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Beyond The Four Spiritual Laws

@Beetow -- My perspective is that you're making it far too complicated. A person doesn't really have to 'gather information from the ends of the earth' in order to make a good Godly decision. The New Testament is pretty straight forward.
 
A person doesn't really have to 'gather information from the ends of the earth' in order to make a good Godly decision.
I agree.

Books, sermons, lectures, seminars, radio Bible teachers, Sunday school classes, and personal Bible reading should suffice for most folks.

» There was a time when "gathering information from the ends of the Earth" as you call it, was nigh unto impossible but today, with the internet, it's as quick and easy as a few mouse clicks.
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And it's Also true that , at times, people don't like straight-forward Scripture -- they don't especially like what the Holy Spirit is Trying to teach them.

And, I've found that on the internet -- a person can find 'someone' who'll agree with them -- no matter What stance a person is taking. I've done that -- I'll be searching on a particular subject and there are Lots of articles to choose from -- but it can be hard to find one that's Biblically 'sound' and That depends on what the person considers To be Biblically 'sound'. So - again - the Holy Spirit is very capable of leading a person in the right direction. If we're willing to follow His leading.
 
Eph 5:11-12 . . Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of what the disobedient do in secret.

For an example of this directive: Genesis is mute about the despicable things that the Sodomites had in mind for the two men sheltered in Lot's home. It's as if inspiration drew a curtain over Sodom and said: This is just too shocking. I'm not going to spell out what the people of Sodom wanted that night. You will just have to use your imagination.

Jude didn't give away much either. He simply, and concisely, wrote that they were utterly unchaste; even to the point of having their way with innocent visitors. (Jude 1:7)

I think it's fair to ask just exactly how one might "expose" shameful deeds without at least identifying them and/or describing them to some degree.

The Greek word for "shameful" is aischron (ahee-skhron') which means indecorum; defined by Webster's as: impropriety. In other words, despicable acts should never be described explicitly in polite company, nor in the presence of children; which quite obviously precludes the use of a pulpit for explicit descriptions since congregations are an amalgam of men, women, wives, husbands, dads, moms, and underage children.

I don't think The Lord's directive forbids any and all mention of despicable acts. In other words, his directive doesn't say that we cannot speak in polite company about how that the Bible disapproves gays, lesbians, bestiality and pedophiles, etc. just so long as we don't start describing those disturbing facts of life in all their lurid detail.
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Eph 5:14 . .Wake up, O sleeper! . . rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

The word "rise" is translated from the Greek anistemi (an-is'-tay-mee) which basically means to stand up (literally or figuratively-- transitive or intransitive)

A corpse cannot stand up on its own, viz: once people die, they're stuck-- the jaws of death are very strong and very tight --people, as a rule, cannot will themselves back to life. So I think it's pretty safe to assume Eph 5:14 isn't talking about the kind of death that populates cemeteries.

Death is sometimes depicted as sleep, e.g. Matt 9:24, John 11:11, 1Cor 15:51, and 1Thess 4:14. So the command to "rise from the dead" applies to Christians who honestly think compliance with their master's instructions isn't all that important.

"Brothers, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die" (Rom 8:12-13)

Christianity is not only a faith to believe in, but it's also a faith to live by; as James wrote in 2:17:

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Dead faith is still a faith, but it's not a vigorous faith, viz: dead faith lacks a lifestyle that's compatible with its teachings.
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Eph 5:15 . . Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.

"Wise" of course meaning to live your life in such a way that it counts for Christ instead of only counting for yourself and/or counting for the world. For example: if you get pulled into the worlds of corporate management, political activism, and/or civil disobedience; I can just about guarantee that your life is not counting for Christ because those are really big distractions and sometimes its players have to break the law and/or play dirty to be effective.

The "fools" then can justly be described as people who live with little regard for scruples; defined by Webster's as an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action. For example, the pioneer of a currently very popular social network stole the idea. That particular theft of intellectual property broke no laws, but it was unethical, ergo: it was the work of a fool rather than wise.
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Eph 5:17 . .Do not be uninformed, but understand what The Lord's will is.

