Shut the Door, Keep out the Devil

[BHiles]

I have been thinking about this for a while. As we have seen some on this board who have change their beliefs and exchange them for an inferior position I thought this may be a good discussion to start.

The internet has provided a valuable resource for some to be able to exchange ideas and get information. But in some areas it also opens up Christian's to beliefs that they would have never been exposed to without it.

I think it is important for the ongoing increase in spiritual maturity and stability that certain beliefs be thought out thouroughly in light of scriptures and the Holy Spirit and then the door to that belief be closed to any further challenge.

I know on the surface this may seem like closed mindedness but I think on some areas of our lives we need to start closing our minds to any other possibility.

Every morning upon going to breakfast, upon pulling out my chair to sit I do not study and contemplate the science of if and why it will hold me. I have put that area of my life to bed. It will. I have closed my mind off to the idea that it would not. Now the things of God are much more reliable than that chair. These things I think we should establish an understanding of what they are and close that door. Do not let any outside influence even address it with you anymore.

Now I am talking about major points here but i think that Christians ought to form their own doctrinal statement defined and researched and then stand on that statement. Do not open those door any more. Not according to circumstances of life. Not because the person you fell in love with is a different religion. Not because these are old fashioned beliefs. Not for anything in the world hold onto these fundementals.

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God?

Then find out why scripturally and shut this door! Do not let anyone open it up again.

Do you believe that the Word of God is, and is infallible and authoratative?

Again shut this door.

There are many areas of doctrine to discuss but the things that were one time called fundamentals of the faith need to be a permanent platform on whuch christians can stand as the base and growth can occur with that base.

If we constantly reach for every wind of doctrine there will never be any stability in our lives and no platform in which to build our faith upon.

Ephesians 4:3 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

I encourage all to exercise themselves on the creation of your personal statement of faith and doctrinal statement.

[Jade]

Good post.

Just tonight I was commenting to my husband about the dangers of witnessing to those who are entrenched in their false beliefs, that in a moment of weakness a Christian could easily begin to believe any of these false teachings. One needs to take a strong stand with the teachings of Christ and the word of God to resist the deceits of the false religions.

I seem to recall these verses saying something similar to BHiles thoughts.

Ephesians 6
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

[antsinmypants]

.

[Hootmon]

'Closing the Door' is a good idea as long as it is a result of personal study, and not due to some church's/person's teaching.

Once you have 'settled the matter' in your own mind, but not just because someone 'told you so'.

[Jael]

Great post, BHiles...especially as it applies to the fundamentals of the faith. :):

[spoilsport]

I don't think you can call any position inferior until as is said and done and we know the truth once and for all. Calling a position inferior gives the appearance that you are the authority on truth.

That said I think "closing the door" is an altogether bad idea. When you encounter a new idea you should examine it, judge it's validity, and discard it or keep it. There is no need to not hear new ideas at the risk that they may resonate.

[BHiles]

Originally posted by spoilsport
I don't think you can call any position inferior until as is said and done and we know the truth once and for all. Calling a position inferior gives the appearance that you are the authority on truth.

That said I think "closing the door" is an altogether bad idea. When you encounter a new idea you should examine it, judge it's validity, and discard it or keep it. There is no need to not hear new ideas at the risk that they may resonate.

Going from a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to a position that He was only a great teacher and placing oneself back under law for redemtion is going from a superior position to an inferior one in every and all cases.

Sorry but this is truth. There are absolutes in this world.

[spoilsport]

Going from a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to a position that He was only a great teacher and placing oneself back under law for redemtion is going from a superior position to an inferior one in every and all cases.

Sorry but this is truth. There are absolutes in this world.

While I would agree that their belief is wrong I don't make it my place to judge another person or their intentions. I agree there are absolutes in the world, but this is the truth: You and I don't know them.

[BHiles]

Originally posted by spoilsport
I don't make it my place to judge another person or their intentions.

Well the Bible says you should judge doctrine. And you should.

[Jael]

Originally posted by spoilsport
I don't think you can call any position inferior until as is said and done and we know the truth once and for all. Calling a position inferior gives the appearance that you are the authority on truth.

