Bible Study What Does It Mean To Walk In The Spirit.

[ezrider]

Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

Over the years of being a Shepherd of several Flocks of the Master Shepherd Jesus Christ, I have noted two basic classes of Believers. One class or group is very serious in our local Churches. They love serving and exercising their spiritual gifts.

The other group are basic pew warmers. They are Christians, just not very serious in their walk. Perhaps it's because they have never really learned about the importance of the Holy Spirit in their every day activities.

This thread is to bring our attention to the great importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Many of us focus on the Word of God in daily studies, which is very necessary. We focus on our gratitude of God's Grace and His Salvation that He has drawn us to. We also focus on our love for the Brethren.

I believe that there is needed a new focus on the reality of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives so that He can, in us, overcome the energy of the flesh which is at war with Him. What I'm hoping for is that each of you would post on your beliefs on how do we practically "walk in the Spirit" and make Him our dominate focus.

How do we walk in the Spirit? How can we be led of the Spirit? How do we exercise the Fruit of the Spirit? How do we Live in the Spirit? I'm really after a daily conscious LIVING in the Spirit of Almighty God. I'm convinced that a life dedicated to living, praying, and a determination to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and body, we will be different from those who don't, and a witness to the world that we are different because of what God and His Son Jesus has done in our lives, to His Glory.

Chopper, it is puzzling to me how that on a Christian community forum such as this, that a thread of this topic and nature has less participation than another thread concerning who can pee in what bathroom. So maybe we should start again from the beginning of your OP and discuss the passages you included from Galatians, with a slightly different focus. Before we focused on contrasting the difference between the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ and the Law of Moses as the law of sin and death.

In your OP you ask how do we walk and live in the Spirit? How do we exercise the fruit of the Spirit? So with those questions in mind, let us look again at your OP, only this time lets look at the works of the flesh verses the fruit of the Spirit as identified in Galatians 5:19-23.

 

[AbbeyJoy]

Living in faith. And trusting in God's plan and following Him

 

[eddif]

Chopper, it is puzzling to me how that on a Christian community forum such as this, that a thread of this topic and nature has less participation than another thread concerning who can pee in what bathroom. So maybe we should start again from the beginning of your OP and discuss the passages you included from Galatians, with a slightly different focus. Before we focused on contrasting the difference between the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ and the Law of Moses as the law of sin and death.

In your OP you ask how do we walk and live in the Spirit? How do we exercise the fruit of the Spirit? So with those questions in mind, let us look again at your OP, only this time lets look at the works of the flesh verses the fruit of the Spirit as identified in Galatians 5:19-23.

Matthew 11:11 KJV
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Moses struck the rock once, but the second time he was to speak to the rock. For this he did not enter the promised land.

King David did not build the temple because of being a man of war.

As a redneck warrior I fail to enter the spiritual speaking with my anger engagded. Seems as I would pay attention.

eddif

 

[Edward]

People are scared of it. So scared of deception that they'll reject truth when it comes...just to be on the safe side...

I'll engage it.

 

[eddif]

People are scared of it. So scared of deception that they'll reject truth when it comes...just to be on the safe side...

I'll engage it.

So!

Take us directly to where the fear comes from.
More especially where the perceived fear comes from. Or most probably where the Mississippi redneck thinks it comes from (?). History and modern day would be nice.


eddif

 

[Chopper]

Chopper, it is puzzling to me how that on a Christian community forum such as this, that a thread of this topic and nature has less participation than another thread concerning who can pee in what bathroom. So maybe we should start again from the beginning of your OP and discuss the passages you included from Galatians, with a slightly different focus. Before we focused on contrasting the difference between the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ and the Law of Moses as the law of sin and death.

In your OP you ask how do we walk and live in the Spirit? How do we exercise the fruit of the Spirit? So with those questions in mind, let us look again at your OP, only this time lets look at the works of the flesh verses the fruit of the Spirit as identified in Galatians 5:19-23.

Thank you ez, I agree with you. Lets then change a little and focus on those two areas. The works of the flesh, verses the fruit of the Spirit. The following Scripture has been after me to understand it and perhaps this thread is just where you can help me and others get a grasp on what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us. Here's the Scripture....

