NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

“Tongues” Are A Sign, Part 1

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Lesson 1: The Principle and Purpose of Tongues

There is nothing wrong with being a child but there are certain characteristics and tendencies of children that should not be permanent. People who don’t grow beyond childhood are considered dwarfed or stunted. They are pitied not respected.

The Bible encourages us to be childlike in expressing faith or in the knowledge of evil or in malice but we are to grow and mature in every other spiritual way.

Paul actually associated immaturity with carnality. To the Corinthians he said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, even as babes in Christ.” (I Cor. 3:1). Youth is a place to start not to stay.

One childhood tendency which should never characterize Christians is the tendency to mimic the people we admire. In the case of children that would be parents. All children have the natural desire to be “like” their parents and imitating them is not only cute it helps encourage their growth.

But it’s just the opposite for adults. When adults imitate one another it stunts their growth, suppresses their individuality. Sad.

Young Christians are referred to as “babes in Christ” and have the same tendencies as human children. And, like human children, they want to identify with those they look up to. In the early stages they do this by imitating those they admire.

This, of course, is not acceptable in the long run. We are to understand what we are doing and why we are doing it. “Understanding” is one area in which we are definitely told to be adult-like.

We can’t know everything but we should know everything we can.

This is exactly the argument Paul used In 1 Corinthians 14 in reference to tongues. Instead of experiencing or trying to imitate tongues, Paul suggested we should understand this phenomenon and he made this point very clearly:

“brethren, be not children in understanding…in understanding be men – adults” (v. 20).

He was attempting to clarify the confusion and correct an error not endorse a practice. [Read more…] about “Tongues” Are A Sign, Part 1

Where Do Dispossessed Demons Go

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Screwtape Murders by C. S. Lewis

The Devil Has Possessed No One

Not yet anyway. If he had he would have been dispossessed a long time ago and out of the picture now.

You see, all dispossessed spirits are confined to the prison of hell until the day of judgment and while confined they no longer have access to humans or their environment (Jude 1:6).

So the devil has possessed no one yet. He’s still “going to and fro in the earth, and…walking up and down in it.” He leaves the “possession” of humans to his demonic minions.

But more importantly – and this is a huge observation – because dispossession puts demons out of commission permanently, I seriously doubt possession is a key part of Satan’s strategy these days.

Since all “confined” demons pose no threat, each dispossession represents a loss in man power. Since he lost a large number of demons during the ministries of Christ and the Apostles he has probably rethought that approach. “Possession” is probably not his method of choice these days.

And demons can be dispossessed or neutralized in more than one way: [Read more…] about Where Do Dispossessed Demons Go

The Devil Can’t Do That

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Well, actually he can – he really does have that kind of power – but there are very good reasons to think he can’t use all that power at will.

The actions of “demons” are attributed to the “devil” in this post since demons follow his lead – making him master – and always act under his authority. Because demons only represent the devil’s agenda it isn’t wrong to say the devil is responsible for their actions.

The Devil’s Names

Unfortunately, while the Devil is not a mythological character – he is a very real person – there are many mythological ideas floating around about him. His many names contribute to the confusion:

  • Serpent – stemming from the devil’s embodiment of a snake in the Garden of Eden. The word is associated with stealth and deceitfulness for obvious reasons.
  • Beelzebub – literal meaning: “Lord of the flies” but was originally the name of the deity worshiped by the Philistines. In the NT the Pharisees used the name as a clear reference to the devil when they illogically accused Christ of using Beelzebub’s power to cast out demons. Christ’s response ratified their meaning while exposing their bad logic.
  • Devil – from the Greek “diabolos” meaning slanderer or acccuser. As the devil, he is completely cynical. He views everyone the way he sees himself – only bad. Psychologically, slandering and accusing others makes him feel better about himself but it has no judicial value even when the accusations are true. He cannot condemn anyone.
  • Satan – this name speaks of his adversarial nature. He obstructs and opposes those who faithfully serve God’s purposes. There are several instances of this in the Bible.
  • Murderer – a moniker given by Jesus in John 8:44 indicating his malicious intent from the beginning. However, while murder is clearly his intent and he definitely has the power to murder anyone at will he is not allowed to do so.
  • Liar and father of lies – another name given by Christ and the characterization is reflected in his many interactions with God and humanity starting with Adam and Eve in the Garden.
  • Belial – meaning worthless. There are no direct references clearly identifying the devil as Belial. This term is used to refer to people who by their own choices have adopted the mindset of the devil and by that choice become the children or sons of Belial. But since the people so referenced are the worst kind – idolators, rapists, murderers – it isn’t a stretch to suggest Belial is in fact the devil.
     

Note: Every person is born with a sinful nature and therefore vulnerable to his influence but not every person who commits a terrible sin like murder becomes his child. Those who do commit such sins and regret it CAN still become God’s child. Those who, by personal choice, commit to murderous intent are the ones who become officially the devil’s child.

