Why do "bible believing" Christian use "reality" to justify what they believe?

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know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#21
Peter say the transfigured Jesus in all His glory. Peter heard the Father speak to His Son. And yet, Peter says that we have something more sure than his own experiences. The word of God always trumps our experiences. If our experiences do not line up with the word of God, the experience cannot be trusted as coming from the Lord.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Precisely.
I was going to bring that scripture up at some point, so, thank you.
Scripture teaches, as you just pointed out, the word of God is a more sure word than our experiences.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#22
Here is some reading to consider:

Is the ‘Name It Claim It’ Teaching Biblical? | Truth in Reality

(excerpt)

Another problem with the name it and claim it teaching is that if fails to recognize that Jesus Himself is the ultimate treasure worth sacrificing everything for (Matthew 13:44) and instead sees Jesus as little more than a way of getting what we want right now. Jesus’ message is that a Christian is called to “…deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul” (Matthew 16:24-24). Contrast that to the message of the prosperity gospel. Rather than being a message of self-denial, the prosperity gospel is one of self-satisfaction. Its goal is not becoming more Christ-like through sacrifice but having what we want here and now, clearly contradicting the words of our Savior.
Again, you have failed to prove the doctrine itself as being false.
You are only pointing to HOW it is being used and the MOTIVE behind it.
The scripture is still there, saying the same thing, untouched.
You continue to dance around the heart of the doctrine, without actually confronting it head on.
If I have put my faith is say, Jn 3:16, then you need to go directly to Jn 3:16 and tare it apart to get me to change my mind.
You can tell me till you're blue in the face how, "that salvation thing don't work, I said the sinner's prayer and I'm still a doubting sinner", it won't do any good, because my faith is in and on the rock.
Do you know what the rock and sand represent?
The rock is the word/promises of God, and the sand is everything but the word of God.
God's word is sure, this natural world and the people who live in it, are not.
SO STOP LOOKING AT THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT, AND START FOCUSING YOUR SIGHTS AND ATTENTION ON THE LIVING WORD OF GOD.
People and the world will fail you, but God and His word WON'T.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,585
3,616
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#24
It use to be, years ago, most would use scripture as their authority, to argue their point.
Reality therefore, dictates what they should believe and not believe, or what doctrines to believe and which ones to call "doctrines of the devil".
I do not need to call a doctrine a doctrine of the devil.. I can play it safe and just declare it un-biblical.. I do fear for people who jump to throw this accusation on any doctrine they do not think is from God.. People throw this around like confetti and the danger is they will declare a doctrine that is of the Holy Spirit to be a doctrine of the devil.. And we know that people who do this are blaspheming the Holy Spirit and they shall never have forgiveness in this world or the next.. So people be very very very cautious.. You may be wrong in your thoughts..


Words of faith
I have heard of the WOF prosperity doctrines.. Is this what you are referring to when you say "words of faith"?

Not going to comment on the doctrine until i am sure what doctrine you are actually talking about..

how can we tell which interpretations are of the truth, both of and from God, and which ones are not, when reality, or the real world, is involved?
We ask the Holy Spirit is it from Him.. Is it the truth..

James 1: KJV
5- "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. {6} But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#25
Revivalist movement?
What is that about?
It's a movement that began in the 1700s and has become the western church model. It's all about putting on the right music, and plays, and anything for strumming emotions to coax a "decision for Jesus" from people.
 
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Godsgirl83

Guest
#26
If we who call ourselves "Christians" (sorry, I prefer to use the term "BELIEVERS" but that might be subject for another thread)

are claiming to be following Christ and His examples, then we need to look at Matthew 4 where Jesus was tempted by Satan himself.

Did He say "well, it has been my experience that if this happens that this will be the results....."

NO!

What Jesus said EVERY TIME was "IT IS WRITTEN"

so, when it comes to dividing what is biblical truth and what is man made doctrine we should be looking to the Word with the same declaration "It is written......"
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
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#27
I am one that uses reality to give truth to scripture. Case in point, when people ask "Why is there so much evil in the world?" I simply state the fall of creation and how the Earth itself became cursed. I also imply how lucifer's dominion is upon the Earth and not in hell(Not to be confused with Greek mythology of Hades being the ruler of the underworld).
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,100
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#28
It's a movement that began in the 1700s and has become the western church model. It's all about putting on the right music, and plays, and anything for strumming emotions to coax a "decision for Jesus" from people.
Sorry, but I don't know anything about that, other than what you just wrote.
Not sure how that fits in with the subject though.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
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987
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#29
If we who call ourselves "Christians" (sorry, I prefer to use the term "BELIEVERS" but that might be subject for another thread)

are claiming to be following Christ and His examples, then we need to look at Matthew 4 where Jesus was tempted by Satan himself.

