Becoming a New Creation in Christ

When we are born again, Christ changes us into a new creation. We no longer think the same way; we hate sin and love righteousness, whereas before salvation, we loved sin and resisted righteousness. The way we think drives our actions.

 
If someone has cleaned up their act enough to be seen by others as a better person, this is not salvation; it is a person trusting in themselves instead of Christ. The self-will remains, and the actions are better, but the heart is not dependent on Christ for cleansing and salvation.

Many people want to be better people because it brings a better life for them, but without Christ it is still the road to hell.

When we admit our sinful nature and desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation, He responds by changing our mind toward sin and comes to live in us simultaneously.

 
The sin we used to enjoy becomes repugnant to us and the righteousness that used to embarrass us is a delight to us.

 
We cannot change our own hearts; Christ must do that. We can only change some outward actions, but the heart remains in rebellion against God.

Those who remain dedicated to their own way of thinking while ignoring the commands and principles of the Bible were never born again; they are pretenders who must be born again for the first time.

 
The authentic Christian life is one of difficulty because it brings with it hostility from the world around us, but that hostility pales in comparison to the joy and peace Christ works in us.

Those who live a self-righteous life, full of pride and self-will, do not experience peace and joy, but must continually strive to feel good about themselves while impressing others. These are those who spend more time judging others than they do self-reflecting to correct the errors in themselves. They are full of pride about how good they think they are, as well as dedicated to many rules God never made, but they sound superior to them.

 
A discerning person can spot those who are self-righteous phonies, they lack joy and are deeply dedicated to hiding their true selves. They never share anything negative about themselves and never admit to a need for further spiritual growth. They are resistant to correction or rebuke that might help them better understand the way of Christ.

Those who love Christ authentically, who have been changed by Him, have no need to impress others; they are full of the fruit of the Spirit and grow in character and holiness the more they submit to God's Word. Those who love Christ more than themselves will continually evaluate themselves according to the word of God and pray for cleansing. Their Spiritual growth is constant as they seek Christ in everything.

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those who are pretenders lack the love of Christ, because everything they do is about self when it comes to good deeds. They wish to elevate self as they denigrate others. They are all about the rules more than they are about Christ's commands and principles.

 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

The more an authentic believer confesses their flaws, the more they grow in Spiritual maturity. Those who are pretenders do not grow, remaining spiritual and emotional infants as they attempt to fool everyone around them. Often, they lack joy that can be seen by Authentically Spiritual Christians. Their happiness is based on circumstances, and they are fiercely competitive with others.

 
Those who wish to be changed by Christ will be humble desiring to know their flaws to be cleansed of them.

 
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."

This confessing and being cleansed should be occurring regularly as we examine our own hearts. Every sin begins in the heart before it ever becomes an action. Eventually, that sin will show its ugly head if only in subtle ways, while the pretender attempts to hide it from others, they will engage covert means to judge and demean others to elevate self.

 
Hiding sin only delays Spiritual and emotional growth. Many people remain immature spiritually all their lives into old age. Eventually, one has hidden so long that they can no longer even know their real selves.

 
Thank God He has a solution to this problem of sin and pretense, which is to humbly admit sinful attitudes, trust in Christ for changing and cleansing, and then the one who does this is on the road to Spiritual and emotional growth.

They Know What They are Doing

The reason we know the narcissists know what they are doing is because they are careful with those they wish to impress and rude to those they think are inferior to them, but in private, when no one can see, they are rude and mean, even if only covertly, so they can deny it if anyone exposes them.

 
The narcissist favors those who elevate them as special and superior. The one who lives in honesty and integrity intimidates the narcissist.

 
There is something about the righteous that convicts the narcissist of their sin that they do deliberately but hide it to fool those they wish to impress.

 
Narcissists are highly self-impressed, thinking that they are above anyone who does not live up to their idea of being special. They are truly legends in their own minds.

 
Bullies search for things wrong in others to avoid looking at their own character flaws. These people never apologize. They are only embarrassed when they are caught, but will give an excuse to wiggle out of their tactics of shaming and demeaning others.

Proverbs 4:14-19 "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not go the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on".

