CHAPTER 24: THE HAUNTING / WARNING
You notice Haunting came before Warning. That’s the way it works isn’t it? The suggestion of not so good, followed by a warning. I’ve lived a long time. I know when I was doing things that were not good, I know when I tried to do things in earnest. I remember going to church in my youth. I remember turning away from the church in my teens. I know when I came back after the complete wasting of so many years, causing so much pain, guilty of sin, treachery, debauchery, empty handed, a broken man. I remember He accepted me, even then — before I could even attempt to clean myself up.
Luke 15:21-24
New King James Version
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, [a]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
I know when all things of God suddenly became important, His Word, His will, His stories. I know when I wanted to know, and all at once had favorite tales of the Bible, people, things I like to tell. I know when I need to take things to God because they don’t make sense to me, or the “thing” is too big for me to tackle alone. I know when I want to be as strong as young King David and I’m not. The bible says we all know of God and what is right. I know the day I dropped my head in sadness because I know it is true.., back in the day, as they say, I did know and I have no excuse, I am accountable ..
Romans 1:19-21
New International Version
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
I feel these things every day, every morning, always. It is humbling to know the extent of my sinful nature and what madness I can cause and did — had I not turned away from these things, ultimately without God, I would have paid the ultimate price — eternity, from my own choices, Hell is — without God. Chapter 24, The Haunting/Warning: it is my lesson, the difference between God speaking and Satan. The voice of Satan is not from God, I call it a “haunting,” a whisper that will surely destroy me and the wonderful opportunities the Lord has made. A whisper that tells me it is okay to do what is bad, or to not do what I know is good. A “warning” is the voice of God, it is clear, perhaps not loud, but clear. God says quit it, I will help you — or God says do what I have set before you, put your fear in Faith and I will help you. That is His warning. Without strict adherence to the warning, I have learned the hideous nature of the devil’s “hauntings.” Whispers that tell me, “it’s okay to do a thing that is bad for me or not to do a thing that is good for me.” Without the Lord, whispers, i.e. “hauntings” are very, very dangerous. People fight for their right to be stupid, all of us do, and stupid is very, very expensive.
Genesis 4:6-8
New International Version
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
When the Lord’s voice is warning you – there is love for you, agape love. What is the definition of agape? As 1 John 4:8 states, “God is love [agapos],” meaning He is the source of agape love. His love is undeserved, gracious, and sacrificial. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s agape love is unmerited, gracious, and constantly seeking the benefit of the ones He loves.
When the devil is haunting you, it is because he is devoid of love, the opposite of love — and is the very nature of hate —- for you. Temptation is the haunting — to “do” something that is not good for you, or to quit something that “is” good for you. Beware, my friends.
Luke 21:36 ESV / 15 helpful votes
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
How do I avoid Temptation?
First of all, stay the course. God has me on a path. I gotta stay on that path, learn from the walk the Lord has made today. Stay away from distractions, put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18
New King James Version
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil.
I am reminded of right and wrong everywhere in my life. Where do I hear the voice of God? His Warning? Everywhere. My children responsibilities, family, clarity in a bible study, a Sunday teaching, an article that happened to be in the doctor’s waiting room, I gotta pay attention. God is trying to alert me before I make the mistake, or protect me from second guessing myself on the righteous path the Lord has provided. Praying constantly that discernment guide me in the Holy Spirit. I remember something from long ago…
Fear is without knowledge.
Caution is with knowledge.
I learned that too long ago. BE AWARE! Without knowledge I’m going to make a mistake. With knowledge and experience I proceed in caution. They are different. The devil gets in between you and God using half truths of some knowledge but not all, creating fear and tension, doubt, disturbance. The devil whispers, hauntings that tempt you to do the very thing that robs you of your path, distracts, destroys, commits you to a path that is not good, offers you an opportunity that hurts the ones you love. To do the wrong thing rather than correct.
1 Corinthians 10:13
New International Version
13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Quotes by C.S. Lewis may be helpful for today.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
― C.S. Lewis
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened. ”
― C.S. Lewis
“Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.”
― C.S. Lewis
A warning is from God, his voice is always clear, he does not whisper or badger — His word is written and never changing. Prayer is strength and always available. Discernment is the gift of the Holy Spirit that lives in me.
John 10:27-31
New King James Version
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
I am the one that decides I don’t hear the warning or see it.., I make up my own ideas, based on half baked ideas and tell myself it is God’s will. I don’t realize that the test is at hand. My test, for all that God has given me, it’s time to see if I can hold the course. And so it comes. All manner of nonsense in God’s name, without a thought or a prayer, it is my will, and I act as if it is His. The measure of me is how fast I get off of it. Opportunity is won and lost everyday based in truth or lies. Half of the truth is as good as no truth at all. If there’s any chance there’s a hole in it, stop, and give reflection and examination to what is about to be done.
God call us to examine ourselves (2 Corninthians 13:5; Lamentations 3:40), but healthy self-examination is a difficult and dangerous duty. The flesh seizes self-examination as an opportunity to turn our thoughts against us. Truth is truth, be clear.
2 Samuel 22:31
English Standard Version
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Ultimately, the Lord does not want me to suffer, however He will discipline me for my own good, and for the good of my children, perhaps to lessen the agony my choices will put them through, perhaps to give me another day to realize what I’m doing and realign myself with His direction/correction/warning.
2 Peter 3:17-18
New King James Version
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God’s voice, His intentions — are clear, His warning is clear, His love in His warning is clear. What does this have to do with my business, my family, my very life left on this planet? Everything. Everything is everything and temptation cannot be discarded or avoided. It is a part of life and the hauntings will continue — without God and His warning, strength and mercy, I will surely fall victim to it.
A haunting is insidious. What is insidious? “Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.” What does it look like in me? I know better, I feel unsure, yet I do not speak of it to those who have discernment, I am driven to do something, my mind is made up, the voice in my head will stop only when I do what it is I want to do. I feel I am right and all else and all others do not matter. This is a haunting. If I proceed, the price of my actions, is something I will not have considered and will absolutely wish that I had.
Chapter 24 is an alert. Is it easy? No. That’s why I call it a test. Like any test, it’s hard when you’re prepared, it’s impossible when you’re not. Study, prepare — while you can, be ready — before the arrows fly. They’re pointed at you.
Psalm 73:21-24
New King James Version
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was [a]vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
All students, pick up your #2 pencils and begin.., the clock is ticking. All test questions are multiple choice, having one of two possible answers, Haunting or Warning. May God be with you. Amen.
