THE SWAMP OF 666

Hidden among the thorns and weeds,
lies the Quicksand of Iniquity.

Formed from the sins that run so deep,
it silently waits for humanity.

This is the Swamp of 666 -
The location of men who refuse to submit.

Wandering believers better beware,
it’s easy to get lost and tangled in there.

You must use caution,
Stay focused and aware -
the Bait of Satan
easily ensnares.

Please be careful
if you choose to approach.
If the Spirit is not leading,
then I would NOT go.

There are so many
weeds of sin
to get entangled in.

Bitterness and hate
draw out the atrocities
of murder and rape;

Anxiety and depression
bring confusion and
thoughts of incomprehension;

Lust and greed
grow thicker than trees -
they devour the blood
from the host which they feed;

The wickedness of worry
weathers great flurries;

Envy and jealousy
brings out the worst,
it causes the witchcraft
of rebellion and hurt;

Sexual immorality
brings all kinds of impurities;
identity is lost
when mixed with the curse;

Division and strife
can cause one to
take their own life,
and enmity can make a man
take another life.

The vegetation of villainy
is super thick,
in the sinful Swamp of 666.

Before we walk in,
with grand illusions of power -
let us be sure 
we won't be devoured.

Think about Jesus
and what had to take place,
Before he started his ministry
to heal the human race.

First he was baptized by water,
then confirmed by the Father,
he received the Holy Spirit
then died to the flesh.

He fasted and prayed
for a full 40 days-
He put on his armor
as the Spirit led the way.

And when he came
face to face 
with the enemy,
He did not run.
He did not flee.

He stood and he listened
to every enticing word,
He rejected every fleshly desire
the enemy unfurled.

He overcome “identity shame”
by not questioning from who he came, 
He said “no” to the wealth and kingdoms
that could have been gained,
and when the devil questioned his worth,
he held onto God’s sovereignty
instead of jumping to earth.

Our Lord walked through bramble,
and he cut down the thickets -
He declared God’s authority
with the Sword of the Spirit.

So if Jesus had to go through all of this,
then who are we to think
that in our own power we can persist?

We are just humans -
who must humble ourselves,
to die to the flesh and
give up our worldly wealth.

It's the blood of Christ
that redeems
the individual hearts
who trust and believe.

It is not us
that saves a soul,
we only act 
as we are told.
 
We wait upon his Spirit
to simmer within -
it's through the furnace of affliction
that he sanctifies us to him.

He is all powerful,
and we are vessel.
We bring him glory
through our spiritual wrestle.
 
Discernment of spirits
is a gift that comes from God,
it’s given to believers
who are spiritually mature
and faithfully strong.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred;
do not throw your pearls to pigs.
If you do,
they may trample them under their feet,
and turn
and tear you to pieces.”
Matthew 7:6

Every man has a choice.
It’s what we call free will.
Every man is accountable
for the sword that he wields.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION
If you come across a person
who does not want to receive,
then do not risk your life
by swimming out to sea.
If you swim to a man
in survival mode -
he may grab your head
and down you both will go!
But the Lord is so good,
he gave us a flotation device -
this is what we throw
when we see a man
stuck in a vice.
The right arm of God
is so deep, so wide and long,
He can reach
where we cannot.

BE ON GUARD FOR FALSE PROPHETS
Every Disciple of God
must always stand on guard,
He must be able to discern
who is fake and who is true to the Lord.
We must remember,
there is a difference
between blind men.
One is only lost,
while the other is set in his sin.
The mocker is full of blasphemy
while a wandering believer
desires to see -
the first will swat at God's hand,
but the other will reach.

STAND READY
We need to stand ready,
and always be prepared,
to throw a lifeline
to those lost, lonely and scared.
Warriors on the wall,
stand alert and on call.
Be ready to discern
the spirits by the wall.
Prepare your mind and heart
to never depart
from the position you've been called.
Created to be a lifeguard,
carefully search the sea.
Always shine hope
into dark mysteries.
Before you approach,
Look with caution and observe,
are you prepared
to do the work of the Lord?
When you a man
heading towards the quicksand,
ask and seek the Lord
to show you his plan.
Not every man
has good intent in his heart,
in fact the Bible says,
it's just the opposite. 
Above all things,
the human heart is sick,
who can understand
why humans are drawn to sin?

"It's not by power, or by might
but by my Spirit,"
says the Lord.
Zechariah 4:6

Before you reach
with your own hand,
think about whose strength you have.

Immature believers
will say you just lack faith,
but those who have his Spirit
know how to endure the race.

God is the Spirit
of both Truth and of Grace.
He testifies to Jesus,
and his power fills this place.

“There is much more I would like to say,
but it is difficult to explain.
You are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
You have been believers so long now
that you ought to be teaching others.
Instead, you need someone to teach you again
the basic things about God’s word.
You are like babies who need milk
and cannot eat solid food.
For someone who lives on milk
is still an infant
and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
Solid food is for those who are mature,
who through training
have the skill to recognize
the difference between right and wrong.”
‭‭Hebrews ‭5: 11-14