Bullies are never good companions! Not only will they cause continual conflict they will also draw us into conflict with others.

 
They are a mess waiting to happen. The only recourse is to chastise them when we encounter them and then avoid them after that. Remember the following passage to decide whether or not to say anything to them.

 
Proverbs 9:8 "
Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you."

We need the counsel of the Holy Spirit to discern when to chastise and when to remain silent.

Avoid Trouble Makers

We cannot change people, and it will be hard to interact with someone rude merely because they can. The best course of action is to allow them to be themselves without us.

 
Pray for them sure, but indulging them by remaining with them would be enabling and detrimental to our own walk with Christ.

 
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Difficult Times Will Come
"3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."

What was God's command in that last verse? Yes, that's right, we are to avoid such people.

Excusing Sin Using Scripture out of Context is Itself Sin

I have heard the excuse before, that we cannot judge someone because we cannot know their heart.

 
I was told I was judging their heart and could not know them when I expressed dismay that a Christian group of girls were frolicking on the beach in string bikinis.

 
Not only were they wearing them, but they were also making pyramids with young men climbing on top of them. The "youth leader" chastised me for rebuking their clothing and behavior as though I was doing something wrong. She said, "You do not know their heart."

 
I replied by saying; "a person's heart cannot be different from their actions." It is better to watch what they do instead of listening to what they say.

Stop addressing what people say and pay attention to their actions, which reveal their hearts. Anyone can "say" anything they want to think well of themselves, and it is common for people to assess themselves as good even when they are bad.
Prisoners in jail for all kinds of heinous things will claim they are basically good, even when they are not repentant over their evil, but say they are not the sum of what they did. They excuse themselves instead of repenting.

 
This is the state of our youth leaders today, and the total lack of teaching on modesty and proper decorum for young women. I don't bother to address the clothing of those who are not Christians, but these girls claimed to be Christians.

 
What good is a youth leader if they are not going to teach the principles of God to help the youth grow in holiness? Perhaps they don't teach them because they are as rebellious as the youth they are guiding, and wish to be the heroes of the youth instead of their Biblical mentors.

 
We live in a culture that sees correction, rebuke, and admonishment as evil rather than the actions of rebellious, lawless mean mean-spirited sinners.

 
So in the interaction with the youth leader, she managed to enable, encourage, and facilitate sin in the hearts of her girls while beating up on the one who cared more about the souls of the girls than whether or not they were having "fun."

 
Imagine the witness of the Christianity of the girls on the beach, showing the world how great it is, and there is no need for Christ?

Their message to the world through their actions was that you can be and do anything you want, it doesn't matter what God thinks of it.

 
This is one reason I do not appreciate "youth groups" today, because most of them are led by young people who want to be liked and praised by the ones they should be mentoring in holiness.

 
Hebrews 3:13 "13But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

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."

The only way to have discernment about life in all circumstances is to know the word of God, ask Him to give you His min,d and there will be little question about what is right and what is wrong.

Causing division over Questionable Things is Sin Since God said not to do it!

I find it amazing that "flat earthers" think that all science is wrong, but they are right. All they have is the ideas placed in their heads by false articles and videos on the internet that have not been vetted.

 
They want to believe something because it makes them feel smarter than others; they need to feel superior and start fights over something that negates God's Word.

 
Romans 14 and 15 are clear that we are not to cause division over disputable matters. Those who are weak in the faith argue over things that have nothing to do with following Christ, character building, or supporting brothers and sisters in Christ.

 
So, ok, flat earthers, what does your believe in the shape of the earth do to further the gospel or support fellow believers? NOTHING!!! In fact, it causes division just as the devil wants it to do.

 
What are you flat-earthers going to do about your belief that the Earth is flat? Are you going to store your food differently, is there anything you would do differently today because of this belief?

 
NO, its only an idea in your head to promote a sense that you are smarter and superior. I have never met a flat earther who was not full of pride and divisive in their exchanges. Fine, if you want to believe this silliness, go ahead, but why not just keep it to yourself since it does nothing in the physical world to change how you live and it brings anger and division with only one purpose, to cause frustration in our brothers and sisters.

