I wasn’t sure what the Lord wanted me to write about, so after my last blog post I started reading an interesting book I bought that is going very well. Then once again the need to write crepped into my heart, but I wasn’t sure what I should focus on. So I began reviewing my note books, where I have written the revelations received from the Lord over a number of years. At the top corner of a page I jotted some notes to remember, which sometimes happens to me as I am receiving from the Lord. Something totally unrelated will drop into my spirit and I would make a note, so I could go back and explore it a bit more. Well this blog is my exploration of a note made in my book. The topic of this blog says it all. Deviation is the enemy of anyone with a goal or plan, see below the meaning of the word;

DEVIATION:

• navigation: deflection of the needle of a compass caused by local magnetic forces (as in a ship)
• departure from an established ideology or party line
• noteable or marked departure from accepted norms of behavior.

Anyone who sets a goal, puts together a plan to achieve that goal. Deviating from their plan threatens the ability of that person, to be successful. What causes someone to deviate? DISTRACTIONS! The world system is designed to create, from small to large distractions in the lives of people. I can’t even begin to list the number of things that can become a distraction in our pursuit of obedience to the word of God. As christians the deck is stacked against us by the evil principalities and powers that rule over this earth. They are responsible for preventing people from course correcting in life.

Ephesians 6:12

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.

This is one of the reasons why drug addiction is such a problem in the world right now. No one actually seems to be focused on the root problems, but are distracted by the insignificant arguements, disagreements and hurts that surround a problem. This is by design cultivated by principalities and powers to entrap man into a cycle, preventing them from achieving anything that moves people forward into a place of peace. As christians, the devil himself does not need to fight us all the time, just allow his evil system to distract and deviate us, from the plans God has chosen for us to follow. I like to refer to this worldly system as Babylon. Many christians are trapped on a hamster wheel chasing after babylonian based goals, that have nothing to do with their purpose in God. Have we taken the time to re-evaluate what we are pursuing? Is it really God’s will for my life? Have I deviated from the plan God placed in my heart to accomplish? I had a family member ask me recently, how do you know what your purpose is in God’s plan? If your purpose has not yet been revealed to you, then your path of obedience will lead you directly to what God has called you to do. Obedince to the Holy Spirit, in every thing he asks you to do, during life’s days, weeks and months. Will build earned trust and reliability, that will lead you to your purpose in God’s plan. Remember to whom much is given, much is required and God will not give you more responsibility than you can handle.

Therefore you can understand why, the devil is in the long game. His goal is to distract you long enough so you become ineffective and obsolete for the purpose God has chosen you. A human’s life span (60-100 years) is short and the devil is using that against us. How long can he emerse us in his bablylonian system, too distracted to be effective. Most Christians exist in this space because we are not mature enough to persevere in obedience. Babylon’s deception is sometimes so successful, lives are cut short doing things we were not meant to do.

Job 20:11

 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.

Staying the course requires an immense amount of self sacrifice daily and not most of us want to subscribe to a life of sacrifice. I admit, trying to stay focused in this day and age, with the most Media content vying for your attention, is difficult. It makes perseverance a challenge. Only when you are able to stay the course fulfilling God’s purpose in your life, without deviating from your goals, then you become dangerous and garner the devil’s attention. He knows, the spiritual momentum gained in obedience to God for a Christian, is directly proportional to the power and influence they weild in their communities and surroundings. Things change when praying and obedient Christians persevere in seeing the will of God in their communities, schools and homes. Therefore his goal is to stop your momentum with multiple pit stops in sin, life circumstances, worldly distractions etc. This is why so many patriachs of the church warned us to  persevere in our walk with Christ, as we work out our salvation.

Hebrews 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² 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.

James 1:12

 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

How do I know this is the devil’s tactic? He tried it with our Lord Jesus Christ when he was at the beginning of his ministry. He tempted Christ to accept his offers of prestige and power in his worldly kingdom, to cause him to deviate from the purpose God gave Christ to accomplish.

