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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2019 15:37:00 GMT -5
What does the Bible say about passivity / being passive?
Passivity is a characteristic of someone who holds back and lets others act. To be passive is to abstain from resistance and yield to external influences. Passivity can stem from good or bad foundations and can bring positive or negative results. The Bible gives examples of those who exhibited both good and bad passivity.
Passivity is appropriate when we are being submissive to the will of God. Jesus demonstrated this kind of passivity on the night He was arrested. Rather than allow His disciples to fight for Him, He willingly submitted to the abuse of His captors. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, stood in a courtroom, bound with ropes, and allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and insulted by men—and He did nothing to stop them. He had earlier told His disciples, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 6:23). Jesus’ passive behavior had a deeper significance, and His inaction was actually quite active: the Lord was actively giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2:2). To fight back or defend Himself would have been to thwart the plan of God (Matthew 6:24). Jesus’ passivity was within the will of God and therefore right.
There are times when we must follow the example Jesus set and remain silent when ridiculed or attacked (Matthew 5:39). Even then, in being passive we are making an active choice for the good of the other person rather than burying our heads in the sand and pretending we don’t see the wrong. Some actions may appear passive when, in fact, they are calculated choices. For example, Billy Graham refused to take sides politically. Although a conservative Christian, he remained passive about politics so that he would be welcomed into any White House. He certainly had political views but refused to be drawn into public battles so that he could achieve a higher aim—maintaining influence on Presidents on either side.
However, there is no place for passivity when God has called us to action. Joshua had to take action root out the evil in Israel (Joshua 7); there came a day when Barak had to mobilize the army to combat the Canaanites (Judges 4). The apostle Paul was one of the most active proponents of the gospel, yet, while in prison, he asked the Ephesian church to pray that he would have boldness when he spoke about Jesus (Ephesians 6:19). Boldness is the opposite of passivity. Boldness moves forward while passivity holds back. Boldness takes action while passivity refuses to engage.
The instructions throughout Scripture rarely require passivity. They call us to take action. We are commanded to put away passivity and do these things:
• pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) • preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2) • encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) • love one another (1 Peter 1:22) • flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) • honor parents (Ephesians 6:2) • “put to death . . . the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5)
Obedience of God’s commands often requires us to leave our comfort zones and speak out, make a choice, or move toward the goal God has set. Jesus’ last instruction to His followers was to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). If the disciples had chosen passivity, Christianity would have died quickly and none of us would have heard about Jesus.
God is not passive. He sent His only Son to redeem us (John 3:16–18). He is a defender of widows and orphans (Psalm 68:5). He fights the battles for His children (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Nehemiah 4:20). When we could do nothing to save ourselves, Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We are called to know Him, love Him, and be like Him (Mark 12:29–30; Romans 8:29).
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Post by frienduff on Aug 24, 2019 16:41:31 GMT -5
Les I want to ask you a few questions . Would you line up with the Pope . Or better , can you imagine JESUS for any reason working along side the POPE . Now remember how dangerous the pope and that system really is . would you work along side for any reason men like Kenneth Copeland , or say brian McLaren . Would you , being seasoned , not know better . That this is being unequally yoked and could cause lambs to get confused . Would you for instance work along side those so called christain leaders who support the gay agenda . OF course you would NOT . You know better , that sends some serious mixed signals . We would never be yoked or work along side any system or man that is false . Any leader would know NOT TOO . SO you might be wondering why on earth I brought this up . BECAUSE many men , well known men , men that many loved , HAVE done and do this very thing . And if they had any real discernment and were true leaders , WHY would they ever have even done it to begin with . NOW comes the exposing part . WHY ON EARTH DID BILLY GRAHAM get TIED RIGHT INTO a deal with ROME . That might sting a bit , since its obvious you might not know this . BUT HE DID . HE SURE DID . And near his end on the Robert schuler show some serious ERROR came out . Not only do we test what men say , WE BETTER watch out for who they hang out with . Cause I am telling you , NO seasoned man would ever do such a thing . THEY KNOW it could cause mass confusion on other babes . THEY KNOW IT BONE DEEP and deeper than bone deep . I have long said , folks better watch out for who their leaders support or hang around . Because the truth is , men can speak lots of truths and still deceive many . DID you ever go to a billy graham revival , specially in the latter part . HE had catholic stations set up , he never once warned new lambs TO GO NO WHERE near these . HE LET THEM IN , IT WAS THE GOAL ALL ALONG . YOU would be amazed at some of the things that BILLY GRAHAM actually ADMITS TO BELEVING . OR DID when he was alive anyway . Near his end it sounded like he had regrets . HE did write and say , I WISH I had never gotten so involved in politics and etc and had just stayed with the gospel and focusing on it . So maybe he did repent . BUT the thing is , We better watch out for what men teach and not only that , but watch out for who they associate with . Its how folks get deceived all the time .
