Jesus is the Way
We must guard against these potential vices before they take a hold of us. Once they do, our judgment becomes clouded and we can’t see the problem. Should we remove ourselves from everyone and everything? This would not be practical nor achieve perfection, because we need to be tested and even isolation can be an addiction. In order for us to achieve perfection, we must be tried and tempted. It is painful but necessary for us to “unveil” these desires so we can overcome them and be stronger. “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver” (Psalms 66:10). We must also learn to lean on and support the people we love, especially our brethren. Our church family is so important because they can help us to stay grounded in our faith and remind us to first seek the help of God. Sometimes people will let us down or not provide much help, while others will surprise us and become almost “angelic” in their ability to help us overcome. Lean on those who help, but be careful not to scorn those who cannot. What is important is to reach out for help and be thankful for those who do.

God wants us to be happy and to be successful. He hopes we can achieve all the things which we desire, provided we do it in the right spirit. God is the author of all things and we must accept His way, even if it is not what we want. A simple desire can lead to obsession which can further lead to addiction. These addictions will ultimately take their place ahead of God in our minds and become idolatry. Stay grounded in your faith, always checking your emotions, to guard against evil motivations. Can you think of at least one aspect of your life in which you would like to improve? Pray for God’s help and commit towards achieving your goal. Understand how it started and what occurred to make it what it is today. How does it make you feel and why does it stop you from controlling it? Can you overcome it by yourself, and who would be best to help you? Take small steps, as success usually comes in small increments. Satan tries to destroy us one thought and one emotion at a time. We must destroy him the same way. God never gives us more than we can handle and that should be your motivation in knowing whatever you are dealing with can be overcome by you, with God’s help. Jesus endured every temptation and incomprehensible pain. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Humility is the Key
Humbling ourselves is a very important part of our Christian profession. We must accept and understand our sinful nature in order to detect these addictions as they develop. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). Arrogance allows our weaknesses to gain strength and slowly take us over. Humility can become our security system to alert us as these vices develop. We can recognize danger and react at a much earlier stage, making it easier to correct. Being humble will also allow us to readily accept advice and seek help from others. Some things are wrong and we should not do them at all. Other things we enjoy should always be done in moderation, being careful not to allow it to become an addiction. We must constantly review and reflect on all aspects of our life and desires, to guard against abuse, always enjoying them in the right spirit. Understand we are all sinners and subject to human weaknesses. Satan is also a constant threat to our relationship with God. We must be equally as strong in our faith and our perseverance to perfect our lives. With God’s help, we can do anything!

Before we get started we need to address a definition of vice. Of course there are a number of definitions out there on the word vice. We will define it as a negative practice or behavior. It could be a sin, something immoral, a bad habit, a fault or a defect. Keeping that in mind, let’s see how we can overcome vices.

Stay Positive: No matter how hard you try to stop smoking, quit drinking, stop overeating, and flee lust you will not change immediately in most cases. Therefore you need to not get discouraged when you find yourself getting back to your vice. Remember that when you repent and ask forgiveness from Jesus you are forgiven. Don’t let the Devil mess with your attitude. If we constantly feel guilt and lack self-esteem we could become depressed and give up on the change we are trying to instill.

Get Involved With Others: For some it might involve attending regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings; for others it may take involving a trusted family member or Church member to be made aware of your problem and help encourage you to overcome the issue. When you have someone who can support you it will become easier to quit the vice (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12).

Stay Away From It: One of the best ways to escape the vices you may be suffering from is to get away from anything that will bring the vice to mind or make it easy for you to partake of it. If you have a problem with gluttony or eating the wrong things, you can’t buy those things and put them in your home. I love potato chips, but I purchase them on rare occasions because I know the power they have on my taste buds. By not having this item in my house it is much easier to not eat. If you are having a problem with viewing improper images, get rid of the cable stations on your TV that are tempting you. If you are tempted by improper websites, allow yourself on to the home computer only when your husband, wife, or a family member is present. Block websites that are causing you issues.

This may also involve making new friends. Some of your old friends may lead you into situations and circumstances that can lead to vice. You might need to stop hanging out with these individuals if they are a negative influence on you.

