False Teachings and Pride

Jesus didn't come to appeal to our intellect or common sense, to support the religious scholars of His day, to set up a kingdom on earth, or to further any political agenda. Everything He did and said while on this earth was to show us the heart of God, point us to a personal relationship with His father, to love and help all people, and to bring anyone who believed and repented into the Kingdom of God. Focusing on anything else is a distraction, man-made religion, and/or false teaching. 

In 2 Timothy it says In the last days there will be people "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Here are some others: 

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 

2 Peter 2:1-3 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught (by Jesus); avoid them. 

Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." 

1 Timothy 6:20-21 Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. 

Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 

Ephesians 4:14 So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 

Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 

2 Peter 2:1-22 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. 

Jeremiah 23:16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Only by receiving the Holy Spirit after accepting Jesus as your personal savior can you discern false teachings and leaders. 

Believers: James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Don't be self-reliant and prideful; keep your eyes on Jesus.

The Day I Lost My Choice: What This Mother’s Day Means To Me

“Kids are more rewarding, since they typically live longer to take care of you in your old age.” This was a quote from an acquaintance who felt the need to explain to me in my 20s that kids are much tougher to raise than dogs. I didn’t respond with my usual sarcastic “you know I’ve never considered that, I thought it was the same” and roll my eyes. Instead, I just listened and said “I have considered that one day I may have no parents, children or grandchildren in my life.”

May 10, 2015 is Mother's Day, and it is also the 5-year anniversary of my hysterectomy and the official end to my ability to carry a child. This blog post will not be about the years of gradual worsening of physical pain, the day I passed out from it, or the stage-4 endometriosis that caused it. It won’t be about the major surgery to remove my uterus and one ovary either. Instead, it will recount the reasons why I decided not to have children, and more poignantly, the reactions I received from others.

First, I didn’t grow up around children except the ones I went to school with. Most of my cousins, who I rarely saw, were much older than me. I am an only child and at one time lived a mile from another house. I have held a baby three times my entire life. Second, like in high school where I didn't accept a basketball scholarship because I missed out on so much life playing year-round, I wanted to enjoy my life, travel, and sleep. Third, I didn't want to raise humans in this world or be responsible for how they turned out. Fourth, I didn't ever want to love something that much. I always guarded my heart. I was extroverted with a lot of acquaintances but few close friends. It was not because I didn't like kids or didn't trust God to protect them. These main reasons are why I decided years ago that I did not want my own children.

The consequences of making this decision known are what I want to share with you. The many times I was called selfish, been told that I would never get or keep a man, or that one will never really love me, and that I should feel guilty for taking for granted what so many others couldn't have. I am not exaggerating. After reading articles and blogs from other women, who called themselves “childless by choice”, I knew I was not alone. I have read that I don't understand what moms deal with, that I don't have a motherly instinct, that I think being a dog-mom is the same thing, and that my friends won't ask me to babysit because of it.

I once heard this so much that I began to believe that the lack of desire to have kids was because I would be a bad mom. At one point I was convinced that if I changed my mind I would be a mom that could never love my child. I have now taught kids for years and have even had dreams that I will raise someone else's kids in the future.

I have since realized that many of these folks have their own issues that have nothing to do with me. I understand that many of the comments came from frustrated mothers who many days regretted their choice, guys who wanted kids one day, or women who wanted kids and couldn't have them. Many people tend to think that because you don't want something for yourself you are judging others for having it and get defensive. 

The one thing that almost everyone told me is that I would change my mind. I used to take it personally, especially coming from close friends or family, who were implying that I didn’t know my own mind and that I hadn’t spent a long time considering it. At 33, both surgeons were reluctant to perform my hysterectomy, the last surgeon, coming out during the procedure to ask my family once again if we all were sure.

After the surgery I was unexpectedly upset that it wasn't my choice to make anymore. However, now I realize that taking that decision from me lifted the burden that society placed on me to make one, or in my case what they think is the wrong/selfish one.

