“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” Proverbs 13:3
NEVER be party to slander or a false report. If such were not going to be an activity to avoid, the Bible would not have so very much to say about it.
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an UNRIGHTEOUS WITNESS. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” Exodus 23:1-2
IF you are spreading information about another person that YOU WERE NOT A LITERAL WITNESS OF – WITH YOUR OWN EYES – you are being “an unrighteous witness” by repeating a matter you are not a literal witness of.
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
“Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” Luke 3:14
NEVER EVER DRAW CONCLUSION ON ANYTHING BEFORE YOU’VE HEARD THE WHOLE STORY
A stern divine warning to refrain from drawing conclusion, from speaking before we have the full spectrum of information. It really is true that there are at least two sides to every story.
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13
Are not our laws in this country crafted after this truth? “Innocent UNTIL PROVEN guilty.”…
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” Proverbs 18:17
“He that is first in his answer in a disputed matter may appear to be right, but his opponent comes to cross-examine him and brings the real truth to light.” Dake
Like myself, have you ever heard one side of a story and determined with great anger which party was guilty? Then, the other party spoke and you were left dumbfounded at just how deceived you originally were, having heard just one side of the story? O, how long shall it be till we ingest and adhere to our LORD’s infinite wisdom/Word?
Laws against False Witnesses … The Severe Punishment of All False Witnesses
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two WITNESSES, or at the mouth of three WITNESSES, shall the matter be established. 16 If A FALSE WITNESS (someone who didn’t SEE for themselves) rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.” Deuteronomy 19:15-20
False witnesses like Haman will be hung on their own gallows – the one they constructed to kill another. – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”(Galatians 6:7) The LORD misses nothing. He sees all and will repay those who repeat something they are not a literal witness of.
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
The sin problem of judging others, wrongly that is, while we have a log in our own eye, is that God knows all our own sin we’ve not overcome yet, and is going to now expose and flip our life upside down. We’d better think long and hard about sending for unwarranted judgments on others when it’s not the Holy Spirit leading us to correct them “in the spirit of meekness” to help them restored to Christ (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-2; James 2:13).
“And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Acts 10:15
Dare we count unclean that which God has cleansed? Dare we call David unclean for his sin when the LORD forgave, cleansed, justified Him? Dare well the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5 unclean after he was forgiven and restored?! (2 Corinthians 2)
Beloved of God, if after being saved, you have ever once lied, stolen, coveted, lusted in your heart, refused to forgive, etc., you were choosing to be “unclean” – defiled in the eyes of a holy God. Yet, when you turn your heart back to the LORD, confessing your sin, He freely forgave you. Right? Right! (1 John 1:9) In light of this, how shall we presently and forward, assess those in Christ’s family who have sinned? Shall we celebrate their return, their restoration as did the father of the prodigal son and as Paul did with the forgiven and restored previous fornicator? (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2)
AS was the case with the fornicator in the Corinthians church (1 Corinthians 5), when he repented, here’s what Paul then instructed the other believers in Corinth to do:
“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.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
WHEN someone repents, it’s over. The offense is gone, done, washed away, remitted by the very “precious blood of Christ” – as if it were never committed (1 Peter 1:18-19). The transgressors is forgiven and restored (yet he will still reap what he sowed Galatians 6:7-8).
Of this truth the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:
2:11 Just as there is danger for an assembly if it does not take disciplinary action when called for, so there is a danger of not exercising forgiveness when true repentance has taken place. Satan is always ready to step into a situation such as this with his cunning devices. In the first case, he will wreck the testimony of an assembly through tolerated sin, and in the second, he will overwhelm the repentant person with overmuch sorrow, if the assembly does not restore him. If Satan can’t destroy by immorality, he will try by the unmeasured sorrow following repentance.
Commenting on the expression “we are not ignorant of his devices”, J. Sidlow Baxter says:
Satan uses all manner of stratagems to turn souls from the truth: a sieve to “sift” them (Luk_22:31), “devices” to trick (as in our text), “weeds” to “choke” (Mat_13:22), “wiles” to intrigue (Eph_6:11), the roaring of a lion to terrify (1Pe_5:8), the disguise of an angel to deceive (2Co_11:14) and “snares” to entangle them (2Ti_2:26).”
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
Let us live biblically!
“Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1:16
Undiluted divine condemnation will be reaped upon the head of that one who dares to mock his Maker by judging others without mercy (James 2:13).
“Believe nothing against another but on good authority; and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.” ~William Penn
A mere accusation makes nothing true. False accusations began in the Garden of Eden and have continued since then. Here’s an example of a godly man, Christ’s apostle Paul, being falsely accused, slandered by many religionists….
“And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.” Acts 25:7
There were many railers who slandered our precious Savior.
