One way to discern whether or not someone loves Christ is if they demonstrate a love of the brethren.
John 13:35
"35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”"
If there appears to be superficial religiosity without concern for others as a matter of lifestyle, that is only a clue but a very big one that this person was never born again.
A love of scripture and truth, while enjoying teaching and correction is a sign that one loves God's word so much they cannot stand the thought of violating His heart.
An uncomfortable attitude toward the Word of God may show that a person was never born again. Many people play church without any desire for Christ.
An attitude of rebellion when corrected with the Word of God is another important clue. Born again believers are not intimidated or embarrassed to hear or speak the things of God even if there is a rebuke or correction involved. Commonly those who are born again act humble and agree with those correcting. The believers I know would be more likely to confess a wrong attitude or action before anyone confronts them. They have a sensitive conscience that hates to harm anyone else.
Another clue is the attitude of dominance and intimidation to control others. When we see someone like this we are witnessing a false Christianity of power grabbing. The need to control others is not godly, in fact it is against everything Christ taught.
Matthew 10:33
"33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Embarrassment at the mention of Christ shows a covert denial of Him.
2 Timothy 2:12
"If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;"
We teach, we train, we love and we sacrifice of ourselves, this is the common lifestyle of the born again believer.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Don't Take it Personally, Its not against You its against God!
Eileen Heuston said this: I thought it was very good and wanted to post it where everyone could see it.
"They view GOD and Truth the way they want it to be. Their false gospel is summed up by the word "nice". "God is nice so we should be nice. Just be nice and let people believe what they want". The giveaway is ALWAYS that they don't know the Bible at all. Anyone who truly loves God and is a child of God (John 1:12-13) will love His Word. They spend time on and devour food, entertainment, their kids...cos they love them. They don't spend time on and devour the Word simply because they do not love it ("man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God")"
Gwendolyn's response:
"Yes Eileen, they love His word to find out His mind to obey. I know many people who know the bible well to be able to say they do but they twist it, taking things out of context to allow themselves to disobey it without guilt."
I know many people who are proud of how much they think they know but resistant to any correction that would bring a better understanding or greater wisdom. They just like their error and will not listen to truth.
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."
Do not be discouraged by all this, God told us it would happen in the last days. We need not take anything personally, its not about us at all, its their rebellion against Christ.
"They view GOD and Truth the way they want it to be. Their false gospel is summed up by the word "nice". "God is nice so we should be nice. Just be nice and let people believe what they want". The giveaway is ALWAYS that they don't know the Bible at all. Anyone who truly loves God and is a child of God (John 1:12-13) will love His Word. They spend time on and devour food, entertainment, their kids...cos they love them. They don't spend time on and devour the Word simply because they do not love it ("man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God")"
Gwendolyn's response:
"Yes Eileen, they love His word to find out His mind to obey. I know many people who know the bible well to be able to say they do but they twist it, taking things out of context to allow themselves to disobey it without guilt."
I know many people who are proud of how much they think they know but resistant to any correction that would bring a better understanding or greater wisdom. They just like their error and will not listen to truth.
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."
Do not be discouraged by all this, God told us it would happen in the last days. We need not take anything personally, its not about us at all, its their rebellion against Christ.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Ephesians 4:17-19
"17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness."
18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness."
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Everything Changed When I Became Born Again
Exactly!!!! I know this may be just experiential testimony but as for myself, I didn't think the same way any longer when I became born again. The movies I used to like became ugly to me. The places I used to go I couldn't stand them any more. I witnessed to the friends I used to have and they rejected me for it, even family. The closer I became to the Lord the more the ungodly in my life fell away. Not because I worked real hard to be better but because Christ in me completely changed how I view everything.
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz wrote the following:
"If your Christian conversion did not reverse the direction of your life, if it did not transform it then you are not converted at all. You are simply a victim of the “accept Jesus” heresy!”
~ A.W. Tozer
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz wrote the following:
"If your Christian conversion did not reverse the direction of your life, if it did not transform it then you are not converted at all. You are simply a victim of the “accept Jesus” heresy!”
~ A.W. Tozer
Monday, March 11, 2019
Ignore the Narcissist they Love Negative Reactions
Pray to Know the Voice of the Holy Spirit
It is important to attend to those people God has told us to attend to. Many people will try to get us to do what they want that God never told us to do.
Those who think they know whats best for our lives are the same people who would be angry if we suggested what they should do with theirs.
Its alright to share our wisdom with one another, but the ultimate decision about who to spend time with and what to be doing is between the Lord and ourselves.
The Holy Spirit knows far better than any other human being as to what He wants us to be doing. What He wants for us is always backed up by His Word.
The Word of God will never disagree with what the Holy Spirit is telling us. Learn to hear from the Holy Spirit and you will not make missteps.
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.…"
Only in Christ can we Resist the Devil
Exactly! I am convinced that the devil whispers lies into the ears of many to cause trouble and division. I also am convinced that in the tribulation he will stop whispering and enter many many people to take over their bodies to do evil.
The devil causes people to think irrationally with rage in their hearts. Without Christ non-believer have no defense against him .
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."
The devil causes people to think irrationally with rage in their hearts. Without Christ non-believer have no defense against him .
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."
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