What constitutes a wolf in sheep's clothing?

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Jan 6, 2012
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#81
yes they are ? They control the jesuit order the jesuit order has been centralize to restore the catholic control or is it a deeper plan ? The jesuits have been the masons in control they have succesfully infiltrated every protestant and set up purposely universities to deceive and break the faith of many scholars by the theologies that have been concocted to destroy sound doctrinal teaching to purposely destroy the genuine belief the schollars had had by the means of a false theological teachings crafted by dumbfounded men of seer thought because they belong to the great wretched dragon goverment , wich their free mason insignia is the star of chiun , hence the star of remphan the star of molech the star of saturn wich pronounced shaw tahn in greek soundi.g like satan also being the the known star of david wich is not the star of david but a hexagram used in dark arts and implanted in all major religions even Hinduism and budism even the christians are deceived in tge usage of it and it happens to have the numerical value of -666 - , wich can also be seen worn on the hat of the pope and disquised as the sun symbol of the scepter of the pope being the egyptian equivalent of it the star of satan is in all the usa money especially the one dollar bill every bank is controlled by these individuals to purpose a higher scheme , is there true freedom or an illusion of it ? Or is this the nwo at work ? Fruit for thought . I am a jew an abrahamic jew not a proselite of the judaian blood not an anti semite a true jew proven through geneology and family history and bloodwork , the antichrist goverment has been at work since the day of old now will you hold fast in the faith ? This is the call for endurance on behalf of the saints , you can chose to disaknowledge this info if you wich , but i say do not let anyone deceive you by any means for the son of perdution will come with all deceivables but those will believe him because the love and tuth in them was diminished therefore God had confounded them with the sporit of delusion that they perceive a truth for a lie because they had not loved the truth .
Absolutely. Alberto Rivera was an ex-jesuit priest who left the Catholic church and exposed how the Roman Catholic church institution, how it has infiltrated and does infiltrate Christian churches and organizations (and websites as is very apparent on this site) in order to subvert the true worship of God, and other information on the real (not presented) beliefs and practices of the Catholic church. At this link, you can read his story which is also included in six comic books: Alberto Rivera
 
Jan 6, 2012
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#82
Below is what was cut out from my above post and is in defense of the authenticity of Rivera's story in the face of Catholic-controlled Christian outlets:

"When Chick Publications first published the personal testimony of former Jesuit Alberto Rivera, Rome called upon her ecumenical contacts to go on the attack. Rome's friends attacked the way they always have, by attacking the messenger. Not wanting to publicly discuss the serious charges Alberto lays against his former church, they tried to discredit him personally, hoping people would then not read his message.

"The most famous of these personal attacks was an open letter published inChristianity Today, which has been copied and distributed around the world many times since the 1980s. Upon reading this attack, a Christian named James Houston, who had read enough of history to know the truth of Alberto's charges, came forward. Following is the letter he wrote in defense of Alberto Rivera.

"Since the Christianity Today letter is still being distributed to attack Alberto's God-given message, even going so far as to deny he was ever a priest, we feel it is appropriate to make Houston's rebuttal available as well. It is vital that Bible-believing Christians understand the true nature of the Roman Catholic Church, so they will understand why they need to reach out in love to Catholics to lead them to saving faith in Jesus Christ." (Read more here: Answer to critics of former Jesuit priest, Alberto Rivera.)

I don't know why the above twice didn't make it into the last post though I posted it. Most of my post was cut out completely two times (a little strange). Here's the link for the Alberto Rivera story: Alberto Rivera
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#85
Okay, I tried to read through all the comments but just couldn't. I just want to reiterate before I get to bed, since I am seeing it more clearly while reading through this thread, that the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' Jesus mentioned in the OP passage is the person who is in reality a predator or person who purposely plans to take from and use the sheep to his advantage.