Did He say "well, it has been my experience that if this happens that this will be the results....."

NO!

What Jesus said EVERY TIME was "IT IS WRITTEN"

so, when it comes to dividing what is biblical truth and what is man made doctrine we should be looking to the Word with the same declaration "It is written......"
I have also taken issue with the umbrella word "Christian." Its lost its cogitation due to so many different sects claiming to be Christian, but are not. This would also include heretic faiths such as Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses which don't follow the true living Christ.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,100
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#30
I have heard of the WOF prosperity doctrines.. Is this what you are referring to when you say "words of faith"?
No, word of faith is word of faith, and prosperity is prosperity.
Yes, you can use words of faith to obtain prosperity, but you can also use it to curse yourself, family, and others, as well.
To put it another way, you HAD TO use WOF to get saved when you received Christ in your heart.
Without WOF, there is no salvation for many.
Jesus said, "Take no thought SAYING..."
Romans 10:8-10, explains what word of faith is and how it works for one's salvation, but the same principal can be applied to just about anything.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,068
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#31
It use to be, years ago, most would use scripture as their authority, to argue their point.
Now, most use the real world as their authority and to trump the truths of the bible.
I hear many say they believe the bible as the truth and even that it is the inerrant word of God, written through holy men of old who were moved by the Holy Ghost, only for them to completely ignore what is written and state what others are doing or what happened to others or themselves, as though, by stating such, proves said statement is the evidence of what is the real truth and true authority to follow.
The bible seems to have become irrelevant in today's church and to so-called believers.
I ask many, "what is written?", only for it to go ignored or for them to tell me what happened to someone or what so and so did, or what is happening in the "real world".
What in God's green earth, does that have to do with what truth is?
They don't live in a pipe dream world..., no..., reality dictates what is fact, (considered by them to be truth,) and what is fiction.
If the interpretation doesn't line up with "reality", then it's fiction, and therefore we need to change said interpretation to line up with our FAILED experiences.
Reality therefore, dictates what they should believe and not believe, or what doctrines to believe and which ones to call "doctrines of the devil".
And now, even doctrines used by those who produce, so-called, "bad fruit", are considered bad or evil doctrines, and lies of the devil, while that which truly is bad and evil, such as sickness and poverty, are considered blessings of and from God.
What happened to scripture being the foundation of doctrines?
Words of faith, is a doctrine straight out of the scriptures, yet it is called a lie of the devil, and those whose teach such, such as yours truly, are called heretics, cultist, liars, evil, and corrupt teacher of doctrines of devils, and the like.
So what is your doctrinal authority in and how do you justify it, if it is not in the word of God?
And how can we tell which interpretations are of the truth, both of and from God, and which ones are not, when reality, or the real world, is involved?

Jesus said in John 14: 6

He was the way the truth and the life. the text in the Greek reads like this some say " I am the only way, the only truth, and the only life apart from ME you have none of it.

NO, Jesus, you have no truth, no life, and no way.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom & Knowledge. The relationship with Christ is paramount. This issues you speak are nothing new, they have been done since the creation of man and women. they repeated the word of God and did so incorrectly

Eve did
Cain did.
Moses did
David did
Samson did
The devil
and many more.

Jesus came to testify of the truth. AS Christian we aRE TO BUILD OUR UNDERSTANDING around Jesus. Not build around the current world condition and make Christ fix into our reality. HE does not conform to our thinking. Jesus transforms ours.

How do we know it it is God? From the Word of God is correct?

