"Trust is the fruit of what happens when there is truth!" Without truth, there can be no trust!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
God Doen't Force Anyone!
People only change when they want to; when they change behavior under the pressure of others, it's because someone else intimidated them into it, it's not a heart change, it is actually dishonest.
Intimidation to change another person is all about the pride in the one attempting to change them. Those who use manipulation and intimidation to coerce another person into accepting their idea of righteousness are playing God and demonstrating a haughty attitude of superiority. There is no love in manipulation and intimidation.
Born-again believers share with love the truth to help others but we must leave the results to God so that we may not be a hindrance to what God might be doing in the life of the hearer.
When we love God, we obey Him in sharing truth, but we do not attempt any tactic of force ourselves, we leave all the results to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
God never forced anyone to obey! When we see that someone is not open to the truth, we leave them alone and leave them to God.
Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Intimidation to change another person is all about the pride in the one attempting to change them. Those who use manipulation and intimidation to coerce another person into accepting their idea of righteousness are playing God and demonstrating a haughty attitude of superiority. There is no love in manipulation and intimidation.
Born-again believers share with love the truth to help others but we must leave the results to God so that we may not be a hindrance to what God might be doing in the life of the hearer.
When we love God, we obey Him in sharing truth, but we do not attempt any tactic of force ourselves, we leave all the results to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
God never forced anyone to obey! When we see that someone is not open to the truth, we leave them alone and leave them to God.
Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Friday, April 25, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
What is a Part of Us Comes Naturally without Trying
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Don't need a law to force people to breathe air! When we have been changed by Christ and have the fruit of His Spirit, we don't try to be what we should; it comes naturally, and it is unnatural to be anything else.
Don't need a law to force people to breathe air! When we have been changed by Christ and have the fruit of His Spirit, we don't try to be what we should; it comes naturally, and it is unnatural to be anything else.
Only Christ Has a Word for Us!
I have been told a couple of times in my life that someone had a word from the Lord for me, and my response is this:
"There is only one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ. If he wants me to know something, He tells me."
Those who wish to show off, demonstrating how spiritual they are by proclaiming things for other people, are fakers and liars.
It is one thing to approach someone who is violating Scripture using the scriptures to help them back on the road to obedience; it is not the same as claiming to hear special and specific information from God that is not in the Bible.
Those who walk in the Spirit can easily discern fakers who wish to convince others they are superior. They promote themselves instead of Christ. Fakers are elevating self not Christ!
Let's think logically, if something is going to happen to us in the future that God has ordained, we have no need to be told because we walk by faith, not by sight, trusting God every day for whatever He has for us. We have no need to know the future; we only need to trust in Him.
And, it is silly to think that Christ Who lives in me, would give someone else a message He has for me. We have no need to know the future beyond what God has already revealed in His Word for us.
Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
"There is only one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ. If he wants me to know something, He tells me."
Those who wish to show off, demonstrating how spiritual they are by proclaiming things for other people, are fakers and liars.
It is one thing to approach someone who is violating Scripture using the scriptures to help them back on the road to obedience; it is not the same as claiming to hear special and specific information from God that is not in the Bible.
Those who walk in the Spirit can easily discern fakers who wish to convince others they are superior. They promote themselves instead of Christ. Fakers are elevating self not Christ!
Let's think logically, if something is going to happen to us in the future that God has ordained, we have no need to be told because we walk by faith, not by sight, trusting God every day for whatever He has for us. We have no need to know the future; we only need to trust in Him.
And, it is silly to think that Christ Who lives in me, would give someone else a message He has for me. We have no need to know the future beyond what God has already revealed in His Word for us.
Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
Influenced by the Culture or Influenced by Christ
God said in 2 Timothy three we are living in "perilous" times, that word perilous means "ragingly insane" times in which very little makes good sense, and there is rebellion all around us all the time.
Those of us who can discern things with the mind of Christ, because He lives in us, can see what most people cannot see.
Most people are influenced heavily by the culture around them, working feverishly to be accepted by the world.
Even Christians say things like, "We need to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer," rather than just speaking the truth with boldness as Christ did. They say these things because they are depending on themselves rather than the Holy Spirit.
Even the Holy Spirit prevented the apostles from going to certain places, we don't know exactly why, but some cultures have hardened their hearts, and it is a waste of time to go where God says not to go.
Acts 16:6-7 "6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
We are not called to manipulate people into believing the truth; we are commanded to speak it and leave all the results to God. We are not called to speak to every person, however, we are to obey when Christ in us leads us to speak to others. When we depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us, we don't need formulas; He knows exactly what is needed for each person that we cannot know. The leading of the Holy Spirit knows the complexities of everyone's life, and His delivery is designed for the person we are speaking to. We cannot know like the Holy Spirit knows we must depend on Him.
It is not our fault if someone rejects the gospel; the fault belongs to them. Unbelievers will attempt to blame us by accusing our delivery or words, but it is a lie from the devil to intimidate us into silence, making us fearful that we might not do it right. Ignore the devil he is full of lies all the time in everything.
Psychology has determined that every person is an animal who was influenced and controlled by others around them, causing insecurities that were not their fault. This thinking comes from Darwinism, which teaches that men are only operating from instinct, like all other animals.
Because of this faulty and evil system of Darwinism, people are convinced that we are the problem when we hold people accountable or expect them to act better than they do. Instead, according to Darwinism, we should coddle everyone for the hurt inside of them that caused them to do evil.
The problem with this theory is that some people who have been hurt deeply do not hurt others because they know how it felt and don't want to do what was done to them.
This wicked theory leaves the victims unattended and ignored while the perpetrator of the evil is coddled.
Then there are those who were treated well and chose to dominate and control others because of their bent toward evil and selfishness.
It isn't about the way we were treated, it is about our choices when we are grown to either become like the abuser or to reject the ways of the abuser to be better than that.
Choices, it's all about choosing to be different because we want to be a loving person, or choosing to be the same as the abuser out of anger and bitterness. It is irrational to harm others who have never harmed us merely because a wicked person did evil to us in the past.
Mankind likes to make excuses for their behavior so they don't have to confess it or feel bad about themselves. What wicked people don't understand is that the temporary glee they feel from harming others does not dispel the continual anger they hang onto in their hearts; they are in bondage to their anger.
It is only in Christ that a wicked person can be transformed into the opposite of what comes naturally, from their fallen human nature to a person filled with love and kindness flowing from the heart of Christ Who lives in them.
When Christ transforms someone, they are no longer in bondage to their sinful feelings. They no longer have to follow what comes naturally to them; they can walk in "newness of life" full of joy and peace that only Christ can give.
Romans 6:3-5 "…3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
There is great hope for anyone who is willing to confess their sinfulness and trust in Christ Who died for them, that they would be freed from their sinful heart of bondage.
Colossians 2:12
"And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead."
Galatians 3:27
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Those who have been transformed by Christ have the fruit of His Spirit. We don't need to work hard to pretend to have it; it comes naturally to us as much as breathing without thinking. It is who we are in essence.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those of us who can discern things with the mind of Christ, because He lives in us, can see what most people cannot see.
Most people are influenced heavily by the culture around them, working feverishly to be accepted by the world.
Even Christians say things like, "We need to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer," rather than just speaking the truth with boldness as Christ did. They say these things because they are depending on themselves rather than the Holy Spirit.
Even the Holy Spirit prevented the apostles from going to certain places, we don't know exactly why, but some cultures have hardened their hearts, and it is a waste of time to go where God says not to go.
Acts 16:6-7 "6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
We are not called to manipulate people into believing the truth; we are commanded to speak it and leave all the results to God. We are not called to speak to every person, however, we are to obey when Christ in us leads us to speak to others. When we depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us, we don't need formulas; He knows exactly what is needed for each person that we cannot know. The leading of the Holy Spirit knows the complexities of everyone's life, and His delivery is designed for the person we are speaking to. We cannot know like the Holy Spirit knows we must depend on Him.
It is not our fault if someone rejects the gospel; the fault belongs to them. Unbelievers will attempt to blame us by accusing our delivery or words, but it is a lie from the devil to intimidate us into silence, making us fearful that we might not do it right. Ignore the devil he is full of lies all the time in everything.
Psychology has determined that every person is an animal who was influenced and controlled by others around them, causing insecurities that were not their fault. This thinking comes from Darwinism, which teaches that men are only operating from instinct, like all other animals.
Because of this faulty and evil system of Darwinism, people are convinced that we are the problem when we hold people accountable or expect them to act better than they do. Instead, according to Darwinism, we should coddle everyone for the hurt inside of them that caused them to do evil.
The problem with this theory is that some people who have been hurt deeply do not hurt others because they know how it felt and don't want to do what was done to them.
This wicked theory leaves the victims unattended and ignored while the perpetrator of the evil is coddled.
Then there are those who were treated well and chose to dominate and control others because of their bent toward evil and selfishness.
It isn't about the way we were treated, it is about our choices when we are grown to either become like the abuser or to reject the ways of the abuser to be better than that.
Choices, it's all about choosing to be different because we want to be a loving person, or choosing to be the same as the abuser out of anger and bitterness. It is irrational to harm others who have never harmed us merely because a wicked person did evil to us in the past.
