WHAT CHRISTIANS SAY VS THE TRUTH

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LightShinesInTheDarkness

LightShinesInTheDarkness

Senior Member
#1
Dec 11, 2017
192
6
0
#1
(IS THIS YOU? GOD KNOWS...)​




  • What Christians Say: "I want encouragement."

The Truth: I want you to make me feel good about myself and what I want and have chosen to do, regardless of whether it is right according to the Scriptures or the Lord's will for me or pleasing to Him. I really don't want to be encouraged to obey the Lord no matter what His will is for me.



  • What Christians Say: "You're legalistic."

The Truth: I don't want to obey everything I know the New Testament teaches.




  • What Christians Say: "Church is boring."

The Truth: I'm not spiritual enough to understand or appreciate the purpose and provision of church, so I want to make it fun and entertaining for my flesh.




  • What Christians Say: "We just need to love everyone, because God is love."

The Truth: I'm too much of a coward to address sin and error as the Bible does because I don't want to be ill thought of or persecuted (or lose my job).




  • What Christians Say: "Nobody's perfect; we all make mistakes."

The Truth: I have known sins in my life that I don't want anybody to know about or point out, so I don't want to turn the flashlight on anyone else, lest it be pointed back on me and my own sins be exposed or addressed.

OR

I'm sinning and I don't want to give up what I'm doing or do what I know God wants me to do, or feel bad about doing it or not doing it.




  • What Christians Say: "I go by the word of God, not the word of man."


The Truth: I choose what I want from the word of God, and whatever I don't like or agree with I try to discredit or dismiss by accusing the messenger of speaking on his or her own authority, even though I know that what he or she is saying is in agreement with the teachings of the Scriptures and is true and good. (I have no problem with the word of man as long as the word suits my own interests, supports what I want to believe, and makes me feel good about myself.)




  • What Christians Say: "We just need to focus on the purpose of Christianity: Preaching the gospel."


The Truth: Focusing on the unsaved keeps me from addressing the deficiency of my own sanctification and the gangrenous spiritual problems of a degenerate and adulterous church that has twisted and departed from the doctrine of the New Testament and is doing whatever is right in her own eyes.




  • What Christians Say: "Amen."

The Truth: I agree that it's right, but I'm not doing it, and I'm not going to do it.




(Obviously, this is not true of all Christians, but one or more of these things are unfortunately true of the majority of them. If you're one of those of whom these things are true, the time to change is today, with God's help. Make use of His grace.)


TRUTH: Regardless of what we say, and how we may fool others and ourselves, God knows the truth about us, and deals with, and will judge us accordingly.


A wise man lives mindful of this. A fool does not.



For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12,13)
 
NotmebutHim

NotmebutHim

Senior Member
#3
May 17, 2015
2,920
1,591
113
47
#3
LightShinesInTheDarkness said:
(IS THIS YOU? GOD KNOWS...)​




  • What Christians Say: "I want encouragement."

The Truth: I want you to make me feel good about myself and what I want and have chosen to do, regardless of whether it is right according to the Scriptures or the Lord's will for me or pleasing to Him. I really don't want to be encouraged to obey the Lord no matter what His will is for me.



  • What Christians Say: "You're legalistic."

The Truth: I don't want to obey everything I know the New Testament teaches.




  • What Christians Say: "Church is boring."

The Truth: I'm not spiritual enough to understand or appreciate the purpose and provision of church, so I want to make it fun and entertaining for my flesh.




  • What Christians Say: "We just need to love everyone, because God is love."

The Truth: I'm too much of a coward to address sin and error as the Bible does because I don't want to be ill thought of or persecuted (or lose my job).




  • What Christians Say: "Nobody's perfect; we all make mistakes."

The Truth: I have known sins in my life that I don't want anybody to know about or point out, so I don't want to turn the flashlight on anyone else, lest it be pointed back on me and my own sins be exposed or addressed.

OR

I'm sinning and I don't want to give up what I'm doing or do what I know God wants me to do, or feel bad about doing it or not doing it.




  • What Christians Say: "I go by the word of God, not the word of man."