Matthew 4:8-10

⁸ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then someone very close to Jesus was used to distract Christ from his purpose and that was Peter. Matthew 16:23. Christ rebuked Peter and called him satan. I don’t believe that he called Peter himself satan, but the spirit that was behind Peter’s desire to prevent Christ from fulfilling his purpose. Peter’s emotions were manipulated to make him become an obstacle and this is what usually happens when we rely on our own wisdom and emotions.

This tactic of deviation, was not only successful on the individual level, but on a corporate level as the Church body. I don’t think many people can dispute today that a high percentage of America’s churches have deviated from its mission here on earth. This is what the bible says about the church;

Ephesians 3:10

⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

The bible shows that the church is responsible for showing and expressing the manifold wisdom of God, through Jesus Christ. Not only to the world, but also to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, our true enemies. Ephesians 6:12 – “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.”

• The church is to be the source of why we were created and for what purpose as it relates to God the Father.
• The church should be at the forefront explaining why every life is valuable in the eyes of God, from the unborn to the well lived life of a senior citizen.
• Why repentance and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a response to a love, from a Father, we cannot comprehend.

Can we truly say that is the objective of the churches in America today? Their focus is redirected to false teachings such as the rapture, big buildings, zionism and outward imaging(as white washed tombs). Teachings on Repentance, Obedience and God’s Kingdom rule in the hearts of men, are long gone. They began competing for people’s attention instead of capturing it with the gospel, which is salvation through Christ (manifold wisdom of God). If you don’t believe me, go listen to a sermon from a pastor in America from late 1800’s to early 1900’s like Smith Wigglesworth, Kenneth Hagen or some of the pastors noted in the book ‘God’s Generals’. Compare their teachings to the teachings of today’s pastors. You will see the marked deviation away from teaching the Gospel. Today’s pastors work to become croud favorites and public icons. Choosing to entertain congregations every Sunday, rather than teaching the truth of the word, to minister to the root cause of the issues people face, which is ‘sin nature’. They’ve become cowards, politically correct in what they’re preaching and politically motivated in what they’re teaching. Especially when it pertains to the false zionist political doctrine peddled for monetary gain. Here in Hebrews we see the need for teachers, which is to foster growth in the word of righteousness, developing strong disciples capable of disernment.

(NB: Discernment is the developmental goal of a pastor and teacher for their congregation. They are tasked to unravel the wisdom in the word of God, for their congregations, gradually filling them up with so much wisdom they are capable of discernment when it relates to good and evil. This is what a good shepherd does, gives the sheep the tools to navigate the world and protect themselves. This is what Adam and Eve lacked in the garden of Eden and mankind fell. The wisdom of God, teaches truth, that truth gives us the ability to discern the good from the bad in life. Discernment makes us capable of choosing the right thing to do and therefore living righteously before our Father in Heaven. )

Hebrews 5:12-14

¹² For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

¹³ For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We’ve conformed to the culture of microwave meals and created fast food churches. Sunday morning is for entertainment and some form of worship, when bible study, which not many people attend, the word is taught. Why!!!!! Who instituted this system? In the old churches in the eighteen and nineteen hundreds, they had church, worship and bible study all in one. The Word of God was taught in love everytime they met, with no regard who they were offending. Today people go in and out of church unchanged, tethered to sin, still unaware of their purpose and mission as a christian. All because the church’s priority is no longer saving lost souls, but collecting lost souls as trophies in their big buildings. The church no longer is a tool for course correcting and change, brought about by the conviction in the word. It is more concerned with being politically correct in society. This explains why churches now have LGBT pastors and leaders so they are accepted by society, rather than being salt and light speaking out against the sin, while loving the person into repentance and salvation. So many christians are on the wrong path, caught up in babylon’s web of distractions. Its because of this social christianity doctrine, that is being taught in the house of God. How can you be a true follower of Christ, but walk and live in direct opposition to the word of God, He commands us to follow? I am beginning to believe the words ‘Christian’ and ‘Christianity’ has been co-opted by the enemy. They’ve seemed to become religious labels we use to express that we have some form of morality and faith, while excusing the obedience required to actually be moral and have faith according to the word of God.

