Regaining Lost Ground

Guest (Male): And there was betrayal when Babylon attacked Judah. Edom did not help the relatives. Instead, they gloated. They looted the city and they blocked the fleeing survivors. They became hard and critical in their heart.

Believers, that happens to the church all the time. We grow callous and cold and critical. We think we have a degree in pointing out the flaws in others. Divine justice: God declares that the way Edom treated Judah will happen to Edom as well, showing that no act of cruelty or pride escapes God's notice.

Thank you for joining us here at Westside Christian Fellowship, located in Leona Valley, California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Today on Regaining Lost Ground, we hear the fourth and final part of this grounding message titled, "When the Devil Meets You."

Leonard Ravenhill once said, "The self-sufficient does not pray. The self-satisfied will not pray. The self-righteous cannot pray. No man is greater than his prayer life." Today, Pastor Shane brings the truth with all power and authority against the enemy of our soul, encouraging us to be actionable in this: Greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world. Walk this today, right here on Regaining Lost Ground.

Pastor Shane Idleman: Don't allow or welcome adoration. A lot of these people welcome worship. They think, "Oh, this great faith healer, this great person," and they welcome that adoration. You should not welcome that. Point people to Jesus.

A lot of these people use the excuse, for example, if I'm coming after them, they'll say, "Well, others were persecuted, too. Persecution is normal." No, when spirit-filled people are questioning you, you need to wake up. If people who are filled with the Spirit of God are questioning you, you've got to wake up. That's not persecution; that's God trying to get you to wake up.

Are they more concerned about book sales or souls being saved? Do they need an honorarium or can they just go and honor God? So here is what happens sometimes. Number three: we see weird stuff, and people say weird things, and you know it's not biblical. But then sometimes there's a little bit of fruit because usually the people who get mad at me for mentioning names were blessed by their ministry somewhere. I get it. I do.

But we have to remember, God may bless the faith, sincerity, and desperation of the hearer even when the messenger is way off. A mom bringing her son, a little five or six-year-old for deliverance, doesn't know that this person is kooky and weird. But she's so desperate to see God. God could say, "I don't need that weird person. They'll take credit, but I'll heal the son. I'll deliver them because of the sincerity of the person." That's what God's looking at.

So sometimes we go, "How is there some fruit sometimes?" Now, be careful to you people who justify these false prophets and weird people. You say, "But look at the fruit." The end doesn't always justify the means. Just because there's some fruit now and then doesn't mean you excuse all the weird behavior. But that will happen from time to time.

It actually happened. The lady who you guys have been seeing a lot of, we actually gave a testimony on a Wednesday night. A lady gave a testimony on a Wednesday night probably two or three years ago now. Her son was wanting to throw himself off the balcony. It was pretty bad. She went to this place and her son got delivered.

But because I let her give the testimony, another family got mad at me because of where the deliverance happened. I'm like, "Shouldn't we rejoice that a six-year-old doesn't want to jump off the balcony anymore?" What? You critical, arrogant Pharisee. I've got the same concerns as you do. Don't get me wrong. But let's rejoice that a little... it's almost like you could care less. That breaks my heart. That makes me question your heart as well.

So I have seen this. I have seen people have amazing fruit under a ministry that there is a false prophet or just doing some wonky things. And we're in Los Angeles County. A lady called the church and said, "I need a stronger anointing, and I need to drive to Simi Valley and have Prophet Papa Lovi pray over me."

I'm like, "What? Everything I see on this guy, I'm going the other direction." But see how deceived. Papa Lovi needs to pray over me for a stronger anointing. Well, Papa Lovi's got about four women complaining against his ministry right now for sexual stuff. Guys, let's wake up. But that's the world I live in.

Be careful when people have dreams and visions for you. Wisdom should come first. Wisdom must come first because dreams and visions can be wrong or off. But wisdom, wisdom is the principal thing. That is what... and I do have to warn people. I don't think that's a healthy church at all. The other lady, her name is Kathryn Krick. Apostle. You've got to put "Apostle" in front of everything. Apostle Kathryn Krick.