 
Promoting an idea that has no effect on our lives and is dividing Christians is against God's word that tells us to not engage in debate about "questionable things."

 
If the devil can get people to fight over silly things, even making them believe lies, he loves it, knowing it distracts from the gospel and turns people against one another.

 
One of the clues of a false doctrine is the arrogance and demeaning way in which it is presented, as though anyone who does not believe what they believe is stupid or in some way disobedient.

 
Please stop debating over something you cannot prove yourself, stop believing internet disinformation that only serves to cause problems where there need not be any.

 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.
5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered,
6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

The Devil's Attacks Subtle and Obvious

The devil's tactics are stubborn oppression, manipulation, or constant confusion, subtle attacks that are denied later, and creating a spiritually hostile environment.

When we encounter these things with people we know, those people are controlled and manipulated by demons. Even if they are not possessed, they are influenced by demons, justifying their attacks with false thoughts and reasons placed there by the devil's minions.

1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

James 4:7
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

 
1 John 3:8
"The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil."

The takeaway from all the verses is that when we encounter people who are rude, mean, and stubborn, we are really experiencing the influence of the devil on them. Yes, it is possible for someone to be like this because of their fleshly attitude, but it is still the influence of the devil placing thoughts in their minds that motivates them to act as they do.

Our culture as a whole encourages terse and disrespectful responses to intimidate those they wish to control, so the culture is also an influence on the way people act regularly.

 
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness."

The devil loves it when he can destroy family relationships, cause community division and promote anger for no good reason.

He managed to turn Eve against God when all God did for Eve was perfect and wonderful.

 
As human beings, we question ourselves when we do something with good in mind that is helpful, but are met with distrust and a temper tantrum, whether subtle or blatant, as though we did something wrong.

 
2 Timothy 4:17-18
"But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Our response to what we encounter with people in the world ought to be one of kindness and patience, but never without discernment. It is important that we show respect and love to those who did not give us the same respect.

 
2 Corinthians 2:11
"in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."

The key to living the Christian life is to be different from those who do not know Christ. It doesn't matter what they do to us, except that it may be a test to see if we can rise above the abuse and remain the person we should be no matter how unkind or rude others are to us.

 
We know what the devil it attempting to do, that is to cause division and anger. We never have to respond in a vengeful way, we can leave room for God's chastisement.

 
Romans 12:18-20 "…18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head."

We are to be the opposite of the wicked person, returning love for their rudeness. Sometimes the best way to do this is to not respond at all. Allow your silence to be your answer.

 
Hebrews 10:30
"For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

1 Peter 3:9
"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."

We must not expect or desire blessings from people, knowing that our reward for obedience to Him will be blessings from Him that is enough and the best.

 
When we are confident in the Lord and secure in knowing we did not retaliate, we will walk in freedom from guilt and strength to endure whatever the world has to offer.

 
Romans 12:19 "19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord."

The Word of God in Context, Nothing Else will Do!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is called the Word, His Word is the very essence of Who He is and He never changes.

Those who ignore, negate, or change the Word of God are walking in rebellion, and yet most Christians today do this very thing.

 
I cannot count the number of times scriptures are taken out of context and given meaning from the cultural mind rather than what Christ said.

I have also seen people apply to Christians today what was given only to Israel in the Old Testament.

 
These things happen because people like to shape into their own image what God said rather than seeking Him for His truth.

 
2 Timothy 4:3 "…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 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."

If you want to know the truth about anything pertaining to God, read His word and ask Him; do not go to people for answers. God may bring others to clarify things, but do not seek them out for yourself.

 
Often, I have read a passage and, through prayer, God told me the meaning, then later someone else came along and confirmed what God already told me.

 
John 16:13-14 "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 in this passage, God tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, not men, and what we speak from the Holy Spirit will glorify God.

 
If we listen to a preacher and he brings attention to himself, while entertaining the people to be liked by them, then he glorifies himself. The Holy Spirit will always glorify God.

 
God said be prepared, this can only mean one thing, that we are in constant prayer and know the Word of God through continual Bible study, then we will be prepared when we are asked a question.

 
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We cannot go wrong when we are led by the Holy Spirit, pray and read God's Word.