Category: evil world system

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #41

Monday, June 29, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

An invisible, spiritual battle is in progress. Ephesians 6:10-18: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;….”

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; ) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;…” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3,4).

Children do not belong on the battlefield. Yet, denominational churches and other manmade institutions have produced spiritual kindergartners and Bible babies supposedly “fighting for the Lord.” These are not skilled in putting on the whole armor of God, so they end up severely wounded or slain….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #40

Sunday, June 28, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

First Corinthians 10:1,2 states: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;….” Israel’s numerous sins all stemmed from one principal problem. Their chief transgression was ignoring Moses, the LORD’S spokesman to them. Although the LORD God had identified the nation with Moses their leader, they disobeyed the Law (God’s words, hundreds of commandments, given to them through Moses on Mount Sinai). Likewise, Paul pointed out how the Corinthians rebelled against the words of grace that God had delivered them through Pauline revelation. Second Corinthians especially defends Paul’s apostleship. Christendom would do well to recognize this.

Standing in opposition to “castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27), Christian service rejected of God (“adokimos”) because it did not pass the inspection, is the Christian service “approved unto” God (“dokimos”) of 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The ancient Greeks used these two words to signify impure and pure metals, a series of tests establishing either their worthlessness or their quality.

As God’s chief enemy, Satan (Hebrew, “adversary”) seeks to defile us in whatever ways he can, for such will render us unusable to God. Whether or not we have enough spiritual sense to recognize it, an invisible battle is being waged today—and we are a part of it. Observe: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [methods, tricks, schemes, cunning craftiness] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12). Both our Corinthian and Galatian brethren fell (defeated) in this battle, so let us be mindful of what we need to “stand….”

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #20

Sunday, June 7, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When 1 John 2:16 here refers to “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes,” and “the pride of life,” it stresses how temptation under Satan’s evil world system falls under three categories. Firstly, the “lust [desire] of the flesh” can be summarized as, “It feels good!” Secondly, the “lust [desire] of the eyes” is described with, “It looks good!” Thirdly, the “pride of life” can be summarized as, “I deserve it!”

Matching the aforementioned pattern, the tree of the forbidden fruit was “good for food,” it was “pleasant to the eyes,” and it was “to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Adam and Eve failed in all three areas of temptation! Thousands of years later, Satan tried to persuade the Lord Jesus to turn stones into bread (“the lust of the flesh”—which would have satisfied fasting Christ in Matthew 4:1-4 and Luke 4:1-4), to throw Himself off the Jerusalem Temple (“the lust of the eyes”—such a performance would have generated quite a spectacle in Matthew 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-13), and to worship him to gain the kingdoms of this world (“the pride of life”—which would have stirred up egotism in Matthew 4:8-11 and Luke 4:5-8). Christ, however, prevailed in all three spheres!

Our world is replete with people who are thinking and doing whatever they want because it feels good to them. Furthermore, they are thinking and doing whatever they wish because it looks good to them. Lastly, they are thinking and doing whatever they want because it is something they suppose they deserve. Hebrews 11:25 thus mentions how one can “enjoy the pleasures of sin,” and Romans 1:32 speaks of sinners who “have pleasure in them [other sinners] that do them [the sinful deeds listed in verses 18-32].”  

Nevertheless, Father God’s will for us believers is something else entirely….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #19

Saturday, June 6, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Draw your attention to the fig-leaf aprons of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:7—their religious efforts or futile attempts to regain the spiritual light of God (righteousness) that once covered their now-naked bodies. After works-religion proved unsuccessful, they again evaded accountability by hiding from God (Genesis 3:8-10). Finally, after the LORD exposed and confronted them, Adam shifted the blame to Eve (thereby indirectly accusing God who gave him Eve—“God created me this way!”), then Eve shifted the guilt to the serpent (“the Devil made me do it!”) (Genesis 3:11-13).

Here is human psychology 101. Such a scenario has played out trillions of times since then. Firstly, do whatever you can to cover up your sin. Secondly, hide when that cover-up demonstrates itself useless. Finally, dodge the liability altogether by blaming God or Satan. Man goes to great lengths to justify himself, to declare himself righteous, as he in his pride has no use for God’s standard of righteousness that he has failed so miserably to meet. See, the Bible takes a negative view of man, for it tells the truth about him: that Book of God has embarrassed him! Hence, man in his feebleness aspires to ignore the Scriptures, challenge them, discredit them, change them, and so on, to clear himself. In willfully neglecting to admit his inability to save himself, man is further fallen into the snare or trap of the Devil.

The grace of God is the only thing that can deliver man from satanic captivity and spiritual nakedness, so God works to restore man to himself: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Such shedding of animals’ blood, innocent beings taking the place of guilty ones, is a type or hint or preview of the cross of Calvary 4,000 years in advance. However, on this side of the cross, where God has dealt with sin once for all, there is still cover-up and denial (works-religion), hiding, and blame-shifting.

