3. Motivated by the Factor of Self-DenialMaking Good DecisionsSelf-denial is understood to be a walk in which we put the Lord first in our life ahead of ourselves. It is a walk that acknowledges the LORD in all our ways. It is following His precepts and not our thoughts of what seems best. Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way. We must be constrained by the love of Christ to deny ourself. We desire to restrain our actions to those things that are becoming to the gospel and edifying to those that will be influenced by our lives. This requires carefulness in the daily decisions that we make so that we are circumspect in our walk. To make good decisions, a Christian should be mindful of the following 4 necessary things:
Seeking CounselThe first two aspects can and necessarily should be the responsibility of the individual through keeping their heart and renewing their mind. The last two, c & d, are products of experience in life and most often are not something that is already ours to draw on when we first face a new type of decision in our life. This is why counsel is advised by the Holy Spirit in the scriptures. We are wise to seek out hearty counsel and wisdom from those who are either ahead of us in Christian experience or over us in the Lord. They are commended to us by their fruit. Some helpful admonitions from the proverbs on the need for counsel are as follows: Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety. 12:15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise. 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 27:9 ... rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. Hopefully we consider our brethren as our friends and would desire their counsel in our life. If this is not truly our mind, then it is time for serious examination of what has gone wrong. Something is seriously wrong! Checking MotivationIt is not a weakness to seek counsel but prudent spiritual conduct when we go to the proper counselors recommended to us by the scriptures (not our preferences). Herein lies a potential snare. The Devil will attempt to have us operate without that which God provides for us. This may be manifested to us by the thought that seeking counsel is a declaration of weakness on our part. Actually, it is being prudent and wise rather than being weak. The humble heart will gladly seek help. The haughty heart or deceived heart will think there is something debasing or unspiritual about it. But herein also lies a clue to seeing the snare. If seeking counsel is debasing, the one being put down is self. Yet self should already be "reckoned dead", "crucified", "denied" by a spiritual heart. Someone who has so reckoned themselves is not able to "put down" or debase a self already in that state or position. Only a self not reckoned dead at that moment would have the current exalted status to feel "put down". Remember, we are talking about the moment to moment experiences of life. The daily trials of our faith are what we are discussing. Victory is the final outcome for Christians after this life is over. Until then, we engage in the continual warfare that is described by the Apostle Paul as the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. Developing HumilitySeeking counsel outside of self is a humbling expression. It declares our need for others. This is a spiritual truth of great value. God wants to develop this "bigger than self" concept for our benefit. This new dimension, beyond self, can be referred to as the spiritual dimension in our life. Humility is a nurturing attitude essential for this dimension to develop properly. A walk of self-denial, as described above, will nurture the growth of humility. This will keep us from being swept away by the current flood in our society of "rights-seeking" individuals. These rights' movements cater to the "old man" in every individual. That is why they are so popular. Christians are equally susceptible to these siren calls because our old man is always wanting to have the final say in our lives. "Rights" seeking is the essence of a sectarian spirit. The license to do whatever one chooses and still be regarded as spiritual. The message from a sectarian heart is usually heavily laced with "grace" and "liberty in Christ" phrases that promote "I" can do whatever "god" directs me to. And you have no right to judge me or condemn my "liberty". "Rights" seeking here is manifested by insubordinate behavior. This is manifestly different from making appeals to a higher authority while maintaining orderly behavior. I Corinthians 6:19 ... and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. This is unacceptably strong language for the "old man". Only the "new man" could understand or rejoice in such liberating truths. The "old man" wants to control us and serve the lusts of our mind and body. Yet this is in direct opposition to the walk Christians are called to manifest. The Spirit wishes to see us walk in liberty from sin and loss. Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Recognizing Just AuthorityTo serve the LORD Jesus Christ, we must recognize what the word LORD implies. It is one to whom we are subjugated. When Christ is our Lord, He determines what we will or will not do according to what is pleasing in His sight. This is totally contrary to our "old man". The "old man" will gladly serve Christ in ways that are pleasing to the "old man". But these ways are not what is pleasing to the LORD. To recognize the authority that the LORD should have in our life (based on His purchasing us by giving His life for our sins) is a scary thing unless we trust that He wants only what is best for us. Probably none of us believe that all of the time. The culture in which we live is increasingly anti-authority in nature. The authority that God Himself is, is repudiated by most people in our culture. This has an increasing influence on Christians living in such a culture (ICor 15:33). What authority does God want us to recognize? This is such an important question! We each need to be fundamentally clear on God's answer to this question found in His holy Word. We must recognize God's authority first as LORD of the life of a Christian. Then, and only then, will it be clear that He also has ordained authority in others. If our concept of submission to God is of the form, "When it pleases me to please Him, I will. When it does not please me to please Him, then I will not", we have a very flawed concept. This is not submission to God, but merely "doing what is right in our own eyes". If we attempt to excuse ourselves by saying, "I do not understand why what God says to do could be right" or "He would not want me to violate my own conscience (read, "do what is wrong in my sight"), then we are merely "leaning unto our own understanding". Both of these 2 excuses are explicitly rejected in the scriptures. (Pr 16:2, 14:12, 3:5-6 just to name a few of the many, many references) If we clearly see that His way is the only way that is right, then we, if humble, will want to know precisely and exactly what He says. Recognizing Delegated AuthorityWhat we find in the scriptures is the explicit designation of others that God has ordained to have authority in the lives of His people. The express purpose for those in authority is that we may be a testimony to the world for Him as to how well His order works and the blessings it brings to those that follow it. In the marriage relationship, man is the head of the woman (Eph 5:23). In the home, parents are the authority over the children (Eph 6:1). In society, government is responsible for order (Rom 13:1-7). In employment, the employer is to be honored and served as one should serve God (Ti 3:1, Eph 6:5-6). In the Church, leadership is to be obeyed and followed (Eph 4:11-16, 1Th 5:12-13, Heb 13:7,17. 