How can those with the Spirit hold contradictory views?

[BenFTW]

KennethC recently made a thread about asking the Lord for understanding on a topic and the next thing he knows he is reading the word of God and the answer comes to his question. He happens upon it, and says its a work of the Holy Spirit. No doubt, it surely is. People share such experiences across Christian circles. That isn't what is being debated.

My question, however, is how can believers say the Lord led them to a specific truth and yet the believers reach different conclusions? Who then, did not hear from the Spirit? People will say the Holy Spirit gives them revelation and then that revelation contradicts what other believers have concluded. For example, eternal security. Kenneth says the Lord showed him believers can lose their salvation, and then provided some verses in a post recently. So, what if we have another believer saying the Holy Spirit showed him his assurance in Christ and posts verses? Who is right? Who is wrong?

What do we conclude from two believers reaching contradicting statements that are believed to be Spirit led? Is it possible that the person could be sincerely wrong and what was thought to be from the Spirit is not? I've attended a church service before where the pastor was getting these doctrines out of left field and from some "prophet", even so according to him by the Spirit such as double baptism. Where one must be baptized again to be under the authority of the pastor, as a covering. So, in a new church you move to, you need to be baptized again. So here we have someone saying the Spirit led him to this truth, but also know of others who know we are to be baptized once. What do we conclude from this? If someone reaches a different conclusion from you, and say its from the Spirit, does it affect how you receive what they say? Does it make you inquire, or ask the Holy Spirit yourself how they reached that conclusion and whether it is right?

Basically, how do you respond to supposed Spirit led answers? Does it perk up your ears and then you seek out what was learned and see if its biblical? Does it lead you to the Spirit as Teacher and ask if what was said was actually of Him? What is your response?

PS: This is not to put KennethC on blast, but his thread inspired me to make a thread on this topic that I have pondered in the past.

 

[thebesttrees]

KennethC recently made a thread about asking the Lord for understanding on a topic and the next thing he knows he is reading the word of God and the answer comes to his question. He happens upon it, and says its a work of the Holy Spirit. No doubt, it surely is. People share such experiences across Christian circles. That isn't what is being debated.

My question, however, is how can believers say the Lord led them to a specific truth and yet the believers reach different conclusions? Who then, did not hear from the Spirit? People will say the Holy Spirit gives them revelation and then that revelation contradicts what other believers have concluded. For example, eternal security. Kenneth says the Lord showed him believers can lose their salvation, and then provided some verses in a post recently. So, what if we have another believer saying the Holy Spirit showed him his assurance in Christ and posts verses? Who is right? Who is wrong?

What do we conclude from two believers reaching contradicting statements that are believed to be Spirit led? Is it possible that the person could be sincerely wrong and what was thought to be from the Spirit is not? I've attended a church service before where the pastor was getting these doctrines out of left field and from some "prophet", even so according to him by the Spirit such as double baptism. Where one must be baptized again to be under the authority of the pastor, as a covering. So, in a new church you move to, you need to be baptized again. So here we have someone saying the Spirit led him to this truth, but also know of others who know we are to be baptized once. What do we conclude from this? If someone reaches a different conclusion from you, and say its from the Spirit, does it affect how you receive what they say? Does it make you inquire, or ask the Holy Spirit yourself how they reached that conclusion and whether it is right?

Basically, how do you respond to supposed Spirit led answers? Does it perk up your ears and then you seek out what was learned and see if its biblical? Does it lead you to the Spirit as Teacher and ask if what was said was actually of Him? What is your response?

PS: This is not to put KennethC on blast, but his thread inspired me to make a thread on this topic that I have pondered in the past.

The written word is the standard by which we need to measure the accuracy of any "inspiration". Otherwise, how can one distinguish between mind-inspired and Spirit-inspired understandings?

 

[KennethC]

The thing is we must remember is that we all as believers have assurance in our faith.

Just because one may preach and instruct one can lose salvation and the other believer does not, does not mean the one who instructs on lose of salvation is any less assured of their salvation then the other.

What one also must understand is that if you are lead by the Holy Spirit that your salvation is assured, but were not shown the other side of those who fall away from the faith. You must still have an open mind because it could be the Holy Spirit has not felt it time to reveal this to you.

Acts 20:28-31 is Apostle Paul clearly showing that some disciples will be drawn away by false teaching and will not be spared for doing so.

