THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE BETWEEN STUDYING THE WRITTEN WORD and PRAYING TO GOD, THE LIVING WORD
Paul Roberts, Copyright © 2019
I’ve been diligently studying the Word of God since 1974, but lately I’ve come to the realization that I am not experiencing the consistent spiritual manifestation of His glorious and peaceful presence and power as
I once did. After I was born again, initially, and for months thereafter, I spent hours in His presence and enjoyed fellowship with Him. His presence was palpable. Then, His presence faded for some reason. I thought maybe this was just the way it is with God, so I adjusted to it. In doing so I lost my perspective or the relative importance between knowing the living Word intimately and personally through lively communication with him through prayer and the mere gaining of lifeless knowledge from the letter of the written word through diligent study.
I made gaining knowledge through study of the written word an “end” in itself as though an increase in my knowledge of scripture would in and of itself, somehow, bring me into a closer personal relationship with the living God along with His manifest spiritual presence rather than using study to gain knowledge merely as a “means” to validate and authenticate the source of the spoken words coming to me from the mouth of the living God to my spirit by way of revelation from the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15 KJV). That “means”, or “my knowledge from study of the written word”, is not to be the object of my worship. The living Word of God, not the written word, is to be the object of my worship. The written word, inspired by God, is merely the infallible and legally admissible evidence of things not seen from the realm of the kingdom of God which is spiritual in nature and therefore invisible (2nd Corinthians 4:17-18; Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 KJV), that has been recorded for all generations to bear witness to or testify to the truth, who is Jesus, the living Word of God, who was made flesh and dwelt among us (Psalms 12:6-7; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; John 1:1, 14 KJV). In Jesus, who is the living Word or the Word made flesh, dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9 KJV).
Jesus is not the letter of the written word. The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life (2nd Corinthians 3:6 KJV). The written word only comes to life by way of the living God bringing it to life by opening His mouth and speaking it to the Holy Spirit according to God’s sovereign will and purpose for that particular time and season (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 4:4; John 6:63b & 16:13-15; Hebrews 4:12 KJV):
“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.” – (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)
- “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – (Matthew 4:4 KJV)
- “—–the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” – (John 6:63b KJV)
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear ( e. whatsoever he shall hear of the living Word from God’s own mouth, my addition), that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” – (John 16:13-15 KJV)
- “For the word of God is quick ( e. living and operative, translation), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)
We live by every anointed word that proceeds out of the mouth of God by way of revelation from the Holy Spirit in response to our daily prayers for such, not by the words we come to know initiated by our own self-willed study (Matthew 4:4 KJV). In turn the Holy Spirit then glorifies that living Word (i. e. Jesus) from the mouth of God by revealing His anointed words of faith directly to our spirit by-passing our sight or sense-based knowledge received from our five (5) physical senses. These words of faith to direct our paths come in response to our acknowledging God through daily prayer (John 16:13-15; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 & 5:7; Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 6:10-11 KJV). The living words we receive from God through prayer, that we believe in our heart, and speak with our mouth are anointed with the Holy Ghost and power and will be effectual in accomplishing the thing whereunto God sends it (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much power (James 5:16b KJV). Our effectual (1st John 5:14-15 KJV) and fervent prayers to God, not self-willed study, brings the supernatural creative miracle-working power of God to bear on that situation or circumstance which concerns us if we are walking uprightly with God (Psalms 138:8 & 84:11; 1st John 1:7, 2:10-11, & 3:22 KJV).
The written word bears witness to or testifies to the truth that Jesus, the living Word of God, is the only name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12 KJV). Jesus is God’s sole and sovereign plan of salvation for both Jew and Gentile. Listen to the perspective or relative importance Jesus gave us between searching the lifeless letter of the written words of scripture (i. e. the Logos) and our personal communication with the living Spirit of the spoken (i. e. the Rhema) Word of life received from the mouth of God through revelation to our spirit in response to our acknowledging Him in prayer along with the purpose of the writings of scripture in bearing witness to the Word of life which the Holy Spirit gave to us through the apostle John as well as other apostles:
- “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God: Who also made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for “the letter” killeth, but ”the spirit” giveth life.” – (2nd Corinthians 3:2-6 KJV)
- “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” – (John 5:39 KJV)
NOTE: The written word merely testifies of the living Word but is not the living and eternal Word itself. Studying the scripture through self-determination and self-effort apart from revelation from the Spirit of truth in response to our daily prayers for both revelation and an understanding heart produces nothing but pride and is just an exercise in futility (John 15:5b & 16:13-15; 1st Corinthians 8:1b-2 KJV).
“Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God (i. e. the living Word, my addition), that same is known of him.” – (1st Corinthians 8:1b-3 KJV)
The necessary prerequisite to a fruitful study of the written word is to receive fresh daily bread (i. e. fresh manna from heaven) from the living word spoken by the mouth of our heavenly Father which daily bread comes to our spirit by way of revelation through the Spirit of truth to direct our line of study in response to our daily prayers for such revelation of God’s will and purpose (John 16:13-15; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 1:17-23 KJV).
Annual study plans, devised by organized religion, to read the Bible from cover to cover in one year or less, are all bereft of revelation through daily prayer. Since it is not given to us to know the times or the seasons (Acts 1:7 KJV) which God has reserved for His personal use and power, we are, therefore, of necessity, bound to the need to acknowledge God daily in prayer in order to receive timely revelations from the Spirit of truth to direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). Otherwise, we will operate as did Martha rather than Mary (Luke 10:38-42 KJV). Martha was concerned with “doing things right” according to tradition regardless the time or season, whereas Mary was concerned with “doing the right thing” at the right time according to revelation from the living Word spoken by the mouth of God. We are to be still before the Lord each day in daily prayer, knowing that He is God and asking Him to direct our paths without leaning to our own understanding according to tradition.
- “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy might be full.” – (1st John 1:1-4 KJV)
NOTE: Those who saw and handled the living Word of eternal life were inspired by the Holy Spirit to use the written word to bear record and testify to us of the same so that our joy might be full. That is to say, our joy will be full if we come to Him in prayer, believing through faith that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. However, the written word is not that living Word who became flesh and dwelt among us whom we seek and communicate with in a living way through daily prayer. Remember this obvious distinction between the written word and the living Word made flesh; the Bible doesn’t bleed, therefore, it is not the living Word of God made flesh who was nailed to the cross.
While I certainly gained knowledge through my study of the written word, that knowledge by itself was cold, sterile, impersonal, and bereft of love. Therefore, my knowledge was lifeless (1st Corinthians 13:1-3 KJV). My knowledge of the written word through diligent study did not bring the presence of God which is the fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11 KJV). I became so hungry for the presence of the Lord and the initial joy of my salvation after all these years of study that I began in earnest to ask Him for the spiritual manifestation of His presence as a living Person like I had at the beginning of my walk with Him. Over time, here’s what the Spirit began revealing to me in my spirit which has given me a new perspective that has made my prayer life to the living Word of God preeminent to my study of the written word for the purpose of obtaining my spiritual direction (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 16:13-15; Philippians 4:6-7 KJV).
In the beginning, the living God spoke the living Word and the anointing of the Holy Ghost (i. e. the anointing means the Christ or the wisdom and power of God – 1st Corinthians 1:24 KJV) upon the spoken Word of God caused all things visible and invisible to come into existence in both the spiritual and the natural or physical realm. The Greek word Christ is an exact translation of the Hebrew word Messiah, and the English word anoint is an exact translation of the Greek word Christ. The word “Christ” or “Anoint” means to rub on or smear all over. The word “Christ” refers either to the anointing of the wisdom and supernatural power of God of Isaiah 10:27 upon the spoken word from God’s own mouth, which He sends to us in response to our prayers for such, or the “Anointed One” of Isaiah 61:1 which is Jesus or the Word of God made flesh. So, when translating the word Christ translate it as the “Anointed One” and his “anointing” and God will reveal to you whether it is referring to the “Anointed One” or the “anointing” or both since we really can’t separate the “anointing” from the “Anointed One” and visa versa.