Mankind likes to make excuses for their behavior so they don't have to confess it or feel bad about themselves. What wicked people don't understand is that the temporary glee they feel from harming others does not dispel the continual anger they hang onto in their hearts; they are in bondage to their anger.
It is only in Christ that a wicked person can be transformed into the opposite of what comes naturally, from their fallen human nature to a person filled with love and kindness flowing from the heart of Christ Who lives in them.
When Christ transforms someone, they are no longer in bondage to their sinful feelings. They no longer have to follow what comes naturally to them; they can walk in "newness of life" full of joy and peace that only Christ can give.
Romans 6:3-5 "…3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
There is great hope for anyone who is willing to confess their sinfulness and trust in Christ Who died for them, that they would be freed from their sinful heart of bondage.
Colossians 2:12
"And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead."
Galatians 3:27
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Those who have been transformed by Christ have the fruit of His Spirit. We don't need to work hard to pretend to have it; it comes naturally to us as much as breathing without thinking. It is who we are in essence.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Discerning the Holy Spirits Leading
When we walk with Christ daily, we will discern when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us and when it is just our own thoughts; we can tell the difference.
This reminds me of the gatherings of Christians I have experienced in recent years, perhaps all my life. In social gatherings, I never hear them speak of Christ or the Holy Spirit. They speak about politics, their latest adventures in life, and their family, but never about Christ or the Holy Spirit.
In fact, they look at me strangely as if irritated when I say something like, "The Holy Spirit led me to do it" or "the Holy Spirit prevented me from doing it." It is as though they consider it arrogance to say we have heard from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…"
When we walk with Christ daily, we hear clearly the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and we know it is Him. If we are unsure because of the noise of the culture around us, we pray until Christ quiets the noise and makes it even more clear that He is speaking.
If something is not the will of the Holy Spirit, He will prevent it from happening, and it will become clear eventually why He didn't want it to happen.
Acts 13:2-4
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."
Acts 20:22-23
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me."
Have you ever felt deeply compelled to do something, so intensely that the sense remained until you did what God told you to do? Then, after obeying, the feeling of urgency left, and peace was restored.
Peace comes when we have obeyed; however, when we do not obey immediately, the sense of urgency persists until we do what the Holy Spirit has called us to do. When we obey the urgency leaves and contentment returns.
There have been times when others did not understand that the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even coming against me for doing what God told me to do, but the urgency to obey God didn't leave, no matter how much pressure from the culture around me.
The culture we live in will not understand us, nor do they care to understand. Cultures are hard-wired to follow the flow of the crowd, without questioning where the crowd is going. They seem content to follow the multitude of people, the mob, because it seems safer to them to have others to lean on who prop them up, whether or not the herd is going in the right direction.
Very few people can stand alone boldly with powerful resolve to obey God without validation from the crowd. Only those who are in Christ, who seek His leading, will be able to stand alone.
Matthew 10:32-33:
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Father in heaven".
1 Peter 3:14-15:
"But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of those who threaten you. But in your hearts, give honor to the Lord as your God". This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing persecution, and to honor Christ as Lord, regardless of the circumstances."
2 Timothy 1:7:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline."
Even when we are misunderstood, lied against, and devalued by the crowd, we can still remain strong, fully devoted to Christ Who lives in us!!! Hallelujah!!!
This reminds me of the gatherings of Christians I have experienced in recent years, perhaps all my life. In social gatherings, I never hear them speak of Christ or the Holy Spirit. They speak about politics, their latest adventures in life, and their family, but never about Christ or the Holy Spirit.
In fact, they look at me strangely as if irritated when I say something like, "The Holy Spirit led me to do it" or "the Holy Spirit prevented me from doing it." It is as though they consider it arrogance to say we have heard from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…"
When we walk with Christ daily, we hear clearly the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and we know it is Him. If we are unsure because of the noise of the culture around us, we pray until Christ quiets the noise and makes it even more clear that He is speaking.
If something is not the will of the Holy Spirit, He will prevent it from happening, and it will become clear eventually why He didn't want it to happen.
Acts 13:2-4
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."
Acts 20:22-23
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me."
Have you ever felt deeply compelled to do something, so intensely that the sense remained until you did what God told you to do? Then, after obeying, the feeling of urgency left, and peace was restored.
Peace comes when we have obeyed; however, when we do not obey immediately, the sense of urgency persists until we do what the Holy Spirit has called us to do. When we obey the urgency leaves and contentment returns.
There have been times when others did not understand that the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even coming against me for doing what God told me to do, but the urgency to obey God didn't leave, no matter how much pressure from the culture around me.
The culture we live in will not understand us, nor do they care to understand. Cultures are hard-wired to follow the flow of the crowd, without questioning where the crowd is going. They seem content to follow the multitude of people, the mob, because it seems safer to them to have others to lean on who prop them up, whether or not the herd is going in the right direction.
Very few people can stand alone boldly with powerful resolve to obey God without validation from the crowd. Only those who are in Christ, who seek His leading, will be able to stand alone.
Matthew 10:32-33:
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Father in heaven".
1 Peter 3:14-15:
"But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of those who threaten you. But in your hearts, give honor to the Lord as your God". This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing persecution, and to honor Christ as Lord, regardless of the circumstances."
2 Timothy 1:7:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline."
Even when we are misunderstood, lied against, and devalued by the crowd, we can still remain strong, fully devoted to Christ Who lives in us!!! Hallelujah!!!
Believers do not Live a Lifestyle of Rudeness Toward Others
As Christians, Christ in us convicts us of sin even before we do something wrong to help us resist it.
Those who justify their sin against others, whether it be lies, covert rudeness, or out-and-out sin against someone, couldn't be saved because Christ in the believer will warn the one in whom He dwells before they commit the sin.
Even if a believer sins, they quickly feel the weight of conviction and confess it to be cleansed quickly. The sense that we have displeased God is stronger in us than the feelings to defend and justify ourselves.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The born-again believer can't stand the separation from our Lord because of sin, we must confess and be restored to walk in His likeness.
1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God 's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God."
Those who live continually to harm others, dominate them and aggravate them, knowing what they are doing, cannot possibly have the Holy Spirit living in them.
Those who justify their sin against others, whether it be lies, covert rudeness, or out-and-out sin against someone, couldn't be saved because Christ in the believer will warn the one in whom He dwells before they commit the sin.
Even if a believer sins, they quickly feel the weight of conviction and confess it to be cleansed quickly. The sense that we have displeased God is stronger in us than the feelings to defend and justify ourselves.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The born-again believer can't stand the separation from our Lord because of sin, we must confess and be restored to walk in His likeness.
1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God 's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God."
Those who live continually to harm others, dominate them and aggravate them, knowing what they are doing, cannot possibly have the Holy Spirit living in them.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The easy way to refute Calvinism and irresistible grace!!!!
I once heard it said that "our DNA is not our destiny." When we are born and grow into adulthood, somewhere around 12 years old, we make choices, and our choices determine the outcome of our lives.
To say that someone has no choice in their salvation would also imply that we have no choices in our lives pertaining to our behavior.
It is irrational to say that we have no choice for our salvation and we will be whatever we were born to be, and then teach a child to obey commands he has no ability to obey.
There is no chance I would ever tell a child just do whatever you feel like doing, whether or not it is evil or good, because you are going to be whatever God determined you to be without a choice anyway.
It is irrational to train a child to obey God if the child has no choice to obey God. God gave us commands that we would make a choice to obey or disobey Him and our parents.
I also have to wonder why those who believe they are one of the chosen by God think they are one of those chosen. Is it merely because they decided to believe that false doctrine? What evidence do they cling to that makes them believe they are one of the chosen ones?
Romans 10:12-14 "…12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?…"
Nothing in these passages indicates that "the chosen" are born to be saved and those not chosen born to go to hell. God clearly says that we become born again, saved from sin and hell by choosing Christ, all who want Christ will be saved.
Joshua 24:14-16 "14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” 16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!"
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
If we were not given a choice to follow Christ, then it is irrational to say that we deserve hell for not choosing.
My God is not one who throws people into hell for His own pleasure, just to watch them burn. That would be the devil who would do such a thing.
My God placed Himself on the cross to pay for the sins of the world because of His great love, giving everyone a chance to repent and live forever with Him in paradise.
One thing is for sure: every one I have met who has been caught up in the doctrine of Calvinism's irresistible grace has been arrogant and unteachable. I say this not only because of the way they act but also because they have determined themselves to be one of the elect merely for saying so.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test."
What is the test? This is the test!
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This fruit can be discerned by those who have the Holy Spirit. The pretender and other unregenerate people cannot discern this fruit. In fact, they see the qualities and despise it as though it were weaknesses.
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Next time someone says to you, "I am one of the elect chosen by God to be saved", ask them why they think they are!
To say that someone has no choice in their salvation would also imply that we have no choices in our lives pertaining to our behavior.
It is irrational to say that we have no choice for our salvation and we will be whatever we were born to be, and then teach a child to obey commands he has no ability to obey.
There is no chance I would ever tell a child just do whatever you feel like doing, whether or not it is evil or good, because you are going to be whatever God determined you to be without a choice anyway.