I just don't get it, guys. We've got to be careful. If they're out publicly, I should be able to say something publicly. That's how it works. Okay? If you want to get mad at me, take it up with the Lord. When the people are off and weird and she's sitting there on her birthday and people are coming up kissing the floor... "Mother Krick, oh, Mother, you..." That's worshiping me. "My birthday, come up." That's sick. It is. I'm just shooting you straight.

If that upsets you, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not going to be pushed into a corner because I can't say what might offend somebody when it's absolutely disgusting and anti-biblical. And there's other stuff. I could sit here and go over other things. Be very careful with these people. Just because they have a prominent ministry or there's some fruit, there could be a lot of bad fruit too.

God's so good. I was a little upset, but I just thought of an illustration that will really help. I get home and I can't wait to have some strawberries. Organic strawberries that just the top row looked really good. So I grab one and then... boom. You know what's underneath, don't you? I'm about ready to drive back to Trader Joe's or Sprouts or Vons. I'm not going to tell you where I go so you won't tell some of them.

But right there, beautiful strawberries. Man, I'm about ready... and then just, "What is this? Worms, rot, disgusting." You turn them over and there's all this. I've got to throw them out. Be careful when you think you see a little bit of fruit and they have 100,000 followers on Instagram. I actually prefer people who are not that well known and notoriety because they can puff up.

Now granted, there's some good ones out there that are well known. That's why they're well known. God has exalted their ministry. Praise God for them. We all follow certain people. But you've got to be very careful, especially in this type of deliverance, charismatic community, gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because what has happened is we allow people to get away with weirdness under the banner of the Holy Spirit.

I've confronted people before that were here about certain things. They're like, "But brother, if the Spirit's leading..." It doesn't work that way. You don't get to be silly and stupid and say the Holy Spirit told you to do that. But that's what happens. People just acting... it's like, if it's odd, it's God. Hey, if it's odd, it's God. Where's your discernment? Where's your wisdom?

We're not quenching or grieving the Spirit. We want God to move in powerful and profound ways. I've read tons of revivals where people just fall down under the presence and weight of God's glory. They repent; they look to Him and His Word. And Christ is glorified. The speaker's not glorified.

So again, God may bless the sincerity of the seeker even though the messenger is false and fake. Number four: context is King. So when we see deliverance or things like that, that's why I went to the cup or the person. You talk to the person. You look for the fruit. You investigate the fruit. You don't just take anything at face value.

But I will tell you this. Number five: now that I said everything I just said in the last 20 minutes, we are to err on the side of grace. We are to err on the side of grace. For example, I could name tons of names. I could spend the whole sermon doing that. I don't want to do that. I have no desire to do that. I don't get excited about it whatsoever. I get excited about preaching. But we're to err on the side of grace.

Number six: that's just a kind of food for thought. Are there areas of ministry that are out of order or areas in your own life? Are there things out of order and things you're dealing with in your own life? Then don't go pointing out flaws in others until you deal with those. Which brings me to number seven: remove pride from your heart first through seeking the Lord and praying and fasting.

And that's one reason when I say these things, it's not coming from a "go get 'em" attitude. It's truly coming from trying to help people and call out things that are just not good. And a lot of people won't say anything because they don't want people to be upset with them. They want to be liked by everybody. "Golly gee whiz, I don't want to say anything negative." And that's not helpful. That's not helpful.

Number eight: deal with your own strongholds. Number nine: deliverance or an awakening is not always pretty. Amen? So many times when somebody's being set free of something, it's not always pretty. It's not like you're just having a conversation: "Yeah, that makes sense." There's like a struggle sometimes. Sometimes they curse you out. And I don't understand exactly how everything works.

