The Holy Scripture records an incredible number of great people that have sold their testimony on the cheap. David left a mar on his life that cannot ever be erased over a moment of lust when his own harem was full of the most beautiful of women. To cover his cheap failure he sacrificed one of his most faithful warriors. King Saul destroyed his life and family by rejecting GodÂ’s plain instruction. He descended downward until his only source of instruction was the Witch of Endor. Judas Iscariot sold the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley for thirty pieces of silver. Pride and lustful desires appear to be the main causes of failure in the faith.

In my lifetime I have grieved over a great number of fallen heroes. LetÂ’s not name those that have sold out cheaply in our generation lest we name someone that has recovered without our knowledge. David recovered but paid a terrible price. King Saul and Judas Iscariot did not recover. Almost anyone on this side of eternity can repent and return to honor. Often they donÂ’t repent because the price is usually very great. Pride is the main culprit that blocks the rise of the fallen.

Apostle Paul must have wept over fallen heroes to write his great instruction in the Book of Hebrews. He almost cried out his warning, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:12-16).

What a warning to the redeemed saints! There is a cloud of witnesses, both from the great saints that have already graduated and from the living. They watch us and certainly cheer us on to victory. Apostle Paul told us in chapter eleven about those graduated heroes and then reminded us of their knowledge of us. It’s thrilling to think of these great members of the kingdom that endured such terrible hardships and then were triumphant in the end. “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Think of Apostle Paul, who is believed to have died for the Gospel by being beheaded, as a present witness of your faithfulness or lack thereof. Paul spoke of these witnesses as he reminded us of the great challenge of the church of Jesus Christ, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22-23).

Every born again believer is part of a company of saints, both fighting the good fight and the great company that has already won. Such truth makes me more determined to finish my course and keep the pure faith and to do it with joy.

Satan certainly has a trophy room where he has displayed the fallen heroes from the faith. King Saul occupies a chosen place. Judas Iscariot is visible at the entrance, and this enemy of everything beautiful has his sights set on you. The Bible clearly reminds us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Jesus told us, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The secret of triumph is “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).

Satan is witty and looks for your weaknesses. He can easily spot a “weight” that you have not recognized and laid aside. He is ready to pounce on that area with devious words of deception. Probably every one of us has spotted some trick of Satan with barely time to escape. Most of us have discovered a failure after the fact and humbly repented and returned to strength.

Do you have a price that you would sell the pure way to obtain? If you have a price, Satan will pay that price or find someone that will. Every saint of God must live in the whole of the Word of God and obey its every dictates. Nothing in Scripture is there to cheat you or rob you of your best but to protect you from the intruder. The Bible is like a solid barrier on a dangerous mountain highway. It is there not to inhibit but to protect.

Every casualty of the faith started with some small choice to compromise God’s perfect plan. Study the fallen in the Bible and the fallen you have witnessed in your lifetime, and run away from the first sign of turning aside. The Holy Scripture gives us this warning, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Satan lost his place when he fell and must search for someone to influence. Do not give him one little compromise or even listen to his suggestion. And remember, he usually finds someone you know to speak for him.

A Godly family is the greatest possession in human existence. To gain the world and lose your family is to die a sorrowful death. To be ready to go in the Rapture but know your children would be left it is too dark to even contemplate. I believe Lot’s wife turned and looked back to Sodom and Gomorrah because her children and grandchildren were about to be consumed by fire and brimstone. The Holy Scripture says, “And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:25-26).

Just days ago, I was praying for my grandchildren and felt the pain of leaving in the Rapture without them. I am praying in utter brokenness that it will not happen. The greatest accomplishment for Christian living is to have a Godly home and family. This is clearly the Biblical standard and the promise of the Lord. If your family is lost, you must accept the blame.

The Heavenly Father has made a covenant with every believer to save their family. Twice in one chapter of Acts of the Apostles, this covenant is confirmed. A woman named Lydia, a business woman who shows clear evidence of success, was converted at a riverside prayer meeting. The Scripture confirmed her faith, “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, ‘if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there’. And she constrained us” (Acts 16:15).

Then Paul and Silas were cast in jail for their revival success in this city. At midnight, they were in stocks and bonds but still having revival. As they sang, an earthquake shook the jailhouse and they were set free of their stocks by a miracle of God. The jailer, who was about to kill himself, was thrilled to learn that no one escaped. He cried, “…what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30b). The apostle spoke in the Holy Ghost, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31).

Remember, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). It is God’s perfect will to save your household, yet we must understand that we are part of the covenant. Every covenant is between two parties or more. God can keep His Covenant if you will keep His Covenant. The Bible plainly states, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The Bible must be the textbook of your home.