For example, “I can do all things through Christ which (not who) strengthens me.” In this passage of scripture the word Christ is referring to the anointing of Isaiah 10:27 not the Anointed One of Isaiah 61:1. Jesus Christ, the “Anointed One”, brought the “anointing” into our midst during his earthly ministry and demonstrated the anointing of the Holy Ghost and power in Luke 4:18 when he stood up in the synagogue and opened the book of Isaiah to Isaiah 61:1 where it is written:
- “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord” – (Luke 4:18 KJV)
Before Jesus ascended, he instructed his disciples that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. He told them that they would receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. After receiving this instruction from Jesus, his disciples went into an upper room and continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren, the number of them was about 120. At the day of Pentecost while they were still in one accord and in one place they received power from on high as the Holy Ghost came upon them for effective service.
This power from on high is still available to us today if we’ll persistently ask for it through fervent and prevailing prayer. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to receive the promise of the Father or the anointing of the Holy Ghost and power with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Regretfully, the body of Christ in large measure does not believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost and power with the evidence of speaking in tongues and remain bereft of the supernatural creative miracle-working power of God. Mistakenly, they think they have received all the power of God there is to receive upon being born again of the Spirit and being water baptized with the baptism of John unto repentance. Yet Acts 19:1-6 contradicts such heresy.
When those who won’t believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit pray, they pray from a carnally minded perspective which is confined to the low level of the limited power of the natural laws of physics rather than from a spiritually minded perspective which is not so confined. A spiritually minded perspective believes in the supernatural nature of the immeasurable, unlimited, and greatly surpassing power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to override the natural laws of physics. This carnally minded perspective of those in the church who refuse to believe in the Promise of the Father (i. e. the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues) is why the church, for the most part, remains powerless in combating the deception and wiles of the devil. In Texas, we refer to those who claim to have something they can’t demonstrate as being all hat and no cattle. The living Word spoken by the mouth of living God and the anointing (i. e. the Christ) of the Holy Ghost upon that spoken Word created all things visible and invisible, not the written word which came after God spoke the living Word.
So, the Word spoken out of the mouth of the living God or the living Word of God which was made flesh and dwelt among us has preeminence in all things including the written word even though the written word testifies of him (John 5:39 KJV). For in him (i. e. in Jesus, the living Word of God) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9 KJV). The word bodily in Colossians 2:9, refers to the physical flesh and blood body of Jesus according to the Greek translation shown in Strong’s Concordance. According to Isaiah 9:6 the name of Jesus is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. So, Jesus, according to the written word, is the fullness of the Godhead bodily or physically in the flesh.
After we’re born again of the Spirit, thereafter we are to take no thought for tomorrow nor are we to be careful for anything concerning those things we need for the support of biological life. Instead, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to us. Additionally, upon being born again of the Spirit, old things are passed away and all things are become new. Rather than going our own way by leaning to our own intellectual understanding based on what we learned in the past through sight or sense-based knowledge received through our five (5) physical senses, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we are to let our requests be made known unto God for His direction in our lives through faith or the evidence of things not seen by way of the revelation to our spirit from the Spirit of truth which by-passes our five (5) physical senses. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:6-7; John 16:13-15 KJV, my paraphrase). Matthew 6:31-34, Philippians 4:6-7, and John 16:13-15 are companion verses of scripture to the verses of scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 which state:
- “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Acknowledging God means to pray to Him for direction (Proverbs 3:6 KJV). Being directed by the LORD by acknowledging Him in all our ways by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving is tantamount to being led by the Spirit who guides us into all truth and those who are led by revelation of the Spirit’s direction in response to their prayers to God are the sons of God (Proverbs 3:6; Philippians 4:6-7; John 16:13-15; Romans 8:14 KJV). Through prayer and supplication to God with thanksgiving, His Spirit is able to restore our soul or transform us by the renewing of our minds from a carnally minded perspective to a spiritually minded perspective such that we might prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Titus 3:5; Psalms 23:3a; Romans 12:2 KJV).
The paths into which we’re being directed according to Proverbs 3:6 or, rather, the paths into which we are being led of the Spirit, are the paths of righteousness for His names sake (Psalms 23:3 KJV). The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way (Psalms 37:23 KJV). These steps are ordered by faith which is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1; 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV) and without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). When we walk by believing through faith or the evidence of things not seen by way of direct revelation to our spirit from the Holy Spirit, who reveals only that which He hears from the spoken word of God at just the right time or just the right season (John 16:13; Acts 1:7 KJV), rather than walking by our own intellectual understanding from sight or sense-based knowledge received through our five (5) physical senses, we will, in a living way, experience the spiritual manifestation of God’s presence and fellowship. In His presence there is fullness of joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength ((Nehemiah 8:10b; Psalms 16:11 KJV).
Once the Holy Spirit provides revelation of faith or the evidence of things not seen to our born again spirit to direct our paths in response to our sincere and fervent prayers for such direction, then our study and learning from the written word based on that revelation of faith will become fruitful such that we can understand it, meditate on it and, over time, become fully persuaded to believe or establish that faith, or that evidence of things not seen, in our hearts. Believing this revelation of faith in our hearts or believing in the evidence of things not seen from the Holy Spirit through the spiritual eyes and ears of our born again spirit (i. e. the spiritual eyes and ears of our spiritual or inner man), will restore our soul by renewing the thoughts in our mind such that we will do by nature the things contained in the righteous laws of the kingdom of God, which kingdom is spiritual in nature and therefore invisible to the natural eye of the natural man also known as the outward or physical man (Romans 10:10; 2nd Corinthians 4:13; Hebrews 11:1; 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18; John 3:3; Psalms 23:3; Romans 12:2 & 2:14-15; Psalms 1:1-3; 1st Corinthians 2:14 KJV).
In other words, by the renewing of our minds through revelation of faith to our spirit from the Holy Spirit, in response to our prayers which acknowledge God as a living Person, we will be transformed from a carnally minded perspective to a spiritually minded perspective. To be spiritually minded is to be mentally directed from the thoughts produced by the words engrafted into our spirit which represent faith or the evidence of things not seen that pertain to the invisible kingdom of God. It is by grace through believing in the gift of faith through revelation in response to our prayers that we establish and fulfill the law such that God’s will can once again be done in earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 8:3-4 KJV).
The Holy Spirit is showing me that I spend too much time in the scripture increasing my intellectual knowledge of the “written” word and too little time in prayer communicating with God to build a personal relationship with Him through the “Living” or “Spoken” Word. Face time with the Lord in prayer to build an intimate or close personal relationship with Him is no different than face time with another human being to build a personal relationship——especially one’s own spouse. Marriage is a great mystery concerning Christ and the church according to Ephesians 5:30-33 (KJV).
To emphasize once again the distinction and relative importance between having knowledge of the written word and having an intimate or close spiritual and personal relationship with Jesus as a living Person is to keep foremost in our mind at all times the obvious truth that the Bible wasn’t nailed to the cross because the Bible is not flesh and blood, and, therefore, it does not bleed. This distinction between communicating with the living Word through prayer and studying the written word to establish an intimate and close personal relationship to enjoy God’s presence is in no way a put down of the written word. Instead, it is to establish the relative importance between the “living Word made flesh” and the “written word which testifies of the Word made flesh”. I was impressed by the Spirit to compare the amount of time I spend studying to the amount of time I spend in prayer. The amount of time I spend studying the written word far outweighs the time I spend in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving——my unfortunate misstep in developing a closer personal relationship with God such that I could have more of His fellowship and His manifest spiritual presence which comes along with that fellowship.
The Lord impressed upon my spirit that studying the Bible at the expense of my face time with Him in communicating with Him in every thing by prayer is somewhat akin to the younger generation of my own children sitting at the dinner table with me with their face glued to their cell phone at the expense of acknowledging me and conversing with me in a face-to-face conversation. This distraction of my children’s time away from communication with their own living father at the dinner table by virtue of their spending an inordinate amount of time infatuated by an inanimate cell phone has always impressed me as a father as their being indifferent towards me and my being set far below the respect and honor that is due me which is obviously disrespectful, dishonoring, and rude. So, if my children are indifferent, disrespectful, and dishonoring in my presence, why would I want to visit them often and bless them with my presence? The Lord seemed to be saying to me that’s how He feels when I’m being indifferent towards Him by my being distracted in spending an inordinate amount of time studying the inanimate or lifeless written word at the expense of seeking His face and spending quality time in communication with Him, the living Word, through prayer.