The Truth: I choose what I want from the word of God, and whatever I don't like or agree with I try to discredit or dismiss by accusing the messenger of speaking on his or her own authority, even though I know that what he or she is saying is in agreement with the teachings of the Scriptures and is true and good. (I have no problem with the word of man as long as the word suits my own interests, supports what I want to believe, and makes me feel good about myself.)




  • What Christians Say: "We just need to focus on the purpose of Christianity: Preaching the gospel."


The Truth: Focusing on the unsaved keeps me from addressing the deficiency of my own sanctification and the gangrenous spiritual problems of a degenerate and adulterous church that has twisted and departed from the doctrine of the New Testament and is doing whatever is right in her own eyes.




  • What Christians Say: "Amen."

The Truth: I agree that it's right, but I'm not doing it, and I'm not going to do it.




(Obviously, this is not true of all Christians, but one or more of these things are unfortunately true of the majority of them. If you're one of those of whom these things are true, the time to change is today, with God's help. Make use of His grace.)


TRUTH: Regardless of what we say, and how we may fool others and ourselves, God knows the truth about us, and deals with, and will judge us accordingly.


A wise man lives mindful of this. A fool does not.



For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12,13)
Click to expand...
I agree with this post. And I am a miserable and wretched failure with regard to what it contains. But, as Paul said, Christ Jesus will deliver me from this body of death.
 
LightShinesInTheDarkness

LightShinesInTheDarkness

Senior Member
#4
Dec 11, 2017
192
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0
#4
NotmebutHim said:
I agree with this post. And I am a miserable and wretched failure with regard to what it contains. But, as Paul said, Christ Jesus will deliver me from this body of death.
Click to expand...
God is very gracious towards those who are honest with Him, even when the truth is not good. Better to be honest with Him and work on what is weak or lame than to lie to Him or make excuses. God's grace is indeed sufficient to help us to overcome ourselves as we need to in order to do His will in all things. That's what it's for. The hardest part is choosing His will when we want our own. But He's ready and able to help us if we ask Him to (provided, of course, that we're sincere).

Choosing the Lord is habit forming and gets easier and more desirable to do as we make a practice of it. Likewise for choosing ourselves; and both have consequences, gain vs loss, even if the consequences of choosing ourselves are not immediately apparent. (Think Laodicea.) Remembering this, and that we are bought with a price, can help us to choose rightly, no matter what the cost to us.


For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#5
#5
  • What Christians Say: "I want encouragement."


The Truth: I want you to make me feel good about myself and what I want and have chosen to do, regardless of whether it is right according to the Scriptures or the Lord's will for me or pleasing to Him. I really don't want to be encouraged to obey the Lord no matter what His will is for me.
Click to expand...

well then you are deciding what parts of scripture are for you and deciding that anyone who sees more than you do, which is really not difficult at all, is, in your personal opinion, not up to your standards

4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I Thess. 5

so, it would seem if a person does not follow this scripture, they are saying they know better than the inspired word of God

which is why a long time ago, I stated your renderings were false

apparently the light has not penetrated all your personal darkness after all

I am sure God sees how you wish to perceive His truth and takes great pains to make sure you get your heart's desire


good thing God is merciful and looks on the heart and does not judge by our understanding and brings people along in HIS good time

 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#6
Aug 28, 2012
19,214
2,550
113
#6
I think this is a very negative way of thinking. Granted there are some in the body who are like this but believe it or not not everyone is like this
 
LightShinesInTheDarkness

LightShinesInTheDarkness

Senior Member
#7
Dec 11, 2017
192
6
0
#7
Blain said:
I think this is a very negative way of thinking. Granted there are some in the body who are like this but believe it or not not everyone is like this
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See the parenthetical note at the end of the original post.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#9
#9
What LightShinesintheDarkness is saying:
. I will show you all what is wise and true.

The Truth: I have a very low opinion of the majority of you, therefore, I will guide you with my arrogance.

