Don't worry if the Lord led you to tell the truth and it caused you to lose a friend. A true friend will allow you to follow Christ even when they don't see the purpose or the calling. Even if they don't understand you, they will stick by you because your heart seeks to please the Lord.
Proverbs 18:24
"A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
If you must capitulate in your beliefs to keep friends then you have compromised your own soul just to have bodies around you. It is not worth it, integrity and dedication are far more important than lots of superficial friends.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Stay on the Path and Don't be Discouraged
The mockers will chide you for spending time on facebook as though it were evil. Don't listen to them, these same people would elevate someone who takes to the streets to speak to the unsaved about the Lord.
Facebook is just another street, but one that reaches around the world in seconds. It is the best means right now to meet believers whom we would never have met and to minister to them in prayer.
We can comfort and help through God's word those who are ailing, those who are discouraged and even share the joys of those who have had other blessings.
I have been a target of these naysayers, the mockers and the discouragers. The best way to handle them is to gently explain that God told you to do this and you cannot disobey Him. Some are well meaning but not understanding the calling of Christ to every area of life.
We are walking down a road, it stretches thousands of miles and reaches thousands even millions of people in minutes. If God has called you to walk that Facebook road stay on it until He tells you differently. I believe it will close right before or at the time of the rapture, then our job here will be done and we will be going home.
Just saying!
Facebook is just another street, but one that reaches around the world in seconds. It is the best means right now to meet believers whom we would never have met and to minister to them in prayer.
We can comfort and help through God's word those who are ailing, those who are discouraged and even share the joys of those who have had other blessings.
I have been a target of these naysayers, the mockers and the discouragers. The best way to handle them is to gently explain that God told you to do this and you cannot disobey Him. Some are well meaning but not understanding the calling of Christ to every area of life.
We are walking down a road, it stretches thousands of miles and reaches thousands even millions of people in minutes. If God has called you to walk that Facebook road stay on it until He tells you differently. I believe it will close right before or at the time of the rapture, then our job here will be done and we will be going home.
Just saying!
Do Not Listen to the Mockers
Facebook is an amazing tool for the believer, use it to glorify God.
I have met wonderful believers and even non-believer who have read my posts I would no more condemn facebook because of other nonsense that is occurring than I would condemn telephones or other useful tools. The telephone has been a great tool for getting out the gospel as has the television and every other electronic means.
Yes, these things have been used for evil but we don't have to use them for that, we can use these blessings to get out the truth for Christ. Christ went into the Inns in His day, these were the places of drinking and other bad things. He didn't go there to do those things but that's where people were who needed Him.
I notice that some people rebuking others for being on facebook are on facebook, that's where we met them. I will use any means given to me by the Lord to reach people for preaching or teaching, but that's just me.
All of the means we have today to reach one another has been through God's blessing, just because some people misuse his blessing does not mean the tool was bad.
I have met wonderful believers and even non-believer who have read my posts I would no more condemn facebook because of other nonsense that is occurring than I would condemn telephones or other useful tools. The telephone has been a great tool for getting out the gospel as has the television and every other electronic means.
Yes, these things have been used for evil but we don't have to use them for that, we can use these blessings to get out the truth for Christ. Christ went into the Inns in His day, these were the places of drinking and other bad things. He didn't go there to do those things but that's where people were who needed Him.
I notice that some people rebuking others for being on facebook are on facebook, that's where we met them. I will use any means given to me by the Lord to reach people for preaching or teaching, but that's just me.
All of the means we have today to reach one another has been through God's blessing, just because some people misuse his blessing does not mean the tool was bad.
The Heart is Revealed in the Actions
YES! Actions only come about according to the hearts condition.
Nick Bevilacqua Said this:
"BELIEVING the Gospel and OBEYING the Gospel are synonomous terms and mean the same thing To BELIEVE the Gospel IS to OBEY the Gospel, and to OBEY the Gospel IS to BELIEVE the Gospel. Proof: (Romans 10: 16). The LAW OF FAITH in (Romans 2: 27) IS THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL."
Nick Bevilacqua Said this:
"BELIEVING the Gospel and OBEYING the Gospel are synonomous terms and mean the same thing To BELIEVE the Gospel IS to OBEY the Gospel, and to OBEY the Gospel IS to BELIEVE the Gospel. Proof: (Romans 10: 16). The LAW OF FAITH in (Romans 2: 27) IS THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL."
