our faith in Jesus and His finished work.  It is not conjured up through self will or presumption.  When our faith is placed on Jesus’ finished work on Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit is then commissioned to isolate our sin nature (which we were all born with because of Adam’s fall).  “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.

With our sin nature isolated, satan will continue to tempt the Child of God in order to “activate”, if you will, the sin nature.  As we engage instead of resist satan, we begin to make rules to overcome our now “reactivated” sin nature.  Through the mouths of the “humble and respectful religious”, satan will tell us the most Scriptural doctrines to do in order to once again isolate our sin nature.  These doctrines, although Scriptural, have now become “rules” to overcome sin.  Make no mistake, there is but One place sin was dealt with and that is at the Cross of Jesus Christ.  Because of these religious doctrines being used to overcome sin instead of the power of God through faith in Jesus, there is no dominion over sin.

There are times the Lord will lead us into the wilderness to author our faith, as His Word says He will do, and He will use satan as His instrument.  It is there, in that wilderness, that we stand on God’s Word, in the full armor of God, and understand that the devil is on a leash.  If our faith is in Jesus for our dominion over sin and death, if it is in HIM, for Who He is and what He has done, we can be assured our trial or tribulation will result in our faith being strengthened and not destroyed.

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.  satan is fully aware of Who a Child of God belongs to and what his limits are.  The devil wouldn’t be the devil if he didn’t lie and try to convince us otherwise.  It is up to us, God’s Children, to choose this day in Whom we are going to believe.  Even when our circumstances are not pleasing, look to Jesus for the lesson before rebuking satan.  The Lord may in fact be using satan as an instrument to show us something in order to build our faith.

Do you feel like you are in the wilderness?  Did the Lord lead you there to show you something?  If so, stand on His Word and seek Him for the lesson.  Is it possible you did not resist the devil and he has in fact redirected your faith into something other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified?  Did satan give you other means and methods to overcome sin?  They won’t work.  Has Jesus become of no effect for you because your faith has been placed on that method for victory instead of Jesus for your victory?  “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4.  Have you fallen from Grace or been led to the wilderness?

These are all questions that are between you and the Lord.  The Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truths.  Seek the Lord…submit to Him and resist the devil – satan will flee.

-Donna Clark Warren

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:6-8.

Satan, through the mouth of the religious, teaches the traditions of men through basic fundamental skills of worldly reasoning.  We must understand that worldly ways will never have a godly outcome.  The seeker sensitive churches preach a gospel of psychological means to draw the masses to the church instead of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to draw the masses to the Lord.  They, the seeker sensitive, preach what they know and know what they preach.  Through vain deceit they attempt to place the foundation of worldly ways into the Gospel of Jesus Christ in order to seduce the unaware.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6.

The masses are being led into a ditch by following a gospel based on traditions and philosophies of man with their faith placed on these philosophies instead of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done.  I want you to know, if you cannot see this it is because of your lack of knowledge or you are blinded by the deceit.  I do not say this disparagingly, I say this because I want you to know the God of the Bible… the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  I want you to know the One to Whom we are begotten by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I want you to know that there is only One Way to fellowship with Him and that is through faith – faith in Jesus and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross…not man’s traditions, rituals or philosophies.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  Sanctification, our spiritual knowledge, maturity and growth is found only through faith in Jesus.

Again, we preach what we believe and believe what we preach.  Discern what you believe by discerning what you preach.  Do you advocate faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified or do you advocate man’s traditions, philosophies or rituals as a means of victory to “glorify God”?

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20.  There are those who cannot speak and then there are those who cannot help but speak.  In Whom or what can you not help but speak?  The Holy Spirit will always speak of Jesus Christ and glorify Him.  Satan will use the mouth of false teachers and preachers to glorify traditions of man through worldly ways…which will never result in a godly outcome.

-Donna Clark Warren

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the Truth: ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10.

As soon as a Believer confesses their sin to the Lord, victory is resumed.  True repentance is a deep regret and sorrow for sin committed against the Lord.  Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin and it is not in God’s Will for us to live in sin.  When the Believer is outside the Will of God, victory is not attainable.

“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.

