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Lesson 7: Out of Darkness and into the Light
Jesus spoke more about “the Kingdom of Heaven” than about any other subject. He invited all men into the kingdom, and spoke about it with the language of one who saw realities of good and evil in a different dimension. In the lesson entitled “The Great Controversy” we took an in-depth look at the two sides of the great war for the universe. Our good God who is ruler over all, has a contender for His throne, who is seeking to steal worship from Him. A struggle for galactic supremacy, waged between good and evil, may sound like science fiction, but it is in the middle of this very real war that we live. A look at the world around us and the conflict in it makes perfect sense in the light of the Holy Scriptures. On the side of Light is God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the loyal angels, the Bible writers, the prophets and people who have followed the light. On the side of Darkness are Satan, his fallen angels, and those who have chosen darkness and who have been used to mislead and deceive.
To this list we might add participants such as governments, empires, movements, dictators, corporations, entertainers, writers, and even scientists and religious leaders who have either knowingly or unknowingly been players in the great battle. Each has used their influence to push men toward honesty, morality and the worship of the Creator God, or to push men toward the aims of selfishness, disbelief and death.
Each army has strategies, weaponry, and tools that equip them. In this lesson we will take time to consider deeply how we can be spiritually armed in the Kingdom of Christ, on the side of Light. We will also explore some of the strategies and weapons of Satan to be aware of so we can avoid his traps and lies.
Q1. Does God talk with average people or only with prophets? Read Genesis 3:8 and John 10:27.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
If God does speak with average people, to whom does He speak and how?
Q2. What ways does God use to talk to humans?
Q3. In what ways does God not talk to humans?
Among the nations and cultures of the world there are many variations of the wrong practices mentioned in the texts above. In the cultures of the Far East, witch doctors with chicken feathers say spells. In other places they will tie a small emblem or pouch with supposed mystical power around their neck to “ward off evil.” In the islands of the west, they practice “voodoo.” In our own country we must be wise to avoid everything that has it’s roots in Shamanism. God warns us that these are not his tools. Global practices of fortunetelling include tarot card and coffee ground readings. God makes clear, these are part of the powers of darkness and participating in them places us on enemy territory. Some try to communicate with the dead or seek out communication with demons.[1] This is also the work of Satan, not of God. Some practices and beliefs in our culture are very common but have pagan roots. Can you think of any and name them?
Q4. Many attempt to alter their fate or someone else’s by using “tools” from the Dark side. Do these methods really bring any help or assistance? Read Isaiah 47:11-14.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2? The king’s chief “wise men” who were sorcerers were powerless to give the king assistance in understanding his dream. How foolish to spend money, and how dangerous to invest emotion and hope on the methods of the powers of darkness.
Q5. What is the best thing to do with the items that I own that have roots in occultism or Shamanistic ideas? Read Acts 19:18-20.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
All practices that include spells, magic, curses or fortune telling are Satan’s work. Because we have chosen the side of Jesus we renounce and turn from such activities.
Q6. What about the evil eye, what place does it have in the life of the believer? Compare Numbers 23:23; Genesis 15:1; Exodus 14:13 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
We are to trust in God for our protection. He is to be our “shield” and defense from all evil. Our trust is to be explicitly in Him. All the promises to Abraham are for us, for we are his rightful spiritual heirs in Jesus the Messiah. The use of blue Nazar beads is not a sign of wisdom, but rather of weak faith and a disbelief in the power of God. Matthew 5:36 says, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, do not be afraid; only believe.” To be free of fear is one of the great gifts of receiving Jesus into our hearts!
Q7. What counsel does the Bible give us regarding fear? Read Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 27:1.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q8. What about fate? “Shouldn’t I be afraid of my fate?” Read Acts 28:3-6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
You have met the Fate Changer. If you have invited Him into your heart, He should now be in control of your life. Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Q9. How can our attitude toward superstition be guided by the Word of God? Read 1 Timothy 4:7.
A.___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
While setting a plate of börek on the table for Mert, Fatma asked, “Son, will you be able to join us for our small group tonight?”
