Many times while discussing a particular preacher on here, many on this forum believe that we can still listen and learn from men who teach considerable amount of truth but also teach obvious error in many areas. I came across this particular statement this morning, and thought I would post it and see what y'all think of it. Personally I thought it was straight on:

The statement was made by the preacher, pastor, and commentator Harry Ironside (1876-1951) [i]"Error is like leaven of which we read, 'A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.' Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died. Exposing error is most unpopular work, but from every true standpoint it is worthwhile work. To our Savior, it means that He receives from us, His blood-bought ones, the loyalty that is His due. To ourselves, if we consider 'the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt,' it ensures future reward, a thousand fold. And to souls 'caught in the snare of the fowler'--how many of them God only knows--it may mean light and life, abundant and everlasting."[/i]

Krispy

Ps 51v5, 'Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom'.

I heard a saying once that said truth mixed with lies creates poison.

It sure does.

Act 20v29, 'For I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock'.

2 Tim 3v5, 'Having a form of godliness but denying it's power. And from such people turn away'.

From such people turn away.

Scripture tells us what to do. We ignore it at our peril.

If feelings are all you want, and deception, then fine, go along with it.

If not, flee from the wrath to come.

Have to go, for now.

God bless.

Watched a documentary the other night on Jim Jones and Jonestown... Enid, you mentioned poison. What did Jones' people mix their poison with? Kool-Aid. Tasted good going down... killed 908 people.

Mixing truth & error is like mixing Kool-Aid with poison.

Krispy

Poison...a little bit goes a long way.

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TJ

The bible says you will know them by their fruit.

If I went back through every entry on this site I am sure I could find some measure of error in every contributor. We all know in part.

[color=0000CC]Jhn 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.[/color]

[color=0000CC]2Cr 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we Christ's.[/color]

[color=0000CC]1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: [/color]

[color=0000CC]1Pe 3:4 But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. [/color]


[color=0000CC]1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [/color]


I believe we need to correct error, however we need to understand that we too are liable to error. Which of us hasn't gone back and said I am sorry I said that, I spoke to hastily?

I have no problem with people addressing error but I do have a problem with someone slamming the person who it just trying to share what they feel God is showing them. Many times I am sure it is just a problem of being able to accurately state what one feels in their heart. To ax someones character it not wise. Nobody really knows what is in someones heart except God.

Is the person's sharing out of a heart to stir people to serve God more fully or are they operating out of a different motive. God might possibly be more pleased with someone who trys to share the burden of their heart and isn't scholarly enough to get it out perfectly than He is with someone who doesn't display love and kindness in dealing with that individual.

I will always err on the side of mercy because I want to be shown mercy.

[color=0000CC]1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [/color]

[color=0000CC]Mat 5:7 Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [/color]

[color=0000CC]1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. [/color]

[color=0000CC]Jam 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. [/color]

[color=0000CC]Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [/color]

I can see jumping on an error so it doesn't infect others, however we must be very careful not to malign someone's character, because their heart might be pure. We are to correct is a spirit of meekness.


[color=0000CC]Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.[/color]


You tell me if a spirit of love and meekness has been used when correction has been brought. I have seen people go for the jugular vein here. It is very sad to show so little love towards another brother or sister.

I could bring a correction in the spirit of love. If I love someone it breaks my heart to have to correct them. They are a part of me and when they hurt, I hurt.

I will show you two scenarios:

#1

When correcting a brother or sister let your words be seasoned with love and respect. Carefully weigh your words to make sure that they are in keeping with gentleness and meekness, realizing you are not perfect in all your word either. Love covers a multitude of sins. When correcting a brother make sure it comes from a heart that bleeds for that individual.

#2

The yelling accusations you brought against that brothers word was mean, ugly and didn't have any love in it. If all you do is tear down you should keep your opinions to yourself.


Do you see that our words have the ability to heal or destroy? I can lovingly say brother what you said is in need of some correction without maligning your character. I can weigh my words carefully balanced with scripture to show where the error lies and pray they will see the truth. Slamming them will not further God's purpose in their lives or ours. Correct with gentleness. If we don't, we too are in error.