It is irrational to train a child to obey God if the child has no choice to obey God. God gave us commands that we would make a choice to obey or disobey Him and our parents.
I also have to wonder why those who believe they are one of the chosen by God think they are one of those chosen. Is it merely because they decided to believe that false doctrine? What evidence do they cling to that makes them believe they are one of the chosen ones?
Romans 10:12-14 "…12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?…"
Nothing in these passages indicates that "the chosen" are born to be saved and those not chosen born to go to hell. God clearly says that we become born again, saved from sin and hell by choosing Christ, all who want Christ will be saved.
Joshua 24:14-16 "14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” 16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!"
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
If we were not given a choice to follow Christ, then it is irrational to say that we deserve hell for not choosing.
My God is not one who throws people into hell for His own pleasure, just to watch them burn. That would be the devil who would do such a thing.
My God placed Himself on the cross to pay for the sins of the world because of His great love, giving everyone a chance to repent and live forever with Him in paradise.
One thing is for sure: every one I have met who has been caught up in the doctrine of Calvinism's irresistible grace has been arrogant and unteachable. I say this not only because of the way they act but also because they have determined themselves to be one of the elect merely for saying so.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test."
What is the test? This is the test!
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This fruit can be discerned by those who have the Holy Spirit. The pretender and other unregenerate people cannot discern this fruit. In fact, they see the qualities and despise it as though it were weaknesses.
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Next time someone says to you, "I am one of the elect chosen by God to be saved", ask them why they think they are!
The Remnant, the Rare Exception in these Days of Apostasy
Pride and arrogance, jealousy and envy, are all the deeply seeded traits of the devil that he fosters in the hearts of those who do not know Christ.
Pride is a deep satisfaction in one's own accomplishments, whether real or imagined.
Arrogance is haughtiness, the desire to be superior to others, whether real or imagined.
Envy is the desire to have what someone else has.
Jealousy is not wanting someone else to have what we don't have.
These traits are growing exponentially in this culture of the end times. Along with these traits comes intense hatred for those who have not offended anyone, requiring the one who is arrogant, prideful, envious, and jealous to concoct stories to validate their own loathing toward those who do not deserve the disrespect extended to them.
They did this to Christ and all the apostles and followers of Christ all down through the ages.
The devil did this in the garden with Adam and Eve. He lied to Eve to foster feelings of distrust in her toward God. The devil hated that God loved His creation and had given them everything good. He not only deceived Eve but also manipulated Eve to deceive her husband. Both people were at fault for accepting the lie of the devil to gratify their own pleasure.
This mentality, "no one tells me", was evident in the garden and rampant in society today.
It wasn't enough that God created them and then gave them every good thing needed for a lovely life; they had to ignore the goodness of God to take the one thing they knew God didn't want them to have, which would bring their downfall.
The devil wanted the first couple to disobey God, move into sin, causing trouble between them as a couple and worse between them and God.
Those who are manipulated by he devil to hate those who love God have all the traits listed above, the very attributes that got the devil thrown out of heaven.
Before a person is born again, they have no genuine love for God or others.
The goal of the devil is to destroy any possibility of a relationship between God and mankind in any way he can, and he does it through the four traits that began this article.
These four traits are the foundation of every other act of evil that mankind does against one another.
If the devil can cause a person to believe they deserve special treatment, they will not only lean into the evil traits of pride, arrogance, jealousy and envy, but rather than resist it, they will justify it. It is only in Christ that we can resist these character flaws that lead to destruction.
God told us the end times would be "perilous" (ragingly insane) with the very attributes of the devil that caused his downfall and eventual final existence in hell for eternity.
Thank the Lord for His provision of Facebook, that every believer who is led by the Spirit of Christ can warn the world about sin and hell from their own homes.
We are so close to the end of the church age that those who are looking for the coming of Christ have a sense of immanence that dwells in them every day, even a joy and hope that this will all be over soon and they will be going home, their eternal home.
They see with their eyes what God described in 2 Timothy 3 when the world will live continually dominated by the evil mentality of the devil. In these end times, people will be rude, mean, and destructive to relationships and think they are doing the right thing.
We see the departure from the things of God as people embrace lies using the scripture to appear righteous, but are defying God. Many people are changing God's word to meet their own fleshly desires while attacking those who are telling the truth about what is going on in the world.
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."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "1 But understand this: In the last days, terrible (ragingly insane) times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!"
The churches are more interested in what is going on in politics than they are in obeying and glorifying God. They have, for the most part, become apostate. Few obscure and rare and hard-to-find gatherings are still following Christ and depending on His Word. The Authentic church is the rare exception now, the remnant God calls it.
My hope is that this will encourage believers to keep looking up. Their hope and joy will keep them from being emotionally and spiritually damaged by all that is going on around them. It will also help them maintain their confidence in Christ, no matter what others are doing against them.
Keep Looking Up!!!!!
Pride is a deep satisfaction in one's own accomplishments, whether real or imagined.
Arrogance is haughtiness, the desire to be superior to others, whether real or imagined.
Envy is the desire to have what someone else has.
Jealousy is not wanting someone else to have what we don't have.
These traits are growing exponentially in this culture of the end times. Along with these traits comes intense hatred for those who have not offended anyone, requiring the one who is arrogant, prideful, envious, and jealous to concoct stories to validate their own loathing toward those who do not deserve the disrespect extended to them.
They did this to Christ and all the apostles and followers of Christ all down through the ages.
The devil did this in the garden with Adam and Eve. He lied to Eve to foster feelings of distrust in her toward God. The devil hated that God loved His creation and had given them everything good. He not only deceived Eve but also manipulated Eve to deceive her husband. Both people were at fault for accepting the lie of the devil to gratify their own pleasure.
This mentality, "no one tells me", was evident in the garden and rampant in society today.
It wasn't enough that God created them and then gave them every good thing needed for a lovely life; they had to ignore the goodness of God to take the one thing they knew God didn't want them to have, which would bring their downfall.
The devil wanted the first couple to disobey God, move into sin, causing trouble between them as a couple and worse between them and God.
Those who are manipulated by he devil to hate those who love God have all the traits listed above, the very attributes that got the devil thrown out of heaven.
Before a person is born again, they have no genuine love for God or others.
Everything an unsaved person does is based on gratifying and elevating oneself in one's own mind, just as the devil did when he was thrown out of heaven.
Since the devil was chastised by God, he wants to ruin human relationships by fostering pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy in those who have no defense against him because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the devil was chastised by God, he wants to ruin human relationships by fostering pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy in those who have no defense against him because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
The goal of the devil is to destroy any possibility of a relationship between God and mankind in any way he can, and he does it through the four traits that began this article.
These four traits are the foundation of every other act of evil that mankind does against one another.
If the devil can cause a person to believe they deserve special treatment, they will not only lean into the evil traits of pride, arrogance, jealousy and envy, but rather than resist it, they will justify it. It is only in Christ that we can resist these character flaws that lead to destruction.
God told us the end times would be "perilous" (ragingly insane) with the very attributes of the devil that caused his downfall and eventual final existence in hell for eternity.
Thank the Lord for His provision of Facebook, that every believer who is led by the Spirit of Christ can warn the world about sin and hell from their own homes.
We are so close to the end of the church age that those who are looking for the coming of Christ have a sense of immanence that dwells in them every day, even a joy and hope that this will all be over soon and they will be going home, their eternal home.
They see with their eyes what God described in 2 Timothy 3 when the world will live continually dominated by the evil mentality of the devil. In these end times, people will be rude, mean, and destructive to relationships and think they are doing the right thing.
We see the departure from the things of God as people embrace lies using the scripture to appear righteous, but are defying God. Many people are changing God's word to meet their own fleshly desires while attacking those who are telling the truth about what is going on in the world.
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."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "1 But understand this: In the last days, terrible (ragingly insane) times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!"
The churches are more interested in what is going on in politics than they are in obeying and glorifying God. They have, for the most part, become apostate. Few obscure and rare and hard-to-find gatherings are still following Christ and depending on His Word. The Authentic church is the rare exception now, the remnant God calls it.
My hope is that this will encourage believers to keep looking up. Their hope and joy will keep them from being emotionally and spiritually damaged by all that is going on around them. It will also help them maintain their confidence in Christ, no matter what others are doing against them.
Keep Looking Up!!!!!
Monday, April 21, 2025
The way the modern church does church is not Biblical.
There is no one-man-paid-pastor in the Bible. There is no prescribed time or place to meet.
When we come together, we are to observe the Lord's supper every time. All the people attending participate in edifying one another and there is a meal.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
"26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."
In the gathering of believers, no one has authority over anyone else. It is the Holy Spirit Who is the Authority over the believers; all things are done as led by the Holy Spirit.
The modern church gatherings have turned into cults in which the people in the pews follow one man up front, are not allowed to question him in the gathering, and are shut down if anyone challenges what is being taught.
The Lord's supper is rarely practiced in most churches as an afterthought rather than as the main event.
Most attendees of these gatherings don't read the Bible for themselves at home, so when they come, they leave all the work of seeking God to the one who is paid to do it. Anyone who questions the paid-pastor is seen as rebellious and rejected by the sheep in the pews.