     

  • Prince of this world – Jesus called him this three times in John (12:31, 14:30 & 16:11). Similarly Paul referred to him as the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2) and as the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
  • Dragon – while “serpent” depicts the more quiet, subtle, apparently harmless expressions of Satan’s destructive nature “dragon” symbolizes the more fearful, powerful expressions of his ill will. This name is used only once (Revelations 12) and is associated more with his response to end time events than his everyday activities. As time runs out he becomes desperate and expresses himself in more violent ways.
  • Apollyon – the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Abaddon” which literally means “place of destruction” otherwise known as “the abyss” or “bottomless pit.” As king of this pit Satan was awarded the name Apollyon (Revelation 9:1-11) thus associating the place and a person with destruction.
  • Lucifer – of all the names this one is the most misunderstood. The Latin meaning, “light bearer,” and English rendering, “morning star,” speak of beauty and glory. The original meaning of the name characterized the state in which Satan was first created but with his reversal of character has taken on a sinister feel.
     

    His original created state, described in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-18, depicts artistic ability (light, color and music), wisdom and strength. Although these passages are referring directly to the King of Babylon (Isaiah) and the King of Tyre (Ezekiel) there are clear indications that another personality is being defined.
     
    Isaiah’s king fell from “heaven” and Ezekiel’s was in the Garden of Eden. Either the devil is being referenced or these human kings have supernatural powers. And since both these kings were quite evil – and were destroyed because of it – and the devil does have political influence it isn’t difficult to see him as the personality behind the personalities.

But, there is a lot of overlap in the characterizations of these names. They don’t each represent uniquely different qualities and taken together they describe him mostly as the ugly person he is.

They aren’t all about supernatural power.

Yes, some of the names suggest powers that are well beyond the scope of human ability but taken in context those powers operate with limitations. No where is he ascribed the power to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants to whomever he wants. [Read more…] about The Devil Can’t Do That

Book Review: “The Jesus Inquest” by Charles Foster

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If you have no answers for skeptics, or worse, you haven’t developed the skill to formulate arguments, this book is for you.

Charles Foster, drawing on experience as a barrister, does more than just “assert” the resurrection of Jesus.

Instead, in his recent book, The Jesus Inquest, he grapples hand to hand or maybe I should say head to head with skeptics, not dismissing their contentions – assuming they are ridiculous – but engaging each one at close range, giving rational arguments to counter their ideas.

And he deals with several ideas that aggravate Christians, enraging some:

  • Jesus was crucified but survived and lived out His life in India.
  • Jesus died but was only temporarily laid in Joseph’s tomb, being moved to a municipal graveyard for the condemned soon thereafter, hence He couldn’t be found in the tomb.
  • Jesus body was consumed by jackals at the municipal body dump and therefore could not be found.
  • The first Sunday morning visitor, Mary Magdalene, didn’t find Jesus because she and those with her went to the wrong tomb.
  • Jesus survived the cross and was eventually buried in his family tomb in the Jerusalem area along with His wife Mary Magdalene, heirs and other family members, e.g., His brother James.
  • The appearances of Jesus were nothing more than hallucinations.

The question, of course, is not do Christians seriously believe these ideas but can they answer them. Many apologists, even those of a high profile, do little in response other than dismissively bluster their way through, producing very little in the way of argument. That is fine for the average Christian but for distant onlookers and serious skeptics more is required. [Read more…] about Book Review: “The Jesus Inquest” by Charles Foster

10 Reasons To Believe Jesus Wants You To Be Happy

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Being Happy For The Right Reasons
Is Never Wrong

Does Jesus want you to be happy?

Yes, He does and there is no place where He makes the point more clearly than in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).

Unfortunately, what people say about the beatitudes doesn’t always convey “happy.”

Even the word “Beatitude” is a bit misleading. It has a ceremonial ring to it and casts the pall of religious sludge over teachings Jesus intended to be refreshing.

Not only is the word not found in the Bible, it is stretching the point to call it English. It is a transliteration of the Latin word “beati” – meaning blessed or happy – and, to my knowledge has no other use other than referencing the first part of Jesus’ Sermon. Google it for yourself and see.

No doubt the word is still used today because clerics popularized it and their intent was anything but clarity.

Generally speaking all religions, including Christianity, are not known for showing a happy face but believe it or not, this word actually means “supreme blessedness or happiness” according to The Free Online Dictionary. Usual interpretations convey everything but.

Take for example the following statement by John Gill:

All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves. The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it, and are broken under a sense of it; entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves; seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory; and frankly acknowledge, that all they have or hope to have, is owing to the free grace of God.

This is Mr. Gill’s explanation of “poor in spirit” which was the first point Jesus made in His sermon. No disrespect intended but where’s the “happy?” I don’t even get a warm fuzzy after reading those remarks.

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The sad part is many others sound just like him. There are minor differences in wording but the spirit is the same. [Read more…] about 10 Reasons To Believe Jesus Wants You To Be Happy