I just heard two different high level politicians quoting scripture this past week. It wasn't the usual political sources you would normally conjure up and I won't mention who they were, it's not important. What is important is that what they used was not in total context and spirit in which they were originally written. Yes, it's a detail, but as the old saying goes, "the Devil is in the details."

The scripture quoted was:

James 1:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)

External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

I like the Amplified Bible for better context and understanding. The quotation I heard was a snippet of the verse but was specifically pointed out both times, it was Biblical. They quoted simply:"Our religion that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God is this: to help the widows and the orphans in their distress." But there isn't a period there... you can't separate scripture and use it in any context, it's incomplete. I've even heard a former Reverand who is now a tv anchor doing this same thing. When we use scripture to make a point, we score less than nothing. We actually help Satan.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ATTACK

Here's my main point today, we can't attack these people for what they are doing wrong. I don't mean for this post to be an attack, only to point out how the powers of darkness use people. It's not the people I'm taking issue with here, it's the principalities of darkness that are behind all this. When scripture is used to manipulate people and their thoughts, it's not God. Even Satan uses scripture, mixing truth with lies to get his mission accomplished. And it's not just in the political realm, entertainment world and news media either.

Then there were the two pastors quoted and videoed in N. Carolina this past month during a heated vote concerning same sex marriage. I don't know how many churches the media searched to find these two, but I can say that they don't represent the Abba Father I know. I heard condemnation not grace being preached there. Again, they are fighting people (flesh and blood) not the pricipalities that are controlling them. Everything I read in my Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit tells me to love people as I love myself. It's pretty hard for people to hear the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand when meting out hell in a handbasket theology.

The other day while weeding (and praying), I felt the Lord showed me something. These weeds are really clever in how they grow up and around in good plants. They are sneaky in the way they grow right along with good plants blending in almost imperceptible until they outgrow the others. Jesus taught us to not pull the weeds in our world lest we pull up the good plants roots with them. He said to let them grow and they would be chopped off when the wheat bows. The weeds will be too proud to bow and will be gathered up and thrown into the fire. Now that sounds like fire and brimstone teaching doesn't it? It's not when taken in context. All He was saying is this in a nutshell: Don't bother fighting them, you cannot win. You can't argue them into your mindset. They have been polluted by the world, whether they are quoting scripture or not, they are not speaking for God.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

We pray. We Bless. We love. Love looks like something. First and foremost we pray for these principalities to be torn down and when that happens, captives are set free. Most people don't even realize they are in bondage because they are blinded to it. Secondly, we must Bless people not curse them. Cursing people only puts you in between them and God. We are to show them the way. So Bless them and ask for God's Blessing in their lives in all things. To love someone who loves you back is easy but when we love those who hate us, that is where the Gospel rubber meets the road.

And lastly, if everyone who claims Jesus lives within them would stop for the one. Heidi Baker, a missionary who has over 10,000 orphans under her care in Mozambique and surrounding countries says we just need to stop for the one. Don't just stop and pray for them and walk away. Love looks like something and it's not just empathy and sympathy for a moment and then moving on, it's not just giving money to a cause. It's taking the time to touch someone, take them in for a day, feed them, clothe them, let them take a shower. It's sounds extreme yes? But because we haven't done this, our government has taken over and we know how efficient they are at it, if not corrupt. If we would start doing this, we could start thinking about eliminating some entitlement programs and people wouldn't miss them either. And most importantly, people would feel loved.

So I ask you this, the next time you hear someone (or do it yourself) quoting scripture... Are they using it to spread love or a manipulating spirit? Is the motivation pure or is it to attain something else? There is enough manipulation going on outside the church and yet also inside some churches. This is what is meant by test the spirits. God is love, not hate. God is loving, not controlling. God is a choice, not mandated and you cannot mandate morality.

 
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8 Comments on The Devil is in the Details

MAY
23

Despicable when politicians start preaching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9h1Rzwv31A

 
6:50am • #1
321,258 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Bob and Bonnie,

I avoid mixing prayer w/business or even social conversations.  I am very private and believe that I am best served keeping it w/my Lord and myself.....I would hate to be mis-quoted.
6:56am • #2
165,430 Points 1 Featured Post

Bianca, Thanks for the comment, I wish it were just the politicians. I took a look at your link and have absolutely no idea what the man in it stands for?? It was very hard to understand what he was saying. Is there one with subtitles I could see?

Dan, Thanks for stopping by. With all due respect, you say:"...I am best served..." I think I can read between the lines as to what your heart is saying, but the words convey a self interest above our Lord's... I don't think that's what you meant. That's another subject matter altogether. But it is another issue that we need to address someday too, we can't afford to think of ourselves first anymore. We need to think of others as ourself. A friend was just telling me how he's arming himself because he sees anarchy coming our way. He was adamant that I should do the same. I told him if someone comes and threatens me and my family, I would not harm them nor protect myself. My life is for me to give because it is not I who live, but He who is in me. I really can't imagine someone pulling a trigger on the Spirit of Jesus, but if they do... I win anyway.
7:46am • #3
644,526 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob, Satan knows the scriptures pretty well but we can quote it correctly to rebuke him when he is trying to get in our face.
9:15am • #4
386,231 Points Outside Blog

There are so many things that could be made 'right' by quoting the bible out of context. It just amazes me how people think they can take a small part of passage and turn it to their own ends.
9:47am • #5
556,672 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

You can justify anything by quoting the scripture.  The Old Testament is full of horrible acts done in the name of God.  Best to just keep religion out of politics and let people worship in their own way.
10:10am • #6
399,140 Points Outside Blog

Bob, I don't know which bothers me more. People taking scripture out of context(proof texting) or people interpreting what it means  to fit their own ideology, but as Christians if we just strived to follow the "two great commandments" this world would be a much better place and the kingdom of God would be served.
10:59am • #7
165,430 Points 1 Featured Post

Mike, Indeed He does and He will mix it with deceptions so that someone who doesn't talk with God regularly can easliy mistake it for His voice.

Than, This scripture without the last phrase is meaningless. In complete context this was directed to Orthodox Jews who had been slighting the Helenistic (Worldy) Jews and their families when sharing food and supplies. The last phrase is directed at that Greek Philosophy that the Helenistic Jews were known for also. So it was actually something of a reprimand.

Rob, You absolutely can not justify anything and everything. If you twist it you can, but then it's not the Holy scriptures. Here's a prime example- In the state of PA, our legislators for some reason declared this year the Year of the Bible in PA. Of course the ACLU and many atheists were up in arms about it and one group paid for a billboard quoting a 1 Peter Scripture saying Slaves obey your masters and the rest of the ad declared that the Bible preached slavery as ok. What they failed to mention was the following scriptures declaring slavery as being unjust. You can not justify any evil with scriptures from the Holy Bible. It's only a lack of understanding what is written and why.

Hugh, Don't let it bother you, we need to be unoffendable. You are on the right path brother. Keep loving them all.

 
1:29pm • #8


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Bob & Bonnie Horning

Mount Joy, PA

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