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the DARK of the N IGHT
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MAGAZINE PURE LIFE MINISTRIES is fully committed to bringing the hope, healing and restoration found only in Christ to those who have been touched by the leprosy of sexual sin. Our staff members are graduates of one of our counseling programs themselves and have responded to the call of God to freely give to others the same compassion and mercy which the Father freely bestowed upon them. They are men and women who know how to speak the truth of God in love. In fulfilling our call, Pure Life Ministries is founded upon the authority of the Word of God as the supreme and allsufficient Truth for overcoming sin. We unashamedly preach a message of repentance unto salvation. Everything we do— whether in our counseling programs, our speaking ministry or the distribution of our books and resources—is based on the Word of God, with the goal of leading others to victory over sexual sin through a deeper life in God.
LEADING CHRISTIANS INTO PURITY SINCE 1986!
PURE LIFE MINISTRIES 14 SCHOOL STREET DRY RIDGE, KY 41035 OFFICE | 859.824.4444 ORDERS & INFORMATION | 888.254.2884 EMAIL | unchained@purelifeministries.org WEBSITE | www.purelifeministries.org
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T H E WAY I S E E I T
The Great Pollution of Planet Earth AL GORE COULDN’ T BE MORE CORRECT AND COULDN’ T BE MORE WRONG.
BY STEVE GALLAGHER Founder and President of Pure Life Ministries
“ ...Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.” (Isaiah 24:5-6)
A few years ago he compared his battle to save the environment with the civil rights struggle that went on in the 60’s. According to him, all the evils that have affected Mother Nature can be laid right at the doorstep of mankind. Well, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, the Bible says that very thing. The prophet Isaiah exclaimed, “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants…” Now I’m no environmentalist, but, if I’m honest with myself, I have to acknowledge that our planet is being systematically destroyed by the innumerable toxins released into the atmosphere, water system and earth by man. Do I believe we should stop off-shore oil drilling and limit industrial progression to save some obscure beetle that is on the Endangered Species list? No because I don’t believe that is the answer. What Al Gore apparently cannot comprehend is that the contaminating agent destroying Planet Earth is not physically but morally based. The rest of Isaiah’s statement provides the missing element: “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.” (ISAIAH 24:5-6) The root meaning of the Hebraic term “polluted” (chaneph) Isaiah employed in this passage means “that which has fallen
away.” This word is always used in a moral sense in Scripture. For instance, the psalmist claimed that the innocent blood of children being shed in pagan rituals—very reminiscent of our abortion mills—pollutes the land. (PSALM 106:38) In Numbers 35:33, Moses pointed out that every form of murder pollutes the land. Even apostasy contributes to the world’s pollution according to Jeremiah.
(JEREMIAH 3:2, 9)
The real culprit of the contamination of the earth is man’s sin against each other and rebellion to his Maker. We simply cannot escape the fact that there is a very real connection between our moral actions and our physical environment. As goes one, so goes the other. Yes, Isaiah’s apocalyptic statement anticipates a Day of momentous implications. Life on Earth, as we know it, is headed for destruction. And I see no great benefit afforded it in fighting to “save the whales” when our entire planet is doomed to extinction. But I do see a very urgent need to call on people to repent of the sins that lay at the foundation of all of mankind’s troubles. Yes, let us do our fair share save the planet. Let’s start today—now even—by contritely approaching our Creator and repenting of every known sin we have committed that is affecting our environment.
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The thought that I could instantly be delivered of sexual sin by a pastor casting a demon of lust out of me flooded me with hope. So that leads me to the question about whether or not a Christian can have a demonic stronghold. It was 1984 and I was in trouble. I had had a powerful experience of repentance with the Lord two years earlier and quit my job as a deputy on the Los Angeles Sheriff ’s Department to attend Bible school in Sacramento. But little by little, the enemy chipped away at my spiritual life until I finally gave up and backslid. Now I was back into sexual sin worse than ever. The problem was that, even though I had repented of my rebellion to God’s authority over my life and committed myself to wholeheartedly follow Him, there was still lodged within me a stronghold in the area of sexual sin. This was the same serpent that had destroyed my resolve to
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follow the Lord many years earlier when I first came to Christ. So in 1984 the Lord seemed to lead my wife Kathy and me to a little deliverance church in Sacramento. The thought that I could instantly be delivered of sexual sin by a pastor casting a demon of lust out of me flooded me with hope. Once again, I committed myself to the Lord and swore off indulging in sexual sin. We immediately started attending services at that little church at every opportunity. For three months Kathy and I were given a steady diet of teachings on spiritual warfare and participated in deliverance sessions. Members of the church would
gather around me, laying hands on my shoulders and binding demons and ordering them to come out of me. I was thrilled by the possibility of being set free, but, over time, I was forced to acknowledge to myself and my wife that nothing had really changed. Lust was thriving in my heart as vigorously as ever. Even before I arrived at this conclusion, I was already struggling with a nagging feeling that what I was hearing simply didn’t line up with Scripture and didn’t leave me with the sense that it was true. We finally decided that that church wasn’t for us and quit attending services there. This was a bit confusing because we NO REPRESENTATIONS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS DEPICTED.