But you've seen that that demonic realm sometimes does not want to let go easily. It's not pretty. And that's why I speak often on a genuine move of God's Spirit. Like when God would genuinely move in a place and people would be crying out. Sometimes you'll hear it here, and they're crying, "God's working deep in their heart." Sometimes the altar's full. Sometimes... it's not pretty. It's not "church as normal."

When the Spirit of the living God hits sinful flesh, things happen. We don't promote it or encourage it, but it has to be natural. And then 10: be open but cautious. Be open but cautious. Christ in you is a real threat to Satan's kingdom. So we are completely open to whatever God wants to do.

That's why I hate terms. I really do. People say, "Are you charismatic? Are you Pentecostal? Or are you Baptist? Are you Reformed? Are you...?" Book of Acts. "No, no, no, but are you...?" Book of Acts and the Bible, the New Testament. What's it say? How about if we just call "Bible Christian"? "Oh, but I want to label you so I can judge you."

So we're open to whatever God wants to do. God, it's Your Word; it's Your church. What do You want to do? Do You want to set somebody free? Did somebody come in here bound this morning? You know you're bound to porn, you can't give it up, or alcohol or marijuana. Can we pray with you? Can we believe that God is going to set you free? Absolutely.

But guess what? Deliverance doesn't get rid of the lack of discipline. This is where many people blow it. "Oh, if I could just be delivered." No, you have a discipline problem. You're supposed to discipline the flesh. Put the computer out in a normal room. Open accountability software. Tell people; be open; be transparent. Deliverance and discipline go together.

When the devil meets you, which is the title of the message, expect opposition. Expect opposition in the spiritual realm. When you do anything for God, expect that opposition. And then also remember, this is so important, remember whose you are. Remember whose you are. What... let's be honest, what can the enemy do to you that God doesn't allow?

If you are a child of God, what can the enemy do to you? I mean, I know I've been on the hit list since we started the church. But what's the enemy going to do to me? God has the final say. And that's why he uses fear. One of his greatest weapons is fear and anxiety. Is it not? You fear, and that's how he'll destabilize you and put you to the side. I use that analogy often from the DMV: the Certificate of Non-Operation. The devil likes you to be that car sitting in the driveway for 14 years, not doing anything.

So remember whose you are, that's your attitude. But also you must engage with spiritual weapons. So not only do we have the right attitude, "I'm a child of God," you engage with spiritual weapons. Second Corinthians I touched on earlier: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." So a stronghold is something that Satan has built that has a strong hold. "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." Our arguments, our thoughts against God. And you bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

And that's why we look at worship as warfare. Guys, it's not just, "Hey, let's do a few songs right before the message." This is... we are at war for our nation. We are at war for your families. And I truly believe it. The only thing restraining the judgment hand of God is His remnant church.

So I'll leave you with this thought. The top way Satan defeats believers is with the sin inside. What is that word? Pride. Actually, we could say the top way Satan defeats unbelievers, too. "The pride of the heart has deceived you." The pride of your heart has deceived you. And I've mentioned that scripture before, but I finally want to put it up there just so you could see it. Obadiah, very short book of the Bible.

I believe it was written to the Edomites who became enemies against Israel. They should have been friends to some degree. And God said, "The pride of your heart has deceived you. You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, you say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?'" So they could harass their enemy and then go hide way up in the rocks. They'd come down, they would do damage, and then they'd go hide up in Mt. Whitney. Who's going to go up there and get them?

But look what the commentary says: Pride. Edom lived in safe, rocky mountain heights and they trusted in their own strength. Guys, that's when we will fail. You are not strong enough to defeat the devil. I know I'm not strong enough to defeat the devil. There is no way on planet Earth. Discipline will only get you so far. But pride says, "I got this. I don't need prayer. I can handle this, Shane. I got this one." Be careful. Prideful thinking, "No one can bring me down." Isn't that the first step to failure always? Thinking it will never happen to me?