What an enormously subtle deception is the devils insidious subterfuge of causing us to disrespect and dishonor the living Word of God through quality face time with Him in daily prayer by distracting us with the legitimate need to study the lifeless or inanimate written word of God. Following is the definition of the words “insidious” and “subterfuge” which will open our eyes to how the devil works his deceptions against both believers and unbelievers:
- “Insidious in it’s word definition means: 1a : awaiting a chance to entrap: TREACHEROUS b: harmful but enticing: SEDUCTIVE 2 a : having a gradual and cumulative effect : SUBTLE b : developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent.”
- “Subterfuge suggests: the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.”
Organized Denominational Religion, through their traditions, have for the most part all fallen for this subtle deception concerning the false preeminence of study over prayer. However, this masterful deception is not surprising since the devil, in his prideful knowledge as the anointed Cherub, was able to deceive and take with him a third of the angels in his fall from the 3rd heaven while they were all in the very presence of God.
Most people will tell you that knowledge is power, but it is not the power of life itself. There is no life-giving power but that power which emanates from the self-existent God Who is life itself and the creator and sustainer thereof. Apart from Him there is no power of life. Only when we love God and are known of Him and become one with Him do we have life. We don’t have eternal life unless and until we are made a part of God. God, according to His mercy, by grace through faith, has made it possible for each of us to become one with Him as members of His body through a blood covenant relationship called the New Blood Covenant. The essence of a blood covenant relationship is that two become one by the shedding of blood which is also the essence of marriage.
Marriage is the great mystery concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32 KJV). When a man has sexual intercourse with his wife, the hymen is broken and there is the shedding of blood. The hymen has no medical function whatsoever other than to break when joined to a husband in the marriage bed. Then the man and the woman become joined together as one flesh. In the same manner, when the Lord comes into our hearts by grace through faith we become bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh in a blood covenant relationship (Genesis 2:23; Ephesians 5:28-33 KJV).
Once joined together with Jesus he becomes our sovereign head or, in other words, the head of the body. As in marriage, we are given his name and the authority to act in his name provided we are being led by his Spirit in response to our daily prayers for his guidance into all truth which causes us to walk in accordance with his will and purpose for that particular time and place. Apart from Him, that is the life-giving Vine, we can do nothing, even if we have understanding of all knowledge from the written and lifeless words of scripture (John 5:39-40 KJV). Jesus, the living Word of God, said this: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” No one knows how to create or sustain life except the One and only life-giver—the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2 KJV). If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead now dwells in us he shall also quicken our mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in us (Romans 8:11 KJV).
According to the written word, “if any man thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know” – (1st Corinthians 8:2 KJV). Mere knowledge puffs up or makes us prideful such that we begin to think of ourselves above measure (1st Corinthians 8:1 KJV). We become independent of God and become slack in our daily prayers to God for His direction. Those, who, like the devil, think that knowledge is power and that knowledge in and of itself is eternal life, know nothing yet as they ought to know. Therefore, they will not experience the presence of God nor the peace and fullness of joy that only His presence can bring us (John 5:39-40; Psalms 16:11; Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
God refers to those who consider themselves able to understand all mysteries and have all knowledge and have all faith to remove mountains from diligently studying the written word as being nothing, if and/or when their understanding, knowledge, and faith are bereft of the nature and character of love which is the essence of the living God Himself. Faith works by love. Apart from love who is God Himself, we can do nothing. Since God is love it can also be said that the words of faith only work when spoken by the mouth of the living God Who is love. Listen to what scripture says concerning those who exalt the relative importance of studying the written word above our prayer life or our personal time communicating with God. When we exalt studying the written word above our praying to the living Word, that is the essence of leaving our first love which is warned against in Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV). When we put studying ahead of prayer, our prayers become impersonal, sterile, and rote which has an adverse effect on the quality of our personal relationship with God and being able to experience the joy of His presence:
- “Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” – (1st Corinthians 8:1b-2 KJV)
- “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” – (1st Corinthians 13:2 KJV)
- “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” – (1st Corinthians 8:3 KJV)
- “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – (1st John 5:3 KJV)
- “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.” – (John 15:14, 17 KJV)
- “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” – (Romans 13:8-9 KJV)
NOTE: God speaks of keeping all his commandments which commandments altogether are plural. But, since “loving one another as he loved us” briefly comprehends obedience to all the other commandments, he refers to keeping all the commandments with the singular command of “love thy neighbor as thyself”.
- “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” – (John 14:21-23 KJV)
NOTE: Loving God, evidenced by loving others, is the key to God’s presence. Loving others fulfills all the law (Jeremiah 31:31-33 [prophecy of the new covenant]; Romans 8:3-4 & 13:8 KJV). Our ability to love others comes by acknowledging God in all our ways through prayer for His direction and guidance (i. e. Love’s direction and guidance since God is love). His direction and guidance come through revelation from the Holy Spirit to our spirit in response to our prayers and our ability to walk in His direction and guidance is empowered by Christ or the wisdom and power of God which is the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 16:13-15; Ezekiel 36:26-27 [prophecy of the new covenant]; Acts 5:32; Philippians 4:13 KJV).
- “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full [Remember, in His presence is fullness of joy]. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.” – (1st John 1:3-7 & 2:10-11 KJV)
- “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” – (Proverbs 6:23 KJV)
NOTE: The law, as well as being a light, is also the truth (Psalms 119:142 KJV). However, it acts as a light only if and when it is securely hinged to love as it’s guiding principle or unchanging rule of governing action. When the law is ministered in the letter, untempered by love, it is being used unlawfully with our born again brothers and sisters and, as a result, it kills rather than making alive (Romans 7:10 & 8:2; 2nd Corinthians 3:6 KJV). Relationships with others in the body of Christ are to be cultivated by believing through faith in the words of the righteous laws of the kingdom of God all of which are fulfilled by loving one another as he loved us. The truths of the law must always be applied toward others in the body of Christ by a loving and merciful temperament as described in 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV). Remember, loving one another as he loved us, by grace through faith, fulfills all the commandments of the law. To those outside the body of Christ who haven’t been born again, the law works death in them rather than life by exposing their sinful state as shown in Romans 7:14-25 (KJV).
What we are to take away from the above verses of scripture is this. Unless we develop a close personal relationship with God through prayer and hear His spoken word to us by way of revelation from His Holy Spirit to our spirit, then we will walk in darkness apart from the light of His love. If we don’t have a close personal relationship with love, Who is God Himself, then we will not love our brothers and sisters in the Lord and, as a consequence, we will not experience God’s manifest spiritual presence. Revelation from the Holy Spirit in response to our daily prayers is the evidence of things not seen which is otherwise known as faith (2nd Corinthians 4:17-18; Hebrews 11:1 KJV). The evidence of things not seen, otherwise known as faith, pertains to those things of the kingdom of God which kingdom is spiritual in nature and therefore invisible to the natural eye. This faith is the light of the truth and we are to walk by this faith rather than sight. This faith works by love which is God Himself.
While spending time studying the written word is important and necessary, it won’t replace or supersede the priority and importance of spending quality time in daily prayer in coming to know Jesus personally as the resurrected and living Person that he is. According to 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 the written word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may by perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. But, while “good works” are necessary they won’t replace the priority of our first coming to the Lord in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to build an intimate or close personal relationship with Him such that He will open the scriptures to us by way of direct revelation to the eyes of our understanding of our inner man of the heart to direct our path into those “good works” and strengthen us with the anointing of the Holy Ghost (i. e. the Christ) to accomplish those works (Philippians 4:6-7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 2:3-10; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Philippians 2:13 & 4:13 KJV).
Jesus’ intimate or close personal relationship with his heavenly Father motivated him to spend the early morning hours of each day communing with God in prayer——-not study. Through listening to his heavenly Father while communing with Him in prayer, Jesus received his fresh daily bread or his revelation from God necessary to direct his path into the will and purpose of God for that day along with the necessary supernatural creative miracle-working power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that purpose (Acts 5:32 KJV).
