Crying WOLF Correctly
the need for spiritual discernment in the Christian church10 total reviews
Comment from Nosha17
In life we need to learn how to face all sorts of challenges, in this way we become stronger and our faith increases. Good clear spiritual message, flowing narrative and good descriptive language. Enjoyable read. Faye
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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In life we need to learn how to face all sorts of challenges, in this way we become stronger and our faith increases. Good clear spiritual message, flowing narrative and good descriptive language. Enjoyable read. Faye
Comment Written 27-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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Thank you. False twenties are identified by comparing with the real. God bless, Dennis
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
This is a great commentary on watching out for the real wolves. In the church today, the social issues that are being accepted by many, are because they have not listened to the Lord crying wolf. His word tells us how to identify false prophets, false teachers, but one of the most terrible things to befall the church is a willing ignorance of the scriptures. How can someone recognize the wolf if they won't study the 'description?'
Well done, Carolyn
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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This is a great commentary on watching out for the real wolves. In the church today, the social issues that are being accepted by many, are because they have not listened to the Lord crying wolf. His word tells us how to identify false prophets, false teachers, but one of the most terrible things to befall the church is a willing ignorance of the scriptures. How can someone recognize the wolf if they won't study the 'description?'
Well done, Carolyn
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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but one of the most terrible things to befall the church is a willing ignorance of the scriptures. How can someone recognize the wolf if they won't study the 'description?'
All I can say to that is AMEN! Thank you, Dennis
Comment from CHIGYSISKI
BALANCE IS CRUCIAL FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.IF PEOPLE ARE NOT TAUGHT ABOUT THE TRIAL OF THEIR FAITH,TEMPTATIONS AND HARDSHIPS THAT CAN OCCUR IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE,THEN IT BECOMES HARD TO STAND IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY.AFTER ALL,THE BIBLE SAYS THAT MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM FROM THEM ALL (PSALMS 34:19). GOOD JOB!
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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BALANCE IS CRUCIAL FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.IF PEOPLE ARE NOT TAUGHT ABOUT THE TRIAL OF THEIR FAITH,TEMPTATIONS AND HARDSHIPS THAT CAN OCCUR IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE,THEN IT BECOMES HARD TO STAND IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY.AFTER ALL,THE BIBLE SAYS THAT MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM FROM THEM ALL (PSALMS 34:19). GOOD JOB!
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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Thank you and I agree with you. Just a suggestion but did you know that USING ALL CAPS ON YOUR COMPUTER MEANS YOU ARE SHOUTING?
:) God bless, Dennis
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Never knew that. Thanks. I will try not to anymore. It just seems so much easier to type or perhaps I was just crying WOLF. Thanks for your suggestion.
Comment from Spitfire
Nice hook with a familiar story. My problem with this is a lack of concrete examples. What's going on in the modern world that would relate to this? For example, the African American congregation and minister in Missouri yelling for revenge. Alarming the flock and encouraging violence to settle the matter? Something to thing about, JB.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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Nice hook with a familiar story. My problem with this is a lack of concrete examples. What's going on in the modern world that would relate to this? For example, the African American congregation and minister in Missouri yelling for revenge. Alarming the flock and encouraging violence to settle the matter? Something to thing about, JB.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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All I can say is the secondary theme of this piece was to make sure our objections to error are based on fact. The other theme was to know the real so you can identify and avoid the false. Me thinks you were a bit hasty in your reading perhaps? :) (JB bows and scrapes his way out of the room)
Comment from adewpearl
I like your use of supporting Bible quotes. It is clear to me that you are saying there are false prophets we have to be alert to, but what you haven't made clear yet is how we discern who they are. What sort of things are the claiming or telling people? Some folks long ago thought Jesus was a false prophet. What is the acid test for telling the difference? Are there particular false prophets who are currently among us that your'e warning against, and do they have some similar message or goal? I find your warning needs more clarification in order for me as a reader to know what to be on the lookout for. Brooke
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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I like your use of supporting Bible quotes. It is clear to me that you are saying there are false prophets we have to be alert to, but what you haven't made clear yet is how we discern who they are. What sort of things are the claiming or telling people? Some folks long ago thought Jesus was a false prophet. What is the acid test for telling the difference? Are there particular false prophets who are currently among us that your'e warning against, and do they have some similar message or goal? I find your warning needs more clarification in order for me as a reader to know what to be on the lookout for. Brooke
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2014
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I see your point and it has merit, but as you know, long pieces do not do enjoy the same attention as shorter ones here on FS.
So brevity is a consideration as well as, no doubt, a limited audience since the subject is "religion".
I think your questions are at least addressed if not fully answered in this statement:
"In sharp contrast to the thief is Christ's description of Himself: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11
The best way to identify the wolves who are in sheep's clothing is to listen to the Chief Shepherd:(Jesus) and His under shepherds, the Apostles and whatever Pastors adhere to their collective teachings."
One other point is that I was also seeking to speak to the need to make sure our response to evil is not random or hysterical in nature but researched and validated.
Sincere thanks for reading and responding and I hope I don't sound too defensive of this piece. Dennis :)
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Dennis, you don't sound defensive at all.
