Thursday, May 21, 2015
Elder Orphans.....a Sad Term!
Our culture is going down the slide at break neck speed because of the violations of the principle of honoring father and mother, caring for aging parents. We have a new term that has been coined lately...sort of sad....."elder orphans." This term refers to elderly people who have no children to take care of them when they are too old to care for themselves. I am sad that there is even a need for such a term.
A Narcissist is not capable of love!
I have also noticed that these people almost never laugh except when they see someone else fail in some way. They will laugh when their target falls on the stairs, but see no humor in a joke someone else makes that everyone else is laughing at and is truly funny. The need to be the center of attention does not afford them the luxury of validating anyone else by laughing at their joke or engaging in happiness with someone else.
The narcs that I have met criticise everything about the person who has challenged them in some way, an effort to get them to respond in an emotional way, so they can feel elevated.
Narcissists have unpredicted outbursts of anger to intimidate others, leaving them with the sense that they are superior. Rejecting anything good others do is a common tactic of the narcissist, validating those that will not elevate the narc, is unthinkable to them.
The best thing to do with these people is to ignore their outbursts, nagging and devaluing, responding is counted as the narcs win over their target.
God said not to answer a fool according to their folly, it is not only a waste of time but also feeds their perverted need to upset their target.
God also says to avoid divisive people, narcs are divisive, their intent is to ruin the relationships and reputation of their target. These tactics can be covert or overt, the narc is careful to cloak his actions in the presence of those he wants to impress, and overt when there is no one around to notice what is going on.
God clearly tells us to avoid these people if at all possible. They offer nothing in the way of friendship or companionship. 2 Timothy 3 is a description of them, their numbers are growing in these end times. We have no obligation to remain in their lives, in fact God tells us to remove ourselves from them.
"Avoid such men as these" 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
The narcs that I have met criticise everything about the person who has challenged them in some way, an effort to get them to respond in an emotional way, so they can feel elevated.
Narcissists have unpredicted outbursts of anger to intimidate others, leaving them with the sense that they are superior. Rejecting anything good others do is a common tactic of the narcissist, validating those that will not elevate the narc, is unthinkable to them.
The best thing to do with these people is to ignore their outbursts, nagging and devaluing, responding is counted as the narcs win over their target.
God said not to answer a fool according to their folly, it is not only a waste of time but also feeds their perverted need to upset their target.
God also says to avoid divisive people, narcs are divisive, their intent is to ruin the relationships and reputation of their target. These tactics can be covert or overt, the narc is careful to cloak his actions in the presence of those he wants to impress, and overt when there is no one around to notice what is going on.
God clearly tells us to avoid these people if at all possible. They offer nothing in the way of friendship or companionship. 2 Timothy 3 is a description of them, their numbers are growing in these end times. We have no obligation to remain in their lives, in fact God tells us to remove ourselves from them.
"Avoid such men as these" 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
Comparing Ourselves With Each Other Is Sin
Those who are working real hard in the flesh to be what they think is godliness, will not develop it, but they will become very prideful, comparing themselves with others, judging many things that are unimportant, while elevating self.
2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding."
2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding."
Relationship Not Rules
When our "religion" is based on a set of rules rather than Christ Himself, there will be no growing in holiness only burdensome human rules that have little value. Christ is everything, He is the one to seek not the rules.
When we are seeking the Person of Christ, He will work wonders in our hearts that we could never do ourselves.
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
When we are seeking the Person of Christ, He will work wonders in our hearts that we could never do ourselves.
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Walking in the Spirit Takes Training
So many believers do not know what it is to "walk in the Spirit." Nor do they know what it is to hear the Holy Spirit when He speaks. Everyday we are faced with situations in life that impact us and others, while either glorifying God or negating Him.
If we are walking in the Spirit, continually in tune with His leading, we will know the right things to do and be, and it will glorify God. However, we must know His Word, the Bible, to be sure it is Him speaking to us. In order to forge ahead in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must be praying continually. Everything we hear from Him will be completely in agreement with His Word, the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If we do not know His Word we cannot be sure it is the Holy Spirit speaking, Satan comes as an angel of light to deceive and destroy. Our minds are being frequently bombarded with worldly ideas and concepts through media, family and friends, to such a degree that we will be confused about truth unless we are saturated with Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Unless we spend more time in the word of God and prayer than we do in the things of this world, we will be fooled, and so many have been.