The relationship of the mom and dad to each other must be based on the Book. A wimpy father or a dominant mother will wreak havoc in their home. The love of a man for the wife of his youth is the greatest factor of balance for this relationship. Fornication on the part of either will sow corrupt seed in that home that almost often never dies.

Separation of a father and mother opens the gates of hell to a family. In my entire life, I have never seen a case that did not spell broken lives, rebellion, and disaster for one or more of the children. No Christian couple has any Biblical right to even talk about divorce. Death is a million times better than divorce. The home of Bible-believing Christians must be a sanctified place. There is no room for shady books, CDs, DVDs, or questionable materials of any description. Occultic books or programs on the T.V. bring their spirit right into the home and minds of the family.

Do not allow sinners to bring their smoke or questionable drink in your home or in your yard. Cousins, uncles, aunts, or other family members that live together without marriage must not be allowed to sleep in your beds or even court on your premises. Kindly tell them about the purity that you hold before your family and most of them will understand or even come to conviction and be saved.

Teach your family respect for authority. Give your childÂ’s teachers the perfect assurance of your support and do not allow the criticizing of authority at any level. You sow seeds of destruction when you question authority in front of your children.

The House of God must be a sacred place to your family. Even if your church is not perfect, you can teach your family to be faithful and love the House of God. They must be taught love for the Bible and faithfulness to tithe every dollar they receive. Give them a childÂ’s allowance with a tithing envelope to place the tenth. No home can remain pure that exalts anything above the Bible, the House of God, and your minister.

This is only a foundation to start, but a good foundation. Build on it, add to it from the Scripture, and learn the mighty power of a family altar. Pray together by the Spirit and learn how to sing together when prayer time is over

The children and youth of America are living in a crisis-type existence. The basic character traits of a healthy, Christian culture have been lost. Modesty is almost entirely absent. Respect for authority is missing in most homes and lives. It was not that many years ago when pre-marital sex was utterly taboo because of a simple respect for our sacred bodies.

A young lady that did not blush at a suggestive word or action was considered loose. Young men were gentlemen and they treated girls like jewels to be protected. Someone elseÂ’s property was never trashed, trampled upon, or bothered. The mischievous things children and youth did was little more than boys pulling girlÂ’s pigtails and girls giggling non-stop. Everything of moral value has deteriorated almost to the point of being non-existent.

Our church world has got to wake up to the powers behind this almost total destruction of the young. It is not just worldliness or spiritual indifference. Our young people and, even the majority of children, have not just forgotten God. The battle is a battle of unclean spirits with a complete intention to make America (and the world) another Sodom and Gomorrah of filth. The speed at which this nation is going to hell is breathtaking.

There is an invasion of demon spirits throughout the land. As bad as the invasion sounds, thatÂ’s not the biggest problem. Demons can only accomplish what they are invited or allowed to do. There has never been a time since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden that demons were not active and ready to destroy. The difference in todayÂ’s world is that our defense against these spirits of hell has almost totally disappeared. There is nowhere that this fact is truer than with our children and youth.

Demons can only possess that which is unclean. They cannot control or possess a pure child or a holy adult. Evil spirits will never overpower children in a godly home that refuses to compromise their lifestyle, refuses to hang around unclean persons, and refuses to put filth before their eyes. Children with a dad or mom that stands in the doorway of their lives by the power of the Holy Ghost will be protected. That parent has got to set the standard and not allow any compromise of truth.

The Bible plainly says that every child living in a home where neither parent is saved – under the protection of the blood – is automatically rendered unclean. Apostle Paul said it clearly, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy” (I Corinthians 7:14). Only a godly parent – or parents – can guarantee their children being kept clean and protected. The blood of Jesus Christ in a believer, who is living in the power of that blood, has a clear promise in this Bible covenant to have pure children. It must be claimed by faith and lived in faithfulness.

A home that allows moral uncleanness of any description opens the door for their children to be defiled and attacked by unclean spirits. Filth on television, radio, CDs, videos, or the Internet can and will defile any child or youth that is involved in this lifestyle. Children are born with the protection of a holy angel, but that angel will not abide when filth is welcomed into their life. Occult themes in books (Harry Potter and others), on cartoons, or from any other source will open the mind to the invasion of evil spirits.

Undisciplined children will develop a strong self-will. Nothing subjects a child or young person to unclean spirits quicker than a stubborn will. Parents are commanded to teach their family a disciplined lifestyle. Discipline is self-control and orderly living. Evil spirits are fallen angels that lost control by Satan’s deception. Undisciplined lives fit the same pattern as unclean spirits and offer an easy entrance to the fallen spirit world. “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverb 22:15).

