Tongues are not of the devil and did not pass away! Get over yourself! YOU are not in control, sinner.
At times we hear well meaning believers (perhaps) saying that devils can give you tongues. hmmmmm My reply to such would be as follows:
That could be true and yet…. Jesus and His holy apostles never made such a statement. They DID though diligently testify of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and made sure every believer knew about it and were invited to receive it…. as in Acts 8:14-17 which we will look at in a moment.
The Misuse of Tongues Does Nothing to Negate the Genuine Baptism with the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit ….. which the LORD never revoked and intends for His New Testament believers to receive.
For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled this once wretched man, this disciple with His Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). This disciple is a whole-Gospel, full-Bible believer by Jesus’ grace. Like many today realize, authentic Pentecost is not the same as what is transpiring in the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit of authentic Pentecost. NO, I am not part of any organized church such as UPC, etc.
The Bible foretold of this hour of great apostasy as the return of our LORD draws nigh. Specifically speaking of those who claim to be Christ’s, the Word tells us that many of these professors would deny the power of their Creator to guide them, fill them, and be their all sufficiency (Colossians 1-2). This is the damnable sin of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-14; Revelation 21:8).
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5
Saints, beware of any person speaking against the Holy Ghost or the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
While the FRUIT of the Spirit is most important because it can only be born out of an abiding relationship with Christ (John 15; Galatians 5:22-23), that in no way negates the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Paul says to covet those gifts and that’s in order to be used of God to help others: “But covet earnestly the best gifts…” (1 Cor 12:31). We must not make the classic mistake of negating anything from God’s Word and especially because some have abused things. Never abandon a biblical truth to abuse. Never negate something the Word teaches because others have twisted or misused it.
“Identifying the Word of Faith and NAR (New Apostolic) heretical movements isn’t to say all Pentecostals believe this or are false. I also believe many things to be examples of false dilemma/ dichotomy fallacies where people are deceived and assume they must pick between one of two deceptions when more than those two options exist. The truth is the whole of God’s Word.” Jason Frost
One writer notes:
“Is John MacArthur a heretic when he teaches the entire Pentecostal movement worldwide (over 400 million) is of Satan? Isn’t blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when one attributes the gift of God to Satan? When MacArthur boldly teaches all speaking in tongues done today is demonic he has no idea of the consequences he’s facing!
Beware saints. Paul encouraged all the saints to speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). He also instructed us how to properly give and receive an interpretation of tongues in a church service (1 Corinthians 14:23-33). Any believer can pray and receive the gift of tongues. Not all have the gift to give an interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30). I cherish speaking in tongues because this gift was given to me by Jesus (Acts 1:5). Yet, pastors like John MacArthur, Charles Stanley, and David Jeremiah, have convinced millions of Christians that speaking in tongues is demonic. The truth is, God desires every believer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues (Acts 1:5; 2:4; Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:39).
After Jesus healed a blind man who was demon-possessed, the Pharisees accused Him of doing it by the power of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:22-32). They were speaking evil of the Holy Spirit by attributing the power of God to the Devil. Jesus called this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:6). This is why anyone saying the gift of tongues is satanic is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Ministers believing in such heresy usually teach the Holy Spirit only speaks through the scriptures. Such deception is grieving the ministry of the Spirit. I can’t imagine living my Christian walk without being able to hear from the Spirit of God. He not only gave me the idea of this book but spoke to my spirit many times while I was writing it.”
Jesus says His sheep hear His voice (John 10). Though the Holy Ghost would never lead contrary to the Scriptures, He has a living, breathing relationship with each of Christ’s saints and leads us daily. Sometimes those impressions and promptings are very specific. In fact, we see this throughout the New Testament Scriptures. Remember when Ananias was told by the LORD to go to a certain street and find Saul? “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11). Also, remember how the LORD spoke (without but according to Scripture) to Phillip? – “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia…“ (Acts 8:26-27). The examples are all over the New Testament. God bless you all. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
How could any true, born again believer possibly argue with the following? Decades into the New Testament era, Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote:
- “I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
- “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
- “forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
Clearly, after reading these things Paul uttered, we can conclude that to say tongues is demonic would be to declare that Christ’s apostle Paul was demonic.
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” 1 Corinthians 14:12-15
Of speaking in tongues and the error of teaching against it, Tim McCullough writes:
“Why can people not see this??? Paul plainly said he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthians, albeit in privacy – between himself and the Lord. There is clearly a spiritual language that God has given to believers for non-corporate use – but for our own faith and benefit. MacArthur makes a deadly error confusing the two, and worse yet – writing it all off as demonic. This is a DEADLY false doctrine as it emboldens professing believers against the Word of God in the most dangerous area Jesus spoke of – attributing a work of Gods Spirit to the devil. This is a venomous error and John MacArthur desperately needs God to grant him repentance.” | John MacArthur Exposed
It seems reasonable that the first thing God takes over when HE immerses you with His presence is the most “unruly member” (James 3). Thank the LORD for that! God bless you all.