Also, Jesus chose words purposely. He used the words "sheep's clothing... ravenous wolves". Their cover (clothing) to get around Christians is a veneer of spirituality (sheep's clothing) which allows Christians to receive and trust them. They need this 'clothing' because their motive and intention is to trick and therefore gain from the sheep. They have no other motive and no kind of goodwill toward the sheep or the people they oversee or pastor; this is why Jesus calls them "ravenous (voracious, hungry/desirous to kill and eat) wolves". While it may be hard to believe there are people like this out there, Jesus says they are out there, and some other NT writers mention the inescapable judgment reserved for such ministers.

Finally, Jesus said, "By their fruits you will know them." Since He is talking solely about the inner heart of a wolf, He cannot mean 'outward works or success' when He says one will know/recognize a wolf by his fruits. In light of the fact that Jesus is, in Matt. 7:15-16, talking about the 2Pet. 2 and Jude level of false ministry (ministers whose condemnation cannot be reversed precisely because their every motivation is to use and profit from the sheep), it might behoove some people to then ask what fruit He meant when He says, "By their fruits you will know them"?
I question some of the so called wolves in sheep's clothing.
Do you think the Scribes and Pharisees saw themselves as wolves? And yet Jesus called them serpents and vipers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
I think they didn't even know, but unlike most Christians, they saw themselves as holy people of God.
So what of the people of today? Do you think we have people who call themselves Christian, and even believe they are, seeing themselves as the Lord's sheep, and yet are wolves in sheep's clothing because of their inward parts?
 

Apostol2013

Senior Member
Jan 27, 2013
2,105
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#86
I question some of the so called wolves in sheep's clothing.
Do you think the Scribes and Pharisees saw themselves as wolves? And yet Jesus called them serpents and vipers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
I think they didn't even know, but unlike most Christians, they saw themselves as holy people of God.
So what of the people of today? Do you think we have people who call themselves Christian, and even believe they are, seeing themselves as the Lord's sheep, and yet are wolves in sheep's clothing because of their inward parts?
Absolutely i think it to be because many christians are led by tradition . Or they absolutely know they are wolves but yes many christians because they are not discerned andw where led wrong or refused sound doctrine because of authority but this is because of a carnal nature either we are reborn of the spirit or we will not enter the kingdom of heaven but many are aware look at the catholics the word of God is plain and still they have traditions that are abominable in the eyes of the lord asking dead saints idolatry purgarory the entirepriest system etc all the murders persecutions conspiracys etc and still they see nothing wrong , because in masonry they are revealed that their God is satan jesuits vatican pope tge same organization.the beast goverment
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#87
Absolutely i think it to be because many christians are led by tradition . Or they absolutely know they are wolves but yes many christians because they are not discerned andw where led wrong or refused sound doctrine because of authority but this is because of a carnal nature either we are reborn of the spirit or we will not enter the kingdom of heaven but many are aware look at the catholics the word of God is plain and still they have traditions that are abominable in the eyes of the lord asking dead saints idolatry purgarory the entirepriest system etc all the murders persecutions conspiracys etc and still they see nothing wrong , because in masonry they are revealed that their God is satan jesuits vatican pope tge same organization.the beast goverment
I have found many people to be followers of somebody they wish to be accepted by or the ones they idolize.
Generally, I receive things in scripture that most haven't even considered. Not even myself.
However, being the only one with certain doctrine should give one pause to consider why. I've done that, and I have come to the conclusion that it is because I am hearing from God and others aren't.
I sound so lofty, don't I?
Actually, I am only having a little fun again.
But seriously, I find most to be like one nation going to war against another, where the one being attacked, hunkers down, digs in, and fights with all they got, without question because the enemy is before them.
Like dogs chasing after a mechanical rabbit. All they see and their only aim is to get that wabbit.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#88
I don't know sir. I think you were the first one to bring it up.
Now if you would read what I wrote you might understand what I was saying, which had to do with double standards and being deceitful, which had to do with a wolf or a wolf in sheep's clothing which was one who perverted scripture, which defined what a wolf was or the kind of person that would be a wolf or wolf in sheep's clothing.
Again, this is simple stuff and it's not hard to follow, if you read what I wrote.
I wasn't writing about name it claim it, even though it is scripturally sound. I used those promises to show the double standards used by most, when dealing with anything outside the salvation promises, which, by the way, no one has as yet even tried to show that I misinterpreted, twisted, or used double standards on the scripture verses in which I used.
Name it and claim it is unscriptural and is most likely at the root of your dilemma.
The promises can't just be blabbed and grabbed, they have to be in accordance with this...

