I am reminded that "my methods" are not what brings people to Christ, all I am is the messenger, God uses it when we cannot see.
Never count on human "methods" to lead someone to Christ. Just obey the Holy Spirit and leave all the results to God.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 "…6 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.…"
Just keep going, don't allow anyone else tell you "how" you should do it, except the Holy Spirit. All of man's efforts to help God out in evangelism have been failures, because they were fleshly and not Spirit led. We know this because of the apostate condition of the gatherings today.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
The Expectations
I find it interesting that non-believers have a higher expectation of believers than they have for themselves. Sort of amusing because they really do practice the hypocrisy they accuse others of.
We do not claim to be perfect as believers, we claim to be saved by the blood in spite of our imperfections. The non-believer knows they are not perfect but will not admit it, the believer knows they are not perfect but have trusted the promises of God that He will make us and grow us into His image.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NASB)
"'8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
We do not claim to be perfect as believers, we claim to be saved by the blood in spite of our imperfections. The non-believer knows they are not perfect but will not admit it, the believer knows they are not perfect but have trusted the promises of God that He will make us and grow us into His image.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NASB)
"'8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Dominance and Intimidation is Sin
The problem with "group think" is that one must leave behind their own God given personality to become a clone of others.
Sadly far more people do this "group think" than those who who take the time to ponder the value of something. When we evaluate things we are more likely to use rational and responsible ways of dealing with life experiences.
God told us to become like minded as Christians, but that does not mean that we blindly follow anyone except Christ. It means that we each evaluate where something is truth or error together and come to a conclusion embracing truth.
In "group think" most people follow the leader of the pack without questioning. In like mindedness we are all testing things to see if they are of God, in short we are following Christ and sharing our knowledge or wisdom with others.
No one is perceived as better or smarter than anyone else, we all have talents and gifts differing from one another, that enhance the knowledge of others.
Controlling group leaders tend to intimidate others into do what they do, saying what they say while following them around like sad little puppies looking for some hint of approval from the ruler of the pack. The ruler tends to subjugate those in the pack, meaning they bring them under their domination expecting unquestioning obedience to them.
No one should allow anyone else to treat them in this disrespectful manner. God never described leaders in the church as those who dominate and control others through intimidation.
Here's the proof:
Matthew 20:25-28
"25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Sadly far more people do this "group think" than those who who take the time to ponder the value of something. When we evaluate things we are more likely to use rational and responsible ways of dealing with life experiences.
God told us to become like minded as Christians, but that does not mean that we blindly follow anyone except Christ. It means that we each evaluate where something is truth or error together and come to a conclusion embracing truth.
In "group think" most people follow the leader of the pack without questioning. In like mindedness we are all testing things to see if they are of God, in short we are following Christ and sharing our knowledge or wisdom with others.
No one is perceived as better or smarter than anyone else, we all have talents and gifts differing from one another, that enhance the knowledge of others.
Controlling group leaders tend to intimidate others into do what they do, saying what they say while following them around like sad little puppies looking for some hint of approval from the ruler of the pack. The ruler tends to subjugate those in the pack, meaning they bring them under their domination expecting unquestioning obedience to them.
No one should allow anyone else to treat them in this disrespectful manner. God never described leaders in the church as those who dominate and control others through intimidation.
Here's the proof:
Matthew 20:25-28
"25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
God's Definition of Narcissism
God's Definition of a Narcissist: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Every person comes into the world with an over evaluation of self. When we become born again that changes, the Lord puts into us His character, how we relate to others becomes the opposite of our nature bent toward sin. Those who do not change their elevated view of their own importance, have not been born again. In order to become born again one must know they are sinful and want to be changed by Christ. Only then will He change us into a new creation.
Those who claim to be Christians but live as they have always lived, prideful, selfish and mean, have not become born again. They must evaluate themselves in truth, instead of hanging onto fantasies of their own greatness. God will remove from the born again believer any sense of self importance and replace it with compassion and love, toward Him first and then toward others.
"Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
The Mayo Clinic Definition of a narcissist:
"Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:
Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerate achievements and talents
Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
Take advantage of others to get what they want
Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
Be envious of others and believe others envy them
Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office
At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:
Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment
Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation"
It is clear that those who walk in pride know something is wrong with them, this is the reason they hide their real selves, they know they are not walking in truth, all their goodness on the outside is not what is going on, in the inside. They have to pretend what they are not, but must also work to hide their authentic self. This suggests to me they know their own sinfulness, but the desire to control others is the dominate sin in their life,that overpowers any desire to be an authentically kind person.
For the narcissists perception is all that matters, authenticity is not very important.
When we become born again we hate those old human traits of selfishness, we are humbled and want to become Christ like. Often the habits of someone will carry over into the born again experience, God will deal with them through humbling experiences that show them a need for confession and transformation.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
"2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Every person comes into the world with an over evaluation of self. When we become born again that changes, the Lord puts into us His character, how we relate to others becomes the opposite of our nature bent toward sin. Those who do not change their elevated view of their own importance, have not been born again. In order to become born again one must know they are sinful and want to be changed by Christ. Only then will He change us into a new creation.
Those who claim to be Christians but live as they have always lived, prideful, selfish and mean, have not become born again. They must evaluate themselves in truth, instead of hanging onto fantasies of their own greatness. God will remove from the born again believer any sense of self importance and replace it with compassion and love, toward Him first and then toward others.
"Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
The Mayo Clinic Definition of a narcissist:
"Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:
Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerate achievements and talents
Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
Take advantage of others to get what they want
Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
Be envious of others and believe others envy them
Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office
At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:
Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment
Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation"
It is clear that those who walk in pride know something is wrong with them, this is the reason they hide their real selves, they know they are not walking in truth, all their goodness on the outside is not what is going on, in the inside. They have to pretend what they are not, but must also work to hide their authentic self. This suggests to me they know their own sinfulness, but the desire to control others is the dominate sin in their life,that overpowers any desire to be an authentically kind person.
For the narcissists perception is all that matters, authenticity is not very important.
When we become born again we hate those old human traits of selfishness, we are humbled and want to become Christ like. Often the habits of someone will carry over into the born again experience, God will deal with them through humbling experiences that show them a need for confession and transformation.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
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