The baptism with the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit of God are vital, non-negotiable components of our LORD’s New Testament church plan/program. Are you baptized with the Holy Spirit? Dare we take away from the LORD’s stated, New Testament program? (Revelation 22:18-19)
MODERN TONGUES?
Jesus promises to give the HOLY Spirit and no evil spirit/demon to His children when they ask to be filled:
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:11-13
The misuse of tongues does nothing to negate (diminish) the divinely ordained, genuine baptism with the Holy Spirit. If tongues after Pentecost are false, that clearly makes the apostle Paul false. Decades after the Day of Pentecost, Paul said things that establish that the baptism with the Holy Ghost and praying in the Spirit is for all of Christ’s disciples throughout the New Testament era until Jesus returns. Certainly the following statements made by Paul are not only for the use of tongues in a group setting:
“I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
“forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
The counterfeit charismatic movement (word of faith and NAR – new apostolic reformation delusion) only further lends itself to the proof of tongues being for all believers today. Satan can only counterfeit what is authentic in order to twist and misled and distort and confuse.
PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never dimishing aught, letting go of the true Pentecostal, Holy Ghost baptism Christ’s gives to His own. NOT the denomincation but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessationist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” – “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!
“Calvinism is a lie and tongues are not demonic. The devil has a counterfeit for everything even tongues and the Holy Spirit. His counterfeit of the Holy Spirit is kundalini which is strange fire of the queen of heaven. Why do people get kundalini in many churches? It’s because they want the gifts of the Spirit without abiding in Jesus, wanting more of Him, and walking in holiness. They reject the daily cross and holiness while they selfishly want gifts from God for their own self-serving purposes. The gifts of the Spirit have not ceased.” Ryan Waldrop
Danielle Mangram writes:
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:2-6 KJV
The Holy Spirit is not demonic! That is blasphemy against the Spirit of God. There is demonic tongues but when one is filled with the Holy Spirit of God he speaks to him in a language of angels. The Spirit of God was promised to us from our Lord Jesus Christ. It did not go away. He says anything you ask in my name the father will give it to you (Luke 11:11-13). The problem is disbelief and doctrines of men, traditions. Jesus did not preform miracles because of their disbelief. If we as the body would just believe in Him truthfully, the church would arise so powerful. Unfortunately man and devils got in the way. I thank God that He is mightier than all that, in Jesus’ name, hallelujah.”
Did Christ’s Apostles Count the Baptism of the Spirit Important?
When the apostles heard that some people in Samaria had been saved, they counted the promised Holy Ghost baptism so vitally important that they sent Peter and John to see that those new Christians were filled with the Spirit.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17
After Jesus rose from the dead and was seated at the right hand of the Father, Christ’s apostles made sure when Jesus saved souls, that those newly saved saints had the opportunity to receive the full measure of the Holy Ghost – an integral part of New Testament Christianity and without which the believer cannot and will not be powerfully used of God (Acts 1:8).
Firstly, the central issue is not about tongues but about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If one denies the volumes of Scripture on this New Testament experience then he will deny the gifts and power the divine Person of the Holy Spirit has ordained to be present among His people for the whole New Testament period (Acts 2:37-39).
After thorough study of the New Testament Scriptures, I cannot deny this gift or His divine involvement in and among His beloved people and have no desire to limit God which is sin (Psalms 78:41; 103:2; Revelation 22:18-19). In the name of Jesus and by the grace of God, I will unapologetically speak of this holy truth from the Holy Scriptures.
“Unknown” Tongues = NOT a known language.
To those who falsely claim that tongues were only for Pentecost and were all known languages……
Such is a false teaching. Beware of the false teachers. The Holy Ghost is in no one making this false claim (Ephesians 5:9).
Men don’t understand the tongues that Holy Spirit filled saints speak unless God supernaturally chooses to give one the interpretation (1 Corinthians 14). Why else would we have the word “unknown” when referring to tongues? Only God understands and those He chooses to reveal things to. This alone proves that these tongues are not any known language known of any man like those mentioned in Acts 2:1-13. This was the only time we have on record where men speaking in “tongues” was a known language of men. All other tongues are to God and inspired by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14).
The initial manifestation of tongues at Pentecost was when men heard others from other nations speak in their own tongue (Acts 2:4-8). A miracle. Yet it didn’t stop there. Notice … “tongues of men AND of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Also, read closely: “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh NOT UNTO MEN, but unto God: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1).
In 1 Corinthians 12 the gifts of the Spirit are introduced and in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul teaches on the use and misuse of those gifts.