Rock music and other aberrant forms of entertainment are running rampant in Satanism. The words that elicit the loudest applause in the music and entertainment world are words that are anti-God, immoral, and blasphemous. Most singing groups make sport out of bashing moral values and decency. The children and youth under its influence are left without a standard to champion. Evil spirits love to fill that vacuum left by such nonsense.

Mankind was not created to love living a dirty lifestyle. Immorality saps the life out of any person living this cheap way. Homosexuality and lesbianism is SatanÂ’s ultimate slap in GodÂ’s face.

The only possible way you can enjoy living an unclean lifestyle is to allow unclean spirits to make that kind of life appear acceptable or normal. Every immoral act or thought – especially every unclean pleasure – is the work of spirits that have been welcomed or tolerated. Fifty years ago, when an old-time man of God prayed for a person with an unclean habit, they always viewed that person as needing to be delivered. They knew that uncleanness, tobacco, whiskey, cursing, or any other bondage was the bondage of an unclean spirit.

Our children have to be delivered. The only way revival and great conversions are going to occur in the hearts and lives of our youth is through a return to a proper understanding of the problem. A high percentage of the entire American family has allowed unclean living to attract unclean spirits. Those spirits will not leave just because someone walks a church aisle or repeats a prayer. Holy Ghost-filled men and women have got to become powerful altar workers.

Satan, as well as every fallen angel, has been defeated at Calvary. At the same time, our world is flooded with wickedness. Apostle John left no doubt about the condition in our world. “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness” (I John 5:19). The authority of the pure Word of God and the power of the blood is the only victory for our children and ourselves.

The great hosts of GodÂ’s holy angels are not just beautiful creatures that glorify God. They are ministering spirits assigned to GodÂ’s saints to minister for them. They do not just hover over our heads or give us great thrills by their presence; they minister to and for us. A father or mother has the joy of depending on these ministering spirits to protect and admonish their children. A pastor can depend on these angels to chasten, warn, and care for his church family.

Do you remember when Apostle Paul was on the ship to Rome with two hundred seventy-five sailors, soldiers, and criminals? Paul was the only saint of God. When the storm was destroying the ship and no end was in sight, this man of God had God’s messengers to minister to Him and for Him. The angel of God stood by Paul, “Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee” (Acts 27:24). Imagine the angel promising Paul the safety of everyone on board the ship. Days later, when the sailors were about to abandon the ship, Paul was quick to warn them. He said to the Roman Centurion and the soldiers, “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31b).

The entire ministry of Jesus Christ was accompanied by angels. The Lord told Nathaniel as He called Him to be one of the twelve, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:51b). After Satan had sought to sidestep the Son of God when He had completed his forty days of fasting, Matthew reported, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matthew 4:11). When Peter would defend Jesus with his sword, Jesus stopped him and reminded Peter, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

Nine of the twenty-eight chapters in Acts of the Apostles speak of these ministering spirits for the saints. An angel opened the locked prison door for Peter and then supernaturally unlocked the gate as they approached it on their way out. An angel spoke to Phillip giving him direction for his ministering location. Cornelius was visited by ministering spirits, told to send for Peter, given the location where Peter was, and even given the name of PeterÂ’s host. It was a normal matter in the early church to expect angels to minister for the saints.

The world has stolen the marvel of angels and reduced it all to mysteries and strange goddesses. The Hagin deception of commanding angels to bring great treasures to wealth-gurus has only added to the mystical confusion. The Biblical balance can return the true church back to experience a genuine understanding of angels. Apostle Paul called them ministering spirits. He stated, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).

There are wonderful ministries that angels perform. They minister to children for their protection and for a purity of divine sensitivity. Jesus clearly warns His listener’s of abusing children. He said, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). I see many children today that God’s holy angels have been driven away by some Godless parent, child abuser, nasty television program, etc. and an evil angel from Lucifer now troubles that child. I have also seen numbers of children delivered by ministry and prayer. (Shortly, I will write an article on this subject.)

Ministering spirits can apply sermons to our hearts and lives. They can chasten wayward believers, calling them back to purity. They can defeat dark spirits that keep our lost ones from coming to Christ. They can pull down strongholds from the minds of troubled people and help weak Christians rise up above the wounds of their past. All of us have our flesh to contend with and these ministering spirits are promised, and even assigned to help us.

Apostle Paul spoke of these ministering spirits in his second letter to Corinth. He stated, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul used the word weapons in the plural because these ministering spirits are multitudes. When Daniel was waiting in prayer, a ministering angel was warring against an opposing evil spirit. Daniel prayed while the battle raged, and a reinforcement of angels came to the battlefront and victory was won.

God’s ministering spirits await your invitation to minister for you. You do not pray to them, you pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus is the Lord of Sabaoth or the Lord of His Armies. “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).