Playing With Fire: Befriending The World

The church's habit of playing with fire is getting the church burnt. 

The Christian church has befriended the world is so many ways, that it is unable to discern right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14). Popular cultural has so been absorbed into the church, that the church is blinded to its effects and unable to conceive in its mind what holiness or righteousness even are. This is an enormous stumbling block, and an obstacle which prevents the church from being what God has called it to be. Yet the true Church cannot ultimately fail, those who are the called are the true Church. It is the institutional "church" which fails to live up to its professed calling. 

This is not a process which happened over night, but a process that has been going on since Christianity began; only perhaps to be expanded and easily exampled in recent decades. This is a tragedy which can only be prevented or solved by radical faith, and a willingness to risk ridicule and temporary discomfort for the treasures of heaven (Hebrews 11:6). 

What is sad, very, very, sad, is that few professing Christians, know, or even care. This is only evidence of the craftiness of Satan, and the dominion he wields over those who fail to use the power for deliverance which is available through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To those who grow up in the worldly "Christian" church, this type of talk seems to them to be nonsense. Something must awaken them, and unblind them or they cannot understand. 

Reason for but a moment... Not only is the Church's love of the world condemned in scripture as sin, but it is not even logical. How can a Christian profess to be a Christian, when they fill their minds with the same things as those who are not Christian. Can we really continue to fool ourselves into believing that we are Christians when we watch and hear movies, music and television which blasphemy God and promote what His Word detests? How can we say "Oh, we're mature enough to handle it." Really? I guess that's what the devil wants you to think isn't it. God knows the saturation of the minds of individuals with television and modern music has corrupted them nearly beyond repair. Dare we promote what God hates and excuse ourselves by saying "it's just for entertainment." Entertainment in its self, (for no other purpose), is nothing other than an excuse to delay doing that which God has for us to do (James 4:17). That is why there is no excuse for "cheap" entertainment. "Cheap" entertainment is herein defined as entertainment that does not teach some lesson or value to make us the wiser and better equipped for the purpose we as Christians have. We must ask ourselves if our acting or thinking places us within the will of God as it is proclaimed by scripture; weather it diminishes or allows or enhances the fulfillment of verses such as Romans 12:1-21, Colossians 3:17 and Philippians 4:8. 

I would venture so far as to say that many professing Christians do not even know what "the world" refers to in the phrase "love not the world." Neither do they understand what "befriending the world" is. In part, they imagine it as gross materialism or illegal acts to avoid doing; they fail to realize that it involves every aspect of their life; that they have been living in error, deceived into thinking that music, television and dress do not affect who they are. To love God, and not the world, is not something which can be done without deliberate effort; and yet, it cannot be done by the will of man (John 1:13, Romans 9:16). We must actively guard against the craftiness of the devil, and not be unwise dealing with an enemy which we, apart from Christ, are powerless to withstand (Matthew 10:16). The cares of this world have choked the spiritual life of many, and the love of it has turned many aside to death and destruction, though they know it not (Mark 4:19, 1 Timothy 6:9).

Not only have churches befriended the world; they have redesigned themselves by the philosophies and standards of the world. To the extent that they have done this, they have lost the power of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; giving themselves to be naught but institutions of man, becoming fodder for the fire of the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:10-11, Luke 3:9).

The verses below have much to do with this subject, and their reading provides further insight into what it means to obey and believe the God of the Bible concerning the key topic of avoiding worldliness. We can see from the verses below that it is desirable to be unspotted from the word, and to deny friendship to the world. We also observe that those who love the world are enemies of God, and that those who are chosen by God are hated by the world. We also see that the Gospel is foolishness to the world which is perishing, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. 

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. – James 4:4 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. – John 15:19

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  – 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

The Unforgivable Sin: Unbelief

Unbelief exampled as blaspheme against the Holy Ghost

Below are two portions of scripture which should be read carefully to understand what blaspheme against the Holy Ghost is.

“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” - Mark 3:22-30

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:22-37

Many people have assigned various meanings and described with differing definitions what it means to blaspheme the Holy Ghost. In the simplest most literal interpretation it simply means to speak evil of the Holy Ghost. Speaking evil of the Holy Ghost is certainly a sin, and a blasphemy, but is it really unforgivable? To say that it is unforgivable seems to contradict much of the Biblical promises of Grace to those who repent and trust the Lord Jesus Christ for a pardon and salvation.

We should then ask, and see the answer which is clear from these passages of scripture: Why were those who committed the unforgivable sin in these passages of scripture found to be guilty?

We can see that Jesus was performing miracles, specifically; he was healing physical defects and casting out demons. The Pharisees and scribes saw him doing this and attributed his power to do these things not to the Holy Ghost, but to Satan (Beelzebub the prince of the devils). Here glory was due to God the Holy Ghost, but these wicked vipers falsely attributed these miracles to Satan. So then, to my knowledge, the only specific example given in scripture of blaspheming the Holy Ghost (in an unforgivable way) is when men attribute to Satan the workings of the power of God.

Notice also that those who blasphemed in this example were speaking evil words out of their evil heart, and that they were falsely claiming that good was coming from evil (Matthew 12:33-35). Therefore, the Lord Jesus said “ by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Forsooth, Christians should have a fear of speaking anything amiss about the Holy Ghost, but of committing the Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost in the sense of it being unpardonable as this passage of scripture describes; this is not a sin which is even possible for true Christians to commit. A requirement for this sin is a wicked heart, to the point of calling good evil and evil good. Against this evil heart the prophet Isaiah warns us in Isaiah 5:20. This is not the heart of a Christian as we see in Ezekiel 11:19-21 and Hebrews 8:1-13.

