A seared conscience

[PeterJens]

1> The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2> Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:1-4

I have been wondering about this concept for some time.
Jesus met the pharisees who said He was from satan.

Jesus said this

19> This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20> Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21> But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 3:19-21

Now I have to be honest. If I sin my conscience plays havoc with me.
I feel bad and have to get right with God, it is not something I can ignore.

I have discussed things with believers, so some who claim to be believers.
When I prob on simple issues like love, forgiveness, joy, peace, blessing I
get accused of boasting and being a superior arrogant legalist.

Now because this response has not been from just one or two but a whole
movement and a set of teachers who churn out the same dogma, it made
me to begin to wonder, have these people literally seared their consciences
so their conscience is now silent, but being reminded of unconfessed and dealt
with sin causes twinges, and then anger and hatred.

I have to be frank. Compromise with sin, and living in evil and accepting behaviour
that is not Holy is to be an enemy of God. There is no other place.

11> Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:11

If anyone knows what love is in their heart in Christ will agree with me.
People who have compromised so deeply, knowing the gospel yet walking
without a conscience are lost causes. I have yet to meet one who has come
back from this situation, so I am open to an example, but there are plenty who
were lost in the world and have come to Christ and walk in love, which is very
different.

Now I know we are often a work in progress, issues still being resolved, but that
is a very different place that actually given up to sin, which seems to be the
testimony of some.

God bless you, and may you know the Holy Spirit filling you faily

 

[for_his_glory]

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

It is very sad when self proclaimed Christians lie so much that they actually start to believe them and this becomes profane and vain babblings. They have no righteousness found in them nor the Holy Spirit that is quick to convict us when we do sin. I know for myself when I do things that are not pleasing to the Lord His conviction comes quick. The conscience is seared in many as they know not the Spirit of God.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

[PeterJens]

"I totally reject your methodology of depbate. Basically a bunch of disjointed verses without context. Proper debate should have specific principles made in full then backed up with multiple references to SECTIONS of scripture. As has been stated you can prove anything with the Bible with single verses, the Bible quotes those opposed to the teachings of the Bible. Using those verses out of context would make the Bible say the opposite of what it stands for.
Context
Context
Context"

The above is a reply given by someone who does not like the verses being quoted in a thread ( not this one),
cannot answer them, but dismisses them because they do not agree with their theology.

I have noticed how we easily defend ourselves from emotional challenges by refusing to engage or
even look.

I shared a lot of scripture, within its context, expounding the themes of the apostles, yet some could
not be bothered to read, or if they read, just looked for things to find fault with, or use as ammunition
to demean, bring down. I suspect that this is what a seared conscience does to people. They know
where they are, and it is just maintaining this position that concerns them, at any cost.

I understand this feeling, because I have had it myself, but this is where we need to exercise faith.
Trust Jesus to show us the way, and nothing anyone can write, especially from scripture will pull us
down, rather it will always build us up to His glory.

11> As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
12> For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13> for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:11-13

16> All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Tim 3:16

Dismissing any part of scripture is not good, as all of it has relevance to God and His message to us.

 

[PeterJens]

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

It is very sad when self proclaimed Christians lie so much that they actually start to believe them and this becomes profane and vain babblings. They have no righteousness found in them nor the Holy Spirit that is quick to convict us when we do sin. I know for myself when I do things that are not pleasing to the Lord His conviction comes quick. The conscience is seared in many as they know not the Spirit of God.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

My question is about how should we handle people such as this?
On the internet there are people who suck up days, weeks, years trying to persuade some of these figures,
yet nothing seems to change.

I have found learning ones positions and how to express them is helpful training to use with those willing
to put different arguments forward. But I have also seen people torn apart and discouraged by some, while
others find talking about righteousness discouraging. When I focus of Jesus, being discouraged about love,
respect, honour and care is absurd, but when you begin to empathise, it sometimes feels like you give the
individual an excuse.

I have also found the mocking, cynical, dismissive and abusive spirit some use becomes infectious, as if
this is Christs way. If I strip away the subject matter, you begin to see the truth of the heart underneath.

What became obvious was some desired to provoke and cause anger in the other, so that if one exploded,
they would sit there are say, "not so righteous after all, you sinner."

The apostles were clear though
2> Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3> Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Eph 4:2-3

9> Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10> Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11> Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
James 4:9-11

 

[for_his_glory]

Personally I stay away from the drama that occurs in forums. Egos are usually ones own downfall as they become unteachable and set in their ways. Another is that we are all on different levels of learning. Some follow only that of the pulpit and others are diggers in the word as they allow the Holy Spirit teach them as it needs to be. When we stand before Christ we are to be without excuse, Romans 2:1-11.

I will never argue, nor debate that of what I have learned, but give what I believe is truth and discuss it. Am I always right, no, but am teachable as even what I might have understood may come to a better light by someone who is far more advanced then myself. We must remain pleasing unto God in all we do and say, Romans 12:1-3.

 

[PeterJens]

Personally I stay away from the drama that occurs in forums. Egos are usually ones own downfall as they become unteachable and set in their ways. Another is that we are all on different levels of learning. Some follow only that of the pulpit and others are diggers in the word as they allow the Holy Spirit teach them as it needs to be. When we stand before Christ we are to be without excuse, Romans 2:1-11.

I will never argue, nor debate that of what I have learned, but give what I believe is truth and discuss it. Am I always right, no, but am teachable as even what I might have understood may come to a better light by someone who is far more advanced then myself. We must remain pleasing unto God in all we do and say, Romans 12:1-3.

I agree with you. Some find it very hard to be open enough to hear God, and then take this to heart.
I shared some ideas about different theological positions, only to find, these being used as some token
of evil, to be put in my face. It does make me wonder how we grow and share and encourage.

Maybe this medium is not best for certain types of discussion because people get too involved and hurt,
not quite knowing why, and it all escalates.

I do though think we do need to learn how to make a stand and represent Christ love in an open witnessing
way. God bless you

 

[for_his_glory]

It's a good medium, but you also have to Spiritually discern that of what you hear. That's why it is so important to get into the word for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.

 

[godsquadgeek]