Is God's Command For Women Not To Wear Pants In Deuteronomy 22:5 Ceremonial Law?

Deuteronomy 22:5, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

On April 30th, 2025, at the shameful Family Baptist Church in Pensacola, I and my wife Alice were horribly mistreated by Pastor Brad Moffett in his office. We are both old enough to be his parents, but he showed us zero respect. I and Alice had been invited into his office for a very different purpose, but the pastor instead chose for whatever reason to spend that time censuring my website ministry. It is obvious to me that Brad's wife henpecked him to do what he did. Pastor Brad's wife pressured him to scold the elderly man “Bobby” who lives across the street from the church. Bobby was so hurt and offended that he quit church because of them. They still haven't learned how to rightly treat people at Family Baptist Church in Pensacola.

During our unpleasant meeting with Pastor Brad, that he dishonestly forced upon us without warning, he defended his wife's Biblical right to where pants. Dear reader, in the 45 months that I quietly attended their church as a guest, I never once mentioned my beliefs about modesty to anyone in the church. It was them (not me) who made a fuss when they found my article on my website ministry titled, Why A Christian Lady Ought Not Wear Pants. My article cut to the heart of the pastor's wife, because God convicted her about her sexy pants.

I was reading through some of my Bible books today and ran across an old classic by Sword of the Lord founder, Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980), titled: “Dr. Rice... Here Are More Questions...” On pages 483-485 Dr. Rice answers the question:

“Women forbidden to wear “that which pertaineth to a man”; is it ceremonial law?

You say that you looked up Deuteronomy 22:5, 9 and 11. Then you say, “Am I wrong to believe if I keep verse 5 and never for any reason put on slacks, that also it would be wrong to wear a woman's woolen suit with linen cuffs or some trimming on the suit linin, as in verse 11?

First, let us look at those three verses you mentioned:

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” —Vs. 5.

“Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.” —Vs. 9.

“Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.” —Vs. 11.

1. Throughout the first five books in the Bible, the Mosaic law is given. Some of this is moral law and some of it is ceremonial law. For example, in Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments are give. It is quite obvious that nine of those commandments are moral law and these are repeated in one way or another in the New Testament. It is just as wrong now to worship idols, to take God's name in vain, to dishonor father and mother, to kill, to commit adultery, to steal, to lie, or to covet, as it ever was.  

But in Colossians 2:17 and 18 we are plainly told that the Sabbath days, given to the Jews and mentioned in the Ten Commandments, were nailed to the cross, a part of the ceremonial laws, “a shadow of things to come.” But even if one disagrees about the Sabbath question, in the same twentieth chapter of Exodus other ceremonial commands are given as in verse 24: “An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings . . . .” So it is wrong to say that any one chapter is all ceremonial and not binding for us—at least it is wrong to say that about Deuteronomy 22. For example, it is clearly a moral problem that a man is not to hide his brother's ox or sheep, but must tell where they are, a man must help his neighbor when his ox or ass is in trouble. Verse 30: “A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt” is clearly moral law. So chapter 22 does have some moral teachings that are binding upon us today. Of course, no one was ever saved by keeping commandments, but still the moral commandments teach what is right and Christians want to keep the commands of God that place moral obligations upon us 

2. But there is another reason for believing that Deuteronomy 22:5 is a rule that is meant for women of all times. The New Testament clearly teaches that the Old Testament laws about the relations of men and women are still binding. First Corinthians 14:34 says, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. Here the law means, of course, the first five books of the Bible. So the same doctrine of the Pentateuch is the doctrine of the New Testament, when it comes to the relationship of men and women. Women are to be under obedience. Perhaps this refers primarily to Genesis 3:16 where the woman is told, “Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” But certainly the implications that follow are intended also. 

In first Timothy 2:11-15 the Scripture plainly says that the Old Testament relationship between men and women is to be the same in the New Testament times. “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 

In the case of Adam and eve, the Lord set a certain relationship between husband and wife; and women are today to maintain that same relationship. So we find that this distinction between the men and women was emphasized in the Old Testament by having men and women to dress differently, as indications of their different positions. I think it is right to believe that the same distinctions are to be maintained today again. 