“But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses.” Matthew 26:60
“For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” Mark 14:56
“Ye Have Done it Unto Me”
There are many railers today who while claiming to be Christ’s children, slander the disciples of Jesus. Many today still slander our LORD by slandering or railing against members of His body.
The reality of false witnesses in this wicked era is established and yet, no disciple of Jesus should ever participate in the slander or railing against one of His children and if they do, they are attacking Jesus Himself who stated “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Then, the Judge of all souls declares “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:40-41)
To slander a child of God is a soul-damning sin to be dealt with no different than the fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5 where the Bible also lists other classes of damning sins, including railing. Those who rail on another simply attack or slander them. All unrepentant railers are murderers in heart and will be slain down into eternal damnation if they don’t repent before it’s too late and forsake this wickedness (1 John 3:14-15).
What kind of person does the Bible say digs up evil – reaches beneath Christ’s blood to judge a forgiven believer? – “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.” (Proverbs 16:27)
BEWARE of the witches, warlocks in our midst who would seek to use an already forgiven past sin against you (Proverbs 16:27-28).
God will forgive “ALL sins” except 1:
“Verily I say unto you, ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and (even) blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29
God will not forgive the sins of any person who refuses to forgive all others – from their heart (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26, etc.). Unforgiveness is non-negotiably, irrefutably, soul damning sin.
PITFALL WARNING
Can spreading something true about someone, something they actually did, a sin they committed, be slander in God’s eyes? YES. Just because it’s true that he or she went into sin does not warrant you spreading it. No, God wants to “COVER” it, bury it – just like He wants to forgive and cover, bury YOUR sins. NEVER unduly uncover the past sin of a member of Christ’s body! Do you remember what happened to Ham when he dared to uncover his father? (Genesis 9) If you unduly uncover – your sins will be uncovered (Matthew 7:1-5; James 2:13). Now, read this again and let it sink in that only “an ungodly man diggeth up evil” or brings someone else’s past sins back up:
“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”Proverbs 16:27
Listen to this:
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall COVER the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
See also James 5:16; Matthew 18:15-17.
Cain Followed His Parents and Did Things His Own Way
DID Cain murder his brother Abel because of Abel’s sins or his own?
“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12
Those who slander (kill, murder them with words) others do so because of the wickedness that exists in their own hearts.
The true remnant disciple must refuse to participate with false brethren in soul-damning railing (1 Corinthians 5).
What kind of person does the Bible tell us gives ear or listens to a tale bearing tongue?
“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Proverbs 17:4
The LORD watches who’s tale bearing and who’s listening and holds them both accountable.
It is the height of cruelty to believe the lies of an enemy concerning someone else. Yet, that makes it essential for us to dismiss things about a person if we don’t have a personal and truth-speaking witness. One dead give away of an unscrupulous, ungodly person is that they have no concern for the person they are slandering. They have no compassion or desire to see that person restore, that is, if in fact what is being said about them is even true.
Where does this originate from? Jesus says:
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37
It is an extreme delight to our LORD and to His people when His children – imperfect in self and saved by His sheer mercy – dwell together in unity as we await the Son of God from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1
What does the Bible tell us a “true witness” does?
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” Proverbs 14:25
Did you note how this Bible verse specifically defined “a true witness” and “a deceitful witness”? Read it once more please, paying close attention.
Just like the Great Shepherd of the sheep, the “true witness”or child of God seeks to bring restoration to the fallen/backslidden. Luke 15 is all about the restorative love of Jesus and how He delights to restore those whom He has saved and have backslidden. He is “not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance” and every one of His genuine saints have this same desire (2 Peter 3:9). Those who don’t have this desire, are not His!
The word “talebearer” appears 6 times in the Bible:
“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. “Leviticus 19:16
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. “Proverbs 11:13
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 18:8
“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 26:20-22
To be a “talebearer” is simply to bear a tale – to carry it forth. It’s a tale when you are not a literal witness of it. So, such should not be repeated and the person who told you should be rebuked for this sin.
“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” Proverbs 25:9-10
Jesus taught us that if we have a problem with someone, we are to go directly to them and to no other, first and foremost (Matthew 18:15-17). Keeping things as private as possible seems like the divine will. Any person not obeying Jesus in this command is acting out of an evil heart and bearing evil tales. Christ’s disciples must not participate.
The next time someone says something negative about a certain person, interrupt them kindly, grab their hands and bow your head and say “Let’s lift that person up to the Father in Jesus’ name right now okay.”
IF you don’t know if it is true, ignore it. Set it aside and do not believe it. Don’t be surprised when lies fly about a sister or brother. Jesus promised that all who truly follow Him would be lied about and that they are “blessed” by God – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you FALSELY, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
HINT: Just because something is spoken, written, or repeated, doesn’t make it a fact.