Now, I tell people I had a partial hysterectomy, not that I can't have kids. Regardless, the look is almost always the same: pity quickly turns to a fear of saying something wrong. That is why I quickly follow by saying "It's okay, I never wanted kids; I'm thankful that it happened to me instead of someone who wanted them." This is true, it's how I feel, and it puts the other person at ease. I don't consider myself a “people pleaser” but I never want well-meaning people to feel bad. As a friend, I understand the confusion about how to show that you are sorry without conveying pity.

 

This Mother's Day I ask you to have empathy for all women: the mothers who have lost children, those that want them and can't, those who have adopted or become step-mothers, who aren't in a life position to be a mom, the one who gave up a child for adoption, who ended a pregnancy, who have been a surrogate or have frozen eggs waiting, those who fear the unknown future, and those who just want to be a good "aunt" to friends' kids.

This Mother’s Day, I will be honoring my own Mom who always encouraged me to make having kids my own decision with no guilt. I will be admiring my mom-friends who do what I couldn’t do. Finally, I will be spending time with my aging beagle, who like my acquaintance pointed out years ago, will not be around too many more Mother’s Days.

Obedience and Romans 8:28

From the time I was 9 years old, I have had the small plaque below hanging somewhere in my room. This verse was the first I committed to memory and has served as a comfort in trying times.

I once thought Romans 8:28 was about "all things working out" and then moved to "God working in all situations." If good things are being made to happen, it is because God is at work, transforming "all things" into something it would not be on its own. I have always explained it as God taking something bad and turning it into something good. In looking at the surrounding verses, it also means that we go through trials and God’s purposes are not yet completely fulfilled (Romans 8:22-27). We are assured that God’s love never leaves us no matter what our situation if we love God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31-39). In turn, we have been promised a greater reward for us in the future for our sufferings in this life, if patiently endured. Paul indeed understood suffering.

Recently, Romans 8:28 has meant a great deal more to me. As I mentioned in my first blog post, I have been deeply studying the Old Testament and have been shown countless times the heart of God like never before. From this, one theme continues to emerge…obedience. Yes, to be obedient to God. To obey: complying with the command, direction, or request of another; submitting to the authority of. You know, that word we take out of marriage vows and cringe when we hear.

Romans 8:28 has always been about one larger plan, but understanding our role in this is more difficult. I have come to understand that this verse is about God working both with us and for us “work together” to bring about good in, and from, tough situations. By looking at the following verses 29 and 30, we see that the “good” is not our comfort, wealth, or health but it is to be conformed to the image of Christ to bring each Christian to glory. Yes folks, conformity is obedience.

His plan for our lives is met through our obedience. In the past, when I have sinned and fallen out of a relationship with Christ, my biggest regret was how many people the Lord could have used me to speak to in my path during those times. I have since seen something much more humbling; God is in charge and His “greater plan” will be met regardless. When we are called to God through Christ Jesus, accept Him, and grow in Him, He will use us in other people’s lives for His greater purpose. There are many examples in the Bible where God uses people He has called both before and after their disobedience.

Look at the life of Samson. He was born to a barren women chosen by God to lead Israel. God used Samson’s disobedience of marrying a Philistine (Judges 14) for the good of His people. God used his anger for His greater purpose. Later when Samson fell in love with Delilah, his disobedience cost him his life (Judges 16 4-31). He had fallen so low spiritually he couldn’t distinguish between Gods presence and absence. Even though the “Spirit came upon Samson” many times for strength that God used for His greater purpose, Samson’s anger and lack of self-control presented character flaws that led to Samson’s misery. Note that Sampson himself never received a blessing for his rebellious choice and regretted it.

While God’s spirit will never leave believers in Christ, his blessings may. That hinges on our obedience. God uses sinners for His purpose and glory. He doesn't always use who are worthy but doesn't always bless them. How much greater would Samson's blessing had been if he would have been obedient.

During one of the most sinful periods of my life, God used me to lead someone to Christ. Even in the midst of that sin, I was obedient in that second because I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me and leading me with what to say. The blessing to just witness God working in that way with my friend reminded me that sin was keeping me from experiencing even greater blessings like that. I had forgotten how powerful, yet gracious, He is. We look at our circumstances for our happiness but sin separates us from remembering the joy that obedience brings through a personal relationship with Christ.