The paid-pastor is elevated above the others by a stage, further intimidating those in the pews from speaking. Since the paid-pastor is educated in special colleges and given a degree, he is seen as the authority over the people. The trust of the people in the pews is for the paid, educated pastor and not the Holy Spirit.
I was told once by a friend that I couldn't know the truth about something because I had not been to a seminary. My response was, "Oh, you think the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?"
It was in the second century AD that this hierarchy system in churches began and has escalated beyond redemption to this very day. Most church attendees placed their trust in that one man, paid pastor, more than they do the Holy Spirit.
The world has been so brain-washed into this system that they think those who don't believe this is the right way have lost their minds.
There are church gatherings that still practice the Biblical model of meeting together, but they are few and hard to find. I have been in these gatherings, and the love and sweetness of the gatherings were wonderful. It has been a long time since we were in one because most of these gatherings have elderly people in them, and when they die, so does the gathering.
The authentic church is a small remnant now! I would never advise anyone to find a building with people in it and join it just to say they have obeyed the scripture not to forsake the gathering.
We can gather anywhere with anyone at any time and it need not be with more than two people to be considered a gathering. Many people are now gathering online because of the apostasy in their community. There is no building to attend that glorifies God; they have all gone apostate.
The Holy Spirit must teach us and guide us in all that we do, even in whether or not we attend a gathering. Meeting at home with a friend is enough, and Christ will be there.
God did not want us to isolate ourselves from other believers, however, when the believers we meet are not obeying Christ and are walking in disobedience, misinterpreting and misunderstanding His word because they are interpreting the Word in terms of their own mindset instead of what God really said, there can be no oneness of mind, there is no fellowship to edify one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "11 Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. "
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Definition of edify; "instruct or improve one another."
This is not about praise or flattery, but it is about helping one another grow in wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
When we come together, we are to observe the Lord's supper every time. All the people attending participate in edifying one another and there is a meal.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
"26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."
In the gathering of believers, no one has authority over anyone else. It is the Holy Spirit Who is the Authority over the believers; all things are done as led by the Holy Spirit.
The modern church gatherings have turned into cults in which the people in the pews follow one man up front, are not allowed to question him in the gathering, and are shut down if anyone challenges what is being taught.
The Lord's supper is rarely practiced in most churches as an afterthought rather than as the main event.
Most attendees of these gatherings don't read the Bible for themselves at home, so when they come, they leave all the work of seeking God to the one who is paid to do it. Anyone who questions the paid-pastor is seen as rebellious and rejected by the sheep in the pews.
The paid-pastor is elevated above the others by a stage, further intimidating those in the pews from speaking. Since the paid-pastor is educated in special colleges and given a degree, he is seen as the authority over the people. The trust of the people in the pews is for the paid, educated pastor and not the Holy Spirit.
I was told once by a friend that I couldn't know the truth about something because I had not been to a seminary. My response was, "Oh, you think the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?"
It was in the second century AD that this hierarchy system in churches began and has escalated beyond redemption to this very day. Most church attendees placed their trust in that one man, paid pastor, more than they do the Holy Spirit.
The world has been so brain-washed into this system that they think those who don't believe this is the right way have lost their minds.
There are church gatherings that still practice the Biblical model of meeting together, but they are few and hard to find. I have been in these gatherings, and the love and sweetness of the gatherings were wonderful. It has been a long time since we were in one because most of these gatherings have elderly people in them, and when they die, so does the gathering.
The authentic church is a small remnant now! I would never advise anyone to find a building with people in it and join it just to say they have obeyed the scripture not to forsake the gathering.
We can gather anywhere with anyone at any time and it need not be with more than two people to be considered a gathering. Many people are now gathering online because of the apostasy in their community. There is no building to attend that glorifies God; they have all gone apostate.
The Holy Spirit must teach us and guide us in all that we do, even in whether or not we attend a gathering. Meeting at home with a friend is enough, and Christ will be there.
God did not want us to isolate ourselves from other believers, however, when the believers we meet are not obeying Christ and are walking in disobedience, misinterpreting and misunderstanding His word because they are interpreting the Word in terms of their own mindset instead of what God really said, there can be no oneness of mind, there is no fellowship to edify one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "11 Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. "
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Definition of edify; "instruct or improve one another."
This is not about praise or flattery, but it is about helping one another grow in wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Walk with the Wise and We will Become Wise
The Lord has been removing me from those who walk a superficial Christianity based on cultural customs for a few years now. He has been opening my eyes to the continual opposition and snarkiness of those who are stubborn toward the scriptures, even though they claim to be Christian. It is one thing to encounter non-believers to witness Christ. It is far different to be in constant company with those who hate our witness and want to fight and argue about everything, but still claim to be Christian. I am so done with all that mess!!!!
The thought of wasting one more moment with those who want to appear spiritually superior but want nothing of Christ is too much to bear. Being alone with Christ is preferable to being with mean-spirited, superior-acting pretenders who cannot be reached for Christ because of the pride in themselves.
Luke 18:9-14 "9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Those who are authentically born-again will have all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Pretenders can try to appear to have the fruit, but it falls flat, coming off as phony and self-serving. When the Holy Spirit warns us about the pretenders, we can repeat the gospel one more time to them and leave them to God. Remaining with them only dilutes our own walk with Christ.
We are to keep company with like-minded people who love the Lord, not with the world of pretenders.
The hardest people to reach for Christ are the pretenders who have a high opinion of themselves; they will never see their need to let go of their pride until God utterly breaks them. We cannot do it, nor should we; it is God's business. In the meantime, we are to avoid contact with those who do not walk in obedience to Christ while claiming they do.
Psalm 26:3-5 "…3 For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked."
Proverbs 4:14-15
"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
The company we keep reveals what is in our hearts.
The thought of wasting one more moment with those who want to appear spiritually superior but want nothing of Christ is too much to bear. Being alone with Christ is preferable to being with mean-spirited, superior-acting pretenders who cannot be reached for Christ because of the pride in themselves.
Luke 18:9-14 "9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Those who are authentically born-again will have all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Pretenders can try to appear to have the fruit, but it falls flat, coming off as phony and self-serving. When the Holy Spirit warns us about the pretenders, we can repeat the gospel one more time to them and leave them to God. Remaining with them only dilutes our own walk with Christ.
We are to keep company with like-minded people who love the Lord, not with the world of pretenders.
The hardest people to reach for Christ are the pretenders who have a high opinion of themselves; they will never see their need to let go of their pride until God utterly breaks them. We cannot do it, nor should we; it is God's business. In the meantime, we are to avoid contact with those who do not walk in obedience to Christ while claiming they do.
Psalm 26:3-5 "…3 For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked."
Proverbs 4:14-15
"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
The company we keep reveals what is in our hearts.
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Defining Others
" We define others by the questions we choose to ask and the answers we choose to believe" (a quote from someone else.)
Rude People are Full of Hate
Rude people want us to either fear them or fight with them. When we show them the respect they didn't show us, we avoid becoming like them.
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
Those Who Follow Christ Walk Alone A Lot
As you become more filled with the Holy Spirit every day, do you find yourself disagreeing with and even being grieved by what most people who call themselves Christians are doing and saying?
I DO!!!!!!!
I DO!!!!!!!
Building Character is Better than Just Getting a Job Done
I once heard a psychologist teach an aggravated mother how to train her child to do things that needed to be done.
The psychologist told the young woman to get her to do her chores; she needed to manipulate her child to think it was her own idea so that she would willingly do her chores.
As I pondered this idea, it seemed to make sense until I realized from scripture that we are to train our children to obey rather than appealing to the stubbornness of their children.
Then God spoke to me and told me that if a mother manipulates the child to cause them to want to do their chores, she is training her child that he doesn't have to do anything they don't want to do.
See how clever the devil is? What sounded like a good idea was against God's way and trains a child according to their own selfishness, to think they didn't have to obey anyone unless they wanted to do it.
Sadly, making a child believe it was their own idea does get the job done, but it trains the child to resist obeying someone when they don't want to do something.
Life is all about obedience, either to parents, employers, or God. Often, we have to do things we don't like because it is better for the people around us if we are helpful, even when it is unpleasant.
Life is not just about accomplishing something; it matters that we think more of our effect on our companions and the success of the team than our own personal desires.
One of the reasons for the dissolution of marriage and the increase in selfish attitudes in children is the modern tendency to teach children to please themselves instead of thinking of the welfare of the community around them.
Philippians 2:3 "
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;"
When an entire culture is taught to "think of themselves first" jobs may get done, but the attitude that got it done damages others around them. These self-absorbed children walk away with greater pride than if they had worked with others, developing relationships instead of self-exaltation, having nothing to do with others.
God is all about relationships more than any other thing! He wants us to have a relationship with Him, and the only way to do that is to value His principles and commands.
Those who only value their own things and desires are never helpful to others in their trials, or are phony in their actions to help others. These are those who do their acts to enhance self without authentic concern for those they help. They even do this with God, to be praised instead of God.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ "
I have known many people in my life who resisted out of jealousy engaging in the joys of others because doing so would enhance the person rather than elevate the jealous party.
