1 Tim. 4:1-5 (ESV)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [3] who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
But of what spirit? That is usually the question I ask when people tell me they are spiritual. But of what spirit? Seriously, there are more spirits out there than you can shake a stick at. (My favorite spirit is “The Balvenie.”) now back to being serious. Being spiritual is not necessarily a good thing. Following deceitful spirits is never a good thing. But they all masquerade as good things. The devil appears as an angel of light. He appeals to the law. People tend to think the stricter the law the better. Some spirits forbid marriage. I don’t know how this appeals to anyone, but it does. Monastaries are full, and not just Catholic ones. Decietful spirits. Others require abstinence from foods God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. Somehow this too appeals to people, especially when that food is drink, but also when it is meat. Vegetarianism is on the rise, and for no logical reason. It is most often accompanied by deep “spiritual” beliefs. Sometimes it is as simple as a church mandating the food you are to give up for a fast and when, no meat of Friday for instance. Others outlaw my favorite spirit, with no good reason. I don’t even want to get into this whole idea of coffee, and tea being bad for you, when they can’t say the same for Coke. I have known Mormons who won’t drink a beer if the dr. prescribes it for kidney stones. I’ll go with Paul here. Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for even my “Balvenie” is made holy by the word of God. And God bless the man who keeps me supplied!
6 comments:
speaking of other spirits and timely, just last week down here in the south in KY in SB central where the SB religion rules like a cancerous plague, the following resolution was passed during the annual 2009 SB Convention:
"When the back-and-forth on alcohol finally ended, the messengers passed with about a four-fifths majority a resolution not only opposing the manufacture and consumption of alcohol but urging the exclusion of Southern Baptists who drink from election to the convention’s boards, committees and entities. Like other resolutions, it is not binding on SBC churches and entities."
Larry KY
I'm sorry Larry, but hopefully you and the one fifth that lost out can find another fifth in kentucky Bourbon and discuss Lutheran theology!
You know as they say, wherever there are two or three Lutherans there is always a Fifth! And not to seldom a Southern Baptist to help them drink it, which is why if you have to have two Southern Baptist friends to go fishing with if you are Lutheran. (They keep themselves outwardly honest anyway.)
"When the Lord builds a church...the devil builds a chapel right next door."
I don't know who first said that, but it is truer than rain.
Steve,
Looking at the ratios of SB and other baptist like churches ranging from AoG to CoC down here, it's more like for every church there's a thousand such chapels.
One of the other resolutions they made was to throw out of "Lifeway", their publishing arm, and books that contradict the Gospel or the Baptist Faith and Message. I told my buddy who is an independant baptist pastor, "Isn't that a contradiction in terms. Won't they have to throw out the BF&M, at least most of it."
As a onetime BYU student who lived at the edge of campus, my fellow students, Mormons, really liked to get their Mountain Dew at the Subway across the street. Once I got annoyed with one roommate (who kept trying to convert me) so I bought some "Red Wine" vinegar to keep in the fridge just to annoy him. ;o)
Post a Comment