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KLC

Good points Goldminer, and I know I do not have a corner on all truth. I've learned a lot on this forum, which means that at times I have had to change my understanding of doctrines, issues or whatever. Doesnt mean that I was a heretic... I just didnt understand something completely. Still dont in many cases.

What we need to discern is what error is dangerous. Many of us disagree on music (please lets not turn this thread into a music debate)... does that mean one side is in "error" and one side is not? No.

But if someone comes on here and starts preaching that if a Christian is not healed of their physical infirmities it is because they did not have enough faith... that is error that must be challenged. Why? Because not only is it a lie, but it also gives the wrong impression of who God is.

Know what I mean?

Krispy

Everybody will have a difference of opinion on music and healing, but it remains extremely important in what kind of spirit we state our opinions or correction.

I have been amazed at just how ruthless some people on this forum have been with those who are related to them. These are our brothers and sisters. What would you do if someone slammed your sister, wife or mother. Even if they were aweful relatives you, as a christian, wouldn't be a part of tearing them down. Your hope is for redemption. Do we owe those God has related us to any less?


I have to say to equate anything that I have read shared on this forum lately with Jim Jones, who urinated on the bible and had sex with most of his group, is a real sadness to me. The people who have shared words were sharing what they believed God gave them to wake us up to the consequences of living for the world. They certainly haven't done a Jim Jones thing.

This is my very point, was that spoken out of love. Did love motivate that comment? Was the heart of the speaker agonizing over the individual alluded to? Our brothers and sister should be so important to us we would lay down our lives for them. We sould go to the greatest lengths to lovingly help them to understand the truth, if they be in error.

It would seem that if we don't agree with what is said we automatically write off and put a plaque over their head that says "Ichabod". That is total presumption on our part. In the case of Jim Jones, he blatantly spat on the things of God and surely needed strong correction. He was so far removed for biblical form that anybody could have seen it. That is not the case with the things recently posted on this forum, even the moderator said so.

All I can say is I don't want to stand before God and say I corrected so and so and so and I did it with gusto and have the Lord say I never knew you. You showed no mercy and now you will not receive mercy. You had no love in your heart towards your bretheren and those without love can't enter in.

[color=0000CC]Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. [/color]

[color=0000CC]Mat 5:7 Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.[/color]

[color=0000CC]1Jo 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [/color]
[color=0000CC]1Jo 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. [/color]

I would say to everyone, including myself, who has brought a correction to anyone on this forum, and anywhere for that matter, do you really love the one you are speaking to. Is you heart to help and encourage them.

Peter denied the Lord and Jesus picked him up and loved him. He went on to be a pillar in the church. Paul wrote off John Mark and later he was profitable to him.

[color=0000CC]2Cr 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. [/color]

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KLC

Goldie... I appreciate your zeal, but you completely misunderstood what I was saying. The only thing I was saying about Jim Jones was a comparison of how many times when error is mixed with truth it is akin to mixing poinson with Kool-Aid... tastes great. You dont notice the poison until it's too late.

Thats it.

I wasnt comparing anything talked about on here to Jim Jones, or anything like that. I was using Kool-Aid as an illustration.

Boy I wish people would try to grasp whats being said around here before they jump off the deep end.

You can always ask me for clarification if you think I've said something totally outrageous. It's more constructive than spending 20 minutes rebuking me for something you misunderstood, and I didnt say.

Krispy

Help!

Now I've made an error.

I thought, from the original post, that we were discussing about false teachings in the church itself. Like prosperity preachers, seeker churches etc.

I didn't realise it was about posts that others have started and got out of hand.

So now, I'm confused.

Still, the word of God does say in
Prov 27v5, 'Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed'

You can speak the truth in love and people will still get offended.

But I'm still confused!

So, help me out.

God bless.

Dear Krispy,

I can only quote you:



[color=0000CC]Many times while discussing a particular preacher on here, many on this forum believe that we can still listen and learn from men who teach considerable amount of truth but also teach obvious error in many areas.[/color]


It appeared to me you were speaking of recent discussions about recent posts. Did I read you wrong?

_________________
KLC