No Inherent Sin Nature?
Born Okay the First Time? After the Fall: Is Mankind Inherently Good or Evil?
SELF-RIGHTEOUS DEVILS will be in hell first according the Christ! (Matthew 21:31) There are lots of novices acting like they have the answers because they learned their heresies from now-in-hell wolves like Mike Desario and Charles Finney. Beware. These are the vilest of devils.
Those who claim man has no inherent sin nature deny the presence and power of sin and are just another group of enemies of the cross of Christ (Romans 7; Philippians 3:18-19).
Some deny that there is a flesh nature to be crucified. Utter heresy.
Sin sure is a living entity called the “old man” which is ever with us and must be daily crucified – put to death (Romans 6; Colossians 3:9-10). If there were nothing to “put off” why would the LORD have told us to do so so often? ANY person teaching that there is no inherent sin nature, no “old man” to “put off” by the cross life daily, has openly called Jesus Christ and His holy apostles fools – because they perpetually taught the daily cross to crucify that old nature, that flesh (Romans 6, etc.).
Anti-Christ means to replace, to put something in place of Christ (1 John 4:1-3). The “spirit of antichrist” is active in the earth to unseat Christ from our lives – to put something, anything in place of Christ who repeatedly taught that in order to follow Him, one must repent, deny self, take up the cross daily, and walk with Him (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 16:24-25, etc.). The “spirit of antichrist” is 100% the originator and behind the whole push, this heresy to teach that man has no inherent sinful nature, that he has no reason to “deny” (crucify) the self life, to be “crucified with Christ”, to “put off the old man” daily. Read Luke 9:23-24; Romans, Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Ephesians 4:21-24; Colossians 3:3, 8-10. Therefore we must conclude that those who teach such are “enemies of the CROSS of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)
The no sin nature people are missing the cross. The Mike Desario’s, the Charles Finney’s, and the Jesse Morrell’s of the world peddle the no-sin-nature heresy and also do not preach the cross, the crucified life. They rag on endlessly about “stopping all sin” but never mention the crucified life which is the only divine prescription for overcoming sin (Romans 6, etc.). That alone makes them false, peddlers of “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) This is why they can’t understand this. They do not realize that God gave us the solution to this sin bent (iniquity), this inherent in fallen man sin – and that answer is the crucified life which is at the heart of the original Gospel.
In my understanding…. the no-sin-nature doctrine does not stand the test of the whole counsel of God’s Word. It is vehemently peddled by some today (Proverbs 14:12).
Beware of these vile false teachers who’ve followed heretics like Charles Finney and Mike Desario and their underling wolves operating in the professing church world today.
“O wretched man that I AM” (not was but AM) sounds like he’s presently dealing with the “old man” which must be perpetually crucified with Christ in this life – which is a test of who we truly love, self or the Savior (Romans 7:18, 24). This discourse in chapter 7 is leading to the following ultimate solution for sin….
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Romans 8:19-21
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
“BY NATURE” – Outside of Christ’s merit, we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” children of “disobedience,” full of the “lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and are “BY NATURE the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
ACKNOWLEDGING the sin “nature” in no way means the believer is relegated to live in sin! (Ephesians 2:3) No! Yet denying this biblically stated reality is error. The Bible instructs us to crucify that old nature and allow Jesus to reign! This is one of the most prevalent truths in the New Testament canon. Those who deny the sin nature also never teach the cross! They are beguiled and misleading others! Beware saints. If there were no sin nature, WHY O WHY are we repeatedly instructed to crucify it????
Because they don’t view the old man as a sinful nature, those who teach this “no sin nature heresy” don’t see the need to crucify it as Scripture commands repeatedly.
“By nature through the fall of Adam, are we the children of wrath, heirs of the vengeance of God by birth, yea, and from our conception. And we have fellowship with the damned devils, under the power of darkness and rule of Satan, while we are yet in our mother’s wombs; and though we shew not forth the fruits of sin [as soon as we are born] yet are we full of the natural poison, whereof all sinful deeds spring, and cannot but sin outwards, (be we never so young,) [as soon as we be able to work,] if occasion be given: for our nature is to do sin, as is the nature of a serpent to sting… By grace (that is to say, by favour) we are plucked out of Adam, the ground of all evil, and grafted in Christ, the root of all goodness.” William Tyndale, A Pathway into the Holy Scripture
NOTE: DENYING THAT MANKIND IS FALLEN AND HAS A SIN BENT OR SIN NATURE IS FOOLISHNESS (GENESIS 6:5, 12; JEREMIAH 17:9, ETC). INSTEAD OF DENYING THIS SELF-EVIDENT AND BIBLICAL REALITY, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE TO CRUCIFY THAT OLD MAN (LUKE 9:23-24; ROMANS 6; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:10-12; GALATIANS 2:21; COLOSSIANS 3:5-10, ETC.). THIS IS THE BIBLICAL PRESCRIPTION.
THE HEART OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF THE HUMAN HEART (Genesis 12:5, 12; Jer. 17:9; Romans 3, 7, etc.).
God made us perfect but WE chose sin and fell and there are consequences for sin, right? And there’s also salvation, redemption, regeneration, choice, the cross, victory that we can choose to receive and walk in.
“Total depravity” is a false doctrine of calvinism which says “we are so sinful and we have no choice about anything.” False.
We have the choice, the privilege to choose Christ and His cross to overcome all depravity, sin.
The Word says things like we are “desperately wicked” right? (Jeremiah 17:9) How about Genesis 6:5, 12 too right? There’s Romans 3, 5, 6, 7 for the effects of sin, and 8 for the victory of Christ.
God made us one way, perfect. But then we sinned and something bad happened.
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31
God made mankind and said “it was very good.” Then man sinned and incurred death (Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:18-19). The details of the curse that came upon mankind when Adam and Eve sinned against God, are given to us in Genesis 3. Death came into man at the fall. Something happened, and it wasn’t good. Read Romans 7.
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Ecclesiastes 7:29
God made us perfect but WE chose sin and fell and there are consequences for sin, right? And there’s also salvation, redemption, regeneration, choice, the cross, victory that we can choose to receive and walk in.
“Total depravity” is a false doctrine of calvinism which says “we are so sinful and we have no choice about anything. We have no ability to turn to God in repentance and faith to be redeemed, regenerated, made new creatures, temples of the Holy Spirit in Christ.” False.
We have the choice, the privilege to choose Christ and His cross to overcome all depravity, sin.
