2 Timothy 2:24-26 
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The Greek word translated "snare" (Strongs g3803) in 2nd Timothy means a trap, a trick or stratagem, a snare.  Besides catching us through unforgiveness or provoking us to sin we could say, the devil sets strategic traps and his goal is to trip us up.  In our spiritual war he has set, what I like to call, demonic  improvised evil devices (IEDs).  They are not played out just in Church but rather all throughout the seven spheres of society. His goal is to trick, deceive, entrap, wound and destroy as many people as he can using lies, deceptions, twisted facts, slander, accusation and manipulation. 

These demonic stratagems are not just one dimensional?  They are multidimensional.  The seven spheres of society are where Satan's strategies can have the widest impact especially when he can get a demonic idea codified through a law.  But the first dimension we must be prepared to engage is internal.  This is where the first battle begins.  This is why our mindset and moral compass are so important. 
​
Apostolic Warfare Wisdom
Paul, the apostle, wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 saying, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

In my book "Structures & Strategies" I share the real meanings of the words translated "war" and "warfare." These words actually refer to the strategic function of the apostolic gift. God made the apostle for strategic thought.   Verse 5 reveals that the battle ground is actually in our minds.  Therefore, foundational apostolic teaching is extremely impotant for every believer (see Hebrews 6 Foundations) because it impacts what we think.  What we think  is really important because Proverbs 23:7 reveals that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  

Our thinking determines our worldview.  Our worldview impacts others. 

By Tim Taylor March 11, 2020 - My friend from the Healing Rooms in Spokane posted this on Facebook. "Plague Dies in the Hands of John G Lake." 

Many years ago we were introduced to and impacted by the teaching and bold faith of John G Lake.  My friend Linda said on her Facebook post: 
Jesus said, in Luke 10:19, "I have given you All power and all authority over all the works of the enemy, nothing will harm you."  This is how John G. Lake lived.
As if God’s protection of John G. Lake and his staff was not enough during the plague that was killing the masses in South Africa, John G. Lake was to prove yet again how powerful the name of Jesus truly is. He invited the other secular doctors to experiment with him, asking them to take the foam of the lungs of the dead plague victims and study it under a microscope, finding countless amounts of living germs inside. But Lake would surprise all in the room when he asked the doctors to spread the infected foam over his hands and claimed that the germs would die! Once the foam was placed in Lake’s hands, the doctors saw through the microscope that the germs died instantly! Everyone in the room stood amazed as John just gave all the glory to God. He told the doctors “You can fill my hand with them and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.

My Facebook Post says - This Should be the Church's Finest Hour

The spiritual war I speak of begins with you.  It begins with me.  It begins in the soul which is at war with your spirit.  The war is won by applying God's word FIRST to your own life.  Hebrews 4:12 describes how God's word is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword piercing to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and the joint and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart.  

In this struggle you will engage strongholds of thinking and arguments  in your own mind first as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  You must cast down vain imaginations and bring every thought into captivity that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  

Only then will you be prepared to engage in this spiritual culture war in your society, effectively and with some authority. 
So, step one requires you to become proficient with your spiritual weapons, especially the word of God. 

Discernment & Judgment
2 Corinthians 2:11 reveals what I like to call spiritual IEDs.  IEDs stands for “improvised explosive devices.”  This is a tool commonly used by terrorists in today modern battlefield.  Verse 11 says, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."  The Greek word translated devices is enlightening. It actually means:

• An evil thought of purpose
• a perception, i.e. purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself: — device, mind, thought.

I’d liken a spiritual IED to a mind trap.  It’s an “improvised evil device” meant to confuse and deceive.  The real war is fought with thoughts, ideas, concepts, perceptions and systems of thinking. That's why I said that words are used to define the lay of the land in this culture war.  

What tools or strategies does Satan use to redefine the lay of the land in this culture war?  He uses heresies, hypocrisy and heretics.  What does the Bible say these words really mean?  

• Heretic - Paul says in Titus 3:10 "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition reject.  A heretic is a schismatic, factious follower of a false doctrine.
• Hypocrisy - In 1 Timothy 4:1-2 we find this word used in Paul's warning to Timothy about what to expect in the last days.  He was warning him about doctrines of demons.  He says, "that in the latter times, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy here, biblically refers to the acting of a stage player.  Pretending to play a part and using deceit.  The term translated lies however is very insightful. The Greek word means "promulgating erroneous Christian doctrine.   
• Heresies - In Galatians 5:19 you will find heresies in the company of adultery, fornications, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, murders and envy. Biblically, the word translated heresies here means a sect or heresy.  A choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion.  Olive Tree goes on to say it is the act of taking or storming a city.  Or, the capture of a city. Wow, that is so much more insightful than Dictionary.com's definition.  Heresies are systems of thoughts, ideas and doctrines used to lie, deceive, or change people's perceptions so as to divide, isolate and enable capture. 

