Gino (15
May 2016)
"RE: Jan J: 05.08.16:
"negative""
Jan J,
Throughout my life, most everyone that I have
known has not enjoyed "negatives".
The terms, "negative" and "positive" are not scriptural terms.
They are scientific terms, as in electricity, where there are
"negative" and "positive" charges.
Also, with temperature, "negative" is too cold for comfort.
In our checkbooks, "negative" monthly totals are not a good
thing.
However, when used by Christians, they are used as relative
terms, relative to the perspective of the speaker.
We tend to use the term, "negative" to mean having an
undesirable effect, or to be opposed to.
Again, the term is not scriptural, and it is always relative to
the perspective of the speaker.
Yet, we all have used the term, at various times, similar to the
way it was used in your letter.
We generally use it to describe what has been said about what
another Christian does or says.
We also use it to describe what another group of Christians, or
professed Christians, do or say.
What if I speak against a new, baby Christian, because they have
not yet adapted to my list of standards?
That would be evil on my part, because I'm not the Holy Ghost.
Others would say that I'm speaking "negative" about that new,
baby Christian.
Now, are there times when we are to speak against what another
teaches?
Jesus, in his earthly ministry, did not openly rebuke publicans,
sinners, whores, and winebibbers.
He preached the gospel to them, and even ate with sinners, much
to the chagrin of the self-righteous.
However, he often rebuked the religious teachers, openly.
Particularly in Matthew 23, where he really laid into the
scribes and Pharisees, calling them vipers and hypocrites.
The apostle Paul told Timothy:
II Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto fables.
To reprove and rebuke is definitely what any of us would call
"negative" preaching.
We don't enjoy it, particularly our flesh.
However it is necessary, especially in these end times, where
the general tendency is people turning their ears from the truth
to fables.
Apparently the Galatians were so upset about things Paul had
said, that they considered him their enemy:
Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell
you the truth?
Paul told Titus:
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no man despise thee.
Jude said that we need to earnestly contend for the faith:
Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of
the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you,
and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints.
And why will this be so necessary in the last days? Paul
explained it to Timothy:
I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Jesus warned that in the last times there would be false
prophets:
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed
that no man deceive you.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive
many.
Paul warned of a similar problem:
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
John warned of what they would do:
I John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them
that seduce you.
I John4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world.
Jeremiah prophesied of what they would do:
Jeremiah 23:36 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.
Saul tried to witness to the deputy, Sergius Paulus, but was
withstood by one of those false fellows.
So right at the place where the scriptures first calls him Paul,
it also said that he was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Then it recorded what Paul, full of the Holy Ghost, said to the
man (and some may consider it somewhat "negative"):
Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius
Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and
desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy
from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the
Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou
child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou
not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Jesus said the following to the false religious teachers (and
some may have thought that this was kind of "negative" too):
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and
the father of it.
Then, what most would say was the most "negative" thing ever
said to false teachers, was said by the dear Lamb of God,
himself:
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye
escape the damnation of hell?
So, our dear Sister Renee, was only doing what we are supposed
to do, to rebuke the false teachings and the false teachers.
It wasn't "negative" judging and gossip, but rather a concerned
Christian, trying to protect other Christians.
She is protecting us from the snare of a false prophetess, and
there is nothing evil in that.
Gino