The Word says things like we are “desperately wicked” right? (Jeremiah 17:9) How about Genesis 6:5, 12 too right? There’s Romans 3, 5, 6, 7 for the effects of sin, and 8 for the victory of Christ.
“It’s actually freedom when we embrace the Bible truth of how wretched we are! We don’t have to hide it or try to be better than we are! Jesus can now reign on the throne of our hearts and not self!” Karen Cochran
Realizing our own utter helplessness, hopelessness, and depravity and taking up the cross is the only the safe place with God right, the cross, the bowing to Him to take full control…. See Matthew 5:3; John 3:30.
Do we have a sin nature? Seems that way from Scripture.
Observance: There is bad fruit to witness, to behold in the lives of many who push this sinless perfectionism heresy: The evil spirit behind these “doctrine of devils” is very sadistic, cruel, hateful and that’s the fruit that shows up in the lives who buy this system of lies (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Timothy 4:1-3, etc.).
This disciple certainly doesn’t pretend to understand all things and yet, has observed very evil, vicious fruit from those who have bought this package of lies from the modern false teachers who are regurgitating the heresies of Charles Finney. Instead of simply studying Holy Scripture, they’ve delved into the writings of a bygone wolf, a known false teacher who denied the atonement of Christ. This system of lies referred to here seems to draw in the self-righteous. Charles Finney Exposed.
Charles Finney’s heretical “natural ability” lie is clearly from Satan who through pagan, occultic, and new age gurus and false prophets and false religions of every variety, seeks to convince mankind that he is inherently good. That would mean that man has no need of God and that Jesus Christ came in vain. Such error denies the fall of mankind which is as foundational to biblical doctrine as it could possibly be. That would also mean that man is his own god.
If the human race wasn’t corrupted by sin, Why did Jesus have to be born of a virgin with God the Father as His Father? (Isaiah 7:14) Is Christ not unique in all of history? See Galatians 4:4. Or, did He come in vain because we have our own “natural ability” to please the Father and didn’t need Jesus to come? Do we not see “the spirit of antichrist” in this open denial of Jesus Christ? (1 John 4:1-3) Read Galatians 2:21. Do we not see how this diabolical system of theology replaces Jesus with us? “Anti” means “in place of.” “The spirit of antichrist” refers to that evil spirit(s) that seek to replace the LORD Jesus with something, anything else in order to rob the glory from the only begotten Son.
Is man innately good? “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
When God created man originally in the Garden, He said it was good and very good but that was before the sin and fall.
“And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.” Exodus 32:22
Just after the LORD had created man in His own image, He said: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) Yet that was before the first sin and fall of man. Man sinned and fell and an ongoing curse was incurred upon mankind and creation (Genesis 3). Sin did and does have a negative impact on all of God’s creation. To deny such is to deny that our Maker is Holy and to greatly err and build one’s theology on a faulty foundation.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
Did Jesus come to earth in vain? Are you declaring such by your doctrine and don’t realize it?
IF we for a moment vainly think that we have any part in meriting/deserving divine grace and mercy which we do not in the least deserve, we are utterly deceived and have no clue as to what the Bible declares about fallen mankind. Let’s get a cursory clue:
- Outside of Christ, we/you are nothing but “wickedness” in the eyes of Him who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Genesis 6:5; Isaiah 6:3; 64;6; Revelation 4:8)
- “every imagination of the thoughts of his (your) heart” is “only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
- You are utterly “corrupt” and your ways are “corrupted.” (Genesis 6:12)
- ALL of your supposed “righteousness” are as “filthy rags” (discarded menstrual clothes) in His holy eyes (Isaiah 64:6)
- Your heart us “deceitful ABOVE ALL things” and “desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- You are unrighteous (Romans 3:10).
- There is “no good thing” at all in your except Christ – if He’s truly there (Romans 3:10-12; 7:18, 24).
- You have sinned and “come short of the glory God.” (Romans 3:23)
- You have violated a holy God and are worthy only of spiritual and eternal “death.”(Romans 6:23)
- You are a “wretch man” (Romans 7:24)
- You are “unprofitable,” full of “deceit” and “poison,” “cursing,” “bitterness,” bloodshed, “misery,” and no fear of God (Romans 3:12-19).
- Without the sheer mercy of God through Jesus Christ, you are “guilty before God.”(Romans 3:19)
- Outside of Christ’s merit, we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” children of “disobedience,” full of the “lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and are “BY NATURE the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
PEOPLE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD HAS DECLARED ABOUT FALLEN, SINFUL MANKIND, CANNOT POSSIBLY APPRECIATE THE SAVIOR, THE ONLY MESSIAH. THEY ARE THEREFORE SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY PRONE TO VAINLY IMAGINE THAT THEY ARE MERITING THEIR OWN WAY WITH GOD. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
NO INHERENT SIN?
“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19
Yes we are “ALL” personally responsible because we’ve “ALL sinned” (Rom 3) …. yet Rom 5 says “many were made sinners” by way of our fallen lineage. No the Bible says repent because you are a sinner – “by nature” (Eph 2:3) and by your own sins. So if we were not born in sin or astray, and have our own “natural ability” to overcome sin, why do we need Jesus?
“When man broke fellowship with God, the judgment of God rested on all mankind: ‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.’” Milton Green, The Great Falling Away, p. 20
In order to peddle their self-glorifying, Christ-rejecting wares, the false teacher must do violence to this passage above. In one article from a person attempting to sell his “no sin nature” wares, the writer argues that “If ALL are automatically condemned through Adam, then ALL are automatically justified and righteous through Jesus.” Not true. Romans 5:18 says that “as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation.” Could it be any clearer? The Bible plainly reveals that “judgment came upon ALL men” as a result of Adam’s sin and therefore we know that “all men” are under divine “condemnation due to Adam’s sin. Yet the LORD gave His only begotten Son in order to grant “all men” the way of escape – redemption from sin. The Bible also told us that “ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) Not some but “ALL.” Nothing could be more clear in God’s Word and yet, these wolves seek to convince the gullible that mankind is okay just like he is – that he was born good the first time and therefore there is no need to be “born again.” (John 3:3, 7)
“Judgment came upon ALL men” due to Adam’s sin and “ALL have sinned” against God and “ALL” have the opportunity to repent and be saved although all will not do such (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:18). The fact that “all have sinned” in no way necessitates that all will be justified through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Each individual is granted that choice. Some will and some won’t – “many” won’t (Matthew 7:13-14).