God also showed Jesus “things to come” so that he would always be prepared and never be taken by surprise. It is by diligently seeking God through daily prayer that I acknowledge that God is or that He exists as a living Being or Person. By diligently seeking God and acknowledging that He exists as a living Person who speaks, He in turn rewards us by way of revelation from the Holy Spirit who opens the spiritual eyes of our heart to understand faith or the evidence of things not seen necessary to direct our paths into His will and purpose at a particular time or season along with the necessary supernatural creative miracle-working power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that purpose (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 16:13-15 KJV). These revelations should all be validated by scripture to verify their source as being from God Who is the Truth.
Those ordained of God and called to teach His people are commanded to study to show themselves approved unto God, workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2nd Timothy 2:15 KJV). However, rightly dividing the word of truth for teachers and all members of the body of Christ comes only by way of revelation of the evidence of things not seen which is the gift of faith from the Spirit of truth which by-passes our five (5) physical senses and goes directly into our spirit in response to our requests for such revelation by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Ephesians 1:17-23 – prayer for revelation KJV). The words of truth in our spirit concerning the evidence of things not seen (i. e. faith – Hebrews 11:1) then causes both workers and other members of the body of Christ to become spiritually minded or mentally directed by the thoughts produced from these seeds (i. e. words) of faith that have been revealed directly to our spirit by the Spirit of truth, a. k. a. the Holy Spirit:
- “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” – (John 16:13-15 KJV)
NOTE: These verses of scripture are key in understanding the need for prayer to the living God to obtain the spiritual revelation necessary to open up the scripture or the written word to the spiritual eyes of our understanding (Ephesians 1:16-19 KJV). Listen to what the above verses in John chapter 16 tell us in this regard: (1) The Spirit of truth is the living or 3rd Person of the Trinity assigned to guide us into the truth from the spoken or living Word initially received in response to our prayer by way of direct revelation to our spirit by-passing our five physical senses rather than through our study of the written word; (2) The Spirit of truth will not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear of the spoken or living Word from the mouth of God is that which he shall speak, not write; (3) the Spirit of truth will show us “things to come” when God is ready to reveal them to us since none of us know beforehand the times or the seasons which God has reserved for His personal use and power (Acts 1:7 KJV); and lastly, (4) what the Spirit of truth reveals to us will glorify Jesus whose name is the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12 KJV). Once we receive words spoken by the mouth of the living God by way of revelation from the Spirit of truth in response to the prayer in Ephesians 1:17-23 for such, we can then use that revelation from the spoken word to begin a fruitful study in the written word to the glory of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
- “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In ”all” thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)
NOTE: Being spiritually minded or walking by faith doesn’t mean we are to presumptuously disregard what we understand by sight or through sense-based knowledge received through our five (5) physical senses. For example, Jesus walked by faith but when the devil took a verse from the written word of God out of context to tempt Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, Jesus refused to presumptuously disregard the natural law of gravity at the behest of the written word quoted from the mouth of the devil to attempt to override the natural laws of physics. Jesus would have never attempted to override the natural laws of physics unless he was first specifically authorized to do so by a spoken word from the mouth of the living God by way of revelation from the Holy Spirit to his spirit provided that word proved out to be true within the context of the full counsel of God’s wisdom as measured against two or three witnesses from the testimony of the written word as to the truth of that revelation.
Reading and studying the written word as the basis for mountain moving faith that can override the natural laws of physics by leaning to our own intellectual understanding should never be used to blind us to the reality of the dire consequences of breaching those things which are seen which are governed by the natural laws of physics. Instead, real mountain moving faith that can overcome the natural laws of physics can only come by way of revelation spoken from the mouth of the living God—-not the written word (i. e. the Logos) standing alone apart from the spoken word (i. e. the Rhema).
Real mountain moving faith comes only by way of revelation from the Spirit of truth directly to our spirit by-passing our five (5) physical senses. The Spirit of truth receives His revelation of the truth directly by word(s) spoken from the mouth of God the Father. This faith from the Rhema Word of God gives us a perspective which provides us with the relative importance between those things which are seen of the physical realm and those things which are not seen of the spiritual realm. Those things which are not seen concern evidence pertaining to the spiritual or unseen realm of the kingdom of God we never knew about until we were born again of the Spirit through believing in the faith provided by way of revelation from the Holy Spirit concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified dead, buried, and resurrected. Except a natural man born only of the flesh be born again of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3; 1st Corinthians 2:14 KJV).
By believing through revelation of faith or the evidence of things not seen from the realm of the spiritual or invisible kingdom of God, we understand that the physical and visible realm was created (Hebrews 11:1-3 KJV). Therefore the power of the law of faith of the spiritual realm which rests solely on the spoken word of the living God is superior to and reigns supreme over the power of the natural laws of physics of the physical realm of the creation. We also understand that this unseen realm of the Spirit is eternal and unchanging whereas the visible realm of that which is created is temporal and therefore subject to change (2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV). So, if things go from good to bad in the physical realm of that which can be seen with the natural eye, they can be changed back from bad to good by the supernatural creative miracle-working power of those things or words from the mouth of the living God which cannot be seen or heard except with the spiritual eyes and ears of our heart or our inner man:
- “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal ( e. equally translated as being subject to change); but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – (2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV)
- “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)
- “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – (James 1:5 KJV)
Remember, it is not given to us to know “the times or the seasons” which God has reserved for His personal use and power (Acts 1:7 KJV). Since it is not given to us in the written word to know the times and the seasons, we must stay in close communion with the living God through daily prayer to know what He’s doing or going to do at any given time and how He wants us to do to accomplish His will and purpose at that particular time. However, only those who have become “the friends of Jesus” by an intimate or close personal relationship with him through face time in daily prayer will be shown what the Lord is doing at any given time or season. Recall in John 16:13-15 we are told that by way of revelation from the Spirit of truth, we would be shown “things to come” but not by intellectual understanding learned through studying the written word on our own beforehand:
- “Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except It abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, that same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ( e. the Rhema or the living Word, my paraphrase) ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words (i. e. my Rhema words, my paraphrase) abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.” – (John 15:4-7 & verses 14-17 KJV)
To emphasize my “misuse” of the written word as the means to build and obtain an intimate or close personal relationship to the living God and to experience His manifest presence, spiritually speaking, He gave me several scripture verses to make this point.:
- “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” – (1st Corinthians 8:2-3 KJV)
NOTE: You can understand all mysteries and all knowledge available from study of the written word, but if you don’t have a personal relationship with the living Word of God you’re not known of God as a friend. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 KJV). His commandments were “spoken” words before they were “written” words. Believing comes through faith and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the “Rhema” Word of God (i. e. the spoken Word of God).
- “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – (1st John 5:3 KJV)
NOTE: One of the commandments of Jesus to us, after we’re born again, is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness by seeking, asking, and knocking for it through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Matthew 6:33 & 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13 & 12:32). Remember, the kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit according to Romans 14:17 which states: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” So, seeking first the kingdom of God is essentially the same thing as persistently asking, seeking, and knocking for the anointing or baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues which is the blessing of Abraham or the promise of the Father along with continually acknowledging God daily through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving allowing Him, through the Spirit of truth, to guide us into all truth to direct our paths (Matthew 6:33 & 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13 & 12:31-32; Acts 19:1-7; Galatians 3:13-14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:14; Philippians 4:6-7; John 16:13-15 KJV).
That the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power with the evidence of speaking in tongues is a separate issue from the baptism of John or the baptism unto repentance when we first believed and were sealed with the holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14 & 4:30 KJV) as the earnest of our inheritance, is evidenced by the fact Jesus breathed on his disciples long before the day of Pentecost and said receive ye the Holy Ghost (John 20:22 KJV). That these two baptisms are separate events is further reinforced by Acts 19:1-7. Also, since the kingdom of God is in the Holy Ghost why would Jesus tell us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness which is in the Holy Ghost after we had already received and believed in the gospel message of Jesus Christ and him crucified through faith, been born again of the Spirit, received the baptism of John unto repentance, and received the holy Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance?