May we submit to the righteousness of God by faith….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #18

Friday, June 5, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Re-read Genesis 3:1-5. Satan promised Eve that, if she heeded his advice, she and husband Adam would have a more productive, enjoyable life (thereby insinuating how God had been “villainous” in hiding knowledge from them!). Verses 6 and 7: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”

While there was nothing morally wrong with eating the fruit, it was nevertheless disobedience to the LORD God’s clear command. Eve was deceived/seduced, drawn away by the lie, but Adam knew better and followed her in the rebellion simply because he loved her more than he loved God (cf. 1 Timothy 2:14)! Moving outside of the sphere of life God had established for them, Adam relinquished his God-given dominion on the Earth (Genesis 1:26-28) to Satan.

In Matthew 4:8,9 and Luke 4:5-7, bearing the title “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), Satan owns this world’s kingdoms and the glory of them. Yet, thankfully, Galatians 1:4 proclaims, “[our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:….” Therefore, “Love [find value in, esteem] not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

That we Bible-believers may “cleanse [our] way,” God has equipped us to identify the countless facets of Satan’s lie program….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #17

Thursday, June 4, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

God’s original instructions to humans were: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28). Furthermore, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17). Adam and Eve, God’s king and queen on Earth, were to live within these particular boundaries.

Deviations from the LORD’S plan would be disastrous, of which Satan was quite aware: “Now the serpent was more subtil [clever, crafty] than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:1-5).

Man’s initial sin was to elevate himself to the status of a “god” (lowercase “g”), to make himself his own authority and create his own path in life….

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 25, 2026

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 7, 2026

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

Excruciating Thursday

Thursday, April 2, 2026

[Reader discretion advised: Christ’s sufferings are graphically described below.]

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9 KJV).

His three years of earthly ministry have expired, but His greatest work is yet to come!

During the all-night interrogation in the “kangaroo court,” His sentence is passed—execution by crucifixion. They have scourged, beaten, and punched Him. Covered in their spit, they laugh at Him, and strike His head with a rod to force on the crown of thorns. His back shredded, His skull possibly fractured, His beard ripped off. His massive blood loss weakens Him further. Having been stripped of His clothing, He struggles to carry His heavy cross to Mount Calvary: Simon must carry His cross for Him. The crowds watch Him, laughing and jeering. His little flock looks on in total shock.

They lay Him on the wooden cross, yanking His limbs to nail them in place. His bones unbroken, but exposed, and His limbs dislocated. They pierce His hands and feet with long spikes, severing the median nerve in the hands, causing permanent hand paralysis. They raise up that cross, and He hangs, slowly suffocating due to His own weight. Every breath becomes increasingly difficult, His lungs fill with fluid, His heart becomes progressively strained. Eventually, He cannot breathe, and thus dies.

Now imagine His spiritual suffering. Three hours into His crucifixion, His heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost have abandoned Him. For the first time ever, He is totally alone. Physical and spiritual darkness now cover the earth. The weight of all the world’s sin and sins of all time crushes His soul. God’s undiluted wrath falls upon Him, as it does on those suffering in hellfire. He cries out in agony. Hanging on that cruel cross, with His spiritual eyes, He observes Satan himself and all his evil creatures snickering and cheering. He looks out to see His disciples staring at His helpless disfigured body. Oh, if only they knew how His physical and spiritual bodies were being tormented, utterly tortured beyond imagination!

After six hours of excruciating pain, He finally lets Himself die….

Please check out our archived Bible Q&A: “Was Jesus Christ really crucified on Friday?”

The “Triumphal” Entry

Sunday, March 29, 2026

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matthew 21:4,5 KJV).

Do you ever wonder why Jesus Christ rode on a donkey the Sunday before His crucifixion?

In today’s Scripture (cf. Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), Jesus’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross is just five days away. Leaving Bethany, He travels to Jerusalem (a mile to the northwest). Israel’s believing remnant in Jerusalem is excited to hear that Messiah is returning to “the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35); in anticipation, the great multitude throws their garments and palm branches on the ground. As Jesus enters the city, they cry out, “Hosanna [“O save!”]: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13; cf. Psalm 118:26).

While often called the “Triumphal Entry,” there really was no victory being celebrated in today’s Scripture—the victory was to come later! What we need to realize is that Jesus Christ was humble (“meek”) here: as a King riding on a donkey into Israel’s capital city, He demonstrated He desired peace with Israel (a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9). He had not come to destroy her, though He would have been just in doing so; He had come to save her from her sins, her enemies, and her satanic bondage (Matthew 1:21; Mark 2:17; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 1:68-75; Luke 9:55,56; Luke 19:9,10; Acts 3:24-26; et cetera).

Just a few days later, Jesus Christ appeared weak and defeated. He never fought back as the Roman soldiers mercilessly abused Him; He allowed Himself to be crucified on Calvary. It was His meek and lowly coming; now was not the time to pour out His wrath. He resurrected and ascended into heaven as a royal exile. Revelation 19:11 says Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem on a white horse, a sign of war and wrath (Zechariah 14:1-4)—that will be His true triumphal entry, for He will conquer Satan’s world system forever!