The no-original-sin wolves do not believe that the sin of Adam is upon the world. They teach that the fall of mankind had no effect upon mankind (Romans 5). Which would seem like sin against a holy God is not a very important thing, yet they hypocritically preach against it harshly. But their false doctrine of no-inherent-sin completely does away with the need to be born again seeing there is no reason – there is nothing to be born again from. That would mean that there is no reason for regeneration or a change of anyone’s nature life since they do not have original sin or are not sinful by nature due to the original fall of mankind. So what do they need Jesus for and what is the need of saving divine mercy and grace since they have no effect of sin? In their deluded minds, they have no inherent sin nature but they DO have personal, inherent power over sin within themselves. Sound New Age? What they believe is a dangerous doctrine of devils. They have denied Christ.
Yes we have all done our own sinning and yet an evil inner bent (iniquity) was passed on to us – Romans 5:12, 18-19….. To say that mankind was not damaged and contaminated at the fall is amazingly misguided at best.
You are wrongly assuming that everyone who simply acknowledges the Bible true of the evil inward “nature” of fallen mankind assumes that it’s okay to sin because they can’t help it (Ephesians 2:3). That is false and a heretical band aid of man’s doing. It’s not God’s answer – the cross life is – being raised by the Holy Ghost to overcome all sin (Romans 6-8; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
TO ASSUME THAT PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ON THIS MATTER BLAME ALL THEIR OWN SINS ON ADAM IS LAUGHABLE AT BEST. TOTAL STRAW MAN COP-OUT.
There is a difference between “iniquity” and “transgression” …. “iniquity” (Heb. AVON) is the inward bent toward sin whereas “transgression” is the actual act of sin. The heretics being addressed in this post deny the biblical reality of iniquity – which came after the fall (Romans 5:18-19; 7:18, 24, etc.).
The changed life comes AFTER Jesus saves (regenerates) the person. Saying a person has got to stop all sin before being saved is not Scriptural. We need to be wise and not gullible and cross examine all this no-original-sin and no-sin-nature stuff. Don’t allow those who push these things to exercise control over you by forcing you into a battery of questions.
Mike Desario is one of the vile devils teaching this system of lies. He has many gullible modern disciples who are peddling these lies. Beware!
The ability to conquer all sin is the stated will of God and yet that divine ability (Grace = divine ability) does not enter the saved person until he is first saved. So how can someone “stop all sinning” before being saved by grace? Impossible. And, that is unmitigated idolatry, antichrist – putting self before, in place of Christ who alone is Savior and LORD. Repentance is first and foremost turning TO GOD and not turning from sin. If you get these out of order, you are a heretic.
It’s more than obvious by Scripture that there IS something to be regenerated and born from above and to crucify. So, if we have no sin nature, what would that be? We must be born again to receive the new nature through regeneration. So, what needed to be changed? Obviously something.
What does Ephesians 4:22 say of the old man? – “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22 (KJV) If there were no remaining “old man” to be “put off,” WHY O WHY would Paul have stated this?
What was your spiritual state before Jesus found and saved you?
“And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-3
Why did we have to be “quickened” which means to be made alive? V1 Did we quicken or make ourselves alive? Or, was there any need to be made alive at all? Who raised us up and from what did He raise us up from?
What does “dead in trespasses and sins” mean? We “were dead in trespasses and sins.”
What does “by nature” mean here in v3? – “were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)
If we aren’t somehow affected by the fall of the first man and sin, what is it that we need to be made alive for?
Romans 7 cannot be explained around. If we have no sin in us then what has to be daily crucified? Paul said he had to “keep under” his body and bring it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27). If there is nothing to “keep under” daily, WHY O WHY did the apostle state this?
Consider the following ….
“And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-3
Here Paul is speaking to regenerated disciples of Christ and their past lives, having been regenerated and made a “new creature.” (2 Cor. 5:17-18)
The Bible tells us that as born again believers “old things are passed away.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) What is it that “passed away”? There had to be something or this phrase would not be in the Bible (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
—– The born again new creature in Christ still has a sinful nature. Listen to the apostle – “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18) The sinful nature cannot be cast out (like a devil). The “old man” must be daily overcome by the cross – accounting ourselves dead and buried with Christ (Colossians 3:1-10). Paul further states “O wretched man that I am! (not only “was” but “is” – presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)
He Found Us!
Out of His sheer mercy, when you deserved judgment and eternal misery, God found you – you didn’t find Him. – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:10, 19)
“We owe a debt we cannot pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.” unknown
“But by the grace of God I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
The true disciple boasts only in the saving GRACE of God in light of his own “desperately wicked” depravity and sinful state without Christ, the only salvation:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Boasting in the sheer mercy of the LORD and never in sinful, filthy-rags-unrighteousness self:
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 NOTTTTTT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7
“HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS” as opposed to the sham of our own, is only given to those who place and KEEP their trust in “JESUS”:
“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 his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 (KJV)
For those already made righteous through God’s n, there is no excuse for ANY sinning and yet when we have been blessed to overcome, it is to the glory of the LORD alone and there is no boasting of self that is appropriate. – “That no flesh should glory in his presence … That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31)
“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
“I accomplish more when I rest wholly in the labor of Jesus than I do when I frantically try to do the work for Him.” AW Tozer
God cannot and will not use any person who refuses to believe His decree about fallen mankind. Such a person is arrogant and full of pride and we know that “God resisteth (sets Himself against) the proud but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6-11)
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
—– TODAY: Someone wrote me about heretic Mike Desario. Desario is one of the vilest devils alive friends, teaching a false gospel on many fronts and “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)
“Thank you sir 🙂 Someone recommended Mike Desario to me but this has made me think twice. However, even the best teachers can be mistaken about one or two minor details. What really matters is their spirit, that is how we know if they are truly born again or not. Are they holy, or carnal? Whoever made this video is utterly carnal. Sadly, with many men you don’t need to read their “statement of faith”, you can see clearly that they have not been saved from their sin and still walk in darkness.” Lee
RESPONSE:
Hi Lee. Well their doctrine matters most actually (2 John 7-11; Romans 16:17-18; Titus 2:1, etc.) The word “Doctrine” appears 51 times in Holy Scripture (KJB). The heretical falsehoods of Desario are not minor beloved brother. He’s a vile wolf and I have heard his lies and seen the fruit of it in the lives of many. It’s very ugly. Walking in Christ’s truth always, without exception, produces the fruit of the Spirit – love! …. Yeah I didn’t even listen to this video. I agree with the title and so commented. Add me on FB brother. God bless you today in Jesus!
