Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; (Jeremiah 1: 5, New International Version, NIV)
Today, topics include discernment, judging character, and knowing and reading the hearts of others. While it may be involuntary, unintended, and unplanned, men eventually expose their private feelings, hidden motives and secret thoughts, for all upon the earth become transparent through their own actions and words. Jesus knew that many among those drawn to his ministry mistakenly expected the Messiah to overthrow the Romans by miracles and warfare, and to reestablish their former glory through a new Jewish kingdom. Thus, the Savior realized many were coming to him filled with ambition, covetousness, greed, ignorance of prophecy, selfish interpretations of divine law, and exaggerated pride. In this sense, Jesus was prepared by the Holy Spirit with “a knowledge of all men.” Just as sinners are provided with divine law to correctly recognize and resist sin, born-again believers in Jesus Christ are provided with divine standards and tools for recognizing authentic instruction and testimony from GOD, sacred truth, those who are sent, and the fruit of divine plantings. Believers are not to be ignorant of current affairs, secular history, and ongoing realities, however, they are not to be distracted or drawn away by such things from their primary spiritual concerns. As with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Christian believers will make no use of “brain washing,” hypnosis, “mind control,” or techniques to overthrow the humanity and wholeness of other persons. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (Singapore)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Christians do you believe it is possible to read hearts?
A person who can read hearts could be in the same room with someone and almostly immediately be able to tell if the other person us evil between a few seconds and a few minutes. According to legend some of the saints could read hearts.
Update: Anne Arkey it sounds like you may have the gift of reading hearts. It's kind of like a 6th sense. It is heightened psychological awareness
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. (1st Corinthians 2: 9-16, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: “Only GOD Can Judge”? (02/28/2017); Temporal and Eternal Judgment (02/15/2017); Knowing GOD and Sin? (02/03/2017); The Two-edged Sword (01/09/2017); Judgment Focused On Content? (08/30/2016); About Other People’s Beliefs (06/22/2016); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016)
“Anonymous”, the ability to “read hearts” that is provided by GOD to those in the ministry of Jesus Christ is properly called “discernment” that allows correct recognition and response to spirit content from the makeup of GOD that resides within events, in oneself, in others, in the holy writings, etc. Believers often must become aware of what is unseen. Even so, focus is not upon emotions, feelings, and sentiment so much as on divine intent, eternal purpose, and the active presence of the holy. Specific indicators and patterns accompany divine operations in the life such as rebirth through water baptism, love, the fruit of the Spirit, and zeal. New believers often err thinking that, as the Son of GOD, Jesus could “read” another person’s mind (we say, ESP (extra sensory psychic communication); telepathy), and that he was a “good judge of human character.” More correctly, the Savior had to “grow up” operating under the same dictates of divine law and finite human nature as we must do today. Jesus demonstrated receiving and applying divine gifts that further equip believers to avoid the snares and traps used by the Adversary, corrupt officials, deceivers, and false prophets. Because of the proclamations and promises granted through the prophets, Jesus expected men would be ready to gladly answer the new creation with its opportunities and possibilities for eternal life. Adjusting to their disappointing response, the Lord acknowledged that all mankind continues in the inheritance of sin from Adam, and that the comfort zone for many is to rely upon animal herding instincts, social customs, and long-held tradition. Thus, like Jesus, we are to share salvation through Spirit, not through argument, carnal reason, debate, and persuasion. Consider the following points from the holy writings:
(1.) Jeremiah 14: 13-15, King James Version (KJV): 13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. 15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
(2.) Jeremiah 17: 9-10, KJV: 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
(3.) Isaiah 8: 20, KJV: 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
(4.) Hebrews 4: 12-13, KJV: 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(5.) Luke 6: 6-11, KJV: 6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (6.) John 2: 23-25, KJV: 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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