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NASB | Luke 11:52 "Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 11:52 "Woe to you lawyers, because you have taken away the key to knowledge (scriptural truth). You yourselves did not enter, and you held back those who were entering [by your flawed interpretation of God's word and your man-made tradition]." [Matt 23:13] |
Subject: Persicution |
Bible Note: ominous, I agree with a lot of what you said. I want to address a few of your questions and statements. Your question: "so why discourage someone at the first sign of non-conformity?" I don't believe we should. I think you are absolutely correct on this. But, the case with Obi does not fit into this category. Obi is a classic case of intentional false teaching. There is no other way to say it. Obi was attempting to teach not discuss and he did it with deceit which is nothing more then evil. What he was teaching was false. Not because I don't agree with him. But most importantly, the scriptures don't agree with him. Regardless of how smart one may think himself to be, the power of God's word and the truth in them cannot be hidden with lies and deceit. I have complete confidence in this fact. Hebrews 4:12 Your statement: "there is however a difference between rebuking a brother, and convincing a gainsayer, or one looking for answers. there is a difference in misinterpretation and deliberate twisting, but is it being done deliberately, or is that what he was taught?" Again, I agree with your comments about rebuking a brother etc... I think that would be a very good discussion that should be started on this forum. You raised several good points. Maybe you can get this started since it was your question. I would love to see the response myself in hopes that I too could have a better understanding of this issue and what others think about these things. Back to your statement. The point in your statement I want to key on is the part where you say "but is it being done deliberately, or is that what he was taught?" This is an excellent question. I believe it shows that your heart is in the right place on this whole issue. But it also underlines the importance of why we should call evil for what it is when we see it. What about those that did not understand what was going on and what Obi was up to? And to answer your question, it was obvious it was being done deliberately and you can rest assured it was what he/she was taught. The fact Obi was taught this practice of deceit and fallowed through on it is not an excuse for his/her actions. As a matter of fact, it should highlight to others where Obi's church stands and highlight the fact it is not a Christian church regardless of what they claim or call it. It would be much different if someone believed in something because they were taught it and that was that. But when delivered with deceit and with the intentions of twisting God's words (and this is their practice and they are taught these things and their church is built on the intentional twisting of God's word) a Christian I believe should be ready to call it for what it is and reject it. Now if someone was taught something that just happened to not line up with scripture, and they engaged in an honest discussion about it. You would be absolutely correct in how we as Christians should react. ominous, I can honestly say, I took no pride in these things with Obi. But the things seen in his/her actions were not of God. These are the things we rebuke. For Obi I have a heavy heart that prays to our merciful and Holy Father that he will speak to his/her heart and open the eye's. May God bless you! |