"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" - Jeremiah 23:29

Showing posts with label Consumerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Consumerism. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Twelve Lies Of Christmas Told By The Father Of Christmas

Lie # 1 Jesus was born on Dec. 25

Jesus was not born on December 25, nearly all scholars and historians agree that it could not be possible. I hear September is more likely. So why do some "Christians" say Jesus was born on the 25th? Because the Pope of Rome long ago said he was.  (I guess the current pope has his own story).

Lie #2 Jesus is the reason for the season

Perhaps some people think he is, or like to believe he is. But the reason that the Christmas season is celebrated today is because businesses want to make money, because the pope says it should be, and because it feels good to those who have lost the love of the truth.

Lie #3 Christians celebrate Christmas

Professing Christ and following his teachings is what makes you a Christian. That being said, the question comes to how do we know Christ and his teachings? The Christian who knows Christ and learns his teachings from the Holy Scriptures rather than extra-biblical ideas knows that Christmas is foreign to Christ and his teachings. 

Lie #4 Christmas is in the Bible

No Christmas is not in the Bible. The story of the birth of Christ is in the Bible, so are many other stories. Why have some kept a rather elaborate tradition currently called Christmas? Because once upon a time it was convenient for the Roman Catholic Church.

Lie # 5 We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus 

No we give gifts because of the anti christian consumerism driven culture, and because it is an ancient tradition.

Lie # 6 Christmas is good because it is an easier time to get unbelievers to come to church. 

I still remember the last time I went to a Christmas service at a church. It was many years ago now, since I avoid church at that time of the year having yet to find a "Christian" church that has not at least dabbled in Babylonian Pagan Idolatry. 

It was a very sad service, to me only perhaps. True it was that the church was packed with Chreasters and other backsliders. No doubt many who don't normally go to church were there because it is more culturally acceptable that time of the year, perhaps they were getting gifts or a free meal. Why was the service so saddening? Because all these unsaved were in the church and I kept waiting to hear the Gospel or at least enough of it...but nothing. It was all about the precious, helpless Jesus who came to earth and was born in a manger. Here he is...come to earth because God loves people so so much. And that's all the Pastor said...with a multitude of words. I have fear it my heart when I imagine what unrepentant pastors like this face on judgement day. I am no pastor, but this also makes me look at myself and consider; what more can and should I be doing? The service did nothing to save anyone from their sins. It did nothing to transform anyone into the likeness of Christ. But what did it do? It convinced a multitude that whatever they were doing it was alright because God loved them just how they are. It convinced a multitude that they can continue to live in sin, and be at ease and enjoy the holiday traditions. It convinced a multitude that Christ is a helpless babe and nothing but a loving friend. It convinced the multitude that Jesus Christ was not the Jesus Christ described in the Bible. It convinced a multitude that the scriptures are irrelevant to Christianity today.

Lie #7 Jesus Christ is a baby in a manger 

As already discussed Christmas gives a false impression that Jesus is still a helpless baby. Sometimes this is done to get unbelievers to accept a Christ that they feel comfortable with. This way they will join the "church" and pay the pastor, so that everyone can live both physically and psychologically comfortable until they die and are cast into Hell for the Idolatry of worshiping a false Christ.

Lie # 8 The wise men visited baby Jesus about the night he was born

Actually Jesus was a young child by the time the wise men got to see him (Matthew 2:6-12). 

Lie #9 Christmas honors Christ 

Christmas is an Abomination in the sight of God. It disobeys his word in multiple ways. The mixing of Pagan traditions into God's commands is forbidden by God as every Bible believer and reader knows. Often the Israelites were punished for this very thing. "Learn not the way of the heathen" says God.

Lie #10 Christmas trees 

See Jeremiah 10:1-4

Lie #11 Santa clause mythology is a nice little children's story

After deceiving children into believing that Santa is real is it any wonder that they think Jesus is a myth also? What can we say of a people who lie to their children?

Lie # 12 Christmas is too important and too widespread to end.

By exposing the truth of a matter progress against it can move forward. However as the antichrist(s) continue to grow and multiply many will become and remain deceived. But by spreading the truth those who love it will learn and accept it as they seek the will of the Lord. Resistance is not futile. The Christian battle is fought for a cause most glorious.

Can something based on Lies be of God? If you even have to think about that question it shows you are deceived.

We can see that Lies are of the devil. The Father of Christmas is none other than the Devil himself.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. - John 8:44


The above "12 lies of Christmas" is not a comprehensive list.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Beware You Rich Man: The Covetousness Of Consumerism

"Neither shalt thou… covet any thing that is thy neighbour's." - Deuteronomy 5:21

Today, especially in the developed countries the rampant consumerism is overwhelming. We buy all types of things, electronics, various motorized vehicles, and all sorts of useless things (example: conversation pieces).

To me the word consumerism means two things. It means the placing of (too much) value on material things, and it stands for the idea that we have to “keep up” with those around us when it comes to buying new gadgets, cloths, cars, larger houses, gaming systems and so on.

Consumerism as I’ve just described it is nothing other than covetousness in action. Is not covetousness also accompanied by either lust or pride, or rebellion and idolatry? Who has not been guilty of this at some point? This sin is vastly overlooked by the “Church.”

"And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness." - Ezekiel 33:31

Christians have no part in this lifestyle of Consumerism which the world embraces. People waste incredible amounts of money buying new cars every few years, just to “keep pace” with the world around them. As Christians we are to have a different value system then the world. We must desire the praises of God rather than the praises of men. If fact, we should be very cautious to appreciate at all the praises of a man.

Consider the chief rulers who did not confess the Christ on whom they believed, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue. But if they had believed and knew that they were doing the right thing why would it matter if they were put out of the synagogue? The reason is because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43, Romans 2:29). This situation also happens today in the case of many who accept false doctrine just so they can be accepted by the “Church” or by their family or friends (peer pressure).

This is also why many today buy cloths, cars and things they do not benefit from spiritually (or even physically). - Because they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. O how they bite the hand that feeds them.

We must beware of the praise of men because they may merely speak to flatter or deceive us. The wicked hypocrites do this to God himself, would they hesitate to do this to us also if it may benefit their body of sin! (Romans 6:6, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 78:36)

If we too much desire the praise of men, it may be because we ourselves are rebelling against the Lord, and we want some one to tell us that we are not rebelling, and that we will see no judgment against us. (Isaiah 30:10, 2 Timothy 4:3)

But we are to Exhort one another often, which is more appropriate than praise (praise signifying worship, which is reserved for God alone). Exhorting is encouraging, and giving strength to another, cheering them up.

In Luke 12:15-21 we see the judgment against a man for storing wealth and using it to party and live at ease - rather than being rich toward God. Note that being rich was not his error, his error was how he used his wealth for his pleasure.

In Deuteronomy 8:10-20 we read the warning against trusting in the flesh and forgetting Jehovah.

"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God." - Deuteronomy 8:10-20 (also see Deuteronomy 6:11-13)

Below we read the warning against “heaping treasure together for the last days.”

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you." - James 5:1-6

"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them". - Psalm 62:10b

See the related post All We Have Belongs To God