It is okay to seek out answers as long as you keep it civil as you have done, and the bible does say we have no need for man to teach us because the anointing of the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth. (1 John 2:27)

I know some have an issue with that response but it is clearly what the word of God says, so I put my faith in the Lord our God and that His Holy Spirit will do exactly what He said it would do. Give me the answers when I seek them !!!

 

[Nick01]

thebesttrees has it, but that only goes so far. A lot of people will say that God is telling them to do this or that, which may be biblical in the sense it is allowed in Scripture, but it is extrabiblical in the sense the Bible does not mandate it either way.

Aside from that, I honestly don't know of any clear cut way to judge between two contradictory but otherwise biblical POVs that are allegedly Spirit led, without simply resorting to pragmatic reasoning (i.e 'That's a dumb idea', 'That's not possible'). Of course, God can do things that seem dumb or are impossible, so that doesn't always work.

The other potential option is deferring to elders or the intuitition of the whole church. But they are going with their gut or the Spirit themselves, so that doesn't necessarily answer the initial question.

 

[KennethC]

There is also another thing that needs to be said and I do not like saying this, because I would rather just give truth and try to edify and lead others to the proper way to walk in the faith then say things that are unedifying.

However we must realize also there is two spirits at work in this world;
One being the Holy Spirit in all true born again believers, and the other is the spirit of antichrist who wants to do nothing but deceive, steal, and destroy one's life by corrupting of the scriptures. This is why we are told to test the spirits to see if it is from God.

I do not like to go this route of telling others they have this spirit instead, but would rather believe this part of the falling away has just not been revealed to them yet. Because I know this is one thing the Holy Spirit has called on me to do, is bring this instructing of the falling away and the warnings of doing such with it.

 

[atwhatcost]

KennethC recently made a thread about asking the Lord for understanding on a topic and the next thing he knows he is reading the word of God and the answer comes to his question. He happens upon it, and says its a work of the Holy Spirit. No doubt, it surely is. People share such experiences across Christian circles. That isn't what is being debated.

My question, however, is how can believers say the Lord led them to a specific truth and yet the believers reach different conclusions? Who then, did not hear from the Spirit? People will say the Holy Spirit gives them revelation and then that revelation contradicts what other believers have concluded. For example, eternal security. Kenneth says the Lord showed him believers can lose their salvation, and then provided some verses in a post recently. So, what if we have another believer saying the Holy Spirit showed him his assurance in Christ and posts verses? Who is right? Who is wrong?

What do we conclude from two believers reaching contradicting statements that are believed to be Spirit led? Is it possible that the person could be sincerely wrong and what was thought to be from the Spirit is not? I've attended a church service before where the pastor was getting these doctrines out of left field and from some "prophet", even so according to him by the Spirit such as double baptism. Where one must be baptized again to be under the authority of the pastor, as a covering. So, in a new church you move to, you need to be baptized again. So here we have someone saying the Spirit led him to this truth, but also know of others who know we are to be baptized once. What do we conclude from this? If someone reaches a different conclusion from you, and say its from the Spirit, does it affect how you receive what they say? Does it make you inquire, or ask the Holy Spirit yourself how they reached that conclusion and whether it is right?

Basically, how do you respond to supposed Spirit led answers? Does it perk up your ears and then you seek out what was learned and see if its biblical? Does it lead you to the Spirit as Teacher and ask if what was said was actually of Him? What is your response?

PS: This is not to put KennethC on blast, but his thread inspired me to make a thread on this topic that I have pondered in the past.

Unless you're Athanasius, I'd be very guarded on when declaring God gave me something in scripture that no one else got. I think the church is like a piano -- 88 keys all somewhat in the proper cord. (Sure, some of us will disagree on End Times stuff, and some will disagree about how God saves, but we agree God does save, so it's only a little out of tune. Can still hear the melody.) When I see most people going along the same themes, it sounds like ding, ding, ding, ding in my mind. And then there are those who donk instead of dink. Not just a sour note, but flat, lifeless, totally against what the rest are dinging.

Doctrine was fought over many, many centuries ago. If someone is coming up with a new one now, 99.999999% of the time, it simply is a person creating a god of his own liking.

