WORD OF LIFE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL: CHAPTER 2 : THREE ALERTS TO KEEP MY FAITH ON TRACK

CHAPTER 2 : THREE ALERTS TO KEEP MY FAITH ON TRACK

READING : 2 THESSALONIANS 2

I. INTRODUCTION

Anytime the enemy uses persecution to attack the faith from outside, he will always use deception to attack the faith from inside.

After being attacked by the persecution and the tribulation from the outward enemy in chapter 1, the Thessalonians are now facing an inward attack of deception from false teachers and false prophets in chapter 2.

II. THREE ALERTS TO KEEP MY FAITH ON TRACK

When the enemy notices that the faith of the Thessalonians was still making progress despite the persecution and the affliction, he now shifts his strategy by infiltrating false teaching among them affirming that "the day of Christ is at hand".

Their purpose was simply and clearly to trouble them and shake their mind so that they will turn them away from their faith.

To counterattack the devices of the enemy and keep the faith of the Thessalonians on track, Paul the Apostle gives 3 alerts to the Thessalonians in verses 2, 3 and 15 :

📌 1st alert : DO NOT BE SOON SHAKEN IN YOUR MIND BY WHATEVER YOU HEAR

In verse 2, we read this,

"Be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand"

The word here used for "being shaken" signifies, properly, to be moved as a wave of the sea, or to be tossed upon the waves, as a vessel is. Then it means to be shaken in any way.

Through this warning, Paul wants the Thessalonians to discern the spirit behind whatever they hear.

📌📌 = 📌📌

📌 2nd alert : DO NOT LET ANY MAN DECEIVE YOU

We read this in verse 3:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; "

At that particular moment of our study, it is important to consider that "deception" is one of the deadliest weapon of the enemy against the faith.

What is it to be deceived ? To be deceived is to be mislead and deluded by a false impression. It can be done through appearances, statements, or general influences. It is so dangerous because we may never realize what is happening.

What Can Deceive? Many different factors may be involved in deception. Of course, behind all of it is the "father of lies," the devil as Jesus states it in John 8:44

"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 1 Peter 5:8, the apostle makes it clear that the devil is a deceiver, who prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

This is why we need to be active in resisting him stedfast in the faith,(1 Peter 5 vs. 9).

📌📌 = 📌📌

📌 3rd alert : STAND FAST AND HOLD FIRM THE TEACHINGS OF THE WORD OF GOD.

We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 :

So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.

CONCLUSION

Is the devil whispering things to your ears?

Is there anything the doctor told you and is worrying you ?

Is the current political state threatening you and worrying you?

THE LORD SAYS TO YOU TODAY ...

1) Do not be shaken in your mind

2) Do not let any man deceive you

3) Stand firm and hold firm the teachings of the Word

= 6 PRAYERS FOR INNER PEACE =

🙏 PRAYER 1 - The world can never give unto you the peace of mind. Only God can do. Pray the Father to give you the peace of mind and to deliver you from any trouble and any fear.

👉 Read and pray with John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

🙏 PRAYER 2 - The lack of the peace of mind is a sign of the lack of trust to the Lord. Pray the Father to grant you the grace to trust him fully.

👉Read and pray with Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

🙏 PRAYER 3 - The lack of the peace of mind is a sign that the Lord is not ruling in your heart. Pray the Father and surrender to Him so that He will rule in your heart.

👉 Read and pray with Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

🙏 PRAYER 4 - The lack of the peace of mind is a sign that contrary voices are speaking in you louder than the voice of God. Pray the Father and with the authority of faith, silence all voices contrary to the voice of the Lord.

👉Read and pray with Psalm 107:29 "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still."

🙏 PRAYER 5 - The lack of the peace of mind is a proof that you rely on your own strength to deal with the challenges of your life. Pray the Father today and cast at his feet whatever bothers your heart.

👉 Read and pray with Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

🙏 PRAYER 6 - The lack of the peace of mind can also mean that you are not living in alignment with the Word of God. It can be a sign that you are living in sin and in disobedience to the Lord. Pray and repent before the Father for any sin you know you are living in.