Mert stuffed a big piece of börek in his mouth before starting his sentence, and then he said in mumbling tones, “Sorry Mom, but I have got one giant chemistry exam in two days. I have got to hook up with some friends tonight and we will quiz each other on formulas.”
Fatma said laughingly, “Slow down and eat like you’re a civilized person!”
Gül, Mert’s twelve year old sister who was sitting across from him eating her breakfast spoke up, “That’s impossible because he isn’t a civilized person!”
Mert smiled at his sister and then just to tease her he took an olive and dropped it in her tea. Standing up Mert said, “I will eat this börek on the way to the bus if that’s okay. I am late. But tonight at the small group could you ask everyone to please pray for Yusuf?”
Fatma looked up. Yusuf was Mert’s best friend since childhood. “What’s going on?”
Mert wiped his mouth and said, “It’s kind of complicated but it’s about Yusuf’s girlfriend. Ece went to a fortune teller, but she learned there that something good would happen to Yusuf followed by something terrible. Both Ece and Yusuf are scared.”
Gül’s eyes got very big and Fatma said they would certainly pray. There wasn’t time to ask much more because Mert left. (To be Continued)
Q10. Why did king Saul die? 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14.
A.___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
The group at Fatma’s began with a short prayer asking God to direct their study. Ekrem, Fatma’s brother-in-law, took the lead this night and invited everyone to open their Bibles to Acts 16. When it was Fatma’s turn to read, she read out loud Acts 16:13-15:
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Twelve year old Gül spoke up. “Hey Mom, that woman is just like you! See you sell ladies’ clothing, and this woman was a dealer in purple cloth. She believed and you believe.”
Mehmet agreed, “Yes, Fatma, the description is quite fitting for you, a woman of prayer and hospitality.”
Fatma glowed in the comparison and was momentarily left speechless. She said, “Well Lydia led her whole household to faith, I suppose that is you all.” Everyone smiled knowing that there was more truth than fiction to that statement.
It was Mehmet’s turn to read, and he began to read in his history professor’s tone of voice, slowly, clearly and authoritatively. He continued with verse 16 of chapter 16:
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
“Oh!” Fatma suddenly exclaimed, “I just remembered Mert’s request for Yusuf and Ece before he left this morning.” Fatma explained the situation to everyone.
Ekrem looked at his wife Filiz and said, “There go your coffee readings!”
She squirmed and said, “Well, I don’t have an evil spirit, and I read people’s coffee cups.”
Mehmet spoke up wanting to steer off an argument, “I remember when we were studying the Fate Changer lessons something was said about this. Fatma do you have your Fate Changer book’s here?” Fatma pulled them out, and Mehmet turned to the lesson called, ‘Saul and the Witch of Endor.’ “Feliz and Ekrem, you joined our group a bit later, and may have missed these lessons. You would do well to go back and read these yourselves. They are excellent. Somewhere in this lesson . . . ,” he spoke as he was scanning the pages, “Ah here it is, turn in your Bibles to Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 10 and 11.”
They read the verse together and then Mehmet spoke again, “The question our sister Filiz is asking is, ‘What is the reason to not do fortune telling?’ I think Filiz, your answer is as near as our young friend Yusuf and Ece. How have they been benefited by fortune telling?”
Gül responded first, “Well they haven’t been helped at all. They are afraid.”
Mehmet said, “In other words they have been made a slave to the fortune teller’s words.”
Filiz interjected, “But I don’t try to say bad things, I just help people know what’s coming.”
Afife said, “I think what our teacher friend is trying to tell us is that there is a very ironic effect in fortunetelling. Ece went to the fortune teller to have her fears relieved, and instead it only increased her fear.”
Fatma’s mother spoke as if reflecting on her own past, “Satan likes to hold people captive through fear.”
Filiz was quiet. Fatma spoke up, “Maybe God doesn’t want us involved in those things because He knows the end result is increased fear. God loves us and doesn’t want us to be afraid.”
Mehmet smiled, “I think our seller of purple cloth has struck on something.”