Holiday Deception
Every single holiday that Christians love today originated out of paganism. Superficial Christians back in the day, thought it would be wise to add Christ to these holidays to make them feel better about celebrating them. Over the generations people began to believe they had their origins in Christianity even though they are not supported in the Bible.
All of these celebrations originated from paganism were dedicated to honoring false gods: Halloween, Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, New Years, Valentines Day, Mardi Gras, May Day, Mother's Day: (the Greeks and Romans practiced "Mother worship"), Wedding Anniversaries, St. Patrick's Day and there are probably more. Mankind loves to celebrate something. Granted many who celebrate these things today do not think of the origins of them, they have been repackaged to become something else. My assertion is that we are not obligated to engage in these holidays just because our culture observes them.
The only celebration we see the Lord commanding in His word to the gathering of born again believers is the Lord's Supper. Christ gave us a celebration that commemorated His death, burial and resurrection, this is the only one that means anything and everything.
The devil found a way to trick believers into enjoying the very things that were his concoctions. Only those who ask God will learn the truth. Those who love their holidays will keep doing them while intimidating those who have given them up into silence about all of it.
All of these celebrations originated from paganism were dedicated to honoring false gods: Halloween, Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, New Years, Valentines Day, Mardi Gras, May Day, Mother's Day: (the Greeks and Romans practiced "Mother worship"), Wedding Anniversaries, St. Patrick's Day and there are probably more. Mankind loves to celebrate something. Granted many who celebrate these things today do not think of the origins of them, they have been repackaged to become something else. My assertion is that we are not obligated to engage in these holidays just because our culture observes them.
The only celebration we see the Lord commanding in His word to the gathering of born again believers is the Lord's Supper. Christ gave us a celebration that commemorated His death, burial and resurrection, this is the only one that means anything and everything.
The devil found a way to trick believers into enjoying the very things that were his concoctions. Only those who ask God will learn the truth. Those who love their holidays will keep doing them while intimidating those who have given them up into silence about all of it.
Amos 5:21-23
"21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.:"
Worldly believers didn't want to miss out in the fun so they fooled themselves into thinking this was alright with God. Many of you probably already know all of this. I researched it many years ago and was shown contempt by everyone even believers for "raining on their parade." God placed doubts about the holidays in my heart and I went to do the research because of the doubts. Something didn't feel right about them and He led me to find the answers.
The Christians who embraced these holidays didn't know their Bibles, the ones who did not embrace them knew their Bibles and did not practice them. Yes, there were believers in this country of America who even outlawed these holidays because they knew where they originated. That was so many generations ago that no one remembers it or talks about it.
I do not judge others for the holidays they celebrate however I feel no pressure to observe them. I am free to choose whether or not to observe them. I can enjoy a dinner with friends during these seasons without guilt or I can decline without guilt. The holidays are nothing to me, they bring no joy or comfort, they are just there. My joy, comfort and hope comes from Jesus Christ and His promise of His return at the end of this church age. The blessing of that time of home going and the Millennium when Christ will reign is so monumental that no human holiday can compare with that.
"21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.:"
Worldly believers didn't want to miss out in the fun so they fooled themselves into thinking this was alright with God. Many of you probably already know all of this. I researched it many years ago and was shown contempt by everyone even believers for "raining on their parade." God placed doubts about the holidays in my heart and I went to do the research because of the doubts. Something didn't feel right about them and He led me to find the answers.
The Christians who embraced these holidays didn't know their Bibles, the ones who did not embrace them knew their Bibles and did not practice them. Yes, there were believers in this country of America who even outlawed these holidays because they knew where they originated. That was so many generations ago that no one remembers it or talks about it.
I do not judge others for the holidays they celebrate however I feel no pressure to observe them. I am free to choose whether or not to observe them. I can enjoy a dinner with friends during these seasons without guilt or I can decline without guilt. The holidays are nothing to me, they bring no joy or comfort, they are just there. My joy, comfort and hope comes from Jesus Christ and His promise of His return at the end of this church age. The blessing of that time of home going and the Millennium when Christ will reign is so monumental that no human holiday can compare with that.
Where did the Practice of Birthday Celebrations Originate?
