Deception: Almost Had Me Fooled

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Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,273
1,410
113
#41
Hey, I got your analogy right away and it make sense.

Thanks! It met a need in my life reading it! PTL!
 
Feb 21, 2012
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#42
It seems that Jesus had things to say about having faith (belief, trust, being fully persuaded):

We are not to worry about tomorrow: Matt. 6 . . . Wherefore, if God so clothed the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

We are not to have fear: The disciples out in the sea in a great tempest . . . Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Matt. 8:26

We are not to doubt: Peter walked upon the water while his eyes were ON Jesus full of faith/trust but when he let the circumstances surrounding him (boisterous wind) bring about fear causing doubt and began to sink - Jesus said to him: O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?

It seems that to walk out on what God promises according to His word takes faith/trust.
The woman with the issue of blood KNEW that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

The Canaanite woman who came to Jesus because her daughter was vexed with a devil (even knowing that she was only worth the crumbs from the master's table) . . . O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The centurion that came to Jesus for his servant's healing . . . saying: I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant will be healed. . . . Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.​


And I also believe that God does talk to us - individually. Each and every circumstance that comes up in our individual lives are unique to each of us.
If I ask God to give me wisdom and knowledge concerning a decision I am trying to make or concerning a situation in my life - He gives me the answer through a message of wisdom and/or a message of knowledge, i.e.
revealing
to me the answer to the situation/circumstance I need His help in.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
#43


Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
...

John was told to WRITE down those things, thus they were read to the Churches, not a direct 'spiritual' encounter.

1 Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

In context 1Cor 1 &2 are speaking of the Gospel which is foolishness to the natural man.


John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Jesus was speaking to the apostles (all that I said to you). If it applied to us we wouldn't need the NT as the Holy Spirit supposedly will teach us ALL things.

John 16:13- But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Again, to the Apostles, as they reveal IN THEIR WRITINGS THINGS TO COME.

Those who don't believe God speaks to them will doubt what He says to them.

I'm glad God speaks to us infallibly through His Word to protect us from bad teaching such as yours.
Wow. You believe only the apostles could have a personal relationship with God??

We are the churches. This word ekklesia is accurately defined, "called out ones". Are you a called out one?

I'm sorry you think the only thing God has to teach us is about His gospel because that is not true at all. The people Paul was writing to WERE believers. The letter kills, but the SPIRIT gives life!

The gospel is the door to ENTER in. He now resides with us.

"I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me..."

Eternal life is to KNOW Him.

Jesus says we exist out of every word that proceeds out of His mouth. Not once proceeded.

It is the Spirit who teaches us from His Word. I completely agree that He will not disagree with His Word. But He WILL correct our incorrect interpretations. He has done it to me many times. He actually brings His word to life. His word leads me to seeing Him. And it is through face-to-face worship that I am changed.

The SPIRIT of God was given to teach us about Christ. Jesus in foreshadowing His arrival says, He will declare what I give Him. He will give what us mine because all things are given to Me.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
#44
WoF teaches, "I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall."
Interesting viewpoint, I'll consider it and pray about it.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
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#45
It seems that Jesus had things to say about having faith (belief, trust, being fully persuaded):

We are not to worry about tomorrow: Matt. 6 . . . Wherefore, if God so clothed the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

We are not to have fear: The disciples out in the sea in a great tempest . . . Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Matt. 8:26

We are not to doubt: Peter walked upon the water while his eyes were ON Jesus full of faith/trust but when he let the circumstances surrounding him (boisterous wind) bring about fear causing doubt and began to sink - Jesus said to him: O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?

It seems that to walk out on what God promises according to His word takes faith/trust.
The woman with the issue of blood KNEW that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

The Canaanite woman who came to Jesus because her daughter was vexed with a devil (even knowing that she was only worth the crumbs from the master's table) . . . O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The centurion that came to Jesus for his servant's healing . . . saying: I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant will be healed. . . . Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.​


And I also believe that God does talk to us - individually. Each and every circumstance that comes up in our individual lives are unique to each of us.
If I ask God to give me wisdom and knowledge concerning a decision I am trying to make or concerning a situation in my life - He gives me the answer through a message of wisdom and/or a message of knowledge, i.e.
revealing
to me the answer to the situation/circumstance I need His help in.
Thank you for this exposition on faith, and trusting in God.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
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#46
Hey, I got your analogy right away and it make sense.

Thanks! It met a need in my life reading it! PTL!
Praise the Lord, indeed. Thats awesome, it truly is.
 

Katy-follower

Senior Member
Jun 25, 2011
2,719
155
63
#47
Ben, wanted to share...

There was a pastor who told the story of how he was driving somewhere one day late at night and he "felt" God guiding him to take a different route than he usually takes. It was the longer route, but he took it anyway. He then came across a couple out in the dark, hitchhiking. He never picks up hitchhikers, for safety reasons, but this time he did. For most of the drive he was witnessing to them, and they both got saved that night while in his car! He then invited them to his church and they've been going ever since. God put him there, in the right place at the right time. He fought it a bit in the beginning because he didn't want to take that long drive, and then when he gave them a lift he was really stepping outside of his comfort zone, trusting God's leading and that no harm would come to him.