The gifts of the Spirit are temporal and to be accepted, facilited in this time when God saw fit that they are needed. “That which is perfect” is Heaven and such has not yet come.
One of the two usages of speaking or praying in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 is to edify or build up the believer (v3; Jude 20). Then there is the tongue and interpretation gifts for use in the gathering of saints.
“For he that speaketh in an UNknown tongue speaketh NOT unto MEN, but unto God: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2
Note the word “UNknown” or not a known language of men. “For he that speaketh in an UNknown tongue speaketh NOT unto MEN, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)
God is also not forcing any of His precious gifts on anyone.
1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For HE THAT SPEAKETH IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE SPEAKETH NOTTTT UNTO MEN BUT UNTO GOD: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
1 Corinthians 14:4 “HE THAT SPEAKETH IN AND UNKNOWN TONGUE EDIFIETH HIMSELF; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.”
“NO MAN understandeth him” and yet “in the spirit he speaketh mysteries”
When one prays in the Spirit/tongues, he is speaking mysteries. That’s what the Bible says and no mere man can explain such and only some are willing to live by faith and lean not to their own understanding.
An honest and objective look at 1 Corinthians 14 will plainly reveal that the text not once refers to any tongue known to man. The word “tongue” or “tongues” appears 13 times in this chapter (1 Corinthians 14), and not once is it referring to the languages of men such as Hebrew, Greek, Italian, Farsi, Spanish, Swahili, German, etc.
Many today ignore the Scriptures, including the whole context and truth revealed in 1 Corinthians 14, which speaks of tongues 13 times and not once speaks of tongues except for use among God’s people in corporate gatherings and in the individual lives just as the apostle Paul said that he spoke in tongues more than everyone else. Are you going to argue about Paul the apostle personally speaking in tongues? Is your pastor more authoritative than this great apostle? So, you are taking the word of vile heretics (those who taught you this lie – the Holy Spirit and Scriptures sure didn’t lead you down that road) over the apostle Paul and the LORD. Please tell those devils who taught you those lies what I stated about them.
A huge part of the problem of rejecting the fullness of the Holy Spirit is very limited learning – since Jesus sent Him to lead us into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:20, 27). Think about how this scenario plays out …. The young person grows up in an evangelical church setting where the baptism in the Spirit is denied. So, he then pursues God in his own limited strength, including going to seminary. In this “higher learning” facility, he continues to learn that he needs to accomplish the ministry in his own brain power, intellect, and feeble strength. He then gets a job as a pastor and blindly misleads those who themselves are not seeking the LORD enough to be enlightened to the New Testament teaching and experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Why Did the LORD Grant the Gift of Tongues?
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself … ” 1 Corinthians 14:4
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20
Common Misconceptions and Scripture Twisting
“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” Acts 17:6
After the tail-whipping Satan received when the earliest believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the enemy set out to shut it all down! Thousands of souls were being saved and Satan was being robbed. Precious eternal souls for whom Jesus died were being taken from Satan who has “the power of death” over those who are not saved out of the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 2:14). The enemy is able to exercise power over the souls of all who are unredeemed and yet, when the power of our Creator and LORD comes, Satan is utterly defeated EVERY time! God has ordained that this divine power operate in and through His people, the body of Christ. Jesus taught:
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Jesus came to destroy Satan and his evil work:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
The way Satan’s “works” are destroyed is by the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people and this begins with the baptism in the Holy Ghost and not before (Acts 1:8). Any person who denies this Bible fact is denying Christ and His teachings.
Subtracting from God’s Word is a deadly pursuit that comes with a high and eternal price tag (Revelation 22:18-19). Stealing away the ordained relationship between Christ and His children is the work of devil-inspired wolves who are being used of Satan himself to rob the people of God of the divinely-ordained power of the LORD to be His witnesses.
“But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Jesus taught that as His people went forth at His Great Commission command to “preach the gospel to every creature” that He would confirm “the word with signs following.” There is divine power present in the lives and preaching of all true disciples of our unchanging LORD and Savior!
What “signs” did Jesus tell us “SHALL follow them that believe”? Before Jesus answers that in His own words below, please ask yourself whether or not you truly believe Christ at His Word. Now, test the answer to that question by reading His very words:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20 (KJB)
Another way Satan has stolen the divine power Jesus ordained for His people is that the new versions of the Bible either completely remove or cast doubt on the whole passage above (by a note in the margin that is actually a blatant fabrication). Why? Jesus taught us here that He was going to empower us to “cast out devils” and it takes divine power to do that (Matthew 12:28-29; Acts 10:38). Now, WHO didn’t want us to know how to cast him out? I’ll give you one guess 😉
So, if Satan didn’t want us to know we are supposed to cast HIM out and that God ordains His power in us against His enemy, who must be behind the new versions and the preachers who teach against the presence, baptism, and power of the divine Person of the Holy Ghost? Satan!