In first Corinthians 11:1-6 the Bible clearly says that in the manner of wearing their hair, women and men are to be different. “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (vss. 14-16). And the contacts plainly says that this difference is based on the fundamental difference in men and women, because “the head of the woman is the man” (vs. 3). You see, Deuteronomy 22:5 is really just a part of the New Testament and Old Testament doctrine of the proper relationship of men and women. And a woman should show that she takes a woman's place, should show it by wearing long hair, and by wearing a woman's clothes. I hope that you will read my book on Bobbed Hair, Bossy Wives and Women Preachers (paperbound 75 cents) for further study on this matter. 

Now the commands in Deuteronomy 22:9: “Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds . . . ” has a spiritual lesson for us. It means that Christians should not yoke up with unbelievers. The same lesson is given in verse eleven. The Jew was not to wear a garment of mixed woolen and linen together, as a symbol to us that we are not to be yoked up with unbelievers. I do not say it is wrong to plant two kinds of seed in the same field. I do not say it is wrong to have two kinds of materials on a dress. That command is not repeated in the New Testament, and I think it is obviously ceremonial law. But the relationship of men and women, and making the hair, and outward dress and behavior, fit that relationship, seems to me to be a moral problem that is preached just the same in the Old Testament as the New Testament. 

I think you will see, when you go into the matter thoughtfully, that actually the modern fad of women wearing slacks, and of otherwise defying conventions, and trying to be like men, is a part of the unchristian rebelliousness of the age. It goes with unbelief and rebellion and not with the most spiritual Christianity. I think lots of good women who mean well have bobbed their hair and wear pants, and perhaps smoke cigarettes and rebel against their husbands, but they are not as good Christians as they would be if they obeyed the word of God in this matter, I think; and I think that if they mean well, they will come more and more toward the Bible pattern of obedience to husbands. obedience to the conventions which properly differentiate between the sexes and take the place of modest womanhood, as taught in the Scriptures and upheld traditionally by the best Christian women. Don't you think so?

Bravo Dr. Rice! Pastor Brad Moffett couldn't be more wrong that Deuteronomy 22:5 is ceremonial law. Brother Rice is so right, the proper relationship between men and women is reiterated in the New Testament, clearly defining how men and women are to appear in public to maintain distinction between the sexes. Only a fool would dare attempt to justify Christian women wearing pants in public. Amish females would never even consider putting on a pair of pants because they fear God. Today's Baptist females shame the name of Jesus.

Dr. Rice is correct that women wearing pants goes along with unbelief and rebellion, and not with the most spiritual Christianity. Shame on new-evangelicals for their low moral standards.

Beware Of The Toxic New IFB With Their Rapture Date Setting

Mark 13:32-33, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

The New IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist) movement and their ridiculous PreWrath rapture garbage is easily proven unscriptural. I mean, with an incompetent pastor like Steven Anderson saying foolish like this, it's not difficult to expose his biblical ignorance:

“When does the Rapture take place? 1,335 days into Daniel's 70th week.” —Pastor Steven Anderson, 'Revelation - Part 10' (Time: 31:00 minutes into video)

Anderson foolishly SET A DATE for the Rapture! Anyone who is even the least bit familiar with the inspired Holy Bible understands that NO ONE knows the time of Christ's return, not even the angels; but only the Father. Only a Pretribulation Rapture fits the puzzle of prophecy.

Kindly said, the New IFB movement with their unlearned pastors are toxic!

Beware Of The Obvious Religious Fallacy Of A Young Earth

2nd Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

The inspired King James Bible teaches an Old Earth. 𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝟭𝟬𝟮:𝟮𝟱, “𝗢𝗳 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵: 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀.” I am so sick of the unlearned Young Earth Creation (YEC) crowd with their dinosaurs riding Noah's ark. Kindly said, Ken Ham is very wrong in his beliefs and what he promotes! Ken Ham's Ark Encounter features displays that include dinosaurs, often depicted alongside humans, as part of its representation of the biblical narrative. The park promotes young Earth creationist beliefs, implying that dinosaurs coexisted with humans. In my humble opinion Ken Ham is a religious con man, and a hellbound infidel who preaches hard core Lordship Salvation! He literally has fire-breathing dragon displays in Kentucky at his circus Ark Encounter.

