What do you think about this prayer?

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

One would hope. Jesus left us with no such instructions. Our Apostolic fathers did. If the Spirit is involved, that doesn't mean we are obedient and mature enough with it. Joseph got a cool coat and was the youngest. God gave him a dream. He certainly didn't tell him to go blab about to his jealous older brothers. It was still given to him by God, but maybe he didn't handle it the best?

These are confounding things. Sometimes it's not the Spirit but attention. Paul did say we can confirm these things within the community. Men full of the spirit and other prophets can judge them. Accountability is key.

Well, at least you have a fool-proof way of determining whether a prophet is false or real. I guess that's the most important gift?

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Well, at least you have a fool-proof way of determining whether a prophet is false or real. I guess that's the most important gift?

Fool-proof? No.

Trustworthy? Sure.

I guess the world you live in is so fool-proof that everything else has to be too.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Fool-proof? No.

Trustworthy? Sure.

I guess the world you live in is so fool-proof that everything else has to be too.

Oh. You don't believe 1 John 4:1-3 will always work as advertised?

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Oh. You don't believe 1 John 4:1-3 will always work as advertised?

?? I don't believe it will work? It wasn't a formula. It was instructions and an admonishment to try spirits. The real audience for these words were gnostic foes creeping into the churches.

I'm not understanding your question. Are you still debating our ability to screw up?

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

?? I don't believe it will work? It wasn't a formula. It was instructions and an admonishment to try spirits. The real audience for these words were gnostic foes creeping into the churches.

I'm not understanding your question. Are you still debating our ability to screw up?

Formula or instructions, what's the diff? It warns you about false prophets, and it tells you how to test them. Will it always work, or not?

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Formula or instructions, what's the diff? It warns you about false prophets, and it tells you how to test them. Will it always work, or not?

It's not set-up or given like that. There's no "fool proof"ness to it. You are reading into it. It's admonition to "test spirits." Not "do this and you'll never lose." You are making something out of the verse that it simply is not. Don't know what to tell you.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

It's not set-up or given like that. There's no "fool proof"ness to it. You are reading into it. It's admonition to "test spirits." Not "do this and you'll never lose." You are making something out of the verse that it simply is not. Don't know what to tell you.

"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God:"

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Well, at least you have a fool-proof way of determining whether a prophet is false or real. I guess that's the most important gift?

This is the way you tell!! Come on and smile now.

I heard that when you hold back a smile the energy that it takes to hold it back goes to your hips. And I see some of you haven't been smiling enough lately!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw744VT1Wo0

Been Smilin' I mean Thinkin