Teaching a child by example of selfishness does more to ruin a child than actual words.
Manipulation is not a godly tactic in training children. Straight talk and authenticity is the way of God.
To manipulate a child to do what they should do by making them think it is their own idea merely solidifies their stubborn nature to use and abuse others to their own glory and woefully deadens their consideration of others.
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.…"
As born-again believers, we should be training our children to obey because of love for others rather than to seek only their own ideas and desires.
As we can see from this example from psychology, many things that are being taught now in relationships sound so good, but are devastating to the character of children raised to only do what they want to do.
More than ever, now we are seeing young people argue with their bosses, disrespect authority,y and spurn wisdom because they don't believe they should have to do anything uncomfortable or that is not their own idea.
Another principle we can add here is that when a child will only do what is their own idea, they will never accept differences in people, the way God made them. They will expect others to be and act the way the child wants them to, rather than treating all people with honor and respect.
When others have different ideas from others, they will disrespect and punish those who are not just like them. They will even see compliance out of love as weakness.
In the culture I was raised in, many people treated with contempt those who were loving and compliant viewing them as feeble and fragile, justifying in the prideful child's mind to mock and demean anyone who is compliant to be an asset to others.
This is where we get the modern term, "suck up", describing someone who values the desires of others above their own.
Those who love to work with someone without the need to be seen as special or superior will not be respected in our culture. Those who are rude and bombastic are seen as strong, when the opposite is the truth.
Those who can defer to others to enhance the life of someone else are the stronger ones. Those who are weak must assert themselves prop-up their fragile ego, or they will be without any character at all. So, they develop a character that is completely self-absorbed and useless to those around them.
Those who will only do what they want according to their own will are never helpful unless is elevates them as special.
The most confident and kindly people are those who do their good deeds to please God and have no concern whether or not anyone else sees or praises them for it.
Matthew 6:1-2 "… 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."
When we are trained God's way to require children to obey so they learn to do things they don't particularly like but that pleases God, they will learn to obey God to bless Him and others without any concern about their own desires.
Our culture has lost its morals, completely steeped in self-esteem teaching that appeals to the baser nature, the very reason it is so popular. We can see the cleverness of the devil making a wicked thing sound good and kind while undermining the principles of God that shape the character of people into assets to the community in which they live.
Our families are not just relatives we live with, they are communities that teach good or bad that shape a child's character for a lifetime.
This life is not just about getting a job done, or building wants and desires fulfilled in individuals. The character of a person is far more important than getting a job accomplished or making a person feel pride in themselves.
There can be no humility in someone who only does something because they want it. Humility is shaped by teaching a child to do what should be done, whether or not it is comfortable or self-enhancing.
God created us as human beings to be more satisfied with relationship development and spiritual and emotional connection to others and to Him than He was about "getting a job done."
When we operate God's way we will get the job done better when we work well with others, make others more important than ourselves and seek to bring about success because of the group.
Those who are loners and will not cooperate with others will always cause problems because life is mostly made up of tasks that require us to operate cooperatively with others. No one needs to have the glory for a job all by themselves; what we need to be whole and satisfied is to see the cooperation of the group succeed. No one person gets all the glory, all the people work together, feel joy and accomplishment together, this is the design of God, and creates lovely bonds with others.
Those who operate independently of others miss the joy and companionship that comes from working together for the greater good. I feel sorry for those who will not work with others and who will not allow others to work with them; they are missing so much in life and will not have the stories to tell at the end of their life.
Those who work alone and will not work with others can only boast about themselves. I cannot tell you how boring it is to listen to those who brag about themselves and how joyful it is to hear stories when everyone is sharing together their accomplishment as a group.
It would take a book to describe all the ways psychology has ruined the hearts of many people through good-sounding ideas that were against God's principles.
When we interpret the Bible according to our culture, we are going to get it wrong almost every time in almost everything. When the culture is deeply steeped in human enhancement, it will abhor the ways of God while ruining their own hearts.
God hates gifts that are given to manipulate Him into accepting their glorification of man.
Isaiah 1:11-15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
No one enjoys a gift given or a kind act extended that comes with selfish strings attached.
The psychologist told the young woman to get her to do her chores; she needed to manipulate her child to think it was her own idea so that she would willingly do her chores.
As I pondered this idea, it seemed to make sense until I realized from scripture that we are to train our children to obey rather than appealing to the stubbornness of their children.
Then God spoke to me and told me that if a mother manipulates the child to cause them to want to do their chores, she is training her child that he doesn't have to do anything they don't want to do.
See how clever the devil is? What sounded like a good idea was against God's way and trains a child according to their own selfishness, to think they didn't have to obey anyone unless they wanted to do it.
Sadly, making a child believe it was their own idea does get the job done, but it trains the child to resist obeying someone when they don't want to do something.
Life is all about obedience, either to parents, employers, or God. Often, we have to do things we don't like because it is better for the people around us if we are helpful, even when it is unpleasant.
Life is not just about accomplishing something; it matters that we think more of our effect on our companions and the success of the team than our own personal desires.
One of the reasons for the dissolution of marriage and the increase in selfish attitudes in children is the modern tendency to teach children to please themselves instead of thinking of the welfare of the community around them.
Philippians 2:3 "
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;"
When an entire culture is taught to "think of themselves first" jobs may get done, but the attitude that got it done damages others around them. These self-absorbed children walk away with greater pride than if they had worked with others, developing relationships instead of self-exaltation, having nothing to do with others.
God is all about relationships more than any other thing! He wants us to have a relationship with Him, and the only way to do that is to value His principles and commands.
Those who only value their own things and desires are never helpful to others in their trials, or are phony in their actions to help others. These are those who do their acts to enhance self without authentic concern for those they help. They even do this with God, to be praised instead of God.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ "
I have known many people in my life who resisted out of jealousy engaging in the joys of others because doing so would enhance the person rather than elevate the jealous party.
Teaching a child by example of selfishness does more to ruin a child than actual words.
Manipulation is not a godly tactic in training children. Straight talk and authenticity is the way of God.
To manipulate a child to do what they should do by making them think it is their own idea merely solidifies their stubborn nature to use and abuse others to their own glory and woefully deadens their consideration of others.
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.…"
As born-again believers, we should be training our children to obey because of love for others rather than to seek only their own ideas and desires.
As we can see from this example from psychology, many things that are being taught now in relationships sound so good, but are devastating to the character of children raised to only do what they want to do.
More than ever, now we are seeing young people argue with their bosses, disrespect authority,y and spurn wisdom because they don't believe they should have to do anything uncomfortable or that is not their own idea.
Another principle we can add here is that when a child will only do what is their own idea, they will never accept differences in people, the way God made them. They will expect others to be and act the way the child wants them to, rather than treating all people with honor and respect.
When others have different ideas from others, they will disrespect and punish those who are not just like them. They will even see compliance out of love as weakness.
In the culture I was raised in, many people treated with contempt those who were loving and compliant viewing them as feeble and fragile, justifying in the prideful child's mind to mock and demean anyone who is compliant to be an asset to others.
This is where we get the modern term, "suck up", describing someone who values the desires of others above their own.
Those who love to work with someone without the need to be seen as special or superior will not be respected in our culture. Those who are rude and bombastic are seen as strong, when the opposite is the truth.
Those who can defer to others to enhance the life of someone else are the stronger ones. Those who are weak must assert themselves prop-up their fragile ego, or they will be without any character at all. So, they develop a character that is completely self-absorbed and useless to those around them.
Those who will only do what they want according to their own will are never helpful unless is elevates them as special.
The most confident and kindly people are those who do their good deeds to please God and have no concern whether or not anyone else sees or praises them for it.
Matthew 6:1-2 "… 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."
When we are trained God's way to require children to obey so they learn to do things they don't particularly like but that pleases God, they will learn to obey God to bless Him and others without any concern about their own desires.
Our culture has lost its morals, completely steeped in self-esteem teaching that appeals to the baser nature, the very reason it is so popular. We can see the cleverness of the devil making a wicked thing sound good and kind while undermining the principles of God that shape the character of people into assets to the community in which they live.
Our families are not just relatives we live with, they are communities that teach good or bad that shape a child's character for a lifetime.
This life is not just about getting a job done, or building wants and desires fulfilled in individuals. The character of a person is far more important than getting a job accomplished or making a person feel pride in themselves.
There can be no humility in someone who only does something because they want it. Humility is shaped by teaching a child to do what should be done, whether or not it is comfortable or self-enhancing.
God created us as human beings to be more satisfied with relationship development and spiritual and emotional connection to others and to Him than He was about "getting a job done."
When we operate God's way we will get the job done better when we work well with others, make others more important than ourselves and seek to bring about success because of the group.
Those who are loners and will not cooperate with others will always cause problems because life is mostly made up of tasks that require us to operate cooperatively with others. No one needs to have the glory for a job all by themselves; what we need to be whole and satisfied is to see the cooperation of the group succeed. No one person gets all the glory, all the people work together, feel joy and accomplishment together, this is the design of God, and creates lovely bonds with others.
Those who operate independently of others miss the joy and companionship that comes from working together for the greater good. I feel sorry for those who will not work with others and who will not allow others to work with them; they are missing so much in life and will not have the stories to tell at the end of their life.
