False Beliefs, False Assumptions and Distortions

[David Norman]

I know that Paul warns believers of the schemes of the devil. I'd love to hear people's input as to how Satan temps us to accept false beliefs as truth, and presents before us the temptation to act and choose on false assumptions rather than God's Word and truth.

Thanks David

[kathy]

Hi David, I realize this was posted a while ago, but I just came across it. The most common one in my life has been when someone takes a small portion of scripture and turns it into the way of salvation. Many churches get side-tracked by doing, or side-track members from the relationship Jesus seeks to have with us, with rules or good works. I have to be diligent with keeping Jesus the priority rather letting 'the mission' cast a shadow on my relationship with Christ. I do look forward to seeing more comments. This is my 'Beware List:
-prosperity preachers
-do's and don't's preachers
-church growers vs kingdom builders
- comparison preachers (we don't want to be like the church down the street, they do.....)

[David Norman]

Hello Kathy,
Thanks so much for your incite and perspective, I believe sense I posted this that for myself it is very difficult for me to objectively view my own life in clear perspective. I also find that there are many false beliefs about myself that were constantly reinforced as a child which I have willingly accepted as truth in my life, these false beliefs cause enormous destruction, it truly amazes me the power we possess to deceive and lie to ourselves. I also believe it is much easier to look at outward forms of the devil's schemes than the inward struggles we all face each day. We all are able to lie to ourselves, false pride seems to be so powerful in our subconsciousness. I believe your incite truly reflects the workings of individuals who may be religious but extremely isolated and anti-social types. I believe we are social creatures, and the list you mentioned above reflects individuals or groups of people who have other priorities than exhauting Jesus Christ, people who desire to make money off of religion or people's extreme desperation or searching for life purpose. As with all forms of corporation, the church is not excluded from the corporate world which chases the almighty dollar.

[Angela King]

You know david what kathy said is very true today all some churches have taken God's word out of context and they have taken it to far they have distorted the truth and put too many rules and added what they think and many churches today are doing things out of tradition because they have done this for years and moma did it and that makes it good enough for me. Search the scripture and get to know the real meaning and follow what it says not what man wants you to believe you do not have to go through man to get to God. There are churches filled with people today and they are lost some of them. So don't get caught up in the crowd because you can get lost. Just follow christ and the word of god and you won't get lost.

[kathy]

Amen sister! We have teenage daughters, sometimes its hard for them not to be allowed to do and have everything that others have and do, even in youth groups. I would love for them to be able to discern between following other Christians and being followers of Christ.

[David Norman]

I understand what your saying Angela, but at the same time I believe we are social animals we are meant to interact with other humans, and I have found most churches I've attended they either want to fix you, judge you, or have some strict doctrinal beliefs which are not necessarily Biblical, but just religious traditionalism that is generally accepted as true, in order to fit in. I don't find Jesus in all that, when I read the gospels, Jesus associated himself with the degenerates of society, the outcast, the morally bankrupt humans of the culture. The very people least valued in human eyes where the people Christ displayed most interest in. What I see displayed in the nature of Christ deepest is compassion, mercy, humility, I think if you isolate yourself from other people your perspective on life can really get sick, it takes us staying together, we all have fears and insecurities and often times we react out of those fears and insecurities. Anyways, I have just been confused really and disillusioned in life in alot of ways, that is why I raised the question. Because in this life we only know in part, we never know the full truth, that is a hell of a miserable place to live. Where is the peace in knowing just part of the truth, the process of sanctification has always confused me, it's like we are never completely right with God, if we win one battle, there are five more battles ahead, we are in constant state of struggle in life. Where is the peace, the freedom and the rest in that? It's very frustrating to me, it's like being in a quagmire. Jesus said, He did not give us a spirit of fear, yet every human being I know including myself is so controlled by fear, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not measuring up.

[kathy]

If you know who you are in Christ, you can be part of the church family. The key is not to get tied up in being "like" them, rather to keep your focus on who Christ is, and this builds stronger church families.