What Will Cast Us Into Hell
The main thing they will do that will get them cast into hell is not the sin, although it is the catalyst, it is rejecting Jesus Christ. Has they trusted in Christ, what He did on the cross to pay for their sin, He would have covered their sinfulness, cleansed their life and given them unspeakable joy for eternity!!!!!! All they had to do was trust Him and He would have done all the rest needed in them.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Ephesians 2:8-10…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.…
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is [d]given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Ephesians 2:8-10…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.…
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is [d]given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Trudi Gretsinger Said this:
"This was so beautifully said by my friend....Stephen Emery....."
"There Are Going To Be Many People That Are Going To Just Go To Sleep One Night & Wake Up Screaming In Hell. They Mocked God, Spat In His Face. Lived Perverted Lifestyles. Would Not Listen To The Word, Only Wanted To Live Their Own Way. Once You Leave This World, It Will Be Too Late To Repent. No Matter What You've Done, Jesus Is Just Waiting For You To Come Home. Please Before It Is To Late Come Before The Cross & Ask For Forgiveness While You Still Have Time. The Love Of Jesus Is Unlike Anything You Have Ever Experienced. It Will Fill That Hole In Your Heart...I Am A Witness......"
"This was so beautifully said by my friend....Stephen Emery....."
"There Are Going To Be Many People That Are Going To Just Go To Sleep One Night & Wake Up Screaming In Hell. They Mocked God, Spat In His Face. Lived Perverted Lifestyles. Would Not Listen To The Word, Only Wanted To Live Their Own Way. Once You Leave This World, It Will Be Too Late To Repent. No Matter What You've Done, Jesus Is Just Waiting For You To Come Home. Please Before It Is To Late Come Before The Cross & Ask For Forgiveness While You Still Have Time. The Love Of Jesus Is Unlike Anything You Have Ever Experienced. It Will Fill That Hole In Your Heart...I Am A Witness......"
God's View or Man's View
Many people base their view of themselves on what others think of them. They become angry when someone comes along and shows them their sin. Since their entire being is dependent on their illusion, they cannot stand for that illusion to be cracked.
When our walk is based on Christ alone we want to learn about ourselves to be cleansed. We embrace the teachings of Christ in order to worship Him as well as being changed into His likeness. Born again believers had to come to Christ in brokenness over their sinful self, they have no illusions about being good, they know they are not good that only Christ is good. Therefore there is no illusion to be cracked.
2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
1 John 3:1-3
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
1 Peter 1:15-19
"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
When our walk is based on Christ alone we want to learn about ourselves to be cleansed. We embrace the teachings of Christ in order to worship Him as well as being changed into His likeness. Born again believers had to come to Christ in brokenness over their sinful self, they have no illusions about being good, they know they are not good that only Christ is good. Therefore there is no illusion to be cracked.
2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
1 John 3:1-3
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
1 Peter 1:15-19
"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
Except for God's Grace There Go We
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"15 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you [b]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
If you do not hold fast to Christ you were never born again, you were players in a stage production designed to elevate self.
Those who have believed in vein are those who pretended to believe but were using God to feel safe, accepted by men and even blessed. Their heart was all about themselves!
Who are these people who believed in vain? I cannot always tell but each one who reads this need to ask God for themselves if they are one of these who were not sincere, were not broken over their sinfulness and had no desire to follow Christ.
If you still feel special and superior to others you have not been born again. Those who know they needed a Savior and were broken over their sinfulness could never treat others as lesser than they since they know they were as sinful as anyone else they might judge.
1 Corinthians 15:8-10
"8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, [b]and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."
We should all be able to say right out loud without equivocation when looking at an unborn sinner: "except for the grace of God there go I." This mentality produces a burden for the lost a desire to help them learn truth and a sadness at those who refuse.
"15 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you [b]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
If you do not hold fast to Christ you were never born again, you were players in a stage production designed to elevate self.
Those who have believed in vein are those who pretended to believe but were using God to feel safe, accepted by men and even blessed. Their heart was all about themselves!
Who are these people who believed in vain? I cannot always tell but each one who reads this need to ask God for themselves if they are one of these who were not sincere, were not broken over their sinfulness and had no desire to follow Christ.
