While I was at the check out stand today a woman behind the counter referred to some treats I was buying. She laughed and asked me if the treat was for after Christmas. I also laughed and said, "I don't celebrate it anymore."
The Cashiers eyes got big and she proclaimed, "I don't either." She said she was tired of all the foolishness, the ungratefulness and the constant drama. Even those who don't speak about Christ are seeing how ugly the holidays have become for most people. Since it is not about Christ there will be no restraint in human unkindness.
As we progressed in our conversation I spoke out that the children today are disrespectful and mean spirited. I said that I never spoke to my parents the way my children, their spouses and the grandchildren have spoken to me. The cashier and the lady in line behind me were shaking their heads in agreement. Then the lady behind me spoke, she said she has never seen so much disrespect as she is seeing now. Even those children who would say they are respectful think its about a gift given but there remains no respect for the wisdom of the parents.
To my astonishment the cashier said she had to spank her grandchild the other day because was repeatedly using the "f" word in rebellion against her. That wasn't bad enough but this child was only six years old. Where does a six year old learn words like that, we didn't even know those words when we were children.
I am going to say; "I TOLD YOU SO" to all those Christians, school teachers and church leaders who were teaching self esteem to the children for the past 40 years. I disagreed 40 years ago that a child should not be taught to think about loving himself. Children are naturally self centered, there is no need to teach that. I also said back then that we ought to be teaching children to think of others.
How is all this "self esteem" and "self love" working out for us. It's not, it has created a monster that cannot be eliminated this side of heaven outside of brokenness and repentance.
But how do we get this across when no one will listen and those raising children are convinced they are right.
Sadly the parents of children now are selfish by example, no matter what they say, their children are watching the selfishness, lack of submission one to another and are following their parents example.
Don't even bother coming to me to say the parents aren't selfish!!!! Just look at the divorce rate, the remarriage rate and the abortion rate, these are clear indicators of the selfishness of this world. Not to mention the filthy words emerging from little mouths.
I want to say to those who fought with me about this matter of self esteem, "look what you have done, you have destroyed families. Any witness about God is gone. The entire system of government is being destroyed. The grandchildren coming up are thinking they are above everyone else as well as feeling entitled to the things of others that they never earned."
Anyone who taught their children to love themselves, either by words or example, have been complicit with the devil in his plan to destroy everyone.
Guess what! I think we should spend our children's inheritance. There is no command in the Bible to leave anything to children, so we are free to choose whether or not we want to leave anything to them. Giving them money is not a measure of our love, but it may be more loving to withhold money.
They didn't honor us or believe us, it makes sense they should get nothing from us. This is how God operates, He will not have an inheritance for those that do not honor and love Him. When we give things to selfish people we merely empower and facilitate their nasty attitude.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD."
We need to stop empowering and rewarding evil behavior. And YES, disrespect and disregard for elders is evil. Leaving an inheritance to wicked children who do not love you, will not cause them to become better people, it will not change their heart. It might be that not receiving one would leave them in the consequences of their sin allowing them to see that they are in need of Christ.
Feeling the compulsion to leave an inheritance is based on far too elevated view of money. As though money will solve all their bad attitudes and money problems.
In Proverbs 6:20-23, "God’s Word tells us to pay attention to our fathers and to listen to our mothers. We are to hold their instructions in our hearts and tie them around our necks. In return, we receive guidance, protection, teaching and discipline—four ingredients no one can afford to live without. This command is certainly not a simple suggestion from God! It is a very serious exhortation to all of us."
There is barely any adult child or grandchild in this generation who understands this matter of honor. The way to know what it looks like is to pray that God forgive you for your dishonor and ask to be turned into Christ likeness.
It might be good too for all those people who used elements of the self esteem teaching in the raising of their children, to repent, asking forgiveness for believing the lies of the devil instead of consulting God. You will not find one passage in Scripture that promotes self love.
The best gift we can leave our children after we are dead is a Bible! That's it, if that's all they get that's all they need.
Just a thought: It might be good to leave our inheritance to those who loved us, loved God and will use it in responsible ways while glorifying God with it. Or use up all the inheritance if so led by the Holy Spirit. No guilt no foul!
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Praise, Flattery and Encouragement, Definitions
Praise is for God and is associated with worship.
Flattery is manipulation producing and building pride.
Encouragement is help to go or continue in the right way.
When we define terms we can more easily see how this culture has defined God's principles erroneously, causing arrogance in many.
Flattery is manipulation producing and building pride.
Encouragement is help to go or continue in the right way.
When we define terms we can more easily see how this culture has defined God's principles erroneously, causing arrogance in many.
Praise and Worship God Alone
Anger at God only hurts you it doesn't hurt God. God is not motivated to do what we want because of our anger.
Anger shows our foolish stubborn heart that wants to have its own way. A little like a six year old bratty child having a tantrum when Mommy makes a decision that the child does not like.
The anger demonstrates rebellion in the heart of someone who thinks they know better than God what should be done.
We must humble up to be able to approach God with a thankful and pliable heart. A prideful person cannot do this and will miss many blessings and especially spiritual growth.
Matthew 10:26-39
"26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."
When we fear the acceptance of man more than God, we have idols. If you obey others who have bad doctrine, elevating them because of their human degrees and titles, then you have an idol that must be removed from your heart.
We love people, we enjoy Christian fellowship, but we do not place any man or woman on the level of godlike status. When this happens we will not see truth when God shows it to us. We will go to humans instead of God for our answers. Wisdom dies when we place people on the same level with God.
Praise and worship is only for God. Boasting about others to elevate ourselves is sin, its rooted in pride. Encouragement is not praise.
Galatians 6:14 "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died."
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
Praise is for God and is associated with worship
Flattery is manipulation and builds pride
Encouragement is help to go the right way or to continue in the
right way
Anger shows our foolish stubborn heart that wants to have its own way. A little like a six year old bratty child having a tantrum when Mommy makes a decision that the child does not like.
The anger demonstrates rebellion in the heart of someone who thinks they know better than God what should be done.
We must humble up to be able to approach God with a thankful and pliable heart. A prideful person cannot do this and will miss many blessings and especially spiritual growth.
Matthew 10:26-39
"26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."
When we fear the acceptance of man more than God, we have idols. If you obey others who have bad doctrine, elevating them because of their human degrees and titles, then you have an idol that must be removed from your heart.
We love people, we enjoy Christian fellowship, but we do not place any man or woman on the level of godlike status. When this happens we will not see truth when God shows it to us. We will go to humans instead of God for our answers. Wisdom dies when we place people on the same level with God.
Praise and worship is only for God. Boasting about others to elevate ourselves is sin, its rooted in pride. Encouragement is not praise.
Galatians 6:14 "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died."
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
Praise is for God and is associated with worship
Flattery is manipulation and builds pride
Encouragement is help to go the right way or to continue in the
right way
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