Give Glory To The LORD Your God

Give Glory To The LORD Your God

 

 

It is my sincere hope that this short study will exhort the true believer to unashamedly and unreservedly practice doctrinal purity.

 

First, a little background!

 

The Apostle Paul gravely commanded, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

We are living in that time.

God plainly declares His Holy Bible to be without error and sufficient, or enough, as we shall shortly discover. God lovingly gave us His Bible to be studied, clearly understood, and obeyed. After all, Jesus, God in the flesh, said, if ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15); a preposterously ruthless (for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord; Romans 6:23) demand if it were not possible. For this very purpose, God, Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22) sent His Holy Spirit to the believer; 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 (John 16:13-14), for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33).

This does not imply that authentic Christians cannot fall into sinful behaviors; but that our lives are marked by an overriding pattern of godly obedience, as the Apostle John carefully explains throughout the book of 1 John. For even Holy Spirit-indwelled Christians are incapable of keeping the law, to God’s standard of perfection, in our natural bodies; we don’t always obey the Holy Spirit and we’ve already committed sin offenses prior to our conversion—offenses that must be accounted for by a just (equitable) God.

Moreover, just for the sake of contrast, if unbelieving man could somehow keep God’s moral law (as taught by mans’ philosophies, psychologies, and world religions—all stress some form of mans’ inherent goodness, self-godhood, and good works to be saved), then Jesus’, God the Son’s, gracious atoning work on the cross would be insignificant. Therefore, if the God of the Bible is indeed who He says He is, and if His Words are true, then He is sovereign (supreme ruler) in all aspects of salvation, and subsequently, doctrine…just as His Bible declares.

Thus, we will briefly investigate 7 foundational terms (Wisdom, Written, Way, Word, Workman, Walk, Warning) that may help us to better understand our God-given command to revere (worship) and mirror (obey) God’s doctrine, the Bible, in our daily walk with our Savior.

 

Let’s begin our study!

 

Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

James 1:5-8 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. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Written

Psalm 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Way

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Word

Hebrews 1:1-4 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

Let’s review!

(Wisdom, Written, Way, Word)

Jesus, God the Son and The Word of God, declares that He is the only true path to God the Father and that God the Father now speaks to us through The Word of God, Jesus, in the Bible (Psalm 40:7 and Hebrews 10:7), in these last days. In other words, the Bible is, at present, a closed Book. There will be no new revelation from God the Father, despite the contrary (to the Bible) claims of some that God is still speaking to them (remember Paul’s warning in 2 Timothy 4:1-5; and, if God is still speaking to men, then the Bible is still being written) and the ungodly intermingling of God’s Word with mans’ atheistic, evolution-based, morally-relativistic (what is true for you might not be true for me, but both are equally true), self-exalting and sinless, philosophies, psychologies, and world religions (which offer superseding revelation by unbelievers apart from God and His Bible). Jesus declares that the Book, the Bible, is about Him and all those who wish to understand this Book need only faithfully ask God, in reverence and awe (fear), for such wisdom.

 

So far, so good—let’s continue!

(Workman, Walk, Warning)

Workman

2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Walk

2 Timothy 2:4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Warning

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Jeremiah 3:15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

 

Let’s review!

(Workman, Walk, Warning)

A result of his evil sin nature, man is easily led captive by his own wicked heart (The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9) and his pride, or self-glory (self-worship or the worship of man, which is worshipping the creature). And, because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (Romans 1:21-23). This first chapter of the book of Romans earlier teaches us why evil unrepentant pride soon progresses into the gross darkness the prophet Jeremiah warns about; for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them (Romans 1:18-19). God’s people are commanded to, love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15), but rather to walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham (Romans 4:12). And, God promises that His Word, the divinely-inspired (God-breathed) Bible, is all that a believer needs for life and godliness. Consequently, man is instructed to study and rightly divide God’s Bible or face God’s wrath; once again, a preposterously ruthless demand if it were not possible.

 

So, let’s summarize!

