EO Responds To

Emails 04-26-09

(EMAIL) I would like to hear your thoughts on ghosts hunting and your thoughts on catholics doing the most casting out of demons of any religon. remember what JESUS said , \"HOW CAN SATAN ,CAST OUT SATAN\". I\'m not trying to argue, I feel that I have a calling from GOD. And , I have been raised evangelical. However, the many things your site blast other religions for , can be used right back the same way against ours. I would like to hear some guidance on dealing with evil spirits I will most certainly encounter.

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. We do not believe in “ghosts” as most refer to them. They are really spirits of demons trying to deceive people into believing they are the ghost of a departed person, etc. That dead person is either in heaven or hell. He/she is NOT haunting a house, etc.

Regarding Catholics casting out more demons than others, well, you can’t prove such, but even if it is true that doesn’t mean Catholicism has the true plan of salvation. It clearly does NOT. I know from personal experience and most importantly from the Bible [that it doesn’t]. Remember also unsaved people can cast out demons!!!! See Mt. 7:21-23 and Acts 19:13.

The very first thing I would recommend is for you to repent of all your sins and place a submissive faith in JESUS. Secondly, you need to leave the Catholic church. Catholicism is NOT spreading the message of the New Testament to the point of bringing about real salvations. Many other serious problems exist there too. Please read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/rcdeception.htm

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL number 2) I would like to say about “ghosts”. And a person’s spirit going straight heaven to hell after death. I'm pretty sure the bible states that the souls of the dead are awaiting judgement. Therefore, until they are condemned or they are found in the book of life, they cannot be in heaven or hell. So, in my research on human spirits, I have found evil spirits, and just plain bad human spirits, that can hold onto other human spirits and not let them cross over to await their judgement.

I know you know nothing of this, but please listen, there have been many instances of this. You may think I’m challenging the bible. I’m not. It actually is in line with the bible. In many instances these souls do not want to cross over because they are afraid of judgement. or A DEMON HAS NOT LET THEM CROSSOVER. FOR EXAMPLE: A demon is in a house and causes a man to kill his whole family and then himself, that demon can and will hold that man and his family's souls. There have been many instances of house exorcisms where souls have been released. And let me tell you, THE DEMONS DON’T LIKE IT AND PUT UP A FIGHT. I must tell you, there is only one name in wich they truly do flee... IN JESUS NAME.

I know you don’t even want to think of the possibility, you probably think I’M A FOOL. What I’m saying does not contradict the bible. There are many more verses in the bible that say we must await judgement day.(WHEN JESUS RETURNS) In order to reach heaven or hell. I Know Jesus said to one of the men who died with him at calvary. 'You will be with me in heaven this very day" AND I’M SURE HE WAS maybe there was an exception because he basically died with Jesus and Jesus could not wait to show him heaven..... Remember , “THERE SHALL BE A NEW HEAVEN” AND IN THE NEW HEAVEN IS WHERE THE SOULS OF HIS PEOPLE WILL BE. There are many, other instances IN THE BIBLE judgement day is when people are thrown into the lake of fire....Awaiting your reply,

(RESPONSE number 2) Greetings in Jesus’ name. After a person dies physically he/she goes straight into God’s presence, if spiritually alive, OR into fiery torment, if spiritually dead. Please ponder this:

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:8)

That was written by Paul referring to what happens after a Christian dies. Here is what happens after an unsaved person dies:

...The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (Luke 16:22,23)

Hence, your idea that evil spirits, and just plain bad human spirits, can hold onto other human spirits and not let them cross over to their judgment is not true. While they are still awaiting the final judgment they will still go to either God’s presence or fiery torment. Furthermore, there is no hint of your theory in the Bible anywhere. In fact, it actually does contradict the Bible, even though you don’t realize it. Have you read this on angels, demons and Satan http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/angels.htm

