The Christians Slide Into Delusion

[Michael The Disciple]

Ever wonder why so many Christians are deluded? Why they do not seem like Jesus? How can this be? James explains it to us.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Yes the Apostle tells us the truth modern Christians don't want to hear. DISOBEDIENCE to the teaching of Jesus brings deception and delusion to the soul.

The average Church member today has been fed a constant diet of God gives us plenty of time to work through all our issues. He continues showing mercy and kindness no matter..........

And yet the Holy Ghost through the Apostles told us theres more to the story.

The Christian who commits sin becomes more and more deceived. Holiness becomes something they can laugh and joke about. The things that are wicked and disgusting to the pure and holy Christ become more and more part of the deceived Christians conversation and life.

Little do they realize every time they sin they give satan another piece of their heart!

Be ye angry , and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour , working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth . 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers . 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Eph. 4:26-31

Every sin the Christian does he gets more deceived! THEY ARE GIVING PLACE TO THE DEVIL!

After a while the person does not seem like Christ. They seem like satan! They have given place to him. It used to be said they gave the devil an open door.

When one gives PLACE TO THE DEVIL what does he do?

HE TAKES IT!

And now you know how Christians can become demon possessed.

[Evang.Benincasa]

And now you know how Christians can become demon possessed.

Are you saying that a person can be filled with the Holy Ghost and be demon possessed at the same time? Could you define what you mean by Christian?

[Michael The Disciple]

Are you saying that a person can be filled with the Holy Ghost and be demon possessed at the same time? Could you define what you mean by Christian?

I said "The Christians slide into delusion". One can be a spirit filled Christian and by their lack of obedience to Jesus wind up in delusion, deceiving themselves and giving place to the devil.

The devil will take all the space you give him. A person who is spirit filled can become dry. If they were spirit filled they would rejoice to do the will of God. The devil has no place in them.

Each act of disobedience otherwise known as "sin" is an open door for the enemy. If one drys up and withers away in his walk THEN he can be possessed by the devil.

[Evang.Benincasa]

I said "The Christians slide into delusion". One can be a spirit filled Christian and by their lack of obedience to Jesus wind up in delusion, deceiving themselves and giving place to the devil.

The devil will take all the space you give him. A person who is spirit filled can become dry. If they were spirit filled they would rejoice to do the will of God. The devil has no place in them.

Each act of disobedience otherwise known as "sin" is an open door for the enemy. If one drys up and withers away in his walk THEN he can be possessed by the devil.

So when they wind up in delusion after much disobedience they lost the Holy Ghost?

[Michael The Disciple]

:highfiveSo when they wind up in delusion after much disobedience they lost the Holy Ghost?

Yes he cuts them off.

[Evang.Benincasa]

:highfive

Yes he cuts them off.

They are reprobate, and no longer able to get back to God?

They no longer have repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame? Is this what you are saying?

[seekerman]

:highfive

Yes he cuts them off.

In your opinion, are they 'unredeemed' at that time?

[Evang.Benincasa]

In your opinion, are they 'unredeemed' at that time?

It would seem so.

[Michael The Disciple]

They are reprobate, and no longer able to get back to God?

They no longer have repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame? Is this what you are saying?

That depends on how far along they were in God. Someone who was not a mature Christian could come back to God by faith.

One who had already tasted the GOOD word of God and the powers of the world to come....in other words they understood Gods favor or "grace".

If THEY despise the grace of God by falling into some sin and continuing in it they will not be able to be renewed again unto repentance.

[Evang.Benincasa]

That depends on how far along they were in God. Someone who was not a mature Christian could come back to God by faith.

One who had already tasted the GOOD word of God and the powers of the world to come....in other words they understood Gods favor or "grace".

If THEY despise the grace of God by falling into some sin and continuing in it they will not be able to be renewed again unto repentance.

They who were one time enlightened απαξ φωτισθεντας wouldn't that mean anyone who had at one time been enlightened, illuminated, had revelation of the word of God?