King David was a great man of God but chose to disobey God and take Bathsheba as his own wife after having her husband killed. Their son died as a result of his disobedience. David went on to repent and serve God but lived with that pain. (2 Samuel 11-12:23)

God wants to save us from the hurt we experience when we aren’t obedient but there are real life consequences. He can use these to help us learn from our mistakes or as motivation to turn from sin. His guidelines are in place out of love and protection for us. He has shown me grace many times when my disobedient decisions could have had many more consequences.

God does not require us to understand his will, just obey it even if it seems unreasonable. The laws found in Leviticus for the Israelites were to keep them healthy and prosperous. Their disobedience kept them in the dessert forty years so God could wipe out the disobedient generation including Moses who never saw the promised land.

The amazing part is that He allows us to make mistakes but takes those and uses them for His glory. This requires faith in who He is, to obey him when we do not know where He is leading us. Fear and shame cause us to put up walls to others and live a life of denial instead of being obedient. It isolates us from others who He has sent to speak to us something we are not in a place to hear. We are so scared to let people see who we are or how we feel for fear of rejection or judgment that it keeps us from being honest with ourselves and God. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will council you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you” (Psalm 32.8-9). All things cannot work together for the good if we aren’t willing to listen, trust, and obey Him.

More readings on Romans 8:28 in context:

https://bible.org/article/do-all-things-really-work-together-good-romans-828-its-context
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-28.htm

http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-romans-8-28-30.htm

Praying for Your Friends

Since January, I have been studying the Old Testament and have had some things that have been on my heart.  Besides the more obvious theme of obedience for our own good, I continue to find examples of God’s heart when it comes to asking Him to help those we care about.  I have also seen how He continually acts for the sole purpose of having a personal relationship with us.  When His people seek the same, we find a real, two-way relationship with the living God.

In Genesis 18 and 19, God shared with Abraham that he would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham relentlessly asks God to save any of those righteous among the cities.  The Lord sent two angels to rescue Lot’s family (Abraham’s nephew).

When Moses spends 40 days/nights on Mount Sinai, receiving the 10 commandments from God, the Israelites became impatient and corrupt building a golden calf.  God became angry and told Moses to leave Him alone so His anger could burn against them and so He could destroy them.  Moses “sought the favor of the Lord” and petitioned God to turn from His fierce anger and asked Him to not bring disaster upon His chosen people.  Moses reminds the Lord of His former promises and work to deliver them from Egypt, reasoning with God.  The Lord then “relented and did not bring upon them, the disaster He had threatened” (Exodus 32: 7-14).

We can begin to see God’s grace multiply when His people show compassion and care for others.  We can directly speak to God, through prayer, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  I read a Moundy Thursday blog yesterday entitled The Greatest Prayer in the World by John Piper on http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-greatest-prayer-in-the-world-maundy-thursday.   Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of His reverence.”  “Being in agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). There aren’t many times where I have prayed this way for myself or my family, let alone for my friends.  Keep in mind that Jesus served His disciples, by washing their feet, before he went to pray for Himself (John 13: 1-17).

Look at the example of God allowing the great sufferings of His servant Job.  In Job 42: 7-11, even when Job’s friends blamed him for his afflictions, Job prayed for them.  After Job prayed for his friends, God lifted Job’s afflictions and blessed him even more greatly than before.  When our friends do us wrong, make us angry, or accuse us, is our first inclination to pray for them?!

What is reoccurring in these events is the personal relationship God wants with us. These men had personal contact with the Lord and a two-way relationship with Him.  He listens.  He acts in the best interest of us.  He knows our hearts and what is weighing on the minds of our friends.

You may say, “Who am I to pray for someone?” or “Why would God listen to me?”  God uses many people in the Bible who, like us, are disobedient sinners needing healing.  I have found that praying for my friends brings about healing, it makes forgiveness real, and it brings stronger faith and patience.  It is life changing for me and the lives of whom I pray for.  Most importantly, it cultivates a stronger relationship with the Lord.  Is it easier to pray only for the people who haven’t wronged you, yes.  Is it easier to focus on ourselves and our own issues, definitely.  However, asking God to bless your friends, with a servant’s heart, is an exponentially greater blessing.