One example of something similar that happened to me, where I was put in a situation at the right time. I call it a "divine appointment" since it was all clearly set up by God, every little detail. I ended up talking with this person through until the early hours of the morning. Usually I'm too tired to have such conversations that late at night, but God made sure I never got tired, not once! Just to add too, at that time I was a bit rusty with the scriptures, since I wasn't meditating on them daily, and prior to this meeting I was also doubting that God would use me.... so use me He did, lol :) He gave me the exact words to say, they flowed, without hesitation, and it was God speaking through me completely.

Another thing... I never pack my bible when traveling, because it's heavy and I find it so much easier to use bible gateway online, but for this trip I felt the need to pack it, but not known to me at the time. I ended up giving my bible to this person. The bible was meant for them. It was gifted to me by my family and now I gifted it to him. God had me pack it, so not only did He provide strength for me to make it through that late evening, but also gave me the words to say, and provided the bible that was greatly needed :)
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
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#48
Ben, wanted to share...

There was a pastor who told the story of how he was driving somewhere one day late at night and he "felt" God guiding him to take a different route than he usually takes. It was the longer route, but he took it anyway. He then came across a couple out in the dark, hitchhiking. He never picks up hitchhikers, for safety reasons, but this time he did. For most of the drive he was witnessing to them, and they both got saved that night while in his car! He then invited them to his church and they've been going ever since. God put him there, in the right place at the right time. He fought it a bit in the beginning because he didn't want to take that long drive, and then when he gave them a lift he was really stepping outside of his comfort zone, trusting God's leading and that no harm would come to him.

One example of something similar that happened to me, where I was put in a situation at the right time. I call it a "divine appointment" since it was all clearly set up by God, every little detail. I ended up talking with this person through until the early hours of the morning. Usually I'm too tired to have such conversations that late at night, but God made sure I never got tired, not once! Just to add too, at that time I was a bit rusty with the scriptures, since I wasn't meditating on them daily, and prior to this meeting I was also doubting that God would use me.... so use me He did, lol :) He gave me the exact words to say, they flowed, without hesitation, and it was God speaking through me completely.

Another thing... I never pack my bible when traveling, because it's heavy and I find it so much easier to use bible gateway online, but for this trip I felt the need to pack it, but not known to me at the time. I ended up giving my bible to this person. The bible was meant for them. It was gifted to me by my family and now I gifted it to him. God had me pack it, so not only did He provide strength for me to make it through that late evening, but also gave me the words to say, and provided the bible that was greatly needed :)
Testimonies like this allow people to see that there is a deeper level of intimacy with God. A true and genuine fellowship whereby you do know His voice. Thanks for sharing.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
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#49
Interesting viewpoint, I'll consider it and pray about it.
Faith increases as our comprehension of God does. This means that it isn't that "I have great faith", and "I shall not fall" but, "I have great faith" because I have God and therefore He will keep me standing. You see, it is not our faith that sustains us, it is God. My faith then is built and developed in knowing God.

The boast then is not my so called great faith, but God, who merits faith. As you come to know God, in theory, faith will easily follow. If God is for you, who can be against you? This motto is coming from a place of knowing the Lord, and faith rises in acknowledgement of who He is. He is sovereign, providential, supreme, and our God. There is no other. We are His, and He ours. He is our Father, our God, our Healer, and our Lord.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#50
Testimonies like this allow people to see that there is a deeper level of intimacy with God. A true and genuine fellowship whereby you do know His voice. Thanks for sharing.

I certainly do not deny being led by the Holy Spirit, or 'hearing' His voice in my spirit...however it is the extra biblical so called revelations and ADDING to scripture that are not correct

telling someone they do not believe in something, which I am not saying you are doing here, is not factual if they have expressed concern for the many many ways people are going by their senses rather than allowing the word to speak to them or allowing God to speak through His word

visions etc never trump the Bible and many if not most, so called prophets today are false...for example, NAR has created an entire new system wherein the followers are supposed to be 'under' the leadership of self appointed Apostles and Prophets

that is not biblical and their agenda is not biblical...for the most part, they appear to be led by so called new revelations OUTSIDE of scripture

I have no idea where you stand on that, but it is worth repeating, for me anyway, that I do believe we are led by the Holy Spirit and some are certainly more sensitive than others...but it is the excess and the behavior and being led by emotions and the like that I stand against
 

EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
311
83
#51
I was praying by myself in a church balcony one evening. I wondered if I had enough faith to step off of the balcony and trust God to take care of me. I wondered what I would do if I thought He told me to do it.

I determined that I couldn't be sure if it was myself or God speaking to me. Clearly I wasn't able to discern between myself and the voice of God. I determined that I needed a lot more practice listening to, understanding, and experiencing the voice of God in my life.

I understood that the only way I could be sure of knowing the voice of God in the big things in my life, like stepping off a balcony, was by listening to, and obeying the voice of God in the little things of life. If He couldn't trust me in the little things, He sure couldn't trust me with the big things.