Given most folks hear the donk as well as I do, (and I'm tone deaf, so it has to be so completely out of tune for me to hear it), I really simply don't understand why they keep arguing with the donker. If faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, well, donker is reading God's word, so God can step in. We don't have to, especially given he's got his fingers in his ears screaming "donk donk donk donk" anyway.

JMHO

 

[atwhatcost]

The thing is we must remember is that we all as believers have assurance in our faith.

Just because one may preach and instruct one can lose salvation and the other believer does not, does not mean the one who instructs on lose of salvation is any less assured of their salvation then the other.

What one also must understand is that if you are lead by the Holy Spirit that your salvation is assured, but were not shown the other side of those who fall away from the faith. You must still have an open mind because it could be the Holy Spirit has not felt it time to reveal this to you.

Acts 20:28-31 is Apostle Paul clearly showing that some disciples will be drawn away by false teaching and will not be spared for doing so.

It is okay to seek out answers as long as you keep it civil as you have done, and the bible does say we have no need for man to teach us because the anointing of the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth. (1 John 2:27)

I know some have an issue with that response but it is clearly what the word of God says, so I put my faith in the Lord our God and that His Holy Spirit will do exactly what He said it would do. Give me the answers when I seek them !!!

Every year, (until this year), since 1980, I was assured the Philadelphia Eagles would win the Super Bowl. Assurance really isn't assurance if you merely believe it in your heart, but what you believe never happens. True assurance has proof. A heart feeling ain't proof.

 

[atwhatcost]

There is also another thing that needs to be said and I do not like saying this, because I would rather just give truth and try to edify and lead others to the proper way to walk in the faith then say things that are unedifying.

However we must realize also there is two spirits at work in this world;
One being the Holy Spirit in all true born again believers, and the other is the spirit of antichrist who wants to do nothing but deceive, steal, and destroy one's life by corrupting of the scriptures. This is why we are told to test the spirits to see if it is from God.

I do not like to go this route of telling others they have this spirit instead, but would rather believe this part of the falling away has just not been revealed to them yet. Because I know this is one thing the Holy Spirit has called on me to do, is bring this instructing of the falling away and the warnings of doing such with it.

Three Spirits -- God, demonic, and stubborn man.

 

[crossnote]

My question, however, is how can believers say the Lord led them to a specific truth and yet the believers reach different conclusions? Who then, did not hear from the Spirit? ... So, what if we have another believer saying the Holy Spirit showed him his assurance in Christ and posts verses? Who is right? Who is wrong?

What do we conclude from two believers reaching contradicting statements that are believed to be Spirit led? ....Does it make you inquire, or ask the Holy Spirit yourself how they reached that conclusion and whether it is right?

Basically, how do you respond to supposed Spirit led answers? Does it perk up your ears and then you seek out what was learned and see if its biblical? Does it lead you to the Spirit as Teacher and ask if what was said was actually of Him? What is your response?

PS: This is not to put KennethC on blast, but his thread inspired me to make a thread on this topic that I have pondered in the past.

Matters little.
If two are claiming the Holy Spirit showed me etc., and they are contardictory, then either both are wrong, or one is wrong the other right but they both can't be right as God doesn't contradict Himself. One must compare to Scripture and using the proper hermeneutics determine which is correct.
This is not to say that the Holy Spirit can't illuminate a person's understanding immediately, still if challenged by an opposing take on a passage then one has to do that hermeneutic grind to make their case.
I know, I know, some are going to wanna claim "The Lord showed me yada yada" anyways, and nothing else will convince them... otherwise...have fun with that.

 

[KennethC]

Every year, (until this year), since 1980, I was assured the Philadelphia Eagles would win the Super Bowl. Assurance really isn't assurance if you merely believe it in your heart, but what you believe never happens. True assurance has proof. A heart feeling ain't proof.

Your right that true assurance has proof, and that proof comes from the Holy Spirit through our actions.
Just like Apostle John said if you say you love God but you hate your brother the truth is not in you, as your walk in the faith has to match the belief. John also says that love has to be shown also in deeds (1 John 3:18) not just words, for people can say anything but if their actions do not follow what they say it is just a false profession.

Part of that love we are told to show in His word comes also in reproving and rebuking are fellow brethren when we see them acting improperly, and then exhort them by the word to show them through love how to walk. Apostle Paul says we are by the Holy Spirit made as overseers of the rest of the flock.

Three Spirits -- God, demonic, and stubborn man.

