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?"
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Feelings Deceive
"Feelings are much more powerful than our rational mind."
Isaiah Henkel
This is the reason I am convinced that the devil can create jealousy and angry actions within us during our most emotional times.
"Feelings" come and go, they are not reality or based on facts. Since they can be easily manipulated by others and by difficulties in life, we must make "choices" to evaluate our own feelings to see if they are accurate or something we should ignore entirely.
The evidence that feelings are not accurate is seen when we watch a heart wrenching movie. Sometimes we cry during a movie that has tender or profound events in them, but the story is not real, its acting and has not happened to us, and yet we cry. Our feelings are telling us that the movie events are happening to us, but they are not.
When someones says something to us or does something for us we can interpret what is said or done in terms of our own feelings at the time, often having nothing to do with what was meant by the words or actions of the other person.
When someone is held in low regard or with contempt, everything they do will be seen as bad or stupid. When someone is held in high regard and in godlike status, everything they do will be seen as special and perfect.
If someone is an angry person they may interpret an instruction meant to be helpful, negatively because they are expecting praise, the instruction is perceived as demeaning or mocking when it was not at all intended to convey this.
A joyful person who is not angry or in a bad mood will hear the same instruction as the angry person, but receive it with thanks, feeling the instruction was very helpful.
When pride and jealousy are present in someone, they are far more likely to interpret everything as an insult when it comes from the person for whom they have contempt.
When we can interpret things in truth rather than being led by feelings, we will be able to discern the intent in our interactions with others.
Selfish and indulgent parents who have a "golden child", the favored one who can do no wrong and a "scapegoat child", the one who can do no right, they are interpreting their likes and dislikes toward the children based on their feelings.
No one is all bad or all good, but the selfish parent will believe by their feelings that one child is accepted and the other not, based on how they feel around that child. There can be no sensible and rational evaluation of the needs of the children when they have been assigned roles based on feelings.
The Golden child makes the selfish parent feel special by his continual agreement with the parent. The Scapegoat child is devalued because he has an authentic personality not dictated by what others want him to be. Selfish parents are continually dominated by feelings over reality.
Selfish parents want their children to be just like them, thinking like them, walking like them without a sense of individual personality. Often the favored child becomes a narcissist because he or she is indulged and praised excessively in the family, they grow up to expect this in their adult years.
The scapegoated child is excessively mocked, demeaned and devalued to the point of causing doubt in them, making them believe they are incapable of success.
The subject of this post is mostly concerned with feelings. When we are dominated and motivated by feelings we will not only make mistakes we will destroy relationships and inhibit progress in spiritual growth
The Golden child "feels" a sense of superiority, that in reality does not support reality. His feelings leave him assessing his activities as highly successful when in truth they are not nearly as productive as the golden child chooses to believe.
The Scapegoat child "feels" a sense of inferiority that in reality does not support reality. Often the scapegoat believes their accomplishments are not worthy of mention or encouragement, this is what they have been trained to believe about themselves by narcissistic parents.
When an entire culture has moved from the rational to the irrational, we will see an emphasis on feelings that defy reality. Silly and petty actions and reactions will be the norm, welcome to our world now.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
Isaiah Henkel
This is the reason I am convinced that the devil can create jealousy and angry actions within us during our most emotional times.
"Feelings" come and go, they are not reality or based on facts. Since they can be easily manipulated by others and by difficulties in life, we must make "choices" to evaluate our own feelings to see if they are accurate or something we should ignore entirely.
The evidence that feelings are not accurate is seen when we watch a heart wrenching movie. Sometimes we cry during a movie that has tender or profound events in them, but the story is not real, its acting and has not happened to us, and yet we cry. Our feelings are telling us that the movie events are happening to us, but they are not.
When someones says something to us or does something for us we can interpret what is said or done in terms of our own feelings at the time, often having nothing to do with what was meant by the words or actions of the other person.
When someone is held in low regard or with contempt, everything they do will be seen as bad or stupid. When someone is held in high regard and in godlike status, everything they do will be seen as special and perfect.
If someone is an angry person they may interpret an instruction meant to be helpful, negatively because they are expecting praise, the instruction is perceived as demeaning or mocking when it was not at all intended to convey this.
A joyful person who is not angry or in a bad mood will hear the same instruction as the angry person, but receive it with thanks, feeling the instruction was very helpful.
When pride and jealousy are present in someone, they are far more likely to interpret everything as an insult when it comes from the person for whom they have contempt.
When we can interpret things in truth rather than being led by feelings, we will be able to discern the intent in our interactions with others.
Selfish and indulgent parents who have a "golden child", the favored one who can do no wrong and a "scapegoat child", the one who can do no right, they are interpreting their likes and dislikes toward the children based on their feelings.
No one is all bad or all good, but the selfish parent will believe by their feelings that one child is accepted and the other not, based on how they feel around that child. There can be no sensible and rational evaluation of the needs of the children when they have been assigned roles based on feelings.
The Golden child makes the selfish parent feel special by his continual agreement with the parent. The Scapegoat child is devalued because he has an authentic personality not dictated by what others want him to be. Selfish parents are continually dominated by feelings over reality.
Selfish parents want their children to be just like them, thinking like them, walking like them without a sense of individual personality. Often the favored child becomes a narcissist because he or she is indulged and praised excessively in the family, they grow up to expect this in their adult years.
The scapegoated child is excessively mocked, demeaned and devalued to the point of causing doubt in them, making them believe they are incapable of success.
The subject of this post is mostly concerned with feelings. When we are dominated and motivated by feelings we will not only make mistakes we will destroy relationships and inhibit progress in spiritual growth
The Golden child "feels" a sense of superiority, that in reality does not support reality. His feelings leave him assessing his activities as highly successful when in truth they are not nearly as productive as the golden child chooses to believe.
The Scapegoat child "feels" a sense of inferiority that in reality does not support reality. Often the scapegoat believes their accomplishments are not worthy of mention or encouragement, this is what they have been trained to believe about themselves by narcissistic parents.
When an entire culture has moved from the rational to the irrational, we will see an emphasis on feelings that defy reality. Silly and petty actions and reactions will be the norm, welcome to our world now.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
Jealousy Destroys Relationship and Success
This is a Biblical concept, the idea that we should evaluate ourselves in order to see what needs fixing is pleasing to God. Even asking Him to show us our blind spots will allow us to grow spiritually and emotionally. It is common for relationships to be destroyed because someone is leaning into irrational emotions or jealousy which are not rational. I have been convinced that devils place thoughts in our heads and heighten our emotions to cause us to react in ways that are not only irrational but destructive.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
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Thursday, April 5, 2018
They Attack the Truth Teller
Rebellious hearts are not satisfied with rejecting truth, they must attack the truth teller.
Matthew 5:10-12 "…10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and celebrate, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.…"
Matthew 5:10-12 "…10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and celebrate, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.…"
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