So, they tasted the heavenly gift, which is the Holy Ghost, and if they fall away, that's when everything starts to go wrong for them? It really doesn't give you any spiritual age of the Christian. The illumination is the main point at where they enter.

[Michael The Disciple]

They who were one time enlightened απαξ φωτισθεντας wouldn't that mean anyone who had at one time been enlightened, illuminated, had revelation of the word of God?

So, they tasted the heavenly gift, which is the Holy Ghost, and if they fall away, that's when everything starts to go wrong for them? It really doesn't give you any spiritual age of the Christian. The illumination is the main point at where they enter.

You forgot "tasted of the powers of the world to come".

If THAT person falls away.

But this was not the real point of the thread to show someone could fall away. Most on the forum may believe that anyway. What I want people to understand is that when sin is committed deception happens.

When one does not DO the teaching of Christ they oftentimes deceive themselves into thinking they are still ok with God.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Many are teaching when one sins its all covered by the blood of Christ. That God does not see THEM as sinning. He only sees them "in Christ".

They see themselves as resting in Gods mercy and grace when the reality is they are now deceived. Until they repent and acknowledge the sin and turn from it they have defiled their garment. They are not right with God. He could begin chastising them immediately.

There is no sense of this in the modern Evangelical......wannabe Apostolic believers.

Once we sin we should expect God to punish us. He says he punishes those he loves. Until the person sees the light they should expect his judgment upon them.

The deceived on the other hand justifies his sin instead of repenting. While we still are in grace and of sound mind BEFORE we sin we should be told this. No God is not blind to our sins. Neither are we still comfortably resting in his grace once its been committed.

We are under immediate threat of his chastisement. The incentive is to stay as close to Christ as you can.

[Evang.Benincasa]

You forgot "tasted of the powers of the world to come".

If THAT person falls away.

But this was not the real point of the thread to show someone could fall away. Most on the forum may believe that anyway. What I want people to understand is that when sin is committed deception happens.

When one does not DO the teaching of Christ they oftentimes deceive themselves into thinking they are still ok with God.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Many are teaching when one sins its all covered by the blood of Christ. That God does not see THEM as sinning. He only sees them "in Christ".

They see themselves as resting in Gods mercy and grace when the reality is they are now deceived. Until they repent and acknowledge the sin and turn from it they have defiled their garment. They are not right with God. He could begin chastising them immediately.

There is no sense of this in the modern Evangelical......wannabe Apostolic believers.

Once we sin we should expect God to punish us. He says he punishes those he loves. Until the person sees the light they should expect his judgment upon them.

The deceived on the other hand justifies his sin instead of repenting. While we still are in grace and of sound mind BEFORE we sin we should be told this. No God is not blind to our sins. Neither are we still comfortably resting in his grace once its been committed.

We are under immediate threat of his chastisement. The incentive is to stay as close to Christ as you can.

The Greek of Hebrew 12:6 states that He educates those He loves, but that education comes through flogging. Yet, this isn't the incentive to stay close to God, but His love is the incentive. Correct?

[Michael The Disciple]

The Greek of Hebrew 12:6 states that He educates those He loves, but that education comes through flogging. Yet, this isn't the incentive to stay close to God, but His love is the incentive. Correct?

Well yes but in going as far as threatening judgment on the believer it assumes that his love is not sufficient in itself. Why do you suppose he threatens anyone if it were not incentive?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Good Morning Bro!

Do the scriptures you have cited mean that anyone who backslides into a life of sin can never become saved again?

[Jermyn Davidson]

By the way, thank you for your opening post and for starting this thread. I mean it. Thank you very much.
:highfive

[Michael The Disciple]

Good Morning Bro!

Do the scriptures you have cited mean that anyone who backslides into a life of sin can never become saved again?

No I don't believe that. My main point in THIS thread is to show that sin is not the slight little comfortable thing some want to make it into nowadays. It is to show that if we do not actually DO the teachings of Jesus we are deceived into thinking were ok. We really do not have to be obedient.