In the following intriguing Bible study series titled 'DEMONOLOGY' from 1974, Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) explains why an Old Earth View is biblical.

RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS! I am tired of hearing unlearned ignorant Christians say that we shouldn't argue over non-essential minor doctrines. If an intelligent educated person learns that you think dinosaurs lived 4,500 years ago, you suddenly become on par with the flat earth crowd, and they won't be willing to hear anything else you have to say, including the gospel. Literally, your ignorance may be the reason why someone goes to Hell forever, because you believed foolish preachers who don't think for themselves. Any thinking intelligent person KNOWS that dinosaurs couldn't have lived with humans 4,500 years ago. The very idea is preposterous!

Respectfully, Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) ridiculously taught that Noah left the dinosaurs behind. Dr. Henry Morris III (1942-2020) insanely taught that Noah took baby dinosaurs aboard the ark and God stunted their growth. I am not kidding...lol. Folks, I hope you are not that gullible. There is nothing contradictory about believing that the earth is billions of years old. The human race is approximately 6,000 years old. I reject all forms of evolution. There is ample Scriptural evidence that dinosaurs lived long before mankind, that is, an old earth.

There are major scientific and theological problems with a young young.

Just because you may have been indoctrinated (brainwashed) all your life by places like Crown College, Pensacola Christian College, and other ridiculous Young Earth Creation institutions, or a local church pastored by one of their incompetent graduates, doesn't mean you've been told THE TRUTH. Here is an excellent resource of truth...

Without Form And Void

(Dr. Arthur C. Constance, 1910-1985)

Crown College is so foolish that they even have a Triceratops dinosaur at the doors of their Creation Museum. Dear reader, if you think dinosaurs lived 4,500 years ago, you might as well join the flat-earth crowd while you're at it. I am convinced that all Bible colleges do today is neuter the pastors of tomorrow. When the average ministerial student graduates from these horrible Bible colleges today—they errantly deny that we have an inspired King James Bible, they errantly think dinosaurs lived 4,500 years ago, and they errantly think repentance means you must be willing to forsake your sinful bad habits to get to Heaven. These are not competent pastors!

Honestly, if you think dinosaurs lived with humans and rode the ark in 2,348 BC (the accepted date of Noah's flood), I am worried about you. You've never thought this matter through. Please watch this intriguing Bible study series by Pastor Max Younce...

The Fallacy Of Young Earth Creationism | 2
(Dr. Max D. Younce, 1935-2023)

Sue The Fearful Tyrannosaurus In Chicago

In Proverbs 30:30, Solomon said that a lion is the "strongest among beasts." Have you ever seen the skeleton of a tyrannosaurus up close? I have! Sue (pictured below) is a famous tyrannosaurus which is displayed publicly at The Field Museum in Chicago. Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex stands approximately 13 feet tall at the hips and is one of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever discovered, measuring over 40 feet long.

If such an intriguing and fearful creature existed during Bible times, I seriously don't think Solomon would have wrote that “the lion” is the strongest of all beasts. This is just one of several dozen obvious evidences that dinosaurs didn't live with mankind, and that Young Earth Creation is a fallacy.

Sue The Tyrannosaurus

Luke 13:23 Has Been Corrupted In Many Modern Bible Revisions

2nd Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”

There are many minions of Satan today who are working to undermine God's Word. They didn't do it on purpose. Like nearly all servants of Satan, they have been deceived. That is the nature of deception, that you don't even realize you've been deceived. Mark Twain said: “It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” So true!

Case in point is Luke 13:23 in the modern Bible revisions:

King James Bible
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Berean Literal Bible
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are those being saved few?” And He said to them,

New American Standard Bible
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,

NASB 1995
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,

NASB 1977
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,

Legacy Standard Bible
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lord,” someone asked Him, “are there few being saved?” He said to them,

If you are a born again Christian dear reader, you are bot "being saved," you are saved. These modern English Bible revisions are dangerous. Words form sentences, sentences form thoughts, thoughts form doctrine. So, if you are using a corrupt Bible, your doctrine will also be corrupt. I cannot warn you enough to avoid the Devil's modern Bible perversions.