Well you can consider a stubborn person to be a spirit of its own to, but pretty much if one is being stubborn to what the word of God says then they have opened the door to let the spirit of antichrist enter into them. For we are called to test the spirits, which means we are to have a open mind to what is being said by others.

 

[Jason0047]

Well, there are several key ways to know if you are being led by the Spirit into a correct interpretation of Scripture or not.

#1. The reading uplifts Jesus Christ and His holiness (that in turn leads you into holiness).
#2. The reading fits the context.
#3. The reading fits other verses in the Bible that say the same thing.
#4. The reading in most cases can be made into a real world example.
#5. The reading involved you praying or asking the Lord to show you what the verse means.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

Scripture interprets scripture so IMO the only way to know what is error and what is correct is to take a verse that someone wants to use to buttress their point and take a verse that the person you are debating wants to use to buttress their point and harmonizee them and then the point becomes clear elimininating confusion.

Harmonize scripture.

 

[StevieJ]

You end up with 55.000 denomination because everybody thinks there Spirit lead. Many many get the leading from there selves.

Nothing on the earth as decitfull as mans heart. and that would include the ladies. Hard to believe that but its true.

 

[oldthennew]

It is written,

Prove All Things and it is also written that -'they searched the scriptures to see if these things were so'.

a whole string of scriptures can be used to try and prove a 'point' - and someone else can use a
whole string of scriptures to try and prove a point, the responsibility is on us to discern who is
truly zealous for God's ways and who is zealous for their own theology and trying to prove
their own personal point.

on a personal level, as called children of God, it is our duty to seek His Truth diligently -
we must search all things out from Genesis to Revelation and obtain the 'whole council of God'.
this precious gift, this learning process is a brand-new-journey with so many benefits......

may we all search with hearts that are filled with love, and only desiring of our Creator's Truth
above our own, erroneous, past theological traditions of men.

as it is written, 'Seek and you shall find'.

 

[valiant]

Well, there are several key ways to know if you are being led by the Spirit into a correct interpretation of Scripture or not.

#1. The reading uplifts Jesus Christ and His holiness (that in turn leads you into holiness).
#2. The reading fits the context.
#3. The reading fits other verses in the Bible that say the same thing.
#4. The reading in most cases can be made into a real world example.
#5. The reading involved you praying or asking the Lord to show you what the verse means.

Lets add another one.

The reading brought you to the same conclusion as that reached by all other Spirit filled Christian who studied the same verses. If it does not you have not been led by the Spirit into full understanding.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

KennethC recently made a thread about asking the Lord for understanding on a topic and the next thing he knows he is reading the word of God and the answer comes to his question. He happens upon it, and says its a work of the Holy Spirit. No doubt, it surely is. People share such experiences across Christian circles. That isn't what is being debated.

My question, however, is how can believers say the Lord led them to a specific truth and yet the believers reach different conclusions? Who then, did not hear from the Spirit? People will say the Holy Spirit gives them revelation and then that revelation contradicts what other believers have concluded. For example, eternal security. Kenneth says the Lord showed him believers can lose their salvation, and then provided some verses in a post recently. So, what if we have another believer saying the Holy Spirit showed him his assurance in Christ and posts verses? Who is right? Who is wrong?

Who is right? Who is wrong? . . . I have often wondered this myself. Although I feel secure in my beliefs . . at times I find myself questioning myself! We all want to be "right" not for self glory but we all want to please God and it is important to us to know correct "doctrine". But there can only be one truth - not many truths.

What do we conclude from two believers reaching contradicting statements that are believed to be Spirit led? Is it possible that the person could be sincerely wrong and what was thought to be from the Spirit is not? I've attended a church service before where the pastor was getting these doctrines out of left field and from some "prophet", even so according to him by the Spirit such as double baptism. Where one must be baptized again to be under the authority of the pastor, as a covering. So, in a new church you move to, you need to be baptized again. So here we have someone saying the Spirit led him to this truth, but also know of others who know we are to be baptized once. What do we conclude from this? If someone reaches a different conclusion from you, and say its from the Spirit, does it affect how you receive what they say? Does it make you inquire, or ask the Holy Spirit yourself how they reached that conclusion and whether it is right?

