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God Cannot be Tempted with Evil

God is “Holy, holy, holy.”

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

All sin is man’s doing, not God’s. Man alone is to be blamed, not the LORD. All who would blame the LORD with their lame, self-serving excuses indict the Almighty!

We sure do strive against sin (Hebrews 12:4) and yet are given full divine grace and enablement to overcome all sin – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Those who conveniently ignore the divine mandate of Romans 6 to crucify the sinful man and his evil, sinful deeds are denying Christ who died to take away all sin from our lives. To deny such is to deny the Gospel.

The Bible never separates being saved from sin and being saved for eternity.

They are always connected and so anyone claiming to be saved and yet is not presently saved from their sin, is completely deluded. They have bought into the life of the ages which Satan launched in the Garden of Eden when he told the first man and woman that they could sin against the LORD and “not surely die” or be separated from Him (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). This lie from hell caused the fall of the first man and woman and is causing the fall of millions today who vainly believe they are saved for Heaven while living in their sins unrepentant!

At the Day of Pentecost, when the LORD’s church was born, Jesus’ apostle Peter testified to those saved: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:40)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

I can hear it now: “BUT BUT BUT……. being holy is a nice thought and theory, BUT BUT BUT… does God really expect to be what He commanded us to be? Will He not overlook our sins? Doesn’t He see us through the blood of Christ?”

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Those who are living in unrepentant sin and somehow believe God is going to forgive them in the end may wish to consider that:

1. You may never have the chance to repent, sudden, instant death happens to thousands daily (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11).

2. You may call upon the LORD and He will not hear you (Proverbs 1).

Let me pause to say that obviously, this writer is a disciple also and so just like yourself, he knows the gravity of sin and yet is also blessed to know the power of Jesus Christ to crucify all sin out of his personal life, but only as this follower is truly abiding crucified with Christ. Only as we are abiding crucified with Christ are we free from the entanglement and defilement of all sin!

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Satan and sinful self are always at work, making excuse for soul damning sin. Yet the Bible has all of God’s answers for all sin, not just some sin. Learning to die – to lay aside self for the greater glory of Jesus’ reign – is at the heart of Christ’s message of the daily cross (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-26, etc.). Those who deny the daily cross Christ commanded, are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

The list of excuses goes on and on and on, yet they’re all based on rebellion and unbelief against our Maker who through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ made full and complete provision through to save us from all sin.

In fact, is that not exactly why Jesus came?

The announcements of the Messiah’s birth, Ministry, and Divine Mission:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

To deny that God sent His only begotten Son to save us from all sin is to deny Christ.

You are calling God a liar to say you can’t be blessed by Him to overcome all sin and sinning. Those who dare indict the Almighty this way despise the perfect salvation of Jesus Christ.

“The spirit of holiness” as from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is to possess all of God’s children, enabling them to “through the (Holy) Spirit … mortify the deeds of the body.” (Romans 1:4; 8:13-14)

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (be separated from God): but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (have life with Christ). 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (those living in sin are not being led of the Spirit and are not the sons of God). 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (why fear if God has given you His full divine power over all sin?). 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (as we live in His holiness by the power of His Holy Spirit):  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; IF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (notice that this is clearly condistional). 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (suffering death to self).” Romans 8:12-18

Excuse makers are not true disciples of Jesus. They put more trust in the sinful nature than they do in the saving power of Jesus Christ which means they have “an evil heart of unbelief” and have departed from the saving faith of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 3:12-15; 1 Timothy 4:1).

“Take heed, brethren (not lost souls), lest there be in any of YOU (brethren) an EVIL heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But (in light of this jeopardy of soul) exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, IF IF IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15

The same excuse-making sinners who use Romans 7 to justify their sin, refuse to be confronted with Paul’s words in the very previous chapter – Romans 6. They refuse to repent of all sin and be crucified with Christ and are kindling for the fires of eternal damnation. Saving grace saves us from sin and quickens us to repent and confess any and all sin if we make choice to commit such as is named in Scripture and defiles our wedding garments (Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21). Listen closely to this Titus 2 passage beloved:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

It is clear from this Bible passage that only those who are by the enabling grace of God, learning of Him and “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” are ready to meet Christ at His soon return.

