Self Love vs Savior Love [podcast]
coming soon
Psychology is the world’s band aid for man’s problems. Such a cheap substitute for the real divine solution has invaded the minds of so many who claim to be saved. This has transpired on the wings of the prophesied end time wolves. God’s Word and Holy Ghost are the only solution for those truly following Christ. Regrettably, many have not become rooted in the Word and are therefore deceived, swept away in the prophesied great falling away (2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7). | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments (self-serving thinking) of the world, and not after Christ … And ye are complete in him (Jesus Christ)…” Colossians 2:8-9
This will be one of the most important Bible truths you will ever learn and will help you discern the poison in the false me-centered messages in most “Christian” books today and coming from most pulpits.
Not only are most leaders not teaching the cross – self-denial – they are teaching the opposite – self-exaltation! ANY leader not preaching the cross is mis-leading! Run!
Is this self-love invasion not a clear fulfillment of 2 Timothy 3:1-13? Self-love is a curse! The cross crucifies self so that Jesus reigns, not sinful self. Hell awaits all who aren’t serving Christ – on HIS stated terms – the cross. Lay down your life now!
Colossians 2 gives us a severe warning about false philosophies of sinful mere men. The LORD never dealt with man’s problem – sin – by way of most of what goes on today in the name of Christianity which has departed from the Word of God and is therefore largely apostate. It is wise to clear the slate and take a fresh and very close and prayerful look at how we see Christ and His apostle approaching man’s sin problem. Mark 5 and the maniac at Gadara would be a good starting point. God gave us 3 things to walk in the total victory that He alone can give us, 1) The written Word, 2) the Holy Spirit, and 3) the true body of Christ.
Unless I am missing something, it seems that Jesus gave just 2 commands in Matthew 22:37-39 and not 3. Did you catch that in the passage above? The “mind of Christ” is actually loving God and others above ourselves which requires crucifying self (Philippians 2:3-5). And, Christ’s apostle Paul plainly insinuates that we already love ourselves – it comes naturally, from the adamic, the fallen nature – “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh.” (Ephesians 5:29) Jesus introduced to us the only solution – the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Loving our self is the root of our problems, our sin, and not something we should learn to do.
Flash Point: Jesus and His holy apostles taught men to deny and crucify self, and not to love self. Repent. Get a Gospel clue. Run from the wolves who mix cheap psychobabble with the Gospel!
ANYONE TEACHING PEOPLE TO LOVE THEMSELVES IS AN AGENT OF SATAN, THE SELF-LOVE KING OF PRIDE WHO IS “king over all the children of pride.” (Job 41:34)
THE SIN OF PRIDE SEPARATES US FROM GOD AND DESTROYS US: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) This is why Jesus commands and we must have the essential cross, crucified life – because pride is a major iniquity of the fallen man (Luke 9:23-24).
The Bible says we already love ourselves. It’s innate – part of the fallen nature. That’s our whole problem and not something we need to do as vile wolves teach (Ephesians 5:29). God’s Word never says to love ourselves but it does say to deny self, to crucify self (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Think about it: If the Bible says “love yourself” then it contradicts itself. When we are living the crucified life, we are 1. loving GOD first, and 2. His love is pouring through us to others as we love our neighbor – anyone and everyone other than ourselves! (Matthew 22:37-40)
“God resisteth (sets Himself against) the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:6-7
Satan tempts us with the exact sin that got him permanently ejected from Heaven, God’s presence (Luke 10:18).
“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up (pride) because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:13-19
We never read where God instructs us to love ourselves because He says we already love ourselves too much innately and that’s our whole problem – “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” (Ephesians 5:29)
Here’s Who Jesus Commanded Us to Love
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these TWO commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
On what “TWO commandments hang all the law and the prophets?” Can you re-read the above text and count the number of commands our LORD gave upon which the whole message of the Law and Prophets (whole Word of God) hang?
Jesus told us specifically that He gave “TWO commandments” here – not three.
1) “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God” (v37)
2) “Thou shalt love thy neighbour” (v39)
Does Jesus tell us to love ourselves here? If so, please show us where. Does God’s Word anywhere teach that men should learn to love themselves more?
Did you notice here in the words of Christ that there is the complete absence of any command for believers to love themselves? Since there is not even one hint of self-love taught in God’s Word, where do so many modern church leaders get the idea and authority that men are to learn to love themselves?
