How to Walk in Righteousness

[Episkopos]

Is that what you call what God calls idolatry? People getting His name wrong? You must be joking but this is no laughing matter. God says they are worshiping demons. Who should we believe, you or God?

A religious reaction again. Are you a JW? Do you say Jehovah?...or that other name Yahweh? Do you realize that another god can intercept your prayer if you don't address it properly...etc etc...

And meanwhile this kind of theology leaves people to remain dead in their sins, without Christ

Without Christ for real or without Christ as an excuse to be religious? Real disciples don't have theology...that's for carnal men in universities trying to make up theories about God....as you are doing. All theology is DEAD. Being dead in one's sins is not something you decide. You can't name and claim eternal life.

(because apparently according to the gospel of Epi, they don't really need Him after all),

More disengenuous ranting. God is everywhere...not just in the minds of the self-justified.
I'm trying to relate spiritual things to you...and you are hearing that on a religious level using a carnal understanding. When you only have a low-resolution understanding, the religious spirits will try to fill in the blanks...like...insert yourself here. But always in a place that is self-gratifying. You have yet to figure out how that works.

without hope,

We are saved through a living hope....that God will take us up into Zion to be where He is...and walk in resurrection power.

committing what God calls ABOMINATIONS which sadly will lead to perdition.

What is abomination is, a false balance, iniquity posing as truth, unrighteousness claiming to be righteousness. ...and the biggest lie of all...to claim unrighteousness as the very righteousness of God.

 

[Episkopos]

You need to look at the context of Romans 2. And I suggest you further read Jer. 31 to find out whose hearts God writes His laws on. Those who accept the new covenant......which we all were outside the covenant until that happened.....it's like people around here are trying to self-righteously demonize believers over unbelievers. God forgive and help you all.

You are making being a "believer" a panacea over all the sins of men. Becoming a believer is only good insofar that we line up with God's will.

We see that same wrong thinking with becoming a Jew. Do all Jews go to"heaven"? Are all of Israel that are in Israel?

I see that you are unable to learn anything...you are doing MORE twisting than before..and getting worse and worse...because the real outer man is coming out...the pretenses are dropping...and we are seeing your true colours...and the religious spirit that animates you. I would think meeting a stubborn JW would be in store for anyone actually meeting you.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

You are making being a "believer" a panacea over all the sins of men. Becoming a believer is only good insofar that we line up with God's will.

We see that same wrong thinking with becoming a Jew. Do all Jews go to"heaven"? Are all of Israel that are in Israel?

I see that you are unable to learn anything...you are doing MORE twisting than before..and getting worse and worse...because the real outer man is coming out...the pretenses are dropping...and we are seeing your true colours...and the religious spirit that animates you. I would think meeting a stubborn JW would be in store for anyone actually meeting you.

We see again the pride which comes from some people

She relays more on grace and you claim she is religious

You really need to look in the mirror my friend. You the one spouting religion. Not her

 

[Episkopos]

We see again the pride which comes from some people

She relays more on grace and you claim she is religious

You really need to look in the mirror my friend. You the one spouting religion. Not her

Another bible lady...good grief. Birds of a feather...

 

[Patrick1966]

Notice that God sent preachers of the gospel to reveal the name of the "unknown God" so that He wouldn't be unknown any longer.

We are indeed fortunate to be blessed with faith and with the knowledge of Jesus, our lord and savior. Sadly, there are many who will die having never heard of Jesus.

 

[Patrick1966]

James 1:26 esv
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

You are making being a "believer" a panacea over all the sins of men. Becoming a believer is only good insofar that we line up with God's will.

We see that same wrong thinking with becoming a Jew. Do all Jews go to"heaven"? Are all of Israel that are in Israel?

I see that you are unable to learn anything...you are doing MORE twisting than before..and getting worse and worse...because the real outer man is coming out...the pretenses are dropping...and we are seeing your true colours...and the religious spirit that animates you. I would think meeting a stubborn JW would be in store for anyone actually meeting you.

This is what I was wondering about earlier at some point.
It’s like with a very malignant, covert and clever narcissist in my life. I love her and used to try to talk to her about what she does. But it had the opposite effect than I thought. She didn’t see what she did but instead became more sly and even MORE cleverly hidden and manipulating. Hearing the truth actually SHARPENED her manipulations.
So at some point I just stopped trying to help her because…telling her the truth just helped her to become WORSE.

 

[Patrick1966]

This is what I was wondering about earlier at some point.
It’s like with a very malignant, covert and clever narcissist in my life. I love her and used to try to talk to her about what she does. But it had the opposite effect than I thought. She didn’t see what she did but instead became more sly and even MORE cleverly hidden and manipulating. Hearing the truth actually SHARPENED her manipulations.
So at some point I just stopped trying to help her because…telling her the truth just helped her to become WORSE.

That sounds awful. It sounds like a wife/mother/sister/daughter.

