Home » Theological Doctrine » The Occult » There's Power in the Blood
| There's Power in the Blood [message #6747] |
Sun, 07 February 2010 22:08  |
 Mark L
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Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
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Well we all know that right? Well here is a new take!
I get Christianity Today magazine. Mostly because I like to keep up with the news in the xian world. It can be rather dry but for a non- charismatic mag it hasn't been bad. Over the yrs there have some very deep well written full of meat articles. I haven't seen one for some time though. Which brings me to the latest issue.
Entitled "There's power in the Blood"
sub titled " On the heels of the Twilight Saga's success, Christian novelists are tapping the riches of vampire mythology"
Yes you read that right. "Christian" and "Vampire" in the same sentence. It gets worse. There were a number of individuals quoted in the article. Authors, theology professors, publishing exec. editors etc. Here are some quotes
[I]"BFJ a theology Prof at Wheaton and author of Touched by a Vampire: Discovering the Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga believes Meyers series is so popular because its romance resonates with readers desire for radical love . . . The idea of achieving immorality through blood is central to both traditions" . . . "Vampire legends are rich with Christian symbols"
"Thomas Nelson was one of the first (xian)publishers to revisit the parallels between Christian thought and vampire myth" . . . "evil vampires who crave the blood of Christian believers yet know it will destroy them"
"AA senior vice pres of Thomas Nelson fiction was on board from the begining . . . the story of xianity is one of redemption
. . . xian fiction should depict that regardless of subject matter"
"As to the xian communitys reaction . . . (author Wilson said) the brave try it first and then word of mouth brings in the curious."
"Xian novelist Tracey Bateman's own Vampire themed book . . . I knew writing a Christian vampire themed novel was going to be tricky. But what greater message is there than a creature ravaged by sin . . . finding redemption . . . and how fitting that redemption comes by way of blood"
"Shannon Marchese, senior editor . . . at Waterbrook says . . . Xians who have followed vamnpire stories . . . have been fascinated by the powerful theme of seperation from God running through these stories"
(Author and recently saved - my note here) Ann "Rice thinks the worry over vampire fantasies is overblown" . . . in other words the myth is very compatible with xian ideas. . . The real evils in this world are not vampires Rice says . They are hunger injustice . . . Vampire stories are a relatively safe way to explore human nature.
In recent yrs I have heard men (Chuck Colson and others) on xian radio saying there is nothing wrong with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. God help us.
I believe that as a "group" not individuals a "group" the charismatic and evangelical churches are going to follow the antichrist. Because they don't know any better and they have leaders who have no clue which way is up spiritually. I sincerely hope I'm wrong. This article was in the premier xian magazine in the evangelical world. Everything I quoted above was written by xians. God help us.
Revelation 18/4 Just prior to the judgement of Babylon at the very end of time we have God calling his people out of the apostate church. What on earth are they doing there? The article above shows one reason why. Because they simply don't know any better. Because they have leaders who in this area are just brute beasts & dumb dogs who cannot bark.
Some time ago the Lord gave me a vision of a particular senior charismatic minister and leader of a very popular meeting (in a big city north of the US border shall we say) It was very well known for its great annointing.
I saw the senior leader of the group on that day standing in front of Jesus weeping and crying because he saw that because he a xian minister did not take heed to the scriptures but followed the supernatural multitudes came through his meetings and picked up deceiving spirits and in the very end of time when discernment was absolutely critical it reached out its hand covered their eyes and they ended up taking the mark of the beast and walking out of Jesus Kingdom. It was his fault and he knew it. How absolutely tragic
That seems to apply to articles like this as well.
Lastly the mag has recently undertaken an appeal for funds because of declining revenue. Probably any xian mag sees its focus as being the Lord and ministry its intent to some degree at least. With articles like this it is not difficult for me to understand why their funds are drying up.