​Creating a Faux Moral High-ground ​

By Tim Taylor February 21, 2020 - The Culture War is a Spiritual War is a series.  It picks up where Part 1 ended.  Click here.

Even though I've tried to set a different example through the years, I count myself among those who occupy the pulpit.  I want to stand in proxy and ask your forgiveness for our failure to equip and prepare you for this spiritual and cultural war we are in.  

The war began in heaven and spilled to earth in Revelation 12. Verse 9 says, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”  In verse 10 he is called the accuser of the brethren and in verse 11 it describes how God’s people can overcome the attacks.  One of the three key elements is “the word of their testimony.” 
​
This is a war of words!  It’s a war between dark and light, lies and truth, Satan and our Lord Jesus Christ who was the word made flesh (John 1:1-14).

There are those who testify and speak the truth and then there are those who lie. Jesus is called the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and it says that no one comes to the Father except through Him.  John 8:44 reveals that Satan is the father of lies and his children are liars, deceivers or murderers. It’s what they do.
Satan needs people for their mouth, hands and feet. Otherwise, how could sin, iniquity and abominations be spread?   He works through people.  God works through people too.

Ephesians 3:9-11 reveals that it was God’s eternal plan to show forth His manifold wisdom to principalities and powers through THE CHURCH.  Why? Because there is a spiritual war taking place and the issue at hand are the souls of men and women and their eternity in heaven or in hell.

How does God show forth His manifold wisdom?  He speaks and works through people. He needs our hands, feet and tongues otherwise we could not go, we could not preach, we could not teach, we could not cast our demons and neither could  we  lay our hands upon the sick so they might be healed (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18 & Romans 10:14). 
This spiritual war, which is manifested through a cultural war, is actually a proxy war.  God works through people and Satan works through people who stand in proxy. The weapons of our warfare and not carnal (ie. natural weapons) but rather spiritual weapons.  Words are used to convey lies, evil ideas, teachings of demons as well as the truth and good doctrine. The Christian’s primary weapon, our only offensive weapon is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11 & Ephesians 6:17).  That my friends is the truth! 

By Tim Taylor February 21, 2020 - The Culture War is a Spiritual War is a series.  It began with a dream.

The Ambush Dream
On February 6, 2019 I had a dream.  I was part of a unit going down a trail when the ambush was sprung.  Multiple weapons and automatic fire opened up on our right.  We quickly dove behind some large rocks which provided some cover. 

Then I heard a command!  “Get on the line!”  It was repeated a number of times.  Then there was a pause followed by a loud command.  I heard, “attack.”  In the dream I remembered that this was often the best way out of an ambush.  The natural inclination is to run or hide from the threat. But a wise enemy knows this and anticipates the natural reaction and sets additional mines, traps or IEDs (improvised explosive devices). 

The last thing the enemy anticipates and the most unnatural response which requires great courage is to attack the threat.  In the dream I knew it was referring to the Church’s response over the last several decades.  For all intents and purposes, with our few exceptions of course, the Church was hiding behind cover.  Pinned down.  Ineffective.

Our enemy, Satan, working through his children like Madalyn Murray O’Hair managed to get prayer kicked out of public schools in the early 60s.  One woman, one atheist’s efforts got prayer kicked out of schools.  Where was the Church? 

In 1973 abortion, the murder of the unborn, was legalized.  Where was the Church?  The Ten Commandments began to be removed from classrooms in the early 80s.  This has been followed by increases in divorce, civil government redefining marriage so as to legalize practices the Bible calls abominations, and the list goes on.  Where was the Church? 

She’s been retreating.  I learned about the principles of war through the Navy War College.  I knew that defense only avoids, or delays defeat unless it is combined with an offensive strategy.  Offense is the only way to get victory.

The bottom line, God is calling forth a remnant who’ll come up on the line and attack the threat.  It reminds me of Joel 2 where there is an army that comes forth just before the Day of the Lord. They are a people like of whom the world has never seen.  They are a strong people set in battle array and they don’t break ranks.  The Lord gives voice before His army and the gates of Hades will not be able to withstand (Matthew 16:18) withstand or prevail against His Church.

It’s time for the real Church to arise. 

The Culture War is a Spiritual War

By Tim Taylor February 16, 2020: In Matthew 24 Jesus' disciples asked Him about the end of the age and the signs of the end-times.  The very first sign Jesus mentions is deception.  In verse 4 He says, "take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying ’I am the Christ' and will deceive many...." 

The key to addressing deception is discernment. 

