* Numbers 33: If you allow those who trouble you to remain with you, they will vex you continually.




Some people in churches will vex you continually and drain you and even pull you down, if you allow them to do so.

They are as described by the apostle Paul in II Timothy 3:7 ... Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Jesus warns:

Matthew 24   Concerning those in the last days:  4 Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

These are people who put themselves into the church without having the Spirit of God.

Jude

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers (those who copy others) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.


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In the Old Testament we have a very interesting example, some of which applies to us today:

Numbers 33

51 ... When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:


55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.



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Romans 15

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.


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II Corinthians 6

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you.


18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


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II John

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:


11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.


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James 4

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

(friend:  one who assists and supports)

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Titus 3

10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.


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