[Updated on: Sun, 07 February 2010 23:32]
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #6748 is a reply to message #6747] |
Sun, 07 February 2010 23:05  |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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That they would entitle the article "There's Power in the Blood" when writting about vampire stories and movies shows the lack of reverence for God and is an abomination. It would be wrong in a movie review magazine, but in a Christian publication?
Mark wrote, "brute beast and dumb dogs who cannot bark "... Amen!
If there's anything that surprises me(and there's not much that does) it's the lack of discernment in The Body of Christ, across all the denominations, both Charismatic and nondenominational. Almost daily I encounter professing Christians who are taken in by the TV prophets and believe whatever they say...never taking the time to see if it lines up with The Word of God.
Just the way the writers worded the article shows the way Christianity has embraced the world and it's ways. One wrote, "Xians who have followed vampire stories"...Never pausing to consider the source, and who is behind it, Satan. Christians following vampire stories? Harry Potter? Occult and Satanic movies and books about demonic powers of darkness...Where's The Holy Spirit within Christians convicting them and leading them? I think many don't have The Holy Spirit,(that think they do) and are lead by the spirit of this world.
Thanks for speaking out Mark...We're in the end times, things are going to get a lot worse before Jesus returns. Coming out from among them and being separate has never seemed so important as it does today.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9137 is a reply to message #6747] |
Fri, 16 November 2012 22:54 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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Just curious...
What exactly do you find wrong with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings?
Tom
[Updated on: Fri, 16 November 2012 23:49]
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9139 is a reply to message #9138] |
Sat, 17 November 2012 08:42 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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Hello William...
I realize that Mark L wrote this years ago but I assumed he would still be able/interested to continue this discussion.
Am I to understand that Mark L will not be responding to my inquiry about his comment: "God help us" if Christians think there is nothing wrong with Harry Potter or The Lord Of The Rings?
Is Mark L no longer here (in either meaning)?
Tom
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9140 is a reply to message #9139] |
Sat, 17 November 2012 14:34 |
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william
Messages: 1468
Registered: January 2006 |
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I'm pretty sure that Mark will answer you when he gets time and James will probably jump in as well. It's an old thread but I don't think the movies/books have been edited, nor do I think that their views concerning the occult have changed.
Of course I'm assuming that the issue in question is the growing acceptance (by Christians) of things that were once considered detrimental to the Christian faith?
The seemingly inevitable decline of standards, whether it is in the realm of the occult, morality, or just plain old brotherly love, has been a consistent theme as long as I can remember.
Broadly considered, the theme can be seen throughout the Bible. Mankind quickly declined in standards from the fall of Adam to the flood, and Israel's downward spiral (sandwiched between bouts of repentance) is routinely documented.
We see this tendency in the Church as well. In almost every age and by almost every group there are things analogous to the situation found in the letter to the Laodicean Church. Be hot or be cold, but don't be apathetic!
Warnings against lukewarmness should be an ever-present theme --especially as we see that day approaching!
Blessings,
William
I want to believe!
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9141 is a reply to message #9139] |
Sat, 17 November 2012 15:03 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Hello Tom.
Welcome to OvercomersOnline, Mark is still 'here'(I think, though we haven't heard from him in a while).
I don't speak for him or anyone besides myself but concerning the popular books/movies Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings I agree with him. If a Christian doesn't have the grounding in God's Word and discernment to to recognize 'what's wrong with' these fictional stories and who is being glorified in them(Satan/witchcraft) and the not so subtle attempt by the god of this world to draw in millions of people, from children to adults, to thinking..."hey it's harmless, just a little 'white magic'"; "the occult isn't really so bad, just look at sweet little ole Harry"(ya know, the good kind of magic, NOT!) then I agree, God help them.
So without knowing you or anything about you if you are asking for answers that you sincerely seek I'd suggest you do a Google search or it to get some background info and ask The Lord for wisdom and discernment on what is wrong with these type books and movies. If you're asking to be provocative and defend Harry, then you're probably not going to find anyone interested in going down that trail.