Question Received:
“Hello. I have been looking at your site and found some good things there but I have a question on Charles Finney. You condemn him because he doesn’t believe in total depravity. You condemn Calvin because he does, yet it seems that you believe in total depravity (all men born sinful with the sin of Adam). Am I picking you up wrong? Please could you explain this confusion. Thanks again.” Paul
Reply:
“Hi. The LORD Jesus bless you today brother. I hope all is well in your life and your family.
Total depravity, as defined by calvinism goes to the errant extent as to say that man, in his sinful state, has no ability to respond to God’s drawing to repentance which is totally false. Calvinism’s “total depravity” is not biblical because calvinism teaches that man has no choice in this matter or any. That’s the difference in calvinism and biblical doctrine.
The problem with Finney is that he takes it far too far by insisting that man has no sinful inclinations at all and that he has the “natural ability” to overcome sin in and of himself. That’s ludicrous and exes Christ right out of salvation’s equation which goes against all of Scripture.
It’s my advice to leave Finney alone and get into God’s Word on this matter. Paul makes it abundantly clear that he still had to overcome daily by the power of Christ in him and that must mean there is something to overcome (1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 6-7). Romans 7 is present tense. There IS certain an evil bent in fallen men – a corruption (Genesis 6:5, 12) – and yet God makes us new creatures when He regenerates us (born again) and grants us His grace to conquer and “keep under” that sin nature or bent (1 Corinthians 9:27). The full-counsel of God reveals that we must not deny this inherent sin nature but rather trust Him alone (not our own supposed “natural ability”) to overcome it daily as we lay down our lives (Romans 6:14; 8:12-14, etc.).
Is Christ Jesus our salvation or are we? That’s what this boils down to.
If there is nothing in us to crucify then why did Paul tell us that “the flesh lusteth (strives) against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh”? (Galatians 5:17-18)
There are many Bible truths that reveal that Finney taught falsely.
Man surely is sinful by “nature” (Ephesians 2:1-3) and yet he has been given by God the ability to make the choice to repent and receive Christ and Christ alone is the answer to man’s sin. Man has no answers or hope or “natural ability in and of and for himself as Finney taught. Charles Finney ousted Jesus Christ right out of the salvation picture. That’s antichrist – “the spirit of antichrist.” (1 John 4:1-6) “Antichrist” means against OR in place of Christ. Rom 6; Gal. 5:17-18
There are many now who are preaching Finney’s falsehoods and so that makes them Finney believers and not true disciples of Jesus Christ. They are denying Christ by denying His Word and by preaching another gospel – a false one (Galatians 1:6-9). This makes them “accursed.”
Thank you for emailing brother. | Charles Finney Exposed
FEEDBACK:
“Praise God, I was a no inherent sin nature guy because of teachings of my friends, Kerrigan Skelly and Jesse Morrell, fellow street preachers, but I looked up the word “nature” in Galatians 2:15: “We who are Jews by nature…” and Ephesians 2:3 after reading your articles about Stop Sinning and No Inherent Sin, and concluded that yes, we inherited a self-centered, rebellious against God “flesh” from Adam..Romans 5:19. Finney has quite an impact, unfortunately, on holiness preachers…Thanks again!” Eric N.
“Charles Finney is highly esteem among many Christians, and his writing are also highly recommended for read. Many years ago I read some of his writings and was troubled by his unsound doctrine. My advice would be, flee from his writings. Thanks for your post!” Lloyd H.
“Excellent article! These people that are preaching these things not only take away from the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but take away from the writings and entire purpose of Gods plan for reconciling all back to Himself. They have taken so much from the biblical writings, that they are actually teaching a completely different gospel. And one that is not of the Holy God of Israel, but rather a gospel of self, which is definitely in my own opinion a doctrine of devils. Thanks again for sharing this valuable message.” Karen M.
Charles Finney: FALSE TEACHER
Charles Finney can be blamed for many misguided men today who have enough time to feed on his poison and obviously little time to study and know God’s Word. In Finney’s blasphemous, Christ-denying theology, the individuals own personal morality earns his own merit from God. Christ’s atoning sacrifice is brazenly denied.
“Neither is the atonement nor anything in the mediatorial work of Christ, the foundation of our justification, in the sense of the source, moving or procuring cause.” Charles Finney, Obedience to the Moral Law, p. 375, 376
Of Finney, one author notes:
“Specifically, what were Finney’s most serious errors? At the top of the list stands his rejection of the doctrine of justification by faith. Finney denied that the righteousness of Christ is the sole ground of our justification, teaching instead that sinners must reform their own hearts in order to be acceptable to God. (His emphasis on self-reformation apart from divine enablement is again a strong echo of Pelagianism.)
He derided the concept of imputation as unjust: “I could not but regard and treat this whole question of imputation as a theological fiction, somewhat related to our legal fiction of John Doe and Richard Roe” [Memoirs, 60].
Having decided that the doctrine of imputation was a “theological fiction,” he was forced to deny not only the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers, but also the imputation of the sinner’s guilt to Christ on the cross. Under Finney’s system, Christ could not have actually borne anyone else’s sin or suffered sin’s full penalty in their place and in their stead (contra Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). Finney therefore rejected the doctrine of substitutionary atonement.
There can be no justification in a legal or forensic sense, but upon the ground of universal, perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law. …” [Systematic Theology, 362].”
“Charles Finney was a legalist. His teaching implied that we are saved by grace but sanctified by human effort to keep law. This approach is destroyed by Galatians 3:3.”
Mike Desario is an antichrist false teacher who teaches salvation by merit of the sinner. Mike Desario has misled many gullible novices/younger guys in ministry. Those men may not tell you but they got their false teachings from Mike Desario and false teacher Charles Finney.
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Angry Street Preacher Warning
Should we Preach “Stop Sinning” or “Repent”?
The Question of Stopping Sin
- WHAT COMES FIRST: A) Stopping all sinning, OR B.) Being regenerated (born again) by coming to Jesus in true repentance (laying down your life-the cross)?
- What is the Bible’s Prescription for total victory over all sin?
- What is the biblical approach to lost sinners?
There is a whole generation of street preachers who are going to the streets to tell lost sinners to “stop sinning”! Is this the biblical approach? While it is a blessing that men go to the streets to reach the lost, it’s also of the utmost importance that we are walking in divine truth in our approach and in our disposition. Approaching Sinners with Compassion
——-HOW COULD A LOST SINNER POSSIBLY “STOP SINNING” before being born again? He simply can’t. Was “stop sinning” the message of Christ and His apostles? Was that the totality of why God sent His only begotten Son to die for us?