- “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” – (1st Corinthians 13:2 KJV)
- “For if any man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” – (Galatians 6:3 KJV)
NOTE #1: If a man or woman studies the written word and by virtue of their pride in their knowledge of the written word they think themselves to be something when they are nothing apart from an intimate or close personal relationship with the living Word, they deceive themselves.
NOTE #2: We are as nothing without abiding in Him and the Rhema word (i. e. the spoken Word of God) abiding is us through revelation by prayer.
- “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” – (John 5:39 KJV)
NOTE: The written word once revealed to our spirit by the Holy Spirit points to and glorifies the eternal and living Word who was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14 & 16:13-15 KJV). Jesus existed before the Bible was written and I knew Jesus personally as a living person immediately after I was born again of the Spirit and before I knew one word from the written word recorded in scripture. Again, the distinction between written word and Jesus, the living Word, is that Bible isn’t flesh and blood and, therefore, doesn’t bleed. I would never have been able to understand and know the written word or any of the things of the Spirit as a natural man had not Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, opened my spiritual eyes through the new birth (1st Corinthians 2:14; John 3:3 KJV). Jesus, the living Word of God made flesh, made it possible for me to come to God and be born again of the Spirit by the shedding of his sinless and innocent blood on my behalf through his death on the cross as my kinsman redeemer according to the flesh through a virgin birth.
Jesus is the Rhema or Living Word of God who was made flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:14 KJV), not the Logos or the written word which was inspired by God and penned by men to establish the scripture as an attestation or witness to the truth of Word of Life. Therefore, once again, the living Word has the preeminence in all things. The Greek word Rhema is useful to distinguish between two meanings of God’s word which are (1) the “spoken word” and (2) the “written word”. Rhema refers to “the spoken word” whereas Logos refers to “the written word”. Rhema is that personal word from God that comes to us by way of direct revelation from the Holy Spirit to our spirit by-passing our five (5) physical senses. Once the Rhema word is received by way of revelation then we can validate and authenticate it’s source or prove it’s spiritual source by measuring it against God’s standard and unchanging measure of truth—–the written word authored and inspired by the Holy Ghost and penned by men.
Studying the written word doesn’t replace communion with my heavenly Father in prayer. When Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you they are spirit, and they are life – (John 6:63b; Hebrews 4:12 KJV)”, we overlook a very important aspect of what he said in that verse which is: “the words that I speak.” Jesus is a Living Person who is the living Word of God that comes to us by way of revelation from the Father’s own mouth to the Holy Spirit who in turn reveals the living Word to our spirit in a living way as he did to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. The words that I speak refer to that still small voice or Rhema word from the mouth of God that we hear personally in our spirit which goes directly into our heart by-passing our five (5) physical senses (1st Kings 19:11-13 KJV). The written word, in addition to it’s uses according to 2nd Timothy 3:16-17, also allows us to validate or prove whether or not the spoken word that comes to our spirit by way of revelation is actually from the living Word of God or not.
When Father God, by way of revelation, speaks to us personally through Jesus the living Word, or the Word made flesh, it is always effectual because it is spoken at the right time or season and therefore carries upon it the anointing of the Holy Spirit or the supernatural creative miracle-working wisdom and power of the kingdom of God to make that personal word from God come to pass (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). Remember, the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1st Corinthians 4:20 KJV). While the written word is absolutely true and inspired of God, it is not eternal life itself (John 5:39 KJV). Instead, Jesus said that the written word merely testifies of those things concerning himself who is, the Living Word made flesh (Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39; John 1:1, 14; Romans 8:3-4 KJV). The scribes and the Pharisees had the written word but they didn’t know the living Word. My personal testimony does not testify to my knowledge of the written word but of my personal encounter with the living Word who is God and who is love Himself. Listen to how the living Word spoken from the mouth of the living God opened up the written word to the spiritual eyes and ears of the hearts (i. e. the inner man of the heart) of the disciples on their way to Emmaus:
- “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus ( e. the living Word of God, my addition) himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread (i. e. the living Word of God took bread, my addition), and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he (i. e. the living Word of God, my addition) opened to us the scriptures?” – (Luke 24:13-16 & 25-32 KJV)
Spending time studying on my own through self-effort and self-determination apart from prayer in order to experience his presence and gain more knowledge of God, is futile. Any knowledge I obtain through my own efforts apart from revelation by the Holy Spirit in response to prayer merely puffs me up with pride (1st Corinthians 8:1 KJV). However when I commune with God in prayer, whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to me through faith as a result of prayer humbles me to glorify Jesus instead of myself since I know I received it as a gift from God, not through my own study efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 1:5 KJV). There is nothing I have that I didn’t receive, so why do I boast as though I didn’t receive it (1st Corinthians 4:7 KJV). I can study from daylight to dawn ‘til my eyes burn, but unless and until I pray and receive revelation from the Holy Spirit in response to my prayers, the eyes of my understanding won’t be enlightened and my words and actions will be ineffectual in their application (Ephesians 1:16-19 KJV).
The call of God in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 for us to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face (i. e. seek the spoken word at His mouth which is on His face through daily prayer), and turn from our wicked ways so that He will hear us from heaven and heal our land is not a call to one prayer or several prayers asking Him to heal our land. Instead, it is a call to a lifestyle of prayer, to start acknowledging Him daily, so that He is able to continually direct our paths into the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake from now on and forever. Our “wicked ways” referred to in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 are those wicked ways of a lifestyle directed by set traditions, like Martha (Luke 10:38-42 KJV), based only on the stale knowledge of what we have already come to know through study of the written word and doing that which we intellectually reason to be right in our own eyes but not based on our awaiting the words of wisdom from God’s own mouth in answer to our daily prayers for such fresh manna to direct our ways. God’s direction comes to us only by means of revelation from the Holy Spirit to our spirit in response to our daily prayers to God, trusting and acknowledging Him and asking Him for such direction (Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:9-13; Philippians 4:6-7 KJV). The Holy Spirit’s revelation is made directly into the spiritual eyes and ears of our spirit (i. e. the eyes and ears of our heart or our inner man) by-passing our sight or sense-based intellectual knowledge received from our five (5) physical senses.
We must continually remember that to “every thing” there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven, yet it has not been given to us to know the times or the seasons which God has reserved for His personal use and power (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Acts 1:7 KJV). We must also remember that “all things” work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 KJV). Since I do not know the times or the seasons, I must acknowledge God in all my ways through daily prayer so that he can direct my paths that I might continually be in sync with his purpose for the particular season and time at hand so that all things will work together for good for me and my family individually and for all members of the body of Christ collectively (Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7 KJV). So, prayer is a must, not a luxury, if I’m going to see all things working together for good. Therefore, I must give as much or more time in prayer to God, the Living Word, as I do in studying the inanimate letter of the written word if I want to build an intimate or close personal relationship with God to obtain the manifestation of His spiritual presence as a living Person. In His presence is fullness of joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10b; Psalms 16:11 KJV).
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Apostasy
“Avoid Foolish Questions” [podcast]

What Does Christ’s Great Commission Call Us to do?
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
The dire need of the salvation of eternal souls necessitates that we walk in God’s wisdom in these final of days before our LORD’s return.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:2-6
Paul on Mars Hill
Did Paul believe he had to answer every question? Did he entertain questions?
“The hill is historically significant as a site of philosophical debate and as the location where the Apostle Paul delivered a sermon to the Athenians, as recorded in the New Testament.”
On Mars Hill Paul didn’t seem to affront his audience as much as he sought to reveal who the known God is as they had built an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” (Acts 17:23) Paul sought to turn them to the one true God, to inform them of who He is – The One who sent His only begotten Son to be crucified and raised again for their justification, calling them to repentance.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
Romans 1 informs us that God’s wrath abides upon all who hold or suppress the truth in unrighteousness …. and that the Gospel of Jesus is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16-20)
Ascertaining by Scripture what the LORD sent us to accomplish
What did Jesus send us, His people, to do?
“What a tragedy to spend precious time on these things (foolish questions) while a world is perishing!” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Preach the word” is the divine command (2 Timothy 4:2).
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Jesus, the apostles, nor the earliest followers never set up a location where they entertained every question and potshot the heathen could throw at them. No, they were on mission, as Christ’s “ambassadors” to preach and teach the Gospel, the Word of God.