Proverbs 17: 9 says “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that REPEATETH a matter separateth very friends.”
In this verse, did you catch the two things people can do concerning matters? In light of the fact that God is judging me according to how I judge others, I must ask myself whether or not I am covering OR repeating the matters that come into my ears concerning others. Such is a telling fruit. We know this because the Bible says in this same exact chapter “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4)Now, read that verse again and answer the following two questions:
1. What kind of a person does the Bible say “giveth heed to false lips”?
________________________________________________
2. What type person “giveth ear to a naughty tongue”?
________________________________________________
Beloved, never unduly expose others. When YOU sinned, did you want everyone to know about it or did you simply desire to repent and be restored to the LORD? Obviously the latter, right?
Apply Jesus’ golden rule and do to others as you wish for them to do for you in your time of need. This is walking in God’s love. Learn it and live His love! Study everything the Bible says about His love and beg Him to imbue your whole being with His love!
Recently I received an email from a ministry that was taking a certain preacher to task for a sin he committed many years ago. They based their cause on the hearsay of a former employee with that ministry. They seemed to drink in anything the former employee stated with not question or regard for whether he was telling the truth. They assumed he was. They seemed to assume that because that preacher was supposedly caught by sinful man in a sin years ago, that he was still committing that sin. They lost me quickly. I couldn’t finish reading that slander. I believe the Holy Spirit was grieved.
How do they know this man didn’t repent/hadn’t repented? Why do they assume such?
This doesn’t dismiss the qualifications for elders set forth in God’s Word. Yet, if sinless perfection (concerning performance) is the measure of being used of God, you and I are disqualified! For not one person could be used of God – not one – if God disqualifies us if we have sinned after He saved us. Remember the vile sin of Peter in His blatant denial of the very LORD of glory? But what did Jesus tell him? (Luke 22:31-32)
Is there no more forgiveness with the LORD?
Did the unchanging LORD of all creation and redemption somehow change?
When did God’s mercy cease? (Psalms 86:5, 15; 103:10-11)
Do you realize that God has NO respect of persons and so IF His mercy ceased toward the one you are slandering, it has also ceased to be applied to your slate? If this were the case, you are in big trouble.
Is the divine promise of 1 John 1:9 still in God’s Word?
What did Jesus tell Peter to do after he sinned? – Jesus told him to go do ministry! – “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Recently, someone asked how I had the patience to deal with the many misguided people whom we interact with. My reply was this …
The patience is in me toward others due to being brought by the LORD into the ever deepening revelation of my own infinite need for God’s daily mercy and grace ….. Ephesians 4:32 is a memory verse for all disciples. It says “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (if you name the name of Jesus, please memorize and live this verse from today forward)
Somehow we seem to forget that while Jesus was literally dying for OUR sins on that cross, He prayerfully cried to the Father “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
SOMEBODY throw your hands and heart to the Father and praise Jesus for the abundant and infinite mercy He has bestowed upon your wretched soul!
Even the great apostle of Jesus said:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
To those who have been slandered, see Psalms 31:20 and Job 5:21.
R.A. Torrey wrote:
“The humility of Jesus Christ was manifested in His silence under false accusation. Jesus did not defend His own good name. He left that to God. He ‘committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” and God has given Him ‘the name that is above every name.’ (Phil. 2:9)” What the Bible Teaches, p. 128
Jesus didn’t throw away the thief on the cross. No, Christ knew the man lived a sinful life and yet fully, freely forgave him in his last moments on earth. That once sinful, thieving man is now and will forever be in the bliss and glory of God’s eternal abode!
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE MERCY, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I sincerely repent of anytime I have personally participated in the sinful slander of another person. I beg You to forgive me for my own vile sins in Your holy sight, through the Person and blood of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. No one on earth needs You more than I do LORD! Not one person alive needs Your blessed mercy more than this vile, undone sinner! Father, please establish me as Your servant of reconciliation, a dispenser of Your bless-ed mercy and compassion, helping others find their way back to You! Break me LORD Jesus, I beg of Thee! Put a watch before this mouth and keep the door of these lips. In Jesus’ blessed name, Amen.
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If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?
MAKING PEACE WITH GOD Are you ready to Pass from Death to Life? God desires to pardon you – before it’s too late. Jesus beckons you to “Come unto me” — while you can (Matthew 11:28-30). “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 GOD sees all sin and will either forgive or […]
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Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]
Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.1—Dallas Willard
Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.
When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)
When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.
But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.
Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (Philippians 3:9)
It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:
Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?2
Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?
One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.
Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.
Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”3 in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).
Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.
Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”4 and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”5 In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”6 Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”7 As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.
Roger Oakland sums it up:
The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .
We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.8
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10
What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).
