1 Corinthians 11 commands a woman to be covered when she prays and prophesies in the gathering, that is expounding on the word of God, within the gathering. She is not a leader but she is allowed by God to speak as she is led by the Holy Spirit.
The men I have met who claim a woman should never speak of God have been intensely arrogant and unkind. They violate much of the word and hate to be corrected. This is becoming more common as the men in the churches are becoming more ungodly and self absorbed.
Everyone who shares from the Word should be led by the Holy Spirit when she does it.
Debbie Gurley said the following:
I’ve noticed many times when a sister in Christ is seeking to share biblical truth in sincerity and with meekness if it opposes the views of certain “men of God” these men are quick to put her down by using her gender against her and seeking to discredit her because she is a woman.
It’s as if she is incapable of reading scripture and receiving revelation & understanding from God’s Holy Spirit like He promised them.
John 16:13.
A woman is commanded to know her place in the Body of Christ and not to teach nor seek to usurp the authority of men... (she should not be rebellious) true, but it doesn’t say a woman is to be mute at all times. God even speaks thru women hence the command to cover when praying or prophesying for example. 1 Corinthians 11:5.
The bible calls all believers men and women alike to love. Love is none of these things:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5(KJV)
4 charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
But instead:
1 Corinthians 13:4,6-8 (KJV)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; (...)
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
It says that a person correcting should do it meekly especially if that person is seeking to correct a “weaker vessel” /woman .
2 Timothy 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV)
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Women should speak to their brothers in Christ with respect and vice versa. Jesus spoke with gentleness and kindness yet He was honest and firm. We should be led of the Holy Spirit in our speech and our actions. Just some thoughts based on experiences.
Philippians 2:3 KJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Hardship Does Not Shape Our Character
Hardship does not shape our character, it reveals it. If we find ourselves becoming angry at difficulty in our lives then perhaps God has more work to do in us.
Crankiness is not justified merely because we are going through trials. For the born again believer a trial can be the greatest witness to the unsaved than anything else. If they see us going through with joy, enduring and loving Christ in spite of the misery, they will wonder what we have that makes us so kind and loving even through bad things.
Those who are cranky because they have been challenged are revealing something about their heart. That anger does not come up when there is no anger in the heart. If anger is coming out then it is leaking out of a heart full of it.
Matthew 12:34
"34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Crankiness is not justified merely because we are going through trials. For the born again believer a trial can be the greatest witness to the unsaved than anything else. If they see us going through with joy, enduring and loving Christ in spite of the misery, they will wonder what we have that makes us so kind and loving even through bad things.
Those who are cranky because they have been challenged are revealing something about their heart. That anger does not come up when there is no anger in the heart. If anger is coming out then it is leaking out of a heart full of it.
Matthew 12:34
"34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Pride that Grows Out of Worldly Thinking
Just because someone will not repent when they have offended us and we cannot forgive them does not mean we are bitter. We would love to forgive those who have offended us, but the offender prevents that. The lack of repentance is on the offender not on us.
Just as those who will not repent of the sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not be forgiven or saved from hell.
Does Christ love all those people who are choosing hell over Him? Yes, He loved them so much that He died for them. However He will not have a relationship with them on this earth and they will go to hell as long as they will not repent to be cleansed by Christ before they die.
Christ and mankind is the model of our human relationships too. We gain nothing and the offender gains nothing by premature forgiveness.
In a relationship where one party confesses and the other forgives then the relationship is restored, fixed, not just glossed over and abandoned for the sake of feeling better about ourselves. This model of worldly forgiveness is self oriented.
Notice that the worldy way of forgiveness is superficial and feelings oriented, but God's way is a permanent and rewarding fix that brings two people back together.
When we love someone who is sinning and will not repent we pray for them, no bitterness here, grief because they will not obey God, but not bitterness toward them.
When the ways of God are followed there is greater chance that someone will see their need for repentance toward Him and others. Mans' way negates God's' way leaving people comfortable in their sin, even causing an entitlement to forgiveness without repentance. And, perhaps pride in the one who pats themselves on the back, even bragging about how they forgave someone who was not repentant.
Superficial actions based on feelings always bring pride.
Just as those who will not repent of the sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not be forgiven or saved from hell.
Does Christ love all those people who are choosing hell over Him? Yes, He loved them so much that He died for them. However He will not have a relationship with them on this earth and they will go to hell as long as they will not repent to be cleansed by Christ before they die.
Christ and mankind is the model of our human relationships too. We gain nothing and the offender gains nothing by premature forgiveness.