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it…” Ephesians 5:29
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved NOT their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
This week alone, I have heard 2 deluded leaders teaching people to love themselves. Sounds noble doesn’t it? But is it biblical? Did Jesus and His apostles teach men that they needed to learn to love themselves? With all the messages on loving self today, we must ask ourselves; Did our LORD teach self-love or self-denial?
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross (implement of death) daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save (love) his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
Here the Son of God told us clearly that “any man” who would be His must “deny himself” not elevate or learn to love himself. To “deny” one’s self is to refuse to think upon or do anything that violates the holiness of God as defined by His Word. Self-love is certainly one of those things the LORD identifies as sin and condemns.
If the Almighty wanted us to believe that we are to love ourselves, why didn’t He just come out and tell us? If Jesus Christ, the apostles and prophets didn’t teach it, by what authority do we dare teach such?
Here is the single verse this love thyself (self-love) teaching is based upon:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39
To get to the point, there is NOT ONE supporting verse or text to this self-love message and this one above (Matthew 22:39) they clearly twist/pervert (2 Cor. 2:17). I think it should be more than obvious that Matthew 22:39 carries the same import as Matthew 7:12 (Golden Rule), when the Master instructed:
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
The Pride of Lucifer
“The LORD will destroy the house of the proud.” Proverbs 15:25
From where does any self-serving message originate? Who is the author of the self-love teaching and behind all false prophets who are teaching this message? The 5 “I”’s of Lucifer in Isaiah 14 should reveal the answer to this important question. Can you find the 5 “I’’’s?
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15
The motto and pride anthem of Satan is I, I, I, I, I – and this is true for anyone who is not in the love of God. The self-love message is clearly Luciferian. As with Lucifer who became Satan and the devil in his state of eternal condemnation, hell will be the result of all who teach and buy into the self-love message that is being taught in “Christian” books, pulpits and media.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments (self-serving thinking) of the world, and not after Christ…And ye are complete in him (Jesus Christ)…” Colossians 2:8-9
The age-old and classic message of the pied piper solicits saints to forsake the Savior for temporary, self-serving comforts and earthly gain. Concerning this prevalent love of self message, Oswald Chambers said:
- “Self-realization is anti-Christian. All this is vigorous paganism, it is not Christianity. Jesus Christ’s attitude is always that of anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of man at all; His purpose is to make man exactly like Himself, and the characteristic of the Son of God is not self-realization but self-expenditure.”
Self-love is sinful pride. Since the Garden of Eden, self-love has caused every sin ever committed against the one and true holy God in 6,000 years of history. This doctrine of devils is now being taught on an epidemic level within the church world by men who are deceived and even claim that this diabolical message is a Bible doctrine. Astounding!
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27
Conformed to His Holy Image
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29
This is an important verse to memorize. We are informed here of the very reason for which He as predestined us – “to be conformed to the image of His Son” who came to give His life – to be a giver and not a taker. Those who are born again are no longer their own. They are Christ’s – bought by His precious blood and called to serve Him not self.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price…” 1 Corinthians 6:19
There is no freedom or blessing in learning to love ourselves more. Such is blatant disobedience to the whole Word of God. We are finite, sinful, “desperately wicked”, and in utter need of God and His divine mercy, not more knowledge of ourselves (Jer. 17:9). The Almighty is infinite. The finite must seek the infinite not the finite (itself). The fallen creation must seek His perfect Creator who bled to give him reconciliation and restoration and set the example of serving others not self.
“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5
“Vain is the help of man.” Psalms 60:11
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man (including self), and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
According to the words of our God in Jeremiah 17:5, all those who “trusteth in man (self)…depart from the LORD.” This is what exactly what Lucifer did to become rejected of the Almighty and called Satan, and the Devil. “Depart” means leave – to go away from, to fall away. Men who trust in themselves or look within themselves for virtue and betterment will absolutely “depart from the LORD”, they will fall into a state of condemnation. Dismal Depravity, sinfulness and misery is all man can find within himself, apart from the living and true God. This is why Jesus came into the world – to save men from sin and self. In light of this truth, are we not astounded by the hoards of “Christian” false teachers who have risen up in our midst who teach this diabolical doctrine? Perhaps this truth will also bring a clearer focus upon 1 Timothy 3:6 where Paul is speaking about a young believer being put into a place of leadership before he has learned some things:
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6
The Holy Ghost warns us here that the “novice”, or believer who is not comprehensively seasoned in the Word, will be prone to “being lifted up with pride” like “the devil” was, and “fall into the” same condemnation as Satan – separated from a holy God through sin.
