March 25: doing what is right in my own eyes...

Judges chapters 19 through 21

Judges 21:25 sums up the sad situation the nation of Israel finds itself in. A pit of self imposed despair.

"In those last days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." 

Everyone Did That Which was Right in Their Own Eyes by Sandy Simpson

The state of Christianity today has returned to the same condition that Israel was in during the time of the judges.  This statement in Judges 17:6 and 21:25 is not a positive statement about Israel, but a negative one.  This sin of "doing that which was right in (their) own eyes" was what accounted for the sin of Micah in continuing in idol worship.  There were no judges in the land to point out this sin or restrain the people from it.  The law of God had been forsaken and replaced with subjectivism.  This is exactly what we are seeing today in our postmodern, relativist culture.  It is to be expected that the world will act like this, but this attitude has also entered and almost overwhelmed Christendom as we know it.  Christianity is being remade in the image of imaginations of men (Rom. 1:21).  The rules are being set by false teachers, and the Christian masses are quick to follow.  Only those who listen to the judges of today, those with Holy Spirit and biblical discernment, will be saved in this age of apostasy.
Let me give you just a few examples of ways in which Christianity is being remade in the image of what seems right to men.
  

REMAKE	WHO IS TEACHING IT
(1) Postmodernism is good and even in the nature of God (2) Christians can mix New Age Eastern Mysticism with Christianity	Emerging Church: Leonard Sweet, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Richard Foster and many others.
(1) Cultures were created by God and are being redeemed by Him  (2) Pagans can go back to worship of their former gods because they were really worshipping the true God all along	Indigenous People's Movement/New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): YWAM,John Dawson, Don Richardson, Richard Twiss, Terry LeBlanc and many others.
(1) Anything to get more people into churches  (2) Compromise of the Gospel and truth because the end justifies the means	Church Growth Movement:  Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Robert Schuller, C. Peter Wagner, Paul Yongii Cho and many others.
(1) Promises of "healing in the atonement" are made in order to fleece the flock (2) Wild claims and stories are told with no proof in order to build a following and secure fame and fortune for those who teach these things  (3) We are all little gods who can create reality by what we confess with out mouths	Word-Faith: Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and almost every teacher on TBN, Daystar, and other TV networks
(1) Psychology mixed with Christianity (2) I'm ok, you're ok (3) Positive thinking, positive confession  (4) Suppression of the hard facts of the Gospel  (5) Talkstory with Scripture twisting	Positive Thinking/Schullerism: Robert Schuller, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Joel Osteen and a host of others.
(1) Antinomianism, holding that it is not necessary to exhibit moral behavior as a Christian as we are saved by faith alone (2) a denial of the importance of sanctification because "once saved, always saved" (3) Easy believism	Hyper-Calvinists: Many denominations.
(1) Holding that there is good in all men and the Holy Spirit is just looking for that good  (2) The fall of man was not complete and he is able to choose to be saved because he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil	Hyper-Arminianism/Pelegianism: Rick Joyner, Francis Frangipane, many denominations.

"These are just a few examples of the redefinition of Christianity in the image and imaginations of men.  But the Bible clearly teaches against these concepts.  Yet in an age where everyone does what is right in their own eyes it is not surprising to see the Bible redefined or simply ignored.  But there are consequences to doing what is right in our own eyes.  It is "the way of death" (Prov. 14:12).  Those who teach these things are bringing strange fire before the Lord Jesus Christ and will be judged for it.  They will not simply lose their rewards in heaven.  They will suffer eternal death.  You cannot just make up Christianity.  As Larry Norman once sang "The rules were set down long ago when the spikes went in the wood".  The truth of this world is not that it is subjective, but that the objective God set down His objective rules and agenda and we either accept it, commit to it, and follow it or we die.  We can claim we are "born again" all day long but if we choose to live by "Minnesota make-em-as-you-go rules" instead of the "law of Christ" we prove we do not love the Lord, and He in turn will not love us  (John 15:10).  This article is a warning to all those who think they can rewrite Christianity in their own image.  Think again!" Sandy Simpson

"Dear God, thank You for the leadership You have placed over me. Saturate me with Your unadulterated Word of Truth. Help me to humble myself and follow Your pathway. I will meditate on these scriptures today as I bask in Your Holy presence. You are Awesome. Your name is Mighty and Powerful! The matchless name of Jesus. Amen."   

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Philippians 4:8 NIV

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 NIVCommit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6  NIV   

You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11 NIV

What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.  Job 22:28 NIV

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.  Colossians 3:15 NIV

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight.  Isaiah 45:2

The Lord delights in the way of the man whose steps he has made firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  Psalms 37:23-24 NIV We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.  Proverbs 16:9 NLT

This is the assurance we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.  John 5:14-15 NIV

"Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." --Jesus, Matthew 5:48 The Message Bible 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Proverbs 4:23  Today's NIV

The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.  Psalm 32:10

Live as children of light...and find out what pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 5:8 & 10

Let your gentleness be evident to all.  Philippians 4:5

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.  Colossians 3:15

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  1 John 4:7

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:22

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts.  Jeremiah 31:33

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered.  Proverbs 17:27 NLT

"If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.  I will be found by you," says the Lord.  Jeremiah 29:13-14  NLT

Look at the birds.  They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than they are.  Matthew 6:26 NLT

Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37 NLT

Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.  Matthew  5:16  The Message

When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Psalm 61:2 NKJV

Let love and faithfulness never leave you...write them on the tablet of your heart.  Proverbs 3:3 NIV

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord.  Psalm 19:14 NIV

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Matthew 6:21 KJV

A heart at peace gives life to the body.  Proverbs 14:30 NIV

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:7 NIV

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."-- Psalm 32:8 NLT

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”--Deuteronomy 31:6 The Message

Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!--Psalm 34:8 NLT

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.--1 Corinthians 13:3 The Message

"Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."--Luke 6:38 The Message

He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.  Job 8:21 NLT

He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.--Psalm 91:4 NLT