In other words: Christians are not supposed to fly by the seat of their pants, but rather, fly by instruments: viz: fly intelligently; and that entails reading a driver's manual before attempting to operate a car, so to speak.

Moses instructed his people that there is no need to go on a special "golden fleece" quest to discover what The Lord's will is; either out in space nor across the ocean in a foreign land. No, The Lord's will is easily accessible between the covers of even the cheapest second-hand Bible on the shelves of a thrift store.

However; no Bible-- no matter how cheap, nor how expensive, nor what version-- is of any real use if it's not studied. But even systematic Bible study is quite thwarted when the information isn't heeded.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does." (Jas 1:22-25)
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Eph 5:17 . .Do not be uninformed, but understand what The Lord's will is.

In other words: Christians are not supposed to fly by the seat of their pants, but rather, fly by instruments: viz: fly intelligently; and that entails reading a driver's manual before attempting to operate a car, so to speak.

Moses instructed his people that there is no need to go on a special "golden fleece" quest to discover what The Lord's will is; either out in space nor across the ocean in a foreign land. No, The Lord's will is easily accessible between the covers of even the cheapest second-hand Bible on the shelves of a thrift store.

However; no Bible-- no matter how cheap, nor how expensive, nor what version-- is of any real use if it's not studied. But even systematic Bible study is quite thwarted when the information isn't heeded.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does." (Jas 1:22-25)
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excellent post
can i ask a silly question what does viz mean keep seeing it hope you dont mind me asking as clueless even if its obvious to everyone else xx
 
It's an abbreviation for videlicet which means "that is to say" and/or "namely"

BTW: A digital version of Webster's dictionary is online for free access at:

ok videlicet so even more depth on viz haha ok well i learnt something new there but it will take a while to sink in though ! thankyou for websters link very helpfull x
 
Eph 5:18 . . Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

( It isn't forbidden to drink; only to get drunk, a.k.a. hammered. )

Webster's defines "debauchery" as extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures; e.g. sex, drugs, and alcohol. In this case alcohol. People that can limit themselves to one drink are very fortunate. For many, that one drink is only the beginning of the road to AA.

I've heard of studies indicating that some people have a genetic weakness for alcohol, viz: a natural-born predilection. Nevertheless, drunkenness is sin and Christians are under orders to subdue it.

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." (Col 3:5)

Why do people get plastered anyway? Isn't it to make themselves feel good, and better able to cope with life's difficulties? Alcohol therefore could be said to be an antidote to one's existence.

Some of us seem born with a melancholy disposition but that's really not the same. Real depression literally drives people to suicide.

So in that respect, alcohol is a crutch. I'm not saying a crutch is a bad thing; I mean, after all, God created Eve as a crutch for Adam so then if all crutches are bad, then women are bad too. No, crutches per se are not bad; it's one's choice of crutch that matters.

God's Spirit is a crutch for believers; but His effectiveness is moderated by their conduct.

"If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." (Rom 8:13)

In other words; Christ's followers should not expect to be filled by the Spirit when their conduct is unbecoming.
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Eph 5:19 . . Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: singing and making melody with your heart to The Lord

That verse is actually pretty good justification for a church choir; but I really think it should also be used to justify hymn books in the pews too so the congregation can all sing together. And make very sure the topics of your music are a credit to The Lord rather than celestial celebrities; e.g. saints, angels, and/or Jesus' mom.
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Eph 5:19 . . Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: singing and making melody with your heart to The Lord

That verse is actually pretty good justification for a church choir; but I really think it should also be used to justify hymn books in the pews too so the congregation can all sing together. And make very sure the topics of your music are a credit to The Lord rather than celestial celebrities; e.g. saints, angels, and/or Jesus' mom.
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yes agree im starting a little childrens choir family and freinds children at my home praise and worship so very exciting because the world music industry is deadly so im looking forward to sowing seeds into the little ones and they will become Gods song birds to the world and their homes i pray x
 
Eph 5:20 . . Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Moses' people were so accustomed to God's providence that they began to take it for granted, and would get upset with Him when He failed to produce. Be on your guard; don't let that happen.

