Testing the Spirits...

I John 4:1-6
Dear Friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every Spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.


The Greek word for "Spirit" in vs. 1 is pneuma which is a noun meaning spirit, heart, mind; Holy Spirit, ghost, wind, breath.

The Greek word for "test" in vs. 1 is dokimazo which is a verb that means to test, try examine, or interpret.

The Life Application NT Commentary helps to explain that in vs. 4, "Some Christians want to do this Spiritual Battle as individuals. They take the word "you" as "the spirit who lives in me" but the pronoun is plural, referring to the community of believers. Believers have the personal assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence within. But they must not attempt to do battle with Satan alone. They need others for prayer, resources, advice, guidance, protection, healing and more."

Discussion:

Okay, when I first read this, it looked really hard to explain/interpret...but while studying it I realized it is one of the most essential passages for this whole "where do you draw the line" study. As Christians born again with Christ in his death and resurrection we are lead by the Holy Spirit which serves as our conscience, heart, and our moral/Spiritual guide. Obviously, if you believe that there is a Holy Spirit from God that is guiding you, have you ever thought about the fact that Satan has his own spirits that try to deter you from your correct path??? This passage tells us that we need other Christians for prayer, and advice to sort of keep ourselves in check. It is scary that there are powerful spirits trying to mess with our hearts, minds and consciences! I think this is why it is so important to surround ourselves with Christian friends!

• How do we "test" a spirit? Are you sure you are always listening to the Holy Spirit vs. one of Satan's spirits trying to feed your mind?
• I think prayer is so important in this "game" because that is what it seems to be. Do you feel like your prayer life is where it needs to be so that other spirits cannot creep in?
• What do you believe about spiritual warfare? How do you make what seems to be an abstract concept, real and concrete in your everyday life?

This passage was so much to think about it! I hope your week is a blessed one!! Please remember Earle's mother(my husband) who is undergoing cancer tests this week and surgery.

-CB

Warnings against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

(Paul writing to the Thessalonians)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyones food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat. " We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet, do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Discussion:

I think that this passage is basically speaking to people who are not physically unable to work, but people who are basically being lazy and taking advantage of those in the church at Thessalonica who are willing to help. Paul is saying that, even though he was helping the church there, he worked hard, and did not expect to be taken care of for nothing. He said that he did this as an example.

• What are some situations where it can be easy to either, become idle, or possibly enable someone who is becoming idle. I think there is also sin involved in the enabling...which I am probably guilty of at times. I think this letter Paul wrote, is saying to not associate with these people so that they will not take advantage of you and because they may feel ashamed of their laziness. What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you draw your boundaries where idleness in concerned when you could possibly be dealing with not only a church family member, but possibly a real family member?

Just wanted to say, how much I appreciate those who have been involved in our discussions. I really love your comments and your perspective on things!! Keep them coming!!

CB

I Corinthians Chapter 5

Here is kind of where this chapter summarizes itself.
I Corinthians 5:9-13
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater, or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What buisness is it of mine to judge those outside the church? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.

Discussion?????

So for the discussion this week, I think we need to define for ourselves(meaning I need to find my own definition for these things too) what it means to us to be, sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, or a slander, a drunkard or a swindler. The bible says we are to hold each other accountable...sometimes that can be really hard.

What is sexually immoral?

• What kinds of things do we watch on television or movies that might plant sexually immoral thoughts in our minds?
• How do we talk?
• If you are married, can you be sexually immoral with your spouse? Define how you can or how you can't.
• Do you know of anyone who may be having an extra-marital affair that you may not have gone to as a Christian brother or sister?

What is it to be greedy?

• Is this someone who hoards money or things or time or attention?

What is an idolater?

• Is this simply putting things in the way of our worship to God? What exactly is an idolater?

What is a slanderer?

• Is this someone who slanders God or other people or both?
• Could this be as easy as being one who constantly gossips?

What is a drunkard?

• Is this simply someone who lives a lifestyle addicted to substance?
• How much is too much?

What is a swindler?

• Is this someone who tricks you out of money or time or uses other people to their own advantages?

All of these things I need to double check myself and first ask, am I guilty of these things...and then I need to know where the line is drawn that I might need to pray with someone who is struggling in these areas....So people..this one is a little more intense...you have to go "there" a little, but where do you draw your spiritual/ moral lines here?? Thoughts? Thoughts? Please share.