 

[Episkopos]

James 1:26 esv
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

There is a proverb that shows how judgment is required to know when to speak and when not to. I only speak when there is a chance that somebody might see through what is going on.

Prov. 26: 4,5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

 

[Episkopos]

This is what I was wondering about earlier at some point.
It’s like with a very malignant, covert and clever narcissist in my life. I love her and used to try to talk to her about what she does. But it had the opposite effect than I thought. She didn’t see what she did but instead became more sly and even MORE cleverly hidden and manipulating. Hearing the truth actually SHARPENED her manipulations.
So at some point I just stopped trying to help her because…telling her the truth just helped her to become WORSE.

The law increases sin....the truth either makes one repent or lash out the harder. The outer man dies hard...and the self-justified religious man is basically a lost cause. Otherwise there could be no severe judgment reserved for those who HATE the truth.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

That sounds awful. It sounds like a wife/mother/sister/daughter.

Yes, it’s a family member. It’s very terrible to watch because she tears her own family apart and in her manipulations and tearing down of everyone she does not achieve her goal of looking very good to others and instead spirals down into miseries when she sees others do not think her good and perfect. I have been able to help at least some family members to see what she does to them and help them to not get caught in it any more. And they’re like me in that they love and care about her but no longer bend to her manipulations.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

and the self-justified religious man is basically a lost cause.

But not always. God reached Saul.

 

[Patrick1966]

Speaking for myself only, I've been personally attacked by a number of posters and rather than go down that path with them, I put them on "ignore" and move on, sort of like how Jesus told us to save our pearls and shake the dust. Getting into hateful back-and-forths isn't edifying at all for anybody.

 

[Episkopos]

A religious scheme is identified when it destroys righteousness in a bid for self-justification. Now, the Jews always saw the possibility that Gentiles could be righteous...the Yad Vashem monuments attest to that belief. So then the Jews are WAY ahead of many churches in this.

Is 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!


Prov. 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.


Ez. 13:22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

 

[Patrick1966]

Yes, it’s a family member. It’s very terrible to watch because she tears her own family apart and in her manipulations and tearing down of everyone she does not achieve her goal of looking very good to others and instead spirals down into miseries when she sees others do not think her good and perfect. I have been able to help at least some family members to see what she does to them and help them to not get caught in it any more. And they’re like me in that they love and care about her but no longer bend to her manipulations.

I had an older brother (RIP) that was a hopeless alcoholic (believed in Jesus, though!) He used to manipulate family and friends so much that nobody wanted to be around him. I took pity on him because EVERYBODY rejected him and I tried to help him but it was as if my loving words just could not reach him. I might as well have been talking to the wall. He's with God now, or so I believe.

 

[Patrick1966]

But not always. God reached Saul.

The story of Saul becoming Paul and what Paul became is a testament to the greatness of God and to the hope of ALL mankind to be saved. It's probably my favorite story in the Bible!

 

[Patrick1966]

A religious scheme is identified when it destroys righteousness in a bid for self-justification. Now, the Jews always saw the possibility that Gentiles could be righteous...the Yad Vashem monuments attest to that belief. So then the Jews are WAY ahead of many churches in this.

Is 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!


Prov. 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.


Ez. 13:22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

Those are some scary verses.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Speaking for myself only, I've been personally attacked by a number of posters and rather than go down that path with them, I put them on "ignore" and move on, sort of like how Jesus told us to save our pearls and shake the dust. Getting into hateful back-and-forths isn't edifying at all for anybody.

It’s very hard to begin to ignore someone’s posts if you think you see some glimmer of hope that they can be grabbed free. And conversely, even if you eventually become convinced the best thing you can do is hand them over for what you hope may possibly be the destruction of their flesh, if you see them latch onto a brother and follow him around to beat on him as their life’s mission, you have to stand up to the bullying.
So it’s a sort of vicious circle and I still haven’t seen the way out. I guess it’s to mark and have nothing to do with them but…yeah.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Those are some scary verses.

Yes. They are sobering. They make you want to try to snatch a person away from it. But then the vicious circle begins. It’s really sad.

 

[Patrick1966]

It’s very hard to begin to ignore someone’s posts if you think you see some glimmer of hope that they can be grabbed free. And conversely, even if you eventually become convinced the best thing you can do is hand them over for what you hope may possibly be the destruction of their flesh, if you see them latch onto a brother and follow him around to beat on him as their life’s mission, you have to stand up to the bullying.
So it’s a sort of vicious circle and I still haven’t seen the way out. I guess it’s to mark and have nothing to do with them but…yeah.

When I show them love and share God's words with them and they respond by repeatedly spitting in my face, they've demonstrated that they are beyond my help and I recognize that and move on from them. I'd rather share God's word with those thirsting to hear it, which I do on a number of online platforms. I do enjoy this community as it's nice to relate with other believers as opposed to being "in the world" all the time. :)