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
(1Jn 5:14)
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#89
Name it and claim it is unscriptural and is most likely at the root of your dilemma.
The promises can't just be blabbed and grabbed, they have to be in accordance with this...

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
(1Jn 5:14)
I didn't know I had a dilemma.
Well, I have to agree with you on one account. The promises cannot just be blabbed and grabbed, because that wouldn't be in accordance to scripture. You have to have faith while blabbing, then you can grab.
My confidence sir is in the word of God.
The word of God IS the will of God. Perhaps you don't know what, 'what so ever you desire' means, but I do. I have great confidence that I'm not the one screwing up such a simple interpretation.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#90
I didn't know I had a dilemma.
Well, I have to agree with you on one account. The promises cannot just be blabbed and grabbed, because that wouldn't be in accordance to scripture. You have to have faith while blabbing, then you can grab.
My confidence sir is in the word of God.
The word of God IS the will of God. Perhaps you don't know what, 'what so ever you desire' means, but I do. I have great confidence that I'm not the one screwing up such a simple interpretation.
This also is the 'Word of God' which you forgot to respond to...


And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1Jn 5:14)

There, I made it easy and hope you not only see, but ponder what is in red.
 
Jan 6, 2012
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#91
I question some of the so called wolves in sheep's clothing.
Do you think the Scribes and Pharisees saw themselves as wolves? And yet Jesus called them serpents and vipers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
I think they didn't even know, but unlike most Christians, they saw themselves as holy people of God.
So what of the people of today? Do you think we have people who call themselves Christian, and even believe they are, seeing themselves as the Lord's sheep, and yet are wolves in sheep's clothing because of their inward parts?
Sorry to be redundant in this post, but it sometimes helps. Remember that Jesus chose His words carefully and purposely. (Isa. 11:3-4, 50:4.) That means that whatever term He used was tailored specifically for the person or people He was talking to. The character of wolves and serpents (two different types of deceivers) is what Jesus is getting at. Jesus called some Jews of His time "serpents" because they did the will of satan the serpent. He called ministers who prey on the people "wolves" as wolves are enemies of sheep and shepherds. Because the ministers must put on sheep clothing (pretend to be Christian) in order to be accepted among Christians, Jesus calls them "wolves in sheep's clothing".

Yes, there are different types of wolves, snakes, vultures; but in the Matt. 7:15-16 passage, Jesus is primarily and specifically addressing ministers who consciously are using Christians for the ministers' own personal gain. He purposely chooses His words wisely as to what to call them: "wolves in sheep's clothing". Talking about the "wolves in sheep's clothing" brand of ministers, Jesus said that good trees don't produce bad fruit nor bad trees good fruit. Because we all know that bad people can do good and good people bad, this means Jesus is specifically addressing 'totally spoiled hopeless' (condemned) trees. You might paraphrase it this way: "Completely spoiled hopeless trees cannot produce good fruit." And that's true. Here's how Jude talks about these "wolves in sheep's clothing" in relating them to trees also:

"These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without [reverence/holy character], serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots."

A bad tree is a dead tree, and it cannot bear <good> fruit. Trees generally die once; a twice dead tree implies no hope of rescue (salvation), bearing no good fruit and therefore pulled up by the roots (both John the Baptist and Jesus tell us in the Gospels that branches or trees that are fruitless will be plucked up and burned). So, in mentioning wolves in sheep's clothing, Jesus is addressing the specific type of minister whose only intention is to take from and use Christians for his own gain.
 