For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)
This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).
2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).
3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).
4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Ibid., p. 55.
7. Ibid.
8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.
This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
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SHOCKING List of Spiritual Formation Ministries
More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
See picture below.
I recently, “accidently” drove up this very narrow street only to realize that there was no turn around at the end. As God would have it, this man helped me back out of that street and received the spoken Word and a JESUS tract. Romans 8:28 right?
“Ephesians 3:20 was the very verse I prayed for you and the ministry this morning! And v16 as well. May the Spirit of God manifest His full grace and peace upon you today! And give you fruit, more fruit and much fruit! Amen.” Karen Cochran
(see picture below)
It dawns on me afresh today as it has since arriving here in Mexico, that these precious people so deeply hunger for Christ. Today, upon ministering to Victor and Juan and having Victor incessantly asking me about Christianity, Jesus, and being saved…. this was a fresh reminder of the great hunger and openness of the Mexican people. They want Jesus. Plain and simple. “HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
These two men were excited to know that you would be lifting them in prayer.
Victor and I are now connected by phone. So he will now be fed the Word of our God and be introduced to Spanish speaking disciples of our LORD Jesus.
Being limited in Spanish, I preached the Gospel, the Bible truth I am able to in Spanish and that including exhorting them both, today to repent and receive Jesus and did this while pointing to the prayer (oracion) on the back of the JESUS tract.
Would you like to kindly pause to lift these 2 dear men in prayer to our LORD?
JUST got a call from sister Teri in FL and had the opportunity to speak with brothers Scott and Jorge who were both recently saved by Jesus. Was also blessed to speak with a brother named Raymond who is a flourishing disciple of Jesus!
Thank you for your prayers and support which include our bless-ed opportunity of helping this group of disciples in FL.
Jesus is coming!
Recently…… Many received God’s Word today.
Brother Mark has recently joined in helping with our LORD’s Gospel in Mission Mexico and was amazed when he saw three grown men walking together who were ministered to and walk away, each of them with the JESUS tract open, as they walked read the message. They are that hungry.
The Mexico people deserve to hear our LORD’s glorious Gospel!
“I bet brother Mark is amazed at the response of the Mexican people when you guys go out and minister to them. To have so many hearts open and poor in spirit would be a shock at first. Total opposite of America—who say ‘I am rich, increased with goods have need of nothing!’ Revelation 3:17.
Praise God for the blessed ones who heard the engrafted word of our Lord, which is able to save their souls.” Karen
REPLY:
Yes He is amazing. They WANT it. They DESIRE it. They are like the woman who desires a man and so he marries her and they have a super blessed marriage for life. Instead of the wicked Jezebel woman who just wants to self-servingly shop for the man she can use to accomplish her selfish agenda.
“I was reading Mathew 21:23 this morning and it went through my mind that is what God said to America! ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ And that nation is Mexico!“ Karen
“Truly amazing what God is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. And now He is raising up disciples to bring into the harvest. He is LORD of the harvest. Have you heard of Chick Publications? I just read that they have sent 200,000 tracts to a Mexico missionary and more being ready to be sent. Southern Mexico. So God is sure flooding Mexico with His Word!” Karen Cochran
While walking over to get a haircut, I happened to spot a JESUS tract someone had placed on this vehicle. No it was not me. I didn’t put that tract there. Someone else did.
Then, 5 minutes later, after arriving at barber and sitting down in the chair, straight ahead in my line of sight, there’s a JESUS tract purposely set on display by the barber.
No matter how high prices get in Mexico, your cost of living will always be MUCH less than the USA. A raise awaits you, soon as you cross the border. Is God prompting you to “Go”? (Mark 16:15)
God is good all the time as you well know and thank you.
Your prayers to the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus are the heavenly fuel He uses to bless and empower and supply His people to do His work.
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19
Yes Jesus is saving souls—the very mission He came to accomplish for all who will, right?
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
Every man in the picture below gladly received the spoken and printed Word (JESUS tract Spanish).
Beloved Maria.
HINT: There is plenty of opportunity to contribute to Mission Mexico. We are going to continue to feed the poor and minister Christ’s Gospel – regardless of the fumes we are presently operating on. Thank God for those who are praying and supporting. This opportunity to obey God, lies in front of each of us. What shall we do?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
To say that this ministry is under-funded is an understatement.
GOD is our Maker and Redeemer and He knows where He has and wants each of His children to be—where you already are or otherwise. The LORD is in control (Psalms 24:1). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 Last week Jesus saved this beloved woman, Katherine! See more on that salvation story here. Recently I commented under a Mexico video…. which received nearly 100 likes to date…. After leaving the USA and now living in Mexico, I began to see just how un-free and vulturous it was […]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
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“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty. Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it […]