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Post by 4hizglory37 on Aug 26, 2019 17:30:32 GMT -5
What does the Bible say about passivity / being passive?
Passivity is a characteristic of someone who holds back and lets others act. To be passive is to abstain from resistance and yield to external influences. Passivity can stem from good or bad foundations and can bring positive or negative results. The Bible gives examples of those who exhibited both good and bad passivity.
Passivity is appropriate when we are being submissive to the will of God. Jesus demonstrated this kind of passivity on the night He was arrested. Rather than allow His disciples to fight for Him, He willingly submitted to the abuse of His captors. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, stood in a courtroom, bound with ropes, and allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and insulted by men—and He did nothing to stop them. He had earlier told His disciples, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 6:23). Jesus’ passive behavior had a deeper significance, and His inaction was actually quite active: the Lord was actively giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2:2). To fight back or defend Himself would have been to thwart the plan of God (Matthew 6:24). Jesus’ passivity was within the will of God and therefore right.
There are times when we must follow the example Jesus set and remain silent when ridiculed or attacked (Matthew 5:39). Even then, in being passive we are making an active choice for the good of the other person rather than burying our heads in the sand and pretending we don’t see the wrong. Some actions may appear passive when, in fact, they are calculated choices. For example, Billy Graham refused to take sides politically. Although a conservative Christian, he remained passive about politics so that he would be welcomed into any White House. He certainly had political views but refused to be drawn into public battles so that he could achieve a higher aim—maintaining influence on Presidents on either side.
However, there is no place for passivity when God has called us to action. Joshua had to take action root out the evil in Israel (Joshua 7); there came a day when Barak had to mobilize the army to combat the Canaanites (Judges 4). The apostle Paul was one of the most active proponents of the gospel, yet, while in prison, he asked the Ephesian church to pray that he would have boldness when he spoke about Jesus (Ephesians 6:19). Boldness is the opposite of passivity. Boldness moves forward while passivity holds back. Boldness takes action while passivity refuses to engage.
The instructions throughout Scripture rarely require passivity. They call us to take action. We are commanded to put away passivity and do these things:
• pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) • preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2) • encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) • love one another (1 Peter 1:22) • flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) • honor parents (Ephesians 6:2) • “put to death . . . the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5)
Obedience of God’s commands often requires us to leave our comfort zones and speak out, make a choice, or move toward the goal God has set. Jesus’ last instruction to His followers was to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). If the disciples had chosen passivity, Christianity would have died quickly and none of us would have heard about Jesus.
God is not passive. He sent His only Son to redeem us (John 3:16–18). He is a defender of widows and orphans (Psalm 68:5). He fights the battles for His children (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Nehemiah 4:20). When we could do nothing to save ourselves, Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We are called to know Him, love Him, and be like Him (Mark 12:29–30; Romans 8:29). I appreciate your input and I truly believe that you love the Lord from the little I have seen of your posts... but I have come to the conclusion that I do not look at and admire mere men anymore. I just look to the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Billy Graham was not who we all thought he was. He was a false teacher and we can see his fruit. He never did win anyone of those political leaders or presidents that he supposedly advised. That to me says much and then there are other things that I have researched on. Look up Dave Hunt and what he says of Billy Graham... blessings, fhg
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Post by frienduff on Aug 26, 2019 19:51:59 GMT -5
Les , don't see this as an attack. WE just need to really be on guard is all . For there truly are many deicievers cloaked in wool and they are fooling lambs with this UNITY stuff man . ITS NO GOOD . NO GOOD . The lambs have our unity in JESUS . This whole unity move of today , ITS ALL WRONG LES . Justbe on guard cause it can be very tricky in its early form . You are loved LES . Be encouraged .