That said I think "closing the door" is an altogether bad idea. When you encounter a new idea you should examine it, judge it's validity, and discard it or keep it. There is no need to not hear new ideas at the risk that they may resonate.

If only Adam and Eve had closed the door on Satan's argument, determined in their hearts to obey God and then refused to listen to anything that suggested otherwise...

Psa 1:1 Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Pro 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.

[BHiles]

Originally posted by Jael
If only Adam and Eve had closed the door on Satan's argument, determined in their hearts to obey God and then refused to listen to anything that suggested otherwise...

Pro 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.


Great Point Jael,

:thumb

[linuxpenguin]

Originally posted by BHiles
Going from a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to a position that He was only a great teacher and placing oneself back under law for redemtion is going from a superior position to an inferior one in every and all cases.

Sorry but this is truth. There are absolutes in this world.

Did someone actually say that about Christ here on RR? If so, well I guess they never made it to Hebrews then.

[colleenkay]

I agree there are absolutes in the world, but this is the truth: You and I don't know them.


I was lurking and saw this.I beg to differ Spoilsport and this is the whole point of this thread.We have to hold on to the fact that Jesus Christ and everything we hold dear and believe in our heart of hearts is true.To me this is an absolute,that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God.Some things are certainly a point of question but not that.

It's so true though.When I first came here I devoured info and was shocked and surprised by the myriad of beliefs out there by both Christians and non.I've gone through periods where some things shook my faith.I have been challenged and I stand.In this day and age we have information at our fingertips.If we can think it we can find it.It can really hurt someone though who is brand new in the faith if they are not careful and prayerful.People shouldn't be afraid of other beliefs but my advice is when it get's confusing,get back to the basics of your faith and ask the Holy Spirit to help you out.And if things get too much regarding all the stuff like messege boards etc.. take a break.

[antsinmypants]

Originally posted by linuxpenguin
Did someone actually say that about Christ here on RR? If so, well I guess they never made it to Hebrews then.

I, nor any of the other Messianics have said we look to Torah for our redemption. We have said, that it is still in effect, and that we are told to "follow my commands"-- and that the NT is a rehash of everything contained in the Torah, everything Taught in the Torah, and what things were fufilled in prophesy, and what will be fufilled.

We do, because we were told to. It has NOTHING to do with redepmtion. Y'shua was for redemption, and he is our advocate in heaven.

He says "live like me"... how can we, if we forsake his own teaching?

G-d made provisions for us in strange lands. He said to obey the law of those lands. In so doing, we cannot do COMPLETE Torah Observance {like stoning kids who are disobedient, witches, adulterers etc}.... and also with the Temple destroyed, there are some things that cannot be done without the Cohen Hagadol (High Preist) and since G-d has taken us to the "next step" with Y'shua being our High Priest, those things are no longer needed- as HE has done them for us.

It's not the LETTER of the Law we are to be concerned with- or the Fences people have build around Torah, it's what Y'shua taught, which was taught before the Pharisees and Sadducees came on the scene; it's what Y'shua rehashed and explained himself, or had Sha'ul (Paul) or his brother James, or John explain to us all.

Why else would they say "tell them this... because Moses is taught every Shabbat in the synogogues..."?

It makes no sense, unless you realise what is really being taught.

As for judement/condemnation it's Lashon Hara (ill seaking/Gossip) combined with bad judgement which is spoken against in the Bible.


That is all that we've said, so in taking up for my other brothers and sisters, and myself.... I will :tape :nod

[BHiles]

Ants,
This post wasn't directed toward you.
Brent

[antsinmypants]

Originally posted by BHiles
Ants,
This post wasn't directed toward you.
Brent

I know Brent, though I have heard it said towards myself and others, so I felt lead of YHVH to clear it up.

-Shalom

[newbie]

I understand and agree with both thoughts: We, as Christians cannot hide in the corner, avoiding anyone who has thoughts different from our own. Otherwise, we would never be able to witness.

HOWEVER, (and it's a big however), I agree with B. Hiles (who said it very eloquently, I might add), that before we attempt to witness, we must have a concrete basis for our belief within our own minds.