That's the delusion sweeping the world. Straight out of the Evangelical handbook. Now it is becoming widely accepted also among Pentecostals.

So MOST people who backslide can come back to God. That's because most today do not meet the criteria that Paul lays out to be among those who could not come back.

The criteria:

1. Tasted of the heavenly gift (Christ)
2. Partakers of the Holy Ghost
3. The GOOD word of God. I bold the word "good" for a reason. Most today even Apostolic have not tasted the GOOD word of God. Their foundation doctrines are mostly false. So most of them don't meet this criteria.
4. They experienced the powers of the world to come. This means they have walked in the supernatural power and manifestations of Christ. Dreams, visions, leading of the Spirit, answered prayer, various gifts of the Spirit. Not just a few times but this has been a lifestyle for them.

The Apostle says THESE cannot be RENEWED again to repent. What could God offer them to renew their love for him? They already experienced the fullness of the Christian life and it was not enough for them. They desired something else MORE.

Christ sees these as having done despite to the grace of God. Grace is "favor". He showered them with it and they took it as a lite thing. They crucify him anew by their betrayal and rejection of that grace. The only thing promised them at that point is judgment and firey indignation which shall devour the adversaries.

[KWSS1976]

Michael, what do you mean by" Sin is not the slight little comfortable thing" also what sin are the Pentecostals commiting.As I see it the Pentecostals set themselves for failure, heck they got so many rules you cannot do, it makes going to the store grocery shopping a sin, cause you are going to do something in the store that is preached against...lol

[Lafon]

"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." [Proverbs 21:16, KJV]

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." [Hebrews 6:4-6, KJV]

Simply interpreted (IMHO): That man, after having "tasted" (i.e., become a recipient of knowledge concerning the Oneness of God and being baptized with the Spirit, having their sins remitted by immersion in the waters of baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ"), who willingly turns his back upon such wondrous esoteric truths, will be eternally damned. Why? Because "this" particular sin is likened to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, for which there is NO forgiveness! [See Matthew 12:31, KJV]

Yes, it is possible for a saint to commit sin (and many do, both willingly and unwittingly: myself included), yet be restored to a place of right standing before God through repentance.

The two scriptural passages noted, perhaps above all others, serve to motivate me to be willing to embrace and defend the apostles' doctrine (for it is truth), even unto death, should necessity dictate it.

[Jermyn Davidson]

"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." [Proverbs 21:16, KJV]

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." [Hebrews 6:4-6, KJV]

Simply interpreted (IMHO): That man, after having "tasted" (i.e., become a recipient of knowledge concerning the Oneness of God and being baptized with the Spirit, having their sins remitted by immersion in the waters of baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ"), who willingly turns his back upon such wondrous esoteric truths, will be eternally damned. Why? Because "this" particular sin is likened to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, for which there is NO forgiveness! [See Matthew 12:31, KJV]

Yes, it is possible for a saint to commit sin (and many do, both willingly and unwittingly: myself included), yet be restored to a place of right standing before God through repentance.

The two scriptural passages noted, perhaps above all others, serve to motivate me to be willing to embrace and defend the apostles' doctrine (for it is truth), even unto death, should necessity dictate it.

Thanks for expressing your opinion too!

So that I make sure I understand you, those who were Apostolic, but decided to no longer be Apostolic, are guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Does this designation apply to the former Apostolics who decide to become Trinitarians as well?

I don't understand exactly your logic, but that's why I'm asking.

[navygoat1998]

Thanks for expressing your opinion too!

those who were Apostolic, but decided to no longer be Apostolic, are guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Does this designation apply to the former Apostolics who decide to become Trinitarians as well?

