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NASB | Matthew 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
Subject: Knocked out by holy spirit |
Bible Note: "Discernment is a gift and when utilized correctly it can lead keep us from deception." my response: Unfortunately, what is often referred to as discernment is nothing more than fear which stems from our trusting OUR ability to follow rather than the LORD'S ability to lead. Learning to recognize and trust the Lord's voice is the first step in true discernment. This is not a subjective thing, but rather an intimate familiarity that comes as we read the Word, pray, worship, and fellowship with the body of Christ. "Their sin nature is overlooked and the problems are blamed elsewhere" my response: I don't find much in the way of any of these teacher's teaching that excuses or placates sin. Quite the opposite, actually. In fact, obedience to the Lord is a very real requirement to experience the blessing of the Lord. "Jesus spoke of this when we he warned that the time was coming when people would no longer look for sound doctrine, but seek instead the things that tickled their ears." my response: These were doctrines of demons, being referred to.. or in other words, deceptions. Specifically, things like condoning or excusing the following: Sexual immorality, homosexuality, adultery, drunkeness, deciet, thieving, etc. The Word says that permission for these practices will enter the church. We need look no further than the headlines in the news today of ordinations taking place to see precisely what this warning is about. Nowhere does this warning imply that those who encourage the Body to take God's Word for what it means are guilty of this. And, by the way, I am not making a justifiable case for anyone that uses these basic teachings to line their own pockets from selfish ambitions. They will answer before the Lord on that matter. But their abuse does not constitute a flaw in the basic doctrine. In fact, Jesus said many would take the true practices of God to serve themselves without any allegiance or familiarity with Him. To them he said that they would cast out demons, perform miracles, and prophesy and yet he did not know them. That does not discount that all of these practices are Scriptural and necessary to the building up of the Kingdom. "Nobody wants to hear that living the Christian life is hard requiring sacrifices, they want to hear instead about the benefits." my response: Both sacrifice and blessings are required and bestowed upon the believer. We are in error when we believe otherwise. What precisely those sacrifices and blessings are, is really the crux of the matter, isn't it? "Your right I don listen to the watch dogs organizations." ( I assume you mean do and not don't, within the context of your argument) my response: Watch dogs are very different than watchman. Prophetically, I find it very interesting that these societies spend so much of their time accusing the body of Christ. You see, the difference between a watch dog and a watchman is profound. The dog will bark at every unfamiliarity to them, whether friend or foe. They lack true understanding and discernment except to what they are sure is already familiar to them in thier limited understanding. A watchman, on the other hand, examines the credentials of who approaches the gate and requests admittance. In this case, the credentials they must examine is the authenticity of the teaching against the light of Scripture. You trust these watchdog societies in their appraisals.. even though they often conflict amongst themselves. I do not do so, without first examining in light of Scripture humbly before the Lord for his admonition, correction, and direction. I find it interesting that the vast bulk of your argument is silent where Scripture is concerned. You speak of excesses and abuses that I have nowhere defended nor excused. Unfortunately, it appears some bad experiences have colored your discernment and perception on these matters, and you have thus thrown the baby out with the bathwater. As a wise and wonderful man of God once said to me.. "Eat the wheat, and spit out the chaff". The picture of these watchdogs barking at every preacher and teaching that doesn't fit their particular paradigm of religion is a very fitting and powerful allegory. (end of part one.. sorry for the long post. Continues in part two) |