DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF SOME

[sparkman]

I wonder how many Christians understand that we are in a war. I wonder how many Christians are preparing their minds to do battle with the real enemy, and not some Christian on non-essential doctrinal topics? How many are focused on the bullet-making effort, or are serving as ground troops?

The first question I have is whether we really believe we are playing a part in a cosmic war. Don't get me wrong...I totally believe God is in ultimate control. But, we play a God-given role and responsibility in this war. We are like priests in the Old Testament, helping to bring the lost to God for reconciliation.

A war is going on around us, though, and I suspect that many aren't aware of it. Why would they be spending hours arguing about non-essential Christian doctrine in a chat room, if they understood that?

In the process they are exposing themselves to a bunch of people who DON'T believe in essential Christian doctrine while they are doing this.

I'm more convicted lately that I need to be focused on preparing my mind for addressing a sincerely seeking individual, rather than arguing with deeply entrenched goats or errant Christians.

I've been doing that more lately, and it's been displacing the argument mentality. It's a whole different world to be talking to some guy who is sincerely seeking God than some deeply entrenched goat or errant Christian who thinks he knows it all.

And, when I'm not doing that, I'm sharpening my sword with understanding Scripture in more depth, so that I will have the right answers to give on deeper questions.

Scripture says after a few rebukes you are to reject an argumentative person. Instead, we engage them here, and give them a forum. Individuals who have been on-site for years spreading their nonsense.

I suppose we are doing it to show seekers that they are wrong. I wonder, though, how many seekers really listen to their nonsense, and whether we are simply giving them the debate or dialogue that they want.

Anyways, I'm firmly convinced that it's a diversion of Satan to cause us to spend time addressing goats and errant Christians continually rather than being focused on the lost in the world. I'd much rather speak to some guy who is seeking reconciliation with God, than some hardened, errant Christian who is deeply entrenched in nonsense.

 

[OtherWay210]

Well, that made sense . Christ is not going to be pleased with people fighting each and every other Christian .

I can see it now : " Jesus, I told every Christian off ;in your name " Everyone that is, not part of my church .
because they are clueless.

Hypothetically even if that person was 100% correct in their teachings,
what use was it to attack everyone and their mother over it ? What Spirit is that of, when we find ourselves fighting over scripture ? Does that help Christ ?


Example : I post studies i believe to give the most information possible. What people do with that is their own decision .
I'm more than open to a respectful dialog about the scriptures, and from scriptures . But often that is not what people have in mind . They have the attitude more in common with a nonbeliever than a believer .

I often have to ignore the ignorant comments , because it lowers what little dignity I have left after trying to explain to a Christian, how Christ expected us to act.

I'm no saint, but I don't say, oh look : ______ ( enter name of any church here )
I'm going to give that group a piece of my mind . And Ill chant I'm the better believer while I do it ..

Just imagine how that looks to a non believer . The one who might actually accept what is written, and do a lot better with the truth than many so called believers...


We have to learn to address with scriptures, a doctrine of contention, in a respectful, peaceful manner. It serves no good, to attack the many remembered body of Christ, which are already starving in this divisive environment, like a pack of wild hyenas .

I've been guilty of snapping back at people, and if anyone is honest with themselves, they'd be able to improve, rather than cause problems and divisions among brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[Blain]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

You are asking and thinking about the right questions Sparks, We are indeed in a war but the the real battle is yet to come. There is a time coming and is here even now at our doors when the wheat and the chaff will be separated and the the Christians by title and by heart will be separated and seen clearly for who and what they really are. A storm is heading our way unlike anything the world has ever seen or ever will again and if our hearts are not prepared none of us shall stand not even those who thought they would. Many do not think this storm is near at all as if they are looking through a telescope the wrong way when in fast this storm is right in front of us.

We must prepare our hearts because for all we know that hour is here and I don't know if it's the tribulation or some kind of massive spiritual battle all I know is that everyday we must seek know and have his heart, and that we must desire to be filled with his love light truth and all riches that his precious heart holds because there may very well come a time when he will call those by name to be his light in a time when darkness and blood is at it's peak. But then again I make it a point to do this anyways not really for preparation but of hunger lol

 

[OneFaith]

​Like my name says, there is only one Lord, one Faith, one baptism. In 1 Timothy 4 it explains that some have abandoned The Faith (Christ’s doctrine- which is the New Testament). They didn’t abandon faith all together, they still believe in God, but they follow other ways to worship God- which are churches that have branched off of the true church that Christ established and bought with His own blood. But different gospels have arised, and people are following them.

So what is wrong with that? As long as the worship is to God, can’t you choose which religion you want to be in? No! Christ has one church only. The church is Christ’s body, of which He is the only head (authority). There are not many heads to the one body, and there are not many bodies to the one head.