If you still feel special and superior to others you have not been born again. Those who know they needed a Savior and were broken over their sinfulness could never treat others as lesser than they since they know they were as sinful as anyone else they might judge.
1 Corinthians 15:8-10
"8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, [b]and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."
We should all be able to say right out loud without equivocation when looking at an unborn sinner: "except for the grace of God there go I." This mentality produces a burden for the lost a desire to help them learn truth and a sadness at those who refuse.
The Great Illusion
If you become angry when your sin is exposed then you are against God.
If we write something that convicts someone of their sin then the prudent thing to do is for that one who is convicted to set aside their pride, confess their sin and become cleansed of it by God. To resist this is to resist God.
Nathan told David a story that showed him his own sin framing it as a story that David could understand. When David realized Nathan was speaking about him, he became convicted and sorrowful.
If you do the same with others and they become angry that you spoke about their sin through a third party story you know that person who got angry did identify with it and was guilty but unrepentant. Sadly there are many people like this, they don't even believe they have sinned so when it is revealed they rage as though the truth teller did something wrong. This leads me to believe they know they have sinned but deny it.
2 Samuel 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,
“There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
2 “The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
3 “But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nourished;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
And was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man,
And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him;
Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.
6 He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”
7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.
8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!
9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
15 So Nathan went to his house."
David repented after hearing this rebuke from Nathan. Sadly far too many people refuse to repent when confronted with their sin of pride and covert attacks against believers. They retaliate instead of heeding the warnings to repent. They gossip against the "Nathan's" of the world while embracing those who defend their sin.
There are even those who boast of their goodness as though their boasting proves their elevated view of themselves. The more a person boasts of their good deeds the less likely they are true. When someone must brag about themselves it is an attempt to be seen as good rather than actually being what they claim. Pretenders often use words rather than actions in their evidence.
The more a person boasts of their goodness the less I believe them. Boasting is born out of a heart that cannot stand on its own, it must have the praise of others to be able to feel successful. Those who are walking with God have no need to boast, their joy comes from pleasing God without a need to impress anyone else.
Those who think they are teaching through their boasting are showing a lack of spiritual understanding of evidence that matters the most, that is the evidence of their life.
"Actions speak louder than words." Words mean nothing when the actions are not evident.
James 3:13 "13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."
Matthew 12:33-35
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
The only words that have weight and are completely true are those spoken to us by God in His Word the Holy Scriptures.
God will not honor the boasting of prideful people.
Proverbs 29:22-23 "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Matthew 23:12
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
If we write something that convicts someone of their sin then the prudent thing to do is for that one who is convicted to set aside their pride, confess their sin and become cleansed of it by God. To resist this is to resist God.
Nathan told David a story that showed him his own sin framing it as a story that David could understand. When David realized Nathan was speaking about him, he became convicted and sorrowful.
If you do the same with others and they become angry that you spoke about their sin through a third party story you know that person who got angry did identify with it and was guilty but unrepentant. Sadly there are many people like this, they don't even believe they have sinned so when it is revealed they rage as though the truth teller did something wrong. This leads me to believe they know they have sinned but deny it.
2 Samuel 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,
“There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
2 “The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
3 “But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nourished;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
And was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man,
And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him;
Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.
6 He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”
7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.
8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!
9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
15 So Nathan went to his house."
David repented after hearing this rebuke from Nathan. Sadly far too many people refuse to repent when confronted with their sin of pride and covert attacks against believers. They retaliate instead of heeding the warnings to repent. They gossip against the "Nathan's" of the world while embracing those who defend their sin.
There are even those who boast of their goodness as though their boasting proves their elevated view of themselves. The more a person boasts of their good deeds the less likely they are true. When someone must brag about themselves it is an attempt to be seen as good rather than actually being what they claim. Pretenders often use words rather than actions in their evidence.
The more a person boasts of their goodness the less I believe them. Boasting is born out of a heart that cannot stand on its own, it must have the praise of others to be able to feel successful. Those who are walking with God have no need to boast, their joy comes from pleasing God without a need to impress anyone else.
Those who think they are teaching through their boasting are showing a lack of spiritual understanding of evidence that matters the most, that is the evidence of their life.
"Actions speak louder than words." Words mean nothing when the actions are not evident.
James 3:13 "13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."