The mark of the many wolves in our midst is that they feed self-love instead of teaching men to deny or crucify the self life.
Christ taught those who would follow Him to “DENY…SELF, and take up his cross (implement of death) daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23-24) Following Jesus means doing what He did – denial of self, complete trust in the Father, and serving others not self.
The false gospel of self-love, peddled by so many leaders today, is the antithesis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who called us to laid down our lives.
The Gospel of our LORD is to learn to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment”and to “esteem others BETTER than ourselves. Look NOT every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…(who) made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:3-8)
Friend, what reconciliation does this text (above) have with the satanic, self-love message we hear peddled today in “Christian” circles? Obviously, the two messages are completely opposite and originate from two opposing entities. One of the ways we know and discern who is truly behind a leader is by whose message that leader is peddling/promoting – God’s or Satan’s. Let’s contrast: Doesn’t the satanic bible say “Do what thou wilt”? The Bible says “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Remember, Love Gives, Lust Gets. God says to “deny thyself.”Satan says “indulge, or, love thyself.” Which of these two messages have you placed yourself under and internalized? Are you being called, through the messages you are hearing, to deny yourself or to indulge yourself?
Karen from West Virginia writes:
- “Yes, in describing the evil of the last days, that is what the Scripture says in 2 Timothy 3:2 and 4. It says in verse 2, “for men will be “lovers of self”… verse 4 “RATHER THAN “lovers of God.” The Bible doesn’t ever imply or say that loving self is a good thing! The bottom line is that when Jesus said “love others as yourself”, He meant to replace your stinking self-love with loving others. He meant when we love others RATHER than ourselves, we are being lovers of God rather than lovers of self. The Bible teaches us to love God first and love others second rather than ourselves! Now we have the full counsel of God when we put 2 Timothy 3:2-4 with Matthew 22:39 and the other Scriptures about loving others. Being lovers of self is just not a good thing! The world will tell you to love yourself and if you are having trouble, they will tell you to go get some Prozac, have a face lift, take a vacation, have a Starbucks, do something good for yourself rather than always for others! Dr. Phil and Oprah and others will tell you and encourage you to love yourself, but they aren’t speaking from the heart of God or teaching what the Holy Spirit would teach.”
Jesus came to be crucified. According to Holy Writ, the Christ-centered life is all about laying down our lives like Christ did for us, and living to bring His blessing to others, not ourselves. Let us consider what the Holy Spirit seeks to communicate to our hearts in these following words of Scripture, and may He grant us ears to hear what He is saying to us – that we might obey Him, be fully pleasing to the Savior, be kept from deception and evil, and be ready for the soon return of Christ.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6
God’s Love Gives
“God so loved the world that he GAVE….” so that all men could have eternal life now and in Heaven and life more abundantly, right? (Jn. 3:16, 10:10).
