Spotting those who do not have Spiritual Discernment.

[ScottA]

Yes, this is a counter to the "Spotting Heretics" thread.

After all, the witch hunts and burnings at the stake were fueled by the same misunderstandings.

The issue is this:

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
​

Yet here on these forums and literally all throughout Christendom, the debates of what the scriptures say goes on between those who are only seeing the words in their literary meaning, and those who actually have eyes to see and ears to hear in order to discern the words spiritually...just as it says in the above passage. That's a problem. And then there are also false teachers and evil spirits...and we can't just see a show of hands--but they are all here: The natural, the spiritual, the false, and the evil.

Even so, the test is to "test every spirit" 1 John 4:1.

But here is the dilemma: The order of the day--these times of the gentiles, the church age, is that Jesus announced then arranged what was foretold by Joel the prophet, that God would "pour out His spirit upon all flesh" that what even the apostles could not yet bear, would come via the Spirit leading us into "all truth." Which was then confirmed by Peter at Pentecost. Incidentally, if you will notice, it says, "all flesh", not just upon the apostles, not just the few, but "all"...which was proven at Pentecost.

So--be careful! But not so careful that you burn every spirit at the stake...which has already been done. Nor are we to stifle the Spirit...but rather to expect it--but from who? From “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

But of those who lean entirely on the words alone, like so many lawyers--beware!

 

[shortangel]

that's true there are false teachers & false prophets & we do need to be discerning about what they say

 

[farouk]

that's true there are false teachers & false prophets & we do need to be discerning about what they say

@shortangel A guide to this is seen indeed in John's First Epistle, where a key to those who have genuine faith and doctrine is seen in their walking in the light and their acknowledgment of the Deity of Christ.

 

[BARNEY BRIGHT]

Yes, this is a counter to the "Spotting Heretics" thread.

After all, the witch hunts and burnings at the stake were fueled by the same misunderstandings.

The issue is this:

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
​

Yet here on these forums and literally all throughout Christendom, the debates of what the scriptures say goes on between those who are only seeing the words in their literary meaning, and those who actually have eyes to see and ears to hear in order to discern the words spiritually...just as it says in the above passage. That's a problem. And then there are also false teachers and evil spirits...and we can't just see a show of hands--but they are all here: The natural, the spiritual, the false, and the evil.

Even so, the test is to "test every spirit" 1 John 4:1.

But here is the dilemma: The order of the day--these times of the gentiles, the church age, is that Jesus announced then arranged what was foretold by Joel the prophet, that God would "pour out His spirit upon all flesh" that what even the apostles could not yet bear, would come via the Spirit leading us into "all truth." Which was then confirmed by Peter at Pentecost. Incidentally, if you will notice, it says, "all flesh", not just upon the apostles, not just the few, but "all"...which was proven at Pentecost.

So--be careful! But not so careful that you burn every spirit at the stake...which has already been done. Nor are we to stifle the Spirit...but rather to expect it--but from who? From “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

But of those who lean entirely on the words alone, like so many lawyers--beware!

In some Bibles when the word "all" is used in some verses of scripture some other Bibles in certain verses use the words, "all kinds" instead of "all" because "all kinds" is meant, such as at Romans 5:18 which says, "So, then, as through one trespass the result to men of "all kinds" was condemnation, likewise also through one act of justification the result to men of "all kinds" is a declaring of them righteous for life.” Time and again when the term “all” is used in the Greek Scriptures, “all kinds” is meant, not literally “all.” A case in point is Acts 2:17. According to most translations that verse states: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” Now we know that at Pentecost God’s spirit was not poured out literally upon all flesh, but only on a comparative few. But God did pour it out on ‘sons and daughters, young men and old men, on men slaves and women slaves.’ And so some Bibles say at Acts 2:17, “I shall pour some of my spirit out upon every kind of flesh.” The same is true regarding 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 it is God’s will “that all kinds of men should be saved.”

 

[APAK]

In some Bibles when the word "all" is used in some verses of scripture some other Bibles in certain verses use the words, "all kinds" instead of "all" because "all kinds" is meant, such as at Romans 5:18 which says, "So, then, as through one trespass the result to men of "all kinds" was condemnation, likewise also through one act of justification the result to men of "all kinds" is a declaring of them righteous for life.” Time and again when the term “all” is used in the Greek Scriptures, “all kinds” is meant, not literally “all.” A case in point is Acts 2:17. According to most translations that verse states: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” Now we know that at Pentecost God’s spirit was not poured out literally upon all flesh, but only on a comparative few. But God did pour it out on ‘sons and daughters, young men and old men, on men slaves and women slaves.’ And so some Bibles say at Acts 2:17, “I shall pour some of my spirit out upon every kind of flesh.” The same is true regarding 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 it is God’s will “that all kinds of men should be saved.”

Barney, you raise a subject close to my heart and mind. And many folks get it all wrong as you are pointing out here in your own words.

Just a comment then to supplement..

The Greek transliterated word ‘pas’ means not only ‘all’ in English, it can also mean ‘all these,’ 'all kinds', ‘as many as’ or ‘a few’ or ‘every’ depending on the context. Many scholars however disregard scripture with context and choose to deliberately be selective in their meaning of the Greek word ‘pas.’

 

[ScottA]

In some Bibles when the word "all" is used in some verses of scripture some other Bibles in certain verses use the words, "all kinds" instead of "all" because "all kinds" is meant, such as at Romans 5:18 which says, "So, then, as through one trespass the result to men of "all kinds" was condemnation, likewise also through one act of justification the result to men of "all kinds" is a declaring of them righteous for life.” Time and again when the term “all” is used in the Greek Scriptures, “all kinds” is meant, not literally “all.” A case in point is Acts 2:17. According to most translations that verse states: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” Now we know that at Pentecost God’s spirit was not poured out literally upon all flesh, but only on a comparative few. But God did pour it out on ‘sons and daughters, young men and old men, on men slaves and women slaves.’ And so some Bibles say at Acts 2:17, “I shall pour some of my spirit out upon every kind of flesh.” The same is true regarding 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 it is God’s will “that all kinds of men should be saved.”

Thanks!

But I don't see that as being greatly different if "all kinds" are included.

I would say that the point is really that "all kinds" would even include those who are evil. Hence the times.

 

[quietthinker]

Those who have the least spiritual discernment make the greatest noise about having it.
Those who have the least spiritual discernment are the surest of the lack of discernment in others.