There are some things that we just cannot negotiate on - and the first and foremost is that Christ is the way -- the only way! To be able to witness this, we must believe it with every fiber of our being.

And once you are rock solid in this belief, you begin to see things as black and white -- no greys when it comes to your belief!

[dusty]

G-d made provisions for us in strange lands. He said to obey the law of those lands. In so doing, we cannot do COMPLETE Torah Observance {like stoning kids who are disobedient, witches, adulterers etc}...
This statement tends to lead one to believe that those acts mentioned above are being supported here and would be carried out if it were allowed by a land's law. :confused

...we are told to "follow my commands"......We do, because we were told to.

We are also told that complete observance of the law is required...

Ga 3:10
...Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Why else would they say "tell them this... because Moses is taught every Shabbat in the synogogues..."?

Acts 15:21
...For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

...compared to...

Ac 9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues...

Ro 10:5
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
...And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

It's interesting to note that there is a distinction made between preaching Moses and the gospel. One preaches of living by the law while the other preaches of Christ. It's also interesting that it is noted in the word that although Moses was being preached in the synagogues, the hearers minds were actually vailed to the gospel -- to this day we are told.

Going from a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to a position that He was only a great teacher and placing oneself back under law for redemtion is going from a superior position to an inferior one in every and all cases.

While I would agree that their belief is wrong I don't make it my place to judge another person or their intentions. I agree there are absolutes in the world, but this is the truth: You and I don't know them.

Ro 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Intentions are not being judged by "seeing if these things be so". How can one begin to rightly divide the word, as we are told to, and know what is contrary to sound doctrine if it is not possible to know?



:):

[BHiles]

Dusty,
As always :thumb

[antsinmypants]

:frusty :tin :rolleyes

[antsinmypants]

Originally posted by dusty
Intentions are not being judged by "seeing if these things be so". How can one begin to rightly divide the word, as we are told to, and know what is contrary to sound doctrine if it is not possible to know?


:frusty


It is QUITE possible to know if you do your homework and research on topics in their origional contexts and languages.

[dusty]

Originally posted by dusty
Intentions are not being judged by "seeing if these things be so". How can one begin to rightly divide the word, as we are told to, and know what is contrary to sound doctrine if it is not possible to know?

:frusty

It is QUITE possible to know if you do your homework and research on topics in their origional contexts and languages.

The point being made was that it is possible to know the absolutes truths of God -- contrary to what another poster said. :):

[BHiles]

Ants,
I am a really concerned about your understanding that God lacked the ability to preserve His Word and convey His ideas in anything but the Original language (of which we have no original manuscripts of.) There has to be a happy medium here. I agree that we must study and some of that study involves Greek and Hebrew along with usage of the word and pharase throughout scripture but I believe that you are going overboard. It seems I hear you saying that there is no understanding of God without the use of Greek and Hebrew and I simply cannot stand with you in this No more than I can stand with Jeffers believing that the KJV has some new kind of inspiration to reveal to us truths beyond the Greek and Hebrew. God did preserve for us His word. Otherwise we would have had generations of believers who could not rely on their English Bibles as the word of God and we would leave it up to the clerics only which caused us the mess of the orthodox churches. The people have been given a preserved Word of God that they can rely on in the English as well as other languages. We must not give over to an extreme in this area.

In Christ's Love

Brent

[antsinmypants]

Originally posted by BHiles
Ants,
I am a really concerned about your understanding that God lacked the ability to preserve His Word and convey His ideas in anything but the Original language (of which we have no original manuscripts of.) There has to be a happy medium here. I agree that we must study and some of that study involves Greek and Hebrew along with usage of the word and pharase throughout scripture....


1) The bible was translated into German, French and English so that the common man could hear it preached in his language, and he could understand. It was originally taught in Latin only- and only those who where monks, preists, nuns or high-bred, could understand it.

2) The bible was further translated so that those who could read it, could read it freely and understand things.


3) In the translating, the people said "mine is not the infallable, but only G-d's who placed it in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, then into Latin- is infallable". I am in agreement with this statement, as the Greek, Aramaic and the Hebrew have been proven to hold the bible code, and those original scripts are infallable-- and-- are what G-d saw fit to keep them in all these thousand of years.

