Section Four - Dealing with our loss of innocence

As a minister of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, I have often wondered why we as the Body of Christ, refuse to step out and show up for duty. If what we believe is the truth, why do we hold the truth in unrighteousness? Do we not have an obligation to share the truth with everyone we know? This is a simple question that actually has a simple answer.

We as the Body do not promote the Kingdom of Jesus for a couple of reasons:
1. We have lost our innocence due to fears as a child and allow shame, guilt, plus self preservation to elude us from serving Jesus with the gifts of His Spirit.
2. Secondly, we have believed the wrong reports due to the fears of others within our social circles.

I have exhorted my fellow chaplains and ministers with the following facts that as Christians we need to be aware of;
1. Satan hates you and wants you destroyed.
2. Satan has been involved in stealing our innocence since childhood allowing doors of fear to be established.
3. Fear cripples us from trusting the Truth.
4. Not trusting the Lord gets us in a lot of trouble, (pride, arrogance, ignorance).
5. By not trusting in the Lord we are in rebellion promoting our own craftiness, (bewitching, manipulation of the truth = witchcraft).

Scriptural references: Mark 9:21; John 10:10; II Tim 1:7; Psalms 118:8; Jeremiah 17: 5-7

Sin defined:
Whenever we as people allow our fears (which are established from the lack of innocence) to influence our free will, to exercise itself over the perfect will of the Father, we have sinned. And having sinned we are not trusting the Father of our souls thus making us rebellious and practicing our own craftiness, (witchcraft)

And when we sin, we sin against God alone (Psalms 51:4). It is by His divine laws that He is able to judge the hearts and actions of mankind as well as His entire kingdom.

Back to the Garden of Eden:
The key to our innocence is found back in the Garden of Eden. Before sin entered the scene of mankind, man was an innocent being. He walked and talked with the Lord daily in the garden and was not ashamed. Adam and Eve walked daily in the Glory of our Lord and were not aware of their nakedness until they stepped out of position, out of place of His perfect will. Adam and Eve were childlike in nature and thus a target of the enemy. We also know that we as “Adams” were created a little lower than the angels yet unlike Lucifer (now Satan the accuser) who was created to reflect the image of the Most High God; we were created in the image of God. Once again, evidence as to why Satan does not care too much for us here on planet Earth.

Scriptural references: Genesis 1:26, 2: 25, 3:1; Revelation 12:9

Rebellion against our Creator:
This has been the practice of the enemy since he had first deceived man. Man in return has become wicked, influenced by what he sees and believes as opposed to what he hears from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. The first lie ever recorded in the Bible was back in Genesis, when Satan manipulated God’s Word to deceive his biggest threat, “Eve” into being tempted to step out of the perfect path. As I mentioned earlier, Adam was not as much a threat to Satan as Eve was. She had the ability to birth forth more Adams, and this was not an option for the Devil. Every person who arrives here makes the Devil’s days start to dwindle.

Scriptural references: Genesis 3:1-7

Holding the thief accountable:
Each of us could fill volumes of books with personal defeats and acts of rebellion. But it is here where Satan loses his battle. For when grace and mercy entered into our lives through the selfless act of Holy sacrifice by our Lord; Jesus Christ, we can now claim back the innocence lost to us from childhood, helping us to return back to our spiritual Garden of Eden. This is where the Lord is restoring His Body of Disciples and Believers now. Back to the day we were reintroduced to the Father by the Son led by the Holy Spirit. The day we gave our soul to Jesus and were “born again,” It had to have been the best day of your life! The Body of Christ must return back to their “first love,” and do the “first works.” And what has been stolen from us through deception will be repaid or given back with a greater understanding then before. Revelation Chapter 2 verses 1-7 is a great study for what we need to be restored back to.

In Proverbs 6:30 - 31, wisdom teaches us that if the thief (Satan) has stolen from you he must restore seven fold. This scripture also tells us that the thief must be found. When the thief is found he must restore that which has been stolen seven times the amount taken.
If we do not ask the Lord of grace and mercy, who operates in perfect love, to restore our innocence and hold the thief accountable, we will then continue to operate out of the deficit of our given heritage. Understand that those in your life that have been used by the enemy of your soul have been operating out the same lack of spiritual heritage. They have carried on the spirit of offense from one generation to another

Example: Grandpa had an anger problem, your Dad has a bad temper for no good reason, and now you find your self with this same anger that you will now influence over your children.
Keep in mind that the anger in the example above is an evil spirit used by the enemy of your soul to keep robbing your family of their peace. This is also called a generational curse. Since demons don’t die they just keep transferring over and over unto the fourth generation. This obviously robs us of our innocence at an early age even before we have exited our mother’s womb.

