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NASB | Isaiah 57:1 The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart; And devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from evil, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Isaiah 57:1 The righteous man perishes [at the hand of evil], and no one takes it to heart; Faithful and devout men are taken away, while no one understands That the righteous person is taken away [to be spared] from disaster and evil. |
Subject: Thorn in the flesh |
Bible Note: Scribe, Matthew 18:18, is dealing with a person who has sinned against another, However what are we dealing with here? A person who has been influenced by an evil spirit. One vulnerable area that we can start with is what I refer to as "open doors" in our life. "Neither give place to the devil" is how Paul puts it in Ephesians 4:27, or as the Amplified Bible says, "Leave no room or foothold for the devil...give no opportunity to him." When we allow openings in our spiritual life the devil feels he has the right to take advantage of us in those specific territories. The Bible introduces us to doors in Genesis 4:7 when the Lord said to Cain, "If thow doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." God told Cain that Satan was crouched at his doorway, waiting to leap into his life. Cain had the choice and because he chose to open the door to jealousy, Satan led him into the murder of his brother, Abel. Sin is progressive. One thing leads to another until we find ourselves in big trouble. For that reason we must learn to close those doors before they develop into something harmful. I do NOT believe that Christians can be demon possessed. But they certainly can be attacked in their mind, will, emotions and body. They can be troubled, pressed, buffeted, harassed, depressed, obsessed, oppressed in bondage and brusied. In "alcohol" we are dealing with the "spirit of bondage." This strongman usually works very closely with the spirit of fear. "For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15. (continued) |