1Ti 3:4-5). Our duty is to obey those that God has placed in positions of authority. They are to be obeyed because that is pleasing to Him, not because the individual merits it. This is very important to understand and truly believe. Rationalizing Ignoring AuthorityWhen we wish to excuse ourselves from God's order, a typical first retreat is to condemn the behavior of the one in a position of authority relative to us. Somehow we feel totally justified in ignoring God's order ourselves based on our opinion that the one in authority over us has first ignored God's requirement on their behavior. Thus the proverbial "two wrongs do not make a right" is once again manifested. Sin on another's part does not give me license to ignore God's order and thus be justified in my sin. Yet this argument is quite acceptable to our "old man". However, once God's order is discarded, then we are free to do what we think is best. That is the way we (our old man) all want life to be. But this is never justified in God's sight. God wants us to acknowledge the truth in all our ways. This means at all times. Any exceptions to God's order need to come from the one who set the order in place, not from the rationalizing of a desperately wicked heart. We need to appeal to scripture and let it speak and not wrest it to our own destruction (2Pe 3:16). Submitting to AuthorityOur service to Christ as Lord of our life needs to come from a willing heart. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. He desires submission (conscious willing servitude) and not service out of necessity which is of no benefit to us. This submission places and keeps us in harmony with God and the things that God has ordained. What a peace, within, (deep and abiding regardless of circumstance) that comes from being in harmony with the Creator and the things that He has created! A humble submissive walk in service to Christ is the secret to bearing much fruit to the honor and glory of the heavenly Father. When this type of walk is our choice, He will (because He promised) direct our paths. 4. Motivated by the factor of Self-RighteousnessBelieving Our Heart is DeceitfulThis is the factor that is the most needful to be understood (because of its deceptiveness) for a Christian to be aware of their potential for involvement and learn how to detect it in themselves and others. It is where we are not conscious of what we are actually doing. We are saying the correct things. We are thinking about and desiring the correct goals. We simply are not walking in the truth by acknowledging God in all our ways nor reaping consistent with such a walk. We are as described by James, "James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. We are ensnared by the enemy of both our souls and our testimony for Christ. We are leaning to our own understanding but we consciously believe, in our deceitful heart, that we are doing what is pleasing to God. WE ARE DECEIVED. Seeing Deceit in ActionsHow does it "look" to us and others as they watch us? Some in this condition exhibit the following behavior consistent with the pattern of "sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny". They think--I need no teacher but the Holy Spirit, they act--in denial of God's order for our lives as presented in His precepts, they habitually--act with independence from others, till they reach their destiny--become castaway from usefulness to the assembly. Others can comfort themselves in the "what seems to be right", or "it is right in my own eyes" view of their walk. They have no sincere or sober regard for what others think of their walk, because that is a matter reserved for themselves and God to resolve. In such cases, it is clear to any humble Christian, whose side will be given the preeminence in resolving the matter. The individual will declare his way to be right for him. He will also comfort his soul with the notion that God will likewise see the wisdom of his choice and smile approvingly. Hearing Scriptural WarningsHowever, the scripture plainly gives God's view of such things. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him (i. e. God), and he shall direct thy paths. 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. The previously stated rationale is exactly the snare of being wise in our own eyes as warned against in Pr 3:7. God has stated clearly His will for us. To ignore His clear statements is open presumption. He does not smile at presumption as a brief view of presumption in the scriptures will reveal (Num 15-16 is a good example). Understanding Effects of DeceitWhile we continue in this mode of action, deceiving ourselves, a process is taking place that is very frightening if one but soberly reflect on it. Hebrews 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The process of hardening our hearts or searing of our consciences is ongoing. The longer we continue in this mode of walk, the less likely we are to soberly hear the entreaties of others. We are constantly being entreated by the Holy Spirit, yet, without yielding. When our deception becomes manifest to others, we have already been in the process for some time. That is why the contentions of those who separate themselves in self-exaltation are, usually, so strong. Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 10:5 Casting down imaginations, (reasonings - [KJV] marginal rendering or arguments - [NKJ and NIV] or speculations - [NAS]) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; A clear signal of hardened hearts or seared consciences is quick, strong contentions and arguments. They are anything but "easy to be entreated". (Jam 3:13-18) We have observed many brethren who have exhibited this type of behavior. It has destroyed both our confidence in them and their usefulness to the assembly by a failure to humble themselves. Reaping the Fruits of DeceitThe fruit of such conduct is as follows: separation, alienation, exaltation of "I" in all of its forms, preferences, disdain for brethren (especially those in leadership), bitterness that keeps springing up and defiling others, sedition, strife, envy, hypocrisy, loving to be in the forefront, seeking to win others' favor and admiration, to be viewed as a strong, spiritual Christian when this is not the case. The account of Absalom in his stealing the hearts of the people of God away from David, God's choice to be their King, is an excellent