Contrasting Jesus Christ’s and Satan’s peddlers, the apostle Paul says:
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For MANY walk, of whom I have told you often (warned), and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (self appetites), and whose glory is in their shame (they proudly teach what they should be ashamed of), who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
Self-love is the cry of the deceivers who prey upon the unpurged lusts of men. The exploding “seeker-sensitive” movement which is a false form of Christianity and the path to building a “mega-church, is the epitome of this. The self-gratification messages of these smiling wolves cause their audiences to feed the flesh instead of crucifying it and therefore to live in sin against the holiness of Jesus, and self-focused and not God and others focused. Could this be the reason that there is so little evangelism and discipleship transpiring among those who call themselves Christians? The modern-day prophets of Balaam (false) are teaching people to seek self-gain in this fleeting life. These “many false prophets” in our midst arrogantly twist God’s Word, teaching those who listen to use His Word for selfish gain and the betterment of the depraved self. In fulfillment of last days prophetic warnings, this evil is working well on the multitudes who would rather indulge in temporal ease and earthly gratification than what is right in the sight of the One who made them and died to rescue them (1 Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). This is the ongoing test of life – whether we will serve God or self (Rom. 6:16). The fact we can observe is that these deceivers who are plentiful in the modern church abound only because the loyalty and money given by those who support them allows them to build their kingdoms larger and larger, reaching more and more people who financially embellish them to lead multitudes astray.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (full-counsel Bible truth); but after their own (unpurged) lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 2 Timothy 4:3
The Holy Spirit is saying through Paul here that many do not want to die to self but instead feed/serve self, so they place themselves under those who will tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. God help us. Hell awaits all who die worshipping at the altar of self and not the LORD God Almighty – “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)
Esau forfeited his eternal reward due to self-idolatry. He consequently lost his birthright (Gen. 25; 27:36). The Holy Ghost warns us under the new covenant using Esau’s fatal decision to love himself more than the LORD His Maker:
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 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; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 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.” Hebrews 12:14-17
ME, ME, ME!!! This is the sin of pride-ridden selfishness that has caused mankind to violate the holiness of God from the beginning and is now being boldly taught from so-called “Christian” leaders. With brilliant detail, our Savior reveals in 2 Timothy the activities within the church-world that He foretold would be evidence of Christ’s soon return. He details the teachings and pride-driven characteristics of those leaders and their adherents who act as “Christians” and have a “form(ula) of godliness”, yet deny the lordship and reign of Christ in their personal lives:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves (self-love), covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power (rule; authority) thereof: from such turn away…evil men (false teachers who teach self-love) and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived…For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 2 Timothy 3-4
While posing as God’s servants, these men serve themselves and teach others to do the same.
In light of this prophetic utterance of the Holy Ghost and the apostle Paul, should we be surprised at the onslaught of self-love being taught by so many leaders in the “Christian” world?
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves (self-love)…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”
It’s real simple: False prophets are fulfilling these prophecies by teaching and feeding self-love, while leaders true to the LORD Jesus Christ declare what Christ did – that it is a necessity to deny one’s self, and to humble themselves, that God may exalt them when and how He wishes (Matt. 23:12; Lk. 9:23-24, etc.). Jesus calls His own to deny themselves, while the enemy of all souls is using his emissaries in our midst to lead people to worship at the altar of self.
Saint of God, be careful of the self-love message which comes in so many flavors to feed the carnal/sinful nature in us. At the root of this message is always “What’s in it for ME?” and the betterment of self – apart from God and His clear Biblical revelation to us. Scripture is even twisted, taken out of context, and used to teach this. Self-love undergirds all psychology whether it claims to be “Christian” or not. Self-love is the root of the message of the false prophets of this late hour. Self-love is the core of the “favor of God” message taught by so many of the TV preachers who call God’s people to worship at the altar of self. Modern-day deceivers speak from pulpits and books and TV of “the favor of the Lord” and the “anointing” as that which can obtain things for self, instead of the Biblical message of the LORD’s blessed favor, power, and anointing in our lives to accomplish His will in glorifying Him who alone is worthy (Acts 1:8; 6:27; 10:38, etc.). In His life on earth, Jesus didn’t use His Father’s power to make Himself famous for His own aggrandizement. He didn’t come to spend His life on earth for selfish gain, but instead to give it in crucifixion so that others could have life. The Son of God expended His life teaching His disciples to lay down their lives and ultimately laid down His own life to serve all of mankind who was and is guilty of sin before the One, true Holy God (Jn. 13:1-8).
Called to Serve not Be Served
Jesus told His 12 and all of us, that He came to serve and not be served. This is fundamental to the Christian faith. When some of His disciples attempted to elevate themselves, Jesus corrected them and told them they were to serve others and not themselves. Do our leaders not read their Bibles? Why don’t they know this elementary truth and command?
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
The Bible says that love “seeketh not her own.” (1 Cor. 13:5) True godly leaders teach the Bible – which instructs believers to mortify and crucify and put to death the deeds of the body (Ezekiel 44:23; Rom. 6). In contrast, false teachers incite the lusts of the flesh through messages of covetousness (2 Peter 2-3). God calls His own to serve Him and not self. “No man can serve two masters.” (Matt. 6:24)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
“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
“And they that are Christ’s have (settled issue) crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
God is calling those who will be His to the Christ of the Bible and Biblical Christianity and to forsake all deceivers who lead us from His holy truth that preserves us to the end. Any writer or leader in any medium who does not teach the original Gospel given us – including self-crucifixion – is a false teacher, “accursed”, and to be rejected and marked (Gal. 1:6-9; Rom. 16:17-18). Because of the end-time deceptions which were to come, Paul cries with tears for 3 years and warns God’s people:
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32
When Paul was warned by many in the church that when he went to Jerusalem (which is where he was headed), that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him. Did he change his course? No. What was his response to this great harm that lay ahead of him? Here is what he declared:
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
If we are to “finish” the “course” of final salvation and fruitfulness in His kingdom, we must like Paul, count or consider not our lives dear unto ourselves.