The Bible is all about Jesus Christ, but man wickedly corrupts God’s Bible by mingling his own foolishness (mans’ wisdom) and creating new (false) revelation, thereby defaming Jesus, God the Son. God is clear— the Bible, a closed book, is His only Self-written source of doctrinal purity and all glory rightly belongs to the divine Author. A failure to revere and obey God’s doctrine will yield gross darkness. Furthermore, every believer can practice doctrinal purity simply by obeying God’s Biblical instructions. The true believer’s cry must be Sola Scriptura, or by Scripture alone!

 

An urgent plea from this writer!

 

Please, if you know someone (pastor or layman) who needs to hear this message, share it. It is our duty as true believers to warn those who profess to believe, as well as those who openly deny God. Romans 1:28 says, and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, thus this is a salvation issue—it is (eternally) serious! This writer’s personal opinions are irrelevant, but God’s words on the matter are plain and clear, as we have discovered. The topic will undoubtedly produce strife in the modern church and you will suffer for standing firm for the Bible. Yet, Jesus said…be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

 

Give glory!

When battling apostasy, an old seminary professor was heard to exclaim, “I’m just a newsboy, but God is the Editor. If there is a conflict with the content, it must be taken to the Editor” (a true account).

Be a good soldier and may God bless you!

For more information, visit

http://basicfaith.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-solemn-warning-to-every-church-pastor.html

 

A Solemn Entreaty to Every Church, Pastor and Christ-professing Congregant

 

A Solemn Entreaty to Every Church, Pastor and Christ-professing Congregant

 

Please forgive this uninvited intrusion. This is not an assault--rather a desperate plea to the modern church to repent. In my personal search for a godly leader, I have discovered that most contemporary Christian pastors fervently cling to and teach, knowingly or not, mans’ wisdom and not God’s. Consequently, you, the reader, be you clergy or laity, might fall into this same category. Thereby, I lovingly urge you to examine yourself, to see whether ye be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). And, as a fellow professing believer in Jesus Christ, I must, in good conscience, diligently warn and likewise assist you with sound Biblical instruction regarding the blasphemous mingling of God’s Holy Word and mans’ foolish philosophies, psychologies, and world religions, for the three are synonymous. After all, psychology (particularly the study of the mind and psychoanalysis) itself is but another religion, by definition (a sinless self-focused set of beliefs based on Darwinian Evolution and Humanism), complete with its own God-less (but not necessarily god-less—humanism often entertains an irreverent spirituality) system of morality called ethical relativism (what is true for you may not be true for me, but both are equally true). Furthermore, this unscientific theoretical discipline (as compared to the real science of Biology, for example, which produces findings that can be readily observed and replicated) is strangely compatible with every other philosophy and world religion of mans’ contrivance.

The absolute exclusivity of Jesus Christ and His doctrine is the fundamental truth of the true Christian belief and of the Gospel itself. Thus, the matter (the profane mingling of unholy psychology and Holy Writ) is not a trivial one, for sound preaching is paramount to saving souls—preaching the one, unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ’s sinless life, substitutionary death, and glorious resurrection! In other words, this matter is a salvation issue. In direct contrast to Biblical Christianity, psychology is a sinless religion and those who teach and preach psychology in the Christian church make God a liar (1 John 1:10) and teach and preach another gospel (Galatians 1:6)!

 In accord with Scripture, I judge doctrines, not hearts, and I make no definitive statement about any man’s salvation—God knows. I am fully aware of the divisive nature of this letter and I anticipate one of three likely responses by the Spirit-convicted Christ-professing reader: 1) this challenge will be a stinging rebuke to an unbeliever and viewed as a personal attack; 2) this challenge will be an alarming wake-up call to a false convert—consequently, God may grant repentance and faith or the false convert may stop his ears and harden his heart; or 3) this challenge will be graciously received as a loving correction from one brother to another deceived brother in the Lord (for we are all subject to being led astray); the true believer will bow the knee to the Bible and change his erroneous thinking to correctly align with God’s Word. Regardless, I very humbly (for I only parrot God’s command to preach the doctrine once received) exhort you to Biblically study the matter, repent, and place your complete faith in Jesus Christ.