Many argue that this specific sin can no longer be committed today, since Christ is no longer on earth working miracles. People who think this forget about the Holy Ghost and the promises in the Holy Scriptures of the Holy Ghost’s distribution of gifts.

Of these gifts we can clearly read in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 14:37-39, and throughout the scriptures in many places.

Today, on this earth, there are those who call themselves Christians even though they deny that the Holy Spirit still gives the gifts of prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, the interpretation of tongues, etcetera. Further, those who claim this are also often compelled (either literally or by following their argument to its logical conclusion) to claim that any who claim to possess these gifts are liars, and that any who give evidence of these gifts do so by the power of Satan in order to corrupt the true gospel message of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

It is very true that in this time, and until the end, there are and will be many false prophets and those who work miracles by the power of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). This is why it is all the more important that we know the scriptures, love the truth and be filled with the Spirit of God, that we may recognize and openly condemn the deceiving workers of unrighteousness among us, for the glory of God and the sake of the faithful.

But let us never, in our hast to warn of false prophets and false christs, declare those who possess the gifts of the Spirit, and who use the Spirits gifts to bring forth fruit (such as growing believers faith or leading men to Christ) as doing their good works by Satan’s power.

Now here is the warning in plain words; those who deny that the Holy Ghost still gives gifts to believers (such as prophecy and healing) are blaspheming the Holy Ghost and they are in danger of committing the unforgivable sin and of receiving the eternal damnation with which it is punished.

Unbelief exampled as Apostasy

Now the word Apostasy comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:3 where it is translated as “a falling away.” It is the Strong’s concordance word G646, in the Greek it is “apostisia.” Below we see two portions of scripture which help us understand what Apostasy is, and why it is an unforgivable sin.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” - Hebrews 6:4-8

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - Hebrews 10:26-31

In the first passage above we see Apostasy described, and we see how it is a state which, upon entering an individual cannot be freed. Why? Because it is impossible to bring these people to repentance - so if you can truly repent - you are not truly an apostate but just a backslider in need of revival. Notice the other reason why apostates cannot repent - because of their bad fruit for which they are to be burnt. This further implies that the production of good fruit would spare them Hell fire - but good works can only be produced if they repent and attach to the true vine, who is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:5-16).

There are a myriad of verses speaking about the grace and forgiveness available to those who repent - my favorite being 1 John 1:9. Therefore, when we see the second passage above (Hebrews 10:26-31) we should also know that these verses again are referring to the apostate. Apostate individuals are without hope and without a chance to be forgiven - not because God is unwilling (2 Peter 3:9), but because they have chosen to follow their father Satan (John 8:44) and they will not repent - so hope and forgiveness cannot be theirs. They refuse to repent and are in such a state that they could never repent - they have crucified Christ in their heart. They are "vessels of wrath fitted to destruction" (Romans 9:18, 22). They are like Satan - and are merely here waiting for the time when they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10, 15).

What do blaspheme against the Holy Ghost and Apostasy have in common? They are both nothing other than Unbelief. Those who commit these sins fail to believe the word of God, and are justly damned.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8

So then this all comes back to the heart of the Good News which is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” - Acts 16:31

If only they would cry out with tears like the father of the crippled child "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

As the Israelites could not enter the promised land because of their unbelief* - neither can men enter the Kingdom of God unless they believe, making Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." - Hebrews 4:10-11

*except for Joshua and Caleb who were faithfull and did believe, see Numbers 14:6-11, 28-38

The Forbidden E-word: The Abominable Association

Well here it is... that time of year when ignorant and stubborn men disobey Almighty God by calling the Good News by the name of a pagan goddess.

It is against Biblical teaching to call the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection Easter. Easter is the name of a pagan goddess.

Associating pagan gods with the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ is an abomination in the sight of God.

It is to the devils delight that men label the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection as Easter.

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. - Exodus 23:13

Those who celebrate Easter and its pagan aspects such as eggs and bunnies should consider the verse below, and how they are guilty of following the way of the heathen.

And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you. - Ezekiel 11:12

Deuteronomy 12:1-32 also has much say on this matter.

If my attack on the man made tradition of Easter offends you, consider the following words of Christ.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men - See Mark 7:8

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - See Matthew 15:3

When men keep a holiday named Easter they transgress God’s commandments. This includes the transgressing of the first of the Ten Commandments. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3

It is a blatant blaspheme “Christian” churches partake in when they put the “Easter” label on and over everything as they commonly do in this season.

Those who claim that praising God is always right even when associating him with false gods are blind. You cannot Glorify God while you disobey Him. Below we see an example of the condemnation upon those who first tried to do this under the Old Covenant.

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. - Isaiah 66:1-6 (Also see Isaiah chapter 1, the rest of Isaiah chapter 66, and Amos chapter 5).

I will plainly say what these words of the prophets have to do with the celebration named Easter. These scriptures in Isaiah and Amos are about false worship. Worship which obviously did not please God, and worship which brought His wrath. Such is all worship done in disobedience.

Will we do the same thing being now under a better covenant? (Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 12:24) Has the law of God not been written on our heart?

We are to remember Christ's Resurrection always, and rejoice in what God through his Son has done for us.

There is scripture condemning the utterance of the names of false gods. There is scripture condemning the way of the heathen. There is scripture condemning the mixing of paganism with Christianity. If you cannot see these things than Woe unto you who know not the scriptures, who know not the word of God!



For more information see the links below.

What Does the Scripture Say ?

The Pagan Origin Of Easter

Easter: It's Totally Pagan too!

The nonexistent, evil chick called Easter

Is Easter in the Bible?