One Month Rule: If you can stay away from your vices for over a month it becomes much easier to remain free of your vices. The longer you can go without the vice the easier it will become to stay away from whatever the vice may be. Keep this in mind as a goal that can help you overcome the issue.

Stay Active: Find other positive activities to take the place of your vice. If you have a problem with food or drink, try exercise instead. Exercise can supply a natural high that you will want to return to after you have made the exercise a regular part of your life. This can help dissipate the withdrawal feelings you might have after giving up cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol. Filling up your life will also help you stay away from the things that could be negative for you. If you watch inappropriate movies or websites, find more positive activities to take the place of these activities.

Prayer/Meditation/Bible Study/Church: All four of these activities should take up some of your daily time. This will help you stay away from your negative activities and bring you closer to God and His Spirit.

God’s Spirit working in you can overcome anything in this world. Never forget that if you have God’s Spirit you can overcome anything (1 John 4:4).

Acknowledge the Wrong Behavior: One of the first steps to overcoming a vice is acknowledging that the activity is wrong and needs to stop. If you find reasons for why you can still take part in the vice you are not going to get past it.

Hopefully this short article has given you some ideas on how to overcome your vices. Remember you can do it. Philippians 4:13 tells us that you can do anything through

Jesus and His strength working in your life. Believe it and be an overcomer!

Because of this corruption, some began viewing their fellow human beings as mere products. Sex has become a commodity rather than romance and bonding for married couples. People are viewed in
terms of “What can I get from you?” rather than being loved for simply being human. We need to realize the condition of the human heart—“The heart is deceitful above all things. And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It takes a miracle to change the human heart.

My interest in abolishing human trafficking began when I was a freshman in high school. I watched a video about human trafficking and nearly cried my eyes out thinking about what is going on in the
modern world. In the most developed countries, human trafficking is pervasive. It is hidden in homes, businesses, screens, and even schools.

I started researching in high school and college. I participated in fundraisers that utilized fashion as a means to fundraising for the cause. I styled for a few fashion shows and was actively raising
awareness through social media. I had an idea that I could build a company that would enable women to make a sustainable living through life skills such as sewing.

At first I felt alone in my passion, but God soon put an entourage of strong women leaders who would help, encourage, and support me. I am so extremely blessed to have them—women barely in their
20s.

I discovered that human trafficking is an issue linked and connected to every area of life. This includes immigration, the porn industry, schools, education, retail stores, factories that make our
clothes, the food industry, everything you can possibly think of. As a fashion industry designer and production assistant, I wanted to make a change through my work in the industry. Also I saw that this
was such a HUMAN issue that reaches below the superficial; it deals with the human body, soul, mind, and spirit and affects all aspects of society and culture.

I have actively fought human trafficking and misunderstandings regarding pornography through speaking out. Human trafficking isn’t some far-fetched issue overseas; it starts from the hearts of
people right here in our neighborhoods. With God’s help I vow to treat each human being with respect and love, knowing that my actions and words toward them may put them in positions of vulnerability
and harm. Many young people who have been abused verbally or physically by parents or people around them become extremely vulnerable to pimps and perpetrators. The pimps and perpetrators were also
once young innocent men and women that were neglected or perhaps influenced in ways that we can’t begin to understand.

Human trafficking, thus, isn’t just an issue. It is a relational, philosophical, spiritual, and social issue that requires all of us to understand that our world is NOT what it should be, and this causes us
to dig deeper into the human condition, the human soul, and where it is headed. More importantly, how can we fight it, not just with human power, but with God’s power behind us? God wanted the earth to
be filled with love and respect, not chaos and suppression. How can we start with ourselves? To realize how unconditionally loved we are, and with that we are then able to “love others as we love ourselves.”
The reason so many people are hurting others is because they are hurting as well. Hurt people hurt people.

How can we heal our society in order to bring about change? I think that is what abolitionists should consider as we not only learn about the issue, but come face to face with the human condition and our
own condition. We in the church should be so thankful that we know this glorious truth, that we have been given a heart of flesh, that we may look to Jesus Christ and be changed for the better in this life,
and that we, with Jesus Christ, will then be able to help the people in the world who need our help. I believe there is hope, more than hope. God has already overcome for us. We need to realize these
problems are bigger than we are. Christ will have to return to this earth in power before any of this can be fully corrected.