his STRONGHOLDS BY STEVE GALL AGHER
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really had believed that the Lord led us there. Later, when I looked back on that experience, I could see why He sent us there. He knew our life’s work would be in the area of helping other believers find freedom from the hold of sexual sin. We really needed to experience for ourselves the fact that that kind of deliverance ministry doesn’t work. And over the years I would deal with many desperate people who wanted to know if there was any validity to the quick fix deliverance seemed to offer. I could say from experience that I had been there and found no help with it. So that leads me to the question about
whether or not a Christian can have a demonic stronghold. Some ministers strongly claim that it would be impossible for a believer to have a demon. Others point at the reality of what they see—Christians bound up in various demonically inspired habits. Which group is right? I think I can offer some thoughts that will bring light on the subject. First of all, the Bible only uses the word “stronghold” in a spiritual sense one time. In 2 CORINTHIANS 10, Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy
strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God…” A thorough study on the context of that chapter will reveal that the apostle Paul was defending himself against certain antagonists in the Corinthian church who were accusing him of ministering “in the flesh.” His statements were a defense against that accusation. And his reference to “strongholds” was probably regarding the Greek idolatries lodged in the corporate consciousness of the masses living within the realm of the Roman Empire at the time. Actually, I think he more directly dealt with the subject in Romans chapter six. In CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 >>
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that chapter he said, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” According to Paul, it is sin that masters a person. And the truth is that demons are not even mentioned in either of these chapters. Having said that, I want to be quick to add that there is no question that demons play a significant role in the establishment of strongholds of sin within people. It is clear that the enemy exploits the power of habit in a person by leading him back to his pet sin over and over again until the love of that sin is deeply entrenched within him. They do this through the power of suggestion. What I mean by that is that demons have the ability to present to a person’s mind memories of pleasurable experiences of the past, as well as the ability to conjure up fantasies of potential sexual encounters they can pursue in the immediate. So while I do believe the enemy plays
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a huge role in building the fortification, I think the actual stronghold is sin, not a demon. And there’s a big difference between the two. The apostle John offered important insight on the subject as well when he referred to the works of the devil in his first epistle. I’m pretty sure that these evil works are actually the spiritual strongholds we’ve been discussing. Of course, these works of the devil can only occur with the willing compliance of the person. In other words, the door to a person’s heart can only be opened from the inside. Therefore, the enemy vigilantly watches for any opportunity to gain entrance. Once a demon is allowed to establish a foothold of sin within a person’s soul, it is often only a matter of time before it solidifies into a stronghold. The “works of the devil” often manifest themselves as fetishes, phobias, hang-ups or addictions— just the kind of nasty slime one would expect a serpent to leave behind. By establishing a stronghold of sin within the person, the enemy is able to gradually deform the person’s character
into something as ugly, corrupted and morally repulsive as they are. They accomplish this by building up intricate webs of pride, ambition, lust, selfishness and faulty thinking within the person. The greater the person’s compliance with the enemy, the more his soul will be depleted of anything good and meaningful. But consider the Apostle John’s amazing insight into how the Lord can reverse the enemy’s efforts found in his first epistle. He said, “The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 JOHN 3:8) And this is my testimony to you: that the Lord has the power to demolish any stronghold the enemy has erected within a believer’s soul. It happened for me through much repentance, a solid devotional life and the process of sanctification. The power of sin was broken at Calvary and no true believer needs to remain in bondage to it. Ultimately, our hope is found in the Cross. It is at the Cross that we will find the victory.
NO REPRESENTATIONS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS DEPICTED.
Pastor,
what is theValue to your Congregation of a Transformed Life and a Restored Family? Our 9-month Residential Program is for men who are desperate for freedom and real answers to their sexual addictions. Why is this program is so effective? • • • • • •
The presence of God that brings a man into deep repentance Complete separation from old sources of temptation Regular biblical counseling by men who have overcome sexual sin themselves Structured environment where a sexual addict can learn a life of discipline Local employment covers low-cost weekly fees Two-phase program with emphasis on readjusting to life afterward
We also provide phone counseling options: Overcomers At-Home (OCAH) ~ for men, women, or mature teens At-Home Program for WIVES ~ for hurting wives NO REPRESENTATIONS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS DEPICTED.