Everyone smiled. But still Filiz felt uncomfortable because she had suddenly come face to face with a conflict between her fortune telling which she really enjoyed and the teachings of Scripture. Fatma could see Filiz’s struggle on her face. Fatma took Feliz’s hand and encouraged her,
“Filiz, I hear you saying that you have done coffee readings for people because you felt it really was helpful for people, is that true?”
Filiz nodded, “Yes, I just don’t like to see people confused and hurting.”
Fatma said, “God isn’t asking you to give up your desire to help people. He just wants you to use His methods! If you could get the pleasure of knowing that you helped people have a better future and do it with God’s way would you trade it for your coffee readings?”
Tear’s came into Filiz’s eyes and she smiled at the group, “Of course I would want to do things God’s way.”
Fatma was ready with a scripture to share, “Here is a verse just for you then, ‘Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working’ (James 5:16). I believe, sister-in-law, that God would like you to begin working in the realm of real power through prayer. Instead of fortune telling you could be praying for people.”
After a bit more conversation Afife brought up the suggestion, “Maybe we could kneel and pray for Yusuf and Ece right now.”
Q11. While the world’s newspapers report terrorist activities, murders, and bombings, according to the Bible who is our real enemy? Read Ephesians 6:12.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q12. What advice is given to us in Ephesians 5:6-8 about listening to advice that comes from the Dark side?
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q13. In the battle between God and Satan, what are we commanded to do in order to live on the side of God? Read Ephesians 5:8-11.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q14. We are invited to fight against wickedness of this earth. What armor do we use to be able to enter this fight? What methods are we to use to fight a spiritual battle? Read Ephesians 6:13-18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Pray and commit yourself to the side of Light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.”
Call to commitment through prayer.
[1] Demons are those fallen angels who chose to rebel with Satan. See Matthew 12:24-28. The KK translation of the Bible uses the word “cin” to describe them. The word “cin” as used in translation should be understood only in this way.
Jesus spoke more about “the Kingdom of Heaven” than about any other subject. He invited all men into the kingdom, and spoke about it with the language of one who saw realities of good and evil in a different dimension. In the lesson entitled “The Great Controversy” we took an in-depth look at the two sides of the great war for the universe. Our good God who is ruler over all, has a contender for His throne, who is seeking to steal worship from Him. A struggle for galactic supremacy, waged between good and evil, may sound like science fiction, but it is in the middle of this very real war that we live. A look at the world around us and the conflict in it makes perfect sense in the light of the Holy Scriptures. On the side of Light is God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the loyal angels, the Bible writers, the prophets and people who have followed the light. On the side of Darkness are Satan, his fallen angels, and those who have chosen darkness and who have been used to mislead and deceive.
To this list we might add participants such as governments, empires, movements, dictators, corporations, entertainers, writers, and even scientists and religious leaders who have either knowingly or unknowingly been players in the great battle. Each has used their influence to push men toward honesty, morality and the worship of the Creator God, or to push men toward the aims of selfishness, disbelief and death.
Each army has strategies, weaponry, and tools that equip them. In this lesson we will take time to consider deeply how we can be spiritually armed in the Kingdom of Christ, on the side of Light. We will also explore some of the strategies and weapons of Satan to be aware of so we can avoid his traps and lies.
Q1. Does God talk with average people or only with prophets? Read Genesis 3:8 and John 10:27.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
If God does speak with average people, to whom does He speak and how?
Q2. What ways does God use to talk to humans?
- Numbers 12:6-8. _______________________________________________________
- 1 Samuel 3:1-9. ________________________________________________________
- 1 Kings 19:11-13._______________________________________________________
- Isaiah 30:21. ___________________________________________________________
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17. _____________________________________________________
Q3. In what ways does God not talk to humans?