The question is, what was the plan for causing deviation in the church? I am glad you asked! Here it is, ‘Innoculating the power and influence of God in the lives of his people.’

• How many churches teach on what salvation really means, what it is, and what it requires of us. Not just that we need to be saved to go to heaven?
• How many churches focus on the Kingdom of God and its dominion in the hearts of men, as something relevant to today?
• How many churches focus on forgiveness and the power it holds to renew and restore someone’s brokeness?
• How many churches preach on love and its need to be the foundation of everything we do and why?
• How many churches call out the false teachings of zionism and apostisies of the rapture, insinuating a two time return of Christ?
• How many churches address the sin nature of society today and how it affects our future generations and national standing with the Lord? These things should be addressed to protect the flock from being ensnared?

The verse above tells us the church is responsible for diseminating the manifold (many, diverse revelations of the) wisdom of God. Also read the scripture from Timothy below;

2 Timothy 3:16

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

DOCTRINE:

• A teaching or instruction (arabic translation)

REPROOF:

• Criticism for fault

CORRECTION:

• A bringing into conformity with a standard

Timothy lays out what I believe is a solution for the deviation I addressed in this blog above, that is rampant in Christianity today. Timothy lays the foundation for ‘Course Correction’. The verse above explains how to redirect and realign anyone one or anything, with the will of God, using his Word. If you disect the verse it appears to be a four step process on the road back to righteousness.

1. DOCTRINE: The word of God is to be used by pastors to teach the manifold wisdom in God’s scriptures. That truth and wisdom will illuminate the path that a person should be on as a believer, exposing how far they have strayed away from righteousness and obedience.
2. REPROOF: Using the word, not your personal convictions, to denounce the sinful and disobedient acts that led someone to go astray. Highlighting where they went wrong. The bible has much wisdom to allow discernment on what is right and what is wrong.
3. CORRECTION: This can be summed up in one word, Repentance. Teach repentance and lead everyone who has gone astray to repent of sin and disobedience. Help turn them away from their wicked ways and into the arms of a forgiving Father.
4. INSTRUCTION: Provide good biblical instruction and guidance on how that individual can overcome their personal predicaments. To instruct someone you need to be present and involved. That is what we need to be when providing instruction from the word of God. Present and involved in the lives of others, always supporting in love. Usually our testimony and an insight into our life’s losses and wins is the most powerful instructor of all.

Proverbs 16:9  

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. ⁶ Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

This daily pressure to compromise on our believes, directly affects our actions and the society around us. That is why in every decision or action, we are to surrender to the will and word of God. Allowing the Holy Spirit, that lives within us, to guide and direct our paths. It is the word of God we hide in our hearts that the Holy Spirit uses to gradually help us correct our course, leading us back to the path of righteousness. How can we facilitate this process?

1. Recognize that as christians the life we live no longer belongs to us. We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and therefore his will, should be our prime directive. This helps put things in perspective when pressured to compromise on our believes. It is not in our authority to compromise, because as a christian (a new creature in Christ) our faith is in the word of God. To compromise, God would have to instruct us. Our responsibility is obedience. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
2. The second step is rooting out the false wisdom (worldly knowledge), we use in our course correction. Until the word of God is our source, we will never return to truth and righteousness.

A good anology I can think of is the difference between a Gyrocompass and a Magnetic compass’s ability to find true north. Yes I know I’m going into science again, but stick with me on this one.

——————————————————————-Text Quoted from Wiikipedia———————————————————————————————————–

A Gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which is based on a fast-spinning disc and the rotation of the earth, to find geographical direction automatically.

A magnetic compass is the most familiar compass type. It functions as a pointer to magnetic north based on the local magnetic meridian, becaue the magnetized needle at its heart aligns itself with the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field.

NB: Gyrocompasses are widely used for navigation on ships, because they have two significant advantages over magnetic compasses.