The Holy Spirit simply never led any writer of the Scriptures to instruct men to love themselves. He had 66 books to do so and simply didn’t. Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we needed to know? Did He lie to us by telling us that everything and all things that pertain to life and godliness are in His Word (2 Pet. 2:3-4)? Not only did the Apostle Paul nor any other writer of the Bible teach Christians to love themselves, but he, in his own life said “neither count I my life dear unto myself.”
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
Andrew Murray stated:
- “The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Abide In Christ, p. 160
If we still hold out a vestige of hope for preserving ourselves (self-love) in this life, we are not truly dead to self and released to the LORD.
If we still hold out a vestige of hope for preserving ourselves (self-love) in this life, we are not truly dead to self and released to the LORD.
“The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:24-26
Could the words of our LORD be any clearer? The self-life must be lost in order for that person to be found in Christ. This happens when we begin to love our Savior more than ourselves and freely and volitionally ask Him to increase as we decrease (Jn. 3:30). There can be no hold out. There can be no self-preservation. Without a clear and outright death to self and commending our spirit into the hands of the Almighty who loves us, there can be no resurrection to the life of Jesus.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
Those who argue to justify loving self, have not yet honestly and diligently studied God’s Word and do not yet understand the life and mission of Jesus Christ. He came to die that we might have life and instructed all who would truly be His to do crucify the self-life that He might reign in us and that others might have the blessing of eternal life.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1-2
The following excerpt is taken from the PyschoHeresy Awareness Letter (PAL) which is highly recommended:
“…men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
So . . . what do you think Jesus would say to pop singer Madonna? While former reporter and atheist, now assistant pastor at Willow Creek Community Church Lee Strobel admits he’s “not pretending to have divine revelation from God on what Jesus would say,” his book title, What Jesus Would Say, gives the impression he has a pretty good idea about what Jesus would say. But, we have to wonder what Jesus he’s talking about, because his Jesus sounds more like a pop-psych-pastor than God the Son. Strobel’s Jesus identifies Madonna’s problem as a self-esteem issue. Self-esteem? That’s because it’s easier to get someone to come to church if you identify one’s problem as low self-esteem instead of sin. And, contrary to what so many pastors-turned-pop-psychologist like Strobel would have you believe, the Bible says: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. . .” (2 Timothy 3:1,2).
Promise Keepers also promote self-esteem and self-love. The following is from Promise Keepers Newsletter, Winter, 1993:
- Many Christian single men have fought the battle to build their own self-worth, self-esteem, and self-love. They have learned that it is impossible to have a healthy relationship with others while having an unhealthy relationship with one’s self. Jesus recognized this when He challenged us to love our neighbor as we would love ourself (Mark 12:31).
In their eagerness to embrace psychological teachings of the world, Promise Keepers shift the thrust of the verse and make it sound as if we are commanded to love ourselves. But Jesus gave two commandments: to love God and to love neighbor. Loving self was not a commandment, but rather the manner in which to follow the second commandment. In other words, loving self is the natural human propensity. The very statement of Jesus is built on the fact that people already love themselves (see also Ephesians 5:28,29).
Christianity is about a loving relationship with the Lord and about loving one another. Christ did not teach his disciples to love themselves, but rather assumed that they already did when he said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27). Just as we naturally care for ourselves and want what is good for ourselves, we are to care for others and want what is good for them.
An individual wrote to us and asked how Proverbs 19:8; Proverbs 8:35,36; and Proverbs 15:32 might relate to the idea that “we already love ourselves” and “don’t hate ourselves.”
Here is what we understand these verses to mean and how they do or do not relate to self-love and self-hatred. “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good” (Proverbs 19:8). While everyone already loves himself, not all people are wise. While they may love to indulge themselves in foolishness, they do not care for their soul, their spiritual life; therefore the encouragement is to get wisdom and keep understanding. An analogy might be that we must eat to live, but those who eat unwisely do not properly care for their bodies. This verse does not refute “we already love ourselves.” Proverbs 8:35 continues that same theme regarding wisdom: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” These Proverbs offer two options:(1) finding God’s wisdom and thereby living a good or godly life, or (2) refusing God’s wisdom and losing the possibility for living a good life.