Yet

Banned
Jan 4, 2014
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#92
Jack Chick failed in one area. The biggest evil of all. That is to expose the light of day on Luther and his failure to drop the devilish clerical/laity system which the Catholic Church embraces and picked up from Ignatius of Antioch at the end of the first century. Ignatius delighted in the deeds of the Nicolaitans and admired Diotrephes self exaltation.

This is all entrenched in the body of Christ. And brother it's gonna take a Red Sea size miracle to break this satanic stronghold.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,721
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#93
Jack Chick failed in one area. The biggest evil of all. That is to expose the light of day on Luther and his failure to drop the devilish clerical/laity system which the Catholic Church embraces and picked up from Ignatius of Antioch at the end of the first century. Ignatius delighted in the deeds of the Nicolaitans and admired Diotrephes self exaltation.

This is all entrenched in the body of Christ. And brother it's gonna take a Red Sea size miracle to break this satanic stronghold.
I believe Luther did drop it (priesthood of all believers), it was the later Lutherans that picked it up again.
 

sacraig67

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2014
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#94
I didn't know I had a dilemma.
Well, I have to agree with you on one account. The promises cannot just be blabbed and grabbed, because that wouldn't be in accordance to scripture. You have to have faith while blabbing, then you can grab.
My confidence sir is in the word of God.
The word of God IS the will of God. Perhaps you don't know what, 'what so ever you desire' means, but I do. I have great confidence that I'm not the one screwing up such a simple interpretation.
So basically what you are saying is if we have enough faith and we pray to God He will give it to us? But you have one dilemma here Romans 12:3 "...In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." So by these two verses we see our faith comes from God. So if we have faith and pray and don't get it does that mean God did not give us enough faith?
You my friend are the one twisting the Word of God to what you want it to say.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#95
Sorry to be redundant in this post, but it sometimes helps. Remember that Jesus chose His words carefully and purposely. (Isa. 11:3-4, 50:4.) That means that whatever term He used was tailored specifically for the person or people He was talking to. The character of wolves and serpents (two different types of deceivers) is what Jesus is getting at. Jesus called some Jews of His time "serpents" because they did the will of satan the serpent. He called ministers who prey on the people "wolves" as wolves are enemies of sheep and shepherds. Because the ministers must put on sheep clothing (pretend to be Christian) in order to be accepted among Christians, Jesus calls them "wolves in sheep's clothing".

Yes, there are different types of wolves, snakes, vultures; but in the Matt. 7:15-16 passage, Jesus is primarily and specifically addressing ministers who consciously are using Christians for the ministers' own personal gain. He purposely chooses His words wisely as to what to call them: "wolves in sheep's clothing". Talking about the "wolves in sheep's clothing" brand of ministers, Jesus said that good trees don't produce bad fruit nor bad trees good fruit. Because we all know that bad people can do good and good people bad, this means Jesus is specifically addressing 'totally spoiled hopeless' (condemned) trees. You might paraphrase it this way: "Completely spoiled hopeless trees cannot produce good fruit." And that's true. Here's how Jude talks about these "wolves in sheep's clothing" in relating them to trees also:

"These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without [reverence/holy character], serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots."