Now here is the danger part, a warning in scripture: “They worship Me in vain, their doctrines are merely human rules.” So if you follow a man-made religion (such as Catholicism- who are to this day making up new rules) then your worship is in vain, of no effect, not resulting in salvation- which means these worshipers of God are headed for hell. We all must ‘study to show ourself approved onto God’ but because I want to save these people I try to help by showing them that their doctrine does not match the Bible.

So that is why I am here. I share the gospel with everyone I can, but I have more of a head start with people who already believe in God. Now the thing is is that God says if someone does not listen to the truth, to dust off your shoes, leave them, and try to see if someone else will listen. But you never know who is listening on here because it is worldwide and new people come all the time.

So if I answer someone who has been ‘dusted off’ someone else might read it and think “Yeah that’s what I was thinking, but I see now with this scripture how that thinking does not match what the Bible says.” So I feel this is still the best way to ‘go into all the world’ to try to save souls that don’t even realize they are lost. Therefore, my battlefield is here.

 

[Lucy-Pevensie]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

Well Sparkman I don't know were you are finding these sincerely seeking individuals. I haven't found very many unsaved people in my everyday life who are receptive and open to talk about Jesus and/or the Bible.
I do believe we are in a war, moreover I think I can see it bleeding through (so to speak) from the spirit realm more clearly in recent years. But do people WANT to listen to truth? I haven't crossed paths with many. People seem to hate and resent truth more than ever. People at large in the world I mean, not followers of The Lord. It looks to me like the enemy is whipping up strife and division in this generation. The lines are being drawn for something. Sorry to sound so negative.

 

[miknik5]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

Many suggest other “truths”
Only ONE TRUTH
Many suggest other “ways”
Only ONE WAY


Can a true believer baptized into CHRIST and reborn of HIS SPIRIT offer other “truths” or other “ways”?

No....

They never will

Rather. They will openly and clearly profess CHRIST plus nothing

 

[miknik5]

There was a reason why Paul instructed Timothy not to let certain men teach

and there was a reason why Apollos was corrected and taught the way of GOD rightly

 

[Speak2Me]

I wonder how many Christians understand that we are in a war. I wonder how many Christians are preparing their minds to do battle with the real enemy, and not some Christian on non-essential doctrinal topics? How many are focused on the bullet-making effort, or are serving as ground troops?

The first question I have is whether we really believe we are playing a part in a cosmic war. Don't get me wrong...I totally believe God is in ultimate control. But, we play a God-given role and responsibility in this war. We are like priests in the Old Testament, helping to bring the lost to God for reconciliation.

A war is going on around us, though, and I suspect that many aren't aware of it. Why would they be spending hours arguing about non-essential Christian doctrine in a chat room, if they understood that?

In the process they are exposing themselves to a bunch of people who DON'T believe in essential Christian doctrine while they are doing this.

I'm more convicted lately that I need to be focused on preparing my mind for addressing a sincerely seeking individual, rather than arguing with deeply entrenched goats or errant Christians.

I've been doing that more lately, and it's been displacing the argument mentality. It's a whole different world to be talking to some guy who is sincerely seeking God than some deeply entrenched goat or errant Christian who thinks he knows it all.

And, when I'm not doing that, I'm sharpening my sword with understanding Scripture in more depth, so that I will have the right answers to give on deeper questions.

Scripture says after a few rebukes you are to reject an argumentative person. Instead, we engage them here, and give them a forum. Individuals who have been on-site for years spreading their nonsense.

I suppose we are doing it to show seekers that they are wrong. I wonder, though, how many seekers really listen to their nonsense, and whether we are simply giving them the debate or dialogue that they want.

Anyways, I'm firmly convinced that it's a diversion of Satan to cause us to spend time addressing goats and errant Christians continually rather than being focused on the lost in the world. I'd much rather speak to some guy who is seeking reconciliation with God, than some hardened, errant Christian who is deeply entrenched in nonsense.

I agree on the wasted time issue involving true heretics that won't turn no matter what, but there is a good reason to still post against their heresy.

Ephesians 5:11
​

New International Version
A. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, B. but rather expose them.

New Living Translation
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

English Standard Version
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Berean Study Bible
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Berean Literal Bible
And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even expose them.

New American Standard Bible
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

The expose' of false teachers/prophets/preachers is to expose them to the public, which in this case is CC's readers.

Yes, the gospel should be in the forefront, and the exposing of false teaching should be close behind the gospel.

We are to strive to lead from darkness to the Light, so exposing darkness is necessary to prove to some that they are in darkness.

 

[joaniemarie]

Well, that made sense . Christ is not going to be pleased with people fighting each and every other Christian .

I can see it now : " Jesus, I told every Christian off ;in your name " Everyone that is, not part of my church .
because they are clueless.

Hypothetically even if that person was 100% correct in their teachings,
what use was it to attack everyone and their mother over it ? What Spirit is that of, when we find ourselves fighting over scripture ? Does that help Christ ?


Example : I post studies i believe to give the most information possible. What people do with that is their own decision .
I'm more than open to a respectful dialog about the scriptures, and from scriptures . But often that is not what people have in mind . They have the attitude more in common with a nonbeliever than a believer .