  1. you must be born again, saved, regenerated by grace through faith in Jesus
  2. have the Holy Spirit empowerment to be a witness as acts 1:8 says ( Jesus speaking)
  3. study the word of God and pray
  4. testimony of God
  5. our understanding must do the following of Gods word:

  • Bring Glory to God not man
  • Be true
  • Build up the Body of Christ
  • restore
  • comfort
  • set free
  • equip to do the will of God
  • transform the mind of the person
  • confirmed by God when it is spoken by one getting saved, healed delivered
  • Expose the works of the devil

If your Doctrine does this, it is clear the God of the Bible is in agreement and blessing that ministry
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#32
Sorry, but I don't know anything about that, other than what you just wrote.
Not sure how that fits in with the subject though.
It's the root of the subject.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#33
I am one that uses reality to give truth to scripture. Case in point, when people ask "Why is there so much evil in the world?" I simply state the fall of creation and how the Earth itself became cursed. I also imply how lucifer's dominion is upon the Earth and not in hell(Not to be confused with Greek mythology of Hades being the ruler of the underworld).
No, you did the opposite of what I said many do.
What you did was use scripture to explain reality.
That is right and good, and exactly what we should be doing, NOT THE REVERSE.
Many use reality to form a doctrine from their failures, and not from the bible.
In fact, they reject or ignore many verses in the bible, because it contradicts their experiences, but will instead point to reality to prove their doctrine to be true.
Again, they use examples of reality to form their doctrine, ALWAYS pointing to natural events, to prove, validate, or give authority to, their version.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,100
180
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#34
If we who call ourselves "Christians" (sorry, I prefer to use the term "BELIEVERS" but that might be subject for another thread)

are claiming to be following Christ and His examples, then we need to look at Matthew 4 where Jesus was tempted by Satan himself.

Did He say "well, it has been my experience that if this happens that this will be the results....."

NO!

What Jesus said EVERY TIME was "IT IS WRITTEN"

so, when it comes to dividing what is biblical truth and what is man made doctrine we should be looking to the Word with the same declaration "It is written......"
PREACH IT GIRL!!!
Case and point.
Very well said, and that is exact what we need to do, because God watches over and hastens to perform HIS WORD spoken in faith, NOT OURS, as His word IS THE POWER OF GOD.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
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987
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#35
No, you did the opposite of what I said many do.
What you did was use scripture to explain reality.
That is right and good, and exactly what we should be doing, NOT THE REVERSE.
Many use reality to form a doctrine from their failures, and not from the bible.
In fact, they reject or ignore many verses in the bible, because it contradicts their experiences, but will instead point to reality to prove their doctrine to be true.
Again, they use examples of reality to form their doctrine, ALWAYS pointing to natural events, to prove, validate, or give authority to, their version.
You are correct and that’s why many who believe they are saved are in fact going to end up in hell.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#36
It use to be, years ago, most would use scripture as their authority, to argue their point. Now, most use the real world as their authority and to trump the truths of the bible.
To understand this phenomenon, one needs to see that within a major part of Christendom the Holy Bible is NOT the final and absolute authority in spiritual, religious, or practical Christian matters. There are many factors which have contributed to this (and it would take a very lengthy post to get into the details), but overall Christendom is in a state of apostasy -- a departure from the truth and from from the faith.

This does not mean that Christians should simply throw up their hands in despair. Those who wish to make the Bible -- God's Word -- the final authority in their lives and in their church, should do so with full confidence. There will always be a faithful remnant on earth.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#37
I have also taken issue with the umbrella word "Christian." Its lost its cogitation due to so many different sects claiming to be Christian, but are not. This would also include heretic faiths such as Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses which don't follow the true living Christ.
The Parable of the Weeds
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Notice where the tares or children of the wicked one are?
AMONG THE WHEAT or in the church with the children of God.

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#39
You are correct and that’s why many who believe they are saved are in fact going to end up in hell.
I hate to admit it, but I use this simple basic scriptural truth to judge a person, whether they are of God or not.
The bible says the children of the devil CANNOT receive the truth of God's word, and this is not the meat of God's word, where the baby Christians can't handle it, but it is basic milk.
Even baby Christians should be able to digest this.
WOF is what Paul talk ALL soon to be new converts.
I honestly believe they think or believe they are saved, going to heaven, when they are not.
Just like the Jews of Jesus' time on earth.
They acted holy, most of the time, but their true colors started to show when true holiness came on the scene.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,100
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#40
To understand this phenomenon, one needs to see that within a major part of Christendom the Holy Bible is NOT the final and absolute authority in spiritual, religious, or practical Christian matters. There are many factors which have contributed to this (and it would take a very lengthy post to get into the details), but overall Christendom is in a state of apostasy -- a departure from the truth and from from the faith.

This does not mean that Christians should simply throw up their hands in despair. Those who wish to make the Bible -- God's Word -- the final authority in their lives and in their church, should do so with full confidence. There will always be a faithful remnant on earth.
And that is exactly what they have done by using their experiences and that of others, in an attempt to give validity to their claims.