According to Titus 2, exactly what is divine saving grace teaching those who are truly possessed with it? – “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (v12) This means that anyone who claims to be Christ’s and yet is not learning to daily deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” is utterly deceived. Whatever you do, pour over and learn this passage! Let it take full precedence in your heart and mind, overruling the message of those wolves who have taken sin lightly and made you feel comfortable while living in soul-damning sin. Cast down those wicked false images of God beloved (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Deborah Blanchard notes:

“God is Holy and to be feared. He demands holiness from us. It is our choice and when we choose to be obedient to Him He gives us the power to overcome. It is a fearful thought of mine to come before a Holy God. At the same time, it is a loving God who provides all we need when we decide to come to Him on His terms.”

Continuing in sin and yet still saved?

“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?” Romans 6:1-2

If you are not currently saved from sin, you are not saved, period.

Let’s review the above passage:

Question:

“Shall we continue in sin, that (saving, essential) grace may abound?”

Answer:

“God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

“This Present Evil World”

“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Galatians 1:4

Of Galatians 1:4, the late Donald Stamps aptly noted:

“DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD.  This verse if probably an early confession of faith that was well known throughout the N.T. churches. It connects the death of Christ with the forgiveness of sin and deliverance from ‘this present evil world.’ Essential to the saving purpose is the deliverance of believers from the evil that dominates the societies of this world. The first gospel message preached after the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit contained the words: ‘Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’ (Acts 2:40) Believers must live for God and refuse to be governed by the prevailing values, wisdom, opinions, corrupt desires, ambitions, and pleasures of the people of the world.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1830

If you love your sin more than Christ, you have openly denied Him and are in danger of hellfire. If you don’t repent and return to Him, allowing Him to make you holy as is defined by Him alone, He is going to deny you access to eternal glory and terminate you into the bowels of eternal damnation.

“It is a faithful saying: For IF we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 IF we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 IF we believe not, yet he abideth (remains) faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Notice that the LORD says of Himself here that “he cannot deny himself.” It never says He can’t deny you. Say what?! Yes, read the passage above again very carefully and you will note that many have been misled by false teachers to believe that God will never deny them because they had once been saved in their past. But is that what the LORD is saying in the passage above? No! He says that He cannot deny Himself – not us. It never says He cannot and will not deny us. In fact, it says in plain daylight that “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” The “if” means it’s possible to deny Christ and the divine promise here is that “if we (do) deny him, he also will deny us.”

Note also that this passage assures us that only “if we be dead with him” shall we “live (eternally) with him.” And, only “IF we suffer (death to self) shall we “reign with him.”

Make no mistake: The blessing of eternal glory is condition, not un-conditional as many false teachers teach.

It’s time to snap out of the spell of all fictitious notions and falsehoods we have been fed by the epidemic of beguilers who now fill books, pulpits, audio messages, videos, websites, and otherwise with their lies from hell. Get into God’s Word and take Him who is the Judge of your eternal soul at His Word. Decide to “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.”(Romans 3:4)

A Willingly Deceived Generation

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12

Foolish, deceived souls somehow believe that they can be saved and have “eternal security” while they refuse to be saved from their sin. Nothing could be further from the truth as any honest hearted Bible student knows. This is a brazen denial of Christ who died “that he might redeem us from all iniquity,” not just some iniquity (Titus 2:14).

Those who refuse to submit to the “daily” dying to self will find any speck of Bible truth to twist to justify their rebellion and make excuse for their rebellion and sin (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Peter 3:16).

