Many Christians are embracing:
- Books, TV, and movies with distorted views of God and/or immoral themes. (resources to help you discern truth and error: Popular Pornography, No Shades of Grey, Jesus Calling, Things to Consider About The Shack, 5 Lies About God's Character in "The Shack", 5 Ways "The Shack" Contradicts Biblical Salvation, Even the Smell of Coffee)
- Popular non-Biblical philosophies. (Self-Esteem Philosophy and Scripture, God's Love is Better Than Unconditional)
- Cultural views of right and wrong. (Hard Teachings; Gay Revisionist Theology; Homosexuality; Transgenderism; Biblical Sexuality, Abortion)
- Activities associated with false religions. (Examining Yoga Biblically; Yoga & Tai Chi; Occult practices; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; 1Corinthians 10:14-33)
Jude 1:3: contend for the faith
2 Corinthians 10:5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God
Titus 1:9: hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught
Ephesians 5:11: Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (also 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
1 Thessalonians 5:21: test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. (also Psalm 101:3; Romans 12:9)
1 John 4:1: do not believe everyone... test them…there are many false prophets in the world.
Dear Christians, let’s quit flirting with the Devil! Let's not see how far we can get from Biblical principles and still be safe. Let's live unashamedly close to the Lord (Mark 8:38).
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ReplyDeleteMatthew 10:
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Thank you for speaking truth in love. I've read you long enough to know that your heart is for people to know the truth of God's love and Christ's sacrifice. It's so refreshing to read this in a world that has confused tolerance with truth.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right on!! good for you
ReplyDeleteThis is a great devotional. And you are right in every word you spoke (typed). We are called to be different, to be separate from the world, to be holy as God is holy, to walk as Jesus walked....etc. It is becoming increasingly difficult in our day to find others who don't embrace "little things" which act as snares. Discernment is increasingly necessary in our walk as the world does it's best to entice us, to steal us from the Father. Thank you for being bold and standing on truth in your teaching. This is why I read your devotions. God bless!!
ReplyDeleteRight on the mark always my friend and sister in Christ. These comments are also awesome. It's always nice to see and hear others that actually still have biblically based values and understanding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling it like it is and with such grace. It is not often that I find such truths being told as those which I find in each and every Bible Love Notes. Keep up the awesome work, and may God richly bless you!
First, I would like to say that I always feel you are spot on. In this post you have brought up some very controversial topics (homosexuality, transgenderism, bisexualtiy and abortion) and I agree that the bible speaks against these topics. That being said, when these topics are brought up in this manner the issue I have is that other behaviors that are categorized the same way are not brought up...the behaviors stated in Proverbs 6:16–19, Mark 7:20-23, Eph 4:31, Col 3:8, Titus 3:1-2, James 4:11, 1Peter 2:1, Rev 2:9.
ReplyDeleteUltimately we are commanded to love one another. That is clear.
Christians speaking out are focusing on homosexuality, transgenderism, bisexualtiy and abortion but there isn't any outcry on the topics laid out in the passages I gave (discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, gossip, arrogance, adultery, greed, all malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, folly, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind). It is my opinion that these latter are more of a problem in the downfall of our country and Christianity than the former. My wish is that there would be more outrage over these latter traits.
Hi Blogger Newbie,
DeleteI agree that all of the things you've mentioned - discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, gossip, arrogance, adultery, greed, all malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, folly, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind - are sinful.
I’ve never heard Christians or even non-Christians say otherwise.
But I regularly hear professing Christians and non-Christians say that many of the things I’ve mentioned in this devotion are not sinful. That’s why, as you admit, they’re “controversial.”
If you read my devotions regularly, you'll find that I address a great variety of Biblical subjects, many types of sin, elements of Christian maturity and God’s love, etc.
When I’ve written about anger, I’ve never had anyone tell me that we should be more concerned about sins other than anger. But I’ve had that response several times when writing about culturally acceptable sins like homosexuality.
Romans 1 mentions immorality and homosexuality as signs of a declining culture. And verse 32 says that people not only commit indecent acts but they “approve of those who practice them.”
Our culture is pressuring Christians to approve of acts that God calls sinful – acts which damage individual hearts and souls and also damage cultures and communities.
I don’t think Scripture supports your view that these things are not real problems in our country.
They are not the only sins that matter, but neither are they of lesser importance than those sins you’ve mentioned.
Not everything in the Bible is popular, but everything is relevant because the full and complete Gospel is what changes lives (Romans 1:16).