Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ARROW (11/17/22)
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TITLE: Which Way Do We Go? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
11/22/22 -
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We can see them everywhere. They’re on no parking signs, traffic lights, traffic lanes, buildings, hallways, and GPS driving directions.
Mischievously or maliciously tampering with arrow signage can send followers off in the wrong direction.
In the spiritual realm, Scripture provides advancing disciples with guidance and directions (1), as well.
The Kingdom of Darkness provides deceptive alternatives.
Just as the authority posting signs with arrows have the responsibility for their accuracy, so do the ones who provide guidance and directions in the spiritual realm.
“… be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left… (Joshua 1: 7 NASB).”
For pastor-teachers, Scripture takes the responsibility and accountability a step further.
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment (James 3: 1 NASB).”
Here in the Church Age, the vast majority of spiritual warfare (2) is not the type we read of in such passages as Mark 9:20-22.
“They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us (Mark 9: 20 – 22 NASB)!”
The vast majority of spiritual warfare takes place between our two ears. It is a war of words!
It is there that the Gospel Message is introduced through the ear gate or the eye gate. It is there that the Gospel Message can be believed, resulting in one receiving eternal life (3).
But it is also there that the Gospel Message can be rejected, resulting in eternal condemnation (4).
Once (if) saved, the born-again believer then has the daily opportunity to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God (5), with the long-term goal of participating in the Great Commission (6).
When presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message, the recipient is at a critical fork in the road.
The recipient is placed in a position where he or she must choose between the road that leads to eternal life and the road that leads to condemnation (7).
Math. 7: 13, 14 reveals the majority make the wrong choice!
The Kingdom of Darkness create and post signage for many “alternative” paths, but all of them come to a (spiritual) dead end (8).
One’s salvation is eternally secure (9), but the battle taking place between your ears has only just begun!
Identifying and following the directions provided by accurate Bible octrine plays a significant role in this spiritual conflict.
This will become evident by the many forks, crossroads, and intersections that an advancing disciple will encounter along the road to spiritual maturity.
At these forks, crossroads, and intersections, there will be a sign post with two or more arrows offering different directions from which one must choose.
When the decision is between following the route of righteousness and the route of sin, the right choice should be obvious.
But when the choices are between what is good and what is better, the decisions are not so easy.
To assist us in identifying and following the correct arrow, 2Cor. 13: 5 self examinations will provide the advancing disciple with the “You are HERE “ displays, as well as His map (The Bible) to chart one’s future course.
God the Holy Spirit will be a Guide for the advancing disciple (10), but one must have an open ear and a willingness to follow (11) His leading, if we are to avoid wrong turns.
What a GPS system is to a motorist traveling in unfamiliar territory, a Matt. 7: 24-27 edified soul structure is to an advancing, sojourning here in the devil’s world (12) Luke 4: 6.
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(1) 2Timothy 3:16 (2) Eph. 6: 12-17 (3) John 3: 16) (4) John 3: 18/Rev. 20: 15 (5) 2Pet. 3: 18 (6) Matt. 28: 19, 20) (7) Matt. 7: 13, 14 (8) John 14: 6 (9) Romans 8: 1 (10) John 14: 26 (11) James 1: 22) (12) Luke 4: 6
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