Oh, and what about Matthew 17:21? Again, the new per-versions remove this verse. Some have now deceitfully added it back due to being told on.
In the NIV and NAS (except in updated 1995 version of NIV) etc., this verse is missing! And why? Read the preceding verses where Christ’s disciples couldn’t cast out a devil. In verse 21, the ommitted/deleted verse, Jesus tells His people of all times how to cast out devils. He gives us the key here. Just WHO didn’t want us to know how to cast him out? One guess!
“Howbeit this kind (of devil and unbelief) goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21 (KJB)
Are you now seeing why millions of true disciples are burning their new versions and getting a King James Bible?
Thieving Wolves
Jesus told us that Satan has come to do three things:
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
The lengths some go to in order to teach their own brand of false theology is astounding and yet these same pharisaical wolves stand in positions of leadership and mislead others who refuse to study to show their own selves approved before the LORD (2 Timothy 2:15). Let’s take a look at some of the examples of their lame, obvious twisting of Scripture passage in order to pervert divine truth and teach falsely:
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:4-5
The fact that prophecy is a greater of the nine gifts of the Spirit because it involves serving others, only re-establishes that serving others first is Christ’s example and will for us. Yet, this in no way negates or diminishes the fact of and need for edification of the individual in the Holy Spirit. – “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself … ” (1 Corinthians 14:4)
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“But does everyone who is saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit have the gift of tongues? 1 Corinthians 12…………30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
REPLY:
This is a commonly misinterpreted verse erroneously used to cheat believers out of the blessing of God. Notice how Paul puts these 2 things together: “do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” …. this is specifically speaking of corporate gifts not the individual gift of tongues. 1 Cor 12:31 is coupling those 2 things together which means it’s speaking of corporate use of gifts not individual. Jesus says “According to your faith be it unto you.” (Matt 9:29) Remember: “I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ (1 Corinthians 14:5) … “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” (1 Corinthians 14:18) … “forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
Okay, let’s investigate another passage that is used by deceivers who count their tradition more important than God’s Word:
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
The deceit of the wolves who teach against the biblical experience of tongues becomes obvious when we simply read in context the passages that address the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“We ask God for a revival but ignore our unpardonable arrogance of refusing his gifts!” – Leonard Ravenhill
Beloved blood-washed saint, don’t let some deceptive dupe of the antichrist evangelical system rob you of your simple faith in Christ concerning what He and His apostles taught and what we see in the earliest of His believers in Acts and the New Testament Scriptures. Repent of wrongly esteeming any mere human leader’s useless seminary degree (which simply taught him how to not believe God’s Word for what it plainly states). – “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Ask yourself a few simple questions and weigh this in the light of the New Testament Scriptures:
1) If the LORD doesn’t want His people to be baptized (immersed) with His Holy Spirit, why didn’t He simply come out and tell us this?
2) If the infilling of the Spirit is not for today, why did God not simply come out and tell us so?
3) If the baptism of the Spirit passed away with the apostles and early church, why did Christ’s apostle Peter say that this gift was for every believer throughout the whole New Testament era, which includes now? See Acts 2:37-39.
From the beginning of His church, Jesus never intended for any who believe upon Him to salvation to go without the gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s only as devil-inspired religious men came in and shut down the work, power, presence, and gifts of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit that we have a deafening absence of what Christ and His holy apostles taught.
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise (of the Spirit baptism) is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (save).” Acts 2:37-39
Is God still saving souls? Yes! Well then, according to the apostle Peter’s utterance here – the LORD is still baptizing His people with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.” Acts 19:1-7
Like these disciples, many today have not even heard of the “gift of the Holy Ghost” which is clearly for all Christ’s disciples of all times under the New Testament era (Acts 2:37-39).
Every single born again believer can be baptized with the Holy Ghost which is simply a great measure of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is God’s will for every one of His beloved children. This is God’s desire but He will only give this gift to the disciple who believers what His Word says and asked Him sincerely for it (Luke 11:11-13). The LORD also goes so far as to assure His children that no other spirit (evil) will be allowed in the life of His child who simply asks Him for the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13). There are always those who counterfeit the divine authentic but that does nothing to erode the truth or the things of God. Jesus promised that He would only give the Holy Spirit and that no other evil spirit could enter His child:
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:11-13
Who does God give His Holy Spirit to?
“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32
Every single authentic believer can have the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues in their individual life. This is God’s will. Every Christian should desire to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and to yield his whole being over to the LORD. The true body of Christ upholds Jesus Christ alone as their “Head” and must not allow sinful men who write books and speak from pulpits to hinder the full work of Christ in their lives (Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19). Millions today are being cheated out of truth and the fullness of the Spirit due to adhering to those leaders who are dangerously speaking against the work and divine Person of the Holy Ghost.
“Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full” says Jesus (John 16:23-24). Now, a common verse that is often taken out of context to prove that not everyone can pray in tongues is 1 Corinthians 12:30. This of course gives those who deny Christ the reign in their personal lives an excuse to continue to live unto themselves, never surrendering wholly to Christ on His terms (which are clearly given in His Word). But take a closer look at the context of Scripture beloved saints. Paul is not speaking of individual tongues but rather ties tongues together with the interpretation of tongues which contextually he is speaking of concerning specifically a group setting. Hear what is being conveyed in the context of this passage and you will see that Paul is in no way contradicting himself and the whole of Scripture by negating the blessed gift of tongues for every saint.
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
You see, in this 1 Corinthians 12 chapter, the nine gifts of the Spirit to the body of Christ have already earlier been listed (v8-10). The last two gifts listed are “tongues” and “the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:10) They are cited together for a divine reason. So, when Paul later speaks of tongues he is speaking of tongues in the setting of the function of the gifts in the body of Christ to be used in a CORPORATE SETTING and not individual tongues – “do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
The Proper Use of Tongues
Yes as is the case with all of our LORD’s gifts, some have abused or misused them. I sure have seen the misuse of the gifts of the Spirit firsthand. Some people use this as an excuse to not fully surrender to do things God’s way and thereby blame the LORD for the abuse of sinful men. They therefore forfeit the blessings of the LORD, His power, and drastically reduce their ability to be fruitful in this life.
Correcting any misuse of the gifts of the Spirit is exactly why we have 1 Corinthians 14. In this chapter Paul the apostle of Christ gives us the LORD’s guidelines for using the gifts of His Holy Spirit.
Abuse does not negate the right use of the gifts of the Spirit which is what Paul deals with in detail in 1 Corinthians 14.
My goal is not to be right but rather to simply sort all things in Holy Scripture. We must continue to look at all of the counsel of the LORD’s Word and as we do our LORD’s truth will continue to unveil itself (2 Peter 1:19-21).
There is a specific use and instruction for tongues and interpretation of tongues in a group setting.
“Yet IN THE CHURCH I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:19
The church or congregational setting is the context of 1 Corinthians 14:19.
We must beware of our own tendency to have selective hearing based on the human teachers we have listened to in the past. People like John MacArthur have a strong personality and can be convincing, especially if the individual listening to him is not in the Word himself. MacArthur teaches some false doctrines. He is but a man as this writer is. God gave us His Word and we are to let Him be true “and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Yet John MacArthur’s personality or the way he seems to provide convincing information does not negate the very Word of God nor is MacArthur or any mere man the final authority. MacArthur negates the gifts of God and in doing so he is on dangerous ground as he is speaking against the divine Person of the Holy Ghost and His blessed work. Regrettably, many who listen to John MacArthur do not test his teachings against God’s Word for themselves and receive the due reward of being turned over to “strong delusion”for not personally loving and studying God’s Word for themselves (Acts 17:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Back to tongues ……
If tongues are demonic, that means Christ’s very own apostle Paul was demonic. After all, Paul said:
“I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
“forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
If Paul is demonic, then 2/3 of the New Testament Scriptures were written by an ungodly, demonic man. Right?
Who will you believe, MacArthur or the great apostle Paul?
After introducing tongues concerning the individual’s use of them, Paul then speaks of the use of tongues in the congregational/group setting:
“I would that ye ALL spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?” 1 Corinthians 14:5-6
Here Paul is saying that in order to lift up others above ourselves, we should covet to prophesy because prophesying edifies other members of Jesus’ body as opposed to praying in tongues individually which which has the divine purpose of building up the individual believer (1 Corinthians 13:2-3; Jude 20).
That Paul is speaking of the use and order of tongues in a body or group setting is self-evident in this whole passage and yet there is not a hint of negation (denial) of tongues for the individual prayer life (Romans. 8:26-27).
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church (congregational setting) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:18-19
The fact that Paul here says that “in the church” setting he’d rather speak words that people can understand only underscores that he is contrasting tongues for his individual communion and edification with Christ and those tongues/interpretation of tongues for use among more than one member of the body.
It is not profitable to blurt out in tongues among more than one believer in a gathering of believers and that’s what Paul is getting at in this chapter. This guideline of tongues amidst a group of Christians does not do away with the blessing of individually praying in the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:5; Jude 20). Under divine inspiration, Paul the apostle says that all believers should speak with tongues which aligns with how the other apostles made sure all believers were baptized with the Holy Ghost after being saved (Acts 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 14:5). Paul clearly speaks of his own personal praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). The apostle commands “FORBID NOT to speak with tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39).