4) It is sloppy for one who knows these facts to not go back and do their homework and find what is true and not in their own native tongue. I've stated before, the errors that I, personally have found in different english scripts - and which translations I have found that carry over the origional meanings and words.


but I believe that you are going overboard. It seems I hear you saying that there is no understanding of God without the use of Greek and Hebrew....

5) I didn't say that the was no understanding of G-d without the use of the Greek and Hebrew. I am saying however, for one who has the grasp on step one, it's time to move to step two, and realise there are some knot-holes in step one, as step one was done by MEN-- who were not held to the same standards as those scribes who meticulously kept G-d's word perfect before AD 7, when the Masoretic texts were complete.


... and I simply cannot stand with you in this No more than I can stand with Jeffers believing that the KJV has some new kind of inspiration to reveal to us truths beyond the Greek and Hebrew.


I am truly sorry that you feel this way, but I do believe you have completely misunderstood my meanings.


God did preserve for us His word. Otherwise we would have had generations of believers who could not rely on their English Bibles as the word of God and we would leave it up to the clerics only which caused us the mess of the orthodox churches.

What did I just say above?

Even in the 1600's to the 2000's - Preachers have learned the Latin, the Greek, the Aramaic and the Hebrew for the express fact that there *are* translation errors, and they need to/want to rightly divide the truth.
Sometimes- with SOME translations, you cannot do that.

I am still on the hunt for a translation that is 90% accurate.


The people have been given a preserved Word of God that they can rely on in the English as well as other languages.

You cannot rely on a translator.

You can rely on learning the language and allowing G-d to help you learn, so that you can not only read it, but speak it- and know it's meaning.

It's like learning Spanish. You might know a few words, and you might rely on a translator to tell you things-- but sometimes translators have it wrong with contexts, meanings- and words that are 'slang' or slightly different than they are in the time of the translation.

Sometimes, the translator doesn't want to hurt your feelings by something that they don't think is right, nor do you- so they don't translate what the person said, but part of it- and soften the rest of it to what you like.

Like if someone over there says sarcastically how sweet and nice you are-- then goes on to say you're a caca head and that you should have removed your head from your rear end this morning...

and the translator says "You're so sweet, and I think that this doody on the floor smells awful ,and we shouldn't have even gotten out of bed" - because it's more palatable-- who is wrong?

The translator- 1) because of the bad translation and 2) you for taking the translator as his word.


What if it were a life and death situation and someone came rushing to you to help them, but because you learned on the translators notes only - that language-- you won't get the full context of what is wrong, how to help and what the person is saying.

Same goes with some bible translations.

I've found atleast a handful of mistranslations due to context, and sloppy work from the translators in my search for "what this really says"

I am saying the same thing you've said atleast to two other people in this area of the forum (Christian Chat and Bible Study)-- You're doing sloppy work if you think it only says "Blah" so you need to do your homework and see what it really says -- it might say "Blah blah meep" ... so we know the "blah blah" But what does "meep" mean?


It's like me throwing a big word at you that you don't understand.. so right now you take my words around "Big word" into understanding what "big word" means.
Then you go home, take out the dictionary and thesaurus and find out what "big word" really means.


Not trying to be sarcastic, but someone says I don't talk going to point A- to -- b--- that I rather beat around the bush and go from A to D and come back ot B.. so I thought I should rather clarify using other words and scenarios.


This is a completely different ball feild from "KJV-onlyism" and "cultish".

This is "being in it so deep that I can't get swayed to and fro"- it's called getting deep roots, like a tree by the stream.

Maybe you'd understand if we chatted in the chat room or something.

I'm just quite stressed out right now with work situations, and the fact I'm doing the "Mommy" stuff while my mom is out of the house working and doing vbs and whatever else in the world is going on outside of the house.

