When Christ Changes Those Who Trust in Him

No one who is born again will be lost again. Christ changes the believer into a new creation, we cannot go back to the old again.

He gives us what we want when we trust in Him, that is to be changed forever.

Those who walk away after claiming to be Christians were never changed by Christ or they would not have gone back.

Luke 9:62 "62Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”"

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

1 John 2:19-20 "19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…"

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And 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. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

God never throws away those He has changed, their Spirit is changed but their body is still sinful and must be battled daily.

Galatians 5:16-18 "16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.…"

1 Corinthians 3:14-16 "…14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…"

The Holy Spirit does not hop in and out of those who are children of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "…21 Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come."

God never breaks His promises to us!

If we sin as believers He disciplines us until we confess to be cleansed. If we refuse then we miss the many blessings of walking with Christ and His Holy Spirit will go silent, He will not speak to those who will not listen to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

"19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [a]prophecies, 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."

The prophecies here are not new future telling or new revelations, they are the principles and prophecies already written in the Word of God. When a believer ignores the teachings of God in the Bible they will miss many blessings and rewards in heaven.

Since our salvation is not based on any good works we do keeping our salvation is not based on what we do, it is based on Christ Who lives in us. However, this is not a license to sin. Those who sin while born again are not blessed or content, they live in contiual guilt until they confess to be cleansed as God said they should in 1 John 1:9 written to believers.

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."

Confessing sin for the non-believer does not save them unless they place their trust in Christ for paying their penalty for their sin.

When Sin Doesn't Offend but Correction Does

When the Accusations Come, Ask God for Clarity

When a narcissist is accusing others of being what the narcissist is they often are showing body language that gives them away. Language is more easily seen but body language is much more subtle.

I once encountered a narcissist who was accusing me of being angry when I was not, his face was turning red, his arms were folded and his legs were crossed while the top leg was swinging.

It was as though his entire body was revealing his lying. He was the one who was angry not me. His body language was an attempt to intimidate me, but the effect was more humorous because it was so obvious to me.

Our bodies are deeply connected to our emotions and attitudes. We cannot hide completely our inner selves, it is always evidenced in physical terms even if we or others cannot discern it.

A person who is intuitive can notice many of these physical expressions in conversation that give the narcissist away.

We can even sense something is wrong without blatant physical actions, that sense may be a spiritual one revealing the heart of someone as well as what is called micro-expressions.

I am convinced because of my experiences that our intuitive nature was given to us by God to warn us before we even know danger is near.

We cannot easily see the micro-expressions but we see something that seems off without realizing our intuitive discernment saw something even if we could not name it.

There have been many times when I could sense something about a person but had no evidence at all. At these times I ask God to show me and later He would give me insight into what was going on.

Intimidation is a common tactic in our day. Our generation of young people have been taught to have a tantrum when they don't get what they want. These tantrums do not work in the real world so they learn how to be subtle and manipulative to express their angst toward those who do not bow to them.

The devil was very subtle in the garden with Eve. He asked questions to cause her to doubt God. He flattered her that she could be like God and finally, he enticed her to have what she wanted without restraint. All of these tactics are being used today on a regular basis, sometimes subtle but often not so subtle.

When we sense something is off it is best to ask God what you are seeing. As human beings, we tend to interpret things according to our own mindset or our feelings which are not always accurate. It is better not to respond according to our feelings and to evaluate our own mindset while asking God so that we do not discredit or dishonor Him.

The devil is very clever, he uses feelings and flattery to entice us to sin. If we know his tactics and connect with Christ in us we will not be led astray into sinful actions or attitudes.

1 Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Proverbs 4:22-24 "…22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. 23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. 24 Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.…"

Proverbs 23:19

"Hear my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way."

Proverbs 28:26

"He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered."

Christ Said it and I Believe It

Amen, Amen!!!! We can meet any day, at any time in any place with anyone. We don't even have to meet with the same people every time, we can meet with different people at different times. God does not want us to neglect one another and it is the Holy Spirit Who guides as to when, where and with whom.

Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"

Trials Strengthen the Believer in Christ

As a believer, our faith is stronger during trials. Those who lack trials are proud that they must have a good amount of faith. Just the opposite may be true.

Hebrews 12:7-11 "7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

11 For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

All children of God must endure trials to grow in holiness and in wisdom. Those who have had few trials and an easy life often lack wisdom.

James 1:5

"5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Many Church attendees today are not asking for wisdom or they would leave those houses of apostasy. They prefer to think pleasant thoughts that stroke their egos rather than humble themselves and ask God.

When we ask God for His wisdom we see things that most do not see and notice things that are only Spiritually discnerened.

Because of this, we are hated and rejected by those who love their traditions more than they love God.

Handling Accusations of Lacking Faith Because of Our Trials

Prosperity preachers use manipulation in every gathering. They "guilt" people and claim they have little faith if they don't do what the preachers say.