But we should take heart because this promise is given:“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel
36:25-27).

Where were they, when you separated the waters from the waters and the darkness from the light and spread out the heavens like a mat for your feet?

Where were they Lord, when you stepped out of eternity into time and marked the seasons with your holy days as a reminder of your great power.

Where were they when you painted the sky with billions of galaxies of stars to decorate the heavens and light up the universe.

Wasn’t it you who pottered dust to man and man to dust?

Oh God our King, who plant the majestic mountains and dig the deep oceans, have they no sense Lord? Don’t they know anything?

Fools of old say in their hearts, “here is no God,” but fools of today say it aloud. Oh how my spirit stir within me when I hear them speak.

I feel sorry for them, oh Lord our Rock and Shield. They don’t understand; they don’t know better. They are ignorant and confused. They have been schooled in the futility of human thinking.

It’s a good thing your love is stronger than your anger, else you would have destroyed us long ago. But now, oh Lord, stoop down, part the heavens, and look at the work of your hands. Relent and show pity on us. Remove our arrogance and enlighten us, dissolve our sins in your blood and restore us to yourself that we may find forgiveness and joy in your presence all the days of our lives.

Self-correction and true repentance, Origen Adamatius taught his students, confers a benefit on one’s soul. As Christians, we do justice to our spiritual lives by turning inward and rendering frank evaluations of our own lives and behavior. We must endeavor to know ourselves, and be so at home with ourselves that we know our moral strengths and weaknesses and what causes us as individuals to sin. Origen taught that this was a practical application of the principle “know yourself” (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:4), which he considered to be the highest practical achievement of Greek philosophers, who were still widely quoted and followed in his day, before Christianity became the majority religion. To succeed in the Christian life, Origen taught, we must hold up a mirror to ourselves and see our failings and weaknesses in it (James 1:23f), and hopefully see a reflection of God as well (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Origen was an important preacher and teacher at prominent Christian educational institutions in the first half of the third century AD, where he imparted higher spiritual knowledge, such as that summarized in the last paragraph above.

Origen wrote a text on the first principles of Christianity. In it he said that, in order to receive more blessings from God, we must first come to a knowledge of ourselves and learn what are our character flaws and defects, and what vices we most commonly fall into (Numbers 32:23). To do this completely, a Christian may even need to find a knowledgeable member of the church, a spiritual advisor, who is especially qualified in the oversight and reconciliation of the soul with God, who can make up both for the Christian’s deficiencies and for the Christian’s failure spot their own shortcomings (Psalm 32:5;
Matthew 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:17).

Origen compared escaping vices, or taking care of the health of one’s soul, to taking care of the health of the body. If we as Christians are not aware of a sickness or weakness, we do not know we are sick and will not seek a physician (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31). Put another way, if we are not first aware of our sinfulness and spiritual defects and do not admit them to ourselves as individuals, we will
not repent and thus will not be forgiven. The Christian may even incorrectly believe s/he is always free from sin and in no need of any correction or repentance. This leads to spiritual pride and failure to acknowledge that only God is the source of righteousness and blessings (Luke 14:11). The Christian will thus not repent, and thereby fall into spiritual ruin. Without the discipline of self-correction, such a person loses the humility and simplicity God requires. Hence, I think, the need for a spiritual advisor knowledgeable in the remedies provided by Jesus as the Great Physician.

Origen’s books and sermons are full of exhortations to be watchful for one’s soul, to guard against sin, to be alert to God’s will, and to study the Scriptures in order to find one’s duties and failings (Psalm 1:2; Mark 13:37; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:5). He encouraged constant self-correction and avoiding vices by unceasing vigilance over one’s soul and behavior. Origen openly stated
that this involves struggles with the Devil, acquiring spiritually healthy habits, dogged perseverance in Christian life and virtues, and correcting sins as soon as they are detected. This was all to be centered on one’s own soul, without attention to the failings of other people. Nor did Origen grant any room for comparing oneself to other Christians in order to rationalize that s/he was not as sinful as they (Luke 8:10-14).

