{"id":376,"date":"2010-02-15T10:00:42","date_gmt":"2010-02-15T17:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/?p=376"},"modified":"2011-06-29T06:46:00","modified_gmt":"2011-06-29T13:46:00","slug":"the-trojan-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/?p=376","title":{"rendered":"“The Trojan Horse”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n[Translate]<\/a>\"\"\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>It\u2019s incredible how Satan has deceived so many people in the world. The reality is, that
\nmany people find their comfort in worldly things — living outside of God \u2013 never giving a
\nthought to their spiritual existence. They never consider the impact that Satan is making
\nin their lives. I thought I would share a few thoughts on this matter.<\/p>\n

Recently, I was intrigued by a TV segment about the Trojan War, and the famed \u201cTrojan
\nHorse\u201d. As the story goes\u2026 After a failed 10-year siege against the City of Troy, the
\nGreeks had yet to breach the walls of the city \u2013 so went the Trojan War. The Greeks then
\nhatched a deceptive plan and built a giant wooden horse. They left it outside as a gift to
\nAthena, and proceeded to sail off \u2013 deceiving the Trojans. The Trojans proclaimed
\nvictory and pulled the horse inside the city. What the Trojans didn\u2019t know was that the
\nhorse was hollow, and that the Greeks had hidden armed men inside. Later that night, the
\nsoldiers inside the horse came out, killed the guards and opened the city gates. The
\nGreeks then came back, entered the city and slaughtered all the males. They then
\nproceeded to plunder and burn the city. Can you imagine what it was like living in those
\ntimes?<\/p>\n

No doubt that life was fairly brutal back in those days. These days however, the Trojan
\nWar is just a tale between the pages of the Iliad and the Odyssey (No, I haven\u2019t read
\nthem). The term \u201cTrojan Horse\u201d remains, and is commonly associated with \u201cstrategy,
\ndeception, and trickery\u201d.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the big deal — and what does this have to do with Satan? That question alone
\nreveals part of the deception that is taking place in an apathetic world today. This is
\ninteresting because we as Christians are confronted daily with deception on a massive
\nscale \u2013 and it\u2019s being poured out into the world by the evil one \u2013 Satan. If you don\u2019t
\nbelieve me, then go out and try sharing the message of Jesus, and hear firsthand what
\npeople believe. What\u2019s amazing is that much of the world today (Yes, even Christians)
\nare \u201cpulling this deception into the city\u201d (that is their lives, their hearts) at an increasing
\nrate. What is this grand deception? The answer is surprisingly twisted \u2013 \u201cThe growing
\nbelief that what is right is wrong, and what is wrong is right.\u201d What\u2019s Satan involvement,
\nand just who is Satan?<\/p>\n

The Bible gives us a hint about Satan in Ezekiel 28:15, \u201cYou were perfect in your ways
\nfrom the day you were created, till inequity was found in you.\u201d; Ezekiel 28:17, \u201cYour
\nheart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of
\nyour splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at
\nyou.\u201d Ezekiel 28:16, \u201cBy the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence
\nwithin, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of
\nGod; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones.\u201d
\nClearly Satan once had a special place in God\u2019s Kingdom, and was given some measure
\nof power and authority by God. But Satan rebelled, so God cast him out. In addition,
\nwhen Satan was cast out of Heaven, the Bible says that one third of the angels were cast
\nout with him. Revelation 12:9, \u201cSo the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old,
\ncalled the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and
\nhis angels were cast out with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

This fallen angel – Satan, has as his main products, lies and deception \u2013 all of which can
\nlead to a fallen world and man\u2019s sinful behavior. However, much like the Trojan Horse,
\nthe evil one (Satan) can perfectly mask this deception. 2 Corinthians 11:14, \u201cAnd no
\nwonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesus has some stern words about Satan \u2013 speaking about the \u201cchildren of the devil\u201d.
\nJohn 8:44-45, \u201cYou belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your
\nfather\u2019s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there
\nis no truth in him, When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the
\nfather of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!\u201d
\nAs Christians, how can we know of the evil that we are up against? What is this struggle
\nabout? Ephesians 6:12, \u201cFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
\nrulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
\nspiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.\u201d NIV Let\u2019s look at the New KJV as well
\n\u2013 \u201cFor we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
\npowers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
\nwickedness in the heavenly places.\u201d The fight is for our souls, and the stakes are high!
\nNote the terms God enlightens us with: Principalities; Powers; Rulers of Darkness; Hosts
\nof Wickedness in heavenly places. To be clear, there is an ongoing \u201cspiritual battle\u201d.
\nMake no mistake \u2013 we are involved in \u201cSpiritual Warfare\u201d.<\/p>\n

