I was revisiting this post, and wanted to discuss it with you briefly if possible, Frank. I recall wondering a few weeks back how to keep one's peace while nevertheless remaining vigilant in preventing Christian sites like this from getting completely overrun by false doctrine. Though
@lforrest hasn't posted much about it publicly, he had a series of dreams that predicted it would take place, and in my opinion it largely has already. There is
so much false teaching that's it's virtually everywhere you look at this forum, and I see people younger in the Lord being influenced by it, and drawn away into falsehood.
So let me ask you: What is your recipe for seeing these things happen and still remain at peace? I'm asking honestly, as I honestly struggle with the question sometimes. What I find myself doing is dealing with things (and people), and since they are often antagonistic, it will turn heated. But despite not feeling all that great about it, I nevertheless return to being at peace in Christ very quickly after doing so. If I were to sit idly by and do nothing I would have no peace. But I find it near impossible to deal with those the enemy uses to goad and mislead without coming a little unglued, LoL.
Any advice would be appreciated. I know the scripture teaches to correct in meekness, but because I find it near impossible to keep from losing patience in such situations, that often gets thrown out the window. If were up to me, I would simply let things be, but that doesn't seem like the spiritually responsible thing to do either.
Often I feel I've failed so much that I feel totally unqualified to comment or advise on anything. But I suppose we all get hit with that.
There is no magic potion for having peace. Forcing yourself not to give it away is a practiced exercise. The recollection of experiences of getting involved in disputes, worries, pointless debates and increased trouble due to putting off unpleasant tasks helps.
Oops, I see where this is going and bowing out before the strife increases to a nuclear level. Yet again and again we see that when an untruth, a complete falsehood is being promoted our spirit man cannot remain silent. There are many many many battles in this life as a Christian. All kinds, types, species and flavors of them.
As a child and on into adulthood I was tormented by demon spirits of fear. Extreme fear. I won't go into what brought them but it was induced by family members who themselves were very afraid. I hope that I've forgiven them and bear no animosity.
As a consequence I was always an overachiever, at least in my own eyes. I worked in the engineering profession and love all kinds of design, art, woodworking, metal working, hunting, fishing construction gardening and the like and really wore my body out after doing the work of three men on our rural place.
Constant and afflicting pain from hard labor and injuries will do a fine job of robbing anyone's peace!
I was 33 when Jesus christ came and convicted me. You couldn't have drug me into church with the proverbial mule team. Number one I felt myself to be worse than others through the belittlements from childhood. Number two I'd seen the actions of denominational Christians, so called, that exuded nothing but self righteousness without exhibiting a smidgen of God's love. Trying to witness Jesus without love is an oxymoron.
So according to the words of Ezekiel the 34th chapter, God came himself to get me. After he'd saved me I had to realize what had happened by reading the Bible. Then he caused me to seek him to be baptized in His most Holy Spirit. He did so but I had no idea once again what had happened. I went around speaking in tongues to myself and finding out in the bible what this might be. It's a very strange time becomung a new creature in Christ with no counsel.
It was a great and powerful game changer. By his power I began to have peace and he told me that he had saved me at 33 years of age so that Jesus, who gave his life at 33, could begin living in me. I was humbled beyond belief.
We attended a few good churches since all this began in 1977 and there was a great move of the Holy Spirit in progress. But now it's not so as we all are aware. There are few places to go to be edified. Very few and much false doctrine.
We can never never depend upon others for our peace. Fighting the good fight is a minute by minute struggle quite often. Being a prophet there are often extreme inner spiritual battles that you must fight. Prayer in the spirit, quoting scriptures, singing praise to God are all weapons of our warfare. As you know our adversary is always looking for a chance to attack and destroy us. Kill us. It's ONLY by the anointing that the yoke is broken.
The kingdom of God is just three things we are told. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
I notice that God placed peace right in the middle.
Righteous, peace, joy.
I'd never noticed it before but it's entirely so. Peace must always be right in the center of things for a Holy balance.
We can read of the peace in chapter 41 of Genesis. "God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace". Not only Pharaoh but us too. In everything we do there must needs be an answer of peace. When seeking guidance peace is the chief thing. Peace is always resident when you have set foot on the path God wants you to take. We see so many posts by those who obviously, we discern, have zero peace. I do feel for them as they are trying to do spiritual work through the strength of their flesh and natural minded intellect. Those not having the fullness of the spirit if I may be so bold as to say so.
I don't want to go on and on here but our peace can only be found in the prince of peace through a diligent out pouring of our heart before him. Searching your heart and mind and confessing every single thing to him no matter how seemingly small.
After this pouring out, see psalm 62:8, he rewards us with a new anointing of his indescribable peace. Once bring pressed in the spirit per Job chapter 32, relief came after extended prayer in the spirit and the Holy Spirit spoke strongly in my spirit.
"son thy sins be forgiven thee. Walk in newness of life" were his exact words.
By his peace I'm still wrestling daily to do this.
I hope some of this made sense. God bless you in you daily battles and seek to put peace right in the middle. Amen