In the A.D. 190s Origen’s own teacher also considered spiritual self-improvement to involve a gradual process. Although a person is steeped in sins, wrote Clement of Alexandria, it is possible to correct one’s mistakes by increasing love and true repentance. Although it is possible for a repentant sinner who has led a dissolute life to overcome a long history of sin, the process requires great care. In the same way that a body that has been afflicted with a protracted disease needs special attention and special diet (1 Timothy 5:23), so a Christian cannot eliminate sinful tendencies all at once but requires constant care, the help of God and the church (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Timothy 3:2), prayer, and sincere repentance. For this purpose, Clement recommended submitting oneself to a more mature or more advanced Christian as spiritual advisor, such as a godly pastor (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Under such an arrangement, we in effect freely open ourselves to criticisms and suggestions by the advisor (Psalm 32:5). This is completely voluntary on the part of the person criticized, an extension of self-correction. It is a world away from self-appointed busybodies looking high and low for conduct to criticize in others. Unlike them, spiritual advisors have knowledge of the subject, know what they talk about, and have the best interests of our souls at heart.

Instead of waiting to be criticized and being the involuntary subject of unbidden negative comments about one’s behavior and character, we as Christians should first criticize ourselves and mend our ways, before our moral failings become a source of public comment. If we cannot discover our own failings, we as Christians should resort to a spiritual advisor.

Lastly, we must remember Christ’s own words in Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41f that we should concentrate on eliminating our own faults and trespasses before looking to find fault in others.

The fact is, we all have or have had some sins, some of which have been kept secret. This, more than any other thing, prevents us from having an intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus as He’s always yearned for this type of relationship.

And even though we know from God’s Word that this is not the way to live, we are often helpless in our fight to nip these sins in the bud so we could return to our Maker and the relationship He’s always wanted to have with us. One such vice or sin is sexual sin.

One could confidently say that sexual sin is one of the greatest challenges we face today—if not the greatest. With the proliferation of internet pornography, it continues to lure many people, which sadly includes Christians. But before we totally condemn ourselves, let us have a look at and learn a thing or two from someone who faced a similar challenge.

King David was a man who became a powerful leader in the history of Israel. And yet, as has always been the case, he had a flaw. His flaw had to do with not denying himself what his eyes saw.
As is recorded in the Bible (2 Samuel 11), he was walking on the roof of his palace one evening when he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah having a bath. What is significant in the Bible account is the fact that this happened at a time when he should have been at the war front as a king and commander-in-chief of the Israelite army providing the much needed leadership and moral support.
Instead, he found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time and this led to a series of events which had consequences on his life personally, which also threatened the very survival of his kingdom; events which provide important lessons for us.

The story continues that after he had had an affair with Bathsheba, he instigated the murder of Uriah, her husband, to make it look like he had been killed fighting for his country. This would enable him to claim Bathsheba as his wife.

Out of this one evening of giving in to the desires of the flesh, David would later go through deep struggle from both within and without as a direct consequence of what he had done (Psalm 51). He suffered many consequences because of his actions. Later on, when his son Solomon took over the throne, he took this further by having a thousand women in his royal household. What is more important is that all these women had their own gods whom they worshipped. They were able to turn the heart of the king from God to their gods.

The question again is, what lessons can we learn from the life of David which will put us in a position where we would be totally “sold out” to God? He is looking for those who would worship Him in spirit and in truth. What can we do to ensure that we are living lives of integrity?

The answer lies again in what David did to come out of the situation.

First, he recognized his failings and shortcomings, repented in sackcloth and ashes. When he realized that he had “hit below the belt,” he went to God for forgiveness. What does that mean—when David “hit below the belt”? Like David, we all go astray sometimes, perhaps with the same sin as David. And like him, when we sin, that is the time we need to ask God for forgiveness, for He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We must never forget this.

Secondly, David valued his relationship with God more than other things. This drew him to his knees and closer to God. As God’s children, we need to value highly our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for this will help us avoid many sins and, if we do slip, help bring us to a point of genuine repentance—a necessary requirement for God’s forgiveness.

Thirdly, we ought to avoid situations and circumstances that are going to cause us to fall into sin. This also means making the study of God’s Word an absolute priority in our lives. In Psalm 119:105, David comments that “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light onto my path.”