It’s essential to be “honest” in all things as Jesus taught and yet He also said that “men loved darkness rather than light.” (Luke 9:23-24; John 3:19-21)

2 Corinthians 7:1 says: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Departing from all Iniquity is Commanded by the LORD

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal (stamp, earmark), The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

It’s clear from this above passage that every single person who is currently in Christ’s body and secure with Him, is departing “from iniquity.”  Contrast with those who revel in sin and them make excuses for doing so.

Nothing in God’s Word could be more clear than the fact that all who die in sin – all – will spend eternity in the lake of fire (Ezekiel 33:12-13; 18:30; Romans 6:23; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.).

When speaking to His very own people, Jesus promised that only those among them that “overcome” would be with Him eternally (Revelation 2-3). The Holy Spirit told us through Peter that in the end “the righteous” would “scarcely be saved.” Many have fallen away or not endured to the end which is a requirement imposed upon us by the LORD. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18)

Whether previously saved or not, all those who die in sin are going to the lake of fire. The whole of God’s Word testifies to this fact. Jesus said to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that causes us to offend the one true God who said He is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Read Mark 9:42-49, a passage purposely dodged by the spineless, self-serving cowards behind today’s pulpits who claim to be representing Christ while refusing to declare the full counsel of His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5). The Son of God promised us that He will be ashamed of them in the Judgment, which means they will be vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation (Mark 8:38; John 8:47). There’s no doubt that after we have been saved, we have all sinned against God and yet there are those who openly and honestly admit they have sinned and repent, turning back to the LORD (Luke 8:15; 1 John 1:7-10; Revelation 3:17-19). And then, there are those who use  false doctrine like OSAS (once saved always saved) to cloak themselves in that sin, falsely claiming they are still secure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The LORD Jesus and the Father, the One who will judge our eternal souls, made it clear that we must repent of any sin committed. Only then does He “cleanseth us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The LORD made full provision for all sin in the perfect sacrifice of Christ and yet, the benefits of that sacrifice are only appropriated (received) by those who meet the divinely stated conditions.

Notice what the divine counsel reveals through Jesus’ apostle Paul in the end of 2 Corinthians 12:

“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

Read this passage several times prayerfully. You will notice that as Paul is writing this to the church at Corinth, he is dreading having to go and have to deal with their sin – that is, the sin of those who had not yet repented of the sins they committed. He never denied that perhaps all of them had committed some sin since he last saw them. Yet, the ones he was exclusively concerned about were the ones who had not yet repented of their sin.

Sin is always a choice of the individual. The old sinful nature cannot be used as a scapegoat. It’s present with us and yet, must be kept under subjection to the divine power of the Holy Ghost.

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

The word “keep” here once again makes it clear that the denial of the sinful self is an ongoing requirement. It’s also obvious that Paul didn’t believe or teach the “once saved always saved” heresy, otherwise he would never have stated that he himself could also become “a castaway” which simply means he could ultimately cast away from Christ into eternal damnation.

To intimate in any way that we are relegated to live in sin, would be saying that God’s regenerating, transforming, saving, enabling grace is not enough to keep us from all sin. That’s a lie from hell.

If you sin, be honest and admit it to the LORD. How foolish of us to think that He doesn’t see and know our sin in the first place? (Proverbs 15:3; Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:13) Who are we trying to fool?

“He that covereth (tries to hide) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The above Bible verse speaks about the necessity of being honest before the One who sees all. Also, it makes crystal clear that all sin that the believer chooses to commit must be confessed and forsaken.

Memorize Proverbs 28:13 (KJV). Write it on an index card and read, meditate upon, and memorize this truth. Share this with others.

Do you believe we have to be perfect after we become a Christian? Yes, perfect in heart, which without fail brings “fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” with Christ in glory (Romans 6:22). Many misuse the Bible truth that “the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Some use this as a cloak/excuse for their sin, acting as if God overlooks their sins, even if they refuse to repent, confess, and forsake them.