"We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-- and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did-- and were killed by the destroying angel.

. . .These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor 10:9-12)

"in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" indicates that any and all providence that comes our way is due to Christ's work on the cross. It was his sacrifice for the sins of the world that makes it possible for God to come alongside and bless rather than curse. We don't ever want to forget that.
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Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.

The Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominate and/or compete,

A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is "deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's wishes; viz: honor.

This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain all around good manners.

"Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3-4)

Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among those ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero-to-none respect from their elders.

In other words; an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited, domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is definitely a failure at associating with their fellow Christians in a manner acceptable to Christ.
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Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.

The Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominate and/or compete,

A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is "deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's wishes; viz: honor.

This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain all around good manners.

"Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3-4)

Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among those ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero-to-none respect from their elders.

In other words; an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited, domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is definitely a failure at associating with their fellow Christians in a manner acceptable to Christ.
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i pray never to be an imperious(new word learnt aha) christian. Help me jesus i pray to be more of you and less of me each and every day weather crying or praising all the days of my life Amen x
 
Eph 5:20 . . Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Moses' people were so accustomed to God's providence that they began to take it for granted, and would get upset with Him when He failed to produce. Be on your guard; don't let that happen.

"We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-- and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did-- and were killed by the destroying angel.

. . .These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor 10:9-12)

"in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" indicates that any and all providence that comes our way is due to Christ's work on the cross. It was his sacrifice for the sins of the world that makes it possible for God to come alongside and bless rather than curse. We don't ever want to forget that.
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well said x
 
Eph 6:1 . . Children, obey your parents in The Lord, for this is right.

The Greek word translated "obey" in that verse is interesting. It's hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo'-o) which means to pay attention; viz: to heed; to mind.

The primary reason given for children minding their parents is simply that it's the right thing to do.

The parents of the command are "in The Lord" in other words, this rule doesn't pertain to kids with secular parents; which is a good loop hole because there may come times for kids to disobey their parents out of loyalty to a higher power. (cf. Matt 4:10, Matt 10:37)

Incidentally, have you noticed how little the respect that parents get from their insolent progeny in modern television sit-coms, Hollywood movies, and advertising? It's a reflection of modern American culture's attitude towards doing what's right. Kids today are encouraged to do what's wrong in their homes instead of doing what's right. Modern entertainment trains children how to be demonic instead of divine.

Kids that mind their parents are usually much the happier for it. The brats and the rebellious typically end up living in a home from hell; i.e. dysfunctional.
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Eph 6:2-3 . . Honor your father and mother-- which is the first commandment with a promise --that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

The promise doesn't guarantee long life; it promises that, should you perchance survive to a ripe old age, they'll be good years. In other words; though a demon seed may live long and prosper, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll have a pleasant time of it. Things like happiness, peace, love, understanding, and contentment may end up eluding them every step of the way.

The Greek word translated "honor" in Eph 6:2 is timao (tim-ah'-o) which means to prize, viz: to fix a valuation upon; to revere, to think highly of.

The very same word is used at Matt 15:4-6 where Jesus related the fifth commandment to caring for one's dependent parents. Compare that to 1Tim 5:4 where it's said:

"If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."

I should point out that one's parents need not be deserving of honor. They only need to be one's parents; whether good parents or bad parents makes no difference. Compare that to Lev 19:32 where respect for senior citizens is required merely because God says so. The citizen need not earn people's respect; all that's required of them is old age.
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Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of The Lord.

Too often the first half of that verse is omitted and the focus swung entirely upon the second. Well; let's break ranks and include the first half for a change because a daddy's parenting style has far more effect upon a growing child than their daddy's religion.

To begin with: despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good" shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.

Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak and under their control?

Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.

But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.

I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma happy.

In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.

» The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous with their babies.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection" (2Tim 3:1-3)

The Greek word translated "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos) which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and inhumane.
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