And there was betrayal when Babylon attacked Judah. Edom did not help the relatives. Instead, they gloated. They looted the city and they blocked the fleeing survivors. They became hard and critical in their heart. Believers, that happens to the church all the time. We grow callous and cold and critical. We think we have a degree in pointing out the flaws in others. Divine justice: God declares that the way Edom treated Judah will happen to Edom as well, showing that no act of cruelty or pride escapes God's notice.

And then restoration: the book ends with hope, promising that God's justice will deal with evil and that repentance brings lasting salvation. Amen. The principle of repentance. And that's why I said it's better to hurt you and to heal you than to comfort and to kill you. The gospel message hurts, doesn't it? we are sinners; we need a savior. That hurts. "I don't like what you said." But it's in order to heal you instead of comfort, tickle the ear.

How many churches across America are simply comforting people? That's their whole goal. The whole goal of the sermon is just to encourage them. That's it. So people come in, they feel warm and fuzzy, they feel great. "Go team, go. We'll see you next Sunday for our potluck as we watch the Panthers destroy the Steelers," or whatever. And it's always encouragement. People just come in, they're cheating on their spouse and they've never been convicted. They're hooked on porn. They're hooked on this. They're cheating; they're embezzling; they're lying. They need help and hope. They need to be hurt so they can heal. That's how it works.

But if it's only about encouragement, only about encouragement, we'll never get to that spot of deep healing. So I want to encourage some of you this morning. I don't know where you're at, but if you've never made that decision to repent and believe in Jesus, in God, "I need You." Now is the time to do that. For me, I don't know about you, but heaven's not my goal. Do you know what my goal is? Jesus. Can you imagine just sitting in heaven but no Jesus? Look to Him. Look to Him and be saved. Look to Him and have that addiction broken. Look to Him and be set free. Look to Him and get that hope and that peace back. Look to Him and be saved and set free of bondage of sin and death.

So what we want to do this morning in the prayer room, we want to pray for those who... I mean any type of prayer request, of course. But if you're dealing specifically with a... you don't even have to share what it is, a demonic stronghold. Or if you want to intercede for someone who is. You don't have to wait for me. There's going to be a prayer team member in there. They'd love to pray with you. And we're going to pray for those things this morning. Maybe there's something you just can't stop. You just can't... and you're tired of it, aren't you? You're tired of fighting. It's beat you up. It beat you up and you are just done. You just kind of gave into it now. "It's... what's the point? It's useless. I've tried." That's a good chance you might need some extra prayer and to have somebody pray with you and maybe be transparent too at some point and let somebody know close to you what you're dealing with so they can pray for you.

Guest (Male): Thank you for joining us here at Westside Christian Fellowship, located in Leona Valley, California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Today on Regaining Lost Ground, we heard the fourth and final part of this grounding message titled, "When the Devil Meets You." You can hear the whole message at Pastor Shane's YouTube and Rumble channels. Make sure to subscribe today. For more information, visit us online at westsidechristianfellowship.org. We also encourage you to hear more truth from Pastor Shane with the Idleman Unplugged weekly podcast. And now from Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, here's Pastor Shane Idleman.

Pastor Shane Idleman: Hello Regaining Lost Ground listeners, this is Pastor Shane Idleman. I want to let you know that my new booklet titled, "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer," is now available. You can download it for free right now at shaneidleman.com. Again, my new booklet, "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer," is now available at shaneidleman.com.

The reason I did this is because there's so much negativity and fear that encompasses that word, and especially in the medical industry. There's not a lot of hope. And so I wanted to release this booklet to give people hope and perspective and let them know, hey, with God, all things are possible, and His sovereignty can be your sanity. So again, get this to anybody struggling with their health, especially and primarily cancer. The title of the booklet is called, "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer," and it's available right now at shaneidleman.com.

Guest (Male): Westside Christian Fellowship is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Leona Valley, California. Thank you again for listening to today's message of Regaining Lost Ground, where we are reminded daily: times change, truth does not.