The
Prophet Daniel was cast into the lion’s
den for refusing to petition only the king, and to cease praying to
GOD during a period of 30 days.
Today,
reply is on acknowledging authentic displays of faith, misreading the
Scriptures, and recognizing situations that tempt divinity. It is
written: 2nd Corinthians 4: 3-11, King James Version
(KJV): 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for
Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of
us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we
which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public
forum on Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality who uses
the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shown) posted the following:
Is
it true that the woman who entered the lion enclosure is very strong
in her Christian faith, and was convinced that God would protect her?
If
so, is this not a great display of faith by a true Christian? She
should be commended?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty
days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the
tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that
these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy
city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto
him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is
written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in
their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou
dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written
again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4: 1-7, King
James Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Works Without Divine Faith? (05/06/2019); Testing and
Divine Process (06/12/2017); Genuine Spiritual Discernment?
(03/27/2017); Temptations, Tests and Trials? (05/12/2015); Is Sin a
Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); Understanding Peace?
(11/20/2013); Adversary or Servant? (11/21/2013); On Testing GOD
(06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013)
“Anonymous”,
Christian believers are commanded to resist the devil, not to provoke
him, nor to tempt GOD. Today, there are many acceptable displays of
faith we may make that do not violate civil law or public order
(e.g., church attendance; charitable giving and sharing; forgiveness;
intercessory prayer; observing Sabbath rest). While believers should
remain ready to face oppression and persecution, few are required to
serve as snake-handlers, endure the pit of lions, or commune with GOD
while in the fiery furnace. Mature Christian believers trust that
only by practicing discernment (i.e., use of ones own endowment of
spirit from GOD as a standard to acknowledge the same spirit within
attitudes, conduct, events, oneself, other people, the holy writings,
etc.) can we correctly recognize and respond to displays of faith,
prophetic demonstrations, and other genuine appearances of divine
substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects of
divine fullness that appear will include faith, holiness, humility,
longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood,
wisdom, and wrath against sin. Authentic behavior in service to GOD
is usually marked by agreement, conformity and consistency with
divine law, eternal purpose, the image of GOD revealed through
Incarnation (we say, Jesus Christ; Christ-likeness), proper
self-government, willingness to nourish and edify the church, and the
sovereign will of divinity. Counterfeits of godliness and holy
boldness will appear that are generated by emotional and
psychological imbalance, human presumption, self-promotion (we say,
vainglory), and Satanic deceit. Believers are encouraged to “marvel
not” at isolated episodes and extreme incidents marked by and
intended for hilarity, exaggerated pride, selfishness,
shortsightedness, and vanity (lack of sacred substance). Consider
again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a
presentation from the music ministry of Tamala Mann that gives voice
to some of the concerns and issues of the lion enclosure incident:
(1.)
1st John 4: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:
and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard
that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
(2.)
1st Peter 5: 6-9, KJV: 6 Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in
the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your
brethren that are in the world.
(3.)
James 1: 12-15, KJV: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of
life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no
man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is
tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is
finished, bringeth forth death.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended (for example, 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSrLUZMIiu4).
Even so, I trust this fragment will be
useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
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