|
Post by watchful on Apr 28, 2021 8:38:51 GMT -5
This is a very important issue to God, and it should be to us, in being a separate people unto God, fit for the master's use. 2Co 6:14-17 (14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, I will eventually mention other verses, and there is an actual verse that I want to later focus on, in Deuteronomy. But I want people to share things in regards to being a separate people, with whatever scripture and so on, with what God has revealed to them. One of the most obvious ways we are to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers is to not date and marry those who are not Christians. Many people who were once strong Christians have had their faith shaken by a marriage to an unbeliever. Right now, I know of a woman who claims to be a Christian, but her husband is an agnostic. She is responsible for her own decisions and beliefs, but there is little doubt in my mind that many of her wrong attitudes about scripture come from her husband's bad influence. She does not believe in inerrancy of scripture, and even attacks many things in the Old Testament, but what she is saying is what her husband says as an agnostic. Had she been married to a Christian, her views would likely be entirely different. Many find themselves in even worse places, like another woman I know of who is a Christian, but thought she would be fine married to a Muslim. That did not turn out well.
This is not confined to marriage. We can be influenced by close friends and associates as well. If we spend the bulk of our time around unbelievers, they will have a bad influence. That does not mean we have no associations with anyone but Christians. If we were like that, we could never reach anyone for Christ, but we do need to be very careful with relationships, because they can cause us to be more and more like the world and less and less like Jesus, and it happens without us realizing it. Before we know it, we find ourselves backslid. Being unequally yoked with unbelievers has been the downfall of many good Christians, and this is a teaching that is often ignored or attacked by believers. We all somehow think we are strong enough to handle it and change others, but that is often not the case.
Kind of a human herding instinct that we all have and can be influenced by. Bad company corrupts good manners....people tend to homogenize with one another after a while through the old nature. Women are generally especially so. It's of the flesh and something we need to overcome...this is another way we are to grow, and be separate unto God as individuals.
|
|
|
Post by Tabitha3319 on Apr 28, 2021 11:51:27 GMT -5
This is a very important issue to God, and it should be to us, in being a separate people unto God, fit for the master's use. 2Co 6:14-17 (14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, I will eventually mention other verses, and there is an actual verse that I want to later focus on, in Deuteronomy. But I want people to share things in regards to being a separate people, with whatever scripture and so on, with what God has revealed to them. One of the most obvious ways we are to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers is to not date and marry those who are not Christians. Many people who were once strong Christians have had their faith shaken by a marriage to an unbeliever. Right now, I know of a woman who claims to be a Christian, but her husband is an agnostic. She is responsible for her own decisions and beliefs, but there is little doubt in my mind that many of her wrong attitudes about scripture come from her husband's bad influence. She does not believe in inerrancy of scripture, and even attacks many things in the Old Testament, but what she is saying is what her husband says as an agnostic. Had she been married to a Christian, her views would likely be entirely different. Many find themselves in even worse places, like another woman I know of who is a Christian, but thought she would be fine married to a Muslim. That did not turn out well.
This is not confined to marriage. We can be influenced by close friends and associates as well. If we spend the bulk of our time around unbelievers, they will have a bad influence. That does not mean we have no associations with anyone but Christians. If we were like that, we could never reach anyone for Christ, but we do need to be very careful with relationships, because they can cause us to be more and more like the world and less and less like Jesus, and it happens without us realizing it. Before we know it, we find ourselves backslid. Being unequally yoked with unbelievers has been the downfall of many good Christians, and this is a teaching that is often ignored or attacked by believers. We all somehow think we are strong enough to handle it and change others, but that is often not the case.
It should also follow that single Christians should not date or court unbelievers. In middle school, I warned my best friend at the time that she shouldn't date this atheist guy who was pursuing her. Ultimately, she chose to date him and became such a worldling that it was shocking. Relationships end up either in marriage or breakup so one should date wisely. Even though that relationship broke up, the damage was done.
