Culture: A Seared Conscience. In our later times, there has been a major shift. We have moved from meeting people with a seared conscience to an entire global society of deception.
Culture: A Seared Conscience. In our later times, there has been a major shift. We have moved from meeting people with a seared conscience to an entire global society of deception.
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
Stephen, great post. The only thing that troubles me is when you said that a demon can take over the mind of a believer. One who’s faith rests in the Lord Jesus Christ and who is indwelt with the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by a demon at the same time (2 Corinthians 6), influenced certainly but not possessed. We also know that no-one can snatch us out of His hand lest our salvation be based in our “works”. Therefore I would argue that these folks were never true believers in the first place. Hebrews 6:4-6 tells us that those who have tasted the heavenly gift and fallen away (or in my view taken over by an evil entity) can never be brought back to repentance. For these reasons I don’t know how it would be possible for a demon to take over the mind of an authentic believer. Perhaps I’m missing something or misinterpreted.
As my article states, believers are not necessarily indwelt Christians. Most are not. Just because someone says they are a believer doesn't prove that they house the Holy Spirit. This is the point I make in most of my writings when I separate "Christ-followers" vs. indwelt Christians. Agreed. True authentic Spirit filled Christians CANNOT be possessed by a demon. However, one can be an authentic Chrisitan and be overpowered by a demon externally, which is called oppression, and be deceived into believing doctrines of demons. Look around, this is the reason the Church is mixing toxic beliefs of demonic doctrines and faith. Possession vs. being lured away by deceptive spirits are two separate matters. As I stated in my entry, I don't believe the lion's share of these fallen victims are true Christians indwelt by Jesus. I hope this helps.
Yes it does help. Thank you Stephen. These days it is often quite a challenge to know who the “true believer” is isn’t it. Ultimately only the Lord knows. As for us I suppose we will only know them by their fruits. As for myself I am reminded of Paul who wrote “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” as todays culture attempts to pry us away from the Word in every way. I pray daily for the removal of oppression from many of our indwelt Christians while thanking the Father for His Holy Spirit.
Exactly. The point is the fruit. For example, 33% of American "Christians" pastors do not believe Jesus is God. Furthermore, 50% of Americans who believe in Jesus don't believe He is the Son of God. These are demonic doctrines. Nearly 70% of born-again Christians DON'T believe that Jesus is the only way. The most devastating statistic is this - only 10% of all reported Christians believe being possessed by the Holy Spirit equals salvation. The church as a whole is sick. These statistics prove what Paul was inspired to tell Timothy - in later times, some will fall away from sound doctrines. As I see it, that "some" has become a cultural norm. So, how do we evangelize the choir? In my view, this is the greatest challenge of all time. In fact, it is the Apostasy the Word defines for us (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The closer we get to the Rapture; the fewer choir members will be authentic virgins with oil in their lamps. They might be singing praises to an artificial Jesus.
Amen! While I too want Him to come quickly, my heart wants to seize the opportunity to reach as many lukewarm believers as possible - before He decides to "spit them out of His mouth."
When the churches that we went to in the past 30 years got to be bigger and bigger it seemed to water down many folks faith. Because we need the river of life flowing through us. We need to thirst for His word, not because of a guilt seared conscience construction of some type of devotion life, but because we have a heart of gratitude of what He has done in our lives. Having the perfectly constructed sermon doesn’t bring the thirst. Many of us didn’t keep growing in our faith and inadvertently served the enemies camp. To chew on His word is so nourishing. If we will take the time to put His word in, the Holy Spirit will enable it in our lives. If I could do a do over the one thing I would is to get Gods word in me more consistently and frequently. Instead I got on the trap of raising kids and working hard to provide. The story of many of us.
Well said, Donald. Mega churches are classically lukewarm. There are a few supersized churches maintaining hard-core Truth, like Dr. David Jeremiah, but most get trapped into pleasing the people. Typically, because size equals money. I think Christ addressed the wealthy churches abruptly - "I will spit you out of my mouth." Money and passion always produce a people of ambiguity, passive. If I was to do it all over again, I would have stop coloring my hair. Lol. Today, grey hair is my reward for hard work and my dedication to unwavering Truth. Being immovable ages God's men wisely.