Beware Of Deadly Religious Modernism

1st Timothy 6:20-21, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”

"Modernism" in a biblical context refers to a theological movement that seeks to reconcile religious beliefs with modern scientific and philosophical ideas, often questioning traditional interpretations of the Holy Bible. It is characterized by a tendency to view the Scripture through the lens of contemporary thought, which can lead to a diminished authority of the inspired Holy Bible in some interpretations. Modernism is of the Devil.

A good example of religious modernism is when we hear so-called "experts" on television or social media teaching that prayer is a good "therapy." No, prayer is not a therapy! When you pray, a literal real God is listening. God is a person, just like you and me, who were created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). I do not believe in the "power of prayer," I believe in the power of God!

Modernism Denies A Miracle Working God

Years ago I purchase Cecil B. Demille's 1956 epic movie, 'THE TEN COMMANDMENTS,' starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner. Most people, like me, love the scene where God parts the Red Sea. As a child, that miraculous scene captivated me when I saw it on television. The DVD movie is narrated by historian Katherine Orrison, if you choose to turn on the commentary feature. I watched the entire 2:40 hour movie twice. First, I watched it in normal mode; and then I watched it again with the commentary turned on.

I was very disturbed as I listened to Katherine Orrison's horrible lack of faith in a miracle working God. All she does throughout the entire commentary is attempt to provide plausible natural excuses to discredit the miracles of God. This is modernism, which seeks to undermine the power of God! This 1956 movie (The Ten Commandments) was the 8th highest-grossing movie in North America for 2025, adjusted for inflation, amassing a gross revenue of $2,895,000,000. Wow! Sadly, the film's historian Katherine Orrison is a modernist, who has sinfully attributed all the the miracles in Egypt to natural causes, denying God's power.

Katherine Orrison suggests that the waters in Egypt turned red due to a nearby volcanic eruption that spewed colored lava, thus changing the water's color. She then speculates that the contaminated waters drove the frogs and locusts from their natural habitat into the Egyptian's homes, and that the volcanic rocks were toxic and killed wildlife, making the rivers to stink. The fiery hail is also attributed to volcanic activity.

It is tragic that people refuse to accept the Bible as literal. The Bible tells us that the waters in Egypt were turned into literal blood, not just given a red color. The Bible says that God cursed the Egyptians with painful boils all over their bodies, which a volcano did not do. Miss Orrison's lack of faith in a miracle working God is disgraceful in a movie that meant so much to Cecil B. Demille (1881-1959).

Mr. Demille believed that God could do the IMPOSSIBLE, and the good LORD still does today. Life itself is impossible without God. Look around you and you'll see the impossible. This universe would fall apart in seconds if God stopped doing the impossible. Acts 17:25 says that God giveth to all life and breath.

Our planet Earth is speeding through space around the sun at an astounding 67,100 mph. This speed is equivalent to traveling 18.6 miles per second! You could go from the United States to the Philippines in about 7 minutes. We don't feel it because we are traveling at the same speed, going along for the ride, just as you wouldn't feel the speed of a car speeding at 100 mph if you were a passenger. It is that wonderful 67,100 mph movement of the Earth that prevents our planet from being drawn into the sun by gravity. Only God could have designed our Solar System to be so intricately balanced, orderly and maintained. Only God's omnipotent power holds our Solar System together! Only a fool would dare say that all this just happened.

There is nothing any more evil than deliberately making a movie to deny the Savior, teaching that Jesus' virgin mother Mary was raped by a Roman soldier, blaspheming the Word of God. Paul Verhoeven is going to split Hell wide open the second he dies, and at age 74 (born 1938) he's not too far away from meeting His making. What a fool. These wicked Hollywood producers and directors aren't just making movies, they're indoctrinating society and turning people away from the Lord. Hundreds-of-millions of people are going to see JESUS OF NAZARETH when it comes out, and it will led many people further into despair and doubt. Romans 10:17 says faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

And likewise, foolishness like this leads people astray as Colossians 2:8 warns, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” The word “spoil” in Colossians 2:8 is the Greek word sulagogeo which means “to lead away as booty, that is, (figuratively) seduce.” Booty is goods or money obtained illegally.