My reason for needing more detail is that I personally know people who have FAR different interpretations of the Bible. They all sincerely think they are listening to Jesus's words, but they draw what are sometimes totally different interpretations. I know sincerely religious/spiritual people who have totally contrasting views on thins such as capital punishment/euthanasia/abortion/stem cell research...You are telling people to read the Bible to figure out if a person is a false prophet, but I'm betting that people with different interpretations of the Bible, sincere interpretations, would come to totally different ideas about who is and is not a false prophet.
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Thank you for not thinking me defensive! :) Believe me, I am very aware of the differing views held by many. But since all would agree that that Jesus said to beware of such there must be some.
And even though there are many opinions, each person must personally decide what is really true...what is of God and what is not of God. Jesus words to the woman at the well in John 4 can help us here if we want to be on solid ground with God's truth.
10 Jesus answered her, ?If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.?
So the beginning of true Biblical faith is knowing who Jesus is (the Son of God, the gift of God) and simply ASKING Him for "living water."
All false ways, by contrast with simply asking, put the emphasis on doing. Do this and this and this...the list is endless and even then, one does not know for sure if he/she is truly accepted by God.
The "living water" that Jesus speaks of here is the Spirit of God. He is a Person and He takes up His abode in us when we simply ask Jesus to save us. Christ died for all of our sins and when we believe that, we are cleansed in God's sight. We are given the very righteousness of God that we could never earn or deserve. That's why it must be received as a gift.
Having received the "living water" we are carried along in our understanding to spiritual maturity though the scriptures and our various experiences. Point of fact, either we are blind to these things or we are seeing them increasingly well. Hope this is helpful and not too long. God bless you, Brooke, I appreciate you. Dennis
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:-)
Comment from GE Parson
AMEN AMEN AND AGAIN I SAY AAAAAMEN!
THAT'S GOOD RREACHING, BROTHER! I KNOW
GOOD PREACHING WHEN I HEAR IT ER WHEN I READ IT.
How very true it is that the old time preaching against sin
and faults doctrine seems to be greatly missing in the preaching of men like Joel whats-his-name. When you mention preaching the "whole council of God's Word the Jimmy
Swaggert think you mean speaking in tongues. Well anyway your sermon today is a "six ready,aim,FIRE" rating.
The Lord's blessing be upon you,my Brother,
Jerry
s
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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AMEN AMEN AND AGAIN I SAY AAAAAMEN!
THAT'S GOOD RREACHING, BROTHER! I KNOW
GOOD PREACHING WHEN I HEAR IT ER WHEN I READ IT.
How very true it is that the old time preaching against sin
and faults doctrine seems to be greatly missing in the preaching of men like Joel whats-his-name. When you mention preaching the "whole council of God's Word the Jimmy
Swaggert think you mean speaking in tongues. Well anyway your sermon today is a "six ready,aim,FIRE" rating.
The Lord's blessing be upon you,my Brother,
Jerry
s
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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Thank you my brother! Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated. May the Lord continue to bless you and your dear wife...it hall be well with the righteous. Dennis
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Bro. Dennis -In reading so of the comments you are receving
Comment from DerivedBetter
This was tough one for me to judge, I'm not a big believer in organized religion in general, but I see where your head and heart is at and this was well written. I'm sure your intended audience would think so too. Thanks for sharing and keep writing.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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This was tough one for me to judge, I'm not a big believer in organized religion in general, but I see where your head and heart is at and this was well written. I'm sure your intended audience would think so too. Thanks for sharing and keep writing.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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Thank you for your kindness, given where you are coming from and so honestly stated. Dennis
Comment from Sloegin
A well written piece. You certainly got your message across and then some.
I appreciated you backing up your thoughts with passages from the New Testament.
Are you going to try and have this published?
sloegin
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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A well written piece. You certainly got your message across and then some.
I appreciated you backing up your thoughts with passages from the New Testament.
Are you going to try and have this published?
sloegin
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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Thank you for your kind comments. I've been giving articles like this exposure on several different FB page as well as other electronic venues. Your encouragement is appreciated. Thank you, Dennis
Comment from mikemagine
This is a LOUD and eloquent warning for all true Christians and every genuine Christian church. Sadly, many churches, these days, are FALLING away....!! The Gospel is being thinned to varying degrees. I'd say this started in the 60s, and escalated in the 90s.
Keep writing and keep praying!!
Mike
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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This is a LOUD and eloquent warning for all true Christians and every genuine Christian church. Sadly, many churches, these days, are FALLING away....!! The Gospel is being thinned to varying degrees. I'd say this started in the 60s, and escalated in the 90s.
Keep writing and keep praying!!
Mike
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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Thank you Mike! Appreciated, Dennis
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Thank you Mike! Appreciated, Dennis
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Sure thing my friend!!
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You got it!!
Comment from Fridayauthor
This was a nicely constructed piece that read logically and moved forward without too much pushing. The author's opinion is clearly stated and soundly expressed.
I found this a well written piece. Thank you.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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This was a nicely constructed piece that read logically and moved forward without too much pushing. The author's opinion is clearly stated and soundly expressed.
I found this a well written piece. Thank you.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2014
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Than you! Sincerely, Dennis