Hopefully you're seeking truth and if so God bless you and may He open your eyes and heart to receive it.
james
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9142 is a reply to message #9141] |
Sun, 18 November 2012 02:34 |
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GWB
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Location: Louisville, Ky area |
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Don't even go there.......Praying for anyone involved in the occult in any way, shape, or form.
[Updated on: Sun, 18 November 2012 02:35]
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9143 is a reply to message #9142] |
Sun, 18 November 2012 05:31 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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Hello GWB...
To whom are you addressing your warning?
Surely you aren't suggesting that Christians should not pray for sinners or our brothers and sisters in Jesus who have strayed from the truth, are in error or deluded by false teachers?
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Brethren, if any of you wander away from the truth, and one bring him back; let him know, that he which brings back the sinner from his straying, delusion, error shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:16,19,20
Tom
[Updated on: Sun, 18 November 2012 06:58]
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9151 is a reply to message #9149] |
Tue, 20 November 2012 15:44 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Just a follow up comment, I was reading Charisma Magazine online (Yeah! I asked myself the same question, WHY?) and they had an article concerning the Twilight vampire books/movies/tv shows where the writer mentioned that a youth minister somewhere doesn't 'denounce' the series but uses it as a tool in ministry???She wrote a book titled, "Escaping the Vampire"...
I read also that the author of the books received the 'idea' for the books from a dream she had in 2003 in which a young boy was in love with a human girl and was having a hard time resisting drinking her blood. She said that afterwards she 'FELT COMPELLED" to start writing the story. Later she says that the 'boy', came to her in another dream and told her she'd gotten it wrong in the first book and so she continued the series.
Hello? Anyone not able to see that that was a demonic dream from satan with the purpose of doing exactly what it has done, captured the interest and passions of millions of people, especially young people, deceiving them into believing that all this 'dark side' stuff is cool and romantic. So what do Christians do to counter-attack satan's wiles? To warn others? Most do as the rest of the world does, tune in to watch or buy the books and read...
So what's really WRONG with Harry Potter, Vampires/Werewolves/Magic/Occult books and movies? They're antichrist, and giving glory and worship to the god of this world and of darkness, Satan. For those who can't and don't see this my prayer is for their eyes and hearts to be opened to the God of ALL, to Jesus Christ and the LIGHT of The Gospel, to discern between good and evil, right and wrong, to be set free from the bondage of Satan and his various entrapments.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9153 is a reply to message #9151] |
Tue, 20 November 2012 16:09 |
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GWB
Messages: 708
Registered: March 2008
Location: Louisville, Ky area |
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I absolutely agree, James. I think all of the Harry Potter books, let alone the vampire occult themed books, should be collected and burned, period.
I have no tolerance for the occult whatsoever. There is no grey area. The occult is the occult. Stay away!
Also, TEACH the church to do the same!
[Updated on: Tue, 20 November 2012 16:10]
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9179 is a reply to message #9137] |
Sun, 25 November 2012 18:00 |
Mark L
Messages: 861
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
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Here is what I find wrong with Harry Potter. The whole book centers around witchcraft. Witchcraft and the occult are (to paraphrase someone) "condemned without reservation in the strongest possible terms all through the bible. Deut. 18/10-13
In the OT as part of the law they were commanded not to allow a witch to live. Ex 22/18 Surely God is as compassionate as we are.
It says clearly that the magicians of Egypt did miracles "by their enchantments" Ex. 7/10-13 11 Tim 3/8
Nahum 3/4 Nineveh was able to conquer her world through the use of witchcraft.
Is 47/9-15 Babylon. There is also another vs which speaks to Babylon's use of witchcraft to conquer but I can't find it off hand.
Rev 18/23 In the end of time the Antichrist will use enchantment and witchcraft to conquer the world.
Acts 8/9 Simon "betwitched" There is no reason not to take it literally.
There is much in the bible on this subject. All of it written from a perspective of reality. Not symbolism. Personally I have had dealings with both witches and wizards/warlocks involved in various kinds of witchcraft Wicca and satanism. As have others here.
