There are those in our country who think we are persecuted as believers.
I think more accurately we are rejected and punished, I wouldn't call it persecution.
Persecution seems more like it would be murder, beheading, torture, imprisonment and loss of the ability to make a living. What we experience in the United States is not severe just mildly irritating.
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Judge Yourself
We can judge our own hearts by our responses to chastisement.
If the response to a chastisement is anger then perhaps we have pride that needs to be dealt with.
If the response to chastisement is humility and a desire to make things right again through confession and apology, then perhaps we are a person who will grow in spiritual stature.
Anyone who resists a correction with anger or rage is not going to grow emotionally or spiritually.
Our responses give us away!
If the response to a chastisement is anger then perhaps we have pride that needs to be dealt with.
If the response to chastisement is humility and a desire to make things right again through confession and apology, then perhaps we are a person who will grow in spiritual stature.
Anyone who resists a correction with anger or rage is not going to grow emotionally or spiritually.
Our responses give us away!
Authentic or a Pretender
John 3:16-17
"16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
God died to pay the debt for our sin, the debt that required the shedding of blood in payment.
The conditions for appropriating this salvation is to just believe on Him.
We simply believe and He comes to live in us beginning the process of changing us.
We are instantly a new creation. No longer thinking the way we did before, changing our response to life.
This change is observed by those around us. If there has not been a change then there has not been a born again experience.
The condition required to believe is too easy for most people. The pride of man causes them to desire to be good without having to trust anyone else but themselves. They want to participate in their own salvation so as not to let go of their personal power.
The pride in mankind prevents the relinquishing self control to God.
There are those who become a Christian in order to be accepted by good people, not because they know they are sinful.
Unless there is confession of sinfulness there cannot be salvation. Joining a Christian church to be validated by good people is not a means to salvation. All those who have entered church gatherings because they like the lifestyle better or they enjoy the good people in those gatherings more than the company of evil people remain self focused and willful rather than Christ focused and submissive to Him.
Appearances are at the root of pretentious pretenders. They will follow some rules of the gathering but will not submit to the principles of Christ as spoken of in the Scriptures. Self is still on the throne in these individuals.
I fear that most church gatherings are full of these self satisfied pretenders.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
These passages describe those who have "a form of religion" but deny Christ and His principles by their lifestyles and attitudes.
It is only when Christ changes us that we are changed on the inside permanently. The change is a heart and spiritual change that no man can make through his own effort. The change is a work of God not of the flesh of man.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
The change in us that God creates is authentic, spiritual and permanent. The cleansing continues to the end of our existence on this earth. When we stray He disciplines his children to bring us back to obedience. The key to understanding this is that we know when we have done wrong, it plagues us until we confess.
In the pretender there is no guilt or conscience over sinfulness, there is only a defensive posture if ever confronted with their sin.
This is one way we can see the pretender for what they are and the authentic person for what they are, the difference is undeniable to the discerning eye.
God said this to believers: 1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
He told us we would be disciplined in the following passages;
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?"
The pretender defends their sin and fights against spiritual chastisement and growth.
The believe is ashamed of their sin and desires to be cleansed by God.
"16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
God died to pay the debt for our sin, the debt that required the shedding of blood in payment.
The conditions for appropriating this salvation is to just believe on Him.
We simply believe and He comes to live in us beginning the process of changing us.
We are instantly a new creation. No longer thinking the way we did before, changing our response to life.
This change is observed by those around us. If there has not been a change then there has not been a born again experience.
The condition required to believe is too easy for most people. The pride of man causes them to desire to be good without having to trust anyone else but themselves. They want to participate in their own salvation so as not to let go of their personal power.
The pride in mankind prevents the relinquishing self control to God.
There are those who become a Christian in order to be accepted by good people, not because they know they are sinful.
Unless there is confession of sinfulness there cannot be salvation. Joining a Christian church to be validated by good people is not a means to salvation. All those who have entered church gatherings because they like the lifestyle better or they enjoy the good people in those gatherings more than the company of evil people remain self focused and willful rather than Christ focused and submissive to Him.
Appearances are at the root of pretentious pretenders. They will follow some rules of the gathering but will not submit to the principles of Christ as spoken of in the Scriptures. Self is still on the throne in these individuals.
I fear that most church gatherings are full of these self satisfied pretenders.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
These passages describe those who have "a form of religion" but deny Christ and His principles by their lifestyles and attitudes.
It is only when Christ changes us that we are changed on the inside permanently. The change is a heart and spiritual change that no man can make through his own effort. The change is a work of God not of the flesh of man.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
The change in us that God creates is authentic, spiritual and permanent. The cleansing continues to the end of our existence on this earth. When we stray He disciplines his children to bring us back to obedience. The key to understanding this is that we know when we have done wrong, it plagues us until we confess.
In the pretender there is no guilt or conscience over sinfulness, there is only a defensive posture if ever confronted with their sin.
This is one way we can see the pretender for what they are and the authentic person for what they are, the difference is undeniable to the discerning eye.
God said this to believers: 1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
He told us we would be disciplined in the following passages;
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?"
The pretender defends their sin and fights against spiritual chastisement and growth.
The believe is ashamed of their sin and desires to be cleansed by God.