lesson in undermining and sowing discord in disregard for God's ordained authority in one's life. David did not make this mistake with Saul. Even while Saul's conduct was despicable, David still remembered God's order. This was done while David was in full knowledge of God having chosen him to be the next King and already being anointed. What a powerful testimony to our trust in God if we today would give God the time to deal with matters in leadership and not get in the way and cause such confusion for our enemy to take advantage of to our collective hurt. The lessons here are clear. David was orderly and was blessed of the Lord. Absalom was impatient, disorderly and self-destructed. That is a very sober lesson! Needing Outside (of yourself) HelpPeople in this condition do not realize it. Neither do they readily believe that they could be in it since it is not where they consciously desire to be. So the declaration of the existence of the condition must come from outside themselves. Now we can see just how damaging and weakening the loss of confidence in others is to being delivered from this snare. The longer we have been in it, the lower the influence others have with our thinking. That is just the way Satan designed for it to be. It aids Satan in his efforts to destroy our effectiveness, destroy our testimony, and bring reproach on the name of the Lord and on His doctrine. One in this condition is very likely to initially refuse help of any type that delivers from this condition. One is more likely to feel drawn toward and accept support from everyone that allows them to continue in this condition. This support comes from others that are in a similar condition or are willful in their rebellion against the knowledge of God and His way. Satan knows how to bring "the deceitful kisses of an enemy" to the aid of deceived souls at the appropriate time. At this point, if not before, it becomes obvious to those trying to help that those in deception are opposing themselves. 5. Motivated by the factor of Self-WillSelf-will is not a deceptive thing to saints of God. Self-will is conscious walking in what pleases us while knowing that it is NOT pleasing to the LORD. The willfulness of carnal individuals is usually not deceptive to those young in the faith or "weak". Sad to say, some think that this condition is the only option other than being right with God. Hopefully, the previous section has caused some serious questions to be raised in their minds. If so, it has accomplished its purpose. So in self-will, what should we expect to see?
The sober aspect of the previous factor is this. Once one has been confronted and made aware of the deception they are ensnared with currently, they will move to this factor if they refuse to be helped. Section II: Applying Principles to Actual Assembly Experiences1. Serving Our Own Belly Corrupts UsThe more distant past (10-20 years ago) yielded a harvest of experiences in the assemblies known to us. Each of us, who had the opportunity to live through those experiences, should spend some time reflecting on what lessons we should have learned. Below are a few of the more deceptive arguments that were used of Satan to divide Christians we know who professed a desire to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. These arguments produced discord and division while appearing very persuasive. They appealed directly to "the old man" with scriptural support for self-exaltation. Clearly such support requires a wresting of the scriptures. And those who do wrest the scriptures, do it to their own destruction. This is just as the scriptures say it will be. II Peter 3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Many brethren in our collective experiences that have contended for these arguments have certainly not been "unlearned" as the world would view them. But they were certainly not taught of the Spirit in that for which they contended. So they are unlearned in that sense, at least. They also were unstable in the sense of being "double-minded". They wanted to be right, but they wanted to be right in their own way. And that was not what God commanded or allowed. James 1:8 A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways. Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Remember Prov 14:15 ...(simple) believe every word, but the prudent looks well ... Christians naturally tend to believe the words of other Christians. This is because Christians should only tell the truth. But Christians can be deceived, not only by the words of others, but BY THEIR OWN WORDS (e.g. 2Ti 3:13 ... deceivers and deceived). The Holy Spirit admonishes us to "prove all things". This requires prudence which demands looking at fruit to determine motivation rather than listening to words only, which, at best, can only accurately portray intent. We must "... examine ourselves... whether we be in the faith... prove yourselves. Do I know what is motivating me? This should be at least a frequent question that we ask ourselves. 2. Remembering Unauthorized Exceptions from Carnal MindsFour arguments will be addressed in this section. The approach will be to first present the argument as accurately and persuasively as possible. Then an answer will be given to expose the falseness of the argument. (A.) Man-following is contrary to following Christ.Presentation: Recognizing another person as being in a permanent and unquestionable position of authority over us is considered wrong. We are to follow Christ and only Christ. Following men is merely a mindless activity that prohibits the free exercise of our liberty in Christ. People in sectarianism are following mere hirelings of man-made organizations. The saints of God must be continually on guard to not follow other saints but to follow Christ. [this argument will be taken to an even higher plateau in (B) below] Giving another mortal a position of authority in our life is a fundamental denial of Christ's leadership and our reliance on Him and Him only. Cursed is the man that trusts in man and makes flesh his arm. Answer: The real contention is a matter of rejecting, in the sense of refusing to recognize, the authority that God has ordained in the Church. The issue is not really about mindless following. However, this raising of the "mindless" flag certainly appeals nicely to the pride of the old nature in each of us. The real issue is that submission to God-ordained authority in the Church maintains order and prohibits the free exercise of stubbornness. One appears obviously out of order unless they can justify their ignoring of Godly order. This argument is presented to make an allowance for one being disorderly, usually, under the pretense of "struggling" with a conscience that cannot remain clear but will be compromised unless allowance is made. Typically, the truth of the matter is, the conscience is already guilty. But pride supports the use of this "cloak" for rebellion. If we are following those that God ordains for us to follow, then we are following God's lead in our life by recognizing His order. That is very simple. The simple truth