[Elisa Esparaza]

Hi David:
I am struggling with this issue too, so anyone who wants to give advice would be helpful. I notice that the Devil takes advantage of my strong points that everyone seems to like. For for example, I was a work a holic making lots of money, but had no time for family and relationship and was thinking making more money was more important then spending time with family or seriously looking ito get married or to get more involved in Jesus. The devil also takes advantages of me wanting to please God and lot and causes me to overdue things, like right now I am in school but recovering from an injury still and feel strong spiritual pressure to take a lot of classes and cannot always know who is doing this. I usually get mad at God a lot and feel he is causing me much stress. Anyway, on how to deal with strong spiritual pressure for me to do certain things and not always sure you is directing me.
Thanks
Elisa

[lisa saunders]

All churches were found doing things not pleasing to God, in the letters written to the Seven Churches in Revelation 3 :14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold,I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Amen....This passage says our churches are lost, they are lukewarm neither cold nor hot....Jesus is on the outside of the door..knocking to get in to the churches...can just one man hear the truth? and if he does open the door and bring Jesus back into our churches.The devil makes the lie, and if you allow yourself to be deceived into thinking God hurt you or abandoned you...then you are held in that oppression..right where Satan wants you...its where he was with God ..before he was cast down to earth out of heaven...he came to confuse and gather people for his army against God, he sells you a lie...you must REPENT...and turn from your Sins...Read God's word, because there you learn to know truth, and most important you walk with God..you work on a realationship with God..just like a marriage. then in matthew 28:18-20 This is our mission statement(what we are supposted to be doing before He returns) All Power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach All nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe All things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen...For by Grace are ye saved through faith: and not of yourselves..it is a gift of God. Will you take my Son as your savior? Repent..turn from your sin...be baptized...john 3:5 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God.......As the soul surrenders itself to God in faith, that Power which no human eye can see actually creates a new being..(a new heart)....old things pass away in us, All things are new.2.corinthians 5:17....IT IS A WONDERFUL ADOPTION.....read my Blog on Power in the Blood...to learn more about The Spirit, and what he does for you..when you take the steps to help change your sinful nature.The person who comes away from the cross born into God's royal family, will have a deeper love for the One who made it possible...The man who is truly under grace never wants to sin again...And by accepting this sacrifice-this great gift-you and I are FREE. Amen.....

[lisa saunders]

david....to answer your question.....people leading other people....not in the way of the Lord....

[David Norman]

Hello Lisa,

thanks for your insite and opinion, repentance has always been understood by me of a simple changing of the mind, we change our minds about how things are percieved by us into how things truly are, in other words I believe we abandon our self dillussionments, what we use to think about God, ourselves, the world, other people etc etc, we abandon and start fresh, or this could be renewing of our minds as mentioned in Romans 12.2 repentence is certainly a process, earlier in life I perceived repentance as more of event in life, and I don't believe that is the case at all, because the changing of the mind should persist until we die. Look at how you view life now, compared to 15 years ago, look at how you percieve relationships now compared to 15 years ago, our perspective is always changing. When I read about the new creatures or new being, I studied this in college which is makes sense in one regard but it can be very confusing in another way, this dualistic idea that there are two creatures in one, so who am I? Where do I find my identity as a Christian, in Christ of course. However, it seems there's a old creature who I fully am, and the new creature which I fully am at the same time, and all things are new. What things, my attitudes, my feelings, my beliefs, life as a Christian seems to be two lives in one, the old me and the new me, where do choices fit in this life? It's very confusing to me, when I make a choice, is it the new being, or the old being and how do I discern one from the other?

[David Norman]

One thing I use to believe or was confused about, concerned who I was once I became a Christian. Just because I am a Christian does not mean I am no longer a living human being. I still have God created instincts of survivial, love, fear, remember man is originally created in God's image, and when I think about being a new being with a new heart, the old being is still a creation of God or is it not? The only problem with the old being is that it's spiritual dead because of sin, however, apart of my identity until I die is with the old being along with the new. Jesus paid my debt at calvary so I could now spiritually live, before I accepted His grace it was impossible for me as a man to be spiritually alive, Christ gave us the Holy Spirit to help us, however, we are still fallen living human beings, our position in the animal world is top of the chain. Everyone of us has a instinctive programming to be cautious, to protect ourselves, to mate, some theologians see all these traits as coming from the lower nature, Our sin, our fears, often blind us to where we are helpless, this is where God's grace places such an amazing role in our existence. In my short life, I am afriad I've always searched for certainty, however, it doesn't seem to be found anywhere, life is all about changing, moving on, going through phases. When we discuss the new being and the old being, does that now mean the old being has choices and the new being has choices, sometimes the old being makes choices which are always negative, painful, and usually what we label as mistakes in our lives, then we have the new being, the new being always makes the right decisions, always has the right attitudes, always is selfless, where the old being is always self centered, the deepest question I raise is who am I? Just because I am a Christian does not mean I am Jesus, I am not God, just a fallen human being saved by grace that's it, and to be that is enough
love you guys, keep me in your prayers