A bad tree is a dead tree, and it cannot bear <good> fruit. Trees generally die once; a twice dead tree implies no hope of rescue (salvation), bearing no good fruit and therefore pulled up by the roots (both John the Baptist and Jesus tell us in the Gospels that branches or trees that are fruitless will be plucked up and burned). So, in mentioning wolves in sheep's clothing, Jesus is addressing the specific type of minister whose only intention is to take from and use Christians for his own gain.
Thank you for the correction sir, I believe you are correct to a certain extent.
I agree with most of what you so politely said, but I believe, just like you have to know what the wolf represents in the man, one needs to do the same with the tree. Regardless of what Jesus called them, wolves, sheep, serpents, and the like, He was talking about their nature that is on the inside of them. Their nature is governed by the kind or type of tree that is in them. The kind of tree that is in them is dependent upon the type of seed that was planted in their heart.
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
I'm not going to go into it much, but one is able to make this tree that Jesus is talking about, either good or bad, so that it produces either good or bad fruit.
The heart usually is referred to as some type of earth, field, ground, or kingdom. The type or kind of spirit within the man is sometimes used as a type of seed or plant. The kind of seed that gets planted in the heart, is the kind of person the man will be, which will be the deciding factor in the kind of fruit he produces.
Though he may have been referring to a specific group for the words He chose, the seed that made the corrupt trees came from the same source, which would be the serpent himself.
In order to produce good fruit, one must have a tree good. To have a good tree, one must have a good seed. We are born again, by the seed of God via His word. When we receive this good seed, we will have a good tree that produces good fruit.
The corrupt tree can die and a good one be planted in its place, for Jesus said, 'either make the tree good..., or make it bad..., for the tree is known by his fruit.'
When we receive Jesus through the word of God, we receive good seed, and should produce good fruit.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#96
This also is the 'Word of God' which you forgot to respond to...


And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1Jn 5:14)
There, I made it easy and hope you not only see, but ponder what is in red.
Okay, I pondered on the red type. I also pondered on the rest of that verse along with verse 15.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
And this is the confidence we have in Him. Confidence equates to faith, does it not?
What about knowing? That too, is the result of faith.
We KNOW that we have the petition. If you don't know if it is His will for the thing you ask, do you have any confidence at all that He will hear you, or even more, to know that it HAS been given to you or granted?
I should say, not. Not in the least bit. If you pray for something not knowing if it is God's will for you to have the thing you are petitioning God for, then there ain't no way you can have any confidence or faith, KNOWING that it has been given to you. Because you don't know if it's His will, you don't know what's going to happen or what God is going to do. No faith, no faith at all.
Let's look at part of what you emboldened in red.
To ASK for ANYTHING OR ANY THING of God.
Would you say, 'name it claim it' or 'blab it grab it', has anything to do with ASKING? Wouldn't you agree that asking God for something is petitioning Him for the thing you asked, and name it claim it is SPEAKING TO or COMMANDING it to be?
Mk 11:23 says, '...and whosoever shall SAY, SPEAK, answer, bid, bring word, call, COMMAND, TELL...'
These are not words of asking or petitioning for something.
The next word is, 'TO OR UNTO'.
Again, this is not asking for God to do something, but speaking to something. Completely different.
With the kind of prayers you say, not knowing if it is God's will or not, there is absolutely no faith in it, not even a micro dot. There is no confidence, and especially, you don't know if God heard you, and you certainly don't know if He is going to grant you your request. There is like, zero faith in that.
'Lord, if it be your will...'
That is soooooo NOT the will of God. How is that faith. Lord if it be your will you could save me.
God said to come boldly to the throne of grace. There's no boldness in that kind of prayer, nor is there an ounce of faith in it either.
So in short, the scripture you used is ASKING OR PETITIONING for something, when the name it claim it is saying, speaking, confessing, or commanding it to be.
I say they are clearly different.
I would also like to point out that verse 15 backs up Mk 11:24 when both say that you already have it, that it is already done.
Well, I am sure you are still saying that I need to know what His will is, even after what I wrote, but I will have to do that another time.
 
Jan 6, 2012
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#97
Regardless of what Jesus called them, wolves, sheep, serpents, and the like, He was talking about their nature that is on the inside of them. Their nature is governed by the kind or type of tree that is in them. The kind of tree that is in them is dependent upon the type of seed that was planted in their heart.
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit...