Lord of the Rings is in the same genre. Filled with wizards and magic. As is much of the fantasy science fiction.
For whatever it is worth I want to go head to head with most of the christian world and say that christians should stay away from the Narnia chronicles. They are filled with magic and the occult. I don't care if they do preach a christian message. God doesn't do things that way.
Seeking to witchcraft or the supernatural of any kind other than prayer in Jesus name is to seek to the other kingdom and is a violation of the first commandment.
This stuff is condemned without reservation through the entire bible. And the reason is because it is so dangerous. I could speak at length on that but I'm not sure of your thoughts on the issue.
The issue here is that these books are not just kids books. Again I'm not sure of your thoughts here but these books (and others like them) are preparing the world for the coming of the antichrist. The last 50 yrs we have seen wave after wave of all kinds of this stuff coming into our western world. And all that has been a few little waves on the beach compared to the tsunami that is coming.
Please feel free to comment. All of us here welcome discussion even if we strongly disagree on a subject. If you don't feel comfortable speaking in public please feel free to email.
BTW I really liked your testimony/tract.
[Updated on: Sun, 25 November 2012 20:32]
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9181 is a reply to message #9180] |
Mon, 26 November 2012 19:12 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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I've read several books by C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce) but I couldn't read The Chronicles of Narnia. One reason was it seemed childish to me and more importantly I don't care for fairy tales, fantasy, witches, and magic. I believe he and Tolkien(The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) were close friends and both were know as 'Christian' authors and are accepted in 'Christian circles'. Lewis incorporated 'principles' into his 7 books about Narnia that can be found in the Bible, while mixing in mythological, fictional, characters that are into the occult and magic.
Christian litature? Not in my view...But hey! 2.1 billion people can't be wrong, can they? (it is said there are 2.1 billion christians in the world.)
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9182 is a reply to message #9181] |
Tue, 27 November 2012 04:54 |
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GWB
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Location: Louisville, Ky area |
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I won't touch any of the above. Why do you need occult manifestations to preach the Gospel?
My Black Witch Satanic family member thinks this is hysterical. So does the Wiccan family member. They wonder why churches just don't form official covens!!!
Duhhhhhh!!!!!!
HEF always said CS Lewis was influenced by the occult.
THINK people!!!
[Updated on: Tue, 27 November 2012 04:59]
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9189 is a reply to message #9184] |
Fri, 30 November 2012 17:41 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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| GWB wrote on Thu, 29 November 2012 15:19 |
I strongly urge people to not compromise in this area.
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I don't think anyone here has compromised in this area, I think Tom (smoking flax) 'might' be the one exception, because he didn't continue with the conversation once we started answering him. (but maybe he's just not had time and will at some future time...) He never said where he stood concerning Harry Potter/ Lord of the Rings, he just asked Mark what exactly 'he' found wrong with those books/movies, maybe he just wanted to see if Mark had scriptural reasons or was just throwing out an opinion...Irregardless, he got answered, hopefully the answers will enlighten someone reading this thread.
Yes! Our GOD does reign.
"Snotty" posts... Surely you meant, "Snooty" (additude of superiority; "pretentious".) 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9213 is a reply to message #6747] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 00:43 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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Is everyone finished?
Is there anything more you feel needs to added?
If so, now is the time to do it.
I will be reading everything that all of you have written.
I have been indisposed for some time now, but I will try to clarify the point that I was hoping to make.
GWB what is your name please?
Tom
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9216 is a reply to message #9213] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 15:51 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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| A_Smoking_Flax wrote on Wed, 26 December 2012 18:43 |
"...but I will try to clarify the point that I was hoping to make."
Tom
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Looking forward to your comments Tom, I was hoping you had a purpose in asking the question as you did...I'm sure we could all 'add' to the conversation, knowledge and discernment concerning the occult isn't always reduced to a neat, compact answer. If you have futher specific questions or comments feel free to share away. 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9219 is a reply to message #6747] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 23:37 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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OK...