Hence, Satan wants to seduce people away from Jesus Christ through philosophy and vain deceit, through worldly established principles (such as humanism and evolution) and the traditions of men. Notice that the Bible directs us to Jesus Christ. Amen! We learn about Jesus in the Scriptures, which is exactly what Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

I'm sick of hearing about the “therapy” of prayer. My friend, God answers prayer because He exists. Prayer is taught as a therapy because most people don't believe in a living real God who answers prayer, in a personal God who performs miracles. I know my God is real, and He can do anything! My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!

You Can Draw Near To Your Creator

A popular new age heathen mindset in today's wicked world is to merely claim to believe that “God” exists in all of nature, as an energy force, or that God exists in all of us; and not as an individual person that we can communicate with, trust in or get to know. Yet, the inspired Holy Bible teaches in James 4:8-10, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

But before you or anyone can draw near to God, you need to be born again. God loves you dear reader. We are all guilty sinners (Romans 3:10-23). That is why God gave humanity the Old Testament law, as a measuring stick by which when compared, we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:19-23). God sent His only begotten Son into the world, to die as a criminal on Calvary's cross to pay a debt of sin that He did not owe. Jesus paid our debt!

The Bible says that whereas no human being would ever sacrifice their life for an evil person, Jesus did (Romans 5:6-9). God demonstrated His unconditional love for each and every sinner on Calvary's cross. Please don't allow the corrupt New IFB led by hate preacher Steven Anderson to deceive you into thinking that we should hate unrepentant sinners for whom Christ died, human beings created in the very image of God.

Beware Of Modernism's Dismissal Of God's Truth

Modernists are continually trying to undermine God's Word, looking for ways to attribute divine miracles to natural events. Please don't eat the forbidden fruit! Don't take the bait.

It Is Impossible For A Christian To Be Demon Possessed

Luke 13:16, “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”

Beware of wacky Pentecostals and Charismatics who attribute all evil thoughts, mental issue, sickness and deeds as being caused by demon possession.

I lived on the island of Guam from 2004 to 2021. When I needed major neck surgery in 2009, the senior pastor of Victory Chapel church on Guam rudely and insensitively insulted me. I had come out of a restaurant and met the pastor and two of his female church members. I had a bandage on my neck from the surgery. The pastor cruelly told me that if I had been filled with the Holy Spirit that I wouldn't have needed my neck surgery. That hurt my feelings. What a rotten thing to say to another human being! Unlike him, I am a gentleman and didn't want to rebuke the foolish pastor in front of his church members. Plus, I have never been quick on my toes to respond to situations, so I run the risk of saying things I shouldn't say in frustration, so it is just best for me to stay quite and leave. So, that is what I did, but I've never forgot his ungodly insensitive insult. I don't like Charismatics, because they are arrogant and foolish.

Pentecostals and Charismatics all share three main heresies:

1. Salvation can be lost (which is a works-based counterfeit gospel)
2. Speaking in unbiblical tongues (which has its origin in witchcraft)
3. Fake healing crusades (no faith healer has ever emptied a hospital)

Without these Satanic practices and ideologies their false religion would cease to exist.

The Woman In Luke 13:16 Was Not Demon Possessed

Someone cited this passage of Scripture the other day in an attempt to teach that a Christian can be possessed by a demon. But dear reader, the Bible does not say the woman was demon possessed, it says that “Satan hath bound” her for 18 years.

Concerning Lucifer, we read:

Isaiah 14:13-17, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”

Carefully notice the last phrase telling us that Lucifer “opened not the house of his prisoners.” That doesn't mean his prisoners are demon possessed, it means Satan hath bound them, just like the unfortunate woman in Luke 13:16 whom “Satan hath bound” with sickness for 18 miserable years. Jesus said in John 10:10, “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.”

We know that God gave Satan permission to afflict Job's health with painful boils from head to toe. So, with God's permission Satan can cause health problems.

The Apostle Paul Was Not Demon Possessed

The confused man I mentioned earlier also claimed that Paul was demon possessed.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” We simply don't know what that messenger of Satan was. Some theologians think it refers to Paul's poor eyesight (Galatians 4:15), but the truth is that we just don't know. The phrase “the messenger of Satan” to me implies that Paul had a difficult enemy. It just doesn't seem plausible to me that poor eyesight, which is a natural part of growing older, would compel Paul to call something like that “the messenger of Satan.” It's definitely a mystery.