This is a scam used by ALL prosperity preachers to line their own pockets with currency. Never trust someone who is getting wealthy off of others in the matter of "church gatherings." Something is wrong with those who are living a lifestyle of opulence because of their preaching.

Remember Pauls's experiences?

The next time someone accuses you of lacking faith because you are sick or because others have rejected you, remind them of Paul the apostle and his life of service to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:23-33

"23 Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea.

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;

27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,

33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands."

Our trials are not evidence that something is wrong, just the opposite, they may be evidence that something is right.

James 1:2-4

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Matthew 10:21-23 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. "

Luke 21:15-17 "…15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. 17 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.…"

Matthew 10:21

"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death."

Jeremiah 9:4

4 “Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor,

And do not trust any brother;

Because every brother utterly betrays,

And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer."

We love people and share the gospel with whomever the Holy Spirit leads but we place our trust only in Christ, not in any human being.

Paul was once a murderer of believers before Christ saved him.

"Acts 26:10,11

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them…"

This ought to give us hope that anyone can be saved no matter what they have done in their lives. Paul went from a killer of God's people to a preacher of the word.

When God tells us to walk away from someone we walk away, however, when the Holy Spirit tells us to speak we should speak even if it means the loss of love from our families or even a loss of life.

Revelation 12:11

"… and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death."

When we are tempted to cry and whine that someone doesn't like us perhaps remembering what God said will dry those tears and give us joy and peace. Weeping over the loss of a loved one because we love Christ is the same as putting them first before Christ. Yes, feelings are real, weep for a short time but never allow it to control us or divert us from the mission God has given to us which is His Word to the lost and instruction to believers.

Hallelujah!!!!

Do not be Derailed by Man

Manipulation can be very subtle. For instance, a salesman who is selling vacuum cleaners door to door may tell you this is the last day of the sale and this is the last vacuum available.

We had this happen to us when I was 19 years old and married with a baby on the way. My husband and I were in need of a vacuum. A salesman came to our door full of manipulative smiles and fake concern about our predicament, which really wasn't a predicament at all, but when he was through with us we felt pressured to get that machine right now before we missed out.

Then there was the time not long after that an encyclopedia salesman came to the door. We had no furniture in the house to sit on, we ate our food sitting on the floor.

When the salesman entered the room we invited him to sit on the floor and show us his books. My husband is an avid reader and could not resist a brand-new shiny set of books.

After we signed the papers, gave a little down payment and the salesman left we sat there on the floor with a contract to pay big bucks over a years time for these books, we realized that money could have been spent to purchase furniture to sit on instead of books to read on the floor. We canceled the contract, paid the penalty for canceling and went out and purchased a couch.

We were manipulated both times and learned good lessons about the tactics of the salesmen. They made the purchases look important and that we would miss out if we didn't have these things.

Did you know the devil is using these very same tactics today among Christians only in a slightly different form, more cunning ways with guilt attached if we do not do as others do.

He leads the believer to think that to be a good Christian we must do all the things within church gatherings that everyone else is doing or we will miss out on something. And, possibly not be seen as good Christians by those in the gathering. Perhaps the most enticing thing he uses is the loss of the love and respect of the others in the group if we do not do as they say and do.

God commands us to be unified but always unified in His Word. We are never required to follow the dictates of others when they violate God's principles or when the rules are man-made and not commanded by God. Our freedom is immense within the principles of Christ. It is man who makes things complicated, difficult and oppressive.

A good example of this is when the apostles were not required to ritualistically wash their hands as was the custom of the religious leaders.

Matthew 15:1-3 "1Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” 3Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?…"

If is acceptable to follow man's rules if you want to when they do not violate God's Word. However, it is also acceptable to ignore a man-made rule if God never commanded it.

Colossians 2:8,20-23

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

The biggest problem with Christians today is the tendency to evaluate our walk according to how others view us more than we seek Christ for His truth. More actions and words are done to preserve our image within the church gatherings than resemble anything Biblical.

It was the religious Pharisees who burdened others with rules God never commanded and judged them if they didn't do it.

Matthew 23:4-5 " 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.…"

I am alright with people making man-made rules for themselves if it makes them sense a closer walk with Christ, but I am not supportive of those who make these rules for themselves and pressure others to follow their rules. And worse, judge others who do not do what they do.

We are to judge righteous judgment, that is judging the things God has already stated as judgment in His Word. We can repeat God's judgement and encourage others to follow Christ, but we are not free to intimidate and manipulate others into obeying man's dictates that God never gave.

When we realize our allegiance is to Christ Who lives in us and not man we are free to hear from God and obey Him. Those who are following man's rules that God never made are in bondage to unnecessary pressure and guilt, the guilt is from man and the devil not from God.

Luke 11:46

"Woe to you as well, experts in the law!" He replied. "You weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load."

Bottom line; evaluate everything according to the Bible and follow what Christ tells you to follow. And, do not allow any person to derail you from the path God has for you.