I think one of the most challenging places to "stand up for Jesus" is when one is in a group setting with other believers; even in "places" on the internet, such as list servs and discussion forums. Much peer pressure is exerted in a group"”even in an electronic format"”and we must guard against hiding our light for fear of getting flamed from "fellow believers." Many posters on list servs and discussion forums are occultists who pose as Christians in order to get as much anti-biblical, New Age attitudinal change accomplished in the church as possible. This may sound shocking, but it is true, and quite common. It is very easy to pose as a Christian on the internet. One just needs to know a bit of Christian "jargon", and that is not hard to pick up. Sometimes they do not even bother to make much of a show of being "Christian." This is sad, because it shows how believers are not judging them to be Christians by fruit, but only by their profession. They will use a handle and/or a graphic or an attitude that gives clues as to whom they really serve.
The "higher up" occultists do know the scriptures and are dangerously clever at twisting them and making it seem like they are "rightly dividing the word of truth." Whether they work hard to play the part or not, they usually have one thing in common: they try to get the Christian to question God's Word, which is absolute truth, and to render it relative. This is the key to getting the Christian to eventually depart from the faith. These "posing as Christians posters" literally make merchandise of God's people by using the internet! They use the oldest trick in the book: "Yea, hath God said?"
Often they will alert their friends to come in with a show of force and assist them in doing "damage control" when a real Christian begins to post things that could be used of the Lord to get someone saved or brought back from the backslidden way. They get quite angry and will usually retaliate in various ways when the Christian poster is exposing false doctrine and occultism that has crept into the church.
When wrong doctrines and sinful lifestyles are being promoted by professed Christians, and we fail to speak up about them, we are agreeing with them by our silence, and actually become accomplices.If we do not speak up and counter their lying doctrines with the truth, who will? If God has given us light and we refuse to let it shine for fear of persecution from other so-called believers, we are not seeking first His kingdom, rather, we are seeking first the kingdom of self.Every single day there is an opportunity on the internet to stand up for Jesus and endure hardness (ridicule and baiting) as a soldier of the cross. Are we doing this or are we shirking this responsibility because of the fear of man which brings with it a spiritual snare?
Speaking up must be done without sarcasm or unkindness. The infiltrator does his utmost to try to bait his Christian opponent so that the truth the Christian has presented will be overshadowed by his angry words, hastily typed in frustration. Infiltrators seek to "push buttons" in an attempt to cause the Christian to "snap" and retaliate with harsh words. Purpose that you will not resort to sarcasm or a condescending tone as you continue to stand firm for the truth as written in God's Word. Remember, the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Often I have been led to just post something and leave it alone. They will try to "undo" the truth, but the readers of the posts are not unintelligent; they are deceived. The Holy Spirit has a way of showing people the truth, no matter how much someone tries to destroy it with twistings and turnings.
Satan's agents post letters on a daily basis that are designed to damage the faith of true Christians. They are on every Christian discussion list and forum I have ever been on. They have a network and do keep tabs on everything that is going on in the church. They want to know exactly where the Christians are weak in doctrine so they can zero in on them and start to work to make merchandise of them. They take their "internet ministry" very seriously and work together on discussion forums, list servs, news groups, etc. to try to ridicule and discredit Christians who are "standing up for Jesus" and speaking out against the broad road that they exhort Christians to walk down, while all the while teaching them they "shall not surely die."
Day after day these deceivers post letters that put a question mark on what God has actually made very clear in the Bible. Their fellow deceivers, also posing as Christians, respond to their letters with affirmation, and the Christians who read these posts wonder if perhaps they are out of touch with what God's Word really says. Maybe the road they are on really is too narrow, and they need to loosen up a bit. Perhaps they are missing out on the fun of life by denying themselves and taking up their crosses. After all, these other "Christians" don't see things in such a narrow-minded way, now do they? They follow Jesus too, and yet they do not stop conforming to the world. And nobody speaks up and corrects them, do they? No, not a word is said, and little by little, another Christian's faith is finally shipwrecked, and another occultist puts another notch on his belt for Satan.
Take the Harry Potter craze for an example. The Bible is very clear about occultism, abstaining from the appearance of evil, and about casting down imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. End of discussion. Or it should be. But that is where these "attitudinal changers" come in. Their job is to get the church to accept occultism, or at least tolerate it, and they will not rest in their quest to achieve this goal. They must achieve this goal for the simple reason that this gives Satan "place" in the life of every Christian who will fellowship at the table of devils by reading and defending the Harry Potter books. This also primes the church for accepting the New Age and New Age Christ much more easily. That is why you will see this subject frequently brought up on Christian forums and list servs. These people want Christian's attitudes to be changed, and this takes time and much repetition to accomplish this. If every God-fearing Christian (there is no other kind) would stand up for Jesus and say Harry Potter is occultic and off-limits for a Christian--absolutely-- they would not be able to accomplish this attitudinal change in the minds and hearts of Christians!
