Pastor Ralph Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don’t, according to Isaiah 28:21? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windcatcher Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? We live here and now - what we see/feel/know with our eyes.Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Sometimes we may not even recognize it as a lie - that is the nature of deception - believing a lie. Or we think the road to freedom is "too hard", even though it is generally temporary.Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? Truth (Jesus) often comes against what we believe.How can we help people come to the truth? I know God's word is living and active - so when appropriate - using His word. Truth sets people free. Love also nevers fails (never without effect) so love them.What is the alternative if they don’t, according to Isaiah 28:21? a severe thrashing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjcargile Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 1. How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easy? -When we make our own decisions and not fully trusting God or sometimes we say "I prayed about it and I know this is what God wants me to do." 2. Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? -It is so easy to believe a lie rather than the truth when it works in our favor. Lies produces immediate results which always produces disaster results. 3. Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation, and His righteous standards? -This happen when we do not have a spirtual fondation in Christ. 4. How can we help people come to the truth? -By setting the example, loving them from our hearts, and teaching them God's rules and commands. Teach them to trust in God rather than man. "Heavenly father, thank you for this study of your word. Teach us to fully trust you in all things in the name of JESUS CHRIST our Lord". Amen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 On 8/1/2013 at 10:03 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don’t, according to Isaiah 28:21? a. Pride and stubbornness blind us to our true, fallen nature. Like 2 year olds, we "want to do it ourselves", rather than depending upon God. Jeremiah said : "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely mortally corrupt...Who can perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind?" ( Jer 17:9 ) This keeps unbelievers from seeing their need for a Savior, and keeps believers stuck in old, comfortably familiar beliefs. b. Growing in Christ is a long process! Lies have been deeply entrenched, and only studying and learning His Word (TRUTH) can renew our minds. Jeremiah also said the "people cannot be deceived except by their own consent". (Jer 14:16b) To continue to believe lies, indicates that we are more comfortable with deception because it serves our purposes, rather than allowing His Holy Spirit to awaken us to truth. c. We stumble over Him because we don't want to admit we are sinners and have need of His Salvation and forgiveness. (Satan is the great liar and deceiver, and his goal is to blind the unsaved and take them to hell with him, and to blind the believer of his/her need for Jesus every moment of every day! d. We can live and allow Him to be glorified in our lives so others may hunger for the love, joy and forgiveness we have. We can "let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things, speaking the truth in love, and grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, even Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) one. (Share the Gospel of Grace, both in word and deed, whenever the opportunity presents itself) e. He will judge them for their rebellion and refusal to receive His gracious, free gift of salvation and eternal life. They will experience the wrath He has reserved for the unrepentant. (How I thank God that Jesus took all of that wrath upon Himself in judgment for my sin, so that I don't have to experience it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvoryEagle Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? DELAY OF CONSEQUENCES LEADS US TO BELIEVE THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES. Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? THE TRUTH IS DELAYED. Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? CHRIST APPEARS IN THE SPIRIT AND WITHOUT FORCE. THEY ASSUME HE IS NOT THERE. How can we help people come to the truth? SHARE THE WORD. What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? THEY WILL BE DESTROYED! "Now the prophet turns to the Lord's "strange work," his "alien task" (28:21) of bringing destruction to his own people." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnykenny Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Humans justify and deceive themselves due to Adam's fall, whereby all of humanity is born into the state of his original sin. Thereby all of humanity suffers from a darkening of the intellect known as concupiscence, which strongly tends toward sin. Sin is any willful thought, word, deed or omission contrary to the law of God. Thus, on the natural all of mankind's inclinations are tainted and thereby tends toward sin. Due to our darkened intellect we tend to hold on to things which are appealing and comfortable to our natural and sinful inclinations. Mankind stumbles over Jesus Christ because He is Light itself. The Light is frightening because it demands a change within our natural intellectual thinking and perceptions of what is actual reality. Prior to Christ we were moved about by our darkened intellect and the darkened intellect of the world. We were comfortable with a dead faith, a faith based solely upon our own imaginations. With the Light of Christ we see things we never seen before and they are not pretty and this challenges us to change and change is not easy nor desirable for the old wine of our lives was mild and full of our own desires and wishful thinking. Even if our personal lives were burdensome we had grown comfortable with these heavy loads/yokes that never truly satisfied, but neither did we truly have to think and if something undesirable happened we easily could and did blame it on something or someone else, such as karma, bad luck, politics, religion, the weather, etc.. Those who have come to know, love and serve our Lord are duty bound to share this same divine charity with those around us. We might well be the only Christ another person will ever meet, therefore we must be living this divine life of forgiveness and charity at all times. Love and kindness can cover over a multitudes of sins and heart breaks thereby healing the wounded spirit and thereby shedding rays of faith, hope and love into the soul of another. We are to share the Word of God in the way we live our lives and when necessary use words. It is by our example that our neighbor will respond to, whether this example is good or bad. Thus, we must be prepared to share the faith, hope and love of God at all times, whether convenient or inconvenient. If we do not share the Word of God through our evangelizations, and ministering to the needy in mind, body and spirit, God our heavenly Father will not hold us guiltless. If we do not warn our neighbors of the imminent danger and they remain unknowing of God and die in their sin, they will not enter into heaven and we will be held liable for their loss. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian but does not live it by assisting to the physical and spiritual needs of their neighbors and to the alien and to the stranger and the family member, though he call upon the name of the Lord daily, he will not be saved, and this because in truth he never knew the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to love God first and foremost with our entire being and essence daily and love our neighbor as we love ourselves, to do anything less is to not be a Christian. We must carry our crosses daily. If our Lord finds us dragging our crosses reluctantly or if he finds us casting our crosses aside he will not be pleased. We must eagerly carry our crosses daily, just as our Lord carried his to Calvary. Keep in mind, that even our Lord received help in carrying His cross, therefore let us call upon the Church and her faithful to assist us in faithfully carrying our crosses daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Jim Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? In our fallen state mankind has been given a spirit of error. We believe in anything that will seemingly give us comfort. Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? People want to believe that everything will be OK. We don't want to hear about consequences. It's easier to sleep at night if we stay deluded that we're not going to face judgement for the way we live. Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? Because it's probably easier to reject Christ. To follow Jesus we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. That's a high standard and people can't accept it. Before becoming a Christian a person will stumble trying to live up to God's standards in their own strength. So they very often don't even try. How can we help people come to the truth? In our daily walk. We have to be the living proof of the Gospel of Christ. If people see Godly principles lived out daily in our lives they may come to understand what God requires. What is the alternative if they don’t, according to Isaiah 28:21? God Himself will rise against them. And it will be calamitous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocI333 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Q1.How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Not trusting in God, Trusting in Self Knowledge. Selfishness & Self-centered, not God-centered. Q2.Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? False beliefs like to hold people in bondage -- and they cannot free themselves. – Self cannot fix self, I have to have God’s Help. Q3. Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? Some of us haven’t gotten the entire message yet and the foundation of sand may have not produced enough pain for the contrite heart to allow me to abandon myself totally to God. The cornerstone may not be set properly, as of yet. Q4. How can we help people come to the truth? By Example and sharing for confession and witness. Owning my errors, it is ok to do that as long as I face the light. Q5. What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? In this parable, Isaiah teaches that, in his wisdom, God will only thresh his people to the extent necessary to achieve his intended result --of making delicious bread in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelbaby Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? We believe the lie...we are convinced that what we believe is the truth ..we convince ourselves that it wont matter ...we tell ourselves it is just a last time...we make excuses for the need for what we are doing, we justify our deeds and lifestyle and carry on in the same life Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? We lack the understanding of the width and breath and depth and height of Gods Love and His great and unparalleled sacrifice of Christs death on the cross..the reality of it doesnt rub off on us..a thing of the past kinda.t ..we want to do the right but we do the wrong becasue the forces of evil are stronger ...we do not reign victoriously and behave as conquerors with Christ Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? They stumble over Him as if he is a rock/ stone in their path because they are unable to trust Him. They feel there is nothing so wrong in thier lives..they refuse to admit thier sinfulness, they live with an attitude to thier sin as a small sin but in Gods dictionary there is no small or big sin ..a sin is a sin is a sin.....and the punishment for it is death which Christ died for in advance in our stead ...but they live life with a blind eye , a deaf ear and a hard heart..not responding to or receiving the TRUTH How can we help people come to the truth? It is important to teach them with love of Christ. We have to pray for them to be convicted of their sin and to accept Christ as their Saviour. We are to translate Jesus love into action for them to understand the love of Christ. What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? The Lord will come in anger suddenly to do a strange and unusual thing , to destroy His own people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily?We trust in ourselves rather than in Christ. We get our ‘answers’ from the world and give honor and glory to the pundits and the academicians. “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1 Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? They’re comfortable; they don’t challenge us. The longer we believe the lies, the more entrenched they become in the fabric of our lives. We become hardened to the truth, blinded, and there are so many worldly validations around us that it becomes more and more difficult to discern right from wrong.Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards?They are blinded by worldly things and cannot understand the mystery of Christ. So they stumble over what they hear and see. They don’t have a basis for trust. The chief priests and elders in Jerusalem were eager for the Messiah to come, but their idea of who would be their Messiah did not allow for a carpenter’s son who disputed with them. They held specific ideas of what the Kingdom would be and they couldn’t accept something contrary to what they wanted and had expected for their entire lives.Christ is a gift. A gift doesn’t unwrap itself; it isn’t ‘received’ if you put it on the shelf. I’m reminded of what someone said about the children who receive the Christmas Box gifts (through Samaritans Purse) each year. Some children will take the brightly wrapped gift and put it on a shelf and look at it. They marvel at how bright and pretty it is and enjoy looking at it. They never look inside, unless someone encourages them. How can we help people come to the truth?Witness to them: tell them what Jesus has done for you. Demonstrate the Spirit of Christ every day, represent Christ; help them understand what Jesus has already done for any person who believes in Him.As Christians, we are being observed. One of our Bible study group this morning related a story of a relative who, at work one day, smashed his thumb with a hammer. Without any sort of outcry, he went and got it bandaged. A co-worker later approached him, impressed by his forbearance, and said “I want what you have.” As a result of what he observed, the co-worker began to attend church and then gave his life to Jesus. He was watching! What he saw changed his life! Helping people doesn't have to be a mission trip to China. You don't have to be an evangelist. It can often be something you did or said without even thinking about it. We don't know what God will use. Just pray that today He will use you to influence someone for Christ.What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21?The LORD will discipline them. They will be ‘threshed.’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonate Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Human beings who do not want to acknowledge Yahweh as their God and follow his ways justify and deceive themselves beleiving that they can live with their good moral values and in their ability. Since they do not want to live according to ways of God they justify their own actions. It is narrow path to walk in the ways of yahweh and it is comfortable and easy to take the ways of the world. so human beings deceive themselves and fall prey to the ways of the world. Lies or in other words the wisdom and ways of the world are easy to follow. Moreover whatever is needed as comfort or pleasure for a person is easily available by following the ways of the world. so people use lies as guide to their lives because there is no pain of getting their human wants satisfied. people who do not follow the Lord think its difficult to get their desires met through following God's ways hence they take the guidance of the world which is full of lies and deception. Jesus is the way , the truth and the life. People due to stubborness, hard heartedness, pride and arrogance find it difficult to accept Jesus as Lord and come under total submission to him. people who love to follow they lifestyle of the world cannot make Jesus their Lord and master and obey his teachings. Thus they stumble over Christ the righteous One. we ourselves need to daily walk in the ways of the Lord and truly live a life imitating the nature of Jesus Christ. our behaviour, our way of living can by itself be a witness to an unbeliever. with love and compassion of Jesus and by his strength we can share his peace with those who are groping in darkness. our strong prayer for them can pull out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Kingdom of Jesus. The Lord will destroy the ungodly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royk Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? It is so easy to self examine and recognize we are sinners; living in this material world, TV commercials, shopping for things we don't really need, holding on to the idea of needing "materially-more" it is easy to deceive ourselves. As loing as we don't put God first, our quality of spiritual life will suffer. Its too eash to mot change, or deceive ourselves and say, "I really need a new car, a new suite, a bigger house, etc.The soluton is not easy, spend more time with God, trust Him to change our hearts over time. We are and will remian sinners; praise God for sending His Son, Jesus. Praise Jesus for being our solution in this fallen and material world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmelo9 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Hello, 1 - How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Trusting in Self Knowledge. 2 - Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? The natural man is inclined in a lie. 3 - Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? To follow Christ is to renounce ourselves, and this is difficult. 4 - How can we help people come to the truth? Teach them to truth in God through of his word. 5 - What is the alternative if they don’t, according to Isaiah 28:21? The judgment of God upon them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humblejon Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Those with a carnal and worldly mind will be closed off from the truth, so most will devise wild forms of rationalization a to defend their beliefs and actions--which actually rooted from worldly desires and greed. Furthermore, the worldly hold onto these "rationalizations" because they are their own creations (imaginations). If they disregard them but still reject God's truth, they will have nothing. The worldly,therefore, will grasp the own thoughts. Christ's teachings and actions were of the Spirit and God, yet the wicked an self-righteous do not know what is of God and His Spirit. Thus on judgement day they will be accountable for not only their actions but for rejecting God's free gift of grace through Jesus Christ. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ should rebuke sin and encourage sinners to repent and return to a loving and merciful God. Otherwise, they will destruction like the Philistines, Medianites, or any other people who oppose God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? We are born with a self will that is alienated from the truth. The Bible says we are sheep. Sheep are stupid. We are stupid. So we are just prodigals who think we know it all. Lies feel so good for a time. So we cling to the ones that please what we want to hear. I love this. In our conceit we show our stupidity. We find out we don't have the answers and rather than recognize God our Savior we concoct lies and false beliefs to try to make ourselves look like we know it all. Pray!!! for all to come to a knowledge of the truth and to receive it for themselves. If they don't accept God He will fight against them. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD35 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 When we trust in ourselves more than we trust God, we do things according to the prompting of our flesh and sometimes this yields results which may look good to us (may not be right in the sight of god) and so we justify ourselves easily. Holding on to lies or narrow path seems the easy way out many a times and comfortable too. When Jesus and His Words come in the way of our wrong beliefs and sin we stumble over him. We have to set an example to other people by living a life according to the word of God. We have to pray for those who do not know the good news of Christ and in love we have to spread the gospel of the Lord to people living in the dark. If they fail to listen, God’s wrath and judgment will come upon them and they will be destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? We deceive ourselves because we put our trust in worldly values like wealth, power, fame, popularity, alcohol, sex, and numerous others. This falsehood and deception in our lives seems to be getting worse and worse - there seems to be a worldly frenzy about in satisfying our desires. The alternative, and only way, is to put our trust in Christ Jesus who is eternal. We must not lean on our own understanding but we must trust Him with all our heart and soul, acknowledging Him in everything we do. It is through the Word of God that we hear His voice and grow spiritually in His likeness. There is only one way to grow as a Christian, and that is to spend more time meditating on His Word. However, most stumble over Christ because they reject Him or refuse to believe that He is who He says He is. By refusing to believe in Christ we only bring judgment upon ourselves. He is the only person who can save us and give true meaning to our lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 We as humans are able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily because of the inherit sin we have. We are naturally independent and have much pride that tells us to "do it our own way." If we walk through our lives ignoring our very desperate need for God we will fall to our own deceptions and to those that society feeds us continually. If we have neglected to know God and His word, we remain in ignorance and are easy prey to many lies. These lies "feed" us somehow and we readily turn to their deceptions to be fulfilled but these lies and practices never satisfy. Until we turn to God to fill us and satisfy us, to lead us into truth and guide us we will continue to grasp at the lies and false promises and we get in a vicious cycle of always leaping into the next thing for satisfaction only to be disappointed every time and/or being drawn into even deeper sin while we flounder. People stumble over Christ because His way is so foreign to the world's way. Lost people are living selfishly to gratify self. They don't want to embrace the opposite of that. I think too, that people stumble over Christ because they just cannot believe that they don't have to "earn" salvation. Our society teaches the opposite of true freedom and encourages "self" in all things. We work, we earn, we rush, we are self made. To follow Christ is to lay down self and allow Him control of our lives. We can help people to come to the truth in many ways. Invest time in them and mentor them. Introduce them to the truths in the Bible and encourage them as they embrace these truths one by one. We can reach out in genuine love to them in everyday life and really lead by example of what a Christ like life is. We should pray for them and battle for them in the Spirit against the evil that wants to keep them bound in lies and deceptions and false needs. We can keep feeding truth and light to every darkness and lie that tries to reclaim them. If they will not come to the truth, God will thresh them often times bringing them to suffering (I know He did that to me) always giving opportunity for them to either return or to turn and be saved. It is with love He will discipline and always to draw a person to Himself. If though, they refuse to turn and deny salvation through Christ they will face damnation and eternal punishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyinBelize Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 ..Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? I become deceived when I get caught up in the moment. The stress or perceived immediate need takes over my ability to make wise choices or Godly choices. Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? I think the lie I hear from my parishioners most often is : " I'm only human." Another rationalization is "It's hard" to follow God and obey him. As if being " hard" is an excuse for not trying or Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? Because you have a choice : to follow Jesus or to hack out you own path. Many people prefer to "have it their way." How can we help people come to the truth? People come to the truth when the Spirit of God convicts them. They have to be open to listening to Gods voice inside of them. We can pray for them, model our best attempts at righteousness, show them God's word, and walk with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Sin widens the gap between man and God; it is because of this deliberate disobedience to the precepts of God, and to His commandments and rules that the gap becomes wider, easily deceiving mankind into thinking that the mercy of God is covering their willful disobedience. Why do they hold onto lies that guide their lives? They hold unto lies because they have chosen to listen to the deceiving spirits, the philosophy of this world which are contrary to that of God, therefore, they allow this spirit to guide their life instead of God and his precepts, it then becomes easier for the spirit of the world to take hold onto one’s life, just as we saw in the Garden of Eden. Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? Many stumble because the calling of Christ is for a righteous people, a people who will follow his Father's precept, his laws, just as many in Israel stumbled over righteousness, and chose the wide path of sin, the same is true for the Gentile people, many stumble over the Messiah of Israel because they choose the wide path of sin, over that of "RIGHTEOUSNESS" How can we help people come to the truth? We can help others by being a "LIVING" witness to the "TRUTH" of what the Messiah and the Spirit can do in their life, we can also hold them up in prayer and letting them know, we will be there if needed to help them along the path God is calling them to walk. What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? Judgment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sank T Monius Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Isaiah 28Q). How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily?A). We humans are able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily because we take refuge in falsehoods we mostly believe -- and act on. "...for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:" (Isaiah 28:15)#Q). Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives?A). False beliefs hold us in bondage -- and we cannot free ourselves. The gospel's truth can set us free, if we will just take heed. But so many of us prefer the popular lies of the culture, and the falsehoods they hold more dear than God's truth.#Q). Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards?A). When people are arrogant and self-serving they reject him, they stumble over him, rather than trusting in him.#Q). How can we help people come to the truth?A). Jesus taught us how we can help people come to the truth when He said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."#Q). What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21?A). The Lord will do His "strange work" of bringing destruction to his own people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? We deceive and justify ourselves when we do any unrighteous thing against God and still believe that He is still walking with us and will hear and deliver us from our troubles. People who reject the Lord Jesus the Messiah like the High Priests and the Pharisees did, actually lose an opportunity for salvation and thus stumble and fall into judgement. We can help people to know the truth by praying for God through the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of their hearts to see Jesus seated on the throne. We can also get the opportunity to speak to them and read the Word which is the Truth for them to hear and to know the Truth and they will be set free by the Truth. If they still refuse to believe and accept the Truth then they will face the wrath God’s judgment when He gathers His people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Humans take refuge in lies or falsehoods because this is the only escape they know and they cling to it. They are being deceived and they may not know the salvation Jesus Christ brings. Sin is so attractive to them and "everyone's doing it!" They don't truly understand righteousness and judgment. We can help people to come to the truth by telling them, supporting those who are telling them, live our lives as a witness to them. The best one to choose is ALL of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Question 5.1 We deceive ourselves just as Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan, the great deceiver who told Eve that they would not die if they ate the fruit. We today are also deceived by the evil of contemporary society to think that the lies of present day culture are better than the truths of the gospel. We are told that one is happier when one drinks or uses drugs or one who gets a husband if one get engaged immoral activity with him. (Notes) Such false beliefs, such lies, hold us in bondage and under oppression. Christ is the one who breaks down oppression, frees the captives, heals the sick and make the blind see. Despite all this we tend not to believe because the promise of the covenant is too good to be true. To make the people see the truth is very difficult. People are obstinate and tend to refuse to believe it. Prophets, preachers and priests are seen to be ineffective. Christ is the answer but there seems to be a little that we can do to bring about revival except to pray. It appears that the timing and the place is up to God. But also God seems to have difficulty in breaking through the barriers of popular culture whether it be the 21st century or the 7th century BC. Often when times become difficult then people tend to turn to God. After the dirty 30's and the difficulties of World War 11 there was a great turning to the church but after 60 years of prosperity the spiritual life and morals of North American society have badly deteriorated. Perhaps we need to pray for God to discipline the people so that we turn again to the Lord. If people continue to rape the earth and society then the wrath of God will fall. There will be floods and storms, earthquakes and volcanoes, and perhaps even war and pestilence. All this may be necessary for the people to see their way pass the stumbling stone of Christ and turn to the Lord and accept his grace and love. winstony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 The reason that we humans are able to justify and deceive ourselves is that we want something so bad that we are able to justify it. This is the reason that we hold onto lies that guide our lives because it feels good so we want to continue to do it. The reason that we stumble over Christ is because we know that what we are doing isn’t what Christ wants us to be doing. We have in inter Spirit that tells us right from wrong and we don’t want to listen to it. We can help people come to the truth by telling then what they are doing wrong in love and remind them of our Savior. God will be roused to do His deed and to use the aliens to do his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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