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Post by John on Aug 27, 2019 7:40:39 GMT -5
Except for the Billy Graham example, that is a very good post that makes many good points. Try reading it without the Billy Graham reference and see what you think of the message itself.
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Post by John on Aug 27, 2019 7:43:26 GMT -5
What does the Bible say about passivity / being passive?
Passivity is a characteristic of someone who holds back and lets others act. To be passive is to abstain from resistance and yield to external influences. Passivity can stem from good or bad foundations and can bring positive or negative results. The Bible gives examples of those who exhibited both good and bad passivity.
Passivity is appropriate when we are being submissive to the will of God. Jesus demonstrated this kind of passivity on the night He was arrested. Rather than allow His disciples to fight for Him, He willingly submitted to the abuse of His captors. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, stood in a courtroom, bound with ropes, and allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and insulted by men—and He did nothing to stop them. He had earlier told His disciples, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 6:23). Jesus’ passive behavior had a deeper significance, and His inaction was actually quite active: the Lord was actively giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2:2). To fight back or defend Himself would have been to thwart the plan of God (Matthew 6:24). Jesus’ passivity was within the will of God and therefore right.
There are times when we must follow the example Jesus set and remain silent when ridiculed or attacked (Matthew 5:39). Even then, in being passive we are making an active choice for the good of the other person rather than burying our heads in the sand and pretending we don’t see the wrong. Some actions may appear passive when, in fact, they are calculated choices.
However, there is no place for passivity when God has called us to action. Joshua had to take action root out the evil in Israel (Joshua 7); there came a day when Barak had to mobilize the army to combat the Canaanites (Judges 4). The apostle Paul was one of the most active proponents of the gospel, yet, while in prison, he asked the Ephesian church to pray that he would have boldness when he spoke about Jesus (Ephesians 6:19). Boldness is the opposite of passivity. Boldness moves forward while passivity holds back. Boldness takes action while passivity refuses to engage.
The instructions throughout Scripture rarely require passivity. They call us to take action. We are commanded to put away passivity and do these things:
• pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) • preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2) • encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) • love one another (1 Peter 1:22) • flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) • honor parents (Ephesians 6:2) • “put to death . . . the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5)
Obedience of God’s commands often requires us to leave our comfort zones and speak out, make a choice, or move toward the goal God has set. Jesus’ last instruction to His followers was to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). If the disciples had chosen passivity, Christianity would have died quickly and none of us would have heard about Jesus.
God is not passive. He sent His only Son to redeem us (John 3:16–18). He is a defender of widows and orphans (Psalm 68:5). He fights the battles for His children (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Nehemiah 4:20). When we could do nothing to save ourselves, Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We are called to know Him, love Him, and be like Him (Mark 12:29–30; Romans 8:29). Here is the message with that one example removed. Read it anew and see if that changes your perspective on it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2019 12:44:52 GMT -5
When I read this for the first time I did not even see the Billy Graham quote and just read this for what it needed to say to us and indeed felt it was a great message to be heard. It was only later, here I had realised that Billy was mentioned when every one had shared the love by telling me Billy was a false teacher. I do apologise for it and will be cautious on what I share in the future.
Blessings to all my family here
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Post by John on Aug 27, 2019 13:00:32 GMT -5
When Billy Graham was living, I had never seen any of his messages, ever. When he died, I thought I would go to YouTube and watch one. I got there and found numerous attack videos on him, and thought that was awful, right after his death. I needed proof there was a problem, and I found it in tv interviews he did where he said he believed people from different religions would be saved and questioned if hell was a place with real fire. Up till then, I never thought about him being false. The message you posted was good, and I felt like the Billy Graham comment caused some to not pay attention to the message.
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