Biblical truth tells us that we are born in sin, we have a fallen nature and it’s only the cross that causes overcoming – not denying we have a fallen nature or telling ourselves or others to stop sinning. First and foremost, a human being “must be born again” and then and only then would the topic of overcoming sin even matter. Paul speaks of the fallen nature in Romans 7 and then tells us how we overcome and dominate that old nature in Galatians 2:20 and 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 9:27, etc. The Holy Spirit tells us how to overcome and grants that victory through the daily cross Jesus told us to take up to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Denial is a smokescreen – the cross is the divine truth and solution to total victory.
EVEN the saved saints of Christ can’t overcome sin without coming to the cross afresh “daily,” as Jesus taught. So where does that leave the lost?
The LORD’s stated priority for His people is that they “abide” in Christ and when they do, all sin will be put away from their lives. As is obvious from the lack of biblical references, His foremost will is not that we stop sinning, which is impossible outside of a true, repentant abiding fellowship and daily communion with Him in His cross. See John 15:1-16. Listen closely to this:
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6
Please pour prayerfully over this above passage beloved saint. Jesus came to put away sin and He does this exclusively through the abiding relationship He ordained us to live with Him. “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.”
So, don’t seek to wrestle with your temptation and sins, just repent and seek the face of the LORD – this is the biblical prescription. The only reason a child of God sins in the first place is that he has distanced himself from the LORD – his fellowship with Christ is not as it should be and he is in need of repentance and to have Jesus back as his “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5). Memorize Psalms 27:4, 8; 63:8; 1 Chronicles 16:11b.
God gave His Son in order to give us a relationship with Him first and foremost (John 17:3). Only AFTER He finds and saves us, He grants us the blessed privilege of an abiding relationship with Him through which the fruit of holiness and much more is born (John 15:1-16).
Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery (salvation) THEN He told her to “go and sin no more.” In 2 Corinthians 5:11 Paul said he persuaded men but not by telling them to stop sinning. He never used those words, nor did the other apostles, especially not when addressing lost souls. Jesus told the woman He FIRST forgave to “go, and sin no more” (John 8:10-11). That’s as close as it gets to the message of “stop sinning” and notice what came first and foremost – forgiveness which represents redemption, regeneration, being born again. When Jesus said (commanded) “go, and sin no more,” inherent in that command existed the power to do as He said. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
Go read John 8 and notice how Jesus does and does not treat this sinning woman. He never condemns her which is unlike the self-righteous street preachers today who yell at lost souls and tell them to stop doing something they can’t possibly stop doing until after Christ saves them which comes with a changed nature whereby we “might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). It was never the LORD’s design for His people to tell unregenerate lost sinners to stop sinning. Such a privilege which includes living out of a clear, blood-washed conscience is exclusively the gift of God to His own children (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9). Anyone who has a basic knowledge of the fallen nature of sinful mankind, and has truly experienced regeneration themselves, should understand this. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 comes to mind as being central in this discussion.
“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE: go, and sin no more.” John 8:10-11
For you and I, unworthy to be redeemed and forgiven ourselves, should never take up the self-righteous standpoint of condemning sinners – in attitude or in action. See Titus 3:5-7.
We should ask: What is the underlying motive of going to the streets and telling other men to stop sinning? Is there self-righteousness and pride under-girding this? Is self-righteousness and pride being fostered due to this activity?
The only begotten and sinless Savior, the only man to ever walk the earth sinless, was “moved with compassion”, not hatred, when He beheld lost souls (Matthew 9:35-38).
Also, are we placing a stumbling block in the way of sinners when we bring our own mean-spirited disposition of condemnation to them? What does James 1:20 tell us?
It was only AFTER He forgave this woman caught in adultery that He instructed her to “go, and sin no more” which is a picture of our need to be born again, forgiven, first and foremost. Then the divine ability is present in us by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin. Never before. 1 John 3:6 says: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” Only those who know and are able to abide in Him are blessed to please God and overcome. Those who live in sin “hath not seen him, neither known him.”
If it were even possible, God could care less if lost souls in futility attempted to stop sinning (an impossibility) when they don’t even know Him. Jesus came that men could repent and know Him and then and only after that fact will He give them His grace to overcome sin. Note whom our LORD tells us are those whom He blessed to overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil:
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
Never lose site of the fact that it’s only “whatsoever is born of God” that “overcometh the world.”
It would be wise to cease the ridiculous “stop sinning” protest and just preach from a heart of true concern, letting God’s holy Law convict the sinner and bring them to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Win them (Proverbs 11:30). Why don’t we get them saved the Bible way – by Christ alone – and HE (not you!) will give them the divine grace and power to overcome sin! I mean WHY did Jesus even come to die if sinners could stop sinning BEFORE He saved them? Isn’t it time for us to learn the true Gospel? It is unwise to think that Jesus yelled at and condemned the rank sinners. No, He didn’t condemn them but rather was “moved with COMPASSION upon them” (Matthew 9:35-38). God will scale the fish (get them to stop sinning) once you and I allow Him to bring them in the boat! In Matthew 4:19 Jesus says to His own disciples: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” Matthew 4:17-20
When men repent, they are born again and become Christ’s fishermen for souls. They follow Him and He teaches them to win souls. Listen to this:
“And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” Luke 5:10
Notice “thou shalt catch men” – that is, get them in the boat. Yet not only is the LORD Jesus the sole Savior (the One who saves) but also the One who sanctifies or scales the fish after He catches (saves) them into His kingdom.
Read the Gospels and please tell me where Jesus ever blasted a regular sinner? Was He not “moved with COMPASSION upon them”? Read Matthew 9:35-38. Was our sinless LORD and Savior not the only One who had the right to condemn sinners and yet He didn’t? Jesus DID condemn the rich and the religious, but never the rank, everyday unsaved heathen. We need a fresh, thorough reading of Scripture. One of the many benefits will be that we see more clearly and cease following the grudge-filled dispositions of other mere men who are possessed by an unwarranted anger at sinners. Memorize James 1:20. Do we not have the need to come away with Christ and to be settled at His feet, listening, following His example? Do we need to reconsider ceasing to follow the willingly misled street preacher posse who are following the evil ways of false teacher Charles Finney?