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Apr 28, 2021 12:52:23 GMT -5
I want to deal with another issue, and that is how a scripture that talks about iron sharpening iron is misused. If we all come together as believers and discuss the scriptures with a sincere desire to understand them correctly, but we start out with different views, that is iron sharpening iron. What is not iron sharpening iron is getting together with unbelievers and being involved in apologetics type arguments. That is a type of warfare, and dulls the blade. You had better know your stuff if you are going to do that, and you had better be prepared to give answers. In other words, you had better know your Bible well, and have studied to show yourself approved. Christians can become casualties if they are not careful.
You can also find yourself a victim if you spend too much time in heated battles with Christians who teach false doctrines. Again, if you are coming together with other Christians and you are trying to get the truth on a subject by examining it together, that can profit you greatly, but I am not talking about that. I mean if you get together with Christians who are teaching blatantly false doctrine, and there is no attempt to discuss, but it is about a fight, that is not iron sharpening iron. I compare it to taking sandpaper to a blade and dulling it. You will need to re-sharpen it after the fight is over. That is why I have found no profit in arguing with people about things like OSAS, when it is clear they do not have an open mind. Most who promote that false teaching will not be persuaded, and are only there to fight. All this leads to is people being wounded on both sides.
There are many other examples besides OSAS, but that is the one that I have had the most experience with. It can be arguments with liberal Christians who think the Bible is just a book of good ideas and literature, but not to be taken literal, and who go by their own personal beliefs and not scripture. They will say things like, they are going to use the mind gave them to make decisions. They will say things like the Bible is not a science or history book. Beware of being unequally yoked with such people, as they will do you harm just like outright unbelieves will if you are not careful.
I've come to believe that a directly confrontational approach is usually unfruitful. Seems just to polarize everyone even more, with nobody even hearing the other after a while. What is that old saying from Physics class....barely remember, something like a force is always met with an equal and opposite force. Just heads butting heads with nobody learning a thing. We need to keep (our flesh) out of God's way so that He can work. This is why i no longer follow the wisdom , philosphy , science etc of this world . Seems to me , like paul , james and JESUS HIMSELF were quite confrontational .
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Apr 28, 2021 12:54:21 GMT -5
I sure dont seem to remember paul , when writing to timothy or to titus saying , IF one is in error , DONT confront them , rather expose it . Sometimes we can think a good thing is coming from the flesh and we speak wordly wisdom which we think is OF the SPIRIT . OH the beauty of just learning that bible well . SO wonderful the grace of GOD is , it will keep our steps from carnal wisdom .
|
|
|
Post by watchful on Apr 28, 2021 13:48:20 GMT -5
I've come to believe that a directly confrontational approach is usually unfruitful. Seems just to polarize everyone even more, with nobody even hearing the other after a while. What is that old saying from Physics class....barely remember, something like a force is always met with an equal and opposite force. Just heads butting heads with nobody learning a thing. We need to keep (our flesh) out of God's way so that He can work. This is why i no longer follow the wisdom , philosphy , science etc of this world . Seems to me , like paul , james and JESUS HIMSELF were quite confrontational . Not really because they were in the spirit, I'm sure we dont' consider that they were fleshly heads butting other fleshly heads. Did they spend a lot of time arguing with people, or did they just say what needed to be said and move on. We need to step out of the way so to speak, and give God room to work instead of trying to force an issue down people's throats, that's what I'm trying to say. We too often stand in the way (with our flesh) of God working. I'm not invoking science or worldly wisdom, that was just a tongue-in-cheek analogy of something that I observe happening during arguments that devolve into flesh butting flesh. It's a law of physics that applies to the things of this world, but the Spirit bypasses the laws of this world and flesh and barriers of the mind. Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy
|
|
|
Post by watchful on Apr 28, 2021 13:51:07 GMT -5
I sure dont seem to remember paul , when writing to timothy or to titus saying , IF one is in error , DONT confront them , rather expose it . Sometimes we can think a good thing is coming from the flesh and we speak wordly wisdom which we think is OF the SPIRIT . OH the beauty of just learning that bible well . SO wonderful the grace of GOD is , it will keep our steps from carnal wisdom . I think you misunderstood what I meant brother...I'm talking about strife.