- Deuteronomy 18:10. ____________________________________________________
- Leviticus 19:31. ________________________________________________________
- Isaiah 8:19, 20. ________________________________________________________
Among the nations and cultures of the world there are many variations of the wrong practices mentioned in the texts above. In the cultures of the Far East, witch doctors with chicken feathers say spells. In other places they will tie a small emblem or pouch with supposed mystical power around their neck to “ward off evil.” In the islands of the west, they practice “voodoo.” In our own country we must be wise to avoid everything that has it’s roots in Shamanism. God warns us that these are not his tools. Global practices of fortunetelling include tarot card and coffee ground readings. God makes clear, these are part of the powers of darkness and participating in them places us on enemy territory. Some try to communicate with the dead or seek out communication with demons.[1] This is also the work of Satan, not of God. Some practices and beliefs in our culture are very common but have pagan roots. Can you think of any and name them?
Q4. Many attempt to alter their fate or someone else’s by using “tools” from the Dark side. Do these methods really bring any help or assistance? Read Isaiah 47:11-14.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2? The king’s chief “wise men” who were sorcerers were powerless to give the king assistance in understanding his dream. How foolish to spend money, and how dangerous to invest emotion and hope on the methods of the powers of darkness.
Q5. What is the best thing to do with the items that I own that have roots in occultism or Shamanistic ideas? Read Acts 19:18-20.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
All practices that include spells, magic, curses or fortune telling are Satan’s work. Because we have chosen the side of Jesus we renounce and turn from such activities.
Q6. What about the evil eye, what place does it have in the life of the believer? Compare Numbers 23:23; Genesis 15:1; Exodus 14:13 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
We are to trust in God for our protection. He is to be our “shield” and defense from all evil. Our trust is to be explicitly in Him. All the promises to Abraham are for us, for we are his rightful spiritual heirs in Jesus the Messiah. The use of blue Nazar beads is not a sign of wisdom, but rather of weak faith and a disbelief in the power of God. Matthew 5:36 says, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, do not be afraid; only believe.” To be free of fear is one of the great gifts of receiving Jesus into our hearts!
Q7. What counsel does the Bible give us regarding fear? Read Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 27:1.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q8. What about fate? “Shouldn’t I be afraid of my fate?” Read Acts 28:3-6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
You have met the Fate Changer. If you have invited Him into your heart, He should now be in control of your life. Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Q9. How can our attitude toward superstition be guided by the Word of God? Read 1 Timothy 4:7.
A.___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
While setting a plate of börek on the table for Mert, Fatma asked, “Son, will you be able to join us for our small group tonight?”
Mert stuffed a big piece of börek in his mouth before starting his sentence, and then he said in mumbling tones, “Sorry Mom, but I have got one giant chemistry exam in two days. I have got to hook up with some friends tonight and we will quiz each other on formulas.”
Fatma said laughingly, “Slow down and eat like you’re a civilized person!”
Gül, Mert’s twelve year old sister who was sitting across from him eating her breakfast spoke up, “That’s impossible because he isn’t a civilized person!”
Mert smiled at his sister and then just to tease her he took an olive and dropped it in her tea. Standing up Mert said, “I will eat this börek on the way to the bus if that’s okay. I am late. But tonight at the small group could you ask everyone to please pray for Yusuf?”
Fatma looked up. Yusuf was Mert’s best friend since childhood. “What’s going on?”
Mert wiped his mouth and said, “It’s kind of complicated but it’s about Yusuf’s girlfriend. Ece went to a fortune teller, but she learned there that something good would happen to Yusuf followed by something terrible. Both Ece and Yusuf are scared.”
Gül’s eyes got very big and Fatma said they would certainly pray. There wasn’t time to ask much more because Mert left. (To be Continued)
Q10. Why did king Saul die? 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14.
A.___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
The group at Fatma’s began with a short prayer asking God to direct their study. Ekrem, Fatma’s brother-in-law, took the lead this night and invited everyone to open their Bibles to Acts 16. When it was Fatma’s turn to read, she read out loud Acts 16:13-15:
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Twelve year old Gül spoke up. “Hey Mom, that woman is just like you! See you sell ladies’ clothing, and this woman was a dealer in purple cloth. She believed and you believe.”
Mehmet agreed, “Yes, Fatma, the description is quite fitting for you, a woman of prayer and hospitality.”
Fatma glowed in the comparison and was momentarily left speechless. She said, “Well Lydia led her whole household to faith, I suppose that is you all.” Everyone smiled knowing that there was more truth than fiction to that statement.