Those who work alone and will not work with others can only boast about themselves. I cannot tell you how boring it is to listen to those who brag about themselves and how joyful it is to hear stories when everyone is sharing together their accomplishment as a group.
It would take a book to describe all the ways psychology has ruined the hearts of many people through good-sounding ideas that were against God's principles.
When we interpret the Bible according to our culture, we are going to get it wrong almost every time in almost everything. When the culture is deeply steeped in human enhancement, it will abhor the ways of God while ruining their own hearts.
God hates gifts that are given to manipulate Him into accepting their glorification of man.
Isaiah 1:11-15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
No one enjoys a gift given or a kind act extended that comes with selfish strings attached.
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Authentically Born Again Believers Do Not Fall Away
Those who "go away" from God were never His in the first place. They only had an appearance of godliness, and when it became too tiresome to live for God in their own effort, they fell away.
1 John 2:19
"19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us."
When we have been changed by Christ into a new creation, the old things are gone and we have become brand new. When Christ changes someone, they do not want to change back; they are eternally saved.
God does not throw away the believer who sins, but He does discipline them to come back to obedience.
Job 5:17
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
2 Corinthians 13:5 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? "
Many people who decided to join the Christian club to feel safe and even good about themselves were never changed by Christ because they didn't put their trust in Him, they trusted in themselves in their own strength to do what they knew was right, but their hearts were never changed because they wanted to do it themselves. These are the people who often misinterpret scripture because they are not seeking Christ they are using the scripture to justify their own thinking.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
It does not say I knew you and you changed your mind and walked away, it says "I NEVER KNEW YOU. "Christ did not do the changing so those who attempted to change themselves, proud of how good they thought they were, had no relationship with Christ.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
1 John 2:19
"19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us."
When we have been changed by Christ into a new creation, the old things are gone and we have become brand new. When Christ changes someone, they do not want to change back; they are eternally saved.
God does not throw away the believer who sins, but He does discipline them to come back to obedience.
Job 5:17
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
2 Corinthians 13:5 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? "
Many people who decided to join the Christian club to feel safe and even good about themselves were never changed by Christ because they didn't put their trust in Him, they trusted in themselves in their own strength to do what they knew was right, but their hearts were never changed because they wanted to do it themselves. These are the people who often misinterpret scripture because they are not seeking Christ they are using the scripture to justify their own thinking.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
It does not say I knew you and you changed your mind and walked away, it says "I NEVER KNEW YOU. "Christ did not do the changing so those who attempted to change themselves, proud of how good they thought they were, had no relationship with Christ.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Only One Day a Year to Honor?
Sometimes, as I ponder a subject, thinking about all its nuances, the light bulb goes on, and I realize something about that matter that I don't hear anyone else talking or writing about.
This time, as I pondered my dislike for birthday celebrations for me, it occurred to me why I dislike them for myself.
I see no mention in the Bible of people throwing parties for birthdays, that alone does not make it questionable, however, as I considered the whole matter of birthdays I realized that they began back in Egypt in the ancient cultures to celebrate the day of the birth of a pharaoh as he was corronated as a leader into godhood.
Many cultures of the world do not celebrate the day of someone's birth as do Americans.
When I was a child, I waited anxiously for the day to come for my birthday because it meant cake and presents. There were no deeper thoughts than what I would get out of it for one day a year. When I grew up, I began asking the question, "Why do we do this?", The answer that came back from people was that they wanted to honor the person, letting them know they were glad they were born. O.K., that sounds nice, but it still didn't convince me it was something to do for that reason alone.
1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things"
As an adult and later a Christian, I had no desire to be the center of attention, having a special day just for me; in fact, I found it embarrassing.
As I reflected on the matter of birthdays, I saw some things that didn't make sense to me. Wouldn't it be better to treat people with love, kindness, and respect all year, all the time, instead of the whole birthday celebration thing once a year? Some people we only hear from once a year on that day.
Often, I have seen family members wish you a happy birthday but are unkind, unloving, and rude the rest of the year. This didn't make sense to me because if they were really glad we were born, then wouldn't they be kind, loving, and respectful all the rest of the days of the year? Many are not even kind and loving on that celebration day; they force us into compliance with their plans without consulting us, and act angry if we don't do what they want.
That one day a year of birthday celebration can be a burden when the rest of the year has been so strenuous and heavy with disregard.
Then the Lord showed me why this simple and seemingly innocent day of celebration was questionable to me.
When someone who has been unkind most of the year suddenly on your birthday they are all smiles, gifts, and cake on your birthday, the celebration feels heavy and phony.
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.’ ”
Then God showed me this: when someone surprises you with a party on your birthday, you are obligated to fawn over the person who gives it, or you are seen as rude. Even if you don't like birthdays and would rather it be just another day, you are still expected to go along with what the others want for you on that day.
In fact, it has been my experience that it is futile to ask people not to bother with your birthday because they're so convinced you must have a celebration that you become the rude one for wanting to ignore your own day of birth. So, our birthday becomes not about us at all, but about those who want to have a party.
In my opinion, a valid one at that, if our birthday were about us, shouldn't we be consulted as to whether or not we have a celebration? Just saying!
I am convinced, based on what I have seen, that a "surprise birthday party" does not allow the person with a birthday a decision; the one planning the party disregards the feelings of the one they are supposedly honoring. To surprise someone is to force them into compliance without a choice, so it really isn't about honoring them, or there would be no celebration for those who don't want one.
Birthday celebrations are so much a part of our American culture that most people cannot understand, nor do they accept someone who does not want a celebration for themselves on their birthday. In fact, people are not taken seriously when they say, "Please don't do anything for my birthday."
The greeting card industry has managed to make people feel guilty if they don't send a card on the holidays. What an ingenious scam. Create a holiday that requires us to comply to cultural mandates to send a card and become wealthy over it.
Here is one example of cultural pressure to conform to others while claiming to honor us.
I have no problem with people having birthday celebrations if they want one, and I will even attend a birthday gathering for others when invited. But to foist our own desire for a party onto the one who does not want one is not about love or kindness; it is about pleasing the one who wants to be the center of attention for throwing the party.
On Facebook, I enjoy every day, the companionship of lovely believers who edify one another in Christ. I need nothing more than that in my life to give me a sense of belonging and purpose.
The day of our birth was significant, but the rest of our lives are much more significant.
Traditions of men are burdensome to those who wish not to participate.
Isaiah 1:11-15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
The Lord was not pleased with those who pretended to love Him in words and man's traditions but cared nothing for Him otherwise.
Those who throw surprise parties do it to be in control of the one who does not want a birthday celebration. They want the glory for giving the party without regard to the desires of the one they are supposedly honoring. There is no honor in being forced into a celebration for yourself that you never wanted. And, to top it all off, we are seen as the rude ones who don't want a party for ourselves; it just doesn't make any sense at all.
I am one of those people who want everything I do to have a Biblical purpose, and most human celebrations have little purpose except to bring glory to man.
Mark 7:1-22
Traditions and Commandments
7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,
2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders,
4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.
5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”
6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"
So the conclusion of the matter for me is that if we want to honor someone, we would do what pleases them, even if it goes against the expected traditions of others. And, honor, love and kindness should be how we treat someone all year long.
If I were to choose to celebrate the day of my birth with someone, it would be those who treat me with love, kindness, and respect all the rest of the year, not those who use that one day a year to alleviate their own guilt for their dishonor all the rest of the year.
I think God must feel that way, too, when people claim to be honoring Him but disregard His principles and commands all the rest of the year.
Why do we do things? This is the important question for all matters.
This time, as I pondered my dislike for birthday celebrations for me, it occurred to me why I dislike them for myself.
I see no mention in the Bible of people throwing parties for birthdays, that alone does not make it questionable, however, as I considered the whole matter of birthdays I realized that they began back in Egypt in the ancient cultures to celebrate the day of the birth of a pharaoh as he was corronated as a leader into godhood.
Many cultures of the world do not celebrate the day of someone's birth as do Americans.
When I was a child, I waited anxiously for the day to come for my birthday because it meant cake and presents. There were no deeper thoughts than what I would get out of it for one day a year. When I grew up, I began asking the question, "Why do we do this?", The answer that came back from people was that they wanted to honor the person, letting them know they were glad they were born. O.K., that sounds nice, but it still didn't convince me it was something to do for that reason alone.
1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things"
As an adult and later a Christian, I had no desire to be the center of attention, having a special day just for me; in fact, I found it embarrassing.
As I reflected on the matter of birthdays, I saw some things that didn't make sense to me. Wouldn't it be better to treat people with love, kindness, and respect all year, all the time, instead of the whole birthday celebration thing once a year? Some people we only hear from once a year on that day.
Often, I have seen family members wish you a happy birthday but are unkind, unloving, and rude the rest of the year. This didn't make sense to me because if they were really glad we were born, then wouldn't they be kind, loving, and respectful all the rest of the days of the year? Many are not even kind and loving on that celebration day; they force us into compliance with their plans without consulting us, and act angry if we don't do what they want.