Let’s look at a scriptural reference in Mark 9:20-21:
And they brought him unto Him (Jesus): and when he saw Him (Jesus), straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And He (Jesus) asked his father, How long is it ago that this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Jesus made sure that I saw this scripture as I was preparing for this message. He directed me to this scripture reference as I was making inquiries as to how Satan operates and I needed more proof that Satan attacks us as children. Satan knows the Lord’s laws, and just how to manipulate them as well as teach us to transgress them. What did this child do that he should be possessed by a demon? Why did Jesus, who knew all things, ask the father of the young man; “when did this spirit come unto him?” I believe it was to show us one of the tactics or devices used against us by the enemy of our souls.

As a young adult, I was a Criminal Justice Officer for the State of Florida working both in Corrections and Law Enforcement. I was amazed at some of the cases I undertook or had been involved with dealing with young offenders. I noted several times that the young people who were incarcerated had been committing the same offenses that their biological father had committed.

This might not seem strange to you, but these young offenders never knew their biological fathers personally if at all. These young people had been influenced spiritually by the same spiritual acts of their biological father on earth. Offenders generally have been offended themselves and the cycle of offense goes on. There is such a thing as the “spirit of offence” and I believe it is generational. The fact that we have been offending God, since Adam offended God in the Garden of Eden, is the ultimate probable cause to believe that the “spirit of offence” is generational to those who do not love God. I believe the reason a person offends others, is that they have no fear of God and are easily enticed to satisfy their own needs or wants. They in a sense have become idolatrous in nature, worshiping their own selves, becoming lovers of themselves and not the God who created them. Let’s look at one of God’s commandments found in Exodus chapter 20 verses 3-5:

Thou shall have no other Gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water underneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them: For I the Lord thy God an a Jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.

The study of the fall of Lucifer shows us that he did the same thing. This is the main reason Jesus had to be manifested in the very flesh He created, to destroy to works of Satan. It is very refreshing to know, God created us on purpose for a divine purpose and He refuses to let the disobedience of one of His children; Lucifer, to destroy His ultimate creation and that is us.

I John chapter 3 verse 8 tell us:
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Ignoring Satan doesn’t make him or his diabolical tactics go away. Satan knows he is defeated but his hate for mankind is deep and he wants to take as many of us to the lake of fire with him when Jesus does away with evil for all times.

As I have traveled into third world countries I have seen the fruit of Satan’s work. For example; in Central America, the orphan population is very high due to wars, famine and disease. The same can be said of Congo, Africa. Without the presence of a people filled with the Lord’s light, darkness swallows up the life in the land. Sitting on our couches and watching infomercials about the cheapness of life in third world countries and not doing something about it is a sad testimony of our light which the Lord has entrusted us with.

Hey Brother Bill; “Not all are called to third world countries.” You may not be called to go to a third world country where the Light of Christ needs to shine, but supporting those of us with this calling ensures your crowns in heaven.

Sorry, I start to get worked up over the apathy Satan has put the church to sleep with.

Scriptural reference: Revelations 21: 5-8

Why do we see abortion at an all time high right now? If we really are believers in Jesus the Christ, the author of life, what is our problem with this issue? Is there not more of us then there are of them? Proof again that our innocence is being robbed. When will we say enough to the enemy of our souls and start claiming that which was unlawfully taken from us back? When will women understand that the fruit of their womb is the greatest threat against the enemy of our souls? It really wasn’t Adam that was the threat to the Devil; it was when Eve showed up with the ability to make more of us. Abortion is a lie not a way out. If the Lord knows every soul that is sent here, why would we want to work for Satan and try to extinguish that little light no matter by what circumstance that light was conceived in?

Out of the “mouth” of such a light:
As I was preparing to return to Africa, I had stopped by the bank to deposit some funds for the trip. My teller and I were discussing who should be the next president of the United States? I was very blunt and said; I am not voting for anyone who is against life or against the truth of God’s Word. She exclaimed a hearty “amen” and then went on to tell me about her 6 year old grandson who had recently walked up to her and asked her why one of the presidential candidates wanted to kill babies? She then related to me that her bright little grandson, “the joy of her life,” had been conceived through rape. Her daughter refused to abort this precious gift from heaven even though the child was conceived through an act of violence. The grandson has a heart for the unborn and I know the Lord has great plans for that young child’s life, amen?

