When you become born again do not be surprised if the people you thought were Christians have more contempt for you after your salvation than they did before you were saved.
Often there is a spiritual jealousy on the part of those who are Pharisee types. These people are more concerned about their appearances than they are about love and holiness. It was the Pharisees, the religious leaders, get that? "religious", who treated Christ and the apostles with contempt. They hated that Christ made them look bad, they loved their added rules and own ideas more than they loved God.
Mark 7:12-14
"12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
They do all the right things in their own eyes while violating more scripture than they obey. Their goal is to elevate self above those they like to think of as inferior.
Matthew 23:26-28 "…26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.…"
It was a shock to me when my eyes were opened to the truth about many people that surrounded me. I was expecting them to be excited about my new faith in Christ, but the opposite happened. These people chose to believe I was the same person after I became a Christian as I was before I was transformed by Christ. They preferred their own ideas about me never attempting to get to know me as a person.
The only thing I can figure out is that those who liked me better before I was saved, could not have had a salvation experience of their own, or they would know that they also were once wicked and unsaved in need of cleansing. Then the light bulb went on, how could anyone be hostile to a brother or sister in Christ, holding past sins against them unless they never repented and confess their own sinfulness.
Anyone who knows the sin Christ snatched them from must be excited for someone else who has also been cleansed.
When we meet self righteous "Christians" its possible they never knew the Lord, being so full of their own importance they miss the blessing of connection with other authentically born again believers. When someone is born again the Holy Spirit in one believer connects instantly with another believer who has the Holy Spirit. It is the SPIRIT Who connects us!!!
Yes, these people say lots of Biblical things but have no love and are full of jealousy. They are known for twisting Scripture to make the Bible say what they want it to say but are enraged when corrected by others with Scripture.
Authentic born again believers love to hear the scripture, they love correction and they love others who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
John 13:34-35 "…34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:2-3 " 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.…'
Do not be discouraged when you encounter these things! God said it would be this way and we have Him Who lives inside of us who is our constant companion.
Some of the meanest and most dangerous people in the time of Christ were those who were "religious" but not born again.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Best to Consult God to see if You are Born Again
How We Think Determines our Actions!
Many people believe they are good people when they have never been born again. The jail is full of criminals who believe they are basically good people.
Proverbs 23:7
"7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you."
The way we think determines our actions, not what we think about ourselves but how we process information in general.
Proverbs 23:9 is the context of the 23:7 verse:
"If you are a man of great appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food.
4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
6 Do not eat the bread of [d]a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up [f]the morsel you have eaten,
And waste your [g]compliments.
9 Do not speak in the [h]hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
If someone is not thinking with the mind of Christ their actions will reflect worldliness. If someone thinks with the mind of Christ their actions will demonstrate righteousness. However what we choose to believe about ourselves is not the issue here, it is how we think in general and how we process information about everything.
The poster I shared previously comes from the psychological teaching that we can make ourselves be something by just thinking it. When we are worldly it won't matter what we think about ourselves we are what we are, that is thinking with a fallen mind. Just thinking we are good does not make it so.
Conversely if we are born again we process information according to the Bible, it has nothing to do with working up what we want to believe about ourselves. We will think like Christ if we are born again, without even attempting to convince ourselves about ourselves. The born again believer should not be thinking they are wonderful because they know Christ is only good.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
In the psychological community there is a teaching that all you have to do is think you will be president of the United States and you will make it happen. Its based on the power of ones mind rather than on the character and abilities of a man.
A person acts based on what they are not how they think. How they think is evidenced by their character not what they wish to believe about themselves.
I have known many people who boast about how well they are doing but the evidence shows they are not doing well, but they think so anyway because its what they wish to believe about themselves. I see this all the time.
Matthew 7:15-20
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
What are the fruit? The fruit is character qualities of the Holy Spirit. The "Fruit of the Spirit."
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
The born again believer should be able to discern these character qualities in others or the lack of these qualities. God mentioned this to us so that we will be able to judge who is of God and who is not. One of the clues is that a born again believer does not boast about how good they are, they know it is only Christ Who is good.
God gives the born again believer discernment to judge right from wrong and the character of others when we ask to know.
Proverbs 23:7
"7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you."
The way we think determines our actions, not what we think about ourselves but how we process information in general.
Proverbs 23:9 is the context of the 23:7 verse:
"If you are a man of great appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food.
4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
6 Do not eat the bread of [d]a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up [f]the morsel you have eaten,
And waste your [g]compliments.
9 Do not speak in the [h]hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
If someone is not thinking with the mind of Christ their actions will reflect worldliness. If someone thinks with the mind of Christ their actions will demonstrate righteousness. However what we choose to believe about ourselves is not the issue here, it is how we think in general and how we process information about everything.
The poster I shared previously comes from the psychological teaching that we can make ourselves be something by just thinking it. When we are worldly it won't matter what we think about ourselves we are what we are, that is thinking with a fallen mind. Just thinking we are good does not make it so.
Conversely if we are born again we process information according to the Bible, it has nothing to do with working up what we want to believe about ourselves. We will think like Christ if we are born again, without even attempting to convince ourselves about ourselves. The born again believer should not be thinking they are wonderful because they know Christ is only good.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
In the psychological community there is a teaching that all you have to do is think you will be president of the United States and you will make it happen. Its based on the power of ones mind rather than on the character and abilities of a man.
