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Baruch
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2009, 09:51:30 PM » |
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1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
I have heard that they try to make the fruit of joy to mean spiritual drunkenness. but a house divided cannot stand. If one of the works of the flesh is drunkenness and the fruit of the Spirit called temperance means self-control, then for us to have all the fruits of righteousness in us, the fruit of joy cannot be spiritual drunkenness.
This is what happens when believers look to the Holy Spirit to come and go on them in the worship place, and yet all the while admit that He is in them. This is sheer hypocrisey. He cannot come on them if He is already in them. They cannot get any closer to God than they are already, but by departing from the faith by practising a rudiment already found in the world in how they seek after other spirits to receive, they suffer a thief to break through and great is the fall of that house.
The American Indians used to chant and dance for the Great Spirit to come. When alcohol was introduced to the Indians, they craved it because it reminded them of their experiences with the Great Spirit when it came on them.
No way would God mimick something that was already in the world.
On the Day of Pentecost when someone mockingly stated that the disciples were drunk, it was also witnessed that they were speaking in foreign languages the wonderful works of God. So naturally those that heard them speak in other languages would not know this and supposed them to be drunk, but yet those that did understood what they were saying, heard the Gospel in their native tongues. If the disciples were falling down and acting drunk as purported by those in the "holy laughter" movement, then where is the Gospel being spoken in foreign languages for foreigners to hear??
God would not manifest anything that would cause confusion as believers should be aware of this truth.
1 Corinthians 14:32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
This is why we are told not to quench the Spirit for we have control.
1 Thessalonians 5:18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
One should heed the instructions in verses 21 & 22 as a line of discernment that if we are to abstain from all appearances of evil, then why would God have us appear drunk if we are to abstain from a work of the flesh which is drunkenness and heed the call to be sober?
1 Thessalonians 5: 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Look at the qualification for a believer to serve as a bishop.
1 Timothy 3:1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Titus 1: 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Would God manifest drunkenness to disqualify a bishop? Would the church be able to discern spiritual drunkienness from the works of the flesh? And yet God knows how to rule His own house so the manifestation of spiritual drunkenness is nothing more but the works of seducing spirits to cause chaos and confusion in the worship place.
Look at the office of deacon and how their wives are to be:
1 Timothy 3:10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Instructions for the elders as well as for the young:
Titus 2:1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Why is it important to be sober all the time?
1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
May the Lord deliver the wayward brothers that follow not after the traditions taught of us so that they may return to their first love, the Bridegroom...before the doors are shut for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Otherwise, the Lord shall finish His work in those left behind for not being ready by not being found abiding in Him and for not keeping the faith which is the good fight.
2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;.....14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Timothy 2: 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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