To think that a demon can prevent or even delay one’s spirit from going into God’s presence or into fiery torment is to exaggerate the power of demons. What you need to do is read the New Testament and change accordingly, especially since you are Catholic. When I was a Catholic and did such, I had to make many changes which were all for my good. Have you read this on salvation http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/salvationps.htm GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL) A number of years ago (around ___ or so), I did some things that I was not, and am not, proud of, mainly as a result of lying to myself, I believe. At any rate, around two years ago or so, I really started to get things together spiritually. I had come out of a typical Baptist upbringing and, to be honest, don't think I really knew what salvation was up until that time (in terms of repentance and a willingness to "take up one's cross": all of which had been decried as "Lordship Salvation" heresy in my upbringing). From that time forward, things were really good. I think my life was at a high point, and I was really seeing God do some things, the likes of which I had not seen before. I sensed His direct, personal touch in my life.

To make a long story short, I eventually fell back into the type of particular sin I had gotten into before (why, I don't really know; this area has always been a weakness), and while I've gotten completely out of it now, things have not been the same. I've turned myself into something of an emotional wreck wondering if I've drifted out of God's grace, whether Peter's references to a "hog returning to its waller," and Paul's references to those who have "trampled the Son of God underfoot" referred to me, and desperately hoping they didn't. I asked for forgiveness, but seemed to - or imagined - that I just felt God's indignation. I know for a fact that I've abused His forgiveness.

My question to you is this: although I've asked for forgiveness, and have been trying to make things right and really clean my life out of anything that might not be honoring to God (an on-going process), why is it that I seem to have such a hard time feeling His forgiveness? I'll admit to being a worrier, and to having issues with guilt, both of which have been life-long struggles for me. I've worried that I'm just eating myself up with guilt, wondered if I've actually tried to work for God's favor in terms of His forgiveness and salvation, and beaten myself over the head wondering if all of this means that I've let my feelings get in the way of His promise to forgive when we confess our sins. It has been a really vicious cycle, and it has always led back to the same place: a feeling bordering on despair....

I really want peace with God, but am terribly confused as to why I can't seem to manage it. Do you have any advice in this area? Have you known anyone else in a similar predicament who has gotten victory and moved on? Are there testimonies I could read? My wife tells me that I obsess over my failures, and I know she's right about that. Am I thinking too much of God's wrath, and too little of His kindness? How kind can He be to someone like me, after I've tried lying to myself and God so much, and after I've been so selfish as to pursue what I wanted? I could use your prayers, and any advice you might have. Thanks much,

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. We are very sorry for the pain and confusion in your life now, but happy that you have repented and are cleaning out anything not pleasing to God. Please know your email is not really that different from others we have received over the years. There are many others who have had similar experiences.

First, YES you can come back to God. See Lk. 15:24,32; James 5:19,20 and Rom. 11:19-23. (You didn’t commit eternal sin.) God wants you back, since you are like the returned prodigal. We have various articles on this very issue: http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/backslider.htm

http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/prodigal.htm

Secondly, after David repented and was forgiven for adultery and murder, it still took some time for the joy of his salvation to be restored. He prayed for such (Psa. 51:12). I remember one person who fell away. He was crushed emotionally and lost 10 pounds in a short period. After he repented it still took several months before he started to get joy and peace back.

Thirdly, move on with your life. Don’t let your past paralyze you. Peter disowned Jesus three times and after he got converted again (Lk. 22:32) he moved on with God. He was soon used on the day of Pentecost to preach to thousands and get them saved. He also wrote 2 books of the New Testament, etc. The devil would love to hinder you from serving God because of your past. Fight those thoughts with praise to God, etc.

These two teachings should help you too: http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm and http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/safegard.htm

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

May God bless and help you. Heb. 3:14.

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(EMAIL number 2) It has been a very trying and emotionally crippling time for me. I can identify with David's thoughts wherein he said that his sin was "constantly before" him. I've been able to think of little else, and the feeling of being separated from God. It has made me physically ill.

