Virus Detection and removal!
V24 n18
Part 1
In computers, people are able to obtain different software programs that are able to detect and remove viruses from their computer. Each person will have their personal preferences on which manufacturer they think has the better program. There are a few that do a very good job, and many that only do a partial job. It takes a bit of studying and research, for one to find which one will work the best and most proficient.
As with most people, they want everything for a little or no cost to them, or free if possible, (except when it comes to their own wages). And as most of us know, or should know, that in most instances, one gets what they pay for. The better programs cost a little more, because of the time, research and expertise that they put into the program from the beginning, as well as on a continuing basis, into the ongoing development and dispersal of the information and data which they have collected and applied for the use of detecting and then removing the virus or viruses.
The same is very true in the spiritual realm or walk. When one is born again by and through Christ Jesus, one receives the measure of the gift of Christ; for you are then complete in Him, thoroughly furnished to be that example of the believers. Now, it is when one has to learn all that has been made available to them, how to properly utilize all of what is theirs, and then put them into a practical application in their spiritual walk.
If one buys a virus protection program, and merely sets the disk on top of their computer tower, what good or effect will it be to you, in preventing viruses from gaining access to your computer? Even though you have all of the necessary resources to prevent and eliminate the virus attacks, it is of no value to a person or their computer, unless they hear, follow and then carry out the instructions provided with the software program.
Likewise, if a person acknowledges God, and that He is, but never pursues a personal and intimate relationship with Him, would that not be the same as placing the software disk on top of the computer tower, and not reading (hearing) and complying with the instructions?
The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Doesn’t that sound much the same as the person that is trying to send you a virus? So obviously then, the one that sends a virus, has the same thoughts and intents as the devil does in his works. The sole purpose then is to steal by any means what proper operating knowledge the computer has; to kill the operating system so it is no longer able to function as designed; and destroy it to the place that hope is given up on restoring it to a proper working condition.
Let’s look at a few examples of how a virus may enter our spiritual operating system. Just as an email is used to gain entrance of the virus into ones computer, likewise words or communications is what the devil will use to gain entrance into our spiritual being. Just as faith gains entrance by one hearing and complying with the Word of God; fear gains entrance by one giving heed to wrong words, which are then allowed in, and permitted to slowly eat away at a persons faith.
Isa 32:6-7, 6 For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. (KJV)
A vile person and a churl will do mischief, and the more if he be preferred and have power in his hand; his honours will make him worse and not better. See the character of these base ill-conditioned men. First, They are always plotting some unjust thing or other, designing ill either to particular persons or to the public, and contriving how to bring it about; and so many silly piques they have to gratify, and mean revenges, that there appears not in them the least spark of generosity. Their hearts will be still working some iniquity or other. Observe, There is the work of the heart, as well as the work of the hands. As thoughts are words to God, so designs are works in his account. See what pains sinners take in sin. They labour at it; their hearts are intent upon it, and with a great deal of art and application they work iniquity. They devise wicked devices with all the subtlety of the old serpent and a great deal of deliberation, which makes the sin exceedingly sinful; and the more there is of plot and management in a sin the more there is of Satan in it. Secondly, They carry on their plots by trick and dissimulation. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
How can one know what one should be listening to? How can they know if what they are hearing will be helpful or harmful to their spirit being?
Eph 4:13-15, 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV)
The only way to be able to detect error is to know the truth; hence, we must come to the knowledge of the Son of God, to Christian maturity. A person does not have to study every counterfeit bill in order to know that some particular bill is counterfeit. He needs only to know the genuine article. (from Wycliffe Commentary)
As Jesus Christ told us, it is the truth of God’s Word that sets one free, and their continuing in it, that then allows them to maintain that liberty which is only in Christ.
The
name which
professors:
he calls them children, not in regard of age, but in respect of knowledge and
understanding: children, is a word that denotes imperfection and weakness,
instability and ungroundedness in knowledge.
But why wind of doctrine? Because there is no solidity in it, but being wind in the preacher, it breeds but wind in the hearer, because of its variety and novelty, and because of its prevalency over unstaid men. How suddenly sometimes is a family, a town, yea, a whole country, leavened with a particular error! (Wm. Burkitt commentary)
An email that someone sends to your computer may seem harmless. One has to heed the warning of their virus protection program, no matter who the contaminated email is coming from. As we can see from the commentaries above, that there is much deception in the world, and one must also remember that these commentaries are well over one hundred years old.
The Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth. However, if one does hear and heed to warnings from the Holy Spirit, what will the outcome be?
2 Cor 13:5, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV)
Does Jesus Christ dwell in you? You have his Spirit, his power, his mind, if ye be Christians; and the Spirit of Christ bears witness with your spirit that ye are the children of God. And this is the case except ye be reprobates; (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
2 Tim 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (KJV)
Christ is the righteousness of God, made available to us; by the Word of faith which has been delivered to us, the believer; the love of God is shed abroad in out hearts by the Holy Spirit, which will give one the peace of God which passes all understanding, and the heart will remain pure before Him, if we allow the Spirit of Christ to show us how to discern between good and evil.
Today, what instructions will you follow after?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry GazelkaJ
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