Biblically speaking, there’s more than one purpose and use of tongues. We cannot limit it to one. Such is a common error made by many today who are not thoroughly and honestly studying God’s Word but rather listening to false teachings from mere sinful men who have set themselves up as leaders and refuse to honestly teach the full-counsel of God’s Word. Some get stuck on one part of one doctrine and close their hearts to the whole of what the living Word says of the matter and therefore walk around with a skewed view. Others who are supposedly saved, are not hungry for more of the LORD, which is suspect. Wanting all that God has for us is what this is about, in part. The LORD will not force or push and will only fill those who by faith hunger and thirst for more of Him.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Prayer to Receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
LORD Jesus, thank You so much for finding and saving my wretched soul from sin and Satan and sure damnation! I praise You right this moment for coming and dying on that cross, shedding Your precious blood for my sins. Right this moment, I humbly bow before You my LORD and ask You to take over my life completely. I yield all that I am to You right now and ask You to baptize – to fill me – with the Holy Spirit. I ask You to take over my being completely LORD Jesus. I yield my heart, mind, body, and tongue to You. Use me with Thy great power to do Your work from this moment forward. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.
todd tomasella
FEEDBACK:
“The best method of doing this is to be only, always, and all for Him. We must not offer Him a share of our heart and devotion. There must be no division between Him and others. Whenever iniquity, darkness, Belial, and unbelievers seek to share our nature with the Holy Spirit, and we permit the partnership, He withdraws. No idols must be permitted in any hidden shrine of the heart. The whole nature-spirit (that is, the Holy of Holies) soul (that is, the seat of our individuality), and body-must be the temple of the Eternal, who rules it from the Shekinah, which is enthroned on the Ark of the Covenant. God still walks the world in those who love Him and are wholly yielded to His indwelling. The loneliest spirit finds Him to be father, mother, brother, sister, all. What an incentive to cleanliness not only of flesh but of spirit! Heb_10:22. The Apostle concludes by expressing his intense thankfulness that his converts had not misunderstood the urgency of his former letter.” James Brutton
“When we first left the church (building) I questioned everything that I had been taught especially speaking in tongues. There are times when that’s the only way to pray because I don’t have the words to speak in the natural. I do notice though at church it is only women that give words in tongues and also give the interpretation and I don’t want to speak against it but I do wonder why it is the women and why is it not men giving words? Thank you for this article and speaking truth!” Lori
REPLY:
Hi Lori. I went through the same experience of sifting through what is biblical and what is not and the proper use of those things. 1 Cor. 12 introduced the gifts of the Spirit and ch. 14 tells us how they are to be used and how they are not to be used (misused, abused).
One disciples writes: “BEWARE that calling an act of the Holy Spirit demonic is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the only sin that cannot be forgiven. To say tongues are demonic places you on severely dangerous ground.”
Mathew 12:22-32
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, THIS FELLOW DOTH NOT CAST OUT DEVILS BUT BEELZEBUB, THE PRINCE OF DEVILS. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, ?All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: ?but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
One disciples writes: “Tongues are completely biblical. Here’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:18-40:
‘I thank my God, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES more than ye all: 19 YET in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, THAT BY MY VOICE I MIGHT TEACH others (common sense) also, than ten thousand words in an UNKNOWN tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 ‘Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.’
Here we see Paul placed all occurrences in their proper order. God is not the author of confusion, and there ARE false tongues, forced about by the flesh. This doesn’t do away with the fact there ARE true tongues. Please think about the following Scripture when calling people fools.
Matthew 5:22
‘But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, THOU FOOL, shall be in danger of hell fire.’”
Holy Ghost Baptism Study Guide (highly recommended) | Beware of the Gift Thieves | No Pentecost, No Power! | Power to Fulfill (audio) | Holy Ghost Baptism (audio) |
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Articles
Faith in Resurrection [podcast]
When we die downward and are dead and buried with Christ, we can be assured that God is going to raise us upward.
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11
Romans 6:1-14
“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (brought to naught, nullified), that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
The Crucified Life | Travis Bryan III
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Apostasy
“The Certainty of the Words of Truth” [podcast]
Nicholas, the Apostate Deceiver
Historians say that Nicholas (Acts 6:5), a deacon in the first century church, backslid, and led his followers to believe that living in sin would not affect one’s relationship with Christ. The term Nicolaitans is said to come from those who followed Nicholas. Nico-laitans is a compound Greek word. Nico means “to conquer,” and laitans means “the laity.” Satan used Nicholas to conquer his followers through the lie of lawlessness. The evil spirit of Nicholas lives on today through many lawless leaders who operate in the church world in this late hour.
Nicholas taught free love. He and his followers taught that the deeds of believers could not affect their relationship with God. This is antinomianism, which means lawlessness. The Bible clearly refutes such a lie as we will witness in our walk through the Holy Scriptures.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
The Bible states here, that those who “profess that they know God” and yet “deny him…in works,” are “abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
By this lie of lawlessness, the enemy of souls conquered the people.