Real truth: We all have enough arrogance already. There is no need to teach how to get more of it.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#10
#10
LightShinesInTheDarkness said:
God is very gracious towards those who are honest with Him, even when the truth is not good. Better to be honest with Him and work on what is weak or lame than to lie to Him or make excuses. God's grace is indeed sufficient to help us to overcome ourselves as we need to in order to do His will in all things. That's what it's for. The hardest part is choosing His will when we want our own. But He's ready and able to help us if we ask Him to (provided, of course, that we're sincere).

Choosing the Lord is habit forming and gets easier and more desirable to do as we make a practice of it. Likewise for choosing ourselves; and both have consequences, gain vs loss, even if the consequences of choosing ourselves are not immediately apparent. (Think Laodicea.) Remembering this, and that we are bought with a price, can help us to choose rightly, no matter what the cost to us.


For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Click to expand...
It really does help to be honest with the Lord. And, when you're honest with him, you tend to lose the attitude that you're better than "the majority."
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#11
Aug 13, 2014
24,914
8,167
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#11
To the OP: I would have agreed with that first post if you had said SOME Christians say this/believe that. The MAJORITY I can't see. I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just saying I can't see the majority of the Christians I know having these problems. (Mind you, the majority of Christians the world over may have most of these problems. The majority of Christians I know don't.) But I do know SOME Christians that have some of these problems, and a few that have ALL of these problems.

But there is one problem you left out, that I have seen the majority of Christians have:

*What Christians Say: "I know what I believe and none of your lies can shake me from my faith."

The Truth: This is what I grew up being taught, it's what I have believed my whole life and I'm not about to discomfit myself by examining it now. I would rather believe what I have grown up with than be right, because changing what I believe is uncomfortable and sometimes unnerving.
 
LightShinesInTheDarkness

LightShinesInTheDarkness

Senior Member
#12
Dec 11, 2017
192
6
0
#12
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:7,8)


It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5)


The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
(Proverbs 14:14)


If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (Proverbs 9:12)


Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#13
Aug 28, 2012
19,214
2,550
113
#13
LightShinesInTheDarkness said:
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:7,8)


It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5)


The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
(Proverbs 14:14)


If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (Proverbs 9:12)


Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)
Click to expand...
Are you saying that you are giving correction and rebuke and we are just scoffing? You don't have to turn yourself into the martyr just because people disagree with you.
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#14
Aug 13, 2014
24,914
8,167
113
#14
LightShinesInTheDarkness said:
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:7,8)


It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5)


The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
(Proverbs 14:14)


If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (Proverbs 9:12)


Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)
Click to expand...
I wasn't scoffing... Shoot, I wasn't even disagreeing with you. Did you actually read what I said?
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#15
#15
LightShinesInTheDarkness said:
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:7,8)


It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5)


The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
(Proverbs 14:14)


If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (Proverbs 9:12)


Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)
Click to expand...
Under whose authority do you preach? You are a woman, therefore should be submitting to someone. So, who are you submitting to that you think you have authority to preach to people you do not know?
 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#16
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#16
PROVERBS 10:23.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
 
Didymous

Didymous

Senior Member
#17
Feb 22, 2018
5,047
2,099
113
#17
And the good news is this! If any of us are like this, Christ can-and is-changing us for the better! Praise our Lord Jesus!!
 
LightShinesInTheDarkness

LightShinesInTheDarkness

Senior Member
#18
Dec 11, 2017
192
6
0
#18
The WRONG attitude and mentality: "How close to sin can I get without going too far?"
OR
"I know what the Bible says, BUT..."


The RIGHT attitude and mentality: "How far away from sin can I stay so as not even to be tempted by it, in order to be pleasing in the sight of my holy God and to honor Him in my body and my spirit?"
AND
"What do the Scriptures say?"


If your mentality is the first one, it's time to change it to the second one. The second one should be a Christian's mentality, not the first.


"...If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire." (Matthew 18:8,9)


...Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)


...Give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)


Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
OR
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (Even the appearance of it.)


Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#20
#20
I'm with some others. While what was said in the OP was valid, painting with an overly broad brush does more to damage the point than prove it. A number of things said can be said in a context other than what the OP suggests.
 
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