“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:21-23

God looks upon the heart first and foremost as His eyes search to and fro throughout the earth, looking for that person whose HEART (not necessarily their performance) is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). The thief on the cross was utterly wicked until he turned his heart to Jesus and Jesus freely saved him in his last moment on earth. The fruit of and outward actions of our lives will begin to align with the abiding heart that is perfectly fixed upon and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Colossians 3:1-8, etc.). We must not cover but rather repent of and forsake sin (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:6) Moses, David, Peter and many others throughout Scriptural history had sinful failings but repented while others (their contemporary counterparts) refused to return to the LORD in repentance. It’s interesting to contrast this phenomenon with these historical, biblical contemporary pairs: Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau, David/Saul, and Peter/Judas. What was the difference? The heart. In each comparison, one repented and the other rebelled and was hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, departing from the LORD (Heb. 3:12-14).

Mercy, forgiveness, and divine enabling grace is always granted to those saved and who continue to come to God through Christ.

Our heavenly Father be thanked for the “throne of grace” He established through the perfect, precious blood of Jesus where our sins can be blotted out afresh upon repentance (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2).

Jesus is coming and every one that has “this hope” of His return in their heart “purifieth himself even as he is pure.” (1 John 2:28-3:3)

Initial and final salvation is based on Christ’s perfect sacrifice and the reception of it is based on the individual’s initial and enduring faith – to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

Should we consider the Almighty harsh for giving us in His Word several lists of sins that violate Him? Do we consider Him to be as He told us He is – holy? Did He not give us ample fair warning that all sin will be judged, either by repentance now or when it is too late – when one stands before His holy throne in trembling ruins?

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4

Jesus came, not to grant free license to sin, but to the contrary, to forever judge sin in the flesh, by the sacrifice of His own body and to grant the blessed power to live in the Spirit and not live in sin. Because Jesus forever judged sin in the flesh by His perfect sacrifice, He defeated all notions and excuses for sin. There will be no defense when we stand before Him naked on Judgment Day. Why then would any person claiming to know Christ teach anything that justifies the sins that violate His holiness?

What does the Holy Spirit promise will happen to any person who has the fruit of any of these “works of the flesh” manifesting in his life?

“…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

The believer has already been judged when he or she got saved. Jesus died for ALL our sins, past, present, and future. Jesus sure did do His work perfectly-“It is finished” (John 19:30) and yet the appropriation of His propitiation (atoning sacrifice) is contingent upon our faith – both initially and ongoing. The idea that all my future sins are already forgiven is erroneous and not a New Testament teaching because God is not obligated to continue forgiving any soul that continues in sin. In fact, He told us that “the soul that sinneth, is SHALL die.”  (Ezekiel 18:4)  The fact that Jesus paid fully for our future sins is truth. It’s reality and set in stone, and yet, the forgiven, redeemed believer must endure in saving faith the end or he will be cast into the lake of fire. See. Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 1 Peter 1:5, 9; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2-3, etc. There is no such thing as un-conditional eternal security. All of Scripture refutes this lie that is widely peddled by modern false teachers. This is the same lie Satan told Adam and Eve – he told them that if they disobeyed God that God would not separate them from Him (spiritual death). But God booted them from the Garden (His holy presence). See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4.  Notice that one 3-letter word Satan added to God’s Word and how it led to the loss of the fear of God in the first man and woman and led to their fall into sin. God ushered them out of His Garden/presence.

Eternal life surely is eternal and yet the possession of it is forfeitable (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 12:14-15; Jude 1, etc.). We are told that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from “all sin” but only “IF IF IF we walk in the light as he is in the light,” confessing our sins (1 John 1:7-10). After being saved, our sins are not arbitrarily forgiven. We must of necessity take personal accountability for them. We must agree with God’s pronouncements of what sin is and repent if we commit any of them (1 John 1:6-2:2). We shall eternally perish if we die with sin having spotted the pure white garments of His righteousness He graciously gave us, when He found and saved us. God’s Word warns that we are to make our“calling and ELECTION sure” and to keep ourselves “UNSPOTTED from the world,” otherwise we will be found rebels who “obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” and will be eternally condemned (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; James 1:27; 2 Peter 1:10).  We must set aside all tradition and things we have been taught of mere men and be washed with the water of God’s Word, being blessed to attain to His wise counsel. When we do, we will discover a conditional eternal security, not un-conditional. In speaking concerning the person who has believed and was saved initially, Jesus invented the term “fall away” and so such must be possible (Luke 8:13). To deny such would be to disagree with the One we claim to be our Savior.