But again, the Bible does not tell us that the Apostle Paul was demon possessed. The Bible simply says that the Devil sent a messenger to afflict Paul, which God had allowed. Paul thought that God had given him a “thorn” to keep him humble, after being given an exclusive view into Heaven. Satan would have desired for Paul to be puffed up in pride. So, even though Paul said Satan sent him a messenger, it must have been God's will if it humbled Paul.

We read in 1st Corinthians 3:16-17, Romans 8:9 and 1st John 3:24 that the Christian's body is the literal “temple” of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. We also learn in Ephesians 1:13-14 that the moment we come as a guilty sinner by faith (taking God at His written Word)—to receive Christ's sacrificial death on the cross as full payment for our sins, believing that He was buried, but then resurrected the third day—we are forever “sealed” with the Holy Spirit. So, there is no way that a saint who is indwelt and sealed with God's Holy Spirit can simultaneously be possessed by a demon(s).

That being said, a Christian believer can be inspired by Satan. That is why in Matthew 16:23 Jesus called the Apostle Peter, “Satan.” Peter was not demon possessed, he had simply allowed some unbiblical thinking to invade his mind that agreed with Satan. Peter didn't want Jesus to go to the cross to die, which is exactly what Satan didn't want either. So, we must always be on guard as God's redeemed children, lest we start thinking like Satan. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

You Don't Have To Call Or Pray (Ask) To Get To Heaven

John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

I humbly agree with Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) that prayer is not necessary to be saved.

Dr. Jack Hyles on a 'Sinner's Prayer' for Salvation

Granted, it is natural for most converts to pray at the time of faith, but the Bible is very clear in Romans 10:14 that we are saved at the moment of FAITH, and not calling or praying (i.e., asking to be saved. When a sinner walks down a church aisle in response to a salvation invitation, they are simply going down front to find out what just happened. They were saved before they even left their pew, at the moment they BELIEVED the Gospel.

Having said that, I am opposed to pastors who require people to walk an aisle to learn how to go to Heaven. Every preacher should tell sinners how to be saved in their pew, regardless of whether they want to come forward. It is a grave sin to add an additional step to God's simple plan of salvation, when God only requires that someone BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST to be saved.

I don't know when I was saved. I didn't think to write it down. I remember a place, an experience and calling upon Jesus in faith to save me around 1979 or 1980. Since I know that I am saved, I do not worry about the year. But everyone should definitely remember a place and a time when you knew that you were a needy sinner, and you put your trust in Jesus as your personal Savior.

I learned a great truth from Pastor Bob Gray Sr. years ago, which is that Jesus does NOT forgive sin. Jesus has already paid for everyone's sins with His precious blood (1st Peter 1:18-19), which is why eternal life is offered to us as a “free gift” (Romans 5:15-18). A gift need only be taken, not merited. Dr. John MacArthur foolishly taught that salvation is an exchange, a trade of sorts. ...

“Thus in a sense we pay the ultimate price for salvation when our sinful self is nailed to a cross. ...It is an exchange of all that we are for all that Christ is. And it denotes implicit obedience, full surrender to the lordship of Christ. Nothing less can qualify as saving faith.” ('The Gospel According to Jesus,' p. 140)

Sadly, John MacArthur (1939-2025) is now burning in Hell forever without hope. His counterfeit plan of salvation that required "full surrender" to Christ's Lordship could not produce the required new birth to enter into God's Kingdom. We see this truth demonstrated in Matthew 7:21-23. They devoutly followed Jesus in dedicated service, but failed to ever rest in the finished redemptive work of Christ.

No, Mr. MacArthur, salvation is NOT an exchange of all that we are for all that Christ is; it is NOT a trade of sorts! It is a FREE GIFT! You don't have to "ask" for a gift, you simply receive it by faith (by taking God at His written Word), to accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, but then miraculously resurrected from the dead three days later. This is the true Gospel which saves according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-6.

I do not scold pastors for using the sinner's prayer. Even Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), who emphasizes in this sermon excerpt that you don't have to pray to get saved, chose to use a sinner's prayer in the Roman's Road presentation of the Gospel. So, I am okay with pastors using the sinner's prayer, providing that they explain it is faith and not prayer that saves a sinner, which is exactly what Brother Hyles is doing in this needful and helpful video excerpt.