God bless us to live out of the same unmerited mercy and compassion He showed by coming to die for us “while WE were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8).
—– IT’S a blessing to preach the Word of God on the streets or anywhere people are for that matter …. yet it’s not a blessing to have hatred in our hearts toward those for whom Jesus died and was raised again. Is that what won you to Jesus? Is hatred from condemning “Christians” what wins lost sinners into Christ’s kingdom? Never. Yes, preach the Word and only the Word and yet God is the Judge, not me or you! See 2 Timothy 4:1-4. We must never confuse our place in the LORD’s kingdom economy and realize that we are but servants and are called by Him to be humble in disposition (Colossians 3:12-14, etc.). We have NO righteousness of our own (Romans 7:12). Christ is our ONLY righteousness, period and end of story (2 Corinthians 5:21). He has and still today shows His “great mercy” upon us, unmerited by anything of our own. Check this out: “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:3-5).
PREACHING DIVINE JUDGMENT, HELL, AND THE LAKE OF FIRE ARE BIBLICAL AND YET DOING IT WITH HATE IN OUR HEARTS FOR THOSE SINNERS WE ARE HARSHLY CONDEMNING, IS SIN (JAMES 1:20; 4:8-9, ETC.).
WHY WOULD WE VIEW AND TREAT LOST SINNERS JESUS WANTS TO SAVE AS OUR ENEMIES? DID THEY SIN AGAINST US?!??!??!!! ARE WE “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,” OR IS THE LORD ALONE “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”? see ISAIAH 6:3; REVELATION 4:8. ARROGANCE. SOUL DAMNING SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The fact that the LORD is “angry with the wicked” does not mean that He gave mere sinful men (us) the permission or instruction to go angrily yell at and possess hatred toward the lost. Beware of those who run around with hatred in their hearts toward the lost and misuse Psalms 7:11 as a license to do so.
There are those who misuse Psalms 7:11 to justify their own self-righteous hatred for sinners.
“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.” Psalms 7:11-12
This passage must be taken in conjunction with the whole of Holy Scripture. There is no hint of an instruction for us to be angry with the wicked in Psalms 7:11. It merely says God is angry with them and wants sinners to turn to Him before it’s too late (v. 12).
When John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostle Peter preached “Repent,” it was just that – “Repent.” They didn’t say “Repent and stop all sinning.” Why? Because stopping sinning is not possible until one repents. It’s only then that the new creature in Christ can “bring forth fruit” meet for (consistent with) their repenting (Matthew 3:7-10). It was only AFTER Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery that He commanded her to “go, and sin no more,” right? Yes. First, He forgave her which repents salvation (John 8). Of necessity, in the divine economy, repentance is a gift from God and comes before a holy life. Such divine order must be kept intact, or the original Gospel will be perverted (Revelation 22:18-19).
Today, we have a whole cult of street preachers who somehow justify hating sinners. When they say “Repent and stop all sinning,” it’s with no concern in their hearts that those sinners repent. In the inflection, the attitude of their voice, it seems apparent that they desire those sinners they’re yelling at to go to hell and feel self-righteous by harshly reminding them of such a horrible, irreversible fate. When Jesus called men to “Repent” it was in utter concern of heart that He did so, weeping, longing, and desiring for those precious eternal souls to be saved because He is “not willing that ANY should perish” (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) … “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). Today some among us want to call down fire from Heaven to destroy lost souls who are currently in rebellion. This is what Christ’s own disciples did in their early days of immaturity. Listen to Jesus please:
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:49-56
Jesus rebuked His 12 when they possessed this unwarranted, hateful disposition toward others.
“I think of the sweet lady and my sister and one of my best friends telling me about Jesus! They knew this wonderful person who knew everything they had ever done! Could this be the Messiah? They told me about Him in concern for my soul, in concert with the one they trusted! How this must break God’s heart! It breaks mine! See how Satan operates? The counsel of hell goes something like this: ‘If compassion is working for true preachers let’s send out false preachers to confuse and anger the masses!’ Thank you for sharing this brother!” CK
Stop Sinning? How?
Where’s the compassion with these sign-waving, yelling preachers who never actually WIN souls… but rather just condemn them by telling them to do something they cannot possibly do – stop sinning?
Knowing Christ is what pleases God, not just trying to stop doing the mechanics (transgression, actual act) of sin.
The main point of this post is to confront the “stop sinning” protesting. Even if a rank sinner or backslider possibly could stop sinning …. that would not please God. “The LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s about relationship says Christ (John 17:3, etc.).
So, they walk away thinking God just wants them to perform?
That’s not the biblical approach brother. We must study closer Christ’s and His apostle’s interaction and instructions in this matter.
Yes, and the Word tells us to WIN souls … what is being addressed in this post is how many of the street preachers are not even intending to WIN those souls… but rather simply yelling at them, hurling condemnations.
The law is to be used to convict the sinner, not signs telling them to stop sinning. Sinners are sinners “by nature” (Ephesians 2:3) and it’s the Law that convicts them, not us.
MODERN STREET PREACHERS BUSTED! In light of the biblical prescription for holiness – the cross – those who go on the streets and tout their ridiculous “STOP SINNING!” signs are seen to be completely in the flesh. And that’s what they are – of the flesh. And, that’s exactly why these unholy men are standing on the streets demanding that sinners do the impossible – STOP SINNING! Jesus says, “Come unto me” and His apostles and church say “Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Here’s the whole verse: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
The LORD told us that as we follow Him He’ll make us to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). When God saves a soul, He makes them a saint and it’s only then that they can overcome sin through an abiding relationship with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; John 15).
QUESTION ASKED:
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). You think it’s wrong to tell a man you must turn from sin, if you to turn to God?
REPLY:
Hi brother. No, that is not wrong. That is correct … yet it’s not correct or seen in Scripture where Jesus or the apostles or early church told lost souls to stop sinning. That is no different than telling a bear to stop going to the bathroom in the woods … sinners are that way “by nature” (Ephesians 2:3), and until their nature is changed, which only God can do, they cannot possibly stop sinning. Even if they could it’s not enough because “ye must be born again” or receive “the washing of regeneration” which is where God makes His new child a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). It’s only then that “all things are made new” and that person is now in Christ’s kingdom, granted His grace and Spirit and enabled to live pleasing to Him…not before. There is no salvation without regeneration which is synonymous with being “born again” (John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-6).