PURE LIFE MINISTRIES
D R AW N E A R AND
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The title, of course, is a corruption of the words of James: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (JAMES 4:7-8) These two biblical statements arguably embody the summation of man’s life on earth. They represent the two forces constantly vying for the affections and hearts of men. An examination of these two biblical comments (and their equally accurate counterparts) will provide a wealth of spiritual knowledge: • Draw near to the devil and he will draw near to you. • Resist the devil and he will flee from you. • Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. • Resist the Lord and He will flee from you. Let’s begin with the first sentence. If you come into the vicinity of the enemy’s camp, like a grinning carnival huckster, he will happily welcome you into his glittering sideshow. The best defense against his cunning schemes is to follow the advice from the wise man about the prowling prostitute: “Do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain.” (PROVERBS 7:25-26) In our case, it’s not so much the carnival or red-light district we need to avoid but the overarching realm in which the enemy dwells. Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (EPHESIANS 2:2) He and his minions
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inhabit atmospheres where sinners indulge their lusts. Clearly, Christians have no business in places like bars, casinos or even carnivals. Not so obvious are the more subtle regions the enemy stalks such as television air waves or the vast, unchartered realm of the Internet. Be very careful when you slip into these waters because lurking under the surface are serpents poised to attack. James wrote, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” But my experience has been that many believers know very little about resisting. They have been indulging themselves in the enemy’s little seductions for so long that they hardly know any other way of life. Like the neighborhood drug pusher who uses marijuana to get
the adolescent hooked on heroin, devils are masters at using innocuous forms of pleasure and entertainment to draw people deeper into the realm of darkness. In occupied European countries during World War II, there were resistance fighters who saw the occupying German army as unwanted enemies. These brave men and women did their utmost to slow down transportation, disrupt production and create confusion for the Nazi war machine. What a contrast were the Nazi sympathizers who selfishly capitalized on the situation. Christians are also at war and these groups represent the two mindsets at work in the Church today: resisters and collaborators. Long before there was an internet or
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100 channels of cable television, A. W. Tozer wrote: “Men think of the world, not as a battleground but as a playground. We are not here to fight, we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land, we are at home. We are not getting ready to live, we are already living, and the best we can do is rid ourselves of our inhibitions and our frustrations and live this life to the full.” Yet James tells his readers that if they will resist the enemy’s lures, if they will withstand his temptations and refuse to live for his transient pleasures, the devil will quickly lose heart and will flee. I can attest that the truth of this statement is amazing! However, humans simply do not have the wherewithal to resist such a world of tantalizing enticements unless there is
something greater to satisfy the inherent desire for fulfillment. James offered such a solution when he wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” What a fabulous promise! “You will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul,” wrote Moses. (DEUTERONOMY 4:29) “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me,” chimed in divine Wisdom. (PROVERBS 8:17) “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near,” the prophet later added. (ISAIAH 55:6) These verses all point to an important element of the believer’s life. The Lord will make Himself real to the one who cares enough to seek Him. FOR INFORMATION
But alas, this brings us to the final sad statement we must examine: “Resist the Lord and He will flee from you.” If a person persists in ignoring the Lord, the time will eventually come when He will leave him to himself. “He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.” (PSALM 103:9) If a person continues to resist, quench and grieve the Holy Spirit, He will eventually withdraw His presence from his life. These four statements can really be reduced into one basic truth: People are either moving toward the Lord or toward the devil in their daily lives. It really is as simple as that. Let’s commit ourselves to answering the call James made: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
888.254.2884 // www.purelifeministries.org
PURE LIFE MINISTRIES
D A R K OF THE N I G H T
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BY CORRINE SMITH
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For some, the darkness of night brings warmth and security—even an opportunity to fellowship with the Lord. For others, it offers only pain and fear. This was true during my first marriage. Being married to a violent alcoholic was extremely difficult. Two hospitalizations and two miscarriages left me an emotional wreck. I spent many nights in overwhelming fear until, after four
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years of abuse, I gathered my three children and escaped to begin a new life, thinking those dark nights were finally behind me. Although I was free of his tyranny, the memories of the beatings continued to haunt me for years. After my first daughter’s birth, I had rededicated my life to Christ and began attending church. It was there, eight years later, I met Kenneth. Friends
took turns playing matchmaker for us, but the pain of my first marriage had destroyed any desire to be involved with another man. Despite my wariness, I found Kenneth’s calm personality to be disarming, and before I knew it, I had fallen in love. We were married in 1993. I was so happy in those early days of marriage. After the way I was treated by my
NO REPRESENTATIONS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS DEPICTED.