The heart usually is referred to as some type of earth, field, ground, or kingdom. The type or kind of spirit within the man is sometimes used as a type of seed or plant. The kind of seed that gets planted in the heart, is the kind of person the man will be, which will be the deciding factor in the kind of fruit he produces.
Precisely. What makes an apple tree an apple tree? It isn't the apples or the leaves or the trunk or branches but the apple seed that makes an apple tree an apple tree. That means that even if an apple tree never yielded apples (like the fig tree that Jesus cursed), it is still an apple tree by virtue of the apple seed. And so for every other tree.

Yes, Jesus was specifying the 2Pet. 2 and Jude type of wolves, but He was also talking about all other dishonest and insincere claimants to speak from God (i.e. prophets, teachers). The Bible, from the OT to NT, often will speak about one thing but is actually speaking of two (or more) things. David said, "One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard" (Ps. 62:11), and Jesus said, "The words I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (Jn. 6:63). Jesus' teachings basically all follow that model: when He said or did one thing, He was communicating two or more things. By talking about seeing into a person's heart (or nature), for instance, He was also telling us that it will take supernatural insight (or the Holy Spirit's enabling) to be able to pull it off (which means you can't just tell who is good or bad by looking at and studying them). For some Christians who believe this is impossible, Saints were doing it as far back as the OT, and Solomon said, "The purposes (thoughts, intentions, motives) of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out" (Pro. 20:5). To spot any variety of wolf, we all need to have 'insight' or 'the ability to see inside' people and situations.

"Make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt." Bad seed doesn't have to try to produce bad fruit; it will. The same with good seed. Another meaning of "fruit" in Matt. 7:15-16 is 'children' or better translation 'offspring'. Sports teams play according to how they are coached; the coach doesn't teach them to go right and they go left or it couldn't work. Everything has to be working together, because a divided house can't stand. In the same way, sheep under a minister will imitate or mimic him and his values even without knowing. The minister sets the pace and tone like a coach; the people follow his example. If he is hard at work in ministry, his members will be zealous to minister; if he is passive, his sheep will be passive. Confused ministers reproduce confused Christians; selfish ministers bear selfish 'fruits'; and godly ministers impart godly attitudes to their flock. "Therefore, by their fruits you will recognize them" (Matt. 7:20).
 

tribesman

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2011
4,621
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#98
What kind of person would you consider a wolf in sheep's clothing?
If any of you say the op, just to get some kudos from others, it might help to state why you think I might be considered a candidate.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


Most of you don't believe in prophets for today so lets remove the words false prophets. Now what kind of person would you put in the false prophet's place? What characteristic traits, knowledge, gift, ...etc,.
Someone who is unregenerate and self righteous but still claims to be righteous before God. A natural, carnal man who hates God and who has no knowledge or experience from the Holy Spirit regarding sin, righteous and judgment. There are plenty of these masquerading as christians, "preaching" from the Bible and sometimes even making (lying) signs and wonders. Kyrie eleison.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
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#99
So basically what you are saying is if we have enough faith and we pray to God He will give it to us? But you have one dilemma here Romans 12:3 "...In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." So by these two verses we see our faith comes from God. So if we have faith and pray and don't get it does that mean God did not give us enough faith?
You my friend are the one twisting the Word of God to what you want it to say.
So basically what you are saying is if we have enough faith and we pray to God He will give it to us? But you have one dilemma here Romans 12:3 "...In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." So by these two verses we see our faith comes from God. So if we have faith and pray and don't get it does that mean God did not give us enough faith?
You my friend are the one twisting the Word of God to what you want it to say.
Sir, how do we get faith?
Isn't it by hearing the word of God?
The bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, so naturally, it comes from God, but if you don't hear the truth of God's word, say for healing, how will you have faith for it if you haven't heard that Jesus already bore that for you and that it is already done?
You won't and can't have any faith.
Like Allin said, a church that teaches salvation only, will have people getting saved, only. A church that teaches healing with salvation, will have healings and salvation, and so on. It will be according to what they hear.
So If you don't have faith, you need to hear the truth of God's word. Some get it faster than others.
As for me, it has taken a long time.
Also, if you claim that I have twisted scripture, you need to point out where specifically I twisted it.
I did not say if we have enough faith and pray to God that He will give it to us.
If you are talking about the name it claim it thing, then what ever scripture verses I used, I just repeated the very thing that was written.
If you were not taught anything from your church against speaking forth God's word, and you were to read the verses I used. You would have to agree what I was saying is exactly what the word of God says. It's just because you have some watered down teaching in you already, and in order for you to see what is written in front of your eyes, you would have to unlearn the things you have been taught.