cannot be tolerated by someone seeking to carnally justify themselves. So what God makes very simple, becomes complicated by the carnal mind that cannot be subject to the law of God. Consistent application of this supposedly spiritual concept to all our ways by everyone would lead to anarchy. This is where our world is certainly headed as is obvious to any thinking Christian. Since informed saints know who is leading this world full of the children of disobedience, it should not be so hard to see who would be behind such an argument as this. First of all, let us focus on the aspect of "permanent and unquestionable positions of authority". Mortals in any position of authority are certainly only temporal, at best. Certainly, we each are limited by our earthly life span. But, if we consider that permanent means for the rest of our life, even that is not certain. We can become incapacitated by physical infirmities or senility. But, even if we leave this life without incapacitation, the assurance that we never could be removed from a position of authority is not supported by the scriptures. Neither do I know anyone, in authority in a viable representation of the Church which is Christ's Body (to be commented on below), that believes or teaches that such a permanence is God's plan. So the notion forwarded to excite the old nature, does just that. But it is a strawman, at best, and a deliberate misrepresentation at worst. The concept of "unquestionable" is ridiculous. Those in authority today are under unbridled siege as never before in the history of our world. But the scriptures have provided warnings for us that this would be the case. II Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [The NKJ renders this word as AUTHORITY. How divinely accurate the Holy Spirit is in being specific as to what will be the target in our times.]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Those in authority are despised more and more openly as time rolls closer to the end of this age. Carnal Christians are being influenced by this siege and are likewise becoming more aggressive in their posture toward God-ordained authority. (Comment: Care should be taken here to properly discriminate what God is doing from what man is doing. God does not authorize or put in place those in authority in religious organizations that men are making. A saint that is in a sect is not under any authority there that God recognizes. The whole organization is contrary to God. Remember, the structures that God designates authority in are marriage, family, civil government, employment and the Body of Christ. Many among us are not as clear on this distinction as they need to be. Spiritual authority is not vested in those who merely claim to have it. It is vested in those God ordains to have it! I hope we all can hear the scriptures in this area. The Body of Christ is not just a variation or purer form of life-less man-made religion. It is a divinely created organism that reflects the life of its Maker. I have heard it said among us that we are not fundamentally different than the Baptists except in a few doctrinal areas. That may be an accurate reflection of the mind and understanding of the one that said it. That is a fundamental lie in my mind and understanding. God ordained THE Church in which all true born again Christians are members. God recognizes no other churches. God only has one Church. How could it be made any clearer. Carnal minds do not see clearly what God makes simple to the spiritual mind. So the discussion of authority in this study only is applicable to what God is doing. It applies only to viable representations of what God has ordained and cannot be accurately applied to the dead works of men.) God Installs and God RemovesThe principle is clear from scripture, men in authority over men do not serve with impunity toward God. Impunity is defined as: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm or loss. He allows them to have the place of authority that He places them in as long as it pleases Him. [Note: God puts (calls and enables) those in authority over us in place and evaluates their performance (consistent with the abilities God has given them for the place He wants them to serve). Those under authority are commanded by God to expect fruit consistent with the calling one in authority professes to have. If proof (fruit) is not forthcoming, then no confidence should be had in the "calling". If proof (fruit) is forthcoming, then confidence in the legitimacy of the "calling" should be recognized. But God puts them in and takes them out. Those under authority do not have the privilege to install or remove. They only have the privilege to recognize either what God has done and is doing or that an individual has misunderstood what God wishes to do with them. This is an essential difference between man-made "hire and fire" mechanisms of sectarianism and the divinely ordered Body of Christ.] In the area of human government, Dan 4:32-37 makes the message clear. In the area of the Body of Christ, passages such as Heb 13:17 and 1 Co 9:27 show clearly that one in authority is accountable to God and can be removed if God deems it appropriate. In this area of authority over men, unbelief in what the scriptures teach brings fear and anxiety to many. Only those God knows He controls and are trustworthy are allowed by Him to continue ruling over His people. II Samuel 23:1 Now these [be] the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man [who was] raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 23:2 The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue. 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men [must be] just, ruling in the fear of God. Those that rule in the fear of men, who hold the "hire and fire" mechanism, are compromised from the beginning of their service. The Lord has not selected them. Men have selected them. This is the essence of politics. Pleasing the people who bought you is priority number one. This is to preserve your own skin, or as previously stated, serving our own belly. [Note: Remember an application of the principle of man-pleasing to serve one's own selfish ends. Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Of course the carnal would hasten to point out that this reference in Jude is to the unsaved and not talking about Christians. But let us not be hasty and forget that we are talking about Christians who are doing what comes naturally, not walking in the Spirit. When Christians are carnal, their potential is as vile as any infidel. Remember, Job was exhorted by his wife to act foolishly by cursing God ("complaining" if I may) and die. But Job rebuked his wife for such foolish talk.] But the One that has bought a Christian is Christ. And we are not to serve men, I Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. The one in authority cannot count on God's help unless they are serving God and God only. (Serving in this context is with respect to who controls us. It is in perfect harmony with "serving one another". In the latter context, serving is with respect to the one whose needs I desire to meet.) Remember, our love for Christ is manifest by our love for the brethren. Those who love Christ "so much" that they disregard their brethren are obvious in their carnality. This principle is so important for all of us to understand. Especially, it is important for those raised among us and beginning to lead out to clearly understand. Snare of Disbelief in God's RoleDisbelief in the Lord's divine preparation, selection and guidance of those in authority during administration of their duties leaves one to view what is going on simply in the realm of men. God is left out entirely. What everyone does is viewed as being done with their own strength and for their own gain. That is nothing short of self-righteousness and anarchy. If God is not in it, it is not divine. This is an extremely critical perspective to reflect on prayerfully. If we believe that the Lord is not in control, then things are out of control and we are very likely to suffer harm. This brings panic and resorting to whatever measures come to mind to protect ourselves. But again, we are leaving God out of our lives as far as knowing what is befalling us and having concern over preparing us for this very set of circumstances. Do we really believe that God gets caught off guard by the evolving stream of events that we face in this life? I do not believe that we would say that we believe that. Could it be that God is possibly preparing some of us to help all of us to see clearly how to chart a Godly course through the storms of life? Of course He does this. We need to recognize that fact and thank Him for His providential care of His children. We need to view this role of God from the perspective of the tenor of events and not every single isolated instance. God's Selection CriteriaThe next important question to ask is "Who" will He prepare for this. He chooses those that He has prepared and equipped to be in authority because He has been in control of their walk due to their submission to His ways. Satan also prepares those that he currently has control over to try to usurp authority when the chaos of a storm causes fear, uncertainty and anxiety in people. The key principle in this area (and all others) is that saints "walk by faith and not by sight". Then, and only then, can we be sure of God being with us. We must walk in the light to be walking with God. But it is the very appeal of carnal Christians, at times such as this, to "sight" oriented concerns (i.e. "right in our own eyes", "seems right", and so forth) that is so effective to those who are unbelieving and therefore not walking by faith at that moment. We must believe at those times that Christ IS the Head of His Body. This must be more than a statement of doctrine or policy or position. We must believe it is TRUTH that we can WALK in and have God's protection and blessing and presence. Carnal Christians certainly will not feel the Lord's presence and guidance. Neither will the weak have the benefit of previous experience that gives the hope (Rom 5) that those older in the faith will have. Hopefully, we can see how perilous these times can be in the lives of saints. Also I hope that we can see how Satan using his wiles can capitalize and ensnare unsuspecting souls during trials in their lives. No Partiality With GodIt is undeniably clear in the scriptures that God chooses to direct the lives of those that are His through the agency of men in positions of authority. It is only through the efforts of deceived souls that the scriptures are wrested to imply that this is not the case. These two opposing positions cannot be reconciled. Neither have I ever heard carnal Christians undertake to do such reconciling. They only pursue the issue far enough to get their way or be disciplined by those placed in authority by God. Do those that God places in authority receive special privileges of not having their conduct evaluated? (i.e. the notion of "unquestionable authority") The very thought of such an idea should be met with a resounding "PREPOSTEROUS". Is God partial or a respecter of persons? Of course not! Such foolish notions should not even be considered, but they are from time to time. The only persons that could honestly take that position are clearly stating that they worship a God who is not able to control the affairs of His Body. They are at least, at that time in their life, walking in a conviction of a Headless body. How sad it is to exhibit such a testimony. Of course, carnal Christians would resort to saying that Christ does not control what man is doing on his own initiative. But if it be the case, that they view an assembly of Christians as something man is doing and not as a viable representation of the Body of Christ, then why should they be bothering with that group at all? The answer is obvious in my thinking. They do not really view an assembly that way. They just want everything to go according to what is right in their sight. But for this very reason, they have not yet been chosen of God, have been disqualified by God or removed from functioning by God. They are very likely to behave as Cain did as recorded in Gen 4. If they would do well, would they not be accepted? Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4:4 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: 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 4:7 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. 4:8 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. Why do extremely capable brethren who have been rejected by God from having or keeping positions of authority frequently have such vindictive attitudes toward their brethren that have been commended of the Lord? The teaching of Gen 4 regarding Cain and his murdering of Abel, his brother, should provide the simple answer from the scripture. Clearly, sin does lie at the door. How quickly, rejected (by the Lord for a position of authority) brethren slip into biting and devouring of their brethren. Sin is very close when we do not yield to God in all our ways. Timing of Divine WisdomWhen will those in authority, that no longer should be as God determines it, be removed by the Lord? How does this process work? First of all, it does not happen when those under authority become uncomfortable or lose confidence. If that were all that was needed, then one has nothing other than a man-made religious organization. We must yield to the scriptures for qualification and for disqualification criteria. Then we must allow the Lord to manifest these to us in His time. We dare not take matters in our own hands, unless, we forget the admonition that "sin lieth at the door". Prayerful carefulness, while walking in the fear of God, is the path for saints. We each must be vigilant and diligent. But we dare not be presumptuous. When those in authority are having problems, it is a time to exercise extreme caution. The Deceiver is close by seeking whom he may devour. Brethren really need to be together, cross-checking one another to not be ensnared by self deception by the enemy during these times. That makes the admonition