Satan is very smart "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made (Genesis 3:1)." Our enemy is using everything he has learned to entice people to try other means, besides Christ, to find themselves and be connected with life beyond our world. There is only one way to God. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)." These people are talking about a spiritual experience, which I do believe it is very spiritual, but not to find God. They say they experience a higher power or angels. But this higher power is not God. "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5)." Men cannot get to God through smoking plants; they can only get to him through Jesus Christ. It's frightening what doors they are opening for the evil one.
It's amazing to me that people are so blinded, but it is because they have not put on the armor of God. We must listen to the Scripture and follow the Spiritual Disciplines to be fully suited for battle. If we are not, we can be easily deceived by false teachers. "Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:11-17)."
People are being deceived, and taking something to gain power over their life. The Bible talks about this as well. "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3)." Some of these people are describing almost a sense of becoming God. Just as Satan tried to tell Eve in the garden that she would be like God. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5)."
Satan is on the prowl again stronger than ever before. "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people (Matthew 24:10-11)." Beyond this video, today I heard of a church who was struggling with attendance so they took out the coffee bar and put in a bar. We are being attacked and some of the church is not ready for battle. We have started to ignore Scripture, the living word of God. God gave us the means to fight against the devils schemes. Jesus said, "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).
There are tools God gave us to overcome the pressures of the world.
For depression: "the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)."We have placed our hope in Him that He will deliver us again" (2 Corinthians 1:10b).
For addictions:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Sometimes we need to take the right steps and not hang around people who negativity influence us.
"Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 John 2:16).
God will give us strength if we continue to read AND study Scripture. And we stay in prayer daily and become attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance."Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).
And yes we will face hard times. It's part of the journey. But if you take the right steps through the journey it builds strength and perseverance. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (James 1:2-3). Just like the pain of lifting weights or childbirth, there is a reward. "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy" (John 16:21-22).
Even though there is so much more Scripture to share and study, just this little blog entry, I hope sheds some light on this video. I would love to hear comments and conversation on this subject. Especially since it is becoming more widespread. Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13).