CB

The Line Between Life by the Spirit and Life in Sinful Nature

Romans 8:1-16

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteousness requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation but it is not to the sinful nature to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children....

Discussion Questions:

• After reading this passage, it tells us that if Christ is in us, he gives life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit. We are obligated to not live by our own sinful nature. What does this mean to you?
• Give examples of, "the misdeeds of the body." How do we know when our line is blurring to where we are giving in to some of our own desires, and maybe our conscience has been a bit, dulled by the world we live in so that we do not hear the message that the Spirit is trying to tell us.

I John Chapter Two

Summary:

This chapter basically discusses how that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Not only for our sins(v. 1-2) but the sins of the whole world. Jesus is our advocate.

A few passages in this chapter stick out to me that tie in with our study.

V. 9-11

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

vs. 15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man of God lives forever.

vs. 28-29

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Discussion:

Referring to vs. 9-11

• Is there anyone whom you have not been able to forgive in life? This can be so hard, especially if someone has caused you a great deal of pain? What does the bible say about this? The line is actually quite clear, you must not hate your brother. What does it mean to love your brother?

Referring to vs. 15-17

• Okay, in these verses, it is obvious what some of these things of the world are. I find it interesting that John makes a point of talking about the fact that boasting about what you have and do come from the world, not from God. Society teaches us to be confident in what our skills are and our success. Contrast how this is different that what God thinks. What grabs your attention in these verses?

Referring to vs. 28-29

• What does it mean to you to be confident and unashamed before God at His coming? To be honest, I think that no matter what I do, I will be a little ashamed. What are your thoughts on this?

Have a Happy 4th of July!!
CB

I John Chapter One

Here is the chapter, as in my NIV as written by the apostle John (most likely),

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen, with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched --this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Discussion:

• Discuss your thought in reference to the above italicized verses. What is it to claim to have fellowship with Christ yet walk in the darkness?
• Also, in the how often to we claim to have not sinned, when we do, possibly because we rationalize some of the things we do?
• The introduction to the Book of I John says that, "Because the letter addresses broad moral topics, it is clear that John's goal was to provide direction for those Christians who faced new challenges to their faith...As opposition to the believers' faith arose, John encouraged them to continue walking in fellowship with Christ, so as to not be drawn into false beliefs and sinful lifestyles." Discuss how this still hits home with us today...give some literal examples.

Drawing the Lines with our priorities and other things...

Overview of "The Great Banquet" Luke 14:15-23

Jesus tells this parable and begins by saying, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Summary of this parable:

A man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. He told his servant to go and tell his guests that everything was ready. All of the guests had excuses about their time...one said he had just bought a field and he needed to go and see it, another said, he had just bought some oxen and needed to go and try them out, another said, he had just gotten married and could not come.

The man who prepared the banquet was angry and told his servant to go into the streets and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. The servant did this and there was still room, so they invited the people from the country lanes( which were probably cast offs in that time) The man preparing the banquet said, "I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet."

Ephesians 1:3-14

This passage is a great pair to the parable of the great banquet. It is basically saying that ,"in Christ" as Christians, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. He chose 'us' ...we are the invited guests....

Discussion

• In retrospect to the parable of the great banquet, what are the things in your life that are your excuses when it comes to time with God? I can think of many times when I have too much to do to attend Wednesday night church or too busy of a day to open up my bible and study. Does this ever affect you? It is kind of like God keeps inviting us to give us his most lavishing blessings...but I find myself at times to bogged down with my agenda. What does this parable speak to you? Where do you draw your lines here? I think this is a constant and ongoing personal struggle for me.
• Lets look at the Ephesians passage with the Luke passage. If we represent the guests originally invited to the banquet....can we be, "UN-invited?" The passage in Luke did not say that the people that he, "UN-invited" were adulterers, murders, liars and and horrible people....he simply said, they had other things to do. Again, where do you draw your line here?
• Do you have any good rules of thumb that you and your family go by? When I was young, my parents did not allow anything to interfere with our Wednesday night church(Unless we were sick). Once I was asked to have a large role in school play in the 4th grade. I had to decline, because the performance was going to be on a Wednesday night....I think that was a little harsh, because God did not say we must always meet mid-week. Looking back, maybe there was a happy medium, like maybe we would have a devotional time when we got home after the play or maybe the night before...but it did send a message that "God's time" was important.