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 29, 2021 9:22:11 GMT -5
Ok here goes me brothers and sisters, here are certain verses I want to focus on.
Deu 12:29-32 (29) When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; (30) Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. (31) Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. (32) What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
When I read this, it makes me think of the word sanctification, and being a totally separate people unto the Lord.
None of us have attained, but nevertheless, how separate does God want us to be?
And we need to take this separation very, very seriously.
So many times churches resemble the world, they have learnt the ways of the heathen, they mix the holy with the unholy, and do not take this issue seriously, and do not consider how God thinks about it, very seriously.
God does not want us to serve him like the the way the heathens serve their gods, God says no, thereof we should say no.
Lay aside all man made opinions, and say yes to Christ.
And in truth many churches, are actually resembling more and more the Catholic church, it is a major apostasy.
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 29, 2021 9:26:42 GMT -5
And the thing we must ask ourselves, how bad do we really want this separation?
And it is a needful separation.
|
|
|
Post by watchful on Apr 29, 2021 9:49:37 GMT -5
And the thing we must ask ourselves, how bad do we really want this separation? And it is a needful separation. If we are following Jesus, He is leading us to be separate (holy).
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Apr 29, 2021 9:50:05 GMT -5
And the thing we must ask ourselves, how bad do we really want this separation? And it is a needful separation. Wherefore come out from amongst them and touch not the unclean thing , and i shall be a Father unto You. Paul quoated that from the holy scriptures when he too had said , BE NOT unequally yoked with unbelievers . And its in the same letter that He first said , To seperate that one man out . The churches must do all things for the safety of its flock . We do it in hopes they repent , we do it to also keep the flock safe from the leaven which sure can leaven a church . As we see it did just this to the seeker friendly . And so too with the yoking of all religoins . THey know what they are doing giller . For its not flesh and blood i speak about . ITS the SPIRIT behind these leaders . And no marvel , for yes indeed many within christendom DO the work of satan now . A one world all inclusive religion . And the flocks cannot discern , they just think its love and its the will of God . When in truth its the will of men working under the guise of what they think IS GOD , but is not GOD . Its only he who desires to be as GOD , to be worshipped as God . And many are , in truth , worshipping satan and yet think its GOD , think its the SPIRIT . Its morphing massive now my friend . And it sure does start small . It says enough truth to deceive and it knows how to use words very well . IT too uses the word LOVE , the word unity the word freedom and etc . BUT if one looks closer they will surely see that none of their versions will line up with the TRUTH of GOD . only in partial , BUT NOT IN TRUTH .
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 29, 2021 9:59:54 GMT -5
Yes for sure as we follow Christ, he is leading us into to being separate.
And we are always being conformed to his image, as we follow the Lord, none of us have attained, but that is no excuse to be used in not going forward, and obeying the Lord (not referring to anyone here).
God is a good God, and he wants only good for us, and being separate is for our good.
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 29, 2021 10:11:39 GMT -5
So many are mixing the holy with the unholy without concern, and some in certain areas, may not realize certain things, but when many get confronted, most will still mock or reject what is being warned about.
People need to be like Bereans, and truly say yes to what God says.
Deu 12:29-32 (29) When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; (30) Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. (31) Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. (32) What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
God does not want to be served in the same way they serve their gods, God says don't do it, so just listen, that is it.
But most do not listen, and will not listen, but I do praise God if people here and there can be reached, and we need to forsake the mixing, showing a genuine witness of being separate, because there are some unbelievers who are seeking, and who have seen this pagan stuff of Christmas, Easter and so on, and because so many are not separate unto the mixing, it is not a good witness to these people.
