How Will I Know?
Pastor Jim Kilby • January 9, 2023
I received a neat letter from a young woman today. She reminded me that I write a lot about encountering evil, but since evil is often very subtle, she wondered how she'd know it if she encountered Satan or a demon. A great question, and one that every Christian should know the answer to. My young friend is correct, there is plenty of evil in the world. Of course, when you do encounter it, knowing God's Word (and especially knowing God) is our best defense. But, as my young friend pointed out, the subtleties of evil can be quite confusing. Surely, many knowledgeable brother or sister in Christ has met a demon and unknowingly followed their instructions. I believe that most cults are started this way... someone sees an "angel" who they assume is from God. They're assuming is the biggest problem because we're clearly told in Scripture that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (1 Corinthians 11:14). So what are we supposed to do? We're supposed to ask them? Yep, that's right! We're supposed to boldly ask them who is the Christ. Any other answer than "Jesus" is an automatic indicator of who their father really is. Remember this and put it into practice. And also remember, demons don't come wearing red suits and horns; they come looking just like you and me!
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [demons and those who follow demons], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:1-6
Pastor Jim Kilby
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"The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward." Matthew 26:59-60a There is a lot of false information flowing around about who Jesus was, why He came to earth, and just about every other thing about Him. Those who know the Bible are not surprised at this because God's Word is chock-full of similar attempts to dig-up or make-up lies about Jesus even when He was standing right there. The simple truth is that either people look at the facts about Jesus and then face their sinfulness in light of His holiness, or they seek lies about Him to protect themselves from having to face the Truth. Accepting Jesus for who He is requires an immediate death of who we are and what we want out of our lives. Many simply are not willing to go there because they love the darkness they live in. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
If you live long enough you'll finally have enough birthdays you'll begin to forget how old you are! I know that sounds weird to my teenage audience, but it's true. What's weird is that as I've grown as a Christian I've become less and less excited about celebrating my birthday. Not because I'm getting older mind you, but because it seems weird to have the spotlight focused on me. The truth is that if it went by unnoticed by anyone but my close family that would be fine with me. This world and everything in it is the Lord's. Even the days that He has given me (and you) are His. For those who've just celebrated Jesus' birthday at Christmas (December 25th), you might be surprised to find that Jesus was actually born during the summer months (it's true!). The Bible doesn't even record His actual birth date. I believe that's because He was not here to have things be about Him. He was here to do the Father's work. If we're here to do the same, then birthday celebrations will probably lose their luster for us too. "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 20:28) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
If you ask enough people who follow other religions or claim to be atheists why they don't believe in Jesus, you'll find there are just about as many reasons as there are people to ask. If you investigate enough, you'll also find that the reason (or reasons) don't really matter much to a person who is looking for a reason not to believe. The truth is that people who choose not to believe do it because of evil desires in their hearts. It's just that simple. So, answer their questions if you can (and if they have any), and live out your faith before them, but know that it is the Lord's work to break through to their hearts. All the great answers in the world won't be enough for someone who wants to be their own god. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Once after I preached a rather convicting sermon several people met me at the door of the church and proclaimed "We loved your message!" Generally this is not a time when I feel drawn to rebuke people, but I must admit I was a little shocked. My response probably could have been a little more tactful, but in the moment all I could come up with was, "Maybe you weren't listening!" They smiled and retreated, not knowing if I was kidding or not, I suppose. My point was that hearing the Word of the Lord is not the point, but agreeing with it, conforming to it, and actually doing it! Far too often God's people claim His promises and His blessings but fail to follow through on the requirements of His Word. When this happens, just like the good Father that He is, He disciples His children. The following is just one of a series of passages where God's judgment was coming on His people for just this reason. "Listen to the wail of the shepherds; their rich pastures are destroyed! Listen to the roar of the lions; the lush thicket of the Jordan is ruined." Zechariah 11:3 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I'm kind of a hard-nosed guy when it comes to seeing things in black and white. I don't have any tolerance for things I feel are dishonest or against what I believe are God's standards. While that may be fine at times (like lovingly helping people see the truth), judgment is really not my job. Judgment is God's job 100% of the time. I find it ironic and profound God had every reason to judge us harshly, and yet found it in His heart to give us mercy, while we who have no reason to judge, quite often do it anyway, and yet find it difficult to show mercy to others. The truth is we need to always be aware we have been saved by grace and are no longer under the law, but in many ways we need to live like we still will be judged by it. The fact remains we are still sinners. Whenever we are standing in judgment of someone else, we are sinners sitting in God's chair. A good remembrance of the law will help keep us out of HIS chair! “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12-13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Let's say you're standing on the curb near your school (or work, or home, or anywhere for that matter) trying to help a scared and crying young person who's terribly lost. While you are doing your best to get a phone number for a parent out of them, someone runs up and steals your bike (or car, or skateboard, or... well, you get the point). You were just trying to do the right thing and still you were wronged. You ask yourself, "Why didn't God protect me?" Later, you see the very people who ripped you off having dinner at McDonalds, only they don't see you. Do you: A. Scratch up their car with a key (because they seriously deserve it). B. Call the police. C. Thank God for the blessing! D. Both B and C. The answer is found below (just add common sense about the police part!): "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." 1 Peter 3:13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I find two extremes when I look at how many Christians think of sharing their faith with unbelievers. One group simply never thinks of themselves as good enough, smart enough or outgoing enough to even try. They feel guilty because of their perceived inability, but it never gets them out of their comfort zone. They fail to realize it is God who convicts hearts, but He has given us the ministry of reaching out to those hearts. The other extreme is those who are living secretly sinful lives, yet share their faith like crazy, even skipping (or avoiding) the more challenging points of the Gospel so they can convince people to "become Christians too." I don't believe many souls are saved at either extreme; The first group because they never try, and the other because people can easily see their faith is not genuine. What the Lord needs is people who are willing to follow after Him close enough that the sin in their lives begins to fade away, and who are then grace-filled enough that they are willing to truthfully and honestly reach out to a hurting world! "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
In honor of the St. Patrick's Day holiday, I heard a commentator give a neat rundown on exactly who St. Patrick was today. It seems that of all the things he was (Christian, evangelist, etc.) he was never actually canonized as a Saint by the Catholic church. What's more, he wasn't even Irish, but Scottish! Still, I must disagree with the commentator. People do not become saints because any denomination of the church deems them one. Early Christians were all addressed as "saints," because that is exactly what they were called to be! Believers in Jesus Christ are all saints, not because of what they've done, but because of what HE has done! Then they become travelers on the path to become worthy of the title. In the New Testament, believers are addressed as "saints" 45 times! Just imagine how you might think differently if you were continuously addressed with the title, "Saint." "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:27 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
If you owed the meanest person in your school some money, would you take your time in paying him back? Do you bad-mouth your toughest teacher, or the boss you have the most respect for? What about a police officer or a judge... if it really started to look like you were going to get in serious trouble, would you consider using a more respectful tone? I'm a pretty tough-minded guy, but when it comes right down to suffering meaninglessly, I'll go ahead and take the path of least resistance if I can. What's interesting is that many who would never cross another person make a habit of crossing God and give it nary a thought. "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:6a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
