Do you really want to know ?

[buzzboodro]

I've been on this site for some time and have witnessed many people come and go from here . I'd like to leave those i've spoken too with some "food for thought".
This has always been my "assignment" to "provoke others to think about what they really believe". So these are my observations think on this..........

1) Most people don't want the "truth" as "truth" requires change what people really want is to be comfortable in their beliefs .

2) If you challenge someone's "comfort zone" you risk incurring their wrath and you put into motion people's "fight or flight" defenses which is a "survival" mechanism of the flesh.

3) People that would "control" you feed on the need of others to be "comfortable"
they obtain power over others by "validating" that desire for "comfort". This is not God's desire that people be "comfortable" as change never occurs when we are "comfortable" only when we ,by discomfort, "feel" a need for change will we change.

4) Many freely proclaim to have "truth" that would not recognize "truth" if it bit them. Those that really possess "truth" find it difficult to be "accepted" by others
but will never stop trying to "give" of this "truth" in the hope that some ,by it, may obtain "freedom". ..."you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free".
Do people tell you that if you don't believe as they do that you can not be saved ? Flee those people for truth is far from them. Truth needs no defense it is it's own defense those that recognize it love it those that don't fear it.

5) If you hear someone always speaking with "I" or "me" or "my" they have yet to be overcome by the "spirit of truth" as Truth nevers speaks of itself but that which it hears it reveals freely.

6) Those overtaken by the "spirit of truth" have great confidence and boldness in the Lord as they "truly" have authority and are well aware of the responsibility of that authority to some they appear as "rude" or "short" or "gruff" with people
this comes from their knowledge that time is short and therefore very valuable and too precious to be "wasted". If you get the chance to meet and know one of these people you will find their sorrow is great for those that refuse them.


So we need to ask ourselves "Do I really want to know ?" "Can I handle the responsibility that comes with knowing ?" "Does the person i'm speaking to really want truth or just to be "comforted" ?" Just remember we are called to be witnesses for Christ but if we have only "read about it" we are not really witnesses as a witness can only relate what they have actually seen .

 

[Yeshua]

Good thread, we would have to stand on our head to be unconfortable with it, the sad part is as you have said.

Your Brother in Christ, Yeshua:boy_hug:

I've been on this site for some time and have witnessed many people come and go from here . I'd like to leave those i've spoken too with some "food for thought".
This has always been my "assignment" to "provoke others to think about what they really believe". So these are my observations think on this..........

1) Most people don't want the "truth" as "truth" requires change what people really want is to be comfortable in their beliefs .

2) If you challenge someone's "comfort zone" you risk incurring their wrath and you put into motion people's "fight or flight" defenses which is a "survival" mechanism of the flesh.

3) People that would "control" you feed on the need of others to be "comfortable"
they obtain power over others by "validating" that desire for "comfort". This is not God's desire that people be "comfortable" as change never occurs when we are "comfortable" only when we ,by discomfort, "feel" a need for change will we change.

4) Many freely proclaim to have "truth" that would not recognize "truth" if it bit them. Those that really possess "truth" find it difficult to be "accepted" by others
but will never stop trying to "give" of this "truth" in the hope that some ,by it, may obtain "freedom". ..."you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free".
Do people tell you that if you don't believe as they do that you can not be saved ? Flee those people for truth is far from them. Truth needs no defense it is it's own defense those that recognize it love it those that don't fear it.

5) If you hear someone always speaking with "I" or "me" or "my" they have yet to be overcome by the "spirit of truth" as Truth nevers speaks of itself but that which it hears it reveals freely.

6) Those overtaken by the "spirit of truth" have great confidence and boldness in the Lord as they "truly" have authority and are well aware of the responsibility of that authority to some they appear as "rude" or "short" or "gruff" with people
this comes from their knowledge that time is short and therefore very valuable and too precious to be "wasted". If you get the chance to meet and know one of these people you will find their sorrow is great for those that refuse them.


So we need to ask ourselves "Do I really want to know ?" "Can I handle the responsibility that comes with knowing ?" "Does the person i'm speaking to really want truth or just to be "comforted" ?" Just remember we are called to be witnesses for Christ but if we have only "read about it" we are not really witnesses as a witness can only relate what they have actually seen .

 

[lindy]

I want the truth...but change is not easy either...

 

[Mary_429]

Nobody likes change! Thank you for your words. God bless!

 

[Heather-Anne]

when people come out of there lifes and they have been difficult and hard to manage and then they hear about god who can help them and set them free. Like me he can set them free from the place they are in yeah? but that is not all of it.

It would be easy to be set free from the bad place you are at and then go on to not want any more truth because your situation has changed and you feel better BUT!

What is the point to be free just from a bad place only to carry on not in truth and not free inside. free from yourself and bad choices.

I think it is not worth it to be only half free

you would not be free at all

even though the truth is hard to accept sometimes, i have to know it. i get mad at people who do not tell me the truth. if you can not tell someone the truth then you must not love them very much. i waisted to much time already in places where i herd none. i dont want to waist any more time on not knowing the truth about stuff.

 

[Cognitive]

This is truth!

You cannot follow Jesus if you own any material item.

 

[buzzboodro]

Wrong you can not follow Jesus if any material item owns you .

 

[Cognitive]

Maybe True :shade:

Matthew 19

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27

What material item did Jesus own?
Thought he owned none?

We are trying to follow him you see :thumbs_up

God Bless

 

[danni]

Thank you for your words.

 

[buzzboodro]

Jesus owned everything and gave freely of all that He owned does not the creator have ownership of all he creates until he gives it away ?

 

[BeneathRainbow]

What is freedom?