COMMENTS FROM STREET PREACHER CONFRONTED FOR TELLING SINNERS TO “STOP SINNING” BEFORE THEY GET SAVED OR IN ORDER TO BE SAVED:
“Then why does Jesus condemn people in the Bible? Why would God command them to cleanse themselves? Is repenting a work? Is ‘cleanse your hands you sinners’ a work? Is surrendering a work? See James for details…His sacrifice requires our obedience. Who are you to say I or Finney are not in Christ? How do you judge that righteously?”
REPLY:
See what you think …. food for thought if nothing else ….
The Gospel command begins with one word – “repent” and God changes the hearts of men AFTER that fact. Standing up and preaching, “Stop sinning” is not the way the LORD and His apostles and early church approached sinners. They have to have a regenerated spirit before they can stop sinning. we must allow God to clean the fish He uses us to catch.
The Gospel doesn’t begin with “stop sinning” but “repent.” There are no verses that say sinners are to stop sinning before or in order to get saved. There are none, friend.
One must be in Christ to stop sinning or else He came in vain. I pray God opens your eyes to this truth …. Finney was a false teacher.
I didn’t say you aren’t in Christ. Finney taught falsely and yes, I said it … standing on two feet – on the Rock of divine authority – the Holy Scriptures. The fact that you are reacting to Finney being called out is concerning.
“Finney told sinners to present THEIR righteousness to God. But in the gospel God does some presenting too. He has presented Christ as a propitiation, Romans 3: 25. Finney insisted that Christ ‘could not … obey as our substitute,’ yet he repeatedly said that Christ’s death was vicarious.” Charles Finney, Lecture 8, “Obedience to the Moral Law” p. 364
Eternal life was earned by Christ, not on our merit.
Many of those in street preacher circles today are largely influenced by his false teachings. The initial obedience is repenting, according to the record of Scripture, not the futile attempt to stop sinning. One’s nature must first be changed by the LORD.
Stop sinning by your own will? No one can stop sinning until God saves them. And no sinner can cease being a sinner in their spiritual state until the LORD makes them a new creature in Christ, regenerating them (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Titus 3:3-7).
Yes, repentance is an essential and it precedes the fruit of good works after they are saved, not before.
“He that WINNETH souls is wise” (Prov 11:30), not he that condemningly yelleth at them.
You say, “BUT, BUT, BUT Jesus said, ‘Go and Sin No More’!”
“Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11 KJV).
NOTE THE ORDER lest you put forth an imbalance as some are doing. Jesus FIRST forgave the woman and THEN and only THEN did He tell her to “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). God first has to do a work – the work of regeneration – in men, before they can fulfill His will and please Him.
You are not winning souls for Christ when you first demand that sinners stop sinning. When Jesus saw the lost multitudes, was He moved with condemnation and contempt or with compassion? See Matthew 9:35-38. Jesus harshly rebuked the rich and the religious, but never the rank heathen. If we are going to be biblical, we must approach sinners with compassion and allow the law to convict them … “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
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Angry Street Preacher Warning
“Ye Know not what Manner of spirit ye are of” [podcast]
“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalms 7:11
3 Things to behold in this verse:
1. “GOD judgeth the righteous,”
2. “and God is angry with the wicked every day.”
Read the verse above again and note that GOD didn’t tell you to be angry with the wicked.
The LORD alone is “Holy, holy, holy” and I am not, neither is any mere man (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
Memorize this verse of truth.
God is “THE JUDGE” not you.
“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:7
The LORD is judging, weighing in the balance the disposition of His people toward the wicked for whom Jesus died.
Some of Jesus’ own 12, sought self-elevation via ministry…..
“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:46-48
In the very next chapter, after His disciples had returned…
The Return of the Seventy-Two
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 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. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20
We are Christ’s humble servants. We are not the Judge. He is.
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 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. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 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 20:20-28
“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
Evangelism Prep
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
Those who go forth planting the seed of the Word God with humble concern for those they minister to, will reap great rewards, “sheaves” which means harvest, now and eternally. They are humble servants of the LORD who were “moved with compassion” toward lost souls.
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56
Let’s peer into what things looked like when Jesus went to the streets to meet the people. Let’s comprehend how His disposition was and the actions of the Son of God.
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION ON THEM, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus was “moved with compassion” on the people. Sadly, today we have some street preachers who are moved with hatred toward the lost. John Wesley (1703 – 1791) also dealt with angry street preachers.
Paul and John Wesley and we today have these angry, hate-filled lost soul street preachers to deal with. And we have those who are “moved with compassion” to reach the lost with our LORD’s bless-ed Gospel and the way He approached sinners (Matthew 9:35-38).
“The greatest contenders for (the faith) are some of the proudest (pride-filled) and most uncharitable (hateful) men; but many of the firmest contenders for it (the faith) are eminently meek and lowly in heart; and, indeed, in all other respects also, (they are) truth followers of their lamb-like Lord.” John Wesley
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5
God bless the true loving, God fearing preachers on the streets.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:12-18
Beware of the nasty street preachers.
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Articles
“The Root of the Matter” Job 19:28 [podcast]
WHY WOULD A DISCIPLE OF JESUS THINK SOMEONE ELSE’S SIN IS WORSE THAN THEIR OWN – IN THE EYES OF A HOLY GOD? SUCH CARNAL THINKING REVEALS AN UNCIRCUMCIZED HEART AND THE NEED TO LEARN OF THE LORD, TO BE INCREASED IN THE GRACE OF GOD (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).
Think about the foolishness and utter futility of a hand cuffed violent robbery suspect and a rapist judging each other in the lobby of the court they’re getting ready to go in to stand before the judge to be sentenced. The point? God calls us to get our own life right with Him first and foremost.
Many times we see that the people attempting to correct others, need to be correcting themselves (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32).
Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).
Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7
We’re not responsible for anyone else’s sins but our own – and that should greatly concern us! When Job was wrongly judged, he responded with:
“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.” Job 19:28-29
Firstly, just where O where did our Creator and Judge say that “the root of the matter is”?
We should think and speak as if no one on this planet needs Jesus more than we do!
“The root of the matter is found in me.” Job 19:28
Here in Job 19, Job is speaking to his “friends” who were not loving him but rather judging him and wrongly at that (Romans 8:33-34; James 4:11-12). After they judged him (see earlier verses in Job 19), Job tells them that they should realize and be acknowledging that the root problem in the world is not Job or others, but rather themselves. Then, in verse 29, Job warns these men who wrongly judged him of the danger upon them of receiving divine retribution upon themselves for taking it upon themselves to judge him.
