Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
A joyous Christian song we found at youtube
The Voice of the Savior
by Mandisa
Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Pride "inordinate self-love is the cause of every sin ... the root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule."
THE FOLLOWING QUOTES ARE PROVIDED BY MEMBERS AND MANAGERS. THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS!
I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY CONNECTION WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION, HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY QUOTES PROVIDED FROM THE CHRISTIAN HOLY BIBLE AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE QUOTES FROM OTHER RELIGIOUS WRITINGS TO ADD TO OUR COLLECTION. IF YOU CAN PROVIDE ANY, DO CONTACT THE MANAGERS AND ASK US TO ADD THEM HERE AND PLEASE LET US KNOW THEIR SOURCE.
References: King James Version of The Holy Bible or weblinks as noted. Additional reference used is the New Living Translation (NLT)- The Holy Bible 2nd Edition - modernized language useage for easier reading, (NIV) The New International Version.
The Holy Bible is a rich source of information on recognizing evil, dealing with evil and coping with it's effects in it's many forms. We have provided some of the most commonly mentioned here.
Side Note. In the 10 years that I have managed forums, I have noted that people with strong faith will heal faster. On that basis I encourage you to find or renew your faith in the God of your understanding of your faith. It is very empowering to feel God's strength and the strength of your religion supporting and guiding you as you encounter and turn away from evil.
femfree
Reading recommendations (too long for our limited space here) Jesus tempted by the devil Matthew 4:1-11, Jude 8-19. Parable of the Tares of the Field - children of wickedness, end of times, Matthew 13
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:6 (NLT) Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs. They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Matthew 9:13 (NLT) "I have come to call not on those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
Matthew 18:6 (NLT) But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT) If another believer sins against you go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful take one or two others with you and go back again so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen take your case to the church. Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) Then Peter came to and asked, "Lord how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven Times? No, not seven times," Jesus replies, "but seventy times seven!"
Matthew 24:11 (NLT) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many .
Matthew 24:24 (NLT) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Luke 8:(NLT) Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man V.35 - People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus' feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane...
Note that the link of demons and sanity is mentioned.
Luke 20 45-47 (NLT)Then, with the crowds listening, he (Jesus) turned to his disciples and said "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamlessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this they will be severely punished."
Conclusion
“Narcissists�? “Sociopaths�? “Personality Disorders�? by whatever name we use, there are people, even in our congregations, who are evil. We have become accustomed to thinking of the evil as the Hannibal Lectors, the Hitlers, the Darth Vaders of the world. Not so. Satan does not always appear as the roaring lion, but sometimes as the angel of light.* It behooves the pastor to understand those who may have relational disorders, and to know of what they are capable. The pastor should be aware of how to deal with them: openness, a hug, and a listening ear will not be effective in these cases. Only the Law of God can break through their disorders, and only as God wills. In the meantime, the pastor must protect the flock from potential harm. Sometimes there is no solution but the one Paul presents in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13: I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people�?10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat."
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’�?
A Christian Approach to Severe Relational Personality Disorders (excellent read for religious guidance)
http://stonge.intheway.org/documents/The%20Evil%20Personality.pdf
Partial list of relevant Psalms describing evil/wickedness 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 23, 25, 26, 28, 31, 35, *36, 37, 38, etc.
Psalm 10: His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Isaiah 5:20 (NIV) Woe to those who call evil good.
“No Person is Expected to Stay in an Abusive Marriage,�?Bishops Say
When I Call for Help states that “violence in any form �?physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal �?is sinful;�?
http://endabuse.org/newsflash/index.php3?search=Article&NewsFlashID=394
Updated 15/06/2005
And because this type of evil views itself as justified, even noble, the people who embrace it tend to be unrepentant and remorseless. Like the helpful soup kitchen worker or the caring neighbor (who are actually doing good), the arrogant offenders see no reason to recant. And then to our utter amazement, as we form a response to this type of evil, we think about crossing the line. We toy with the idea abandoning the accountability and restraint of legitimate justice, and consider taking matters into our own hands. Gradually, we find ourselves calling this type of vengeful thinking justified and good �?and suddenly we’ve become the thing that used to repulse us.
The Prayer of Revenge �?by Doug Schmidt
http://www.dougschmidt.com/
One of the deepest of all human emotions is the internal need for acknowledgment and vindication when a person has been unjustly harmed, injured, or wronged �?and the offender feels no remorse whatsoever. In many of these cases, forgiveness seems impossible, if not wrong.
The Prayer of Revenge �?by Doug Schmidt
http://www.dougschmidt.com/
Life is not easy. It is a daily battle. Trials like sickness and failure can crush our spirits. False values and easy promises can entice us and even destroy our souls. And so we ask God to keep us from failing when we are tested, to help us to know the right thing to do, to deliver us from the evil which awaits us in life.
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/teach.html
(Acts 4:29-30)
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/acts11.html
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
2 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT) The Danger of False Teachers. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
Wife of Noble Character - Proverbs 31 16-29
She goes to inspect a field and buys it with her earnings. She plants a vineyard
She is energetic and strong, a hard worker
She markes sure her dealings are profitable, her lamp burns late into the night
Her hands are busy spinning thread her fingers twisting fiber
She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy
She has no fear of winter for her household for everyone has warm clothes
She makes her own bedspreads
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns
Her husband is well known at the city gates where he sites with the other civic leaders
She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants
She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future
When she speaks her words are wise and she gives instructions with kindness
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness
Her children stand and bless her
Her husband praises her
There are many virtuous and capable women in the world
but you surpass them all."
1 Corinthians 15:33(NIV)Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Proverbs 26:21-28
A quarelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood
Rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart
Smooth words may hide a wicked heart just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot
People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they're deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils while their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoings will be exposed in public
If you set a trap for others you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others it will crush you instead
A lying tongue hates its victims and flattering words cause ruin.
James 4:6-7 (NLT) God opposes the proud but favors the humble" So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come close to God and he will come close to you.
James 1:2-4 (NLT) When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect and complete needing nothing.
Proverbs 20:22 Judgement is God's Job: Wait for the Lord and He will make things right.
(Heb 10:30) "Vengance is mine" God declared. "I will repay."
For interest - what the bible says about the origin of the evil ones? Revelations 12:7-9 (NLT)There was a war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon - the ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world - was thrown down to the earth with all his angels."
Continued - Page 2