Taking up our cross daily is taking up our victory over our sin nature through faith in Jesus and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross and denying our self efforts to obtain this victory which can only come through our faith in Jesus.  Taking up our cross daily is fighting the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus and His finished work and taking up our victory.

Following Jesus will sometimes lead us into the wilderness where denying ourselves and follow Him becomes a necessity…following Jesus out of the wilderness guarantees our victory.  “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. ¹⁵ And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” Hosea 2:14-15.  The Lord will give us our vineyards from “thence”…from the wilderness. 

Our faith is authored and finished by Jesus in the wilderness.  Sadly, there are too many who continue to rebuke the “wilderness” instead of seeking the Lord for why He brought them there.  Often we are led into the wilderness for the Lord to reveal to us our own weaknesses.  Sometimes we take longer in the wilderness than others but when we decide to quit our moaning and groaning and look to the Lord for the lesson, our defeat in our flesh is revealed and our victory is resumed as soon as our repentance for faith in ourselves (self will, self efforts, stubbornness) is met with God’s Grace.

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 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.

Instead of rationalizing one sin by comparing to another sin, look to Jesus for the lesson.  Maybe the Lord is just trying to get you to confess YOUR sin so He can forgive and deliver you from the wilderness….maybe He is trying to show you the door of hope.  When sin is faithfully dealt with through confession/repentance, Gods grace and blessing will always provide the victory.

-Donna Clark Warren.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. ¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: ¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.

The Gospel of Jesus, the event if you will of His Sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full unto God and give us dominion over our sin nature, is the occasion or the moment of which the division of spiritual life and death occurred.  Jesus’ work was the event which enabled us to no longer be dead in our sin and trespasses but alive unto God, our Father.  In other words, Jesus did not cause the division but what He did for us on Calvary’s Cross was the moment of division.  Jesus’ finished work gives life and life more abundantly to those who believe.  “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, No; but rather division:” Luke 12:51.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, will lay waste motivational gospels.  When the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up among men, the presence of the Holy Spirit will use that occasion, that “event” to bring division not compromise.  The Holy Spirit’s convicting power will bring to surface the evil of the human heart and cause the “savour of death unto death” or the “savour of life unto life”.  A heart will either harden or soften depending on the choice of the person, not the choice of the Gospel.  There is but One Gospel and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9.

Discern the gospel you are sitting under.  The rightly divided, full counsel of the Word of God will bring to surface the evil of our heart, which results in humility not pride…depending of course on which side of the dividing line we choose.  Sadly, many gospels today try to unite that which the Lord has divided.  Make no mistake though, what the Lord has divided…no religion, no man or no tradition can unite.

“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. ¹⁸ 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 1:17-18

-Donna Clark Warren

“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”  Luke 11:35.

Below are some, not all, of the psychology gospels being preached in many of the modern churches today.

1. Positive Reinforcement – Positive reinforcement answers the question of what we get out of our new found religion. This practice involves a reward for something we have done positive.  It is the study of “what we get” as opposed to “Who Jesus is and what He did”.  As we know, many respond to praise and recognition.  Sadly, the religious are full of accolades for the fellow religious.  ” Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. ⁴¹ I receive not honour from men. ⁴² But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. ⁴³ I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” John 5:39-43.  Searching the Scriptures, we think we have eternal life but in our day to day living we will not come to Jesus that we may actually have life and life more abundantly…we turn to man and schemes of man.  What we say and what we do are two entirely different things.  We believe the positive reinforcement to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Divine enforcement of His Word which enables the Child of God to live the holy life we are called to live.  Our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work for our deliverance is what allows the Holy Spirit to deliver us, not positive reinforcement.  Positive reinforcement did not defeat sin on Calvary’s Cross, Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone made a mockery of every demon in hell. 

2. Meditation – Meditation is suppose to alleviate anxiety and depression, causing a remarkable improvement in a person’s sense of well-being.  The Word of God says “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

3. Aversion Therapy –  Aversion Therapy modifies behavior through ignoring or distraction.  There is even one book out today by a “Christian” author who says to do push ups if the temptation doesn’t go away.  Ignoring the problem doesn’t make the problem go away.  Regrettably, we have more Christians lying to themselves about their problems by “not claiming it”, when the Lord says “Take My Yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My Yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30.  “Not claiming it” or better known as Aversion Therapy, is not taking the Lord’s Yoke upon you so He can give you rest, it is ignoring your heavy yoke. 