I think that the main part of my fear has been that we never see a clear example in the scripture where someone committed a particular sin, was forgiven it, and later did it again and found forgiveness again. We do see examples of the forgiveness of deliberate sin though, as you've pointed out. I was also concerned about Paul's statement about how, if we continue in sin after coming to the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins; but from what I've seen that may be in reference to someone who embraces another gospel or forsakes the faith entirely, someone who tries to find a way outside of the only true sacrifice for sins. I don't know. Maybe you can comment on that.

What truly puzzles me is how a person such as myself, someone who was really trying to live full-out for God, and was growing and coming to understand so much more about the Word and the Christian life than ever before, could feel the kind of lure that would make him lie to himself to get what he wanted, and then give in to it. And I really think that is the case here; I believe I justified everything I could, every way I could, to indulge in a sin, looked for technicalities to get around what I had promised God I wouldn't do. Flirted with things I shouldn't have. I understand now more than ever the statement in Proverbs about a double-minded man being unstable in all his ways: he just can't stay on course because he's constantly being pulled back and forth. I wanted to be a committed Christian, but I wanted my vices, too. It really made me wonder if I had the Spirit of God in me at all. I feared that perhaps I was being turned over to a reprobate mind, but then I wondered if that could be true since a true reprobate probably wouldn't care anymore.

I've cried out to the Father for mercy, repeating David's words "Against you only have I sinned" and have asked to be restored, and I believe that He has heard and forgiven me, but the guilt and the anxiety I've felt will probably remain for awhile, as you mentioned. In a way, maybe that is for the best. I'm not likely to forget this or treat the grace of God lightly again. I've asked Him to make me a trophy of His love and mercy.

It would be a great idea for someone to create a support group in the form of a website for Christians who have faced and overcome similar issues. The testimonies could probably help allay much anguish.

Thanks - a thousand times over - for the work you do so well, cautioning God's people against indulging in sin. It wrecks everything.

(RESPONSE number 2) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Peter disowned Jesus because of the fear of man. The same was also a stumbling block for him in Gal. 2:11-14. We can only assume Peter got forgiven a second time of such though somewhat different, but even if he didn’t there is no Scripture that states he couldn’t upon heart-felt repentance.

We understand Heb. 10:26 (and Heb. 6:4-6) to refer to committing eternal sin since others deliberately sinned and got forgiven like the prodigal, who got saved again. God turns people over to a reprobate mind who don’t think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God (Rom. 1:28). That doesn’t sound like you.

You need to get over this, if you’ve repented. Peter went out and wept bitterly and got over this. You seem to refuse to let it go like he did. Resist the devil’s thought to crush you. That is his goal. If you have sincerely repented God has taken you back. Now fill your mind with God’s word. Read at least 5 chapters a day. GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL) I was wondering, do you believe that if a Christian falls away deep into sin for several years they can come back and be reconciled to God? Condemnation was the primary culprit of the fallen state. I couldn\'t forgive myself for my sin.

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. YES, YES, YES you can come back to God through repentance. The prodigal was away from God for an undisclosed time period in wild living (maybe many years) before he turned away from that wickedness to humbly return to the Father to serve him (Luke 15:11-32). Ponder James 5:19,20. Furthermore, God know wants YOU back!

Please know that we have all done things that we later regretted. It is easy to beat oneself down to the ground especially when the devil is helping. Resist those thoughts and move on with God. The various people in the Bible who sinned and returned to God didn’t let their past cripple them. You shouldn’t either. Think ahead. In Christ you have a wonderful and thrilling future. Ponder these thoughts as you learn God’s will and serve the Lord. Read these please http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/backslider.htm and http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/prodigal.htm

This should help you too: http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

GOD BLESS YOU. 1 Cor. 2:9.