In a relationship where one party confesses and the other forgives then the relationship is restored, fixed, not just glossed over and abandoned for the sake of feeling better about ourselves. This model of worldly forgiveness is self oriented.
Notice that the worldy way of forgiveness is superficial and feelings oriented, but God's way is a permanent and rewarding fix that brings two people back together.
When we love someone who is sinning and will not repent we pray for them, no bitterness here, grief because they will not obey God, but not bitterness toward them.
When the ways of God are followed there is greater chance that someone will see their need for repentance toward Him and others. Mans' way negates God's' way leaving people comfortable in their sin, even causing an entitlement to forgiveness without repentance. And, perhaps pride in the one who pats themselves on the back, even bragging about how they forgave someone who was not repentant.
Superficial actions based on feelings always bring pride.
The Purpose of Forgiveness
The purpose of forgiveness is to re-establish a broken relationship. To forgive prematurely, without the offender confessing to be reconciled, you have not forgiven, its just words people say that mean nothing.
I know this because many will say "I have forgiven but we can still cannot have a relationship." If you cannot have a relationship then there is no forgiveness.
Forgiveness cancels the debt and resumes the relationship.
Why do so many people not understand this? Its because most people are walking around basing everything on their "feelings" which are less than nothing, instead of reality.
Our culture lives on the edge of insanity placing "feelings" above truth and rational thinking.
Paying more attention to feelings than truth leads the culture into insanity. Our feelings are often irrational and overblown. We must think with the mind of Christ to know truth from error.
We must research things we were taught in school to see where their origins lie. So much the church has bought into comes from psychology and ungodly sources.
When we pray, ask God and focus on the Holy Spirit He will open our eyes to truth, suddenly we will see what is wrong with so much we have been taught. But in order to do this we must be willing to leave behind everything we were taught to follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
I know this because many will say "I have forgiven but we can still cannot have a relationship." If you cannot have a relationship then there is no forgiveness.
Forgiveness cancels the debt and resumes the relationship.
Why do so many people not understand this? Its because most people are walking around basing everything on their "feelings" which are less than nothing, instead of reality.
Our culture lives on the edge of insanity placing "feelings" above truth and rational thinking.
Paying more attention to feelings than truth leads the culture into insanity. Our feelings are often irrational and overblown. We must think with the mind of Christ to know truth from error.
We must research things we were taught in school to see where their origins lie. So much the church has bought into comes from psychology and ungodly sources.
When we pray, ask God and focus on the Holy Spirit He will open our eyes to truth, suddenly we will see what is wrong with so much we have been taught. But in order to do this we must be willing to leave behind everything we were taught to follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
Bitterness Grows When there is Premature Forgiveness
Bitterness is when someone refuses to forgive an offender when the offender confesses to be forgiven. There is no bitterness involved when the offended does not prematurely forgive because the offender is not sorry, even continuing in their offenses over and over again.
There are those who will say you should forgive these people but do not have contact with them. This is nothing more than words and feelings, it is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness is extended when someone confesses their offense, forgiveness is extended for the purpose of reconciling the relationship.
Forgiveness is not a feeling or words, it is an act of releasing the debt of the offense because the offender is sorry for what they have done and wishes to do differently.
We are to forgive the WAY God forgives, that is when there has been confession.
Those who forgive the offender before the offender is sorry are merely enabling and encouraging wicked behavior. God never at any time tells us to forgive so we will feel better or to stave off bitterness when the offender is not sorry.
1 John 1:9
9 IF WE CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Bitterness comes when someone asks us to forgive them and we will not do it. There is no bitterness if the offender is not sorry, there is however a hope that one day through prayer the offender will repent and confess.
If we "forgive" even though someone is not sorry but choose to have no more contact with them that is not the forgiveness of the Bible, it doesn't change anything about the relationship.
The purpose of confession and forgiveness, two sides of the same coin, is to reconcile a relationship. Nothing at all happens when we forgive before there is confession except "feelings" which are basically useless.
Matthew 6:14-15 "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
We will not be forgiven if we do not forgive those how have confessed. However we are not required to forgive those who are not repentant. God does not and neither should we, it short cuts the process of a sinful person to learn the consequences of their sin and the brokenness required to be forgiven.
Luke 17:2-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”"
It is clear in the Luke passage that we are to rebuke a sinning brother, and IF he repents forgive him. If he keeps on sinning and comes back each time saying "I REPENT", then we are to forgive him.
We must not short cut God's criteria for forgiveness by the psychological "unconditional forgiveness", we do not see this anywhere in the Word of God.