It was Mehmet’s turn to read, and he began to read in his history professor’s tone of voice, slowly, clearly and authoritatively. He continued with verse 16 of chapter 16:
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
“Oh!” Fatma suddenly exclaimed, “I just remembered Mert’s request for Yusuf and Ece before he left this morning.” Fatma explained the situation to everyone.
Ekrem looked at his wife Filiz and said, “There go your coffee readings!”
She squirmed and said, “Well, I don’t have an evil spirit, and I read people’s coffee cups.”
Mehmet spoke up wanting to steer off an argument, “I remember when we were studying the Fate Changer lessons something was said about this. Fatma do you have your Fate Changer book’s here?” Fatma pulled them out, and Mehmet turned to the lesson called, ‘Saul and the Witch of Endor.’ “Feliz and Ekrem, you joined our group a bit later, and may have missed these lessons. You would do well to go back and read these yourselves. They are excellent. Somewhere in this lesson . . . ,” he spoke as he was scanning the pages, “Ah here it is, turn in your Bibles to Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 10 and 11.”
They read the verse together and then Mehmet spoke again, “The question our sister Filiz is asking is, ‘What is the reason to not do fortune telling?’ I think Filiz, your answer is as near as our young friend Yusuf and Ece. How have they been benefited by fortune telling?”
Gül responded first, “Well they haven’t been helped at all. They are afraid.”
Mehmet said, “In other words they have been made a slave to the fortune teller’s words.”
Filiz interjected, “But I don’t try to say bad things, I just help people know what’s coming.”
Afife said, “I think what our teacher friend is trying to tell us is that there is a very ironic effect in fortunetelling. Ece went to the fortune teller to have her fears relieved, and instead it only increased her fear.”
Fatma’s mother spoke as if reflecting on her own past, “Satan likes to hold people captive through fear.”
Filiz was quiet. Fatma spoke up, “Maybe God doesn’t want us involved in those things because He knows the end result is increased fear. God loves us and doesn’t want us to be afraid.”
Mehmet smiled, “I think our seller of purple cloth has struck on something.”
Everyone smiled. But still Filiz felt uncomfortable because she had suddenly come face to face with a conflict between her fortune telling which she really enjoyed and the teachings of Scripture. Fatma could see Filiz’s struggle on her face. Fatma took Feliz’s hand and encouraged her,
“Filiz, I hear you saying that you have done coffee readings for people because you felt it really was helpful for people, is that true?”
Filiz nodded, “Yes, I just don’t like to see people confused and hurting.”
Fatma said, “God isn’t asking you to give up your desire to help people. He just wants you to use His methods! If you could get the pleasure of knowing that you helped people have a better future and do it with God’s way would you trade it for your coffee readings?”
Tear’s came into Filiz’s eyes and she smiled at the group, “Of course I would want to do things God’s way.”
Fatma was ready with a scripture to share, “Here is a verse just for you then, ‘Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working’ (James 5:16). I believe, sister-in-law, that God would like you to begin working in the realm of real power through prayer. Instead of fortune telling you could be praying for people.”
After a bit more conversation Afife brought up the suggestion, “Maybe we could kneel and pray for Yusuf and Ece right now.”
Q11. While the world’s newspapers report terrorist activities, murders, and bombings, according to the Bible who is our real enemy? Read Ephesians 6:12.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q12. What advice is given to us in Ephesians 5:6-8 about listening to advice that comes from the Dark side?
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q13. In the battle between God and Satan, what are we commanded to do in order to live on the side of God? Read Ephesians 5:8-11.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q14. We are invited to fight against wickedness of this earth. What armor do we use to be able to enter this fight? What methods are we to use to fight a spiritual battle? Read Ephesians 6:13-18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Pray and commit yourself to the side of Light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.”
Call to commitment through prayer.
[1] Demons are those fallen angels who chose to rebel with Satan. See Matthew 12:24-28. The KK translation of the Bible uses the word “cin” to describe them. The word “cin” as used in translation should be understood only in this way.