Are you guys talking about me???? :throwrock :heeheehee

[Pressing-On]

"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." [Proverbs 21:16, KJV]

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." [Hebrews 6:4-6, KJV]

Simply interpreted (IMHO): That man, after having "tasted" (i.e., become a recipient of knowledge concerning the Oneness of God and being baptized with the Spirit, having their sins remitted by immersion in the waters of baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ"), who willingly turns his back upon such wondrous esoteric truths, will be eternally damned. Why? Because "this" particular sin is likened to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, for which there is NO forgiveness! [See Matthew 12:31, KJV]

Yes, it is possible for a saint to commit sin (and many do, both willingly and unwittingly: myself included), yet be restored to a place of right standing before God through repentance.

The two scriptural passages noted, perhaps above all others, serve to motivate me to be willing to embrace and defend the apostles' doctrine (for it is truth), even unto death, should necessity dictate it.

Thank you, great post!! :thumbsup

The scripture that came to mind while reading what you have written - "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." Only a fool could find no place to repent.

[MarieA27]

Hmm..I don't know about this, "not being able to come back to God, if you fall away." Or maybe I'm just not understanding exactly what you all are saying. I feel that there are mainly two types of people who back slide, or have two different reasons for turning away.

In one way, there are those who tasted of this truth, got baptized, got the holy ghost, was taught of this one way, and with one reason or another, they've became tempted with the world, and started listening to the worlds calling, and fell away out of weakness. And all the while they are in this sin, they're still holding to the knowledge that this is truth, wanting in their heart to come back to God, but isn't due to weakness of not being able to cease from their sins and come back. I think that this type can come back, if God would show mercy on them, and not judgment, and convict them and chastise them, and not let them remain lost out there sinning.

Then there's the other, who learned of the truth, and was born again, and rejoiced in the Lord for awhile, but for one reason or another, got offended by the word, and started denying and condemning the truths that they've learned, and got some type of "enlightenment" and turned away from that truth , and went to something else to appease their conscience, being in something so they can be comfortable with the worldly ways that they want to live, all the while, thinking that they are saved. I think that the latter is almost as bad, (or worse) then Atheists. It's like Israel constantly turning away from God, knowing of His powers and works, and the reality of Him and His existence, and then go and turn over to worshiping Baal...

[Lafon]

Thanks for expressing your opinion too!

So that I make sure I understand you, those who were Apostolic, but decided to no longer be Apostolic, are guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Does this designation apply to the former Apostolics who decide to become Trinitarians as well?

I don't understand exactly your logic, but that's why I'm asking.


Regarding your question, in my opinion, yes. Here is why:

Despite the fact that in your response to my stated understanding of the scriptural passages noted (Proverbs 21:16 & Hebrews 6:4-6) you elected only to seek an expanded clarification, and failed to indicate what your understanding of their content might be, I am rendered somewhat confused as to what your position concerning them might be (if it be you're asking me to presume that I have the right or authority to judge others, I respectfully decline to do so). Nevertheless I tender the additional information which I hope will enable you to better grasp why I state the things I've published about this matter. Its basis is found in statements which I am persuaded to believe our Lord made about the matter:

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." [Matthew 22:11-14, KJV]

As evidenced by the inspired words of apostle Paul in Romans 8:9-11 (KJV), only those in whom the Spirit dwelled at the moment of their death will become participants of the 1st resurrection at the soon coming glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His telling of the events which will transpire at the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb (an event which takes place at the gathering of His saints unto Himself at His glorious appearance), these inspired words excerpted from Matthew's gospel account advise that there will be "some" who, evidently possessing the Spirit and thus participating in this 1st resurrection and ascension to the clouds of heaven, will be cast into outer darkness because of their lack of a proper wedding garment (and lest we forget, the inspired words of Revelation 19:8 informs that this "wedding garment" is the "righteousness of the saints").

If it be true (and I believe it is) that one is declared "righteousness" at that very moment they become the recipients of the Spirit, and that it is this which qualifies them to participate in the 1st resurrection at the moment of our Lord's glorious appearance, then obviously something must have taken place prior to this resurrection which caused their "fine linen" to become tainted. While there could possibly be a variety of things which would cause this "fine linen" to be spotted, certainly chief among these would be a denial, or turning away from "righteousness."