A person acts based on what they are not how they think. How they think is evidenced by their character not what they wish to believe about themselves.
I have known many people who boast about how well they are doing but the evidence shows they are not doing well, but they think so anyway because its what they wish to believe about themselves. I see this all the time.
Matthew 7:15-20
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
What are the fruit? The fruit is character qualities of the Holy Spirit. The "Fruit of the Spirit."
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
The born again believer should be able to discern these character qualities in others or the lack of these qualities. God mentioned this to us so that we will be able to judge who is of God and who is not. One of the clues is that a born again believer does not boast about how good they are, they know it is only Christ Who is good.
God gives the born again believer discernment to judge right from wrong and the character of others when we ask to know.
Lies of the Apostates
The apostate prosperity, power of the mind preachers make things sound so good that they almost sound Biblical but are actually against the Word of God. Watch out for them, scrutinize carefully everything that is said or written.
When we know the Bible well we see things immediately because we know the heart of God. When we miss something the Holy Spirit warns us and reveals the lie when we ask to know why something is bothering us.
Many times I didn't know for sure something was wrong but the Holy Spirit continually agitated me about it until I would ask, "Lord why am I having misgivings about this saying, this matter or this person." Then soon after asking that prayer would be answered and I could see clearly what was wrong.
God wants us to ask and He wants us to ask because we really do want to know truth.
James 4:2-4 "…2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…"
Many apostate types ask for wisdom but when they see it they won't believe it. When another authentically born again believer comes along and challenges a belief because it is not biblical the pretender has a melt down and refuses the truth.
When someone refuses the truth with anger and continues to do this, they will move deeper and deeper into apostasy. When this happens God will stop sending others to correct and will stop speaking to the willful one.
The good news is when a pretender repents of their false ways God will hear that prayer and begin to answer them. God never remains silent to those who love Him and want truth.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 "…12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD,"
The Jeremiah passage was written to a nation, but it applies to anyone who desires a relationship with God.
When we know the Bible well we see things immediately because we know the heart of God. When we miss something the Holy Spirit warns us and reveals the lie when we ask to know why something is bothering us.
Many times I didn't know for sure something was wrong but the Holy Spirit continually agitated me about it until I would ask, "Lord why am I having misgivings about this saying, this matter or this person." Then soon after asking that prayer would be answered and I could see clearly what was wrong.
God wants us to ask and He wants us to ask because we really do want to know truth.
James 4:2-4 "…2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…"
Many apostate types ask for wisdom but when they see it they won't believe it. When another authentically born again believer comes along and challenges a belief because it is not biblical the pretender has a melt down and refuses the truth.
When someone refuses the truth with anger and continues to do this, they will move deeper and deeper into apostasy. When this happens God will stop sending others to correct and will stop speaking to the willful one.
The good news is when a pretender repents of their false ways God will hear that prayer and begin to answer them. God never remains silent to those who love Him and want truth.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 "…12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD,"
The Jeremiah passage was written to a nation, but it applies to anyone who desires a relationship with God.
Committed to Truth
We live in times when merely speaking something is enough one doesn't have to actually believe in it or do it. The culture is full of manipulation and words without reality. Fantasy is huge in our culture, many think as long as they say it or believe it then it is true.
There are many people now who lie regularly without batting an eye. They think their lies are alright because they are small exaggerations that they think don't harm anyone, but in fact they ruin relationships and are an offense against God.
Titus 1:9–11
"9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision …"
If we find ourselves exaggerating to appear better then we must repent of that lie. Each time we confess to be cleansed we become stronger against telling lies.
This is why many people are accepting a false Jesus of their own making. A Jesus that just smiles and nods at whatever they say or do. A Jesus without justice, anger or wrath. The Jesus who is opposite of Christ Jesus the Lord.
Pride is at the root of all this deception, the felt need to impress others trumps any truth in our world today.
Has anyone noticed that people with the false Jesus tend to be easily offended at correction and ready to fight at the slightest disagreement. These people have never been born again and are pawns in the hands of the devil. Some born again believers may fall into this but the Holy Spirit will convict them and they will quickly see the need for confession.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths"
There are many people now who lie regularly without batting an eye. They think their lies are alright because they are small exaggerations that they think don't harm anyone, but in fact they ruin relationships and are an offense against God.
Titus 1:9–11
"9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision …"
If we find ourselves exaggerating to appear better then we must repent of that lie. Each time we confess to be cleansed we become stronger against telling lies.
This is why many people are accepting a false Jesus of their own making. A Jesus that just smiles and nods at whatever they say or do. A Jesus without justice, anger or wrath. The Jesus who is opposite of Christ Jesus the Lord.
Pride is at the root of all this deception, the felt need to impress others trumps any truth in our world today.
Has anyone noticed that people with the false Jesus tend to be easily offended at correction and ready to fight at the slightest disagreement. These people have never been born again and are pawns in the hands of the devil. Some born again believers may fall into this but the Holy Spirit will convict them and they will quickly see the need for confession.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths"
The Father of Lies
"Being a liar and the father of lies (the devil) that he is, he tells the lost their saved and the saved their lost!
We are not ignorant of his devices." Gary Nigard
We are not ignorant of his devices." Gary Nigard
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