I hope that everyone has read my testimony "How I Met The God Of The Bible". It should help you to see how I came to my position of trust in God only. Psalm 118:8,9
These next questions may seem to be off topic, but they are vital to my understanding of your perspective. 2Cor 13:5a
Define faith.
Define grace.
The reason I ask these basic questions is:
I don't want to assume anything.
I want to be sure that I understand what you believe from your own words, and not my imagination.
This brings me to something I believe is paramount to any exchange of ideas between people.
The problem is well expressed by this saying:
"I know you believe you understand what you think I said. BUT... I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
This introduction of a newspaper article states it another way:
"People only hear half of what's said. Statistics say everyone we talk to hardly hears half of what we say."
When I was attending a group that followed Hobart E. Freeman's teachings, a friend of mine (also a follower of HEF) called me about a fellow overcomer who went to a doctor (he had bloody stools). This person asked me what I thought of the situation; and without waiting even one second for my answer, he proceeded to tell me what he thought I thought about the situation; and then, continued, without interruption, to tell me what was wrong with what he thought I thought about the situation; and again, without any interruption or even a single syllable uttered by me throughout the whole "conversation", he ended his monologue by complaining that I wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise. When this person finally stopped talking I told him: "You just called me and asked me what I thought about this; then you told me what you thought I thought about this; then you told me what was wrong with what you thought I thought; and then you told me that you couldn't get a word in edgewise, and I haven't said one word to you until now." His response was total silence. He did not say he was sorry for putting words into my mouth and criticizing me for something I never said. Neither did he ask me what I actually thought about the situation: he was not interested at all in what I had to say about it.
(That was more than twenty years ago, this person still "communicates" in this manner.)
I have found that most people are incapable of having a real conversation; because they are not interested in understanding what the other person is actually saying.
Jumping to conclusions, inferring bad motives, misconstruing, and getting upset by something that the other person never said or meant is how many people choose to "communicate."
There is a very simple way—for anyone who actually wants to communicate—to avoid these all too common pitfalls:
Before assuming ANYTHING about what someone is saying ask them this simple question:
What do you mean by what you said?
To understand each other should be the prerequisite of any communication.
If all parties involved in a conversation respect each other enough to try to understand what the other person is actually saying before responding, most of the pitfalls stated above can and would be avoided.
When a difficulty arises and we are confused or just not sure what the other person means; we can tell them what we think they are saying, and ask if we have it right. And if the other person responds that we have it wrong; that is not what they meant: we can be patient with them and ask them to try to explain it again in another way that might help us to understand.
These are the principles that I hold to.
I hope you agree that they are a good basis for any real communication.
This is something that I try to pray every day:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but only that which is good to instruct and improve the mind in moral and Christian knowledge, in faith and holiness, that it may minister grace to the hearers." Ephesians 4:29
Thank you
Tom
[Updated on: Wed, 02 January 2013 23:01]
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9220 is a reply to message #9219] |
Tue, 01 January 2013 01:13 |
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william
Messages: 1468
Registered: January 2006 |
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Hi Tom,
I can't imagine you getting any more answers to any more questions than the ones you've already gotten (in response to your initial question).
The experience you related about a conversation 20 or so years ago was interesting. I too have had many conversations in the past... some may even color my perspective to this day. The thing I try to keep in mind is that every person with whom I interact is a unique individual. Each and every one has had their own experiences which will to some degree dictate their responses.
I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience in your attempt to 'have a conversation' with the individual in your story.
Unfortunately a conversation takes two and if the other party doesn't allow you to respond then the conversation does indeed become a monologue.
On the other hand, all of those who have responded to you have attempted to ascertain your purpose (unlike the person in your story). Nothing from you was forthcoming, by the way, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.
If one is attempting to build up some empirical evidence as to 'how people respond' to various questions and then fault them for their responses it might be helpful to understand that a lack of response (from the person who raises the question, if you will) might skew the results of that study and actually prove the point that one is trying to make, at least to the satisfaction of ones own mind... not saying of course that this is your purpose, mind you, I'm only pointing out some other obvious societal ramifications of this type of approach.