The sin that should concern us the most is our own!
“Many today are good at pointing out what they believe your sin is. Yet these same people refuse to accept and repent and confess their own transgressions. Job said: ‘The root of the matter is found in me’ (Job 19:28). Or in other words ‘I don’t have a problem I am the problem!’ Usually what we judge in others is in us! Romans 2:1-3. Beware! I have been told recently I was an evil person because I refuse to listen to a person with a reprobate mind. We all need to get on our knees before the Lord Almighty in repentance! Allowing and asking God to search our hearts and see if there be any ‘wicked way in me” Psalm 139:24. Paul said, I am chief among sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. I think he meant that verse for me! The hour is late and we will not be invited into the marriage supper if our garments are not cleansed with the blood of Christ.” Karen Cochran
IF you lusted/coveted/hated-murdered in your heart YOU ARE FULLY GUILTY before a Holy God and full in need of repentance and the refreshing of Heaven which follows that repentance (Matthew 5:28; Acts 3:19). WHAT stone have you to throw at anyone except yourself? Read John 8.
THOSE who still think you are the same person you were in the past, only prove that THEY are the same as they were in the past. They prove they are not growing in God’s grace themselves and are still the un-repentant person they were in the past! (See Romans 2:1-3.) Their projection of this darkness emanates from their own darkened heart.
“A long time ago someone told me I didn’t have a problem I was the problem. This stuck with me. I was the root of my own problem. The “root of the matter”. Job 19:28. Whenever I am offended I need to remember the problem is not them but me! And then take it before the Lord praying Psalm 51. Allowing God to search my heart, try me, and “see if there is any wicked way in me”. Psalm 139: 23-24. Notice the word ME! Not anyone else but ME! I can’t repent for anyone else! I will be fully accountable to God for myself on judgement day!” Karen Cochran
When someone holds you captive to a sin you committed in the past, they prove that they have not repented and confessed their own sins and therefore are not experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Christ themselves. Romans 2:1-3 speaks of these darkened unrepentant tares and how they project what they are guilty of on others. Some of these are reprobates.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3
YOU mad at the world?
You judging others in your heart, your attitudes?
Should we not blame ourselves, as the vilest of SINNERS? Not others!
Sit down.
Be quiet.
Repent.
ANYONE can sit back and point out the evil in this world. Such takes no spiritual giant but is rather the preoccupation of “hypocrites” (Matthew 7:1-5). Only a few decide to see the utter deceit and evil in themselves – therefore only those few are made free and able to be used of God to see and share His “great … rich … mercy” and “his great love wherewith he loved us,”! (Read John 8:31, 32, 36 and Ephesians 2:4.)
Prayer: Father, please purify my heart to the core and cause my life to be 100% full of authenticity and integrity. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen my LORD.
The heart, life, and sins I must primarily, centrally, and perpetually examine are my own – not someone else’s! The person I must judge is myself! The logs must be removed before the LORD will consider using me to help others (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Galatians 6:1-2).
Godly compassion begins with repenting truly and when we do, we will no longer be sinfully self-righteous which is where the lack of compassion emanates. When Jesus saw the lost He was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:35-38). What are you moved with?
Preach the Word and let God work. Never seek to unduly police the lives of other believers. All who do will fall into their own pit (James 1:20).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
Before we proceed, we must readily acknowledge that there is “NO good thing” in us except Jesus (Romans 7:18). “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). Hence the need for the work of Christ’s cross in us daily (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
Holiness is a work of God in the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus (John 15).
You see, “There is one lawgiver” and Judge and if you are not God Almighty, you are not that “lawgiver” or Judge.
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12
Job tells these men that they are now going to suffer “the sword” and “punishments” of judgment from the LORD for presumptuously taking it upon their self-righteous, prideful selves to misrepresent a child of God (Job), wrongly condemning and witnessing against him (Job 19:29).
Is this not a doctrine found throughout Scripture?
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Folks, concerning myself and my life before my Maker and Judge in this world, the “ROOT of the matter” is in me, not another and the LORD has called this disciple to be primarily concerned with his own utter and present need for divine mercy.
Where does the LORD instruct us to begin judgment?
“For if we would judge OURSELVES (not others), we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
One man said:
“Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry out worst enemies within us.”
“Examine YOURSELVES…” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Getting the picture? ….. Here’s more ….. Who did David cry out for the LORD to do His work in?
“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; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:10-13
Concerning sin, we should never cover. Always confess.
Have you caught yourself being preoccupied with the faults of others while ignoring your own need for change?
“Basically, discord pretty much covers all forms of quarrels, arguments, divisions, that cause bitterness, dissension, conflict, trouble, rivalry, friction, struggle. God specifically hates it when this occurs among brethren. This is both serious, and sobering, and not something to lightly pass over. Rather than freely judging one another, we would find it far more profitable, to judge our own heart. What are our motivations? What are the results of our actions, of the words we are ‘sowing’ (spreading forth)?” Tony Harris
Jesus says:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
A busybody is someone who is preoccupied with the issues of others instead of minding their business and staying busy seeking the face of the LORD for the myriad of evil tendencies in their own lives! God doesn’t want His people being busybodies.
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 1 Peter 4:15
In other words “Mind your own business! Get your own heart right with Me and only then – when you are dead and buried with Christ – and only then will I be able to use you to bless other members of My body. Only then will I be able to use you to help others overcome and bear their burden so fulfilling the law of Christ to love others above yourself.”
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (mature, broken, meek), restore (don’t destroy) such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
“Who”?
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
We don’t yet have a clue if we are not fully and at present aware that we ourselves are vile, depraved, and utterly corrupt outside of the present and sheer mercy and grace of God.
You see, it’s only those who have grossly misrepresented self who wrongly condemn/judge others. They still have no clue as to who they really are, which is telling of their utter immaturity and lack of Biblical learning. These condemners of others wrongly judge others because they erroneously suppose that they themselves are saved due to something of their own merit. This is the state of the self-deceived person who audaciously and wrongly condemns and misrepresents others. This is done by the self-righteous in their attitudes and words.
The truly God-fearing man and woman seek to bear the burdens of others by meekly helping them to overcome, to restore them.
“We are washed in the blood of Jesus and our sins are as far away as the east is from the west! We are now able to stand in front of a holy God without blemish because of the imputed righteousness of Christ.” Leslie Olenych
Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).
Memorize this following Bible passage today and recite it in prayer aloud for the next week:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6
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