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Preach the word….” 2 Timothy 4:2
Notice, no mention of “going and asking people what they believe or setting up a table and answering questions. Sorry to those who balk, such is not the Great Commission.
“Stop the tip toeing around people. Preach the whole counsel of God ‘word. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in them. You are not the Holy Spirit.” Darlene Dusza
We are so far removed from original Gospel learning, adherence, and obedience that this revelation will shock some and even anger others. Yet an honest study of the Holy Scriptures reveals these things plainly.
A.W. Tozer declared:
“We are called to preach the Bible. Not to prove it. The Holy Ghost is all the proof we need.”
I agree with his statement as it plainly aligns with the mission and Gospel action of Christ, His holy apostles, and the earliest followers of Jesus as is recorded on the pages of New Testament Scripture.
Perhaps many a follower of Jesus is hindered in his ministering by thinking he’s not qualified since he sees so many modern day question answerers…. Yet is anyone getting saved? No. Those who are answering the questions of our day thrown at them and recorded, are not preaching the Word of God. At best they may sneak something from the Bible or mention the Bible but they are not preaching the Gospel under the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus mandated (Acts 1:4-8, etc.).
One disciples declared:
“It is incumbent on us to lead them to His Word (to give them HIS Word). The Holy Spirit will bring them to the Cross!”
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
“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.” Romans 1:16
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
“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.” Isaiah 55:11
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
Satan’s work is to ensnare, to entangle Christ’s messengers in “foolish questions” in order to distract and divert them from planting the seed of the Word of God from which salvation springs.
Satan is always the one behind the diversions, the tactics to block sinners from salvation… to create the noise pollution in an attempt to stop them from getting saved and therefore being translated out of his kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14). Do we remember how….
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:8-10
Gentlemen, you don’t owe everyone an answer to their every question. Just obey God by preaching the Word. God gave us all His Word, the Bible. Beware of being misled by the whiners who act like Christians owe them an answer to their every question which emanates from an unbelieving, rebellious heart. They have a Bible but have refused to repent truly. When someone repents, they begin to devour the WORD for themselves and don’t whine about not understanding all the answers to life (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4).
Are we not told to “avoid foolish questions”? And questioning the Creator while drowning, living in His creation seems to be one of the reasons for the many “foolish questions” we see being entertained today.
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
We should be armed with the knowledge, ahead of time, that there are many who throw out “foolish questions” to entangle and divert Christ’s disciples, to derail them from preaching the Word as God commands (2 Timothy 4:2).
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
Examples of “foolish questions” people use to divert from the truth that they are sinners in need of the Savior:
- “What about the people who have never heard the Bible, the Gospel preached to them?”
- “What about all the hypocrites who claim to be Christians?”
- “But the Bible has been translated over and over and so it’s not accurate.” –
- “What about the lost books of the Bible?” –
- QUESTION: “Where did Adam and Eve’s son’s wives come from?”
POSSIBLE ANSWER: “We can understand the discomfort this interpretation might cause. Incest taboos are deeply ingrained in human societies for both biological and social reasons. But in the context of the first human family, such unions would have been necessary and not yet forbidden.” ChristianPure.com
The priority command of Christ via His Great Commission mandate, is for His people to go preach the Gospel, to teach the Bible (end of Mark end of Matthew).
Perhaps we can surmise that avoiding “foolish questions” involves navigation, sticking to the most important Bible truth – salvation – upholding, planting the seed of the truth, the Word, keeping the main thing the main thing…
Recently I had a man who is a new ager, spiritual type ask me if it concerned me that babies are being killed by Jews in Palestine….
“Foolish questions” being asked is the diversionary tactic of the enemy of souls. Concerning “foolish questions”, one source notes:
“All four of these practices—pointless debate, arguments over genealogy, quarrels, and debates over the law of Moses—are considered a waste of time. All they accomplish is taking energy and resources away from the ministry Paul had entrusted to Titus.”
Another source notes the following on “foolish questions”:
“Examples of foolish questions include those that are unprofitable, speculative, and serve no purpose beyond generating strife or satisfying curiosity, such as debates on the number of angels on a pinhead, excessive speculation about the antichrist, or questions about biblical prophecies that God has not revealed. The context of Titus 3:9 is a directive from the Apostle Paul to avoid such debates and instead focus on maintaining good works and godly living.”
Don’t be distracted. You are on mission for the LORD. You are there to preach the Word and not win arguments…. to win souls…. Deal meekly and mildly as is possible and deposit the convicting law of the LORD which is able to convert the soul, to make wise the simple, to rejoice the hearts of men, to enlighten their eyes,
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9
God did not send His only begotten Son nor us to try to talk anyone into the greatest blessing and gift that every has or will exist – all done to save them from the sin that is destroying them and will result in their irrevocable eternal damnation.
God instructs us not to waste our/HIS time:
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Proverbs 23:9
We are to “be ready” to give a biblical answer and a personal testimony of the saving grace of Christ we’ve personally experienced at the moment and thereafter of being born again.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
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Viewing Charlie Kirk Through the Eyes of God’s Word [podcast]

Did Charlie Kirk do more for Christ than many of those who have become preoccupied with condemning him?
“The world shall rejoice”
Some people (even some falsely claiming to be Christians) rejoice when others, when Christians die.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20
Earlier in this very chapter Jesus foretold that the way they hated and persecuted Him, so shall they do to you, His followers. Take a look:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” John 16:1-3
Sorting things out…
IF someone sees a NON-essential issue, such as the Charlie Kirk issue, differently than you see it, that does not make them unsaved. Get a clue and get over yourself. Dare we cause division in the body of Christ based on things NOT essential to salvation!?
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:3-4
Nothing the haters of Charlie Kirk can say undoes, negates the preaching of God’s Word Kirk did. Just before he was murdered he declared that “It’s ALL about Jesus!” and “Jesus died so we could live.”
Charlie died as a young man and didn’t have the seasoning and experience of 40-, 50-, 60- or 70-year-olds. He had been misled in some ways and yet it seems he finished in the faith. The more of his videos one may watch, the more this may become evident. Yet, either way, the way we view him is no essential to salvation. The way we view and believe or disbelieve Jesus Christ IS essential to salvation.
Earlier today, a man told me to “repent” for seeing this Charlie Kirk issue differently than he sees it. So, it seems he is acting in the place of God, being his own god, to whom everyone around him must bow down and serve. Seems that anyone who doesn’t see everything the way he does, in his corrupted self-serving mind, needs to repent. There was no sin he cited that I committed so, what should I repent for? For seeing something different than he sees it?
He cared more about his own opinion than the body of Christ for which Jesus died and rose again. Read Romans 14. There is liberty in things NOT essential to salvation. This week I have unfriended and blocked several people who are out of control with their seeking to violate the liberty the LORD gives to each of His saints in NON-essentials.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Jesus commanded that we “LOVE one another” and that’s what the true remnant of Christ will do (John 13:34).
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:15
Walking in God’s love does not lead us to violate the God-given individual liberty of other of His children whom He died to save. Do you understand what is taught in Romans 14?
God is and will continue to use the death of Charlie Kirk for His own glory and the Almighty didn’t need you or your puny permission to do so.
If Charlie Kirk didn’t often speak God’s Word, how is it then that now after his death, scores of people are coming forth saying they are now seeking God as a result of what was spoken out of the mouth of Charlie Kirk?
It seems that there are some among us who would rather see people go to hell than for God to dare use Charlie Kirk’s life to save those people’s souls.
As usual there are many conflicting theories including that CK faked his death …. I don’t have all the answers…. do you? What does Deuteronomy 29:29 tell us?
Just before he was murdered, Charlie Kirk posted the following statement: “Jesus defeated death so you could live.”
“This is being said in love. There are people on here who probably should step back and do a lot more reading of the word of God and praying and a lot less talking and posting. I’m seeing way too much strife, pride, slander, bearing false witness, unrighteous judgment, hypocrisy, and in some cases hatred. None of those things bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Gloria
God gave us two ears and just one mouth – so we do more listening (to Him and others) than speaking.