"the truth will set you free". What is this freedom and how does it apply to todays christian life? Is it freedom from hell, or is it the freedom from slavery that moses was promised, freedom to move to the promised land, or some kind of other freedom. I would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[evangeline]

"the truth will set you free". What is this freedom and how does it apply to todays christian life? Is it freedom from hell, or is it the freedom from slavery that moses was promised, freedom to move to the promised land, or some kind of other freedom. I would appreciate your thoughts.

It's freedom from the control of sin - knowing that the Spirit gives us power over the flesh...

freedom in our spirit - knowing that our sins are forgiven and we have the promise of eternal life...

freedom in our hearts - knowing that we are loved and cherished by God Himself...

freedom from loneliness - knowing that we have a close, dear friend who knows us better than we know ourselves,

freedom from struggle - knowing that it's not through our own efforts or striving that we achieve salvation but that it is a gift given freely...

freedom from materialism - knowing that God's eternal purposes are the only things that really matter

freedom from worry - knowing that we can trust and rely in God totally in every area of our lives because He cares for us...

freedom in giving all our cares and problems to God - knowing that He will take care of it...

freedom to be ourselves, knowing that God has made us all unique...

freedom to become servants of God!



evangeline

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." - Jesus (John 8:31-32)

 

[Heather-Anne]

what is freedom?

i think it is freedom TO something. Because....god said it was for freedom that christ has set us free. so it was like FOR something yeah?

Like if someone just opened the door and you didnt come out would ya be free??? yep thats what i think but would you be in freedom? nope because you would still be in the stinkin place you were in before!

So...like if you come out of that place and started to beleive all the things god says about you (and me lol) and that would make you BE difrent yeah? then you would be more in freedom

So it is freedom TO something because if it was freedom FROm something, it would make you stand still i rekon and go like 'yeah thanks god' and you wouldnt move any more.

or it could be both, haha! i dunno lol, im thinking as i type

 

[Yeshua]

All things belong to God and he gives us all things to share through Christ Jesus. OWN is worldly and selfish in most cases but is also offers a sense of belonging so it isn't all bad, for we have been brought for a price that only Jesus could pay in full.

This is truth!

You cannot follow Jesus if you own any material item.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:32 K.J.B.

 

[evangeline]

"If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free...every one who commits sin is a slave of sin....if therefore the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed." - Jesus (John 8:31-36)

It is for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Behold I Paul say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from Grace. (Galatians 5:1-4)

Salvation through Jesus by Grace gives us freedom from the power of Sin and freedom from the legalistic requirements of the Law. It is spiritual freedom or liberty!

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17b)


evangeline

 

[Cognitive]

To be truly free you must leave every material item behind.

Free from greed.
Free from desire.
Free from envy.

This will set you free from many sins.

To follow material gain, isnt this slavery?

Isnt it being part of the world, and not the earth?

I thought he meant all spiritual things. Not material things. Do we really need these material items?

 

[evangeline]

To be truly free you must leave every material item behind.

Free from greed.
Free from desire.
Free from envy.

This will set you free from many sins.

What does that mean?

I am very grateful for the many blessings that God has given me - material and spiritual. I am grateful for this computer...I am very grateful for my comfortable bed, especially knowing that many people do not have one. I am grateful for my daily food. While we are spiritual beings we are also physical beings with physical needs which God promises to provide.

 

[Cognitive]

Hi evangeline, I'm having a hard time at the moment, I was trying to give up my possesions. I gave up all but was left with my computer. I spend too much time on my computer and want to spend it with my family.

If I spend 20% of my time on my computer I could be spending that with my family.
I don't want anything to distract me from this spiritual world. My spirit needs no material item.

Jesus had no bed to lay down and rest. He owned nothing material. I want to follow him. I feel that for every material item I rid in my life, I will become stronger spiritually.

Matthew 19.

20 The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

 

[Eve]

We all have bad days but the key is we keep seeking God through it all. I sometimes wonder how others perceive me. I guess they may see me in a negative light sometimes. I sometimes get a bit socially awkward. I hope I don't offend when this happens, I am scared of things going wrong. People have said I seem outgoing and confident but sometimes what others see is not how we always feel. Maybe others view me as not feeling the Holy spirit, I don't know..all I can say is I think I have felt the Holy spirit and I search everyday to do so.

I have also used 'I' a lot, not because I am incapable of writing without using 'I' but because I feel it is impersonal to do so. I had to do it for assignments and critiques at University. The intention is people feel comforted that someone has gone through the same and they are not alone, it is good to empathise. . not distance yourself a measured amount of objectivity and subjectivity is best (not always easy). I have found great fellowship hear at TJ and this has amazingly v. quickly become my extended family in a way.

I think it is important to give quality time to family and quality time to the Lord. I was talking with Scrappy and he mentioned that some people go to a commune, follow a basic way of living while they are there and become closer to God. Perhaps you have tried this before Cognitive, I don't know I'm just thinking here.

I also believe that the computer is a tool. I think you have to ask yourself how you view the things you own eg car etc are you using them as a status symbol or as a tool?

God Bless


:rose: E :rose:

 

[evangeline]

Hi Cognitive,

I am sorry that you are going through a hard time at the moment, I pray that you find peace in God's will..."My yoke is easy and My burden is light" - Jesus (Matthew 11:29)

No doubt some people are called to give away all their possessions, but this does not apply universally to everyone...although we should always be quick to share and give to those in need.

Jesus did have at least one valuable possession - his cloak which was "seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom." John 19:23
The Roman soldiers saw that it was an especially fine garment and so they cast lots for it. John 19:24

Jesus also had several women benefactors who provided materially for him. (Mark 15:41; Luke 8:2-3!) They could not have supported Him if they had given away all their belongings.

I think it is important to use our material blessings wisely to provide for our family (we have a God-given responsibilty to care for our families) and to further God's Kingdom.


evangeline