Hebrews 12:18 "For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
12:19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
12:20 For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."
12:21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."
12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering."
I don't have time to comment further, so If someone can see an application of the works of the flesh as compared with the fruit of the Spirit, lets hear it. I'll comment as soon as I can.

 

[Edward]

So!

Take us directly to where the fear comes from.
More especially where the perceived fear comes from. Or most probably where the Mississippi redneck thinks it comes from (?). History and modern day would be nice.


eddif

Jesus told His Apostles (and us) where it comes from...unbelief/lack of faith.

Im not even sure what that means lol! Are there differing levels of faith? The Apostles did many healings and miracles, but could not cure the epileptic boy...why?

I've got a patched up broken back that causes me much discomfort and pain, even with pain pills. I fell off a 10' ladder and dislocated my hip. No med insurance so went home...prayed to be healed. Thanked and praised Him in advance. He did Heal me of my dislocated hip, and did not heal my back...why?

I had enough faith to receive the hip healing, but not enough for my back??!! I dunno. Maybe I should pray and fast?

 

[eddif]

5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Chopper
I am headed toward an explanation, but I have no faith in myself to get all this out.
I. Led by evil
A. By Satan
1. Using serpent
2 tempting our flesh
B. By our fallen flesh
1. Using witchcraft to idols (Wizard etc.)
2. By our flesh to sexual sins, pride, etc.

II. Sin defined by Law
A. Punishment
1. By stoning if it touches the mountain
2. By many ordinces under the law.

Man was led into sin by evil:
Satan
Serpent
Flesh
Witchcraft
Wizards
Familiar spirits
Demons
Etc.

This is being led by evil, and is leading by a spirit - - it is just not the Holy Spirit.

By the way I have no skills in the Roman numeral, ABC, 123 stuff

This should help us in seeing the wrong way to be led. Without Holy Spirit we can not identify:
I Corinthians 12:1
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. They were led, but the wrong leading.

The Jews chose to be led into this themselves.

Now shall we go back and see what the Holy Spirit leads us into?

eddif

 

[ezrider]

By the way I have no skills in the Roman numeral, ABC, 123 stuff

Just indent the sub-points.

A.
1.
2.
a.
b.
B.
1.


Edit. Well, so much for that. It looks formatted when I type, but not when I post. Maybe you could change font colors or something to help identify the outline your giving.

A.
_____1.
_____2.
__________a.
__________b.
B.
_____1.

 

[ezrider]

People are scared of it. So scared of deception that they'll reject truth when it comes...just to be on the safe side...

I'll engage it.

So!

Take us directly to where the fear comes from.

Jesus told His Apostles (and us) where it comes from...unbelief/lack of faith.

Can you please expand on what you trying the say Edward? I'm not sure that I understand what you are asking and then answering. You said that people are scared of it, but then answered eddif that the fear comes from unbelief. First what is it you think people are afraid of, and second, how does unbelief make them afraid of it?

 

[eddif]

Just indent the sub-points.

A.
1.
2.
a.
b.
B.
1.


Edit. Well, so much for that. It looks formatted when I type, but not when I post. Maybe you could change font colors or something to help identify the outline your giving.

A.
_____1.
_____2.
__________a.
__________b.
B.
_____1.

Actually if you have the skills, arrange it all for us when we need it. Right now we need to get er said. I was trying to prime the pump.

eddif

 

[ezrider]

People are scared of it. So scared of deception that they'll reject truth when it comes...just to be on the safe side...

I'll engage it.

Consider the story in the Garden of Eden, and the very first commandment we find in the scriptures: Of all the trees that are in the garden thou may eat of, But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it or you shall surely die. Now we all know what happened then, death entered the world, and they were driven from the garden.

Now just consider for a moment, of all the trees that were in the garden they were permitted to freely eat, and only the tree of knowledge was forbidden to them. Now I may be speaking over-broadly, but why in some Christian sects do they consider anything outside of the Bible as being evil, and not to be touched. Is that the way the the Lord set forth His Garden? Why is it when we come to the knowledge of good and evil as found in the Bible, the law of sin and death, that some would reject the liberty we have been given in Christ, and instead they proclaim that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the law of sin and death is the only fruit to be trusted, and the all the other trees are evil and should be not be touched. What drives this deception? Don't they know through Christ we have been given access to the tree of Life?