The next two verses speak warnings to those who choose option 2. “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Those of whom the verse speaks love themselves more than they love God, but in the long run they will destroy themselves. It is not that they actively “love death” or that they hate themselves.
It is that the arrogant self-indulgence of hating God and going one’s own way is spiritual death. The same is true for Proverbs 15:32, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” It is not active self-hatred here but rather a warning that one’s soul is in jeopardy if one refuses the Lord’s instruction. The contrast is that those who “heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
The following is from our book Prophets of PsychoHeresy II regarding self-hatred:
- Now we are not saying that there are no individuals who genuinely think that they hate themselves. However, what they generally hate is something about themselves or their circumstances. They exhibit actual love for themselves in that they continue to spend most of their time concerned about themselves, even if it is with unhappy thoughts. They generally get to the point where they are unhappy about themselves because a discrepancy exists between their aspirations or desires and their performance or condition. This intensive hate is evidence of high self-interest.
The problem is always the self-focus with people who think they hate themselves or think they need to love themselves more.
In his book Life in the Spirit, Martyn Lloyd-Jones says:
- The real cause of failure,ultimately, in marriage is always self and the various manifestations of self. Of course that is the cause of trouble everywhere and in every realm. Self and selfishness are the greatest disrupting forces in the world. All the major problems confronting the world, whether you look at the matter from the standpoint of nations and statesmen, or from the standpoint of industry and social conditions, or from any other standpoint—all these troubles ultimately come back to self, to ‘my rights,’ to ‘what I want,’ and to ‘who is he?’ or ‘who is she?’ Self, with its horrid manifestations, always leads to trouble, because if two ‘selfs’ come into opposition there is bound to be a clash. Self always wants everything for it-self. That is true of my self, but it is equally true of your self. You at once have two autonomous powers, each deriving from self, and a clash is inevitable. Such clashes occur at every level, from two people right up to great communities and empires and nations.
Self-esteem teachings distort the Bible, reflect the world, and appeal to the natural man. The Bible teaches believers to esteem others better than self, to love one another as we already love ourselves, and to deny self daily. (From PAL V3N2)
OVERCOMERS
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Speaking prophetically of overcomers, the Bible says that they “LOVED NOT” their own lives even unto there own death in this fleeting world system. If this isn’t a nail in the coffin of the self-love message, then what is it? Those who overcome will be those who “love not their lives unto the death.” This is the Bible. This is the opposite of learning to love self – “they loved NOT their lives unto the death.” This is God’s Word. Self-love is the antithesis of the message of the Gospel of our LORD. Self-love is antichrist. Only the overcomers are promised eternal life in Heaven and only those who love not their own lives even unto death are overcomers and will be in Heaven (Rev. 2-3).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Our thinking must be “transformed” to that which we witness in the Word that we might be fully pleasing to the One we claim to be serving. He tells us here to present our bodies a “living sacrifice.” Nothing can be left alive – all must be laid down (sacrificed) and died. The LORD desires that His “great power” and resurrection life would abide in His children (Jn. 11:25; Acts 4:33; Rom. 8:11).
Knowing God personally, living in the Spirit instead of the flesh, and devouring and obeying His Precepts, is the only safeguard against the deception and sinful desires of self-idolatry being taught by so many in leadership today in these apostate, Laodicean last days (Jn. 17:3; Rom. 8:29; Rev. 3:14-21). Jesus told us that the road was narrow and only a “few” will enter into the “narrow gate” that leads to eternal life – Heaven. As foretold by the Son of God, so very “many” are being swept away in this tidal wave of self-indulgence and deception, designed to lead men to eternal perdition (Matt. 7:13-15).
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15
Ever notice in the above passage how that Christ warned that only a “few” would ultimately be in Heaven and warned that we are to “beware of false prophets” who come to us dressed like sheep and yet they are “ravening wolves.” The term Jesus used here, “ravening wolves”, means that these leaders have spiritual rabies and have come to inject the sheep of the LORD and destroy them.