Sadly, there are numerous example that I could draw from that highlights the lack of discernment in the body of Christ.  I could point to the over 15 yearlong fall of a Todd Bently, not being able to distinguish between Holy Spirit and demonic spirits, to the number of churches/denominations who've abandoned the faith even rewriting scripture so as to condone ordaining ministers who practice lifestyles the Bible calls an abomination (ie. Leviticus 18:1-25 - includes fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality and abortion), to electing candidates and supporting political parties who enact laws which are directly contrary to God's word.  

Moral compromise, ignorance of God's word and the lack of a personal daily prayer life has resulted in an ignorant and therefore easily deceived Church.  Add to that a lack conviction because of fear, greed or a combination of both and we'll find a Church at large which is almost irrelevant to society except for a small remnant.  

Yet I have great hope. Why?  Because the cannon of scripture promises revival, a mature Church (spotless bride) and an incredible end-time harvest and some of God's prophets have recently  prophesied the same.   2 Chronicles 20:20 tells us we'll be blessed and prosper if we believe God's prophets. 

The Key to Fulfillment of Prophetic Words 
However, you'll find that most prophetic words are conditional.  Prophetic words often remain unfulfilled until someone or some group motivated by the love of God and informed by the wisdom of God put their faith into action so as to bring the prophecy from a vision or spoken word into manifested reality.  My friends, James 2:20 is so clear.  Faith without works is dead.  You show me your faith without your works and I'll show you my faith by what I do. 

Those works minus the love of God is useless (1 Corinthians 13:1).  Those works minus the wisdom of God is fruitless and often destructive.  The key to this revival is the Church awakening to the truth of God's word.  

Therefore I'm praying for a revival of discernment. I'm praying for the revival of true character with true miracles and healings.  

Revival Requires Discernment 

I've observed a pattern for many years in the body of Christ.  Actually, I think it is a real problem.  I call it the "ation" problem. What is the "ation" problem?  It's the problem that is solved in the Transformation of a Nation equation. I would describe it as this.

Transforming a nation requires the proper or wise application of information which is the key to transformation.  Another way to say it is:

Inform-ation + Applic-ation = Transform-ation of a N-ation

I + A = TON 

The magnitude of transformation is determined by the amount of information applied wisely.

This is what I call the Transformation Equation. 

The revelation is weighty and solving it is what turns Goat Nations into Sheep Nations (Matthew 25:32-33).  

What have I observed?  
For years the Church at large hosts conferences.  We've hosted conferences.  We've attended conferences.  We've promoted conferences.  I like conferences.  However, here's the problem I observe. 

People attend conference after conference.  The goal is often to "train and equip the body of Christ."  That is an excellent and noble goal.  In my opinion. the majority of people attend the confences and don't understand the formula.  Many assume or act like getting the information was the same thing as application.  We all know, that's not true.  

What's the problem?  

by Tim Taylor, February 7, 2020.  The prophet Joel warns that the "day of the Lord" is coming.  He says it is a day of darkness and gloominess.  He says it is a terrible day.  Yet in the midst of this dark time there is a people who come forth like of whom the world has never seen.  It is the army of the Lord.  These are the ones who heed the voice of the Lord.  In Joel 3:12 and 14 the prophet says that God is bringing  everyone to a valley.  It's a valley of judgment and it is also called the valley of decision. 

Situations are occuring every day which brings each one of us to a place where we have to decide what to do. A decision is a judgment.  The question is, whose judgment does this scripture refer to; God's judgment or mans?  I submit to you, the answer is both.  Bear with me and hear me out.  

The Culture War Occurs in the Valley of Decision
A valley is a low point between the mountains.  Today, we've had issue after issue arise.  One one side is the counter culture to God's word and on the other side are those who contend for the truth.  They meet together in the valley of decision.  Some might even call it the valley of contention where opposing thoughts collide. 

The size of the mountain is based upon the number of people as well as their thoughts about an issue.  The more elaborate the deception, the more people who buy into a decieved way of thinking the bigger the mountain.  On the other hand, the more people that understand and practice the truth the bigger the mountain of truth. 

Paul the apostle reveals that a stronghold refers to our way of thinking often revealed through our arguments. He says in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,..."  

There are situations today for which each of us must decide where we stand.  It's common for most of us to respond as Joshua did in Joshua 5:13 where he says, "Are you for us, or are you for our adversaries?"  Are you on my side or their side?  The response of the one Joshua asked reveals an essential truth.  In verse 14, "So he said, "No, but as the Commander of the army of the Lord I have come."  This is revealing. 

The issue is not, is God on your side? But rather, no matter what the issue, the real question is, are we on His side.  Does our opinion align with His?  