That one day a year of birthday celebration can be a burden when the rest of the year has been so strenuous and heavy with disregard.
Then the Lord showed me why this simple and seemingly innocent day of celebration was questionable to me.
When someone who has been unkind most of the year suddenly on your birthday they are all smiles, gifts, and cake on your birthday, the celebration feels heavy and phony.
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.’ ”
Then God showed me this: when someone surprises you with a party on your birthday, you are obligated to fawn over the person who gives it, or you are seen as rude. Even if you don't like birthdays and would rather it be just another day, you are still expected to go along with what the others want for you on that day.
In fact, it has been my experience that it is futile to ask people not to bother with your birthday because they're so convinced you must have a celebration that you become the rude one for wanting to ignore your own day of birth. So, our birthday becomes not about us at all, but about those who want to have a party.
In my opinion, a valid one at that, if our birthday were about us, shouldn't we be consulted as to whether or not we have a celebration? Just saying!
I am convinced, based on what I have seen, that a "surprise birthday party" does not allow the person with a birthday a decision; the one planning the party disregards the feelings of the one they are supposedly honoring. To surprise someone is to force them into compliance without a choice, so it really isn't about honoring them, or there would be no celebration for those who don't want one.
Birthday celebrations are so much a part of our American culture that most people cannot understand, nor do they accept someone who does not want a celebration for themselves on their birthday. In fact, people are not taken seriously when they say, "Please don't do anything for my birthday."
The greeting card industry has managed to make people feel guilty if they don't send a card on the holidays. What an ingenious scam. Create a holiday that requires us to comply to cultural mandates to send a card and become wealthy over it.
Here is one example of cultural pressure to conform to others while claiming to honor us.
I have no problem with people having birthday celebrations if they want one, and I will even attend a birthday gathering for others when invited. But to foist our own desire for a party onto the one who does not want one is not about love or kindness; it is about pleasing the one who wants to be the center of attention for throwing the party.
On Facebook, I enjoy every day, the companionship of lovely believers who edify one another in Christ. I need nothing more than that in my life to give me a sense of belonging and purpose.
The day of our birth was significant, but the rest of our lives are much more significant.
Traditions of men are burdensome to those who wish not to participate.
Isaiah 1:11-15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
The Lord was not pleased with those who pretended to love Him in words and man's traditions but cared nothing for Him otherwise.
Those who throw surprise parties do it to be in control of the one who does not want a birthday celebration. They want the glory for giving the party without regard to the desires of the one they are supposedly honoring. There is no honor in being forced into a celebration for yourself that you never wanted. And, to top it all off, we are seen as the rude ones who don't want a party for ourselves; it just doesn't make any sense at all.
I am one of those people who want everything I do to have a Biblical purpose, and most human celebrations have little purpose except to bring glory to man.
Mark 7:1-22
Traditions and Commandments
7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,
2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders,
4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.
5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”
6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"
So the conclusion of the matter for me is that if we want to honor someone, we would do what pleases them, even if it goes against the expected traditions of others. And, honor, love and kindness should be how we treat someone all year long.
If I were to choose to celebrate the day of my birth with someone, it would be those who treat me with love, kindness, and respect all the rest of the year, not those who use that one day a year to alleviate their own guilt for their dishonor all the rest of the year.
I think God must feel that way, too, when people claim to be honoring Him but disregard His principles and commands all the rest of the year.
Why do we do things? This is the important question for all matters.
Friday, April 18, 2025
Rude People
Rude people want us to either fear them or fight with them. When we obey Christ, showing them the respect they didn't show us, we avoid becoming like them. Our witness is that of Christ-likeness that destroys the tactic of the devil and leaves us with a clear conscience.
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
The devil wants us to react to rude people so he can diminish our witness with those around us. To react to rudeness is to be self-focused. When Christ is our focus, we do not respond out of anger or frustration rather, we leave the unkind person to God. After all, He knows what He needs to do on our behalf.
Reacting in anger to anger is a violation of the scripture that says not to "return evil for evil."
Having said all of this, we must remember that continuing to tolerate rudeness, thinking we are going to influence the rude person to change, only solidifies their hardened heart. So, what is the answer? The answer if they continue to be rude is to walk away and stay away until they are shown by God their own hearts and repent.
Never worry about losing someone who is constantly rude. It is better to be alone than to be in contact with those who disrespect us repeatedly. And, the more we are around someone, the more we begin to take on their attitudes through frequent exposure to their ways.
We become like those we spend the most time with merely by continual exposure to their ways. This is why God told us to be diligent about who are our constant companions.
Proverbs 13:19-20 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Psalm 1:1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of "
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"
Proverbs 22:24-25
"Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
When we surround ourselves with those who love and seek Christ we will grow in holiness without the constant pressure against us to conform to the ungodly. We will live peacefully with great joy and hope when our companions love Christ as we do.
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
The devil wants us to react to rude people so he can diminish our witness with those around us. To react to rudeness is to be self-focused. When Christ is our focus, we do not respond out of anger or frustration rather, we leave the unkind person to God. After all, He knows what He needs to do on our behalf.
Reacting in anger to anger is a violation of the scripture that says not to "return evil for evil."
Having said all of this, we must remember that continuing to tolerate rudeness, thinking we are going to influence the rude person to change, only solidifies their hardened heart. So, what is the answer? The answer if they continue to be rude is to walk away and stay away until they are shown by God their own hearts and repent.
Never worry about losing someone who is constantly rude. It is better to be alone than to be in contact with those who disrespect us repeatedly. And, the more we are around someone, the more we begin to take on their attitudes through frequent exposure to their ways.
We become like those we spend the most time with merely by continual exposure to their ways. This is why God told us to be diligent about who are our constant companions.
Proverbs 13:19-20 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Psalm 1:1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of "
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"
Proverbs 22:24-25
"Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
When we surround ourselves with those who love and seek Christ we will grow in holiness without the constant pressure against us to conform to the ungodly. We will live peacefully with great joy and hope when our companions love Christ as we do.
Born-Agains are Far Different from Pretenders
We are all born with a natural bent toward selfishness.
Before I was born again, everything I did, even the good acts, was to seek praise of some kind. I was not as competitive as so many people are, but I did desire to be seen as good.
After I heard the gospel and learned that I was not good and was not worthy of praise, I repented of my sinful nature, and the acts of kindness became about others and not myself; it was about my desire to be kind for God's sake. Kindness and love became so much a part of our being when we were saved that it was extended without thinking, automatically, because it is our nature.
When Christ changed me, I no longer thought the same way as I did before. Before I was saved, I enjoyed sin and all its pleasures; however, after I was born again, I hated the very things I used to love. I began loving the ways and things of God so much so that if the old self raised it's head temporarily or I was tempted I couldn't stand it and quickly called upon God to return me to right thinking.
James 4:6-8 "6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Sadly, I do not hear many people who attend churches have a testimony of their changed attitude. I do hear a lot about what is right and what is wrong, but nothing about how their heart were completely different. Many Christians raised in the church never had an "aha" experience that drove them to Christ to be completely changed.
Cultural Christianity endorses rules and regulations without a changed heart. They seek to follow the principles of God, often misinterpreting the Bible in their quest to appear superior to others, but have never changed that selfish nature that seeks after personal gratification and self-elevation.
Cultural Christians "pride" themselves as never having done the "big" sins, but neglect the sinful and destructive attitude of pride that leads them to pursue fleshly superiority that elevates self above godliness generated by the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit is not the One changing a heart, then there is no salvation. Religious practices and holidays are all orchestrated to make oneself feel that they are good for doing them. It isn't about inward transformation but rather for outward appearances to impress others, or to gain the validation of those who require the practices to fit into their model of Christianity. In other words, to be accepted by the group.
Those in the cultural church love to judge others for not doing what they do, even if it has nothing to do with sin. Born-again Christians who are dedicated to God's word out of love for Him are rejected by the cultural Christians.
Authentic Christianity is not smearing frosting on the cake of the heart it is a complete transformation that only Christ can do within us.
Ezekiel 11:19 "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,"
Galatians 4:6 "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!”
1 John 4:13 "By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit."
John 15:26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me."
1 John 5:10 "Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
There are even people who would pray the Psalm for the Lord to cleanse their hearts, but then continue attempting to be their version of a clean heart in their own strength. We know when this is happening because their heart remains dedicated to appearances and adherence to fleshly rituals that they use to pressure others to be like them.
Ezekiel 36:26 "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Notice that God says, "I will give you a new heart." Nowhere does God say we should try to make a better heart in ourselves. If God does not do it, then it is not done, only an appearance that is exposed to authentic believers, able to see the heart of a man because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in them.
It is not always possible to discern who is who because pretenders can be very clever at talking the talk without walking the walk, while hiding their motives that do not match up with God's heart.
Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Authentic born-again believers can sense the Holy Spirit in one another, and they can sense a lack of connection with those who are pretenders.
Romans 8:15-17 "…15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him."
The beauty of the walk of the born-again believer is that we don't have to rely on our senses or figure out things in our own minds; we can ask the Holy Spirit, and He will guide us in everything.
John 16:12-14 "… 12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you."
Notice God said those who belong to Him will glorify HIM and not any other person or themselves.