Yea . . . So if you only believe in one baptism BUT it is a requirement of that particular church to be baptized for membership - I wouldn't believe that it was given "from the Spirit" but was given by the leaders of that particular denomination . . . Would I meet their requirements even if I didn't believe it was necessary - depends upon how bad I want to be a member of that particular church. Would that change my belief concerning baptism? Nope. Does it make it right? Nope. Is it a "deal breaker" for me joining a church? Nope.

Basically, how do you respond to supposed Spirit led answers? Does it perk up your ears and then you seek out what was learned and see if its biblical? Does it lead you to the Spirit as Teacher and ask if what was said was actually of Him? What is your response?

PS: This is not to put KennethC on blast, but his thread inspired me to make a thread on this topic that I have pondered in the past.

After thinking about this - I haven't ever used the phrase - "the Spirit led me to believe this". Depending upon the topic, it sometimes makes me leery of people who say "the Spirit led me to this understanding" . . . I have the same Spirit in me and I have a different understanding . . . I know that sometimes our earlier teachings, or own understanding can get in the way of how we comprehend and put together scripture - but there are proper ways to get a fuller understanding. I like and agree with what crossnote said: If two are claiming the Holy Spirit showed me etc., and they are contradictory, then either both are wrong, or one is wrong the other right but they both can't be right as God doesn't contradict Himself. . .

We all are but frail human beings and we do the best we can - some better than others! I admit that I sometimes wonder - (not often! LOL) Is what I'm believing - truth? And again - we are responsible for what we teach others . . . now that's a scary thought!

BTW, Ben - I like your posts . . . and this is quite thought provoking!

 

[valiant]

The thing is we must remember is that we all as believers have assurance in our faith.

Just because one may preach and instruct one can lose salvation and the other believer does not, does not mean the one who instructs on lose of salvation is any less assured of their salvation then the other.

What one also must understand is that if you are lead by the Holy Spirit that your salvation is assured, but were not shown the other side of those who fall away from the faith. You must still have an open mind because it could be the Holy Spirit has not felt it time to reveal this to you.

You see Kenneth this is typical arrogance on your part. Two Christians differ BUT YOU ARE RIGHT and they are still half in the dark. However, I would put it this way, 'if you are led by the Spirit into believing that men who are truly saved can fall away from the faith, but were not shown the other side that true Christians are eternally secure, you must still have an open mind because the Holy Spirit has not felt it time to reveal this to you.'

You see it is you who in my view is lacking the full understanding of the Holy Spirit. And I was unquestionably led by the Spirit into my view.

Acts 20:28-31 is Apostle Paul clearly showing that some disciples will be drawn away by false teaching and will not be spared for doing so.

It does of course nothing of the kind. That is your fleshly minded interpretation. What it does say is that false teachers will arise in the church leading people into wrong ideas, and that some will be led astray by them and follow them, at least for a while. I could list a number on this site who I have no reason to think are not Christians. but who have been led astray into false ideas and are entangled on them, thus stultifying their spiritual growth. I will refrain from naming individuals..

It is okay to seek out answers as long as you keep it civil as you have done, and the bible does say we have no need for man to teach us because the anointing of the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth. (1 John 2:27)

Does the Holy Spirit teach you to be so free with your interpretation of Scripture? 1 John 2.27 does NOT say that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth. That is your invention. It says that we have an anointing within which 'teaches us concerning all things' which means that He gives us wisdom when facing false teachings so that we can discern true from false.. It is NOT guaranteeing that we will be divinely inspired to understand all Scripture. In context the main ideas that it is referring to is the truth about Jesus Christ and Who He is.

I know some have an issue with that response but it is clearly what the word of God says, so I put my faith in the Lord our God and that His Holy Spirit will do exactly what He said it would do. Give me the answers when I seek them !!!

Your interpretation is clearly NOT what the word of God teaches. You are slack in your interpretation of Scripture, reading into it what you want to find and not interpreting it correctly. Nowhere does the Holy Spirit say that He will give us perfect answers if we seek them. There is too much garbage in our make up for that to be possible. Our background, what we have been taught by our churches, our predispositions, our prejudices, and so on ALL prevent us being fully open to the Spirit's guidance. And the disagreements on this site are PROOF that you are wrong on this matter. It is not even open to question.

 

[valiant]

Matters little.
If two are claiming the Holy Spirit showed me etc., and they are contardictory, then either both are wrong, or one is wrong the other right but they both can't be right as God doesn't contradict Himself.