You know what separation really gives? A good, pure and genuine witness, were people can say by your example that indeed this person is a Christian.
So what separation, in a big way, gives, is credibility.
|
|
|
Post by watchful on Apr 30, 2021 6:44:53 GMT -5
Here's an example of being separate from the world:
1Pe 4:3-4
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you
As for traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter, I believe we can exercise Godly wisdom for them according to 1 Corinthians 8 and 10.
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 30, 2021 9:17:50 GMT -5
Here's an example of being separate from the world: 1Pe 4:3-4 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you As for traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter, I believe we can exercise Godly wisdom for them according to 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. Are you talking about this verse Watchful? 1Co 8:10 (10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; Because this has nothing to do with mixing of the pagan with the holy. God says no mixing, meat is just meat, and another verse says not to eat meat offered to idols, and also if someone sees someone who has knowledge eating meat in an idols temple, them that are weak, may end up thinking that it is ok to sacrifice meat to an idol, it will weaken their conscience, and also they may think there is a demon in the meat, but meat is just meat, meat does not defile someone, but mixing the holy with the unholy does defile someone. And the right thing to do, is to walk in the love of God and not in pride, and not be a stumbling block to a weaker brother: 1Co 8:11-12 (11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. It is calling this action of not walking in love towards a weak brother a sin, and a sin against Christ !!!!!! So it is best to totally abstain from eating meats sacrificed to idols, not only because of this scripture but because of what other scriptures say. But also for this reason: 1Co 10:28-29 (28) But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: (29) Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? By refusing to eat, it can bring conviction towards the one that sacrificed the meat to an idol, so to show them that sacrificing meat to idols is wrong. But mixing the holy with the unholy God says no, it is just simply no. The word Easter comes from the goddess Ishtar, that is how they got the name Easter, and it points to a pig sacrifice, and not a lamb sacrifice. Act 12:1-5 (1) Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. (2) And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.(3) And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. ( Then were the days of unleavened bread.) (4) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (5) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. It was during the days of unleavened bread, that Peter was taken, and Passover begins before the days of unleavened bread takes place, so Easter was not referring to Passover here, Peter was taken during the days of unleavened bread which last 7 days, and Herod was intending to bring Peter forth to the people after the celebration of Easter. He was in jail during one of the days of unleavened bread, but was to be brought before the people after the celebration of Easter, which shows us that it was not referring to Passover which was already past. God does not want us to mix, and associate something pagan with Christ's death and resurrection, a proper thing to have called remembering Christ's death would have been to call it Passover, as God himself did through his Passover celebration. There is not much fear of God in this area, it seems like many think they can make up their own rules. We do not mix Christ's name with the unholy mass, we do not mix Christ's death with Easter, we do not call Christ's birth something God would not have called it. Deu 5:11 (11) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. You will be held guilty of taking his name in vain, the bible shows here, which should cause us to reverence his name at all costs. Whatever happened to revering his name? And we think we can make up our own rules, were does God give exceptions in the bible about taking his name in vain? Tell me? This is a very serious issue, and not to be taken lightly, a little leaven does leaven the whole lump, and at the beginning it seems so innocent, but look at most churches today, they are not careful to take the Lord's name in vain, they accept associating Christ's birth with the word Christmas, and adopt all the pagan ways of this celebration, and then there is Halloween, which they make a Christianized version of it, dressing up as saints, and they associate Easter with Christ's death, and adopt Easter bunny stuff, and many now celebrate Lent, and they are resembling more and more the Catholic church, and really paganism, don't tell me that a little leaven does not leaven the whole lump. It starts off with us not revering his name, so we let our guards down, and it prepares people to then receive other things, and water down the word that much more, take very serious what we associate Christ with.
|
|
|
Post by Giller on Apr 30, 2021 10:12:28 GMT -5
We often times look at things in a natural way, but do not realize what is truly happening in the spiritual realm.
|
|