I often have to ignore the ignorant comments , because it lowers what little dignity I have left after trying to explain to a Christian, how Christ expected us to act.

I'm no saint, but I don't say, oh look : ______ ( enter name of any church here )
I'm going to give that group a piece of my mind . And Ill chant I'm the better believer while I do it ..

Just imagine how that looks to a non believer . The one who might actually accept what is written, and do a lot better with the truth than many so called believers...


We have to learn to address with scriptures, a doctrine of contention, in a respectful, peaceful manner. It serves no good, to attack the many remembered body of Christ, which are already starving in this divisive environment, like a pack of wild hyenas .

I've been guilty of snapping back at people, and if anyone is honest with themselves, they'd be able to improve, rather than cause problems and divisions among brothers and sisters in Christ.

Excellent post and worth re posting.

 

[Waggles]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

So Mr. Sparkman,
how do you know who are the goats and errant members of
Christian Chat?
Care to name them?
List them?
Identify how we may know them?

Then we can all click on the ignore button and problem
solved.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Can a true believer baptized into CHRIST and reborn of HIS SPIRIT offer other “truths” or other “ways”?

Unfortunately there are many who are truly saved and know that salvation is exclusively in Christ, yet they can and do distort Bible truth. As to why, only God knows, but they are generally misled by men who are highly regarded but who have failed to present straight Bible truth. Many preachers and teachers would rather be praised by men than praised only by God.

As to "shooting our own troops", if someone is simply presenting straight Gospel truth and Bible truth, no one is going to shoot at him. But once they start preaching and teaching error, it behooves Christians to expose false doctrine. THERE IS NOTHING LOVING ABOUT ALLOWING SPIRITUAL POISON TO POISON SOULS.

 

[posthuman]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

armies often shoot deserters as an obvious object lesson to the troops.

 

[joaniemarie]

armies often shoot deserters as an obvious object lesson to the troops.

I prefer what Jesus said "Feed My sheep"

 

[Nehemiah6]

I prefer what Jesus said "Feed My sheep"

He also said PROTECT MY SHEEP FROM WOLVES WHO COME PRETENDING TO BE SHEEP. Half-truths do not help anyone.

 

[Waggles]

yet they can and do distort Bible truth. As to why, only God knows
But once they start preaching and teaching error, it behooves Christians to expose false doctrine. THERE IS NOTHING LOVING ABOUT ALLOWING SPIRITUAL POISON TO POISON SOULS.

Yep fully agree.
Especially all them that deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit and preach Cessationism.
Total denial of the true gospel of salvation.
Why I sob why??

 

[Nehemiah6]

Total denial of the true gospel of salvation.

Waggles,
You should know better than to claim that the spiritual gifts have any bearing on salvation. So to even make such an assertion is to distort the true Gospel of salvation -- which is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and rose again for our justification. And that repentant sinners may be justified by grace through faith in the Person and Finished Work of Christ. Plus nothing.

There are millions of non-Pentecostal and non-Charismatic Christians who hold to every fundamental Bible doctrine, including the doctrine on spiritual gifts. However, they believe that some gifts were for the Apostolic Age, and rightly so. Paul himself speaks of "the signs of an apostle".

 

[Lucy-Pevensie]

Some speculations are so far out they need to be shot down. Example: The recent What If Aliens Made Us? & Is The Book of Revelation a False Prophecy? Threads.

 

[Miri]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

We are certainly in a spiritual war, many foot soldiers are weary and tired and have been
badly wounded. They need as much care and attention as new recruits.

 

[Lucy-Pevensie]

Re: DO WE REALIZE WE ARE IN A WAR? SHOOTING OUR OWN TROOPS - THE FAVORITE PASTIME OF

There was a "friendly fire" joke during WWII

“when the Germans fly over, the English duck. When the English fly over the Germans duck. And when the Americans fly over, everyone ducks!"

 

[Waggles]

Waggles, There are millions of non-Pentecostal and non-Charismatic Christians who hold to every fundamental Bible doctrine, including the doctrine on spiritual gifts. However, they believe that some gifts were for the Apostolic Age, and rightly so. Paul himself speaks of "the signs of an apostle".

There is no safety in numbers.
Millions of people can be wrong and are.
And your proposition that some gifts are available but others are not is unscriptural and a denial of the gifts being (all nine) being freely available in proper disciplined Pentecostal churches obedient to the word of God.
The fact that Pentecostal churches uphold and validate Mark 16:15-20 plus numerous other scriptures concerning the first century Christian church and fulfilling all the scriptures of the NT from gospels to Jude - shows up how other faiths and doctrines are not the full gospel of salvation.

Ever since Constantine and Rome the full gospel has been denied and is still denied.
A salvation issue? Yes and know.
But I can tell you that the blessings, the miracles and the healings are manifold and abundant in Pentecost and so noticeably absent in other churches.
Hhhhhmmmm I think that tells us all something.