Anyway, to keep this from being a one sided psychiatrist-to patient-on-the-couch kind of query and in the interest of playing along --what do you think of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings?
Blessings,
William
I want to believe!
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9223 is a reply to message #9219] |
Tue, 01 January 2013 15:39 |
james
Messages: 2143
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Excellent point, Tom. I'm sure we've all experienced this to some degree or another.(some of us just might be guilty of this very thing...<grin> we've seen it happen on this forum more than once; it's hard to understand sometimes when all one has is words written on a computer screen and the other person is half way around the world...or even from a different geographical area(as in terms and slang used by 'northerners' vs words used by 'southerners'...lol) But we do try to be long suffering with each other, by God's Grace.
Speaking of...Grace
Define grace. Grace...Ephesians 2:8-9 (unmerited favor)
Define faith. Faith...Hebrews 11:1 (total trust in God)
We could all quote 'the' correct definitions as taught by HEF or other men, and we all could quote scriptures (Titus 3:7 1Peter 1:21) that show examples of grace and faith. More importantly, I think, we could all share testimonies of God's Grace and Faith...fulness in our own lives, but for the sake of this conversation why don't you take for granted that we all have the same basic theological convictions. Perfectly joined together in unity? Not just yet, but coming to that, in Jesus' Name.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9231 is a reply to message #9220] |
Thu, 03 January 2013 01:09 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
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William, James, Gillyann, Mark L, Alanbook (is your name Alan?)...
I am sorry... I should have sent that post prior to asking any question. I just wanted to let you know how I will try to proceed in any discussions we have.
I hope that we all will display a mutual commitment to respect and understanding for each other.
The reason for that post was to (hopefully) lay the ground work for fruitful communication and was in no way a criticism of anyone's response up to this point.
What follows is a story which, I think, illustrates the point of that post and should have been included with it.
This is a true story about an exchange I had that could have ended in anger and resentment on the part of the person I was talking with/questioning. But, instead, his reaction was one of friendship, brotherly love and a teachable spirit: like Apollos Acts 18:24-26 and the Bereans Acts 17:11-12
I had a tract that seemed to be encouraging us to suffer in a deeper way, so we could add our serious physical and emotional suffering to the suffering of Jesus The Messiah. Like the Roman Catholic's believe.
I called the ministry listed on the tract and I asked the man who answered if he was familiar with the tract.
He said he was not (because they print so many tracts) and I proceeded to tell him why I thought the tract was not Biblical, i.e., it was promoting an idea of God's purpose in our suffering that was not Biblical.
I once had a "pastor" tell me that I shouldn't be telling Christians what the Word of God says because "That will offend them."
REALLY!!!
CHRISTIANS OFFENDED BY GOD'S WORD?
I am a Christian.
I LOVE to hear and read and talk about God's Word.
I have NEVER been offended by hearing God's Word.
CONVICTED... YES!
CHALLENGED... CERTAINLY!
BLESSED... ALWAYS!
OFFENDED... NEVER!!!
Anyway...
This person could have "reacted" in anger and self-defense:
WHO DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE!!!
THIS IS MY MINISTRY!!! I ANSWER TO GOD ALONE!!!
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU OR ANYONE ELSE THINKS OR SAYS ABOUT MY TRACTS; I KNOW THAT THEY ARE RIGHT!!!
I WOULD NEVER PUT OUT A TRACT THAT WAS NOT CHRISTIAN OR BIBLICAL!!!!
I WILL THANK YOU TO KEEP YOUR OPINIONS TO YOURSELF!!!
He could have said that... After all, I was questioning his ministry.
He could have...
But he didn't.
Instead...
He promised me that, because he wasn't familiar with the tract, he would get it, and since he and his wife would be traveling that day, he would read it and re-evaluate the tract in the light of what I had brought to his attention.
