Why does it make me mad?

[hal]

At age 90 I have learned to ignore the gainsayers. Scripture says in this world we will suffer persecution. The devil hate those who have the power to defeat him. And he can used ignorant Christians to respond.

 

[hal]

I have learned to ignore those who are anti-charismatic. So is the devil and his minions.

 

[ej]

Are you talking about this?

(from www.puritansermons.com)

False spiritual experiences have a tendency to cause pride, which is the devil's special sin. "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil." (1 Tim 3:6) Pride is the inevitable result of false spiritual experiences, even though they are often covered with a disguise of great humility. False experience is enamored with self and grows on self. It lives by showing itself in one way or another. A person can have great love for God, and be proud of the greatness of his love. He can be very humble, and very proud indeed of his humility. But the emotions and experiences that come from God's grace are exactly opposite. God's true working in the heart causes humility. They do not cause any kind of showiness or self-exaltation. That sense of the awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ kills pride and humbles the soul.

 

[hal]

We are called to forgive those who trespass against up. And we can throw in a little pity.

 

[ej]

We are called to forgive those who trespass against up. And we can throw in a little pity.

A minute ago you ignored anti-Charismatics, and associated them with 'the devil and his minions' and suddenly now you forgive and pity them?

I was wondering whether you had an opinion on the piece I posted?

Peace be with you
Emma

 

[hal]

That is a bit contradictory, isn't it?

About you piace. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, don't we?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

If one experiences God, it can hardly be called false.

Now after the experience, the flesh may rise up and get in the way but the initial experience was not false.

On the mountian top Moses had a very real experience with God. . .yet chose to cover his face due to the complaints of the people who saw him being overwhelmed by the shining of his face. I believe they probably accused him of being showy about his relationship with God.

It is true that one can become prideful in their experiences but that does not mean that just because they tell of the experience that they are operating in pride. I think the person who jumps first at pointing the pride out may be the first one operating in pride . . .and jealousy, and resentment, and anger, etc.

 

[ej]

Please forgive the misunderstanding...

As an Anglo-Catholic, I am ignorant regarding Pentecostal / Charismatic churches. I have not experienced them first-hand. I am keen to learn about them, yet every question I have posed here has been ignored, avoided, or answered in a round-about way.

I very much doubt that Hal was referring to Christians like me when he mentioned 'Anti-Charismatics' and associated them with 'the devil and his minions.' The reason I visit this forum is solely to learn.

I posted the exerpt from puritan sermons because I believe this is referring to Charismatics. Is it puritans that Hal is referring to? Or is he referring to non-Christians?

Thanks
Emma

 

[YouthPastor]

In addition, I wonder how there can have been so few, wise prophets througout history, and now, any person who claims to have such a gift is labelled a prophet. How do you tell the gifted from the false prophets? Is there a formal record of all prophecies?

The second branch of my question concerns these gifts. Why is there so much emphasis upon external, earthly acts? Why is the internal, personal, soulful, peaceful experience of the Holy Spirit (which many other denominations regularly experience) displayed in such a way?

Thanks for your thoughts
Your sister in Christ
Emma

I am assemblies of God.

I think that "titles" are used way to often. I am not in to "titles" too begin with - But take a look through any christian magazine, Take charisma for example - not putting them down, but look at the ads for confrences - Look how many "apostles" there are - how many "prophets" there are.

So titles mean nothing to me. You walk up to me and tell me you are a prophet - Good. Whoopteedo. For one, if you have to come tell me you are a prophet - that is a good sign you are not. if you are - your gift will be made known. If a person truley is a prophet or an apostle or whatever - they will not have to go around wearing the "title" - they will "show" people their gifts by allowing God to use them.

You can tell a true prophet from a false by this - Does it come true?

In the OT - only selected people were "empowered" by yhe Holy Spirit. Where as under the NT - ALL believers can be "empowered" by the Holy Spirit.

Second phase - As to the external - people are "sight" oriented - seeing is believing. However, the gifts of the spirit are EXTERNAL demonstrations of the Holy Spirit's work.

 

[YouthPastor]

Please forgive the misunderstanding...

As an Anglo-Catholic, I am ignorant regarding Pentecostal / Charismatic churches. I have not experienced them first-hand. I am keen to learn about them, yet every question I have posed here has been ignored, avoided, or answered in a round-about way.

I very much doubt that Hal was referring to Christians like me when he mentioned 'Anti-Charismatics' and associated them with 'the devil and his minions.' The reason I visit this forum is solely to learn.

I posted the exerpt from puritan sermons because I believe this is referring to Charismatics. Is it puritans that Hal is referring to? Or is he referring to non-Christians?

Thanks
Emma

I think Hal was refering to those who repeatedly attack charasmatics. Those are the ones that are anti-charasmatic. people who are questioning, like yourself, should not be labeled anti-charasmatic and I do not think Hal was including you in that label.