Are you deluded? - Page 3

ChTatum · #21 06-16-2009, 07:21 PM

I been drinking a lot of water, but I don't think I am deluded.......

Aquila · #22 06-16-2009, 07:23 PM

My point is that our divisions aren't just in house squabbles... our divisions have implications. What message are we sending a dying world? What message are we sending to those who would advance a cause other than Christ?

I firmly believe that the greatest hindrance to reaching the world with the Gospel isn't sin or a morally debased society... it's the church. Too many of us are deluded into thinking that we have it all exactly right and that how we see things is "truth". We have to come back down to a spiritual reality. We don't all have to agree to exist in the Spirit together with the bonds of love. When we narrow the definition of what it means to be a "Christian" down to the point where even 90% of those who have the Holy Ghost are going to Hell... we've weakened the Gospel's power and strengthened the likes of Islam. We have to get to the point where we are spiritually mature enough to allow every Christian to stand before the Lord on his own, refusing to judge another man's servant. They stand and fall unto Christ alone. They may be in error on some points... but we cannot deny that they are indeed fellow Christians. United we stand... divided we fall. Jesus put it plainly...

Matthew 12:25
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

If we can't live with our differences, assuming the best, and praying for each others salvation without condemnation, believing better things of one another..... we're done for. I know there are theological divisions among us. But I don't believe that Heaven will only be filled with those who agree with me. I think we need to seriously consider the power of self delusion and how it can twist our minds into believing that we (individuals, our organization, or our denomination) have ultimate truth and that anyone who disagrees is wrong and bound for Hell. We are destroying one another... and handing the world to Islam.

Hoovie · #23 06-16-2009, 07:48 PM

I voted yes. No doubt all of us (even those who deny it

) are wrong in an area or two even though we are convinced we are not.

Perhaps "deluded" is not the best choice of words for this?

Sept5SavedTeen · #24 06-16-2009, 07:54 PM

How would I know if I am deluded now? I admit to having been delusional in the past... I am always ready to be proven wrong, and to prove others wrong, it goes both ways sometimes...

-Bro. Alex

Aquila · #25 06-16-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

How would I know if I am deluded now? I admit to having been delusional in the past... I am always ready to be proven wrong, and to prove others wrong, it goes both ways sometimes...

-Bro. Alex

Bro. Alex,

I think it depends on how we define "deluded". If you admit that you have been mistaken in the past and that you're willing to be proven wrong... you're not delusional. You're being reasonable and rational. However, if you believe that you're absolutely right in all doctrinal matters and that all who don't believe exactly like you are Hell bound... that my friend is being delusional.

I see this poll as counter intuitive. It's the ones who admit that they might deluded or those who state "other" who are most likely not deluded. In fact, it's most probable that it is those who answered that they are not deluded who most likely suffer from the greatest delusion.

I'm going to go find a mountain where I can sit and be alone. Should you need to seek more wisdom... drop me an email.

Sam · #26 06-16-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

...
He believes that this enmity and hatred among us is a fulfillment of prophecy found in the Koran and that it will reveal to the entire world that we don't have the truth. He believes that, because of this division, Islam will shine before all of humanity and triumph around the world.

Islam has divisions among them who curse and kill one another just like we Christians do.

OnTheFritz · #27 06-16-2009, 08:17 PM

I'm sure I am deluded about many things. But I'm not deluded enough to think I'm delusion-proof.

Aquila · #28 06-16-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Islam has divisions among them who curse and kill one another just like we Christians do.

You're right. However, it is the world's fastest growing religion. My question is, are we living down to their expectations of us and thereby giving them an edge?

Cindy · #29 06-16-2009, 08:24 PM

I voted Other. Because sometimes I think I was and other times I don't, think I am deluded, I mean. Confused yet?

A.W. Bowman · #30 06-16-2009, 09:32 PM

Yes, I am deluded. I know this to be a fact because I so frequently have to change, alter, modify, or discard something I held to be true, when I discovered that I embraced something in error.

It is not having a lack of knowledge or understanding (being in error) that God cannot abide, but one who maintains their ignorance willfully, and/or continues to act in opposition to what they "know" to be the truth - even if what they "know" is actually in error.

It is not a question of performance, but of the heart.