David has shown that we can get ourselves into a mess especially when we lose our focus on the main things. But as he proved, when we recognize that where we are is not the right place to be, we can safely come into the arms of a loving Father who will gladly open His arms and welcome us back home.

“What do you mean not without a price?” a young man sporting large sunglasses protested. “My bus ticket is stamped “Paid in full by Jesus Christ.”

“That’s true…do you know where this bus is headed?”

“Not exactly! I just thought I was going to a place called Eternity…but the price was right…. It was paid for…I am just along for the ride.” A few heads nodded in agreement.
I could have shaken him, but instead I said, “Haven’t you read the small print? It says to count the cost before you accept the ticket…”
Most heads were shaking no they had not.

I shook my head sadly. “Look what it says in the fine print. ‘For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,’” (Philippians 1:29).
The young man put his head back and laughed scornfully. “Suffer? I didn’t sign up for that!” And he got up and strolled toward the exit and a few others followed. But most leaned their head back and looked out the window.

“If you get off…it’s back to the world…the world of lies, drinking, partying, stealing… sinning…greed…unhappiness. You’ve all got too much to lose.” How come they didn’t understand? I wondered.
“Please look at Romans 8:17 to help you understand.” I read the words loud and clear: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5).

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2).

“What’s in it for us?” Another bushy-haired young man asked.

“We all accepted the call and the reward is great. Let me explain…. We are co-heirs with Christ. That means everything He has we will have too.

“Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:9: ‘… Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’ The inheritance which God has prepared for each of us is far beyond anything we can have here in this temporary body.”

“What is this reward?” a red-haired girl with braces asked.

“It’s a world-ruling government headed and ruled by Christ, occupying the very land promised to Abraham—the land of Israel, and from the Nile to the Euphrates river. And this Kingdom composed of immortals (we will then be immortal) which flesh and blood cannot enter, shall rule over all the other nations of the earth (the other nations made up of flesh-and-blood mortals!). If we endure to the end of this journey Christ will bring his reward with Him. We are already inheritors with Christ and we know He has eternal life and will rule the world. We will rule with Him. We will have a position (job) in this coming Government” (Revelation 22:12; Isaiah 40:10).

“This is why we will need the armor of God to protect us while we are on this earth. We have been given temporary bodies to use while here… I would suggest you use them wisely.

“King David was given a glimpse as to the reward. ‘What are mere mortals that you should think about them,human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority’ (Psalms 8:4-6 Living).

“Did you hear that? ‘….crowned them with glory and honor.’” My heart beat excitedly in my chest as I thought of these words. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime… I don’t know about you but I am excited. What a privilege to be called by the God of this awesome universe. We need to walk worthy of that calling and consider it a rare privilege.” A few hopeful faces turned to look at me.

“This is all temporary,” I said as I pounded my chest. “We are all going to die…this earth is corrupt…subject to decay. There is only one hope and you are now on the right path. Any difficulties or trials you may suffer, Jesus Christ will help you through. All you have to do is rely on Him.”

“That’s easy to say, but I don’t want to give up girls and drinking and having fun.”

“You don’t have to give up anything….just live your life within God’s guidelines and you will have an abundant life now and in the future.”

I couldn’t help but think, Don’t you guys get it? We are offered eternal life and the entire universe. We should be willing to do anything, but all we do is make excuses and whine and complain. That’s what the Israelites did and God was not happy with them.

“Jesus gave up His life for us. He promises us eternal life.You just have to read the Psalms. King David had all kinds of trouble in his life, yet he praises God till the end of his life. All we need is faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”

“By the way who is driving the bus? I didn’t see anyone when I got on.”

“Jesus Christ is driving the bus!

“Hang on you guys!” I shouted. “You are in for the ride of your life.”

Mocked by children whom he cursed to death,
Elisha was indeed a powerful prophet.
He cured leprosy and healed barren land,
He even had the power to perform resurrection.

Elisha played minstrel till the hand of God was upon him.
He prophesied victory to Judas, Israel, and Edom king.
A Shunammite woman came to him,
For a child she was beckoning.