:wave hope that clarified.

if not, i'm sorry :yawn

[antsinmypants]

...double post... oops :P: :wave

[BHiles]

My concern is that all I have to preach in Word is the English that I believe God has preserved for me. The Greek and Hebrew are great study tools for helping to define scripture, But I need to communicate something that I can trust is the Word of God not just the words of God in English because For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Don't dull my Sword.:(:

[antsinmypants]

Originally posted by BHiles
My concern is that all I have to preach in Word is the English that I believe God has preserved for me. The Greek and Hebrew are great study tools for helping to define scripture, But I need to communicate something that I can trust is the Word of God not just the words of God in English because For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Don't dull my Sword.:(:

Well, being where I have in my life, and knowing where I will be- I know that I must, and we all should, Endeavor to learn these languages so i can honestly "preach"/Teach/evangelise knowing full well what it really says, not someone's interpretation.. or misrepresentation.

So far I have on my plate, English and Spanish- learning German and Hebrew.

To effectively witness in these languages, you have to be able to refute the errors in the translation, because in these places- that is what has the people trapped-- and in Israel, and where those who speak Hebrew abound, it's people reading into things wrongly, that if encouraged- will look into things harder.

I was doing research and wanting to cross reference and double check translations-- and I found the German and Spanish to agree with the erroneous KJV translation..

It helps MUCH - and sharpens the sword of those who study it.

edited to say : Especially when refuting preists who know what it says, it helps to know and not have to ask... same when it comes to pagans who like to misrepresent us.

Not saying to be proud or anything, but to help strengthen the rest of you, so you cannot be ignorant in the things of YHVH.

:wave

[matheteou]

Originally posted by antsinmypants
Well, being where I have in my life, and knowing where I will be- I know that I must, and we all should, Endeavor to learn these languages so i can honestly "preach"/Teach/evangelise knowing full well what it really says, not someone's interpretation.. or misrepresentation.

So far I have on my plate, English and Spanish- learning German and Hebrew.

To effectively witness in these languages, you have to be able to refute the errors in the translation, because in these places- that is what has the people trapped-- and in Israel, and where those who speak Hebrew abound, it's people reading into things wrongly, that if encouraged- will look into things harder.

I was doing research and wanting to cross reference and double check translations-- and I found the German and Spanish to agree with the erroneous KJV translation..

It helps MUCH - and sharpens the sword of those who study it.

edited to say : Especially when refuting preists who know what it says, it helps to know and not have to ask... same when it comes to pagans who like to misrepresent us.

Not saying to be proud or anything, but to help strengthen the rest of you, so you cannot be ignorant in the things of YHVH.

:wave What, no Greek and Latin (Septuagint and Vulgate) to verify the 10th century BHS?

[antsinmypants]

I am learnign a little greek from the repetition of dissecting scripture :D: -- just forgot to add it.

Haven't learned Latin yet.. it's on the list along with Italian.
I think it'd be relatively easy considering what I know of Spanish.

:D: :thumb

[BHiles]

Bumped for those in the "Unbelievers are NOT tormented forever and ever" Thread!

[BHiles]

Thought it might be a good time to give this a little bumpety-bump.

[blitzkreig]

Ro 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Intentions are not being judged by "seeing if these things be so". How can one begin to rightly divide the word, as we are told to, and know what is contrary to sound doctrine if it is not possible to know?

:):I personally think it was pretty clear to Paul's listeners at the time... and it should be the same with us when you read about the Galatians error in context... I mean just read the whole of Galatians.

Is there anyone so thick as to not understand what Paul was talking about in Galatians :confused :

Gal 1:6-8
(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
(7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
(8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

[Pooch]

John 14:15-18
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Thankfully, we don't have to rely on any translation..
I know people who have gotten saved and never read a Bible, and afterwords led a Godly life simply by understanding that there is a God, and He sent His Son. The Holy Spirit did the rest..

Some people can't read past the 6th grade ya know..seriously, they are real people and get to Heaven just fine.

Pooch
(I just like posting after Blitzkreig :tape )

[HeIsEnough]

Some people can't read past the 6th grade ya know..seriously, they are real people and get to Heaven just fine.

