oh please. Just religious justification for being cynical.
Seeking Biblical discernment is
not “religious justification for being cynical.” Actually, the gift of discernment is a Spiritual gift, but it certainly isn’t one that seems to be much sought after these days.
Perhaps you think the Bereans were being “cynical” as well for “searching the Scriptures daily” in regard to what Paul and Silas were teaching them. Yet Scripture commends them for doing so.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. - Acts 17:10-12
How can you tell a false prophet, easy. They deny the cross of Jesus and they deny that salvation is by grace alone. Outside of that, it is being cynical.
According to Scripture, anyone who claims to speak for the Lord when He has not spoken and whose words do not come to pass is a false prophet. The standard for Biblical prophecy is 100% accuracy. And just as there were false prophets in the Old Testament times, we are warned many times in Scripture that there will be false prophets in among us, increasingly as the end draws closer.
See Matthew 7 and Matthew 24 for Jesus’ warnings about increasing deception and false prophets.
Also:
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. - Acts 20:29-31
I suppose Paul was just being “cynical” as well?
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. - 2 Peter 2:1-3
Its amazing how faith healers or tv evangelist get picked on so badly,
I am not “picking on” anyone. It’s called Biblical discernment.
but not the legalist that is sending people to hell by teaching you have to earn your salvation.
Anyone who teaches that salvation must be earned is indeed telling a diabolical lylie. That is a different topic but one which is absolutely reprehensible. Salvation is by grace, through faith and not of works.
I could easily see Abraham, King David, and so many others, if they was alive today would use modern technology to promote the gospel. But how would many religious people treat them. Just as cynical as they do the faith healers and evangelist.
This has nothing to do with whether or not someone uses modern technology to promote the Gospel. I am in full agreement with that and I strive to do so myself.
Lets see, with Abraham, did you hear about the Evangelist Abraham, yeah, he claims to be a preacher of righteousness and I heard this rumor that he gave is wife to two guys to have sex with her (the two times he lied about her being her sister and risked the kings taking her. It does not matter that the kings did not touch her, because no one would believe it.). Then on top of that scandal, this sexually immoral Abraham went off and slept with his house maid to have a child. What a warped evangelist. Instead of using in vitro insemination, he said he believes it should be done the natural way.
I honestly have no idea what you’re getting at. I never claimed anyone had to be perfect in their flesh and neither am I.
Have you heard about the evangelist David, yeah like that false teacher is of God. Have you heard, he sent out his ministry team to do evangelism and while they was gone he committed adultery with one of his ministry team's wife. Not only that, but he got her pregnant, and hired a hit man and had the husband secretly killed so no one would find out about it.
That actually isn’t the story at all, but no matter, as once again you have this strange idea that I require people to be absolutely perfect to serve God and I don’t. Whether or not a person is perfect in the flesh, however, (and no one ever has been except Jesus), does not mean we don’t seek Biblical discernment in regard to the many many various teachings, prophecies, signs and wonders we have in the Church today. Discernment is so important.
Then there is the evangelist Sampson, that is if you could even give him that title. Every where he goes he just does what ever he feels like in the flesh. That guy is as carnal as they come, and he claims to have the power of God working in him. Well if he is so super naturally strong then why doesn't he help out in the spring time in the states that are trying to hold back the flood waters. I mean with that kind of super strength he should be able to dig trenches with his hand alone.
I’m not going to go over how you’re missing the importance of searching the Scriptures for discernment, yet again. That has absolutely
nothing to do with how none of us is perfect in the flesh. It is a very serious thing when someone says “thus saith the Lord” and the Lord has not spoken.
Have you heard about the Prophet Moses, yeah right. Like I am going to believe a murder is a prophet. Besides what is the deal where he will never talk, what's he hiding. Why does he have is brother always talk. Something is really fishy about that.
Again, you’re making an entire argument against a position you assume I hold (that people must be perfect for God to use them) when I have said no such thing. The imperfection of man, however, does not cancel out the need to seek Biblical discernment and is not an excuse to accept error.
Then there is the racist Peter. Can a racist even be a christian. Have you heard, he use to hang out with this one social group, but when some of his own race came for a visit he totally acted like he never knew the people he use to hang out with.
And Paul reproved him to his face, because he was wrong. You still are not making a case for equating Biblical discernment with cynicism.
Through out the Bible, except for Jesus, every man or woman of God had some issue and yet God still worked mightly through them.
Agreed.
But if today's cynic and so called false prophet / teacher hunters was around their time, they would be writing all kinds of bad things about them.
And this is where you’re incorrect. The Bible is clear that God uses weak, broken and imperfect people. The Bible is also clear regarding false prophets and apostles, lying signs and wonders, and increasing deception. Both subjects are true, relevant and very important.