On a personal note, I am deeply troubled that I cannot find a true man of God—one that will preach only God’s doctrine and to whom I can submit myself and my family for sound Biblical teaching and fellowship. And, I am astonished that so many pastors are also licensed psychological counselors—a flaunted (spiritually) idolatrous union by Biblical definition. Moreover, if this letter describes you, pastor or layman, I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts your heart and drives you to repentance before Almighty God. Christianity is now largely in a state of apostasy, no small part due to psychology, and those who mingle mans’ foolishness with God’s Word are actively preparing the way for Antichrist. Yet thankfully, the matter can still be quite easily corrected, at least on a personal and individual-church basis—by simply repenting and promptly removing and renouncing all vestiges of man’s philosophies/psychologies/world religions from teaching and preaching. Instead, preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2). Jesus is coming.

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (Jude 1:17-18)

 


For more information
http://basicfaith.blogspot.com/2014/07/give-glory-to-lord-your-god.html 

 

Emerging Apostasy...The Tie That Binds

Emerging Apostasy...The Tie That Binds

 

"I'm not a reverend. I'm not a minister. I'm not a theologian. I'm not an evangelist. I'm a psychologist. I have a Ph.D. in child development.” (James Dobson)

 

These 3 videos provide an excellent foundational understanding of the emergent church and psychology’s’ (IE Focus on the Family and James Dobson) deadly influence on contemporary Christianity. The emergent movement and psychology are intimately connected, emphasizing personal experience and emotion, both of which the Bible gravely warns about.

http://www.holybibleprophecy.org/films/church-of-tares-purpose-driven-seeker-sensitive-church-growth-new-world-order/

http://www.holybibleprophecy.org/films/the-real-roots-of-the-emergent-church/

Billy Crone’s video (The Rise of Wickedness Part 3) truly presents the matter in a Biblical perspective. Regarding psychology, including so-called “Christian” counseling (an oxymoron), go to

http://www.getalifemedia.com/index.php/bible-prophecy-list/the-final-countdown-the-ultimate-version

Scroll down to Part 6-The Rise of Wickedness Part 3

(Here's a direct link: http://www.getalifemedia.com/sermons/fc2012/fc2012-18.wmv )

Also see

http://www.thebereancall.org/search/node/psychology

http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/mainpage.html

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2013/newsletters20131021.htm

 

It’s not rocket science--all truth is not God’s truth!

 

It’s Not Rocket Science--All Truth Is not God’s Truth!

 

By request: regarding Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

 

“Based on over three decades of counseling as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Eggerichs [PhD. Psychology] developed the Love & Respect Conference which he presents to live audiences around the country.” [Emphasis added]


http://loveandrespect.com/about-us/

 

Really! What science?

“A lengthy study appointed by the American Psychological Association (subsidized by the National Science Foundation and involving eighty eminent scholars) concluded that psychology is not and cannot be a science [Koch, 1969]…psychological theories have “more in common with primitive myths than with science…[Popper, 1975]”.

Hunt, D., & McMahon, T.A. (2008). Psychology and the Church. Bend, Oregon: The Berean Call.

Also see http://basicfaith.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-oxymoron-of-christian-psychology.html

 

 

What does the Bible Say?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) [Emphasis added]

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

There is no compromise to be found between God’s Holy Word and a Bible-hating humanistic, atheistic, satanic, evolution-based psychology. The only Truth is God’s truth and the Biblical context of Jesus’ own words in John 14:6 completely destroys the silly assertion that all truth is God’s truth. You are being deceived if you are taught otherwise. True Christians, please run from the wolves! This is a matter of faith. It is high time to demand sound doctrine.

Also see http://basicfaith.blogspot.com/2013/11/isall-truth-really-gods-truth-thosewho.html

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

So pick your side for Jesus is coming soon. You have been Biblically warned.

 

The Oxymoron of Christian Psychology

 

The Oxymoron of Christian Psychology

 

 

 

 

“With an eye toward understanding the inner workings of the mind and using that knowledge to reduce human suffering, psychologists and Buddhist monks may have more in common than they realize, and possibly even compatible methodology. These commonalities are driving collaborations between some psychologists and Buddhist monks.”