“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
“Charlie Kirk’s death is shaking the church. In more then one way, some are revealing spotted hearts, others are being humbled & coming to repentance. Whatever you think of his politics, he was not ashamed of Christ. He boldly declared his faith to millions! Charlie absolutely died in the faith. Pause and recognize this.
This is not about Trump, MAGA, False Trump prophets, NAR or politics—it is about whether we will love the brethren in spite of our differences and humble ourselves before God. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar (1 John 4:20). This is a test of the heart.
Don’t let yourself be too distracted with rabbit holes, conspiracies, and opinions of man to miss this moment in your own heart. ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6).
This is not a call to civil uprising against the Left—God forbid! it is a call for repentance in the Church (starting in my own heart first). This doesn’t mean you have to follow MAGA, or stop using critical thinking.” Robin Figtree
The WORD of God he spoke shattered and will continue to destroy the lies told in our generation. There’s no denying this. God even uses donkeys to speak His Word and the effect is the same because it’s GOD’s Word (Numbers 22). Isaiah 55:11 ….. Nothing can undo that Word of God he spoke by which sinners are saved, born again (1 Peter 1:23).
“Charlie Kirk was faithful unto death. He stood boldly against abortion, LGBT indoctrination, and Islam’s denial of Jesus Christ. For lifting up the Gospel he was martyred in front of his family. He finished his race and will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Is Charlie’s life and death not galvanizing many to overcome the fear of man and preach Christ’s Gospel?
True & False Disciples: Many will say ‘Lord, Lord,’ pointing to works and miracles, but Jesus will say, ‘I never knew you; depart, ye that work iniquity.’
Two Foundations: The wise build on the rock by hearing and doing Jesus’s words. The foolish build on sand , hearing but not obeying, and their fall is great.”
The Shaking of Our Time
Hebrews 12 says God is shaking all things. We are seeing the separation between those who endure in Christ and those who walk in Balaam’s compromis.
Charlie Kirk HAD FLAWED DOCTRINE & Limited understanding but chose bold faith.
Only those who build on the Rock — hearing and obeying Jesus’s words — will endure the storm and stand WITH CROWNS in the FINAL judgment.
Final Word:
Claiming the name of Jesus isn’t enough. Works and ministries aren’t enough. Obedience, endurance, and faithfulness unto death are required (Revelation 2:10, Matthew 24:13).
“The question is not: Do you say ‘Lord, Lord’? The question is: Are you building on the Rock or the sand?” Glenn Langohr
“For those who say Charlie didn’t share the gospel, of which I could share multiple videos of him doing such, I think this is about as close as it gets! ‘Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.’ 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV.” Stacy Strother
Having limited knowledge, that is my opinion on it….. the truth he spoke cannot be unspoken nor minimalized and it lives on.
I’ve actually exposed this on a post on the ministry site safeguardyoursoul.com ….. yet IMO it seems Kirk, being only 31, didn’t understand many things and erred … yet that does not negate the fact that he did boldly declare the Word of God.
“There are videos of Charlie Kirk rebuking Catholicism for praying to Mary etc and rebuking Mormonism. Charlie Kirk was ignorant of much on sound doctrine for sure. But was he faithful to what GOD called him to do?” Glenn Langohr
This seems to reveal that Charlie Kirk didn’t understand with any depth what is “the faith” of the Gospel. He was learning. Did you understand everything in God’s Word and about the false religions before you grew in the Word? As a young Christian, I thought the mormons were Christians and later found out that was false. Even if all these evil things about Charlie Kirk are true, NOTHING negates, diminishes that he spoke God’s Word on many occasions.
The vilest of demon possessed psychopaths are celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk. Why would they do such if Charlie Kirk made no impact for the LORD? They wouldn’t.
There are some people who HATE Charlie Kirk…. but just remember, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a donkey, if the Word of God is coming out of their mouth, it’s still the Word of God. In Numbers 22 God used a donkey to speak to and warn Balaam. No one can deny that Charlie Kirk spoke God’s Word. If a person denies such, you know you are 1). dealing with a person who just hasn’t seen it with their own eyes, or 2). a dishonest person who has an agenda.
“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.” Isaiah 55:11
To a man whose feelings were hurt by the straight talk of Charlie Kirk, the following reply was given:
Only a moral coward would object to a man speaking the truth straight. Too many pansies flying around these days, pretending to be men of God. Not. Read Matthew 23. Would you call Christ’s apostle Paul a man of God, of truth, or man full of “hate speech”?
Here’s what Paul said to a false prophecy:
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, THOU CHILD OF THE DEVIL, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (act!) you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
When a man truly repents, he will fear God and the LORD will give him a steel spine.
Charlie Kirk’s advice to a young man who asked:
- Read your Bible.
- Do what it says.
- Tell others what the Bible says
Does this murder principally resemble Cain and Abel?
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Genesis 4:1-8
Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy and resentment. His (Cain’s) life was not going well due to doing things his own way instead of God’s way. So he was in darkness and miserable and therefore became jealously enraged that his brother’s life was flourishing and full of life due to Abel serving God on God’s terms (Matthew 6:33).
Keep in mind that at just 31 years old, Charlie Kirk had built a movement that is worldwide and of enormous proportions of influence over young people in particular. There would seem to be lots to be jealous of if one is sulking in, living in sin.
We do know that “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Could this same scenario have played out between Charlie Kirk and his killer? What kind of evil drove Kirk’s murderer to plan and go climb upon a roof and wait hours to murder his fellow man?
One overview of the Murder of Abel by his brother Cain goes as such:
It would seem apparent that Satan wanted Charlie Kirk killed due to Charlie boldly proclaiming parts of the Word of God. That alone does not mean Charlie was saved and/or doing things God’s way in all the areas of his thinking or organization. But one thing is certain, Kirk did declare God’s Word at times and no matter the human source, the human communicator, it’s still the Word of God and was reaching millions (Isaiah 55:11). Charlie was a bold statesman-like figure with communication giftings that were profound.
Cain killed Abel due to jealousy and resentment after God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s, which God found to be of lesser quality and gratitude. Although the Bible doesn’t explicitly state the exact motivation, Cain became depressed and took his anger out on Abel, leading to the first murder.
The Biblical Account
- The Offerings: Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd, both presented offerings to God.
- Rejection of Cain’s Offering: Abel offered the “first and fattest sheep of his flock” while Cain offered “some of his poorer crops.” God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
- Cain’s Anger: Cain became very angry and depressed after God rejected his offering.
- The Murder: Cain met Abel in a field and murdered him, taking out his anger on his brother.
Why Cain was Jealous
- God’s Acceptance: Cain was jealous that Abel’s offering was accepted and his was not.
- Pride and Resentment: Cain’s pride was wounded, and he resented God’s righteous judgment.
Interpretations
- Jealousy as the motive:
Many interpreters, including ancient exegetes like Josephus, believe that jealousy was the primary cause for the murder.
Those who do things their own way instead of God’s, are full of misery and pent up resentment and therefore jealousy of those who do things God’s way which always brings blessings to their lives. This was the case with Cain and likely the case with Charlie Kirk’s killer.
Like Cain, who was jealous of Abel and therefore murdered him in cold blood, could it be that there are those who are jealous of the influence, the diligence and success of Charlie Kirk who are now assassinating him with their heart hatred and the words of their mouths? Could that be the reason many are taking their hatred public against him, after he’s been murdered? Notice how these same people have no joy for the fact that Charlie Kirk did preach some of God’s Word and it did and is reaching many.
“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18
So yes, Paul rejoices that Christ was preached which Charlie did much of the time and yet Charlie did speak some things that are not true……
Does Satan care if only half the things you say are Bible truth? No. If the 50% of truth you preach, it’s still the Word and getting planted in the hearts of men who need God…..
Charlie was once asked a pretty wild question:
“If I had 30 seconds to live, I’m dying of a gunshot wound, what would you actually want to tell me?”
Charlie Kirk told the man that he must repent and receive Christ as his LORD and Savior.