And I did miss "thou shall learn thy hebrew" as well. Ants, You must not agree with Paul much, and I would be leary, seriously, of cozying up to any true Jew who would attempt to guide you to understanding of the Torah. They had interpretation problems then, and they have them now. There are no secrets waiting to be revealed that have not already been revealed, and the only way you can attain understanding of scripture, is by God's enlightenment.
The book is about Jesus, and the old testament spoke about Him, but the new is a further revelation of Jesus. If you want to fall on the side of caution, then study the new testament first, it is the final revelation and it expounds fully on God's dealings with man, through the man, Jesus the Christ. Just my opinion anyway.

Nice bumpage B.

I agree, the foundational doctrines are not really up for discussion in my mind as well. I have tasted His goodness in it, and it will not be forsaken in my heart.

[blitzkreig]

Thankfully, we don't have to rely on any translation..
I know people who have gotten saved and never read a Bible, and afterwords led a Godly life simply by understanding that there is a God, and He sent His Son. The Holy Spirit did the rest..

Some people can't read past the 6th grade ya know..seriously, they are real people and get to Heaven just fine.

Pooch
(I just like posting after Blitzkreig :tape ) ;):



I think "banking" on ignorance would be a poor idea. However I do acknowledge Pooch is correct that ignorance might well give some form of "extenuating circumstances"... but the sentence sounds like it will be the same any way...

[CanaanBound]

The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truths. When I was saved and Spirit filled in 1989, I was reading the Tyndale bible. I later changed to King James but during that early stage in my walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit opened up verses to me like someone would open up a chest; I grew reading Tyndale's bible because I rested in His grace...even though that version is quite 'watered' down. Peace out.

[joy4Him2day]

WOW.
God was here first, then He gave us His word, to help.

I wonder sometimes that reading His word is much like the difficulty we have in realizing the intent of posters, without knowing their "heart" and interpreting their words through our prejudices or preconceived ideas.....
I have often misunderstood posters intent by mere words in their postings....and then, there are others whom I have learned their hearts, that I know to dismiss any appearance of malice or understood their sarcasm.

No way can interpretation in any form be seperate from a personal relationship with the author. So, I am always open for someone showing me an "understanding" of what they read. I can then weigh it against the Lord I know, and pray that He will reveal truth/untruth to me as I submit to Him.

To me, it is possible to worship the Bible over the Lord. I have been convicted of doing so in the past. It becomes worship of the comfort god instead of the God of all comfort, as an example........

:):

[BHiles]

WOW.
God was here first, then He gave us His word, to help.

I wonder sometimes that reading His word is much like the difficulty we have in realizing the intent of posters, without knowing their "heart" and interpreting their words through our prejudices or preconceived ideas.....
I have often misunderstood posters intent by mere words in their postings....and then, there are others whom I have learned their hearts, that I know to dismiss any appearance of malice or understood their sarcasm.

No way can interpretation in any form be seperate from a personal relationship with the author. So, I am always open for someone showing me an "understanding" of what they read. I can then weigh it against the Lord I know, and pray that He will reveal truth/untruth to me as I submit to Him.

To me, it is possible to worship the Bible over the Lord. I have been convicted of doing so in the past. It becomes worship of the comfort god instead of the God of all comfort, as an example........

:):
Great Post:thumb

[Hootmon]

Great Post:thumb I agree.

[blessanna]

I have found for me that there are some teachings or areas with such great confusion and controversity I dare not go into them. Point about the original post when I first started doing internet searches on differing topics in the bible I was amazed at the amount of false teaching that was out there and found that if I meditated on it too long it would get in me and I would begin to doubt my own faith and lose the word God had given me. So I guard what I have and those things that I have learned like salvation and other topics I continue to study those areas so that when I do encounter false teachings I am not so easily confused or dissuaded.

I think it is easy when we are enlightened on a topic to think we can't be convinced otherwise or deceived. That we can debate over and over and not open the door for the enemy to slip in some doubts. I used to debate with JWs when I was a young Christian and truthfully when I went home at night there were many times I doubted my own salvation and whether or not I was right. It took the Holy Spirit and time to get all that junk that got embedded in my brain. It wasn't that I agreed with the JWs but when I looked at this person's life and my life at the time I really thought for a moment that they were better than me and more worthy of heaven than I was.