 

[ezrider]

Let us consider the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit born of the flesh. But before we do so, let us set aside the law, we have no need nor should we desire to debate it. Let us forget about sin and death, for they have been defeated. We need not think about Satan, for he has been cast out. Let us look unto Christ and embrace His Grace together.

Galatians 5:19-23 (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:19-23 (NKJV)
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:19-23 (ESV)
Now the works of the flesh are evident:sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.

When we look at these verses, we do not need to identify one group as believers and the other as group non-believers. No, this is about your fruit and my fruit. It is the fruits that we as our own individual posses. When we are walking according to the lusts of this world, then the works of the flesh become evident. But when we are walking according to the Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit will become evident.

These are not fruits that we should use in judgement or accusation of others, nor should we seek its praise. But these fruits that are listed here are the markers and signposts that we may stay on the path. eddif made a very insightful comment.

As a redneck warrior I fail to enter the spiritual speaking with my anger engagded. Seems as I would pay attention.

When I become preoccupied with the things of the world, or get caught up in politics and such, then I notice that there is a greater tendency in me to become frustrated and angry, and the longer these things preoccupy me, the more frequent and with less resistance the anger or outburst is released. When I have reached this point, I know that I have taken my sights off of my walk in the Kingdom of Heaven and must return my focus to the Spirit of Christ. Often when we wander off the path, or become preoccupied with the things of this world, if we recognize it and return to seek the Spirit of the Lord, then it can become something teachable that we can learn from, its how he writes His laws into our hearts. We should not fear to look at these things, for in Christ Jesus we do not stand in condemnation, nor should we seek a covering for our iniquities. Circumcise the foreskin (remove the covering) of your hearts, and accept the Grace of the Lord. If He payed the price for our iniquities and died for our sins, then the least we could do is actually look at them with Him.

.

 

[ezrider]

When we are walking after the Spirit, if we are living after the Spirit, then we are seeking after the things that pertain to the kingdom of Heaven, but if we are more concerned with the cares of this world, then we are walking after the flesh.

Matthew 13:10-11
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Matthew 13:18-23
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.


Matthew 22:2-10
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner:my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth:and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

.

 

[Edward]

Can you please expand on what you trying the say Edward? I'm not sure that I understand what you are asking and then answering. You said that people are scared of it, but then answered eddif that the fear comes from unbelief. First what is it you think people are afraid of, and second, how does unbelief make them afraid of it?

(Well first remember that I'm trying to understand and learn this stuff myself. I might be wrong about some of it still until I learn it better. ;))
But I'll try.

Scared of being led by or walking in the Spirit! No one says that of course, but all signs point to yes. Society (the enemy), has lumped Godly spiritual truths in the same basket as the occult and taught people to fear it, rather than how to engage it. Many Christians wont try to be led by the Spirit for fear of, doing it wrong (lol) and being possessed by an evil Spirit...(I think. I base my conjecture on how people have responded and things they say, when the topic is broached.)

Filled with the (a) Spirit? Isn't that being possessed or occultish? ...and similar. But we are spiritual beings and are instructed to live as so. (Live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led of the Spirit...).

Unbelief makes them afraid of it because they don't understand it, and people fear what they don't understand. (All while their television continues to convince them that the devil and spirits are spooky and powerful and can kill people...)

 

[ezrider]

(Well first remember that I'm trying to understand and learn this stuff myself. I might be wrong about some of it still until I learn it better. ;))
But I'll try.

Scared of being led by or walking in the Spirit! No one says that of course, but all signs point to yes. Society (the enemy), has lumped Godly spiritual truths in the same basket as the occult and taught people to fear it, rather than how to engage it. Many Christians wont try to be led by the Spirit for fear of, doing it wrong (lol) and being possessed by an evil Spirit...(I think. I base my conjecture on how people have responded and things they say, when the topic is broached.)

Filled with the (a) Spirit? Isn't that being possessed or occultish? ...and similar. But we are spiritual beings and are instructed to live as so. (Live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led of the Spirit...).

Unbelief makes them afraid of it because they don't understand it, and people fear what they don't understand. (All while their television continues to convince them that the devil and spirits are spooky and powerful and can kill people...)

