There are dangerous Fundamental Philosophies and Quips that have been used from one generation to the next. We preach certain things because they sound good, and often fall into line with the Fundamental way of thinking. These things commonly used in hit in pulpits are not sound doctrine, and do not usually mean what we try to make them mean.
Some of these are used to allow us our own liberties in preaching on anything and anyone we want. In fact today, much of our preaching we hear is just men talking about things that anger them, or some pet hobby horse.
Very little edification. We thrash the cults when they quote half verses or segments of verses for some supposed doctrinal truth, but we, like any other denomination have fallen into the same snare. We do the same thing in the pulpits, and the streets!
You may have heard men say, “Good preaching is not always good doctrine, and good doctrine is not always good preaching.” I understand what this is meant to be, some doctrines are rough, and definitely not crowd pleasers, but our preaching should always reflect our doctrine! You can’t truly preach truth unless you are being distinctive in your doctrine.
We have preached these things so much, that these things, sometime ideologies, are now our positions. Then, we find the scripture to back it up after are position is already stated. The scriptures should be our position first, not phrases. Here are just some examples;
“Forsake not the assembling”. It is a scriptural phrase, but it is used to implement and mandate. This saying is always used in reference to church attendance. Ya know, like, “Being faithful to the house of God”. Preachers always say “Be fishers of men”. Jesus told his disciples to be fishers of men in Matthew and Mark, 2 times in the word of God. A rare reference to say the least. Also, in the passage, Jesus actually says “I will make you”; addressing the “disciples”. The implication that preachers want men to see has to do with “soul-winning”. Which is not a Biblical phrase as well.
Preachers hundreds and thousands of times have said, “Judge a righteous judgment”, to give themselves occasion to judge falsely. This scripture has become a catch phrase now among many preachers who are “On Fire for God”, again, not a Biblical phrase at all. Those men who are on fire for God are the same ones who may be “standing in the gap”, or asking for the “old paths”, or preaching the “whole counsel” and they are “called of God”. Preachers say, “Get the blood off your hands”, trying to guilt others. All these things, all these phrases in and of themselves are innocent, but many of these things have become mandates.
People use these terms to establish rule. They throw these things out as if the text actually implied what they think it does. It is actually quite alarming to behold learned, veteran men in the ministry trip over the plain written word of God to defend their positions and traditions.
Along this same vein, you see a lot of this in missions terminology as well. Or what some call Modern Missions. Along with this philosophical dribble, they also have the uncanny, and remarkable distinguishing characteristic of placing the “missions” concept in any passage, OT or NT, to further show biblical likeness. In some cases, it is very deceptive, subtly disguised in fundamental jargon and rhetoric and others, quite possibly the stupidest stuff you have ever heard. Some examples of these are;
“Church planting missionaries”, “A Passion for souls”, “Called to the ministry”, “Paul’s missionary spirit”, “A heart set on fire for the Gospel”, “Missions is the heartbeat of God”, “Trust the lord for increase, and expect increase”, “the purpose of missions is the glory of God”, “Surrendered to be a missionary”, “The hand of God is upon him”, “Heart for missions”, “The great commission is at the heart of what God does”, “Dedicate your life to him”, “The Lord led me...”, “Fulfill the great commission”, “Get aware of the great need”, “Time is running out”, “Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation”.
I mean what does all of this really mean, in the context of which this statements are loosely thrown around in? Some are Biblical phrase, most are not. But you would think they are. They are phrases that match the ideologies and traditions of men that have been established. Whether it is men taking the word out of context, associating it with something it is not associated with, or it is just men making it up, it is all rubbish. Is harsh as it may sound, it is just the plain truth. I am not stating the scriptures used are rubbish, I am talking more about how they are being used, or in my view manipulated to get the desired effect.
Bottom line, from my jaded literalist perspective, it seems so, so scary. Speaking in HIS name, falsehood, lies, or deceit is very serious with Him. Sometimes, it just clicks and becomes so clear, I see how far off the path we truly are; how hopelessly lost in traditions we are. We sacrifice the written order of things, and the design of God in the body of Christ for traditions, fellowship, fundamentalism, overt patriotism, and showmanship.
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
To Establish what God thinks of his word and the men who quote it wrongly I give you Jeremiah 23. Context here in Jeremiah 23 is unmistakably the 2nd Advent. However, it also shows God’s extreme anger was over the manipulation of his literal words.
Jeremiah 23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
There are many interesting phrases and words used by Christ and the prophets there are not used by Paul. There is a bit of relevance to this.
Such words as born Again, Hell, repent, stand Against, throw down, pluck up etc.
Paul’s Every Use of the Old Testament Scriptures in His Letters were for a edifying and instructive reason, not to have cause to prod and destroy. Paul’s usage of the scriptures are important. We should keep these following list of verses in mind as we preach, teach and witness.
These things are supposed to be for patience and comfort, for hope and promise, to stablish, to reveal, to manifest, for example, for admonition, for wisdom, for doctrine, for correction, for instruction, for growth and knowledge. Not for destruction, theatrics and pageantry.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
2 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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