AND THEN...
We started telling each other how great it was that Jesus was our Lord and Savior.
He told me what God was currently doing in his life. It really blessed me; seeing the hand of God working in this man's life: and we praised Jesus for what He was doing to make this man more like Him every day. And then I told him about the things that God was doing in my life, to change me more and more into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah. And all throughout we were quoting the Scriptures that God was working into our lives each and every day.
(My saying at that time was: this is not just what God's Word says: THIS IS WHAT HE IS ACTUALLY DOING IN MY LIFE, RIGHT NOW!)
Through sharing God's Word with each other, God was showing us that we truly were brothers in Messiah Jesus. We knew that we were both sheep belonging to Jesus The Shepherd. Even though we had only met a few minutes before; I knew this man was a true Christian. I knew because of his love for God's Word and for me John 13:35. I knew because of the way he reacted to my "criticism" of his ministry. He acted just like a man that wants to show Jesus to everyone that comes across his path. He treated me with respect and kindness, just as Jesus would. He acted as if we had been close brothers all of our lives; and he was truly glad that I had cared enough to point out something to him that might need to be looked into or changed.
I was delighted to have had the opportunity to share with my brother all the things that God had been doing in my life.
And we both praised Jesus for all He had done in our lives!
Think about it...
I called him to point out something I thought was wrong (which took about 4 minutes to explain)...
and for the rest of our conversation (about 20 minutes):
WE BOTH GOT SIDE-TRACKED INTO PRAISING JESUS!
AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT JESUS WAS DOING IN OUR LIVES.
AND SHARING OUR FATHER'S WORD WITH EACH OTHER.
JESUS was the center of everything that we thought and said during our time together. IT WAS GREAT!!!
I have been looking for Christians like this man; but I can't seem to find any. I will keep looking and remember that I once met a stranger who was more like a true brother (in every sense of the word) than any "christian" I have ever met. I thank God for our short time together, and I look forward to talking to him again someday (I lost the tract with his number).
When I started my journey with Messiah Jesus, my wife and my two brothers and I used to sit around WITH OUR BIBLES OPEN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAID. WE USED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SCRIPTURES WE HAD READ, AND HOW GREAT GOD'S WORD WAS. THOSE DAYS WERE A GREAT TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AROUND GOD'S WORD. I know that my first love was Jesus/God's Word. I would read my Bible and talk about it every day to anyone I met Deut 6:6-7. I was insatiable. This is what I believe Jesus meant when he said forsaking our first love, and doing the first works again. Rev 2:4-5
Tom
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9232 is a reply to message #9231] |
Thu, 03 January 2013 01:32 |
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GWB
Messages: 708
Registered: March 2008
Location: Louisville, Ky area |
Senior Member |
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That really is an awesome testimony. To know and have the love and support of the brethren is a precious gift. Especially, that connection, is important for the times in which we live.
So, what is your opinion of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings?
Are they wicked? If not, why?
With all respect in our love for Jesus, just wondering since that is the topic of this thread. I get off track many times, myself. It has been an interesting topic, indeed.
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: There's Power in the Blood [message #9236 is a reply to message #9142] |
Fri, 04 January 2013 00:03 |
A_Smoking_Flax
Messages: 34
Registered: November 2012 |
Member |
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Gillyann...
Could you please expand or explain just what you meant when you said:
"Don't even go there.......Praying for anyone involved in the occult in any way, shape, or form."
[posted on: Sat, 17 November 2012 20:35]
I am not sure what you mean.
I am just now going over all the posts from Mark L's initial comments on Sun, 07 February 2010 17:32 up to today Thur. Jan. 3, 2013
Thank you
Tom
[Updated on: Fri, 04 January 2013 00:10]
Jesus told me this 33yrs ago: John 14:6 I still believe Him.
God's words shall be in your heart: you shall talk of them all day long. Deut 6:6-7
Test all things; Examine all things; Put all things on trial; Prove all things. 1Thes 5:21
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