Forgiven but also Reaping

David sinned and repentant and yet had to reap gross reward for his sin. Sin does have a price tag.

Yes God will forgive our sins and yet, we must reap what we have sowed (Galatians 6:7-8).

Jesus is able to keep us from sin that defiles and makes us unclean in His sight:

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24

The LORD “IS able to keep you from falling” into sin and to “keep” you ready to be presented “faultless” to in judgment – ready to meet Christ and be with Him and not cast away.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30

Be bold and courageous in God. Know that He is able to keep you! Repent of any excuse making. Repent at once of all rebellion and damnable unbelief. If not, you will be “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” and ultimately be damned, all the while thinking you were saved (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrew 12:14-17

The “wages of sin” is still spiritual “death.” (Romans 6:23) Like it or not – if you die in sin, you will spend eternity in hell/lake of fire.

Here’s the divine warning to God’s people, not the lost:

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (the covenant people of God are being addressed) 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” Ezekiel 33:11-13

Still stuck on the “eternal security” or “once saved always saved” fairytale?

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

Are you returning to the “vomit” God delivered you from and then making excuse and justifying yourself in your sin? If so, you are a spiritual “dog” in God’s holy eyes which means you are defiled and unfit to have fellowship with Him here and now or in eternity.

Refuse to make any excuse for any sin you may commit. First off, you must realize that you are not forced to commit any single sin. It’s always a choice if it happens and you alone are to blame, period.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1:13-16

Read Romans 6 every single morning for the rest of this week or month! And do it! Own it! Pray that the LORD will make it reality in your life!

The holy fear of the LORD is only cultivated in the hearts and lives of those who honestly take Him at His holy Word. All others are denying Christ, hate His truth, and being turned over by God to “strong delusion” and to ultimately “damned.”(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Whatever you do, repent, learn to love and obey the truth, fast and pray, and learn the daily cross Jesus commanded you to take up.

Get the books: Soul Damning SinsI Die Daily, and Lie of the Ages.   STORE (all resources)

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mercy mandate

 

 

Lifting up the downtrodden. Restoring the fallen.

WE both know that if God weren’t mega merciful, we both would have been in the bottom of hell, long ago ….. Should we not return that mercy to others in our dispositions, thoughts, attitudes, and words? Memorizing Ephesians 4:32 in the KJB will change our lives. Body life! Heavenly Mercy! https://safeguardyoursoul.com/heavenly-mercy-and-love/

Memory Bible Verse

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

“kind”

“tenderhearted”

“forgiving”

drop the rock by looking in the mirror

when you look into the mirror and see the vilest wretch on the planet, the motivation to give mercy will fill your heart

Fueled by our own great gratitude for how God has so mercifully dealt with us…. When we have the opportunity to show mercy, we must readily, forthrightly bestow it, even as God has been so merciful to each of us. – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13) Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario

“God has a multitude of mercy (Psalm 5:7), is “plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 86:5), “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), and has “abundant mercy” (1 Peter 1:3). Wow! And I need all of that! But the real test is since He gives me all that mercy, do I extend mercy to others? If I don’t show mercy to others I will not receive mercy from God. James 2:13.” Karen Cochran