I am in agreement with your general thesis but I think what you say above is simply not fully true. I would rather say, 'if two are claiming the Holy Spirit showed me and they are apparently contradictory then it is probable that neither are fully right. Both may have received enlightenment on one aspect of the subject. Or it may be that the subject is paradoxical. Neither are fully right. e.g. predestination and free will. We are all good at getting hold of one aspect of truth. The Spirit leads us gradually. He does not force truth on us.

With regard to eternal security it is based on specific promises of Jesus and Paul. Whatever other verses may be interpreted as saying they must be brought into line with the specific statement that Jesus will lose nothing of those whom God had given Him.

 

[KennethC]

You see Kenneth this is typical arrogance on your part. Two Christians differ BUT YOU ARE RIGHT and they are still half in the dark. However, I would put it this way, 'if you are led by the Spirit into believing that men who are truly saved can fall away from the faith, but were not shown the other side that true Christians are eternally secure, you must still have an open mind because the Holy Spirit has not felt it time to reveal this to you.'

You see it is you who in my view is lacking the full understanding of the Holy Spirit. And I was unquestionably led by the Spirit into my view.



It does of course nothing of the kind. That is your fleshly minded interpretation. What it does say is that false teachers will arise in the church leading people into wrong ideas, and that some will be led astray by them and follow them, at least for a while. I could list a number on this site who I have no reason to think are not Christians. but who have been led astray into false ideas and are entangled on them, thus stultifying their spiritual growth. I will refrain from naming individuals..



Does the Holy Spirit teach you to be so free with your interpretation of Scripture? 1 John 2.27 does NOT say that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth. That is your invention. It says that we have an anointing within which 'teaches us concerning all things' which means that He gives us wisdom when facing false teachings so that we can discern true from false.. It is NOT guaranteeing that we will be divinely inspired to understand all Scripture. In context the main ideas that it is referring to is the truth about Jesus Christ and Who He is.



Your interpretation is clearly NOT what the word of God teaches. You are slack in your interpretation of Scripture, reading into it what you want to find and not interpreting it correctly. Nowhere does the Holy Spirit say that He will give us perfect answers if we seek them. There is too much garbage in our make up for that to be possible. Our background, what we have been taught by our churches, our predispositions, our prejudices, and so on ALL prevent us being fully open to the Spirit's guidance. And the disagreements on this site are PROOF that you are wrong on this matter. It is not even open to question.

Acts 20:28-31


28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.


Why is Apostle Paul warning believers in tears constantly if they can not lose their chance at receiving eternal life ???
This seems to imply that the falling away from the faith's outcome is more severe then just loss of rewards.


John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all menliberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1 John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

The anointing that we receive is the Holy Spirit, and it clearly says He will teach us all things !!!

 

[ladylynn]

Hey Mr.Ben, another good post! Due to my own personal growing understanding of the Bible I can't agree with all that has been posted, but can with some of what has been posted. Just because we don't see all of a truth doesn't mean we are wrong or that the HolySpirit has not lead us. We can't emphatically say for instance "all" of what John MacGarther has said is wrong nor can we say all that Joseph Prince has said is wrong.

Each believer has an interpretation of Scripture and each have the HolySpirit. Our journey of faith requires us to develop our own relationship with Jesus using the Bible and the understanding He gives us with the help of the HolySpirit. (we have the mind of Christ) Why does one speak in tongues and the other does not? if you come from the mindset that one is totally wrong and one is totally right what is the outcome of that? Think about it.

A better way, is to know we are not given to know all things about God or other believers. That God is able to bless both based on His truth - not ours. This allows God to be bigger than how each person sees Him and it also allows for growth and love for the brethren and not suspicion and accusation. This has allowed me to let God be God and every man ...human. God can pick up the slack very nicely and all "I" need to do is find a church that teaches as closely to what the HolySpirit has shown me in His Word and His revelation to me. Being taught and built up in the truth He reveals to us. God is able to show us the truth regardless of our human limitations. God deals with us individually and is not going to ask us to answer for someone else.

This takes the job of mini holyspirit from my human hands and totally gives it to Him. I no longer have to try and read people's minds and hearts and be frustrated when they don't agree with me or see the Bible the way I do. This just leads to vexation. Being right is highly over rated for the human because in the scheme of things, only God is 100% right.