Much like the children of Israel when they were led up out of Egypt?

Deuteronomy 5:23-27
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

 

[Edward]

Consider the story in the Garden of Eden, and the very first commandment we find in the scriptures: Of all the trees that are in the garden thou may eat of, But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it or you shall surely die. Now we all know what happened then, death entered the world, and they were driven from the garden.

Now just consider for a moment, of all the trees that were in the garden they were permitted to freely eat, and only the tree of knowledge was forbidden to them. Now I may be speaking over-broadly, but why in some Christian sects do they consider anything outside of the Bible as being evil, and not to be touched. Is that the way the the Lord set forth His Garden? Why is it when we come to the knowledge of good and evil as found in the Bible, the law of sin and death, that some would reject the liberty we have been given in Christ, and instead they proclaim that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the law of sin and death is the only fruit to be trusted, and the all the other trees are evil and should be not be touched. What drives this deception? Don't they know through Christ we have been given access to the tree of Life?

That's exactly what I'm talking about. The law of sin and death can be trusted because, they're familiar with it, it's tangible and can be seen, and it's in the Bible ...so get away from me with your fringe type thinking, that is unseen and not even tangible. :neutral yeah.

They know that we've been given access to the tree of life, but all Christians don't! Liberty in Christ is ethereal and someday when the Lord comes, we'll all be given liberty and access to the tree of life... (Chocolate chip bull cookies!)

On earth, as it is in heaven. :wink

 

[ezrider]

Matthew 13:18-23
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

In the parable of the sower I highlighted those that received the seed of the kingdom among the thorns, and the cares of this world chokes out the word and they become unfruitful for a reason. Because the cares of the world cause us to walk in the flesh, and when we do so its fruit becomes evident: wrath, division, outburst of anger, strife.....

When I bumped this thread I made a comment that it had received less participation and a thread about who is allowed to pee in what bathroom. That only exemplifies how the cares of the world choke out the word of the kingdom, and the evidence of walking after the flesh and the fruit it bears is on full display in the Current Events and Politics forum. Observe the fruits of division, observe the fruits of strife, can you find anything that edifies to the glory of the Kingdom in the conversation in that forum? Can you find anyone who is seeking after the Spirit?

They speak evil of those they disagree with, they argue over gays and abortion and politics, and they call our President evil and all manner of names. Does the fruit displayed in that particular forum not reveal that the cares of the world have choked of the word of the kingdom?

I'm sorry, but I feel I must post the following scriptures for those who find themselves among the thorns fulfilling the lust of lust of the flesh as they comment on the current event.

Jude 1:8-13
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not:but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

2 Peter 2:9-21
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls:an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity:the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption:for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

 

[eddif]

(Well first remember that I'm trying to understand and learn this stuff myself. I might be wrong about some of it still until I learn it better. ;))
But I'll try.

Scared of being led by or walking in the Spirit! No one says that of course, but all signs point to yes. Society (the enemy), has lumped Godly spiritual truths in the same basket as the occult and taught people to fear it, rather than how to engage it. Many Christians wont try to be led by the Spirit for fear of, doing it wrong (lol) and being possessed by an evil Spirit...(I think. I base my conjecture on how people have responded and things they say, when the topic is broached.)

Filled with the (a) Spirit? Isn't that being possessed or occultish? ...and similar. But we are spiritual beings and are instructed to live as so. (Live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led of the Spirit...).

Unbelief makes them afraid of it because they don't understand it, and people fear what they don't understand. (All while their television continues to convince them that the devil and spirits are spooky and powerful and can kill people...)

That is a good start.

Fear of finding out my group is not the only group.
Fear of finding out Holy Spirit leads (not us)
Fear of giving Jesus the credit
Fear of using the law lawfully
Fear of recognizing our present sins
Fear of only being perfect at the end
Fear of seeing flesh and mind
Fear of being one new man with them
Others

eddif

 

[ezrider]

Unbelief makes them afraid of it because they don't understand it, and people fear what they don't understand. (All while their television continues to convince them that the devil and spirits are spooky and powerful and can kill people...)

Now where have I heard that before? Hmm! Oh, that's right, it was in one of the Batman movies, Batman Begins or something like that. And if it wasn't for that darned old television, I might not have known that.