Innumerable Christians have beliefs not in line with the Word, because more time is spent with ungodly and worldly people than with the godly, that truth is veiled in lies by the deceiver. When we think something sounds like truth and much error does, we must go to the Bible to compare ideas and obey what God says no matter how many people don't agree and no matter how wonderful the erring concept sounds.
2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
So what is the answer to all of this? The answer is to seek the Holy Spirit for truth through prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. Do not neglect either of these elements, without prayer we can read the Bible and still interpret things our own way. The Holy Spirit need to enlighten the Word for us and speak to us.
Lastly, it is not good to read the Word, hear the Holy Spirit and disobey what we know. When we go to the Word and the Holy Spirit we must be determined to obey what He tells us. Our heart must be so saturated with Him that discernment runs through every part of our being. If we are obeying God, reading and praying we will see the truth of many things quickly.
1 John 4:1 "4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Philippians 1:9-10 "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;"
Hebrews 5:14 "14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
Galatians 5:16-26
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."
Discernment is a matter of training. There are "Christians" who are not trained in the Word, because they are not concerned about truth. I place the word "Christians" in quotes to demonstrate that there is a difference between born again believers and pretenders who only think they are saved but have not had a born again experience.
Most of modern theology is liberally peppered with cultural norms that are not Scriptural. The only way to discern truth from error is to know the Word and walk by the Spirit. Remember, if we do this, we will be rejected, often by those who should love us, but love the world more than they love God.
Do not be dismayed by the realization that you may lose family and friends when you begin to grow in holiness, God told us it would be that way, and glory to Him, we are more blessed with it, than we would be if the world loved us.
John 15:19 ""If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."
Psalm 1:1-6 "1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish"
Our joy and our blessings come from God, nothing in this world has any pull on us when our hope is in glory!!!!
If we are walking in the Spirit, continually in tune with His leading, we will know the right things to do and be, and it will glorify God. However, we must know His Word, the Bible, to be sure it is Him speaking to us. In order to forge ahead in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must be praying continually. Everything we hear from Him will be completely in agreement with His Word, the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If we do not know His Word we cannot be sure it is the Holy Spirit speaking, Satan comes as an angel of light to deceive and destroy. Our minds are being frequently bombarded with worldly ideas and concepts through media, family and friends, to such a degree that we will be confused about truth unless we are saturated with Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Unless we spend more time in the word of God and prayer than we do in the things of this world, we will be fooled, and so many have been.
Innumerable Christians have beliefs not in line with the Word, because more time is spent with ungodly and worldly people than with the godly, that truth is veiled in lies by the deceiver. When we think something sounds like truth and much error does, we must go to the Bible to compare ideas and obey what God says no matter how many people don't agree and no matter how wonderful the erring concept sounds.
2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
So what is the answer to all of this? The answer is to seek the Holy Spirit for truth through prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. Do not neglect either of these elements, without prayer we can read the Bible and still interpret things our own way. The Holy Spirit need to enlighten the Word for us and speak to us.
Lastly, it is not good to read the Word, hear the Holy Spirit and disobey what we know. When we go to the Word and the Holy Spirit we must be determined to obey what He tells us. Our heart must be so saturated with Him that discernment runs through every part of our being. If we are obeying God, reading and praying we will see the truth of many things quickly.
1 John 4:1 "4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Philippians 1:9-10 "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;"
Hebrews 5:14 "14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
Galatians 5:16-26
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."
Discernment is a matter of training. There are "Christians" who are not trained in the Word, because they are not concerned about truth. I place the word "Christians" in quotes to demonstrate that there is a difference between born again believers and pretenders who only think they are saved but have not had a born again experience.
Most of modern theology is liberally peppered with cultural norms that are not Scriptural. The only way to discern truth from error is to know the Word and walk by the Spirit. Remember, if we do this, we will be rejected, often by those who should love us, but love the world more than they love God.
Do not be dismayed by the realization that you may lose family and friends when you begin to grow in holiness, God told us it would be that way, and glory to Him, we are more blessed with it, than we would be if the world loved us.
John 15:19 ""If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."
Psalm 1:1-6 "1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish"
Our joy and our blessings come from God, nothing in this world has any pull on us when our hope is in glory!!!!
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