I have spent MANY years on so-called Christian forums,
and I have found, for example, that Satan has one or more
of his followers sitting at the entrance to them.
Many are babes in Christ.
Many think they know everything, but do not.
Many are deceived by their churches and/or by Satan.
And etc.
If any of you has received the baptism with the Holy Spirit
(with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues),
please reveal yourself. I thank you in advance.
Been speaking in tongues from not long after the beginning. 43 years ago.
Tongues however is a gift of the Spirit.
the real issue is that of Fruit of the Spirit.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Peter picks up this idea in his second letter.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It's rather curious that he then notes----
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Hiding out in a wilderness, forested stronghold anywhere won't keep sin at bay. It actually allows it to fester, and grow, like leaven, it grows until it fills the whole thing.
Peter emphasizes the importance of focusing on What God has accomplished in Jesus.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So important was it that he promised to remind us, so we'd always have it on hand, and available to us.
12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
Hiding out from civilization won't make you safe from sin. It will act as a place where poison can fester.
Why? Because in those places where we think we're safe, we let down our guard, and forget who we are, whose we are, and why we're here.
Paul warns us of this in 1 Cor. 10
11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
