Parable of The Boiled Frog ...

ToBeBlessed said:

It was obvious I was talking about a bible story. It was written with specific references to Jesus. I don't see how that could have been misunderstood. I. Was defamed.

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gideons300 said:

I would counsel us all to beware making this a place where generalizations evolve into personal attacks. The truth, if it is truth, must be spoken in love, truly caring for the welfare of the other in the discussions.

Was James speaking in love when he called believers adulterers and adulteresses? Indeed he was. Sometimes hard words are called for, for we are told that part of true ministry is correcting, rebuking, chastening, and it is beneficial if spoken in love. Words, even hard words, can come across in a positive way, especially if a way of escape is provided so that the hearers can benefit.

But there can be answers that possess a hidden agenda of pride, defensiveness, even hate. They can possess teeth, teeth that bite and devour, that wound for the purpose of wounding, not healing, words that no amount of skill can hide their true intent. Some use sarcasm, some use inferring something without having the nerve to speak out directly, some even use cute emoticons, or diversion, adding to another's comments subtle embellishments to sway the readers, or worst of all, making an attack personal if another's comments hits too close to home, thinking their intent hidden just enough to get by the rules of the forum.

May I say here that a man or woman may be well versed in the rules of the forum and be extremely skilled in dancing right along the line without breaking the rules, but what is broken is the rule of love, and God sees our heart motives. If we even say "You are a fool", Jesus says we are in danger of hell fire. Do we believe that or does grace now free us to do so?

If we, the ones who are Spirit filled, cannot get along in love, and we are supposed to be possessing the epitome of what Christ offers us believers, is it any wonder I put forth the truth that we are the lukewarm church? Do we grieve that we are like this? Have we forgotten thagt to whom much is given, much is required? Or, are we so angry at another who dares judge us or even suggest we are missing what God has for us....new love-filled, love-led lives, that we refuse to acknowledge our low spiritual state. Taking offence is not the path God has for us. Defending others....new believers.... from statements is generally revealing that person themselves is the one offended and responding by striking back.

Like Laodecia, we think we are fine, that we need nothing. We are wrong. God offers us brand new natures. We need them. It should be obvious and the fact that it is not only increases the truth of what I share. Now, will we ask for them as if our lives depend on the answer? Because they do. The man in the wedding feast who was found without his wedding garment on found out the hard way.

Blessings,

Gideon

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mourningdove~ said:

The Parable of The Boiled Frog​

“If you place a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will immediately try to scramble out. But if you place the frog in room temperature water, and don’t scare him, he’ll stay put.

Now, if the pot sits on a heat source, and if you gradually turn up the temperature, something very interesting happens. As the temperature rises, the frog will do nothing. In fact, he may show every sign of enjoying himself.

As the temperature gradually increases, the frog will become groggier and groggier, until he is unable to climb out of the pot. Though there is nothing restraining him, the frog will sit there and boil.

Why? Because the frog’s internal apparatus for sensing threats to survival is geared to sudden changes in the environment, not to slow, gradual changes.”



I think we can look at this parable and apply it to how we as Christians can become deceived.

I don't think many, if any, of us wake up one morning and make the decision to become deceived.

I don't think many of us as Christians decide one day to start fellowshipping in Hindu temples, or Muslim Mosques, or the like ... as they are not Christian in belief.

Nor do I think many of us Christians, after salvation, decide to join a street gang so as to live the wild life.

Lots of us choose after salvation to not even go into sinful places ... like brothels, porn shops, x-rated movies, drug houses, bars ... well, you get my drift!

Generally, as followers of Jesus we will want to go places, do things, fellowship, in ways that are conducive to growing in our faith. It's just a natural kind of supernatural thing that happens after conversion!

So no, I doubt many of us seek to be deceived.

But deception does happen.
Much like how this frog became deceived ... and someone's dinner!

Deception happens gradually, slowly.

We may begin watching and listening to tv preachers that don't quite preach the whole gospel truth.

Or we may begin reading Christian books that are full of more of the world's philosophies than the principles of God.

Or we may begin hanging with persons that aren't so stable in the faith.

Or we may begin reading too much worldly stuff and not enough Bible.

Or we may begin listening to too many loud voices in the world rather than choosing to listen to the gentle nudgings of the Holy Spirit.

Or we may begin hanging out too much online in forums with Christians that are not 'like-minded'.

Or ...

In this day of tremendous technology and opportunity, there are so many ways that we can become confused in our thinking ... and deceived.

And generally, the process happens very slowly.

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mourningdove~ said:

So what do we 'do' ...
when we realize we've been spiritually deceived?​

​

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Messy said:

Repent, which is stop doing what you did. Jump out of the pot.

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jiminpa said:

Repent and ask God for grace, real grace that lifts us out of our sin completely and puts us on the right path. In this case grace would open our eyes to the deception and keep them open for us.

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