[lisa saunders]

David, I understand that you have put many hours before today, into your thought life-it is apparent. I love to dissect human minds-it used to be a favorite pass time of mine. That is before my last ordeal in life (someone really did not like my hobby, they hurt me and my family because of my values and opinions; so I pray you take this as what it is; a learning and sharing experience). For me Repentance is acknowledging and acceptance for what I have done wrong (whether it be an action or thought, against myself or someone else). I know if I have truly hurt someone; intentionally or by mistake, I believe the Holy Spirit changes not our mind, but our hearts; it intensifies our senses so we can truly Love, the way God wanted us too in the first place..before Adam and Eve created the original sin. (we then were all created out of the original sin, before we sinned). We do not know what it is like to have never sinned;or even if we would have, well..someone probably would have..lol..Everything has a process, if we would only read instructions before we start the project...but you can change your mind, if you need too, just remember to let the other person know before you shift into overdrive; because they may have concerns,perceptions,fears,anxieties,philosphies etc... it is always with other people that we seem to get into trouble. (ours mixed with theirs...and then add the manipulations,deceptions of others when it is intentional..and you have a receipe for disaster. In reguards to your 15 years ago "look at my life or relationship" ..well I was a baby christian, there is no way I would have the understanding I now have, because of learning new aspects of life in general and then coming into a new Spiritual walk with the Holy Ghost guiding me (me being able to let go, and let Him guide me) That was certainly a giant step for me( like free falling out of a plane) I wanted that kind of relationship, but it took years,tears and failing fears to be able to remove my will..I mean my fingers from the door of the hanger...old things pass away..and the new heart begins to live again in me.It is more satisified, so I dont want to make the same old choices...God said He that comes through me. I know when I have discerned from what I used to be like, and what I have automatically done different and still have this amazing feeling of accomplishment. I feel pleased with myself, and that He is pleased with me. It just seems to flow together for me, now ( It did not always; I was fighting always to do something before) Of course part of my old self ( or what I discern as the devil tells me just wait you will mess up, or you can not keep it up for long). That statement sends me back in deep prayer because I know it is the enemny come to steal my power or happiness, as some put it. I know I'am still me but, more improved with my rightful inheiratance after all I like you are a King's Kid, I am pleased and honored to finally be able to act upon it..I guess Ive searched for my true idenity, I never needed certainty...I know I will fail at some things and at some point, but I know sure as I do, I have a King's promise that when I repent and stop that sin I'am "forgiven". I was in sin and was asleep it seemed; it was like a dream, because I remember crying out to Jesus after a few years of living in sin. I saw what appeared to be reptile eye opening, and felt someone near me that was going to kill me; no I was not on anything....close to death, and scared to death; I instintively called out to Jesus and recited the 23 rd palsms. I immeadiately felt the presence leaving, and I was comforted enough to stop shaking, that night. I would never have believed this, but I felt it and it was very real to me. After going through these kinds of life experiences, I can not deny my savior and have a new love for what He did for me. I dont differeniate between negative choice and positive choice (it has a human label on it, and I dont live to please others; I live to please my King). What is positive to me, maybe negative to you, and then what about the word of God...what does He say; because He is the judge. I just want to do the right thing in all things..and I pray I will through Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit..I love being surprised on how I or He handles new challenges..I know I am exhaulting Him, when I include Him in all I do..its because of you...saved by God's plan..to save His children from death...I needed to know how loved I was, in order to love more completely...Amen...