Stephen, great post. The only thing that troubles me is when you said that a demon can take over the mind of a believer. One who’s faith rests in the Lord Jesus Christ and who is indwelt with the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by a demon at the same time (2 Corinthians 6), influenced certainly but not possessed. We also know that no-one can snatch us out of His hand lest our salvation be based in our “works”. Therefore I would argue that these folks were never true believers in the first place. Hebrews 6:4-6 tells us that those who have tasted the heavenly gift and fallen away (or in my view taken over by an evil entity) can never be brought back to repentance. For these reasons I don’t know how it would be possible for a demon to take over the mind of an authentic believer. Perhaps I’m missing something or misinterpreted.
As my article states, believers are not necessarily indwelt Christians. Most are not. Just because someone says they are a believer doesn't prove that they house the Holy Spirit. This is the point I make in most of my writings when I separate "Christ-followers" vs. indwelt Christians. Agreed. True authentic Spirit filled Christians CANNOT be possessed by a demon. However, one can be an authentic Chrisitan and be overpowered by a demon externally, which is called oppression, and be deceived into believing doctrines of demons. Look around, this is the reason the Church is mixing toxic beliefs of demonic doctrines and faith. Possession vs. being lured away by deceptive spirits are two separate matters. As I stated in my entry, I don't believe the lion's share of these fallen victims are true Christians indwelt by Jesus. I hope this helps.
Yes it does help. Thank you Stephen. These days it is often quite a challenge to know who the “true believer” is isn’t it. Ultimately only the Lord knows. As for us I suppose we will only know them by their fruits. As for myself I am reminded of Paul who wrote “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” as todays culture attempts to pry us away from the Word in every way. I pray daily for the removal of oppression from many of our indwelt Christians while thanking the Father for His Holy Spirit.
Exactly. The point is the fruit. For example, 33% of American "Christians" pastors do not believe Jesus is God. Furthermore, 50% of Americans who believe in Jesus don't believe He is the Son of God. These are demonic doctrines. Nearly 70% of born-again Christians DON'T believe that Jesus is the only way. The most devastating statistic is this - only 10% of all reported Christians believe being possessed by the Holy Spirit equals salvation. The church as a whole is sick. These statistics prove what Paul was inspired to tell Timothy - in later times, some will fall away from sound doctrines. As I see it, that "some" has become a cultural norm. So, how do we evangelize the choir? In my view, this is the greatest challenge of all time. In fact, it is the Apostasy the Word defines for us (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The closer we get to the Rapture; the fewer choir members will be authentic virgins with oil in their lamps. They might be singing praises to an artificial Jesus.
I am praying accordingly. Dreadful statistics but not at all surprising. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen! While I too want Him to come quickly, my heart wants to seize the opportunity to reach as many lukewarm believers as possible - before He decides to "spit them out of His mouth."
Amen and amen!
When the churches that we went to in the past 30 years got to be bigger and bigger it seemed to water down many folks faith. Because we need the river of life flowing through us. We need to thirst for His word, not because of a guilt seared conscience construction of some type of devotion life, but because we have a heart of gratitude of what He has done in our lives. Having the perfectly constructed sermon doesn’t bring the thirst. Many of us didn’t keep growing in our faith and inadvertently served the enemies camp. To chew on His word is so nourishing. If we will take the time to put His word in, the Holy Spirit will enable it in our lives. If I could do a do over the one thing I would is to get Gods word in me more consistently and frequently. Instead I got on the trap of raising kids and working hard to provide. The story of many of us.
Well said, Donald. Mega churches are classically lukewarm. There are a few supersized churches maintaining hard-core Truth, like Dr. David Jeremiah, but most get trapped into pleasing the people. Typically, because size equals money. I think Christ addressed the wealthy churches abruptly - "I will spit you out of my mouth." Money and passion always produce a people of ambiguity, passive. If I was to do it all over again, I would have stop coloring my hair. Lol. Today, grey hair is my reward for hard work and my dedication to unwavering Truth. Being immovable ages God's men wisely.