And it was so as it was prophesied
The Shunammite woman conceived a child.
Who later died and brought back to life
By Elisha who resurrected the dead like both Elijah and Jesus Christ.

The leper Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria,
Was told to dip seven times in the Jordan River.
His flesh became as a little child.
The widowed woman’s empty vessel became filled with oil.

Many miracles Elisha performed
One such miracle is when he made iron float from water bottom.
He prophesied restoration and destruction.
He prophesied deliverance and salvation.

Elisha fell ill and later died
And in his sepulchre a dead man fell on his bones and was revived.
Elisha was a man of God,
One of the many great prophets Israel had.

He showed the people that God was great,
To a nation that lost its faith.
Baal’s prophets of heathen gods
Challenged the power of Elijah’s God.

An altar of bullocks was the sacrifice.
The heathen gods were the people’s choice,
They beckoned to their gods from morn till night
But their altar their gods couldn’t light.

Elijah called on the Lord of hosts,
To Baal’s prophet he mocked and boasted.
The altar was engulfed in flames,
The might of God Israel did proclaim.

As time passed by, Israel turned aside
And with them did God no longer reside.
They saw the life of Elijah the great prophet
Who showed them that God’s power was no magic.

Elijah thought he was no better than his father.
Condemned to death by Jezebel for prophets that were slaughtered.
Under the juniper tree he asked the Lord to take his life.
A gentle touch by an angel his inner spirit was revived.

The power Elijah sealed
Was due to his ardent zeal.
He was able to call fire from heaven
And in the wilderness was fed by a raven.

Elijah brought back the child to life.
He was a prophet who lived upright.
He parted the river of Jordon
By stroking the water with the mantle in his hand.

He ascended to heaven in a chariot with horses and fire.
Seen by Elisha who received a double portion of his power.
Up into the whirlwind behind the clouds he went
To which destination? No one knew where he was sent.

As a hushed audience listened eagerly to yet another money guru predicting the future of the economy, they all nodded their heads like sheep. Everyone agreed that an impending monetary crisis could not be far off. The housing markets were soft, the job markets were weak and all the forecasts looked dim. Even Christians were counseled about the wisdom of investing in gold for the tough times ahead. Christ, Himself, said, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; But where is this gold?” (Revelation 3:17- 18).

This instruction was written to the Church of Laodicea, a church very rich materially yet very poor spiritually. The description of this church is, in some ways, reminiscent of the parable of the ten virgins. The five virgins who lacked enough oil were told to go purchase more oil. In Laodicea, Christ stood outside the door waiting to be invited in. However, the five virgins found themselves outside the door trying to get in (Matthew 25:11). The oil for their lamps could not be replenished until it was too late and, like many Laodiceans who fail to buy the purified gold, entrance is a time-limited offer from God.

This gold, like the oil, is the precious Spirit of God given upon repentance of sin, baptism in the death and resurrected life of Jesus Christ, and the laying on of hands by a minister of God. Once received, the human spirit works with the Holy Spirit as we grow into the full nature of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit can be renewed and replenished as we ask for it, as it is used to help us overcome and grow in the fruits of the Spirit, to create a new being full of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, self-control, meekness, and most importantly love. Without love for God and neighbor, the door of our heart is forever closed and there can be no entry into the wedding feast with Jesus Christ. Simon Magus tried to buy the Holy Spirit, but his heart was full of bitterness and unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit cannot be bought with money, but we may “buy” the gold from God with our faith and devotion to Him. Our oil may run out, if we neglect, quench or grieve the Holy Spirit through neglect of prayer and Bible study and by failing to be on guard against the ungodly influences that are all around us. We must want God’s Spirit of Truth in us, working, guiding, and helping us.

When the Antichrist comes to Jerusalem, the whole world will be deceived and believe he is the Christ. Islam will think he is Jesus sent by Allah to fight against evil. Jews will believe the miraculous signs and wonders and think he is the Messiah. Christians will welcome him as their savior. Even the very elect might be deceived except for those who have their lamps trimmed by the Word of God and a full supply of the oil of His Holy Spirit. The deception will be so well orchestrated, so complete, and so great that even you and I might believe it.

Buy gold now, but beware it is not fool’s gold or the gold of fools.