The spirit of rebellion

[Rexamus]

Can someone tell me the spirit of rebellion? It's effects and signs etc?.

[Fairborough]

Just some thoughts to start with -

I'll start from Eve:
The Devil appealed to Eve's senses and base instincts, while she knew in her mind and heart that she should not eat the forbidden fruit. By ignoring what she knew, she yielded her mind and her will to the control of her body - a distorted power it was not meant to possess, or had previously known.
This factor of the corrupted body/the flesh is what we have inherited. Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh.
(Moral choice cannot be inherited.)

What the devil does, having made this breakthrough, is to sustain this morbid condition with temptations, taunts, and the accusations which follow. Much like the leader of a group planning a bank robbery - he must have something on everybody as leverage, to exert power over the individual to keep them in bondage. He is desperate to save his skin.

So the subtle means he uses are the accusations of failure in every way possible - and in one other thing that is so cruelly deceptive - he misrepresents God, his character - his intentions etc.
Therefore many people end up rebelling against a misrepresentation of God. But when they come to know him as he really is, they see how deceived they have been.


On the other hand there are those who deliberately use their powers to oppress the poor, plunder, pillage, ........... you name it - for they are besotted with the appropriate lust. They have grown this way, either by neglect or had an early propensity develop without correction.
The resulting shame they experience is intolerable for them, so they desperately find scapegoats to unload their deep pain. Also they are quick to find fault with God thereby excusing themselves. In short they are in a great mess. This is the roundabout of rebellion which entraps many.


Good-hearted people who have fallen victim to the wicked often blame themselves. They can be deceived so much that they believe they are the real cause of their failings, whereas they discover at length they have been exploited. (That is why Jesus said that he has other sheep).

It was in discerning the difference between these two parties that was to be the strength of the Church's mission. By painting everybody with the same brush the Church has lost much of its real power and influence.

The strength of a kingdom depends upon how it treats its lowliest subject.
That is why Jesus says: " in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren you have done it to me."



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