“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans (means “conquer the laity”), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:6, 15
Here is some modern terminology for this age-old doctrine:
- Once Saved, Always Saved
- Eternal security (unconditional)
- Calvinism, perseverance of the saints doctrine
In Revelation 2, Jesus Christ tells us that He “hates” two things — “the deeds” and “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” The Son of God despises the doctrine that teaches that the deeds of men have no effect upon their relationship with Him.
The Scriptures continuously reveal the divine hatred for the acceptance, and even doctrinal authorization, for living in the sins which the LORD tells us violate His holiness, reveal a wicked heart, and will prevent one from entering into the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, 27).
The word “lasciviousness” appears six times in the Bible and means “lack of restraint (from sinning); license for sin; licentiousness.”
To underscore the utter, divine hatred against this lie of lawlessness, it should be noted that this is the only place in Scripture where Jesus Christ, Himself, states that He hates something.
Though they may vary in packaging, these are all kin to the same lawless “ye shall not surely die” lie, which is the lie of the ages.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
“For ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36b
“Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.” Jeremiah 26:2
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
“Hath God said” ?
Always remember that whenever you have someone casting doubt on God’s Word, words, you are dealing with a person who is under Satan’s control, is a rejecter of the LORD, and therefore His truth, and is a child of the devil. Every time.
Notice what we see Satan doing in the Garden of Eden just before he changed, altered, added one word to God’s words:
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1
Then, in verse 4 we read how Satan added just one three-letter word which changed the meaning of what God said and changed world history.
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:” Genesis 3:4
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17
“Thou shalt surely die” from God was then changed by Satan to “Ye shall NOT surely die.”
This is the first time we see what’s known as the “eternal security” lie. It’s also known as “once saved always saved” or “perseverance of the saints” heresy. Any person teaching or believeing this lie has partnered with Satan himself.
Knowing “the certainty of the words of truth”
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Proverbs 22:17-21
“that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth” – and how can we “know the certainty of the words of truth” if we aren’t even reading them – if we are not reading the preserved Word of God but rather a cheap counterfeit?
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Abiding
Delighting in the LORD [podcast]
Many have set up their altar to the false gods of church, church attendance, mere men in ministry, etc., and not at the feet, the throne of Jesus Christ. These are examples of some of the most insidious, the most subtle forms of damnable idolatry.
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1
Our lives in Christ must be built around His throne and not a certain church building or Sunday morning event (Jeremiah 17:12; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 22:1).
Memory truth:
“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
Heaven is where God is and He’s your headquarters. The LORD Himself is “the place of our sanctuary.”
For many, going to “church” seems to take the place of diligently seeking and knowing, loving, and obeying the LORD. The foundation of such a person will not sustain them in this last hour (Matthew 7:19-29; 24; Luke 21; Hebrews 12:24-28).
The LORD speaks much of the importance of foundations (Psalms 11:3). Those who base their life in Christ on a certain ministry or church gathering or organization, do not have the sure, divine foundation to sustain them in this late hour. Everything is going to be shaken and only that which is truly and soundly grounded in Christ will be left standing.
Like Abel, who chose to do things God’s way and no other way, those who do the same, will be established in Christ the Rock and not be moved.
“And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:24-29
Regrettably, so many, who have simply gotten lost in the church crowd, have not established that intimate, individual place in the sanctuary of the LORD. The coming storms will inevitably uproot them if there is no change, no repentance, and seeking the face of the LORD for themselves. Jesus saves us to establish us.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
False churches today seek to sell families on the need to join their country club where’s there’s fun for the whole family. These beguilers cater to the urban family to build their church business, with no intention of preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel (Jude 3-4). Their goal is to entertain and to grow their church enterpri$e and not to ground their prey in Christ (Colossians, etc.). It’s all surface level, cosmetic. There is no blood of Jesus, no King James Bible, no cross – no crucified life, no Holy Ghost baptism, no repentance, no holiness, no Christology, no readiness for the soon return of Christ, etc.
If you memorize this Bible verse below and speak it, often, your heart, your direction, your life will be divinely moved upward to the LORD! Memorize 1 Chronicles 16:11 beginning now.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Those who delight in the LORD, delight to do His will.
“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalms 40:8
“STAY UPON THE LORD”
This is a Recurring Theme in Isaiah and Throughout Holy Writ
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall STAY UPON the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” Isaiah 10:20
“For they call themselves of the holy city, and STAY THEMSELVES UPON the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.” Isaiah 48:2
“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and STAY UPON his God.” Isaiah 50:10
The LORD is NOT available to the casual seeker. Think about that.
“He is a rewarder of THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.” Hebrews 11:6
Our LORD rewards those who “diligently seek him.”