I think it is a good idea for individuals to have a statement of faith and to know what we believe.

[Charity4Ever]

Good posts :):

Before I was saved, I spent so long going through all of the garbage and different viewpoints, even for biblical fundamentals. It was really unpleasant, scared I didn't get it quite right, and afraid of going to Hell. And all that Biblical interpretation and true exegis just took me away from the source -- Jesus Christ Himself. I finally had to learn to trust in Him and let Him guide me through personal interaction--and then promptly found it backed up in Scripture later.

Now I stand by the fundamental Biblical Christian beliefs, and I stick to them. And I can tell where something isn't right, and I label it as such in my mind.

Boy have I seen some surprises about Christians and their beliefs. Like the seminarian who was my religion TA last semester who didn't understand about original sin, the flesh being corrupted and dead to it, etc. I had to correct and explain it to him.

[antsinmypants]

And I did miss "thou shall learn thy hebrew" as well. Ants, You must not agree with Paul much,...


I just saw this.

I AGREE with Paul. I DO NOT AGREE WITH MISTRANSLATION of the Bible. :wave

Not to mention, I only sidle up to teaching in agreement with the WHOLE of the bible and not unbelievers. :wave



They had interpretation problems then, and they have them now. There are no secrets waiting to be revealed that have not already been revealed, and the only way you can attain understanding of scripture, is by God's enlightenment.


Deu 29:29 The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this Torah.


Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.


And With that being said, this is from a year ago, and I have grown much farther in my faith. I will *not* be moved. :wave

[antsinmypants]

WOW.
God was here first, then He gave us His word, to help.

I wonder sometimes that reading His word is much like the difficulty we have in realizing the intent of posters, without knowing their "heart" and interpreting their words through our prejudices or preconceived ideas.....
I have often misunderstood posters intent by mere words in their postings....and then, there are others whom I have learned their hearts, that I know to dismiss any appearance of malice or understood their sarcasm.

No way can interpretation in any form be seperate from a personal relationship with the author. So, I am always open for someone showing me an "understanding" of what they read. I can then weigh it against the Lord I know, and pray that He will reveal truth/untruth to me as I submit to Him.

To me, it is possible to worship the Bible over the Lord. I have been convicted of doing so in the past. It becomes worship of the comfort god instead of the God of all comfort, as an example........

:):

Amen! Great Post! VERY Enlightened! :clap

[blitzkreig]

Act 17:10-12
(10) And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. They, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.
(11) And these were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so.
Act 17:12 Therefore many of them believed, and quite a few of honorable Greek women and men.

I beleive it was our brothers actions in Berea who the Holy Spirit had commended by way of Luke's pen...

[architectlink]

I totally agree with this thread....shut those doors on satan.

I listened to Ron Reagan the other night and I could hear satan whispering in my ear, just consider the argument....

I should have shut the door and flipped the channel. Dear Lord forgive me and please give me insight and discernment and boldness to shut those doors.

By the way, should I take communion to a mass I've been invited to? I am not Catholic.

[Hootmon]

I listened to Ron Reagan the other night and I could hear satan whispering in my ear, just consider the argument... I didnt hear the actual speech, but I did hear the summary, and I think I agree.

[frisian1970]

WOW.
God was here first, then He gave us His word, to help.

I wonder sometimes that reading His word is much like the difficulty we have in realizing the intent of posters, without knowing their "heart" and interpreting their words through our prejudices or preconceived ideas.....
I have often misunderstood posters intent by mere words in their postings....and then, there are others whom I have learned their hearts, that I know to dismiss any appearance of malice or understood their sarcasm.

No way can interpretation in any form be seperate from a personal relationship with the author. So, I am always open for someone showing me an "understanding" of what they read. I can then weigh it against the Lord I know, and pray that He will reveal truth/untruth to me as I submit to Him.

To me, it is possible to worship the Bible over the Lord. I have been convicted of doing so in the past. It becomes worship of the comfort god instead of the God of all comfort, as an example........

:):


Hmm, missed this previously.

:D:

[BHiles]

Hmm, missed this previously.

:D:
Am I on your budy list? :confused :tin ;):

[BHiles]

bump