Tuesday, September 2, 2014


"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."1

Some time ago I was a lay leader in my local church. On more than one occasion a fellow lay leader (who claimed to have the spiritual gift of discernment), in important leadership meetings, would state at the very beginning of the meeting that God had told him how the matter at hand was to be.

End of discussion? Who can argue against what God has said? At one meeting where we were discussing the future of the church, as graciously as I could I said, "God hasn't told me how it should be so can we discuss this matter." Fortunately we did. At the time the church was land-locked without any room for growth. After lengthy discussion it was decided to consider relocation. Today it is now a thriving church in a new and excellent location.

Yes, I believe in the importance of spiritual gifts. However, all who claim to have certain spiritual gifts do not necessarily have them. God's Word tells us to test the spirits to see if they are of God or otherwise.

Unfortunately, because of immaturity, insecurity and needing attention, some folk are guilty of arm-twisting for God; that is, they use God-talk in order to gain attention, to be in control, to get their own way, and/or to feel important.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be courageously honest with myself and You and never be guilty of 'arm-twisting' in Your name in order to gain attention or to get my own way. And please give me a discerning spirit so that I will know what is from You and what is not. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 John 4:1 (NIV).

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Isn't that the order of the day in today's church worship? Pay your tithe or.....Come to midweek service or....God told me to tell you...The Spirit of the Lord has laid it in my heart to blah blah blah. All lies. They know that if they had to be direct or suggest they'd have no followers. Then again, isn't religion basically about arm-twisting isn't it all about the fear of hell and eternal damnation? Who, in their right mind, would take a portion of their extremely limited income, as much as 10% and donate to a 'cause' that is murky at best, with everybody claiming to see 'the vision' along with the 'man of God' and other such nonsense. Abegi.

freshdude2: Isn't that the order of the day in today's church worship? Pay your tithe or.....Come to midweek service or....God told me to tell you...The Spirit of the Lord has laid it in my heart to blah blah blah. All lies. They know that if they had to be direct or suggest they'd have no followers. Then again, isn't religion basically about arm-twisting isn't it all about the fear of hell and eternal damnation? Who, in their right mind, would take a portion of their extremely limited income, as much as 10% and donate to a 'cause' that is murky at best, with everybody claiming to see 'the vision' along with the 'man of God' and other such nonsense. Abegi.

You are what you believe.
And you will receive as much as you believe in the universal laws of harvest.
Whether you are a Christian, Muslim or whatever belief you have chosen, time and harvest shall not fail.
Whatever you sow you shall reap sooner or later.

True Christianity is not about heaven or hell.
True Christianity is practicing the best virtues of the best values of life on earth. As Jesus Christ defined in The Beatitudes, Matthew 5.

[size=18pt]The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g]
Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Footnotes:

Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18[/size]