Any person who, after reading numerous Scripture and finding not one verse in the Bible that teaches men to love themselves, and yet still argues to justify self-love, has been well trained under the tutelage of Satan’s emissaries.
It is when we cry out to the LORD that He cleanses us and that we then have His love and joy in our hearts and have the sense of well-being as He desires.
Look here at the first 13 verses of Psalms 51 and note the progression. It seems that when the believer calls upon the LORD in repentance (because of his sins) for His mercy and the heart is cleansed, the joy of the LORD is restored and evangelism is one of the results. This is the fulness the LORD intends for us and not the deceitful sham and propping up of sinful, depraved self by some kind of self-love that He never intended:
Psalms 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways (evangelize others); and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
The Savior will make us to “hear joy and gladness” and “restore” to us “the joy of” His “salvation” when we cease leaning to our own understanding and acknowledge Him in all our ways, doing things the way His Word clearly prescribes (Prov. 3:5-6).
“Charity out of a pure heart” is the chief design of the Word of God (1 Tim. 1:5). He wants to first purge our hearts of self-love, as we fully trust Him (justifying faith) so that His love may fill us and be “spread abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 5:1,5)
The “More Blessed” Life
God promises to bless us with all needs met as we seek Him first and place Him as our Supreme Master as we go forth exalting His name and Gospel and building up His holy saints. (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19, etc.) Christ can only reign in the hearts of those who deny themselves. He can never reign in the heart that is full of the pride of self-love.
“I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is MORE blessed to GIVE than to receive.” Acts 20:35
The “MORE blessed” life is found in giving, not in taking honor unto ourselves. It is a futile endeavor to feed the self life. Most importantly, it is utter disobedience to the LORD we claim to be serving. He is holy and commands us “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:16)
Ready OR Not – Jesus Is Coming,
PRAYER of Repentance: Dear heavenly Father, I come to You by the blood of Jesus Christ and the divine grace which I do not deserve. Here and now, I repent of the sin of self-love, self-idolatry, and spiritual adultery and denounce such sin. Please forgive the disobedience which I have exercised myself in by ever espousing such. LORD, please forgive me for buying into this pride-based message. Deliver me now Jesus! I love You supremely as my first love and ask You to grant me a heart of purity, as revealed in Your Holy Word – to serve You and others, elevating them above myself. This moment I am crucified with Christ – to live unto Jesus and not my selfish desires. May this life be a testimony of your saving mercy dear LORD as I go forth to love and to serve You my LORD and Your saints and those lost souls who need to be born again. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Psycho-Heresy | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
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FEEDBACK:
“I just finished reading an article on your website about psychology, and it’s so true! I tried to kill myself (guilt over sins) about 4 years ago, and was put in the pavilion. Afterwards, I loved the attention I got from everyone. I was ordered to go to counseling twice a week, and I looked forward to those meetings. Why? I got to talk about myself. I also used that as an excuse as to why I did stupid things in those few months. After being born again, I realized that I needed to take responsibility for my actions and not blame anyone or some “mental illness.” The doctor still tries to put me on antidepressants. I won’t take them. I don’t need them. I have Jesus.” Misty N.
Abiding
FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane
By Jon Crane
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
A life surrendered to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit is made able to become a child of the kingdom of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; etc.).
The grace that saved us: the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary is our atoning sacrifice and become the entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for the purpose of living from the new creation we have become in Christ (born-again John 3:3-7; John 15:1-5). Putting off our old man with his worldly mindset by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:3-7).
Let us therefore, press into this inward holy life of living faith.
“But be ye doers of the word, and NOT hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work (Matthew 7:24-25), this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
More Thoughts…
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath (vengeance belongeth to the LORD who created us all
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD (actively doing God’s will in their lives; making full proof of the hope of redemption which they have by exercising their faith by works of love – Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; etc.), they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the MEEK shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5); and shalt delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:7-11
When pressed above measure read Psalms. 94.
Remember whose you are …
“And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23
Take heart…
“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
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior yet and would like to make peace with God…
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18
Romans 3
“Moreover, brethern, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein in ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth (Jew, Gentile, Muslim, etc.) may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God, without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith (Rom. 1:16-17) of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time (today if you hear his voice: Heb. 3:7,15 conviction in your heart) his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26
Confession made…
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 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.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
Call upon Jesus Christ according to faith and be saved!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
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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).
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
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.’”
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“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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