BEWARE OF THE DECEIVERS

[cyberwood]

Sawdust,
Thanks for sharing your experiences! For some time now, I have struggled with the question, "How can the Bible come alive?" What makes it more than pages from a book, but the living word of God? I feel absolutely blessed by the Lord that He recently showed me the living word of the Bible through the Holy Spirit (once I first humbled myself). It all becomes so real! The most incredible thing to me is that the Bible now begins to reflect a worldview completely guided by the Spirit, and seems so much clearer to me - there are no gray areas when you walk with the Spirit of the Lord! The Lord, in turn, has shown to me just how crucial living in the spirit really is. Your comment that we check that we are speaking from the establishment of Grace is another reminder that I act according to the will of God, and not my own.

In the past, when I have been blessed with feeling God's presence, I have felt the need to make it very public, to the point that it was no longer about the glory of God, but praise to myself for getting it right (probably the greatest danger for any active Christian). The manifestation of that was in my conversations with those that weren't Christian. When we would argue, I would have to push harder and harder for them to see 'the truth'. But where was the truth, except that in my own arrogance *I* had to be the one to reveal the awesome glory and grace of God? In light of God's presence, I can certainly see the foolishness in my actions. Just as the Lord, in His awesomeness, actually gave me the *choice* to accept Jesus' gift of salvation, so too must I accept that others have that choice to make. It is not mine to make, and so I must respect someone's decision to deny the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Anyways, I ramble... There is definitely deception everywhere, and worst of all, inside of us through Satan (who works very subtely). But the best part, though, is that now that we live in the Spirit, we have a perfect guide to lead us to the Truth. It is the Spirit that makes the Bible come alive, and our words mean more than just pointless discourse. Thanks again for the message sawdust, I hope that we all can share in your joy in Christ!

 

[tulc]

In the past, when I have been blessed with feeling God's presence, I have felt the need to make it very public, to the point that it was no longer about the glory of God, but praise to myself for getting it right (probably the greatest danger for any active Christian). The manifestation of that was in my conversations with those that weren't Christian. When we would argue, I would have to push harder and harder for them to see 'the truth'. But where was the truth, except that in my own arrogance *I* had to be the one to reveal the awesome glory and grace of God? In light of God's presence, I can certainly see the foolishness in my actions. Just as the Lord, in His awesomeness, actually gave me the *choice* to accept Jesus' gift of salvation, so too must I accept that others have that choice to make. It is not mine to make, and so I must respect someone's decision to deny the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Well put!
tulc(sometimes we get in the way, rather than show the way!)

 

[tulc]

[move] Welcome to CF cyberwood!![/move]

tulc

 

[Puritan]

>Thanks 'Tulc' for your reply. Actually I think the points you make are technically correct,but probably not 100% valid in every specific situation.
It's true that we will be ridiculed and made to look foolish on occassions,but there's no reason to remain in those situations,and become a 'fool' at every opportunity we get. Our main calling is to save the lost,not to be their designated jests.
Of course we haven't even gotten into actual one on one encounters,where true witnessing takes place. Somehow,I just don't see internet evangelizing in the same light,or having the same impact.
I have heard stories of coverted Atheists who tell how they came to the truth ONLY through digging in God's word for themselves.
Of course,if I really wanted to,I could go back and recall certain experiences,and ascribe special meanings to them,as causes of my own conversion. When in fact I came all on my own,without anyone's helping hand. When it comes right down to it,it is strictly a personal decision to begin a personal relationship with God.


Anyway,I don't want to start another long discussion,since I'm sure we both could find scriptures to justify our views.
Besides,I feel God has shown me these forums are a waste of MY time,and are counterproductive in my own walk with Him.
I know this is true,because I even look for reasons to stay,and find only confirmation to leave.
I won't say it is bad for everyone,mainly because no one would believe me to begin with. Just imagine how much time that would add to someone's already boring daily life,if they were to stop coming here!
It even sounds harsh and cynical to even mention this possibility!
I will only say that if this bears witness with ANYONE else,to please pay attention to those 'unctions' from the Spirit.
God may be talking to you as well??
Sorry for the many words,but I didn't feel inspired to leave anything out.

God's Blessings and good luck to all,
David

 

[tulc]

Hey where you feel the Lord leading, you gots to follow!
tulc

 

[Philip4Jesus]

I am once again trying to generate more interest in this thread, not because it is the one that I started but because I think Christians need to be aware of the deception that is out there.

I hope that more of you will read the orginal post and become more aware and not buy into everyting that is in this forum or That so called Christian preachers are teaching. I hope it will cause you to use some biblical discernment in what you read and hear.

 

[kel32]

This is a discussion forum.... we discuss a lot of issues..including the differences in doctrines. Sometimes, those discussions get heated... but so did Jesus when he talked to the Pharisees, etc.
Antagonize us... welcome to the world my friend.. Christianity is not as widely accepted as it used to be. We are antagonized on a daily basis"

Shannon,

I speak to you through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. I've read numerous posts of yours where you feel "attacked" and you quit discussing topics with others because they aren't seeing things "your" way and you get frustrated quickly. I pray that God will lead your heart to peace and kindness the next time an attack comes your way. Anger is by no means a way to solve anything. "The fool gives vent to all his anger; but by biding his time, the wise man calms it." Prov. 29:11

"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Mat. 5:8-12

~Peace and Love~

 

[Shannonkish]

I find Kel's response quite funny. Sorry, this is the first time I saw it. Why do I find it funny? Because this is a message board, a forum. My "feelings" are not involved here... because I don't know the person I am talking to. I apologize if you read my posts and feel that I am upset or feel attacked in anyway.. cause I don't.

What I constantly have to remind people in other forums is about the fact that we are reading the words of a person, not listening to them. Because we are reading them and because we don't know the person that the words come from, we can't distinguish how this person meant to say the things.

For example, I am a published author and someone I had never met got ahold of my book and read a passage where I talked about my brother. This person had never met me, or my brother.. however he emailed me and told me what a horrible person I was for writing about my brother in the way that I did. What he didn't understand is that my brother and I went through a lot together... the trials we went through drove us apart, BUT taught us both a lot. Since then, my brother and I have grown closer, and we both share the trials we went through with others in order to teach them what we learned. Once the person that emailed me understood this, he realized he was out of line.

It is very easy to read the thoughts of someone and assume that they had a certain attitude or a certain mindset because of the way you read.. but unless you know the person you probably are not reading it correctly.

Just some thoughts.

 

[C.A.B.L]

As long as Satan is the "god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4) then there will also be deceivers, false prophets and lies. That is why we have the Bible, and I agree with my fellow Christians who say, let "scripture interpret scripture" God gave us the book of absolute truth so that we could easily spot outright lies.

 

[Daughter of His]

Thanks Shannonkish for briinging this thread out, I probably would not have seen it, great reminder. We are not at home in this world.

 

[BlestVessel]

I didn't realize how long ago this post was!