Below is a copy of what I wrote. If I have twisted something, please show me.


I had a little time on my hands, so I wrote a little something up for your post.
How is it a double standard and deceitful?
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Everyone translates this literally. That Jesus meant exactly as it is written. Everlasting means forever. Shall not come into condemnation means no condemnationto them that believe on Jesus. No problem.
However, when it comes to anything above salvation, such as healings or miracles, everyong will automatically put the verse being interpreted in the allagory category.


For example:
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree,...
I cut this truth short to raise a point.
Verily means truly, and truly means it can stand alone without adding to it to make it the whole council of God.
The promise of God says if you have faith and doubt not you shall do the same thing with a physical tree as Jesus did with the fig tree.
So if the fig tree represents Israel, then we shall do to Israel What Jesus did to the fig tree? I should think not.
The fact is, you haven't His word abiding in you. You are thinking like men, natural men, saying He couldn't mean a physical tree or especially a physical mountain. No that would be impossible.
That would also lay the responsibility on the so called believer. Which it is.


What about this one?
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.
No problem, Jesus ment what He said. If you believe on Him you will have everlasting life, but He also said He is the bread of life.
So is the bread of life a type of something?


What about the below verse?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Most would probably say, this is definitely a type or representation of some sort.
We cannot eat Jesus' flesh and drink His blood, can we? Surely He didn't mean we have to really eat His flesh and drink His blood, did He?
Why not? Are you thinking like men again?
Jesus is called the word of God, not because it is a type of something, but because He IS the word of the living God.
Is the flesh we are to eat and the blood we are to drink just types and kinds of things that make up Jesus in who He is? Or is the word of God really His flesh and the Holy Ghost really His blood, and that IS who He really is and how He is made? And that is what we are to both eat and drink, respectively.


What about this one?
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Here again it starts with a double verily, which cannot make it any more or be a more truthful statement or promise of God.
And Jesus makes a most profound promise to those who believe on Him. That being, that they SHALL do the very same things that He did and even GREATER works than He did, shall those who believe, do.
Please don't be so naive or gullible into thinking that getting people saved tops even some of the things Jesus did.
Greater really means greater, so stop trying to make excuses for your failure by changing what is written to make it fit your actual experiences, as though you are the most holy and righteous thing that walked the earth and that if it doesn't work that way in your life, then it couldn't possibly mean what it says, because it would have to be that way in your life if it was the truth.
Not only that, but He goes on to tell us that if we ask ANYTHING in His name, He will do it. Do you think anything means anything, or only those things that are of His will?
If you say, 'of His will', then you are applying double standard to the word of God. Again, either verily verily means exactly what is stated below it, or you are simply adding to the word what isn't there, thereby changing what it truly is saying. In effect, changing a truth to a lie.


What about this one below?
Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
How many times does God have to say something to a person who doubts, before he really believes what He as God has actually said?
Can you paste this in the allegory category?
Could it be that God actually meant what He said, and that you don't have what you desire because you are missing what He said?


Here is yet another promise of God.
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
When God says, 'everyone' does He really mean everyone?
When God says, 'shall be given you and receiveth' does He really mean everyone who asks, what they ask, shall be given to them and that they shall receive it, like it is written?
Or is this a type of something also?
Again, double standards and deceiptful to me.
God has said the same thing over and over again, many different ways, and you still don't believe what He said, and continue to make the word of God of none effect because you change the word of God or the truth of His word into a lie. Making it say something it does not say because you can't believe that He really meant what He said.
So how can you say that you are rightly dividing the word of God, when you are changing what He said into something He clearly did not say, making it a lie of the devil, rendering it powerless and making it useless to the believer.