in Gal 6:1 all the more meaningful, "... in meekness ... lest thou also be tempted" . This meekness is exhibited primarily by our endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Trying to be of the same mind, same judgment and speak the same thing in troublous times is for our collective safety against a superior enemy. If we resort to walking by sight in those times we will not be able to stand united but will become a house divided against itself. (B.) We can follow another man ONLY when that man is following Christ.Presentation: The claim is that Christ would not want us to follow anyone in doing what is contrary to Christ. We should not recognize a "position of authority" that has any sense of longevity to it. We give others authority in our life only as long as they merit it. When we lose confidence in them, then they no longer have a place or position of authority that God wants us to recognize. We should individually decide to give them the position and we should individually decide when to take it away from them. It can be lost in a moment or given back in a moment. So it really is not a position at all in the normal sense of a place. It is only a momentary allowance on the part of each individual. We are individually responsible for keeping ourselves. And this privilege of granting and revoking an allowance of influence in our lives is the only way to maintain our integrity. 1Co 11:1 is usually offered as scriptural support. Answer: That is certainly a compelling rationale. (In fact, it is an accurate reflection of how we allow or disallow God to influence us. So, it is not a surprise that mere mortals around us get the same treatment.) However, again, this is just a pretense. The issue is submission to authority. This is just another "cloak" for rebellion. It is used to support the contention that we should only follow those that we agree with at any moment in time regardless of their position relative to us. So the only authority that exists under that premise is "whoever we consider to be right at that instance" (this usually winds up being us or any others that agree with us). The positions of authority that God ordains are thus rendered meaningless. The truth is we are responsible for recognizing those placed in authority over us by God and obeying them as the scriptures command. If they need to be removed from their position of authority, then God will see to that in His time and according to His way as described previously. In the interim, we are not given license to be disorderly in our position. Sin in others never justifies sin for us. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. If we know to submit to one in a position of authority, when we do it, we are right in God's sight. If we can obediently do what one in authority directs us to do, then the one in authority is responsible before God for what was done. (Consider the accounts of Sarah misleading for Abram's sake and Joab seeing to the murder of Uriah for David's sake.) But what if we cannot do as directed? Sincere Conscientious ObjectionsIs there such a thing as a sincere conscientious objection? Yes. Although the previous discussion has focused primarily on carnal Christians using conscientious objection as a cloak for their carnality, a spiritual Christian can actually find themselves in such a state. One essential difference (manifest to human observation) between sincere and feigned objections is the orderly conduct of the sincere in contrast to the disorderly conduct of those feigning an objection. Again, the principle of "knowing them by their fruits" applies here. If we cannot obediently comply, then we must not immediately complicate the situation by being disorderly or trying to overthrow the authority. We may appeal. Examples in the scriptures of appeals being made are numerous. Daniel appealed. The 3 Hebrew children appealed. Paul, the apostle, appealed. The house of Chloe appealed. But appeals in matters relating to the functioning of the Body of Christ, to be honored of God, must be made to those that God has commended and have been recognized as having authority in the Body of Christ. (See 1 Co 5:11-6:8) Appeal cannot be honored by God when directed to those who are not in positions of authority or responsibility in the Church. We know who are the wise among us. We know who are the commended of the Lord among us. And we also know who are the contentious among us. Honesty and forthrightness are essential in such matters of appeal. [Note: Remember how Absalom won converts over to his cause? Such endeavors are still the techniques used by those under the influence of their own soul's enemy.] Decisions, which must be made for continued functioning of an assembly, may, at times, leave one unable to comply with a clear conscience before God. The available information must be carefully weighed by those in authority and a decision rendered. Those that cannot, in good conscience, comply with the decision of those in authority at the time, (appeals also having been considered and rendered) should quietly (and this can be done if they walk by faith) take the implications of the decisions and pray that God in His own time will bring to light the information that will clear them. Until that time, they commend themselves by not undermining or revolting against recognized authority. They truly commit the keeping of their souls to Christ. (1Pe 2:19-25) A spiritual person can do this! A carnal person will not stand for this. [Note: Remember, the purpose of authority in the Church is to direct the movement of saints, judge issues to maintain order and restore peace in areas where contentions have arisen. Retreating to tactics that bring tumult or chaos are clearly not motivated by a spiritual mind in obedience to Christ. Also we need to remember that during chaotic times, the Devil is able to ensnare fearful souls that are confused. A spirit- led Christian would have a love for his brothers and sisters in Christ that would constrain his conduct from potentially setting others up for entrapment by Satan. A carnal Christian would only be thinking of self. Setting up such a situation for manifesting such Godly care may be the answer for where to get the additional information that is not present when the decision is rendered. This thought also reminds me of the wisdom of Solomon when he ordered the child to be cut in half. True love was immediately made manifest.] (C.) Without a God-appointed King on earth, the proper order is every man doing what is right in his own eyes.Presentation: Scriptural references to Judges (e.g. 17:6, 21:25) are offered as support for this contention. So it would follow that in the Church, where there is no king, the same order would apply. We have no single authority on earth today, such as the Pope of Rome claims to be. We are all priests of God and can get our directions from God directly. We are dependent on no man. [Comment: (This is not part of the presentation but complementary to the answer.) I think it is informative to look at how Rome, while admittedly (from any objective