The wounded child:
The secular world has written many books and developed numerous theses about the wounded child. They blame humanity for this epidemic and so they should. But what do you expect from a bunch of wounded children who would rather believe in some neurological or psycho-sociopath explanation for people’s sin disorders.

In America, we have conveniently labeled or classified our families as dysfunctional. We have been indoctrinated in our public schools with the “religion of tolerance.” Sin to you is not sin to others. We would rather give evil spirits politically correct names so we do not have to exercise our authority as Christians, and kick them out of our lives. Saying that a child is born that way or he or she has a medical disorder and it must be medicated because we don’t want to deal with them, is a lie from the pit of Hell. I don’t care if you label them; ADHD, ADTV, AHDD, or what ever letters you wish to give them. Pray for your child, love your child, read the Word of God with your child and tell them they are not a mistake and that there is a purpose for them being here, just like you!

Psalms 103: 1-5, holds a great key in understanding the need for our innocence to be restored and who restores our innocence. I find it very important to quote scripture here to make my point as to the Lord’s plan for our lives.

Psalms: 103:1-5
Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget none of His benefits. Who takes away my iniquities (sins) and heals all my diseases (infirmities, illnesses). Who redeems me from destruction, (from Satan’s plans). Who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies. Who satisfies my mouth with good things (all your needs met), so that my youth (innocence) is restored like the eagles.

John 10:10
The Thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

Notice that Jesus refers to Psalms 103:1-5, in that the thief (Satan) tricks us into sinning that steals us away from God’s presence. Note also that the thief is trying to kill us with diseases and infirmities. And isn’t it interesting that the thief is trying to destroy us in all areas of our lives yet, Jesus has come to give us a life with loving kindness and tender mercies, a life more abundant.

Like a Child:
We know the importance of a child like faith or should I say being humble as a child. It is here where the Lord has helped me to understand that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to a person of child like innocence. I have come to recognize that Jesus is more interested in seeing us minister out of a love not hindered, pure, and innocent and humble. The Body of Christ needs to return back to the time we were “born again” and start doing the first works of Christ.

Jesus said to us His disciples;
Matthew 18:3-4:
And said, verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever will humble themselves as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

We understand the scripture found in, I John Chapter Four, where Apostle John tells us that; perfect love cast out all fear. Fear can not be in the presence of perfect love.

I John 4:18:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Understanding His love for us and what He did for us is so important. When many of us first came to Jesus we felt that overwhelming presence of perfect love and for a time, felt like a brand new person. We are not to forget our first love. Jesus gave His entire worth to us on that cross over 2000 years ago in order for us to be set free from sin and death. Giving us His entire worth was revealed to me by one of our ministry’s Jr. Chaplains (13 years old). He had a vision of Christ on the way home from one of our Tuesday night meetings and was still shaking when He got home. This young man had a vision of Jesus and was asked by Jesus if there was anything else He wanted from Him. The young teen replied that he had everything he could ever need. Jesus told him that He had given him all that He (Christ) was worth. The young minister was so scared and felt like he did not answer Jesus the right way, yet Jesus affirmed the young man by letting him know that He (Jesus), gave it all.

Out of the mouth of babes you might say. I say, amen! This young teen didn’t have the years of studying under his belt, yet Christ chose him to speak through.

What good is it to have the wisdom of the ages if you can’t hear from the Holy Spirit when to use this wisdom? What good does understanding the essence of the scriptures do us if we won’t apply the scriptures to our very lives?

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a child. This is an important key given us through the Holy Scriptures. We are to have the faith of a child, acceptance as a child, and love like a child. Though we may be grown, in the eyes of God we are still children in need of a loving father. We are to be totally dependent on the Lord who created us. Anyone who accepts a child in Jesus name will be accepted by Him.

Scriptural references: Matthew 18:2–5; Mark 9:36–37; 10:15; and Luke 9:47-48

In the course of studying humanity, I am overwhelmed with the types of mannerisms and gestures we interact with each other. You can almost detect areas in people’s lives where they had been wounded as a child. I have experienced this on numerous occasions as I have had the opportunity to pray for people. After praying for them they would ask me how I knew about their past. Of course all inspiration in these areas is directed by the Holy Spirit who knows each and every one of us inside and out. But still, I have concluded that we carry into our adult lives strongholds that were established well before we started paying taxes.