Whether these posters are deliberate infiltrators or are merely misguided; we must boldly contend for the faith as the Holy Spirit leads us, and not allow "attitudinal changers" of whatever kind, to succeed in getting our brethren to depart from the most holy faith once delivered unto the saints.
Christians, stand up for Jesus on the internet! Satan's followers are not afraid to stand up for him! He is only a created being, and yet we serve the creator, the Most High God. Let us get some Holy Ghost gumption and stand up for Jesus who is worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
May God bless and strengthen his people, strong in love and Bible knowledge, to minister on Christian message boards and discussion forums and newsgroups-- even if you are not really liked there and not accepted as part of their group. That is where you are needed the most: to exhort the brethren to continue in the most holy faith and not fall away to the most unholy faith these infiltrators promote.
Gary and Lisa Ruby
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Based on the fact that Gary and Lisa think you can "fall away", it's clear that some True Brother, or Sister gave their false gospel a good public tar and feathering, and now they have their feelings hurt. I love towatch false teachers point fingers.........
Bro Mac; Thanks for the post. If there was ever a time when one needs to stand for truth, this is the time. Correcting a false statement, or questioning a new teaching is often refered to in a derogatory manner and the one questioning is seen as a trouble maker. Defending ones faith is no longer, "standing for truth", it has become, "dividing the brethern". Failure to overlook doctrinal errors and blantant sin is called,"lacking in love", and now calls for repentance. Those who once were refered to as "great men of faith", are now "old fashioned", and "out of touch". Their message was good "then", but doesn't apply "now".
Does God change? Does he see sin differently? Does his will change with the wind? Or is it forever settled in Heaven?
Good post Brother, I believe it.
Based on the fact that Gary and Lisa think you can "fall away", it's clear that some True Brother, or Sister gave their false gospel a good public tar and feathering, and now they have their feelings hurt. I love towatch false teachers point fingers.........
Some who cannot even tell you the name of his God, also love call those who know his name, "false teachers".
You claim an experience of being struck down as was Paul. The very first words out of Paul's mouth was "Who are thou Lord?" The Lord then identified himself to Paul. Why didn't he reveal himselt to you, if you had a like experience? When your experience with God is close enough that you learn his name, you may have something to offer to those who do know their God.
If there was ever a time when one needs to stand for truth, this is the time.
However, when lies are taught to be truth, "standing" for them, doesn't make them any less untruthful.
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Correcting a false statement, or questioning a new teaching is often refered to in a derogatory manner and the one questioning is seen as a trouble maker
Agreed. Many false churches today teach doctrine that deludes people into thinking salvation is lost, and regained, sometimes dozens of times, that their speaking in tongues is of God , that they can heal the physically sick, and that putting on weird demonstrations, and grunting, and groaning is of God. This new age teaching is bore out of the fact that Satan heads the various congregations that these false teachings project.
Agreed. Many false churches today teach doctrine that deludes people into thinking salvation is lost, and regained, sometimes dozens of times, that their speaking in tongues is of God , that they can heal the physically sick, and that putting on weird demonstrations, and grunting, and groaning is of God. This new age teaching is bore out of the fact that Satan heads the various congregations that these false teachings project.
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ahhhhh.... the old "wheat & tares" analogy........ now, the wheat say they're right..... the tares say they're right...... and they both look/smell/taste like each other....which is correct? can you say? can I say? because the Pastor has a Degree from a college... can He say?
same thing that's happeneing in Lebanon/Israel, is happening between 'believers"... people just ain't gettin' rocketed......
Some who cannot even tell you the name of his God, also love call those who know his name, "false teachers".
A Childcannot explain the nature, nor thename of their Father, to thoseof a corrupt seed. It is simply futile.
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You claim an experience of being struck down as was Paul.
Such a claim cannot be understood by men who profess a self salvation. The lovingdiscipline of a Father, givento a child is not understood by men void of a circumcised heart.
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The very first words out of Paul's mouth was "Who are thou Lord?"
Saulsfearful question does not reflect an ignorance ofWho struck him down, but rather it was a guilt riddled question, affirming his guilty fears.
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The Lord then identified himself to Paul.
As He does all the True Believers.
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Why didn't he reveal himselt to you,
A Child of God cannot explain Salvation to those who see through carnal eyes. As with the Pharisees, you hear the sound of the wind, yet you lack the ability to where it comes from, and where it goes.
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When your experience with God is close enough that you learn his name, you may have something to offer to those who do know their God.
The Pharisees who claimed to know God by name also were baffled when the True believers refused to call the Lord God by their established religous names. You see, like the Pharisees, the tares within the Church observe a physical god, that they adorn with rituals, false miracles, false tongue worship, and others devils doctrines. Again, it must be stated that the child of a bastard seed will never understand the nature of the Child, and his Father.
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