Before I was born again, everything I did, even the good acts, was to seek praise of some kind. I was not as competitive as so many people are, but I did desire to be seen as good.
After I heard the gospel and learned that I was not good and was not worthy of praise, I repented of my sinful nature, and the acts of kindness became about others and not myself; it was about my desire to be kind for God's sake. Kindness and love became so much a part of our being when we were saved that it was extended without thinking, automatically, because it is our nature.
When Christ changed me, I no longer thought the same way as I did before. Before I was saved, I enjoyed sin and all its pleasures; however, after I was born again, I hated the very things I used to love. I began loving the ways and things of God so much so that if the old self raised it's head temporarily or I was tempted I couldn't stand it and quickly called upon God to return me to right thinking.
James 4:6-8 "6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Sadly, I do not hear many people who attend churches have a testimony of their changed attitude. I do hear a lot about what is right and what is wrong, but nothing about how their heart were completely different. Many Christians raised in the church never had an "aha" experience that drove them to Christ to be completely changed.
Cultural Christianity endorses rules and regulations without a changed heart. They seek to follow the principles of God, often misinterpreting the Bible in their quest to appear superior to others, but have never changed that selfish nature that seeks after personal gratification and self-elevation.
Cultural Christians "pride" themselves as never having done the "big" sins, but neglect the sinful and destructive attitude of pride that leads them to pursue fleshly superiority that elevates self above godliness generated by the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit is not the One changing a heart, then there is no salvation. Religious practices and holidays are all orchestrated to make oneself feel that they are good for doing them. It isn't about inward transformation but rather for outward appearances to impress others, or to gain the validation of those who require the practices to fit into their model of Christianity. In other words, to be accepted by the group.
Those in the cultural church love to judge others for not doing what they do, even if it has nothing to do with sin. Born-again Christians who are dedicated to God's word out of love for Him are rejected by the cultural Christians.
Authentic Christianity is not smearing frosting on the cake of the heart it is a complete transformation that only Christ can do within us.
Ezekiel 11:19 "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,"
Galatians 4:6 "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!”
1 John 4:13 "By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit."
John 15:26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me."
1 John 5:10 "Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
There are even people who would pray the Psalm for the Lord to cleanse their hearts, but then continue attempting to be their version of a clean heart in their own strength. We know when this is happening because their heart remains dedicated to appearances and adherence to fleshly rituals that they use to pressure others to be like them.
Ezekiel 36:26 "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Notice that God says, "I will give you a new heart." Nowhere does God say we should try to make a better heart in ourselves. If God does not do it, then it is not done, only an appearance that is exposed to authentic believers, able to see the heart of a man because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in them.
It is not always possible to discern who is who because pretenders can be very clever at talking the talk without walking the walk, while hiding their motives that do not match up with God's heart.
Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Authentic born-again believers can sense the Holy Spirit in one another, and they can sense a lack of connection with those who are pretenders.
Romans 8:15-17 "…15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him."
The beauty of the walk of the born-again believer is that we don't have to rely on our senses or figure out things in our own minds; we can ask the Holy Spirit, and He will guide us in everything.
John 16:12-14 "… 12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you."
Notice God said those who belong to Him will glorify HIM and not any other person or themselves.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
What is an Idol?
Pictures of a man depicting Christ are not Him. This makes it a lie, if we need a picture of any kind to remind us of Christ, then we are not demonstrating faith toward the One Who lives inside of us. We walk by faith, not by sight.
Also, an example here might help. If you placed a picture of a man who was not your husband on the wall and called him your husband, I am quite sure your husband would be angered that you are wishing that picture of a man was your real husband.
Pretending is the greatest deceit of the devil to derail our faith.
Pretending is fantasy thinking designed to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside; it has nothing to do with resting in Christ.
Exodus 20 not only speaks of idols but of anything we pretend is God, just to satisfy our feelings, the shallowest and most infantile part of our being.
Satan loves any lie to ruin our faith.
Also, an example here might help. If you placed a picture of a man who was not your husband on the wall and called him your husband, I am quite sure your husband would be angered that you are wishing that picture of a man was your real husband.
Pretending is the greatest deceit of the devil to derail our faith.
Pretending is fantasy thinking designed to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside; it has nothing to do with resting in Christ.
Exodus 20 not only speaks of idols but of anything we pretend is God, just to satisfy our feelings, the shallowest and most infantile part of our being.
Satan loves any lie to ruin our faith.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Command to Agree with the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
I have lost friends over the false doctrine of Calvinism. I was willing to remain friends, however, those who are dedicated to Calvin didn't want me anymore when they learned I did not come on board with their doctrine.
I have lost friends over the false doctrine of the "nephilim", angels mating with humans, because I did not come on board with their false narrative.
I have lost friends over the matter of divorce and remarriage because I did not support divorce and remarriage. Some have not only rejected my friendship because of this matter, but they also gossiped against me and turned others away from me because I did not come on board with their false doctrine.
I have lost friends over the false doctrine of the flat earth because I did not come on board with their belief system that the earth was flat.
I have lost friends because I exposed the false church system of prosperity, for my stand against the one-man-paid pastor system, and for many other things that were patently against the teachings of the Bible.
Much of what has been taught in the Christian church over the past few hundred years has been man-made religion with Christ tacked onto the end of it to fool people. This is why we know we are in the end of the end times, people are fighting with one another over false doctrines, dedicated to things that come against the Bible.
1 John 4:1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world."
2 Peter 2:1
"Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,"
God told us to question all things so that we will not be deceived. Many people are so committed and staunch in their false beliefs that it is impossible to sit down with them in a friendly, loving manner and discuss with them from the Bible what God said.
When I have asked some people to look into the Bible with me to discuss something false, they refused, leading me to believe they were stubborn, arrogant, and most of all liked the false doctrine so much that they did not want to know the truth.
When we are humble and loving, we love to speak of the things of the Word of God to come to a common understanding. Or at the least disagree with kindness.
God commanded us to agree as brothers and sisters, and the only way to do that is if both parties are seeking Christ and willing to look into His Word for His meaning.
Romans 12:16-18
"16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people."
We are never to compromise God's meaning to agree! We are to both seek Christ until the Holy Spirit tells us the same thing. When two people stop getting their doctrine from false teachers on the internet, then with humility, we can seek the Word of God, genuinely putting all self-will and pride aside to admit we believed something that was wrong and begin walking in wisdom.
Proverbs 28:25-26 "…25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe."
There is more than one kind of greed; there is a greedy spirit that desires to be elevated above others, their greed is not for money but for status and superiority.
It is not possible to find the truth even by reading the Bible as long as this greed to be seen as superior to others remains in the heart.
Confess the greed for superiority, to be cleansed of it, that you can grow in wisdom. As long as one is driven to be superior and special, there can be no spiritual or emotional growth. Pride and arrogance destroy relationships not only with people but also with God.
Hebrews 12:13-15 "13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many."
I have lost friends over the false doctrine of the "nephilim", angels mating with humans, because I did not come on board with their false narrative.
I have lost friends over the matter of divorce and remarriage because I did not support divorce and remarriage. Some have not only rejected my friendship because of this matter, but they also gossiped against me and turned others away from me because I did not come on board with their false doctrine.
I have lost friends over the false doctrine of the flat earth because I did not come on board with their belief system that the earth was flat.
I have lost friends because I exposed the false church system of prosperity, for my stand against the one-man-paid pastor system, and for many other things that were patently against the teachings of the Bible.
Much of what has been taught in the Christian church over the past few hundred years has been man-made religion with Christ tacked onto the end of it to fool people. This is why we know we are in the end of the end times, people are fighting with one another over false doctrines, dedicated to things that come against the Bible.
1 John 4:1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world."
2 Peter 2:1
"Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,"
God told us to question all things so that we will not be deceived. Many people are so committed and staunch in their false beliefs that it is impossible to sit down with them in a friendly, loving manner and discuss with them from the Bible what God said.
When I have asked some people to look into the Bible with me to discuss something false, they refused, leading me to believe they were stubborn, arrogant, and most of all liked the false doctrine so much that they did not want to know the truth.
When we are humble and loving, we love to speak of the things of the Word of God to come to a common understanding. Or at the least disagree with kindness.
God commanded us to agree as brothers and sisters, and the only way to do that is if both parties are seeking Christ and willing to look into His Word for His meaning.
Romans 12:16-18
"16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people."
We are never to compromise God's meaning to agree! We are to both seek Christ until the Holy Spirit tells us the same thing. When two people stop getting their doctrine from false teachers on the internet, then with humility, we can seek the Word of God, genuinely putting all self-will and pride aside to admit we believed something that was wrong and begin walking in wisdom.
Proverbs 28:25-26 "…25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe."
There is more than one kind of greed; there is a greedy spirit that desires to be elevated above others, their greed is not for money but for status and superiority.
It is not possible to find the truth even by reading the Bible as long as this greed to be seen as superior to others remains in the heart.
Confess the greed for superiority, to be cleansed of it, that you can grow in wisdom. As long as one is driven to be superior and special, there can be no spiritual or emotional growth. Pride and arrogance destroy relationships not only with people but also with God.
Hebrews 12:13-15 "13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many."
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