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

Discern the gospel being preached against the Word of God.  Is it the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faith in HIM or is it another gospel with faith in man?

“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”  Luke 11:35.

-Donna Clark Warren

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:1-8.

There is nothing we can do in the flesh, no amount of good works, religious works, self effort or self will that can change the heart of man.  The heart of man must be circumcised, changed into a new creature in Christ Jesus which is done exclusively through faith in Jesus and His finished work.  Such is the reason that many, myself included, had to at one time or another repent of our “good works” as well.  Regrettably, the majority of the church world does not realize the need to repent of the good works performed while we were minding the things of the flesh.  The good works may have indeed been “good” but the problem is the place these good works held in the heart.  Did these good works result in a changed heart or were they minding things of the flesh?  Did they puff up or leaven the lump?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ will humble the heart.

Many agree and understand the only way to God is through Jesus.  It is because of what HE did on the Cross that we are reconciled unto God and our sin debt is paid in full.  The Cross of Jesus is the exclusive way to our eternal Salvation.  As a Child of God, we know this blessed Truth.  However, as a Child of God, many do not understand it is that SAME faith in Jesus and Him crucified, that is the exclusive way to our Sanctification as well.  The multiplicity of man’s schemes to overcome our sin nature will not change the heart of man, which in turn will not and does not sanctify man.

We are all born with a sin nature because of Adam’s fall.  This sin nature is on the throne in our hearts before our Salvation.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit comes in to our heart and dethrones the reigning monarch (sin nature).  We do not have dominion over our sin nature before our Salvation, if we could there would have been no reason for Jesus to go to Calvary’s Cross.  Our new life as a Child of God begins when the sin nature is isolated by the Holy Spirit upon our Salvation.  The Holy Spirit is now on the throne of our heart.  We are spiritually alive unto God (Romans 6:11) and no longer spiritually dead in our sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). Then comes our day to day living with Jesus.  In our zeal to learn, we are snared by the religious “good works” of others who are sincerely (but sincerely wrong) teaching us various ways and means of sanctification.  21 days, 40 days, 100 days of various religious activities should sanctify the religious…according to the religious.

Our Sanctification process is the same as our Salvation process, faith in Jesus’ finished work and His finished work alone…not our “good works”.  Our “good works” performed in the flesh puffed us up, HIS Good Work will humble and comfort the heart.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.  It is only when our faith remains in Jesus (“law of the Spirit”)  that the Holy Spirit is commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death.  When our faith is in anything other than Jesus’ finished work, the Holy Spirit will not give us dominion over our sin nature.  This includes faith in our good works, self effort and self will which is what the majority of the modern churches preach and teach today – motivational psychology.

This is why so many of God’s children are walking around in bondage.  Their religious organizations have directed their faith to another, mainly themselves, for Sanctification.  With their faith placed in their self efforts, their sin nature remains on the throne in their hearts because the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” has not made them “free from the law of sin and death”.  Their faith is in Jesus’ finished work for Salvation, praise God and rightfully so, but for their Sanctification, their faith is in another source.

All of the rules and regulations religion places on the new Believer will in fact provoke their sin nature because their faith is placed on those rules and regulations to sanctify them.  “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” Romans 7:8-11. 

It is a change of heart that this world needs, not one world religion, not unity in compromise and not more religious rules and regulations.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33.  HIS righteousness does not come through works of the flesh but through faith in Jesus….seek Him first, Jesus and Jesus alone can change the heart of man.

-Donna Clark Warren

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. 

The Apostle Paul regarded the entire Corinthian church as contaminated because of the habitual sin of one person.  Unless this person repented of his sin, he was to be expelled from the church and delivered “…unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 5:5.

Before everyone begins putting on their sack cloth and throwing ashes in the air, hear me out please.  I would like to discuss “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away…” .  I want to know who is “ye”.  Is “ye” me? Is “ye” one who believes sinners AND Saints are to be called to repentance for their sin by lifting up the name of Jesus Christ and the weight of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and God’s mercy falling on them like rain?