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(EMAIL) I am 25 years old, living in _____, Egypt. I'm a coptic orthodox christian, i'm single and never had sex in my entire life. I was surfing the internet looking for answers and i stopped by your church's website.... I'm struggling to stop looking at porn and to stop doing the act of masturbation (i do it on daily basis). I'm really confused why i'm so attached to it that way, maybe because i never experienced sexual life before ??? Is it considered a "sin" in my case that causes me to be UNSAVED by Jesus' Blood ?? Well, in my church they used to speak about it back then in Sunday School telling it's a sin, but there are many things that are still left unclear to my mind such as, why should it be considered a sin if i don't have other variants to fulfill the natural need of my body ?! I do believe the last way out is what i'm doing. I finally figured out that i need help. I don't know what the concequences might be being a christian. I do LOVE God. I don't want to make this sin bother Him, and i wanted someone to talk to about that issue. Please for the sake of Jesus, HELP ME STOP!

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Though the term masturbate is not mentioned or explicitly described in Scripture it is implied in the following passage:

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Mat 5:28,29)

That passage also shows looking at porn will take you to hell too! But there is HOPE! That hope is only found in a true heart-felt commitment to the Lord Jesus. You must turn from such wickedness or get thrown into eternal fire. Cry out to God for mercy, forgiveness and deliverance from all sins. Destroy all porn you have. Purpose in your heart you will never do these things again. As you read through the New Testament the filth in your mind will be washed out. You should read at least 5 chapters a day. Put into practice what you read. Know this: You are battling for eternity and your very SOUL is in the greatest danger! You must get dead serious about this. Victory and deliverance are sure, but you must, from your HEART, commit to the Lord Jesus to live holy and pure. Have you read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/lust.htm

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL) I am glad to write you! The theme of my letter is David Wilkerson. I heard his earlier sermons and was fully excited of his thinking. Especially i like the book about suffering. But now i am reading in net that he is going aside. Explain me please what is wrong with him? Should not i listen to his sermons. best wishes. (Ukraine)

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name from the apostate country of the USA. David Wilkerson was very stirring 20 years or so ago. But over time he started to drift, especially as he started to recommend Calvinistic teachers of the past. The quotes we have from him on our web site, which caused us to openly comment, shows he thinks one can be a Christian while in wickedness. It is VERY SAD to have a man of his influence and reputation teach like that, but at least at times he does. May God help him get back on track and open the eyes of many who listen to him.

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/whatsnew.htm This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written. Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL) Get into the King James Version of the true Holy Bible and read Ephesians 2:8-9. I hope you then can accept Jesus Christ as your final sacrifice and remember what He told the thief on the cross next to him, as He slipped off into the grave to go preach to those in captivity: “It is finished”.

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Please know that we are TRUSTING IN JESUS 100% FOR OUR SALVATION as we submit and follow him. We believe it was finished at the cross and we are saved by grace. Unlike many, we have been carefully reading our Bibles and also believe the righteous can die spiritually http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/spiritualdeath.htm

We believe that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8,9) but we can fall from grace (Gal. 5:2-4). We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) but our faith can become shipwrecked (1 Tim. 1:19,20) and cease to exist (Lk. 8:13; Rom. 11:19-23). We are not under the law (Rom. 6:14,15) but if you live according to the sinful nature you will die (Rom. 8:13). Paul taught against legalism (Gal. 5:3,4) but he also taught that no immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph. 5:5-7). We are not saved by works (Eph. 2:8,9) but to reap eternal life and not destruction you must sow to please the Spirit and not the sinful nature (Gal. 6:8,9). God is faithful to us (1 Jn. 1:9; 1 Cor. 10:13) but we must be faithful to him to the very end of our lives to escape the lake of fire or second death (Rev. 2:10,11). God surely loves us (Jn. 3:16; Mk. 10:21; Rom. 8:35-39) but those who inherit the kingdom of God love God (Jam 2:5; 1 Cor. 2:9) and to love God means to obey his commands (Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3). We have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1) but this freedom is not to indulge the sinful nature (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet 2:16).

Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/whatsnew.htm This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written .... Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.