Classy or Authentic?
The narcissist feels guilt when they do something wrong or unkind, but not for the same reason as a normal person feels guilt.
A normal person feels guilt that they harmed someone in some way.
The narcissist feels guilt that others may view them in a bad light when they do something wrong or mean.
In other words the normal person doesn't like to harm others even if no one is looking, they have empathy for those around them.
The narcissist does not have empathy so they only feel bad if others will view them as a bad person. If no one acts like they are offended by the narcissist, the narcissist will not feel bad for doing mean things to those for whom they have contempt.
This is why narcissists hide their mean actions from those they want to impress. They only reveal their mean side to those they think are beneath them and in secret so others don't see or notice.
This mentality of guiltlessness is growing in these last days of 2 Timothy 3. So many people are more interested in impressing people than they are in their own character qualities.
Character is not very important to the narcissist only appearances matter to them.
If someone looks good on the outside, does all the popular things, wears all the popular quality clothing as well as engaging in the activities that wow others, they are counted as "classy"." These classy people don't have to have much character or any other skills that define them as long as the outside appears pleasing to the clique.
This is where cliques reside, in the realm of superficiality based on outward appearances, substance is not very important to the narcissistic clique.
Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
John 7:24 "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
So many people are throwing around the mantra; "don't judge" while they continue to judge people as good because of outward appearances. We are to judge sin that's clear in the Bible, but we are not to hold someone in high regard because of their clothing, their popular activities or their personal accomplishments. We are to see the character of the man based on Biblical standards and judge that.
When we discover we are surrounded by superficial people who praise and flatter one another, it is time to find a new set of friends. Flatter and praise brings a snare, even keeping us connected to those who have no interest in our spiritual growth or walk with Christ.
Psalm 5:9
"For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction is within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice flattery."
Flatter and praise will bring you lots of friends, but the truth will chase them away.
Proverbs 26:28
"A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin."
Flattery and praise is deeply connected to lying. Most flattery and praise are done to manipulate and control others.
When the flattery and praise stops the superficial clique minded people suddenly disappear. Let them go, they bring nothing of value to the relationship. It is one thing to encourage in a godly way, that is different from manipulative superficial praise and flattery.
Proverbs 28:23
"He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue."
There are many more verses that describe a quality relationship. One that is real, honest and kind. We love to encourage one another on things that matter, on accomplishments to share in the joy of our friend. This is godly to share our friends joys and difficulties.
Love in someone causes them to share everything and receive everything from our friend. All sides of life are experienced together will make the bond stronger and relieve the pressure of the one sharing. We are to be there for one another in a very real and honest way, without pretense and superficiality.
That's what friends are like!!!!!!
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
A normal person feels guilt that they harmed someone in some way.
The narcissist feels guilt that others may view them in a bad light when they do something wrong or mean.
In other words the normal person doesn't like to harm others even if no one is looking, they have empathy for those around them.
The narcissist does not have empathy so they only feel bad if others will view them as a bad person. If no one acts like they are offended by the narcissist, the narcissist will not feel bad for doing mean things to those for whom they have contempt.
This is why narcissists hide their mean actions from those they want to impress. They only reveal their mean side to those they think are beneath them and in secret so others don't see or notice.
This mentality of guiltlessness is growing in these last days of 2 Timothy 3. So many people are more interested in impressing people than they are in their own character qualities.
Character is not very important to the narcissist only appearances matter to them.
If someone looks good on the outside, does all the popular things, wears all the popular quality clothing as well as engaging in the activities that wow others, they are counted as "classy"." These classy people don't have to have much character or any other skills that define them as long as the outside appears pleasing to the clique.
This is where cliques reside, in the realm of superficiality based on outward appearances, substance is not very important to the narcissistic clique.
Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
John 7:24 "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
So many people are throwing around the mantra; "don't judge" while they continue to judge people as good because of outward appearances. We are to judge sin that's clear in the Bible, but we are not to hold someone in high regard because of their clothing, their popular activities or their personal accomplishments. We are to see the character of the man based on Biblical standards and judge that.
When we discover we are surrounded by superficial people who praise and flatter one another, it is time to find a new set of friends. Flatter and praise brings a snare, even keeping us connected to those who have no interest in our spiritual growth or walk with Christ.
Psalm 5:9
"For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction is within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice flattery."
Flatter and praise will bring you lots of friends, but the truth will chase them away.
Proverbs 26:28
"A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin."
Flattery and praise is deeply connected to lying. Most flattery and praise are done to manipulate and control others.
When the flattery and praise stops the superficial clique minded people suddenly disappear. Let them go, they bring nothing of value to the relationship. It is one thing to encourage in a godly way, that is different from manipulative superficial praise and flattery.
Proverbs 28:23
"He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue."
There are many more verses that describe a quality relationship. One that is real, honest and kind. We love to encourage one another on things that matter, on accomplishments to share in the joy of our friend. This is godly to share our friends joys and difficulties.
Love in someone causes them to share everything and receive everything from our friend. All sides of life are experienced together will make the bond stronger and relieve the pressure of the one sharing. We are to be there for one another in a very real and honest way, without pretense and superficiality.
That's what friends are like!!!!!!
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
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