• They find true north as determined by the axis of the Earth’s rotation, which is different from and navigationally more useful, than magnetic north.
• They are unaffected by ferromagnetic materials, such as in a ship’s steel hull, which distorts the magnetic field.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

In actuality we can view our selves as boats on the ocean of life, sometimes there are storms, that bring ups and downs. In the middle of the ocean there are no land marks that can help us navigate back on course, other than the compass instruments we choose to use. Some may choose to use a magnetic compass that is known to generally point north, once its not influenced by any other local magnetic field. Some choose to use a Gyrocompass that depends on the earth’s actual rotation and is not susceptible to the magnetic interference surrounding it. This results in a more accurate depiction of the earth’s true north.

Well in this analogy the Gyrocompass is the Holy Spirit and the magnetic compass is worldly wisdom and emotions. Isn’t it funny that the magnetic compass is the most commonly used compass because of its ease of use? No one wants to be inconvenienced by a gyrocompass and its complicated mathematical methods for determining true north. Once the magnetic compass gives them a general direction of north, they are okay. The problem with a magnetic compass is when sailing on a ship, if you are off by a degree in the direction you are heading, by the time you reach your destination you could be miles away from your target. Isn’t that the truth in life, many people use conventional worldly wisdom guided by their emotions, to achieve something they consider morally good and end up no where close to their goal. Then the compromise of being close enough becomes acceptable. It is a false moratlity and a false truth which is not acceptable in the eyes of God. He has already provided a way to truth that leads to true righteousness.

Compare this to someone who has chosen to be obedient to the word of God. In the case of the anology, they chose to use the Gyrocompass (Holy Spirit) for navigating on their journey. According to science, they will always be heading to true north, and regardless of the waves and storms in life, they will end up at their intended destination. The Gyrocompass’s ability to always point to true north, is rooted in its attempt to find equilibrium (balance), with the effects of gravity and the earths rotation. It’s relationship with the flow of the earth is more in depth, constantly changing to match the changes in gravity and rotation of the earth. As we know, the gravity on earth is related to the axis and rotation of the world. Both rarely ever change and life on earth is dependant on their consistency. That should explain why a Gyrocompass is so accurate, because it bases its direction on a constant, unchanging variable.

Okay, ENOUGH SCIENCE, keeping things simple. In this anology, God is the earth, unchanging and steady. The Holy Spirit is our Gyrocompass, directing us by the word of God to the truth (true north) until we reach our destination. What is this destination I talk about? A place of happiness, true joy, peace, unconditional love, over whelming favor, family and a path to righteous living. These are all characteristics found in the Kingdom of God. I believe everyone on earth is seeking these things and their actions in life are all attempts to achieve them. How they go about it and by what wisdom they use to be guided there is the key.

Unless you are guided by an accurate compass, arriving to the intended destination at the end of your journey is impossible. This is how important course correcting is during your life journey. The word of God says the wages of sin is death, that is spiritual death as well as physical death. The gift of God is eternal life, through faith and belief in His Son Jesus Christ. That is our true north, ‘Jesus Christ’. The Holy Spirit will point us to Christ, as he is the only way by which man can get to the Father in heaven. What we seek is in the kingdom of God, but we can only get their with the right compass correcting our course and making adjustments to the paths we choose in life. To receive the Holy Spirit, we need to repent and surrender to God by accepting his Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior. Only then his blood, shed as a sacrifice, will wash away your sins, and sanctify you. Allowing the Spirit of God to then live in you as a guide to God’s kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit of God that will not only guide you to truth, but will also bear witness when Jesus Christ returns, that you are a Child of God, a kingdom citizen.

The following verse explains why having accurate directions matter;

Matthew 7:13

¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Remember we talked about magnetic compasses giving you a general direction of north. Well wide is the path and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. Many people choose to use worldly wisdom and emotions as a guide, to their own detriment. Straight and narrow is the way to God, to get through you need a guide that is accurate in directing you on that narrow path through the straight gate. That guide is the Holy Spirit who will bear witness and help us discern the truth in the word of God. God did not leave behind his word for us to pick and choose what we will follow. The bible is a book of wisdom and guidance from our creator to help us manage the human condition. It is our humanity that has been corrupted by sin, that qualifies us for a consistent re-evaluation and course correcting process by the Holy Spirit.