Or, is “ye” one who calls the sheep in to their fold, coddles them with their love, kindly pats them on the back, gives them the purple kool aid and welcomes them home?  Does this “ye” preach another gospel that condones sin?  “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8.  

If the Lord Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to give us eternal life and dominion over our sin nature, is not preached behind the pulpit, our faith is not in Him to deliver us from the dominion of our sin nature but in our selves (our self will and self effort) to overcome our sin nature, which cannot be done.  If we could have victory over our sin nature without faith in Jesus and His finished work, Jesus would not have had to go to the Cross.  What we preach is what we believe and what we believe is what we preach. 

Has ye mourned that these may be taken away from among you?  “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a Brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. ¹² For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? ¹³ But them that are without God judges. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.

If “ye” have not called them to repentance or expelled them from the church, “ye” are puffed up.  But we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, right?  Absolutely!  But some are humbled by God’s grace and repent of theirs sins daily, while others openly flaunt their sins daily in the face of sinners, Saints and babes in Christ Jesus causing them to stumble.  Those who are puffed up have turned our liberty as a Child of God into their license to sin.  These standards do not apply to one who has not professed Jesus as their Lord and Saviour but only to those who do.

“But if any have caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. ⁶ Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. ⁷ So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ⁸ Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” 2 Corinthians 2:5-8.

You see, the purple kool aid church will not allow a professing Saint who refuses to repent of their sin to be turned over to satan for the destruction of the flesh in hopes their spirit may be saved.  Instead they try to save them by keeping them in their fold and never allowing the power of God through their faith in Jesus to deliver them…they are puffed up.  Once the sinning Saint repents, we are admonished to forgive and comfort him, lest he be swallowed up by the enemy.  Let us not skip over this part lightly.  Once a Saint repents, we are to comfort and love them.  The devil will have us accusing a repentive Saint and condoning a sinning Saint…discern the difference.

Please don’t tell me there is no such thing as a sinning Saint.  Sadly there are many who are in bondage to their sin nature.  They hate their sin as much as they hate others.  However, because they are not preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ for deliverance, faith in His finished work for their continued liberty, but instead preached another gospel (motivational, psychological) causing their faith to be placed in their will and their efforts, they are accursed and remain under bondage.  These people love the Lord Jesus Christ and seek Him daily to strengthen their will, instead of submitting their will to His strength.  They seek Jesus to rehabilitate them instead of regenerate them into a new creature in Christ Jesus.  These Saints are sincere but sincerely wrong in where their faith is placed for their victory over their sin nature.

So, I ask ye – are ye puffed up?  Have ye mourned the loss of the Brethren? Are ye condoning the sinning Saint and rebuking the repentive Saint instead of rebuking the sinning Saint and comforting the repentive?  Prayerfully discern.

-Donna Clark Warren

“The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:24-25.

Sadly, there are many marching around their Jericho wall presuming the Lord told them to march when He wants them to wait.  Presuming God’s Will is disobedient and brings disgrace upon the work of the Lord.  Wrongly presuming our will to be God’s Will does not change God’s Will.

“Who is he that says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord commands it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceeds not evil and good?” Lamentations 3:37-38.  The Lord does not say He will, when He won’t.  Neither does He say He won’t, when He will. 

Sometimes the Lord wants us to wait and see HIS work in our lives.  He will not share His glory.  When He wants us to wait but instead we march, declaring and decreeing God’s Word against His Will, we hold the Word of God up for reproach.

Lay your Isaac at the Cross of Jesus and wait on the ram in the bushes if the Lord has told you to wait.  “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (persistence) he will rise and give him as many as he needs.  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  Luke 11:8-9. If persistence causes the unwilling to supply a need, how much more will persistence cause our willing Lord Jesus to supply our needs.  However, we must understand, persistence is sometimes persistently waiting and seeking is seeking God’s Will and His Divine Presence in our situation.  

Our victory is in our Lord Jesus Christ but we aren’t seeking the victory, we seek Jesus because of Who He is and what He has done for us on Calvary’s Cross and persistently seeking Him results in finding Him and when we get a hold of Him, when we wait and see the Salvation of the Lord in our lives (Lamentations 3:26),we have found our victory…our victory in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

-Donna Clark Warren