The Devil In The Church

Even a sinner, who is blind to God’s plan, can see that the Devil is in the church.

The devil infiltrates churches which are:

II. FLESHLY IN TRANSGRESSION

Some think that sin can be sanctified by bringing it into the church. The members of many churches are living sinful, lascivious lives under the cloak of church membership and even leadership. To them the church is just another club that will help them feel good about themselves or advance their business or give them more contacts. It seems to be profitable to join the church. A little religion is very convenient at times.

In Galatians 5:16,17 the Word of God declares, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh . . . .” Again we read, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption . . .” (Gal. 6:8). Peter tells us, “ . . .abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).

What to do with your flesh:

Put it off Eph. 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Crucify it Galatians 5:24

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Reckon/pronounce it dead Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Don’t resurrect it/Make no provision for it Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The church at Corinth was filled with carnal Christians with problems, strife, divisions, contentions and envies. On the other hand, notice that the church in the book of Acts was in one accord and unified. When they prayed, great power came and miracles took place. This contrast points out the vast difference between a church led by the Spirit of God and one that the Devil is in, walking after the lusts of the flesh.

The church of today is filled with whimpering, jealous, defeated Christians. They are worldly, selfish and cold because they are in bondage…under the power of the Devil’s emphasis on their flesh, and their church won’t preach against it.

Instead of the call of the church, people hear and give in to the call of the crowd. Instead of love for the Father, it is the lust of the flesh. Instead of fishing for men, they are fishing for materialism. They want cocktails more than Christ. Instead of prayer meeting, they want a party.

O, that men would only remember that “. . .greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).

The devil infiltrates churches which are:

III. FALSE IN TEACHING

Cults and isms have flourished to the extent that thousands have followed the teachings of men. The Devil has cashed in on this. People do not like to be restrained, so they have started religions to suit themselves. Jane Russell was not accepted in the Hollywood Christian group because of a sex picture she made, so she started her own group. Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith, and many others did not like the restraint of the Bible, so they organized their own churches.