”  Romans 8:33-34
I was recently told by a dear sister in Christ that another lady had harshly judged her for a sin she had in the past committed – a sin God had already forgiven because the sister had repented and confessed it to the LORD (1 John 1:9). Here’s one of the things I reminder her of: There’s not one Christian who has not sinned AFTER Jesus saved them. She proves to be not walking in the saving grace of Christ, otherwise she’d have leveled no such thing at you. God is calling her to repentance. When we are personally experiencing the mercy, the grace of God in our lives in that abiding vital union, relationship, including in His forgiveness, we will show that same mercy to others.
“Justice will be served. Do not spend your life trying to clear your name. It is a wiser course of action to keep on with the task at hand, to trust God to vindicate in due course.” unknown
WHO is going to “obtain mercy”?
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

IF you are born again and presently abiding in Christ, all of your past sins are gone, they are washed away by Christ’s precious blood – as far as the east is from the west – to infinity!!! Ps 103:10-12 I like opening the Bible and reading Matthew 7:1-5 to these type self righteous devils.

 

Think we might need to joyfully unload mercy on others lest we forfeit the mercy of God on our own lives?

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

Memorize:

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Now, pray, seeking God daily on the basis of what is written in Ezekiel 36:24-26.

“And didn’t we also put Jesus on the cross because of our sin? Isaiah 53:6. I think how many times over and over the Lord has extended, undeserved, mercy and grace to me! All I can do is fall on my face before Him in thankfulness. Because He did find me and save me. Yet I do not love Him enough. And I fail Him but He keeps extending mercy and grace to me. Thank you Jesus you are long suffering towards us. And your mercies never fail and are new every morning!” Karen Cochran

“OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS”

Our attitudes are very important to the LORD (1 Samuel 16:7).

HOW are we viewing those whom GOD has forgiven for their sin?

How did Paul instruct the Corinthians saints to view the now forgiven, once fornicator? Read 1 Corinthians 5 then bounce directly to 2 Corinthians 2.

Summation of 1 Corinthians 5: Unrepentant fornicator who was turned over the Satan and then repented. Now that he’s forgiven, Paul tells these same saints who surrounded this man…..

2 Corinthians 2
Forgive the Sinner
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would CONFIRM YOUR LOVE TOWARD HIM.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Unbiblical bad attitudes of unforgiveness will bring Satan’s “devices.” And what does Satan do? – steal, kill, destroy (John 10:10).

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

FORGIVE from your heart or go to hell. That’s your choice. Matthew 18:21-35
Mark 11:25-26 – It becomes easy to forgive when you look in the mirror honestly and see all your own sins. Repent now.

Be sure of this …. If you die having not forgiven EVERYONE “from your heart”, hell is your eternal home (Matthew 18:21-35). You will never escape. Repent now. God was and has been unfathomably merciful to you and I and He requires that we show mercy to others – or perish. Look in the mirror at all your own sin and how mercifully God has been with you. Drop the rocks, now. Pray for that person(s) till God’s love overflows in your heart, till you are broken in a million pieces and brought by Him to the place of total brokenness and dependence!

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

The God Who Is Ready To Forgive [podcast]
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-god-who-is-ready-to-forgive/

safeguardyoursoul.com

IF you die having not forgiven just 1 person you are going to hell. Mark 11:24-25

HOW can God possibly use me to show His mercy to others if I am not walking in His mercy toward others?

IF YOU DEAL mercilessly with others, undiluted harsh judgment is coming upon your own life. That’s a divine promise:

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

Read that again. Memorize it.

YOU set the measure of the judgment/mercy coming upon your life from God by how you show such to others.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

A wise disciple has rightly stated:

“Before you use God’s Word as a sword, use it as a mirror.”

 

If you have been born again and yet presently believe you are going to Heaven without forgiving EVERYONE, you are in need of getting right with God. Read what Jesus says in Matthew 18:21-25. Until you repent for real and forgive everyone freely, as God forgave your wretched soul through Christ, your own eternal soul is hanging by a spider thread over the fires of hell, sinner. You are not forgiven until you forgive all (Mark 11:25-26; Ephesians 4:32). See yourself for who you really are – the most wicked, undeserving sinner on the planet in the eyes of a holy God (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3; 7, etc.). Take it all to the foot of the cross. Lay down your life – before it’s too late.