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(EMAIL) I’m sorry, that I seem to be confused by your allegations with Ray Comfort. You claim the "once saved, always saved" mentality is wrong. I agreed with you until a few years ago, because of hypocrites in the church. I must agree with Ray Comfort now on the fact that TRUE BORN AGAIN Christians shall keep their salvation. Why? First of all, Born again doesn't mean over and over again. Secondly you put 1 John 3:10 in your references but neglected to look one verse higher - 1 John 3:9:

...So where does, through Christ, eternal life start and stay.....is it eternal if you can lose it here and there several times? I think there have been way too many "good men" whether they be pastors or others who fall into sin that we are compelled to say "they must have been saved before....they just lost it for a bit"

Again, I'm not all knowing and the absolute authority of scripture, but I'm also not condemning Ray Comfort either. I would think it would be a better use of our time to reach the lost instead of splitting heirs. God Bless you guys....teach people how to share their faith.....unfortunately, I only found you due to negative comments :(.

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Don’t let hypocrites turn you away from sound doctrine. You must go by the Scriptures ALONE for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16,17). To believe TRUE BORN AGAIN Christians shall keep their salvation WITHOUT that same Christian living holy, keeping himself from idols, etc. is to be a disaster about to happen, but such is the heart of your belief system. There are spiritual safeguards which Calvinists, like Ray Comfort and his followers, are blinded to.

Comfort and others who want to give the impression that real Christians will live holy and if one doesn’t he was never saved are refuted with King David, who was saved before he turned to adultery and murder. Comfort is EXPOSED as teaching a LICENSE FOR IMMORALITY because he has to say David remained saved in adultery and murder. (You should know that, but apparently don’t! Comfort avoids David as [he would] a plague.)

To deny a person can get saved more than once is to display ignorance of the New Testament (Lk. 15:24,32; James 5:19,20; Rom. 11:19-23). Such a fact is a death blow to the myth of eternal security. There is nothing in 1 John 3:9 or any other Scripture which can support the devil’s first lie that the righteous cannot die spiritually through sin. Read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/spiritualdeath.htm

Ray Comfort, like all Calvinists including Dave Hunt, is a false teacher and therefore dangerous. The lost need to be reached, but to teach the heresy of eternal security will cause more to go to hell. Through that teaching, the devil recaptures souls that were previously saved.

Comfort’s way of evangelizing is far from adequate in most cases. Read through the Book of Acts. You will see at least 1 dozen times where the plan of salvation is communicated. Often it was to unsaved people, yet never did they ask “Are you a good person?” then proceed as Comfort teaches! Will you go by the Bible or Comfort’s teaching? We are sticking to the Bible, especially since Comfort teaches the heresy of once saved always saved and a license for immorality.

Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm

Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage.

GOD BLESS YOU.

(EMAIL) Why does god hate people who attempt to use magic? I mean, what's wrong with trying to understand what happens when you pass on? "Everyone knows about heaven and hell...." but that doesn't mean we understand them....just that we know where you go when you "move on." I'm tempted to uses a ouija board to TALK to spirits and see how they feel about the other side...but that doesn't make me a bad guy...

(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. You are trying to justify wickedness to “understand” what happens after death. There is no need for you to wonder. The Bible, the only reliable source about spiritual matters, tells us what happens after one dies. He will go to either fiery torment, like most, or into God’s presence like the minority. The determining factor is: did that person have a pure heart at the point of death? Some of the main details about both places are also given in Scripture.

You used the correct term—“tempted.” That is what the devil does! He tempts one to do wrong, which any involvement in the occult is. Please know this: If you did “talk to spirits” you would be communicating with demons, who will be trying to deceive you. Take this WARNING TO HEART: Do not have any involvement whatsoever in the occult. You are asking for serious trouble if you do! Read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/spiritsm.htm See Rev. 21:8.

Read the New Testament and change accordingly. Ask God to have mercy on you. Turn away from your sins and commit your life to the Lord Jesus. You will find rest for your soul even in the midst of great turmoil. Don’t gamble with your SOUL.

GOD BLESS YOU.