I hear a lot about God will not answer prayer if it isn't in His will.
So what about this verse?
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Can anyone tell me whose will is involved in this promise?
Is this a truthful promise of God, or is it just another one of those half truths that you have to add to, to get the whole council of God?
Mark 11:24 says basically the same thing.
...What things soever ye desire,...
I don't see God's will written in that statement either.
Below is yet another.
Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
It is written again, that God WILL give us the desires of our hearts, not His.
When you stop trying to make the word of God say something it is not saying, then and only then can you even start to receive the actual truth of God's word.
It is written,
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
How many witnesses do you need before it is established within you, before you actually believe the word of God or what He said and stop changing it into a lie of the devil?
Again, I see what most of you are doing with the word of God as deceiptful, at the very least, but most certainly showing double standards when it comes to exegesis of the holy scriptures.


I find in scripture that most wolves see themselves as sheep, and not as wolves or wolves in sheep's clothing.
In fact, most don't even know they are wolves or wolves in sheep's clothing, BECAUSE they see themselves as sheep.
But this is where God said, you shall know them by there fruit.
To me, if you are UNKNOWINGLY changing the word of God, making it say what it is not, or basically into a lie, thereby rendering it useless, you are a wolf in sheep's clothing.
If you are changing it KNOWINGLY and PURPOSEFULLY to be deceitful and to deceive others, then I see you as a wolf.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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Precisely. What makes an apple tree an apple tree? It isn't the apples or the leaves or the trunk or branches but the apple seed that makes an apple tree an apple tree. That means that even if an apple tree never yielded apples (like the fig tree that Jesus cursed), it is still an apple tree by virtue of the apple seed. And so for every other tree.

Yes, Jesus was specifying the 2Pet. 2 and Jude type of wolves, but He was also talking about all other dishonest and insincere claimants to speak from God (i.e. prophets, teachers). The Bible, from the OT to NT, often will speak about one thing but is actually speaking of two (or more) things. David said, "One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard" (Ps. 62:11), and Jesus said, "The words I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (Jn. 6:63). Jesus' teachings basically all follow that model: when He said or did one thing, He was communicating two or more things. By talking about seeing into a person's heart (or nature), for instance, He was also telling us that it will take supernatural insight (or the Holy Spirit's enabling) to be able to pull it off (which means you can't just tell who is good or bad by looking at and studying them). For some Christians who believe this is impossible, Saints were doing it as far back as the OT, and Solomon said, "The purposes (thoughts, intentions, motives) of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out" (Pro. 20:5). To spot any variety of wolf, we all need to have 'insight' or 'the ability to see inside' people and situations.

"Make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt." Bad seed doesn't have to try to produce bad fruit; it will. The same with good seed. Another meaning of "fruit" in Matt. 7:15-16 is 'children' or better translation 'offspring'. Sports teams play according to how they are coached; the coach doesn't teach them to go right and they go left or it couldn't work. Everything has to be working together, because a divided house can't stand. In the same way, sheep under a minister will imitate or mimic him and his values even without knowing. The minister sets the pace and tone like a coach; the people follow his example. If he is hard at work in ministry, his members will be zealous to minister; if he is passive, his sheep will be passive. Confused ministers reproduce confused Christians; selfish ministers bear selfish 'fruits'; and godly ministers impart godly attitudes to their flock. "Therefore, by their fruits you will recognize them" (Matt. 7:20).
You are a wise and godly man sir. I am impressed and have not found many with your insight and knowledge of God's word concerning this subject. It was also very well said or written. Very nice indeed.
Thank you. I could learn some things from you, I am sure.