Matthew 12:33-35
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
The only words that have weight and are completely true are those spoken to us by God in His Word the Holy Scriptures.
God will not honor the boasting of prideful people.
Proverbs 29:22-23 "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Matthew 23:12
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Pride Goes Before a Fall
If you become angry when your sin is exposed then you are against God.
If we write something that convicts someone of their sin then the prudent thing to do is for that one who is convicted to set aside their pride, confess their sin and become cleansed of it by God. To resist this is to resist God.
Nathan told David a story that showed him his own sin framing it as a story that David could understand. When David realized Nathan was speaking about him, he became convicted and sorrowful.
If you do the same with others and they become angry that you spoke about their sin through a third party story you know that person who got angry did identify with it and was guilty but unrepentant. Sadly there are many people like this, they don't even believe they have sinned so when it is revealed they rage as though the truth teller did something wrong. This leads me to believe they know they have sinned but deny it.
2 Samuel 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,
“There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
2 “The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
3 “But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nourished;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
And was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man,
And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him;
Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.
6 He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”
7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.
8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!
9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
15 So Nathan went to his house."
David repented after hearing this rebuke from Nathan. Sadly far too many people refuse to repent when confronted with their sin of pride and covert attacks against believers. They retaliate instead of heeding the warnings to repent. They gossip against the "Nathan's" of the world while embracing those who defend their sin.
There are even those who boast of their goodness as though their boasting proves their elevated view of themselves. The more a person boasts of their good deeds the less likely they are true. When someone must brag about themselves it is an attempt to be seen as good rather than actually being what they claim. Pretenders often use words rather than actions in their evidence.
The more a person boasts of their goodness the less I believe them. Boasting is born out of a heart that cannot stand on its own, it must have the praise of others to be able to feel successful. Those who are walking with God have no need to boast, their joy comes from pleasing God without a need to impress anyone else.
Those who think they are teaching through their boasting are showing a lack of spiritual understanding of evidence that matters the most, that is the evidence of their life.
"Actions speak louder than words." Words mean nothing when the actions are not evident.
James 3:13 "13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."
Matthew 12:33-35
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
The only words that have weight and are completely true are those spoken to us by God in His Word the Holy Scriptures.
God will not honor the boasting of prideful people.
Proverbs 29:22-23 "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Matthew 23:12
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
If we write something that convicts someone of their sin then the prudent thing to do is for that one who is convicted to set aside their pride, confess their sin and become cleansed of it by God. To resist this is to resist God.
Nathan told David a story that showed him his own sin framing it as a story that David could understand. When David realized Nathan was speaking about him, he became convicted and sorrowful.
If you do the same with others and they become angry that you spoke about their sin through a third party story you know that person who got angry did identify with it and was guilty but unrepentant. Sadly there are many people like this, they don't even believe they have sinned so when it is revealed they rage as though the truth teller did something wrong. This leads me to believe they know they have sinned but deny it.
2 Samuel 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,
“There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
2 “The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
3 “But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nourished;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
And was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man,
And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him;
Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.
6 He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”
7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.
8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!
9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
15 So Nathan went to his house."
David repented after hearing this rebuke from Nathan. Sadly far too many people refuse to repent when confronted with their sin of pride and covert attacks against believers. They retaliate instead of heeding the warnings to repent. They gossip against the "Nathan's" of the world while embracing those who defend their sin.
There are even those who boast of their goodness as though their boasting proves their elevated view of themselves. The more a person boasts of their good deeds the less likely they are true. When someone must brag about themselves it is an attempt to be seen as good rather than actually being what they claim. Pretenders often use words rather than actions in their evidence.
The more a person boasts of their goodness the less I believe them. Boasting is born out of a heart that cannot stand on its own, it must have the praise of others to be able to feel successful. Those who are walking with God have no need to boast, their joy comes from pleasing God without a need to impress anyone else.
Those who think they are teaching through their boasting are showing a lack of spiritual understanding of evidence that matters the most, that is the evidence of their life.
"Actions speak louder than words." Words mean nothing when the actions are not evident.
James 3:13 "13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."
Matthew 12:33-35
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
The only words that have weight and are completely true are those spoken to us by God in His Word the Holy Scriptures.
God will not honor the boasting of prideful people.
Proverbs 29:22-23 "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Matthew 23:12
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
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