This leads me to the other aspect to course correction, which is obedience. No matter how good your gyrocompass maybe, unless you turn the rudder of your boat to match the direction of the compass you will fall victim to deviation. What do I mean? See the verse below that clearly describes the result of refusing to be obedient or acknowledging the wisdom of God.

Proverbs 1:19-22

²⁰ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

²¹ She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

²² How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

²³ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

²⁴ Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

²⁵ But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

²⁷ When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

²⁸ Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

²⁹ For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

³⁰ They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

³² For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

³³ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Refusing to accept the knowledge of God, salvation and His Son Jesus Christ is considered a rejection of wisdom. The earth and everything in it testifies to the existence of the creator, God. His word testifies to Jesus Christ His Son being our salvation and the only way to God. Ignoring or disobeying this wisdom and the knowledge of the Father, leads to despair as shown in verse 31 above. There is a reason the word of God says not to lean unto your own understanding, but trust in the Lord. Obedience is required in order to allow the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit that lives in us, to correct our life’s deviations. This verse clearly states that no one has an excuse in the end. The bible shows that in the world the wisdom of God is crying out to everyone, but many choose to reject it for what ever reason. They harden their hearts in disobedience and choose to be guided by their worldly logic and feelings.

• Some reject truth and wisdom for the love of sin,
• Some reject God because of an unfavorable outcome in life they believe God could have stopped.
• Others refect God to serve satan for prestige money and power in this world’s system.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

In this country we have turned from adhereing to the morality in the wisdom of God’s word. Choosing the worldly wisdom of philosphers and educational elites that proport to know the meaning of life and how it should be lived. Yet they are unable to explain, why the more their ideoligies are implemented, the faster the decline of society into depravity. Their claim of being able to create an earthly untopia of happiness is never realised, no matter how they reconstruct the traditional societal structure. They reject the wisdom of God, that there is an inherent value and uniqness to life, from birth to death, by design. No wonder why the population struggles with hopelessness, lacks empathy and chooses death over living. They refuse to accept the human condition is flawed because of sin and by ourselves we will never accomplish that utopia, without surrendering to the will of our creator, God almighty. Unfortunately even though we have the capacity to do things that are good, our innate basic human nature is cursed with sin and rebellion. We sometimes see it on display in the way we objectify others as enemies, giving us an outlet to express our violent tendencies, based solely on our perceived differences in ideological beliefs and ill-informed judgements. Only in His all encompassing wisdom can we achieve the peace, joy, favor, love etc that all human beings seek. It is God that created us with that need, to be fulfilled by Him, not ourselves. Therefore we need His salvation, guidance, wisdom and direction.

It is important to keep in mind one crucial set of verses in the bible that not many people, including myself, put enough emphasis on;

Ephesians 6:12-18

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of ^[a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

This section of verses in the bible encapsulates it all. The war in this world, which is owned by satan, is a spiritual war for the minds, hearts and souls of men. The purpose of humanities enemy is to darken the lighted path set before us, to the point where we deviate off course. This means, his goal is to sow discourse, division and doubt in the belief of God and His Son Jesus Christ. The world’s systems and their leaders are inheritantly anti-christ because of who their father is, the father of lies and deception. Therefore no amount of outward changes or declarations, will help us get back to the truth that is under attack today in this world system. That is why so many Christians today that profess surrender with their mouths, but practice in their lives a worldly mindset, are stuck in habitual sins and living in defeat in so many areas of their lives. Verse thirteen above tells us to put on the armor of God to withstand the evil day. The armor as described in the bible is the true and living word of God, Jesus Christ in flesh. Until we study, internalize, obey and live out the word of God in our lives, we will remain susceptible to the deviations of this world. This is how we remain on course in life, putting on the spiritual armor of God daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to impart wisdom and discernment to help direct our paths in life.

I can continue to expound on this topic, but I believe you’ve got the point. As a christian we ought to constantly examine our choices, actions and lives for signs of compromise and deviation from the wisdom of God. Who are we trusting to lead us to that true North? Is our guide in life the Holy Spirit or the worldly wisdom that is so readily available on TV in media by this world’s system………..Pray for discernment!!