When I got saved I worried for several years that I might not be saved. I was fearful because I was focusing on the sinner's prayer. Since I couldn't remember what I had prayed, I just figured I would ask God to save me again, and again, and again, and again for over 10 years, wallowing in needless fear, mental anguish, tears, frustration, uncertainty and worry. No one has ever properly presented God's simple plan of salvation to me. Although I knew that prayer does not save a man, faith does, I still associated getting saved with the sinner's prayer, and that effectively blocked my brain from seeing the simplicity that is in Christ.

I had stopped worrying about God's free gift of salvation long before I had finally obtained perfect peace that solidified my salvation beliefs from Pastor Max D. Younce's helpful book: “SALVATION AND THE PUBLIC INVITATION”...

https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/.../salvationandthepublic...

In this book, Dr. Younce strongly criticizes the needless practice of requiring sinners to walk down a church aisle to find out how to go to Heaven, which practice I hate. ...

https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/.../pastor_kurt_skelly.htm

God only knows how how people are burning in Hell forever, all because some selfish pastor refused to tell them how to be saved in their pew. The reason why Pastor Younce's book helped me so much is because I was saved in a pew. I had always felt guilty for being too shy to walk forward as a young teenager, wondering if it would have made a difference if I had that day.

In the years to follow I read Chick Tracts and every piece of religious literature I could get my hands on, searching for answers to settle my ongoing struggle with the assurance of God's free gift of salvation. Oh that I would have had this wonderful book by Michael P. Bowen, "I NEVER KNEW YOU," when I needed answers. This great book would have cleared my dark stormy skies...

https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/i_never_knew_you.pdf

I have not doubted my salvation in decades, because I now by God's wondrous grace fully comprehend His great plan of salvation. I gleaned this great quote from Brother Younce: "Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith." I love that truth!

So, I do not use the sinner's prayer, nor do I recommend that others use it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with accompanying one's faith with a sinner's prayer, which is essentially asking God to save you, and that is just fine. However, I do take offense and stand firmly against those preachers today who insist that you cannot be saved without praying or calling (asking) to go to Heaven. No such requirement is taught in the inspired King James Bible.

My ministry friend Onorato (Norm) Diamante on YouTube has been verbally attacked (by a particular pastor in Texas), called an "idiot" and "a child of the Devil" for faithfully preaching the biblical truth that you don't have to pray to be saved. Well, Pastor Jack Hyles and myself agree with Onorato.

There is no mention of the 3,000 sinners who were saved on the Day of Pentecost praying or asking to be saved, they simply "gladly received" Peter's Gospel message (Acts 2:41) and were born again.

Nor is there any mention of Cornelius and his companions calling, praying or asking to be saved, they simply believed the GOOD NEWS that they heard preached unto them and were converted (Acts 10:43-44; Galatians 3:2). Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

I have heard numerous preachers down play this issue, asking what's the big deal. But they are the one's making it a big deal, by denying that you can get to Heaven without asking, calling or praying to be saved. What saith the Scripture? 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟲:𝟰𝟳, “𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗛𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.”

And although Jesus did invite the Samaritan woman in John 4:10 to "ask" Him for the Living Water, there is not one mention in the remainder of the chapter about any of the Samaritans asking Jesus to save them. There is no mention of anyone "asking" to be saved, they simply believed on the dear Savior and were saved. Here is what we read...

John 4:39-42, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Let me give you a good illustration. Let's say that it is your birthday and I mail you a birthday present. It arrives by UPS on your birthday and you are holding the gift in your hands with excitement, anticipating what might be inside. Oh boy! Would you call me on the phone, or send me an email, asking if you can open your gift? No, of course not, that would be silly! So what in the world makes someone think that receiving a gift from God is any different? Why would you need to pray to ask God for a gift that He is already freely offering you?

In the cases of the 3,000 Jews saved at Pentecost in Acts 2, and Cornelius and his friends in Acts 10, and the Roman jailer in Acts 16:30-31—there is no mention of anyone "asking" to be saved, they simply believed on the dear Savior and were saved. Shame on any pastor who tries to make you feel bad or stupid for simply believing that faith is enough to get to Heaven.