SUMMATION: i don’t sense in CK an intentionally evil heart…. misled by others, those older than him, yes but having a heart determined to be or work evil? I don’t see it. I have seen and heard Charlie boldly, clearly state too much biblical truth to believe he is intentionally believing other things that are error.
https://gettr.com/post/p3ryvux9aec
Of Charlie Kirk, brother Glenn Langohr writes:
“Charlie Kirk’s voice reached millions. He defended God’s covenant of marriage, the duty of men to provide, and stood against abortion — fighting demonic powers that shed innocent blood (Ps 106:37–38, Gen 4:10). He resisted LGBT propaganda corrupting the young, standing like a watchman. For this, we give God glory and remember him as a man used in significant ways.
But friends, Charlie also had errors. He confessed he ‘cringes’ at street preachers, yet Jesus Himself came preaching ‘Repent or perish’ (Luke 13:3) and commanded, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). Paul declared, ‘God commands all men everywhere to repent”'(Acts 17:30). Street preaching is God’s pattern (Jer 7, Acts 5, 1 Cor 1:18–21). To belittle it is to misunderstand the very tool God uses to save.
Charlie was also misled by Jack Hibbs’ Pre-Tribulation rapture teaching, which Scripture refutes. Paul warns: ‘Let no man deceive you… that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed’ (2 Thess 2:3). Daniel 12 calls endurance to 1,335 days ‘blessed’. Revelation 20 says those beheaded for Jesus will reign with Him 1,000 years. The Church will face Antichrist’s persecution before Jesus returns. Charlie finished his course as a martyr, but we must carry on, warning: Only those who endure to the end shall be saved (Matt 24:13).”
He said a lot of good, Bible based things…. WHY would anyone argue with that part?
Many a celebrity has claimed to be Christian yet never spoke the Word of God publicly perhaps for fear of it hurting their career, their money. Such was not the case with Charlie Kirk. He spoke boldly and often about Christ Jesus and His Gospel.
One saint of Christ notes the following:
“The amount of deception with his (Kirk’s) death is shocking!! Everyone seems to be an expert at what they think he believed.”
The hatred of professing Christians against Charlie Kirk is a concern (1 John 3:14-15).
We should be busy about our Father’s business right? Some seem to be wasting their time nit picking Charlie Kirk, feeling like that MUST weigh in on him instead of letting God handle what is in HIS hands (Deuteronomy 29:29).
WHY would satan’s people hate him so much if he didn’t spread the Gospel, the Word to some degree?
“I was an atheist, and this event made me realize I had been asking the wrong questions. I’m going to church tomorrow to pray for Charlie’s family, and I want to learn about Christ and what made Charlie so courageous to risk his life and spread the gospel. Seeing those who celebrate and are justifying his death proved evil is real, and the only way to fight back is with grace and faith. Charlie did not die in vain. He didn’t deserve this, but his courage and faith live on. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.” Michael Choi
I was critical of his pumping of the pope…. and his seeming lean toward ecumenism and yet Charlie Kirk did speak God’s Word strongly at times…..I choose to rejoice at that. I saw a guy in his 40s interviewed yesterday, in tears for Charlie Kirk’s death…. he said he was a life long atheist but Charlie Kirk and how he spoke, brought the man to Christ. Also Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was preached even when preached by mixed bags with bad motives even amen Phil 1. God knows all. “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18
If Paul did, shouldn’t we, Christ’s disciples today rejoice when the Gospel is preached – regardless of who is speaking the words of God?
Yes and yet God is God
“Philippians 1:15-16
Some indeed preach Christ out of contention – Envying Paul’s success, and striving to hurt him thereby. Not sincerely – From a real desire to glorify God. But supposing – Though they were disappointed. To add more affliction to my bonds – By enraging the Romans against me.” John Wesley
“1:15 The motive in some hearts was jealousy and rivalry. They preached Christ out of envy and contentiousness.
Others had sincere and pure motives; they preached Christ from good will, in an honest effort to help the apostle.
1:16 The jealous preachers thought that by doing this they might make Paul’s imprisonment more bitter. Their message was good, but their temper was bad. It is sad to think that Christian service can be carried on in the energy of the flesh, motivated by greed, strife, pride, and envy. This teaches the necessity for watching our motives when we serve the Lord. We must not do it for self-display, for the advancement of a religious sect, or for the defeat of other Christians. Here is a good example of the necessity for our love to be exercised in knowledge and discernment. 1:17 Others were preaching the gospel out of pure and sincere love, knowing that Paul was determined to defend the gospel. There was nothing selfish, sectarian, or cruel in their service. They knew very well that Paul had been committed to prison because of his bold stand for the gospel. So they determined to carry on the work while he was thus confined. 1:18 Paul refuses to be downcast by the wrong motives of some. Christ is being preached by both groups, and that is for him a great cause for rejoicing.
It is remarkable that under such difficult circumstances, Paul does not feel sorry for himself or seek the sympathy of others. Rather he is filled with the joy of the Lord and encourages his readers to rejoice also.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Charlie because of you, I’m going back to church!! Thank you.” Laura
“Charlie’s departure from earth is evidence that his message was effective and darkness cannot stand the light . RIP Charlie Kirk.” Jane
“I’m going to church on Sunday due to this beautiful man.” Matt
“I’m old enough to be Charlie’s father but he inspired me and taught me some things I researched to confirm truth. He was brilliant, highly educated and a national treasure. He’s w/Jesus Christ Jesus now. They can only threaten us w/heaven.” Veteran
“Charlie brought me closer to Jesus. The pain I’m feeling from his death is indescribable. I’ve never met him, but I learned so much from him, I learned truth. The boldness in him is now released into us. Gen z, this is God putting it into our face that life is short, life is a mission to glorify God. It’s time to fully live for Jesus, and speak truth in boldness like Charlie. I truly love him, he helped transform my heart from stone to flesh. I spent so much time listening to him, getting to know him. This pain is weighing heavy, he is such a pure light, someone who’s very rare to find. I’m so blessed to have listened to him during my life, thank You God for putting him in our lives. Mission well served. Rip faithful servant.” unknown
So personally I don’t feel the need to try to prognosticate who goes to Heaven or not in general… by the fruit it is obvious with some and not with others, as in this case right
Ah yes does it not glorify satan instead of Jesus when at this critical hour in HIS-story we have fightings within….
Instead of simply obeying our LORD who is God and has everything under His Almighty control? Right
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” James 4:1
The way I see this is …..The fact that “Christians” are idolizing him doesn’t change the facts though right
That is not his fault.
He seemed to be very humble actually and didn’t seek to unduly draw attn to himself
And that’s the consistent testimony of others who knew him
We know him by his own fruit right, not the fruit of those who sinfully seeking to elevate him “above that which is written of men” right 2 Cor 4:6
Matthew 24:14 we are His ambassadors to preach His glorious Gospel and leave the God things to God right 😉
This headline is a lie: “TRANS Radicalism Responsible For Charlie Kirk’s Death.” That’s an intentional misdirection. The evil doers, satan’s children, who authored and perpetrated the “trans radicalism” to destroy the world, are the ones who murdered Charlie Kirk. Kirk had the God-given right to freedom of speech. I did not agree with some things he has said and have published those concerns. But Jesus and His apostles never forwarded the Gospel message by violence, by murdering those who differed.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36
What was done to Charlie Kirk was the same thing John Calvin did in Geneva, Switzerland to over 60 people who disagreed with him.
“the devil … He was a murderer from the beginning”
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
MESSAGE FROM SINNER CONCERNING CHARLIE KIRK:
“But still your God does nothing.. it didn’t even stop a person in his best interests from being killed?? Either God is weak and the devil is in control or none of them exist. The more likely observation is, that they don’t exist.”
REPLY:
Friend, sinner, if God didn’t exist, neither would you. You sound like the darkened souls who stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was dying for their sins, our sins….. they taunted “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:35) He ultimate victory would come from His death, which of necessity had to precede His burial and resurrection. Jesus is alive. This is the victory that God ordained and at times He allows His people also to die a natural death and out of it His triumph comes. God sees all of your sins and will save, will forgive all your sins if you will heed His simple message to repent and believe upon Christ. Your life will never be right, your heart will never be happy until you do so. I am living proof of that! Jesus is coming.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive thereafter, raised up, resurrected) by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18
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Abiding
The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]

Idol Shepherds Abounding!
The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 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. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7
When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.
They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.
Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke
They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)
” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
YOU do it.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.
No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley
“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke
The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
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