All those who do not trust in Christ before they die will go to hell because they would not repent and trust Christ. There is no forgiveness for these people. Is God bitter because some unrepentant people will not trust in Him? NO, however God is just!!!!
We are unjust when we forgive someone who is not sorry. We are saying to that unrepentant person that it is alright to treat people disrespectfully and with disregard and they will be forgiven even if they keep doing it over and over again. AND, those who do not confess will continue in their sin over and over because they see that it works for them.
This is the reason the world is growing more evil, even flaunting their sin, because they have been encouraged to believe all is forgiven and nothing has to change in relationships for them to remain.
The culture has been teaching the opposite of God's principles for 60 years now along with the "self esteem" doctrine that encourages people to love themselves above everyone else, which follows that they will love themselves above God.
When people are encouraged to love themselves when they are already born loving themselves too much they will translate the self love into self worship. This is where our culture is today! Few people anymore love others better than themselves, they feel entitled to forgiveness and coddling no matter how wickedly they act.
Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We live in a world now that believes they are entitled to forgiveness merely for existing even when they have no desire to be sorry or stop their sin. This is what the self esteem doctrine has fostered as well as the "just forgive them" mantra.
Psychology has done more to ruin this world than any other philosophy, its roots come out of Darwinism and Evolution. We must reject this if we are to walk in truth according to God's principles. His ways are healing but satans ways keep people sick in their sin.
1 Corinthians 3:18–19
"18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
James 4:4
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?"
Psychology is the way of the world not the way of God.
There are those who will say you should forgive these people but do not have contact with them. This is nothing more than words and feelings, it is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness is extended when someone confesses their offense, forgiveness is extended for the purpose of reconciling the relationship.
Forgiveness is not a feeling or words, it is an act of releasing the debt of the offense because the offender is sorry for what they have done and wishes to do differently.
We are to forgive the WAY God forgives, that is when there has been confession.
Those who forgive the offender before the offender is sorry are merely enabling and encouraging wicked behavior. God never at any time tells us to forgive so we will feel better or to stave off bitterness when the offender is not sorry.
1 John 1:9
9 IF WE CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Bitterness comes when someone asks us to forgive them and we will not do it. There is no bitterness if the offender is not sorry, there is however a hope that one day through prayer the offender will repent and confess.
If we "forgive" even though someone is not sorry but choose to have no more contact with them that is not the forgiveness of the Bible, it doesn't change anything about the relationship.
The purpose of confession and forgiveness, two sides of the same coin, is to reconcile a relationship. Nothing at all happens when we forgive before there is confession except "feelings" which are basically useless.
Matthew 6:14-15 "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
We will not be forgiven if we do not forgive those how have confessed. However we are not required to forgive those who are not repentant. God does not and neither should we, it short cuts the process of a sinful person to learn the consequences of their sin and the brokenness required to be forgiven.
Luke 17:2-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”"
It is clear in the Luke passage that we are to rebuke a sinning brother, and IF he repents forgive him. If he keeps on sinning and comes back each time saying "I REPENT", then we are to forgive him.
We must not short cut God's criteria for forgiveness by the psychological "unconditional forgiveness", we do not see this anywhere in the Word of God.
All those who do not trust in Christ before they die will go to hell because they would not repent and trust Christ. There is no forgiveness for these people. Is God bitter because some unrepentant people will not trust in Him? NO, however God is just!!!!
We are unjust when we forgive someone who is not sorry. We are saying to that unrepentant person that it is alright to treat people disrespectfully and with disregard and they will be forgiven even if they keep doing it over and over again. AND, those who do not confess will continue in their sin over and over because they see that it works for them.
This is the reason the world is growing more evil, even flaunting their sin, because they have been encouraged to believe all is forgiven and nothing has to change in relationships for them to remain.
The culture has been teaching the opposite of God's principles for 60 years now along with the "self esteem" doctrine that encourages people to love themselves above everyone else, which follows that they will love themselves above God.
When people are encouraged to love themselves when they are already born loving themselves too much they will translate the self love into self worship. This is where our culture is today! Few people anymore love others better than themselves, they feel entitled to forgiveness and coddling no matter how wickedly they act.
Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We live in a world now that believes they are entitled to forgiveness merely for existing even when they have no desire to be sorry or stop their sin. This is what the self esteem doctrine has fostered as well as the "just forgive them" mantra.
Psychology has done more to ruin this world than any other philosophy, its roots come out of Darwinism and Evolution. We must reject this if we are to walk in truth according to God's principles. His ways are healing but satans ways keep people sick in their sin.
1 Corinthians 3:18–19
"18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
James 4:4
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?"
Psychology is the way of the world not the way of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)