Forgiveness Category on SafeGuardYourSoul.com
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/forgiveness/

 

“I sure don’t have much mercy in myself. I need to get it from God who is Rich in mercy . Ephesians 2:4.” Karen Cochran

“A good test of humility is how quickly one will repent and forgive others. Lord, help me be patient and hospitable during rush hour, and to remember that my times are in thy hand. (Ps. 31:15) 🤲 In Jesus name, Amen.” Jon Crane

Refusing to forgive someone is 100% SELFISH and reveals that you are the one who is in need of true repentance – before you die and go to hell irrevocably. If this is you, if you have even one person you have not sought God to forgive, your eternal soul is hanging by a spider thread over the flames of eternal damnation.

Jesus wasn’t playing! The flames of eternal hell await you, sinner.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

Think about what we do when we dare hold a grudge, refuse to freely forgive – to show mercy as God has so mercifully shown we ourselves – the worst most vile, evil sinners ever to exist: “BUT HE/SHE hurt ME!” There it is! It’s all about you! Jesus is not reigning on the throne of your heart – presently you are your own little god, a false god that cannot forgive your own sins or save you from the fires of eternal damnation.

You only hold that grudge, you only refuse to forgive because they hurt YOU and your life is all and only about you. You are separated from God who is holy. You yourself have hurt others and you want mercy and yet refuse to show mercy to those who’ve hurt you.

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

Drop the Rock, Sinner!

Smite your own filthy demonic heart before a holy God – before HE slams, vanquishes your vile existence forever into the domain of the damned, never to see light or experience an iota of comfort again.

Hint: We live in a fallen world – that means we’ve ALL sinned and done evil as well as being the victim of the sinful evil of others. If you will cease being a self-righteous hell bound full blown hypocrite you must learn to throw the stone at yourself! (Job 19:28)

Study the book of Romans this week. See your own wicked, evil self in chapters 3 and 7. Shut up and repent, now.

Those who are guilty of this wickedness are living like they’ve never read the Gospels – because they are certainly not living the truths Jesus sets forth. He told us that they crack WHORES will be in Heaven before you will be ! See Matthew 21:31.

“All pride and self-righteousness must be stripped out of us! We must see our complete unworthiness! Our utter inability to meet God’s standards! Knowing and admitting we are nothing without God! We are to be completely stripped of self! These are the people who will enter the kingdom of heaven. The meek! The ones who hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, because they know theirs is but filthy rags. The pure in heart! Those without spot or wrinkle.” Karen Cochran

RUN TO JESUS, NOW!

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You now, as the most wicked, evil, merciless, vicious sinner to ever walk and breathe upon Your planet. I fall prostrate before Your Majesty now, confessing that no one who’s ever lived needs You, Your precious mercy, more than this wretch. Here and now I fall upon Your mercy, undeservingly, asking You to forgive me, to break me, to crush me into absolute humility, only to be raised up out of those ashes with a disposition of utter poorness of spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

Wrongly judging other is many times a projection of one’s own sins upon others instead of repenting, receiving Christ and being saved.

Romans 2:1-3
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”

“cloudiness and condemnations” our evil un-crucified hearts project, cast upon, affix to others

Zec_7:10  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Zec_8:17  And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

Romans 2:1-3
WHEN we see ourselves as God sees us without Christ – depraved, hopelessly desperately wicked, filthy rags – only then will see the person in the mirror for who he truly is – the vile wretch, the evil despicable sinner most in need of divine mercy. It’s then that will shall cease wrongly judging others instead of forgiving them, showing mercy on them as God has done with us via the blood of Christ’s cross (Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).
 
We must learn to “love mercy” even as we need mercy – from God and others. Micah 6:8 https://safeguardyoursoul.com//mercy/

Forgiving ALL others from our hearts is no small detail. No, rather, your eternity rests upon it.