 

http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec03/tibetan.aspx

 

 

A self-centered (Godless and sinless) humanism

 

 

“Psychotherapy is first and foremost a human endeavor…

 

Psychotherapy draws on many theories, including behavioral, cognitive behavioral, family systems, feminist, humanistic, psychodynamic, and cultural competency orientations…

 

There are few differences among bona fide therapies, widely practiced over time, that have a coherent theoretical structure and a research underpinning. (4,6)”

 

http://www.apadivisions.org/division-31/publications/articles/new-jersey/goodheart-short.pdf

 

The Apostle Paul ties a selfish humanism to sorcery and magic

 

2 Timothy 3: 2-8 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [Emphasis added]

Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

 

Compare modern psychological principles with magician Aleister Crowley’s (known as The Beast and the wickedest man alive), “do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law” and Satanism. [Emphasis added]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema

 

“Other characteristics of theistic Satanism may include a belief in magic, which is manipulated through ritual, although that is not a defining criterion, and theistic Satanists may focus solely on devotion. Unlike the LaVeyan Satanism founded by Anton LaVey in the 1960s, theistic Satanism is theistic as opposed to atheistic, believing that Satan is a real being rather than a symbol of individualism. ..

“The Church of Satan is an organization dedicated to the acceptance of the carnal self, as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satanism

 

An un-holy witchcraft

 

“Psychology cannot tell people how they ought to live their lives. It can however, provide them with the means for effecting personal and social change.” (Albert Bandura)

 

“Effective psychodynamic and cognitive–behavioral approaches to therapy have always depended heavily on the patient's ability to produce vivid memory and fantasy images. More recently, developments in cognitive neuroscience have prompted intense interest in conscious experience, of which imagery and imagination are key components.

Authored by Yale Professor Emeritus Jerome Singer, who has been actively researching daydreaming and imagination for more than 50 years, this volume is a comprehensive survey of the research evidence for our capacity to generate images, and the processes involved. Drawing on a lifetime of experience both practicing psychotherapy and training clinicians, Singer argues forcefully that using imagery in psychotherapy is not an esoteric technique for a few specialists but rather is easily integrated into a variety of therapeutic approaches.

Clinicians are shown how to make use of their patients' as well as their own ability to generate images. These techniques can be used regardless of the clinician's theoretical orientation. The author's intellectual breadth and clinical experience are apparent in every chapter, and the reader emerges with a renewed interest in this unique human ability.” [Emphasis added]

http://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4316066.aspx

 

“During guided imagery, patients think about what is happening to their bodies, and how their bodies should respond in order to be healthy.”

http://www.apa.org/research/action/head.aspx

 

“The most potentially dangerous practice used by inner healers and by some psychotherapists [Emphasis added] is that of imagery. There is a natural imagery that occurs in all our minds. However, the type of imagery often used by many inner healers comes right out of the occult. There are three techniques (practices) used by mental alchemists (occultists) to manipulate reality with the mind. They are:

1. Thinking—positive mental attitude or changing circumstances by thought.

2. Speaking—mantra or positive confession.

3. Visualizing or imaging—picturing in the mind. [Emphasis added]

The most powerful of these three occult practices is that of imagery or visualization. All of the senses have images. The images of touch, sound, smell, and taste can be formed, but they are not as powerful as images created through visualization…

They refer to it as contemporary Shamanism. Shamanism is witchcraft! [Emphasis added] Bressler and Rossman don’t care what wisdom figure you use. Jesus would be just fine with them. In fact, Rossman says that the most used inner guide by Catholics is the Holy Guardian Angel. What is the difference between a shamanistic practice of using any imaginary figure, including Jesus, and some Christian asking you to imagine Jesus? Or, is imagery as used by David Yonggi Cho in his book The Fourth Dimension any different from the imagery used by Bressler, Rossman and a host of other teachers of imagery outside the church? [Emphasis added]

http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/psy-innerhealing3.html

 

Biblical instruction and warning

 

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. (Exodus 22:18)

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:10-15)

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II Timothy 2:25-26)

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21)

 

A no-brainer

 

There is a reason why psychology is in the church.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (II Peter 2:1-3)

 

And, it is a matter of unbelief.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16-17) [Emphasis added]

 

Christian psychology is an oxymoron, for modern psychology is a Humanistic and increasingly-Pagan endeavor.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3)

 

 

For more information, please see

http://basicfaith.blogspot.com/2013/11/isall-truth-really-gods-truth-thosewho.html