Our War With The Wicked

[Book of Jeremiah]

When reproached and persecuted by wicked men, look beyond them. Spend your wrath on Satan, who is your chief enemy. Men are only his puppets.
-William Gurnall

William Gurnall was born in 1616 and was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, a university under strong Puritan influence. He was a pastor of the Church of Christ, in Suffolk. The book, Christian in Complete Armour, by William Gurnall is a classic. It is a devotional with a reading from Gurnall for each day of the year. In this thread we look at what Gurnall had to say about spiritual warfare / and the wicked One.

Gurnall writes:

Now in all the saints' wars with the wicked, Satan is commander in chief on the wicked side. It is their captain's work the wicked do, his lusts they fulfill. The Sabeans were the ones who plundered Job, but they went on Satan's errand. The heretic spreads corrupt doctrine and perverts the faith of many, but he is only a minister of Satan. (2 Corinthians 11:5) who gives him his call, his wiles, and his wages. Persecutors, whether by their tongues or their hands, are but the devil's instruments. (Revelation 2:9,10)
When you see people striving furiously against the truths or servants of Christ, pity them as the most miserable people on earth. Do not fear their power, or admire their talents. They are emissaries of Satan. The Martyrs of old called them his drudges and slaughter-slaves.
-William Gurnall

For a complete reading of William Gurnall's books on line see this link:
William Gurnall -- The Christian in Complete Armour

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Interesting note Gurnall wrote about a teacher and his words to a student who used his brilliance for Satan's work. He wrote:

Oh, how I weep to see such a sparkling wit as yours prostituted to the devil's service! If you have found a golden chalice, you would have given it to the church, but God has given you a golden head, talent, and wit, and with them you are drinking yourself to the devil!

Gurnall wrote that when you see men of power and intellect using their talents against God, weep for their souls. Better they had lived and died slaves and fools than to do the devil's business with their God - given abilities. Gurnall continues,
When reproached and persecuted by wicked men, look beyond them. Spend your wrath on Satan, who is your chief enemy. Men are only his puppets. They may be won to Christ's side and so become your friends at last.

He then quotes another author and writes: When the enemy comes riding up in battle, the valiant soldier is not angry with the horse, but with the horseman. He works to kill the rider so that he may possess the horse for his own use. Thus we must do with the wicked.

Quite brilliant - the reminder is priceless - our warfare is not with flesh and blood - it is spiritual warfare and in this battle it is also important to be mindful of the words of Paul and put on the whole Armour of God.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Are you saved today? Today is the day of Salvation! Today!

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Quoting Gurnall:

Whoever you are, you are baseborn until born again. The same blood runs in your veins with the beggar in the street (Acts 17:26). We enter and leave the world alike, as one is not made of finer earth, so he does not disintegrate into purer dust.

-William Gurnall

and again quoting Gurnall:

If such is the composition of all flesh, why place your faith in any man? Do not trust in princes, they cannot keep their crowns on their own heads, nor their heads, on their own shoulders. Neither trust in wise men, whose designs so often recoil upon themselves. Man's carnal wisdom may predict whatever it likes, but God turns the wheel and brings forth his own providence regardless.

-William Gurnall

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Jesus Christ is the Rock.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Quoting Gurnall:

Your bout with sin and Satan is not a weekend sport, it is the final conflict. So you dare not give your enemy a handhold. Wrestlers strive to fasten upon some part of the body which will let them more easily overthrow their adversary. To prevent this, ancient wrestlers used to anoint their bodies before a match. You should do likewise. Strive to put off the old man - that corruption. David called his own iniquity (Psalm 18:23). Observe what it is and mortify it daily, it is a favorite handhold of Satan's. He will beat a shameful retreat when he finds no iniquity in you to catch hold of - and he dare not touch that in you which is holy.
-William Gurnall

Again from Gurnall:

The object is to put your opponent on his back and keep him there. Do no so compliment sin as to let it breathe or rise.
-William Gurnall

It is written:

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also give me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people, and thou has made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me, the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their places.

The LORD liveth and blessed be my rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those who rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Great deliverance giveth he to his king, and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Psalm 18:30-50

 

[HaShev]

Because wickedness is subjective we find Christians who think its wicked to blast on Jesus and the historical innacuracies and fallacious claims. The people of reason and rational thinking can be of higher morals ethics and standards & do great deeds but still seen as wicked in coming against the AFFILIATION PRIDE which set up a giant EGLOMANIAC who needs an ego feed more so then humanity served.
This same problem goes with Islam's focus on Mohammad as well. Blast either prophet and it's considered wicked, but do bad acts in either of these prophet's names and it's accepted as being part of the gang mentality=affiliation pride=wickedness.
WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG , good or bad, in line or opposition is subjective and usually wrong when affiliation pride and a giant eglomaniac's inflated ego is seen as the discerning factor.

 

[Abishai100]

The Winding Watermark


"Shiva the Destroyer descended upon Earth to tackle the dark schemes of the likes of Ravana and Kali...and almost lost because of an undetected jihad."
-statement by a pro-socialism terrorist attacking the monoliths of Hindu-Muslim conflict totems


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Maybe the only police officer is Hydro-Man (Marvel Comics), a super-mutant comprised of only water and representing our fears of complete disintegration in this confounding modern age of wicked prayers.





Fanaticism (Wikipedia Entry)

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

This is a classic from Jack Chick which depicts the authority of the Believer very clearly. Luke 10:19 is the scriptural foundation for the authority of the Believer in Jesus Christ! Watch this!