What power do we as Believers have over Satan? How are we most susceptible to
\nSatan\u2019s strategy? This is difficult to articulate, but it has a lot to do with closing off
\n\u201centry points of temptation\u201d. Bottom line is that Satan has no power over a true Believer,
\nexcept that of temptation and the Believer\u2019s willingness to give acceptance (yield) to
\nsinful behavior. Note that Jesus, perfect in all respects, could only be tempted by Satan.
\nYou and me however, being sinful by nature, are far more vulnerable to Satan\u2019s attacks.
\nThis sinful nature of man is key to Satan\u2019s strategy, and he works at if full time!
\nTherefore, we need to be constantly on-guard and strive to be above reproach \u2013 that is,
\nwe need to recognize temptation for what it is, and flee from sin \u2013 all sin!
\nFor unbelievers however, Satan has already gained a strong foothold. Hence the term
\n\u201clost\u201d. We as Christians need to do what we can to educate the unbeliever \u2013 to make
\nknown the Good News of Jesus so they might be saved.
\nWhat are Satan\u2019s tactics? Satan\u2019s attacks are usually subtle at first, in order to find
\nweaknesses in our spiritual defenses. These temptations (tactics) typically target our
\nmind \u2013 disclosed to us through slight perceptions and senses, such as our thoughts, sight,
\nfeelings, touch, etc. So subtle are these temptations, that they are hardly noticeable. But
\nonce an entry point is discovered by Satan, the sinful nature of our flesh is weakened
\n(overpowered in some cases), and Satan ramps up the temptation to levels that become
\ndifficult to resist \u2013 and we give in to sin. Be careful, this can happen in a heartbeat!
\nKeep in mind, there is always a consequence to sin. Consider James 1:14-15, \u201c But every
\nman is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own desires, and enticed. Then when lust
\nhas conceived, it bears sin: and sin, when it is finished, bears death.\u201d<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter what the sin \u201cis\u201d, or the magnitude of the sin \u2013 Satan delights in all sin,
\nfor he knows it leads to destruction. In this regard, we must remain alert and not allow
\nourselves to be deceived by giving in to \u201cso-called little sins\u201d \u2013 sin is sin!<\/p>\n

Further, the flesh is Satan\u2019s playground \u2013 he will try every temptation possible to gain a
\nfoot-hold through our lustful desires. If your flesh is weak, you can count on the fact that
\nSatan will be there \u2013 using every subtle deception to gain entry. We cannot outwit,
\nrationalize, negotiate, argue or otherwise interact with Satan \u2013 he loves this game, and is
\nmaster of it. Our only major defense is to put on the \u201cfull Armor of God\u201d \u2013 Ephesians
\n6:10-18<\/p>\n

As Christians, we can gain strength and shore up defenses through our faith in Jesus and
\nbeing obedient to God. We know that God discourages all sin (hates sin). Consider 1
\nJohn 3:9, \u201cWhoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and
\nhe cannot sin, because he has been born of God.\u201d
\nWhat\u2019s the best way for us to avoid being caught by Satan\u2019s snare? Avoid Sin and take a
\nstand against Satan\u2019s schemes! Here are some useful Scripture that you can apply to your
\nlife:<\/p>\n

1 Timothy 6:11, \u201cBut you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
\ngodliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proverbs 21:29, \u201cAn upright man gives thought to his ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Psalm 141:4, \u201cLet no my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with
\nmen who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.\u201d<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 10:14, \u201cTherefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.\u201d<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 6:18, \u201cFlee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the
\nbody, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.\u201d<\/p>\n

You get the idea\u2026 Flee from sin! Be alert to the subtle and suggestive ways of Satan.
\nBe immersed in God\u2019s Word and be obedient to your faith in Christ Jesus. Call on God
\nin all situations, for we know that not all spirits are of God \u2013 test the spirits. 1 John 4:1,
\n\u201cBeloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
\nbecause many false prophets have gone out into the world.\u201d We must be careful what
\nworldly tolerance teaches.<\/p>\n

And again, don\u2019t forget to put on the \u201cfull Armor of God\u201d in order to withstand the
\ndeception of the evil one. Satan is the true \u201cTrojan Horse\u201d we face in the world today,
\nand millions of people are falling prey to his deception in these last days. Don\u2019t be one
\nof them!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>To change the tone a bit\u2026 Here is a Godly contrast to the theme of the Trojan Horse
\ndiscussed above. I have included an astro-photograph below that you may find familiar.
\nThis object resides in or Milky Way Galaxy and lies next to the Great Orion Nebula.
\nThis object is technically named ic434, and is commonly called \u201cThe HorseHead
\nNebula\u201d. The data for this image was acquired from my Sagrada Observatory here in Las
\nCruces.<\/p>\n

Here you can see some of the beautiful structure that God displays in His Creation. It\u2019s
\ntruly amazing how many of these heavenly objects look like something here on Earth. In
\nthis case, the famous HorseHead. Perhaps it\u2019s God\u2019s way of making things familiar to us
\nin preparation for our eternal life in Heaven. Now that\u2019s a nice thought !<\/p>\n

One thing for certain, there is no deception in God\u2019s Word. As you can see from the
\nimage above, \u201cThe heavens declare the Glory of God;\u201d Psalm 19:1<\/p>\n

Let me close with what it says in John 1:1-5, \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the
\nWord was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
\nthings were made through Him, and with out Him nothing was made that was made. In
\nHim was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and
\nthe darkness did not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be comforted by the fact that the counterfeit that is Satan, cannot stand against God\u2019s
\nTruth. So be strong in your faith to the end. \u201cLet not your heart be troubled; you believe
\nin God, believe in Me.\u201d John 14:1<\/p>\n

Have a great week folks.<\/p>\n

Your Brother in Christ,
\nMike Sherick<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Translate] <\/p>\n

It\u2019s incredible how Satan has deceived so many people in the world. The reality is, that many people find their comfort in worldly things — living outside of God \u2013 never giving a thought to their spiritual existence. They never consider the impact that Satan is making in their lives. I thought I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=376"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1333,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376\/revisions\/1333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}