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
In the ensuing verses (Jeremiah 29:15-19), God pronounces a judgment on His people for following those false leaders who sit upon the seat of David yet didn’t have an obedient heart after the LORD. Today is no different where you have people following false leaders who pretend to be representing Christ and yet, are compromised with false doctrine and worldliness.
Shannon Cook writes:
“Delight yourself in the LORD (Jesus) and He will give you the desires of thine heart. Jesus Christ IS in fact, the greatest desire of the heart of man. ‘Delight yourself in Me (Jesus), and I will give Me to you.’ Makes perfect sense!”
May God bless us with a John 17 and John 15 oneness abiding relationship with Him, possessed with a poor in spirit disposition, and pure heart after the LORD (Matthew 5:3, 6, 8). In Jesus’ Name.
We have nothing outside of what we have in Christ! Read Colossians 1 and 2.
So love Jesus and aren’t seeking His holy face daily, diligently? Not. Turn back to God in repentance, now.
The bless-ed word “delight” appears several times in God’s Word.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4
Having a heart after God is something that is a daily, a moment to moment choice, a decision, which must be cultivated in us.
David, the man after the heart of the LORD, is a glorious example to us.
“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. … When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:4, 8
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalms 57:7
“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:8
As can be seen in the following verse, legal or religious mindset causes obedience, serving God to the LORD to seem like drudgery.
“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.” Jeremiah 6:10
Those living under grace operate in grace, in their heart of hearts, delight to obey their Savior.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
No matter what’s going on – good or bad – WE KNOW that the song is true …. that our “God is so good, God is soooo gooood, God is so good, He’s so good to me…..” … There’s NO way to sing this simple song of praise and not get happy in Jesus! Impossible.
The LORD our Maker alone can truly satisfy, all the way to the marrow of the bone, to the depth of the human heart!
“For I have satiated (fully satisfy) the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.” Jeremiah 31:25
All who are not full of Christ via knowing and seeking Him, delighting in and worshipping Him perpetually, are full of misery – from which they shall never escape, unless they repent and let Jesus be the King, the LORD, the Master of their lives.
The Bible is music to the ears of truth-seeking followers of Christ! They pour prayerfully of the words of Holy Scripture daily, as they seek the face of the LORD.
Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc.). You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
“We would worry less if we praised more. THANKSGIVING is the enemy of discontentment and dissatisfaction.” Harry Ironside
Powerful resurrection life teeming in and through our lives requires a going down deep into the death the resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). There is no shortcut.
“WE WOULD SEE JESUS.” John 12:20-21
Detox your inner man! Detox your spirit, soul, and body! How? Fasting and Prayer! Delighting in the LORD (Psalms 37:4). Fasting and prayer begins with being done, being fed up, being exhausted of the iniquitous nature that has driven us into darkness, into dismal ditches with guilt, shame, and forfeited blessings the result! Our desire now and henceforth is for Christ to reign supreme in our lives and not self! Self, sin must be dethroned. Serving self instead of the Savior has ushered in every single evil thing into our lives and we now stand forth and declare that Christ must increase but we must decrease! (John 3:30) We do this now with more than just words – also with a holy resolve, a driving of the stake deep into the ground, singly focused on the reign of Heaven’s coming KING, on the seat, the throne of our hearts. The reins of our lives are reserved for Him to reign, no longer us!
“Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:14
“It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often long alone with God.” Austin Phelps
Anita Villarreal exhorts:
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…..do this and you will live.’ Luke 10:27-28
The death of Jesus. Christ on the Cross is what has drawn men to Himself. Christ did this out of Divine Love for humanity, and LOVE ALWAYS DRAWS. It is the LOVE that men and women need, and wherever they find it they want to come and rest in it’s warmth and tenderness. God’s love is the purest form of true, sincere and unselfish love. Of you haven’t received or known this kind of love, ask Jesus to show you this love and by faith receive it. Let Him cleanse your soul of all impurities and forgive you of all your sins.”
We were created to know Him!
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
Our union, our oneness with God is from which all else in His kingdom emanates….
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17
“We are truly living in a time of great apostasy and I would urge each person to seek to know the Lord for yourself as Jesus said in John 17:3 that this is life eternal that we know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ. In the book of 1 John 5:20 John states that Christ came to give us understanding of the one true God and His son Jesus Christ. David said in Psalms 27:4 that one thing he desired of the Lord and that he would seek after that He could dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. I urge people to examine the scriptures and stop trusting in flesh (mere men) for the scripture states that curse is the man that trust in man and makes flesh his arm whose heart has depart from the Lord (Jerm 17:5). Any real man that God has called will only point you to Lord not himself. Wake-up Church those who have an ear to hear what Lord is speaking to His true body.” Matthew Washington
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