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When "discernment" and "in the Spirit" makes statements flawless.What to do?
I notice tendencies in Christians, that can lead them down a very dangerous path filled with self-deception, and then that self-deception leads them to deceive others.
I'm going to address two areas I see this in.
1. Christians who believe they have "Spirit lead discernment" and are "in the Spirit" to such an extreme extent, they believe things they say under such "leadings" are flawless and beyond question. They view anyone who questions their "Spirit lead" statements or "discernments", as not being in the Spirit. After all, how could someone question them if they are "in the Spirit" too?
Their line of reasoning goes something like this.
"I am lead by the Spirit. The Spirit gives me discernment. Therefore, since I have discernment, and since I'm lead by the Spirit, and in the Spirit, everything I say under such leadings are flawless and beyond question. Questioning it is a sign someone isn't in the Spirit, and it shows they lack discernment that I have."
2. Christians who believe they are "in the Word" to such an extreme extent, that everything they teach and speak is beyond question.
These tendencies are very dangerous. They can lead to much self deception, and to the deception of others.
It's really hard to correct someone who claims their statements/teachings/assertions/whatever are "lead by the Spirit" and have the heft of "spiritual discernment" behind them. Again, God himself can't be corrected, so if someone truly thinks they're speaking the thoughts of God, well how can you counter that!?
It's not just hard to correct, it's so easy for them to deceive. Many sincere people want to have a tender heart toward the voice of God. So when someone comes along claiming to have all this "Spirit leading" and discernment, they may naively follow out of the sincerity and tenderness of their heart.
The same thing goes for those who claim to be so "in the Word". Their "in the Wordness" can create the same sense of self-deception and deception of others.
I don't know if there is a way to correct someone who falls into these tendencies. Some are so into it, they may simply continue on deceiving and being deceived.
On the other hand, such people may enjoy the "right" to be able to say whatever they want to say, with the heft of "I'm lead by the Spirit"/"I'm so in the word" supporting everything coming out of their mouths/pens/keyboards.
I notice tendencies in Christians, that can lead them down a very dangerous path filled with self-deception, and then that self-deception leads them to deceive others.
I'm going to address two areas I see this in.
1. Christians who believe they have "Spirit lead discernment" and are "in the Spirit" to such an extreme extent, they believe things they say under such "leadings" are flawless and beyond question. They view anyone who questions their "Spirit lead" statements or "discernments", as not being in the Spirit. After all, how could someone question them if they are "in the Spirit" too?
Their line of reasoning goes something like this.
"I am lead by the Spirit. The Spirit gives me discernment. Therefore, since I have discernment, and since I'm lead by the Spirit, and in the Spirit, everything I say under such leadings are flawless and beyond question. Questioning it is a sign someone isn't in the Spirit, and it shows they lack discernment that I have."
2. Christians who believe they are "in the Word" to such an extreme extent, that everything they teach and speak is beyond question.
These tendencies are very dangerous. They can lead to much self deception, and to the deception of others.
It's really hard to correct someone who claims their statements/teachings/assertions/whatever are "lead by the Spirit" and have the heft of "spiritual discernment" behind them. Again, God himself can't be corrected, so if someone truly thinks they're speaking the thoughts of God, well how can you counter that!?
It's not just hard to correct, it's so easy for them to deceive. Many sincere people want to have a tender heart toward the voice of God. So when someone comes along claiming to have all this "Spirit leading" and discernment, they may naively follow out of the sincerity and tenderness of their heart.
The same thing goes for those who claim to be so "in the Word". Their "in the Wordness" can create the same sense of self-deception and deception of others.
I don't know if there is a way to correct someone who falls into these tendencies. Some are so into it, they may simply continue on deceiving and being deceived.
On the other hand, such people may enjoy the "right" to be able to say whatever they want to say, with the heft of "I'm lead by the Spirit"/"I'm so in the word" supporting everything coming out of their mouths/pens/keyboards.
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