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first husband, I could hardly believe that two people could be so happy together. Into our nest came two more precious children. Everything seemed so perfect! However, over time I began to suspect that there was a side to Kenneth that I didn’t know. It started as a vague sense, but as time went on, our relationship soured. The man who had swept me off my feet with his quiet
demeanor was becoming increasingly more cold and withdrawn. I couldn’t understand what was happening and began to blame myself for the problems, “Why am I so unlovable? What is it about me that makes men so angry?” I longed for a close, intimate relationship with my husband, but it seemed like our bickering only grew worse.
In December of 1999 the unthinkable happened: I was diagnosed as having a brain tumor. My condition quickly deteriorated. I had to be life-flighted to the Carolina Medical Center where I underwent eight hours of surgery. A few days later I was readmitted for another 13-hour surgery. The doctors did everything they could just to keep me alive. By God’s grace I survived and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >>
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PURE LIFE MINISTRIES
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was discharged 30 days later. I was almost completely helpless. I could not read. I could not remember names. I could hardly function at all. Sobered by the fact that he had almost lost me, my husband’s attitude towards me changed. For the next three months, he did everything for me, as he nursed me back to health. So, after this experience, how could our marriage be anything but wonderful? This was the question that plagued me when the darkest night of my life began. That evening, Kenneth knelt beside the bed and broke down crying. In a voice filled with anguish and despair, he confessed to me his addiction to pornography. He felt filthy and defeated, with no hope of ever finding victory over his sin. At that moment the pain I felt inside seemed more overwhelming than all that I had previously experienced. It seemed as though I were drowning—being pulled underwater by fear, repulsion, rejection, and unrelenting pain. All I knew to do was
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to cry out to God! A few days later Kenneth told me that he had discovered a ministry on the Internet that helped men in sexual addiction: Pure Life Ministries. We discussed it with our pastor who recommended that we enter the Overcomers-At-Home Program for couples. We didn’t have the finances to start the program. So I began to pray, and within days the money miraculously came to us unexpectedly. Initially the program was difficult for both of us. I had assumed that the only real problem in our marriage was Kenneth’s sexual sin and was surprised when my counselor began to gently prod me to examine my own issues. Even though I was deeply wounded and scarred, my own actions exposed sins of pride, unbelief, and self-pity. At first I couldn’t understand why it was necessary for me to focus on my problems. My husband was the one who was in sexual sin! However, as the counseling progressed,
it became clear that—if I were to be a support to my husband during this crucial period of his life—it was extremely important that I become free of any sinful attitudes which would cause additional stress to our marriage. Yes, his sexual sin was an enormous problem that he had to face and overcome. But if we were to have the godly and blessed home I had prayed and longed for, then I too would have to undergo the Surgeon’s scalpel. I did so and I am extremely grateful I did! Now after completing the OvercomersAt-Home Program, my husband has found freedom from his life-long sexual addiction and his bondage to pornography, our marriage has been restored, and I have overcome the sinful attitudes that I carried around for many years. Most importantly, both of us are enjoying unbroken fellowship with God. When the brightness of the sun gives way to the starry hosts of heaven, I no longer fear because now God illumines our home—even in the dark of the night.
NO REPRESENTATIONS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS DEPICTED.
At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry
These five books and the Word of God will provide you with everything you need to address the sexual sin epidemic that has infiltrated every church in our country today. By combining materials that can both stand alone and function together, this resource kit equips counselors and pastors to minister to single and married men, hurting wives and couples.
(30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
“This book has a straightforward, biblical approach to the sensuality of our culture. It dares us to believe that sexual addictions of any kind can be overcome through deep repentance, spiritual warfare and accountability.” DR. ERWIN W. LUTZER, Pastor Emeritus, Moody Church
i-The Root of Sin Exposed “Steve Gallagher cuts through the thick of our sinful tendencies/habits and gets to the root of the matter by offering a lucid look at what separates us from enjoying our gracious God.” DANIEL BERGER, Author of Mental Illness (Vol. I-V)
When His Secret Sin Breaks Your Heart “Kathy’s personal experience and years of counseling have provided her with tremendous insight.” From the Foreword by BEVERLY LAHAYE
Counseling the Sexual Addict “A logical, practical, field-tested and proven method of counseling that has the power to lift the sexual addict out of bondage.” DENNIS D. FREY, TH.D., President, Master’s Divinity School
From Ashes to Beauty “Jeff Colon speaks from personal experience about the incredible pain and destruction caused by the insidious lure of pornography and sexual immorality.” DR. ED BULKLEY, President, Int’l vAssoc. of Biblical Counselors
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 888.254.2884 STORE store.purelifeministries.org/pastorkit VISIT US ONLINE AT www.purelifeministries.org.
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LEADING CHRISTIANS INTO PURITY SINCE 1986!
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