Thursday, October 14, 2021
Christians are being Controlled by Fear
What concerns me now at this time is that many Christians fear being controlled more than they love Christ.
Whether or not this whole mess is calculated by man to control, is not really the issue for believers. God has allowed all this to take place to show us what is important to us.
Many believers worship their freedom more than they worship God. We can expect much unjust and irrational thinking to take place in these end times, however, I believe God is more interested in our keeping our eyes on Him than anything else.
Are we willing to be put in jail for our faith, or would we be whining and complaining that we were placed there? Could we do as Paul did and sing praises to God while in jail?
So many believers have allowed the devil to foster anger and hate in people who say they are Christians, over a silly mask. If one person will be influenced by our compliance to wear a mask and walk in love, then I will wear a body mask.
This test is showing people who they trusted, in their government, their favored politician, their food, their things, their happiness, but not in Christ. If we are trusting Christ we will be able to go through anything without having an emotional meltdown.
I get all the arguments on both sides, but my calling is to the gospel and Christlikeness not to my own desire to be free.
Can we not see the humor in this mess, it is all pretty ridiculous on all sides, I will not be angry or disoriented over this mess, God has it, He knows all about it, I will keep my eyes on Him.
May believers in Christ get their eyes back on Him, returning to their first love, paying attention to their calling, making love of others a priority over their own desire to be free and safe.
When we begin thinking in terms of "them versus us", we have moved into the realm of worldly self-love. We ought to be having a burden for souls, desiring unbelievers to repent and join our family of believers.
This virus and the vaccine have distracted many believers to the point where they are willing to throw their brothers and sisters under the bus for not doing what they think they should do. Their continual focus is their own freedom and safety, rather than the salvation of sinners and the spiritual and emotional growth of believers in Christ.
This virus and vaccine are questionable matters, internet hype has caused this continual fighting and debate. Many do not understand that God is the One Who brought this on to show us the inner self?
He is showing us how fearful and angry people become when they cannot have their own way. There needs to be repentance in the heart of those who walk in frustration, anger and contention without compassion and empathy toward everyone.
Colossians 3:12
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"
Walk in the Spirit to Resist the Devil
Welcome to the world in which we live every day now! We must walk in the Spirit to resist becoming like the world that surrounds us.
If we are becoming more like the world because of those we spend time with, then it is time to pull away and be alone with God while we redirect our hearts toward Christ Who lives in us.
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.…"
Anyone or anything that distracts us from our first love, that is Jesus Christ, we must withdraw from, regroup and get back with Christ again. No relationships takes priority over Jesus Christ in our lives, if someone does then we have an idol.
Revelation 2:4 "4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. 5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.…"
It is so easy to be caught in the trap of "people-pleasing" it makes us think we are spiritual by just being nice. However, the motivation is self-protection not the furthering of the gospel or helping one another to walk in holiness.
Galatians 3:3
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
1 Corinthians 5:1-3 "1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?
3 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.…"
The Corinthians passage is dealing with sin in the body. In this case, it was sexual immorality, however, there are other sins that should also be dealt with, many dealing with pride, misuse of Scripture, and division in the body that takes people away from thinking about Christ and onto the things of the world that cause frustration and anger.
Those who punish others for not agreeing with them on things that cannot be proven from Scripture. Those who place beliefs about foods, medicine and personal living styles above the principles of Christ. They are so convinced of their desired belief that they refuse to go to Scripture to make sure their dedication is one to the Word of God and not just a worldly idea that sounds right.
Proverbs 14:11-13 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.…"
Many Christians in our day are fighting to defend things that have no basis in Scripture, but sound good to them. They enjoy their favored worldly belief system because it makes them feel special and superior to others. Boasting of their false knowledge they mince when they walk, without regard to the needs of their brothers and sisters. The need to be right in their own eyes takes priority over love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, self-control, 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."
When contention over favored unScriptural beliefs causes anger, unkindness, brashness, and faithlessness to Christ, we can be sure the disobedient brother or sister may not be born again. God tells us what to look for when judging whether someone is born again or not.
Matthew 7:15-20
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 1
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Perhaps if believers in Jesus Christ would abandon everything that is not proven by Scripture, the fights, arrogance, and punishing mentality would dissolve and Christ could be glorified. Relationships could be reconciled, even entire churches could heal, taking a new direction, that is the leading of the Holy Spirit instead of worldly ideas that propagate self-exaltation.
Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel."
1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Romans 8:6
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
Hallelujah, when we actually follow Christ, not only just speaking words we will be so different from the world they will wonder why we are so calm and strong while everyone around us is falling apart, depressed and continually agitated.
Our calling here on earth is the gospel, we have no mandate from God to save governments Our marching orders are to be an example of Christlikeness toward individual people in our sphere of influence that they would see Christ in us.
1 Peter 2:12
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
What is a snob?
This is a person who thinks they are better than others. One who believes they deserve a higher status, more accolades, and more attention than others.
Snobs look down on those who think differently from them, those who walk a path that allows them the freedom to think independently of others.
Romans 12:2-4 "…2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,…"
The world is full of snobs, we cannot allow the pressure of the snob to follow them, to conform us to their way. We must seek Christ to be conformed to His likeness.
It is not possible to be humble and a snob at the same time. The snob must repent to be cleansed by God.
Romans 10:3
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
Romans 11:20
"That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid."
Romans 12:2
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
A snob wants us to be like them, follow them, think the way they think, and elevate them as special in order to gain their narcissistic supply. Their feeling of superiority lifts them up only until they can lord it over their next victim. They are never at peace, never joyful, and always seeking someone to dominate.
These people do not love anyone, only their own bellies and appetites for praise without empathy and kindness.
1 Corinthians 11:1
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
There are "cliques" in every venue, even in the church. People who will only associate with those they think are special or superior are treated with respect, all others are ignored or mocked.
If the Lord has taken you out of a clique, pray for those who are still trapped in the bondage to self-exaltation. We know that these people are deeply insecure without substance and without the fruit of the Spirit. They live miserable lives and think they are living good lives.
Revelation 3:16-18 "…16 So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.…"
Romans 12:1-3 "1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you."
Love the snob enough to pray for their deliverance. Do not be intimidated by them but pity them. We must self-reflect as we pray to ask God if we have been caught up in snobbery ourselves. It is common to see the flaws of others while ignoring our own.
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