Friday, October 4, 2019

(10/04/2019) Acceptable Displays Of Faith

The Prophet Daniel was cast into the lions 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.


Image downloaded 1:56 PM, October 03, 2019 @ www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/gustafson/zooms/daniel_in_the_lions_den_zoom.jpg


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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