What an awesome scene it will be! Someone doing that which qualified them for participation in the 1st resurrection, yet the Lord finding cause for them to be cast into outer darkness because they willfully committed acts which soiled their wedding garment!

IMHO, to refute a God-given revelation of the Oneness of God by embracing a belief in a false deity, called a Triune God, will be cause for His rejection of them at the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Did not the apostle Paul write to inform that those who "received not the love for the truth" (of which the revelation of the Oneness of God is certainly chief) will be visited with the imposition of a "strong delusion" (from God), thereby causing them to be damned? [See II Thessalonians 2:10-12, KJV]

For the sake of any of my brethren who may be guilty of such an offense, I pray that my stated opinion about this matter are grossly amiss.

It is hoped that these additional comments will enable you to better understand my beliefs about this matter.

[houston]

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

[houston]

Sorry, PO. I couldn't hold that in.

[Michael The Disciple]

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

They were LEAVING CHRIST! That is the point. The Spirit is warning anyone who might be thinking about LEAVING CHRIST!

See men have tried every way to make it seem these scriptures are not speaking TO THEM!

Remember James said every time we do not obey the teaching of Christ we are deceiving ourselves.

Remember Paul warned us not to GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL.

Anyone want to be possessed by the devil? Just continue to fail to obey Christ teaching. If you give satan place he will take it.

If YOU are in this condition (anyone) flee from it. Cry out for Christ's mercy! Come back to the truth of Christ NOW while you still can!

[houston]

They were LEAVING CHRIST! That is the point. The Spirit is warning anyone who might be thinking about LEAVING CHRIST!

See men have tried every way to make it seem these scriptures are not speaking TO THEM!

Remember James said every time we do not obey the teaching of Christ we are deceiving ourselves.

Remember Paul warned us not to GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL.

Anyone want to be possessed by the devil? Just continue to fail to obey Christ teaching. If you give satan place he will take it.
CONTEXT!!!

They were leaving Christ for the LAW. They were returning to a sacrificial system, basically saying that the sacrifice of Christ did not suffice.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

You are correct, but still anyone totally abandoning Christ after they have tasted of the Holy Ghost, and was once enlightened, has defiled the sacrifice in their lives the Lamb that took away the sins of the world. They are doing the same thing as those who returned to the works of the law system. Because after all the Judeans believed salvation was in the works of the Law, and not in Messiah.

The Judeans were keeping the law as long as the temple stood. James, tells Paul that it was rumored that while Paul was among the Diaspora he was teaching Diaspora Judeans to desist from keeping the law of Moses, and the circumcision.

This was a false rumor cooked up by Paul's enemies, and therefore the Jerusalem council decided that Paul take those who had a Nazerite vow, pay their temple wage, perform the ritual cleansing, with the proper animal sacrifice to prove that Paul wasn't teaching Diaspora Judeans to abstain from the law of Moses, and abandon circumcision. As long as the temple stood, the law stood in place, complete with temple priests and sacrifices.

Now for us living today those words are about those who would blow off the revelation of the illumination of Christ's sacrificial glory, which after all is the only light source in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). To extinguish that light in your own life, especially when you have come to maturity in the light, is devastating.

Michael has a point, about those who would allow sin to delude them to such a state that their conscience is seared over ( I believe that's what you are saying Michael).

Therefore they can no longer feel the conviction of God working on them any longer. Being turned over to a reprobate mind isn't God making us reprobate, but we abandoning God, and because of His holiness, He must let us go. After all Jesus is a gentlemen, and He will not force us to love Him, and obey Him.
;)

[Abiding Now]

To me, "backsliding" and "falling away" are two totally different things.

Backsliding is when after being saved, a Christian sins, "overtaken in a fault" (fleshly sins) and thankful we can be restored.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

BUT, falling away has to do with DOCTRINE.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.


No repentance, no salvation.