perspective) abusing authority, views the myriad of "Protestant" efforts. Clearly, they have seen it from the beginning of the Reformation as mere anarchy that had and has the seeds of its own destruction firmly rooted within it. And so it does.] Answer: The truth is, of course, the very opposite. The "right" or liberty for every man to worship God as he sees fit according to his own conscience is not ordained of God. It is merely an allowance for "every man to do that which is right in his own eyes". This is clearly and simply in direct opposition to God. But it is in harmony with the license our old man wants. This country's religious freedom was founded on this same faulty premise. Man cannot successfully govern himself apart from God's direct influence. The righteousness of the laws of the land are no panacea. This was clearly demonstrated for all Christians to understand by Israel in the land under Joshua and others later on. The weakness was not the laws. The weakness was "the flesh". God was faithful in telling the judge of that time, Samuel, how that His people Israel had already rejected their King. He spoke this referring to Himself. It is clear that they would have all been doing what is right in the King's eyes if they had been acknowledging Him in all their ways. However, they ignored Him and did every man what is right in their own eyes. So they wanted a King like the other nations around them. And God allowed this. A similar concept is exhorted by God today for His children. He wants us to demonstrate the Unity that Christ prayed for in John 17. Yet, most saints today ignore the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ. If we each would be submissive to Him, we could "speak the same thing, be of the same mind and be of the same judgment. But this headship of Christ in His Church today is ignored, as was His kingship among Israel under the law. Deuteronomy 12:1 These [are] the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 12:8 Ye shall not do after all [the things] that we do here this day, every man whatsoever [is] right in his own eyes. The accounts in Judges are when Israel is "in the land". So God has already spoken on what the order was to be there. The futile attempts of carnal minds to wrest the clear truth to support the proud heart are clearly obvious to the prudent who will listen carefully to what God says. How God views such wresting is given below: Jeremiah 16:12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination [stubbornness -- marginal rendering] of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me [this is their intent as God saw it]: 16:13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, [neither] ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour. (D.) We must lean to our own understanding; we all do, because we can only work with what we know.Presentation: We have all been given a mind by God to use for our walk. We are exhorted by God to study for ourselves, prove things for ourselves and hold fast to that which is good. We are not to walk or try to walk in someone else's faith. We must walk in our own faith. We are accountable before God only for the things that the Holy Spirit has taught us. God will not hold us accountable for something we do not know or believe. At all times, those that are pleasing to God are doing what they think is right at that moment. Answer: The truth is, most of the previous statements are correct (some only if properly qualified) unless we wrest them to support a carnal walk. This walk can be discerned (Heb 5:14) by those who have exercised themselves to do so. These statements are used to support a sectarian spirit of independence. Let us look at the statements individually. Yes, God has given us a mind to use. He does not want us to be ignorant, but informed. He exhorts us to learn His Word and feed on it daily. He wants us to make application of the truth taught us by His Holy Spirit in our daily walk. Another perspective we need to keep in our thinking is the following. The truths of God are not the privileged possession of only a single saint. The truths are common property for all of God's children. Yet one of the distinguishing characteristics of "personally taught truth" directly from the Holy Spirit to a saint, that contends for this argument, is that only they have this insight. This special "revelation" and "privileged insight" is a heady thing that Satan uses as part of the deception. Typically, one having such insight feels no obligation to teach others in it. They just want to revel in it with themselves. They also usually feel no obligation to harmonize this "new truth" with the other body of truth they profess to believe. Why this carelessness? It says something about the source of the new information. (It is not of God or given by the Spirit of God.) Those Young in the FaithThose that are young in the faith, need to take the time and be given the time to come to an understanding of the truth. Much latitude and grace needs to be shown along with much patience, exhortation and longsuffering. It takes time to put together a solid foundation of practical truths. Many aspects of these truths are appreciated and reasonably understood only after some practical life experiences in areas that impact these aspects. It is a simple and easy thing to understand, very early on, that God wants to provide help to the "weak" by those that are "strong". Clearly, we can easily identify those that are strong and ahead of us in our spiritual growth. We are admonished to "know them" and to esteem them highly in love for their work's sake (1Th 5:12-13). Even a babe in Christ can understand and do this. This is not hard for a humble heart. But it clearly is out of bounds for a haughty heart. Submission based on esteem is too demeaning to an exalted self to be found acceptable. While someone is young and immature, this allowance of time to develop in their understanding and appreciation for who is where in their growth is very proper and safe for the babe in Christ. The influence of those young in the faith, while they toss to and fro, on others can be properly contained by limiting the tossing around to those who are strong enough to be of a help to stabilize those tossing while not becoming destabilized at the same time. This clearly is a careful and prudent thing to do. Here is a snare of Satan also. We all want to be appreciated and esteemed. Talking with those new among us can be used of Satan to lift us up in our own thinking. Novices need to pay very close attention to this snare. It works so well and caters to our pride. Those Older in the FaithIt is quite another thing for one that has been in the faith for some time to begin to ignore these simple truths. They invariably claim the "right" to walk in their integrity and not the faith of others. Yet for years, they have been walking, as least apparently, in a way that is all of a sudden "someone else's faith". This should not commend them to anyone that is prudent and looking well to their going. It should raise big questions about where this individual has been in previous years in their thinking. Yet, those that are young in the faith or simple will believe their words. It happens nearly every time. These older, in the faith, saints quickly become champions of "truth" by appealing to the "belly" of others while serving their own "belly". The growth of discord and suspicion is rapid like a cancer. These new champions speak great swelling words of vanity and promise "liberty" to all that will follow. (See 2Pe 2 and Acts 20: 28-32 for scriptural warnings against such actions) And many usually follow unless there is a timely response of sound doctrine which is able to convince the gainsayers of the truth. The liberty that is promised is really license. This is clearly warned against in the scriptures (Jude 4, Eph 4:19). Lasciviousness means "absence of restraint". This is clearly what the "old man" desires. That is why the carnal appeal is so compelling. It strokes the very core of our being that is in rebellion against all authority.Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. How much clearer can this truth be made? Our old nature never could and never will agree with God and do what God desires. Only a new nature, Christ within us, can do the will of God. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. The excellency of the power IS of God and not of us (2Co 4:7). We are obviously carnal when we excuse ourselves from obeying simple commands of God. We attempt to hide behind cloaks such as "loss of confidence in others" to justify our ignoring truths. The Truth is ClearWe must NOT lean to our own understanding. The Word of God is explicitly clear on this. Appeals to logic and claims of godly conduct on our part if we do lean to our understanding are merely vain words. The principle is clear, LEAN NOT. It is just as clear as EAT NOT LEST YE DIE. Yet the lie is advanced, "ye will not die but must eat to become more like God". The lies of the Devil are direct contradictions of the truth. Yet they always hold out some "godly" benefit to persuade a Christian to buy the lie. That is why the deception is so strong. It appears to be a "righteous" thing to do. That is what Satan's ministers are peddling (2Co 11:13-15). When do we lean not? When we think or feel that we see a better way than what we KNOW God has directed, but we refrain our actions to be consistent with His expressed will. Then we are allowing the mind of Christ to direct our actions consistent with the thought, "not MY will, but THY will be done". The simple truths that any child of God can quickly become informed about will keep us if, and only if, we are honest with our self. 3. God's Protecting His Children Against Potential Self-DeceptionThe LORD has provided many helps for us against the wiles of the Devil. Even the wile of using our own desperately wicked heart to ensnare us has been protected against so that we may keep or recover ourselves from this snare. How wise we all would be to avail ourselves of each of these provisions of the LORD for His name's sake and for our testimony for Him. We will examine a few of the many provisions that God has for His children to keep them from being ensnared and from recovering from the snare if they did not keep themselves. A healthy consciousness of our own inability to withstand self-deception will manifest itself in wanting to use all of the provisions of our loving Savior and LORD to keep our heart with all diligence. Self examination must go beyond our intent and soberly consider our fruit thus far in our life and our recent past. God is the First ProtectionOur first line of defense is beautifully presented in Rom 8. The Holy Spirit and Christ both intercede for us. How wonderful to know of God's faithfulness to us continually. Heb 12 elaborates on the chastisement that we receive from our loving Father whenever we need it. If we ever get to the point of manifesting to other mere mortals around us a stubborn spirit or contentious attitude, it has been after we have ignored God's first line of defense for us for some time. We are not letting Him lead in our lives by acknowledging Him in all our ways. So He, in faithfulness to others and to us, allows us to begin to publicly reap the fruit of the stubbornness that we have sown for a while. Body of Christ is the Second ProtectionThe second line of defense is with those who know us. They may be laborers together with us. They may be those who labor among us and are over us in the Lord. Or they may be those that are ahead of us in life's experiences as a Christian. Those who truly love us will respond when the signals become obvious to them that the enemy is currently having the influence in our life and is attempting to destroy us. They will be faithful in wounding us with open rebuke if required to help us. All of this is putting our relationship at risk. The soul needing help only feels attacked. And attack by friends is definitely unsettling. The reaction of one rebuked or reproved is of primary importance. It either will be liberation from the snare or further withdrawal from those attempting to rescue. Thus the rescue will fail if the one deceived chooses to ignore his friends. But the chances are good that he will ignore friends, since he has already ignored the Lord for some time. But the commands of God are clear in such a situation. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. The effort must be made. The outcome is strictly at the choice of the overtaken one. He must come to the place of acknowledging the truth. But this is exactly what would have kept him from winding up ensnared in the first place. We must acknowledge God in all our ways. His ways are truth. II Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2:26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. Acknowledging the Truth Brings RecoveryJohn 8:32 {And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.} When we acknowledge the truth, we are immediately aware of our need for forgiveness. And again, our gracious Lord and Savior has provided direction for us. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. What a wonderful recovery can be ours. The alternative is to move from self-deception to willfulness. Then we are on a quick slide to destruction for potentially the rest of our earthly life. What a tragic loss of a testimony for Jesus Christ with such an end. ConclusionMay we each want and endeavor to KEEP OUR HEARTS WITH ALL DILIGENCE. When we see we have gotten off course, may we quickly recover and take full advantage of the Lord's deliverance and His forgiveness. This will be joy to the heart of every child of God that knows us and loves us. Because, the usefulness of another saint has not been lost to the wiles of the Devil. Those children that believe God's Word know that we have need for that which every joint supplies. May we each be diligent to walk in love and be our brother's keeper. I John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. My prayer: That this study brings glory to Christ and His doctrine by:
July 1996
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