”  Matthew 18:21-35

 

If we ever get a clue as to the REAL SCORE – the way things really are – we will be frantically running to others to pour out divine mercy and never sulking in the sinful bitterness of unforgiveness. If you need it – give it. Dump truck loads!

Divine motivation to unleash mercy. Memorize Ephesians 4:32 and James 2:13 now.

https://safeguardyoursoul.com//mercy/

 

IN A LITTLE WHILE WE’LL BE WITH THE FATHER: It’s important in this short life to reckon with the fact that EVERYONE DOESN’T LIKE US! It’s part of life. Jesus, Paul, John, and every disciple who ever followed Christ was “hated.” (Matthew 10:22) In fact, Jesus taught us to be very concerned when all men like us and speak well of us (Luke 6:26). That’s His kingdom perspective saints. safeguardyoursoul.com

 

”  Matthew 5:10-12

HOW Christ’s kingdom works: Those who repent and confess their sins are completely forgiven and washed by the blood of Jesus and free (1 John 1:9). Those who still judge them for their past sins are in bondage, separated from God in their sins, and going to hell, with no exception! Look in the mirror today to see the vilest, most iniquitous sinner who is utterly need of the mercy of God. Or, perish. Non-negotiably, if you don’t forgve ALL others from your heart, you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. Now let’s just repent saints and cease pretending to be saved by the One who died for our sins “while we were yet sinners” – in the face of our iniquities (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 5:6-9).

Those who refuse to forgive another will not be with the Father.  Matthew 18:21-35

Today, we are in great need of large doses of divine mercy and to study this topic – which begins with our sin and how God gave His only begotten Son in the face of our sins in order to redeem, to forgive us. You may wish to memorize Titus 3:5-7 today and James 2:13. Learn it. Own it, Preach it!

Remember that Jesus died to save the person we may be tempted to judge in our heart attitude today.

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:35

Jesus commands us to love even our enemies, right?

PRAYER: Father, please create in me a clean heart, a pure heart that is filled afresh with Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1 John 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-16

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Boomerangs of Mercy [podcast] | ForgivenessFresh Start with God

 

Ephesians 1:

The eternal covenant

Nathan was acting according to the

2 Chronicles 12:  After David sinned and then repented, God gave David 3 choices

 

Romans 3:24-28; 4:   5:17   2 Corinthians 5:19-21

Act 13:38  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Act 13:39  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

“Two Men Went Up into the Temple to Pray”: “God be merciful to me a sinner” [podcast] https://safeguardyoursoul.com//two-men-went-up-into-the-temple-to-pray/

 

You have to wonder if those condemning others have themselves experienced forgiveness. Seems they’d personally understand the mercy of God if they had experienced it. Well, we do know by Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant that a man can be forgiven and then turn and condemning another (Matthew 18:21-35).

 

 

 

 

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Articles

Are Tongues Demonic? [podcast]


Believing lies will ever hinder the blessing of God on our lives. If you are born again and yet not yet baptized with the Holy Ghost, you will forever lack the divine power God wants you to walk in. Acts 1:8 says what?

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 diminishing aught, letting go of the true Pentecostal, Holy Ghost baptism Christ’s gives to His own. NOT the denomination 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).

No Pentecost, No Power! 

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, facilitated 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).

By divine design, those who pray in the Holy Ghost will be overflowing with the presence and power of God.

“building up yourselves”

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 20

Edification – building up!

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” 1 Corinthians 14:4

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 omitted/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 (builds up) 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

Are tongues only for private use? No, both private and within a meeting of believers.
The phrase “tongues and interpretation of tongues” is speaking specifically for a body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:10).
 
“…he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:5 
 
“seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. …Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” 1 Corinthians 14:12-13
 
“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.” 1 Corinthians 14:27

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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Apostasy

The Majestic Eternal Word [podcast]


“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. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

Did you know that God has magnified His Word even above His holy name?

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

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