The valley is the low point between two conflicting mountains of opinon. It's where the culture war occurs. The question the wise person asks is, "where does the Lord stand on this issue?  What does He think? "
 
Valleys Exist Where Two Conflicting Opinions Meet

Satan is clever!  He understands spiritual laws and their impact on the natural well and this is why he has focused so much effort on influencing politics in every nation.  In this case, I will use the United States as an example.  The goal is to expose Satan's clever traps and equip the believer with two keys to equip them to determine if a false prophet and or a doctrine of a demon is in play.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:24 that false christs and false prophets would rise in the last days to "deceive."  He ends it with "if possible, even the very elect."  His statement indicates that their speech, their arguments, their doctrine will be clever.  Convincing even! Especially to those who do not know truth.  

Paul, an apostle,  warned Timothy about the "falling away", Satan's modus operandi and the character of Satan's messengers.  In 1 Timothy 4:1-2 he says that some would fall for "deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" who would be "speaking lies in hypocrisy."   

So what's the problem?  It's discernment. Why?  First, some ministers in the Church only focus on applying these admonitions in the "religious sphere."  In other words, only within the four walls of the Church on Sunday and Wednesday.  It's not applied to the life of every Christian who interacts with every sphere on a daily basis.   Ephesians 4:12 tells us that the role of the 5-fold ministry is to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry."  In other words every believer ought to be equipped as a minister.  So the first problem is not equipping every believer to act as a minister with discernment.  

The second problem is fear and ignorance. For example, some today espouse a "separation of church and state."  Some ministers today choose to avoid politics because of the conflict that is inherently involved.  Their motive, keep peace at all costs in their local church so people won't leave.  Why?  Because people translate to money; offerings! 

Separation of Church and State - NOT! 
This position is further bolstered by ignorance of the origin of the phrase "separation of church and state."  It's not a phrase from the Bible but rather from a letter penned by Thomas Jefferson who answered the Danbury Baptist's letter which expressed their concern that government would overstep their bounds to effect the church negatively.  It was in this context that Jefferson wrote in a letter (ie. not in a bill, law, etc.) about the "separation of church and state."  His view was based upon their knowledge of the history of the King of England starting with Henry the VIII who departed the Catholic Church because they would not annul his marriage to Catherine in 1530.  This led to a series of events which eventually positioned civil leader, the king, to also serve as the head of the Anglican Church.  Bottom line, the king ended up acting more like the corrupt kings we see in Israel (1st & 2nd Kings) who "made Israel sin" than the righteous kings like David who sought to love and honor our Lord which was reflected in his willingness to allow God's prophets and priests to confront and address his moral failures especially when it impacted the nation. 

These ministers are often ignorant, or have not focused on what God's word reveals about eternal spiritual laws that exist and how certain acts by a people can activate a spiritual law that brings blessing or enact a law that causes the land to expel it's inhabitants through wars, pestilence, and or "natural disasters." (ie. Deuteronomy 28, Leviticus 18, 20 and 26).  In other words, they do not understand how important righteous laws are.  Righteous laws are based upon truth.  

Satan has sent his false prophets which are influenced by deceiving spirits to teach their doctrines.  These are doctrines of demons.  I'll use Saul Alynski whose book, "Rules for Radicals" has been adopted as the playbook for the Democrat Party as an example.  You'll note in the article shared at the top of this article it describes the 8 strategies to create a socialist state.  These thoughts are being used today to impact America, don't you think?  Let me share with you the root system of his doctrine. 

The Two Keys to Discerning False Prophets & Doctrines of Demons

Sometimes I marvel at the lack of discernment in the body of Christ.  On the other hand, I'm not surprised.  Why?  It's because most haven't even read through their Bible one time much less read, study and pray daily.  A 2016 study by LifeWay indicated that only 11% have read it through once.  Most of the "Church" doesn't even know what the Bible says in most matters.  

If you don't know the Word of God then you have no plumb-line to compare words and actions to.  Instead they fall prey to the deception of Satan our adversary.  For example, even the unbelievers know and quote Matthew 7:1 where Jesus said, "Judge not, that you may not be judged."   But here is the problem.  Ignorance!  

You see if you read the scripture you'd see that Jesus was in the middle of a sermon.  What preceded Matthew 7:1 was chapter 6 where in Jesus taught us not to pray as the hypocrites in verse 5 and not to fast like the hypocrites in verse 16.  When he got to 7:1 His audience understood it was implied that we were not to judge as the hypocrites did.  This is clarified in verse 5 which no one every quotes Jesus when He says, "Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Why in Matthew 7:15 - 20 He teaches us how to judge or discern a false prophet by examining their actions and comparing it to God's word.  A tweet by Charlie Kirk on Twitter this morning about Adam Schiff provides a perfect example.