Jacob
2007-10-29 01:50:01 UTC
One of the aspects of the image of God that He has created us with is
that we can make our own decisions. That is why God expects each one
of us to give an account of ourselves to Him (Ro.14:12). Philosophers
can argue about this and say that we are not always able to make our
own choice because many times it is forced upon us by other people or
our circumstances. But we still have a choice to decide how to respond
to them in our heart, if not in our action. Theologians may further
say that this power of free choice has been distorted by the Fall and
now we all have in us (in our flesh) a tendency towards sin (Ro.
7:20,21). Yes, but as the Holy Spirit is seeking to restore us to the
image we were originally created to have, we have to also learn to
exercise this power to choose for ourselves.
We must remember that this is an age where there is so much of
manipulation all around us, from people seeking to make us do what
they want. Advertisements seek to pressurise us to buy things we
really don't need, and to adopt lifestyles we can't afford or which
are not good for us. The media, which is being controlled more and
more by Satan tries to convince us that evil is good and in style (Is.
5:20).
Even in churches and Christian preaching and writing, people try to
manipulate us to do things for their gain. We tend to assume that the
interpretation some preachers give us regarding doctrine must be right
because we are impressed by their strong human personalities or
persuasive speech. (But the sensible folks at Berea went and checked
their Bibles to see if what Paul preached was right (Ac.17:11)). We
dare not question what some 'prophets' speak, even when something
inside us rings a warning bell, because we are afraid of going against
God. (Please see 1Co.14:29;1Th.5:20,21)).
We don't have to say "Amen", repeat what the preacher says, raise or
clap our hands, stand up, go forward, dial the number on the screen or
make a pledge, just because the preacher tells us! Let us make our own
decisions, and that too consciously and deliberately. Let us not allow
anyone else to push us around or manipulate us. If we have any doubt
about some 'miraculous' thing that is happening in front of us or the
preacher is telling us about, let us 'wait and see' rather than allow
ourselves to be forced to make quick decisions against our better
judgment. (It is usually Satan who threatens us with dire consequences
if we don't act quickly, because the Holy Spirit will only encourage
and exhort us rather than pressurise us.) Let us not assume that every
miracle or supernatural thing is from God, because Satan and his
demons can do false wonders and signs (Mt.24:24). Just because a
teacher talks convincingly, let us not be quick to accept his
interpretation without examining it ourselves. Let us keep a safe
distance from preachers when we recognise that they are after our
money or our support, and not our welfare or the glory of God.
that we can make our own decisions. That is why God expects each one
of us to give an account of ourselves to Him (Ro.14:12). Philosophers
can argue about this and say that we are not always able to make our
own choice because many times it is forced upon us by other people or
our circumstances. But we still have a choice to decide how to respond
to them in our heart, if not in our action. Theologians may further
say that this power of free choice has been distorted by the Fall and
now we all have in us (in our flesh) a tendency towards sin (Ro.
7:20,21). Yes, but as the Holy Spirit is seeking to restore us to the
image we were originally created to have, we have to also learn to
exercise this power to choose for ourselves.
We must remember that this is an age where there is so much of
manipulation all around us, from people seeking to make us do what
they want. Advertisements seek to pressurise us to buy things we
really don't need, and to adopt lifestyles we can't afford or which
are not good for us. The media, which is being controlled more and
more by Satan tries to convince us that evil is good and in style (Is.
5:20).
Even in churches and Christian preaching and writing, people try to
manipulate us to do things for their gain. We tend to assume that the
interpretation some preachers give us regarding doctrine must be right
because we are impressed by their strong human personalities or
persuasive speech. (But the sensible folks at Berea went and checked
their Bibles to see if what Paul preached was right (Ac.17:11)). We
dare not question what some 'prophets' speak, even when something
inside us rings a warning bell, because we are afraid of going against
God. (Please see 1Co.14:29;1Th.5:20,21)).
We don't have to say "Amen", repeat what the preacher says, raise or
clap our hands, stand up, go forward, dial the number on the screen or
make a pledge, just because the preacher tells us! Let us make our own
decisions, and that too consciously and deliberately. Let us not allow
anyone else to push us around or manipulate us. If we have any doubt
about some 'miraculous' thing that is happening in front of us or the
preacher is telling us about, let us 'wait and see' rather than allow
ourselves to be forced to make quick decisions against our better
judgment. (It is usually Satan who threatens us with dire consequences
if we don't act quickly, because the Holy Spirit will only encourage
and exhort us rather than pressurise us.) Let us not assume that every
miracle or supernatural thing is from God, because Satan and his
demons can do false wonders and signs (Mt.24:24). Just because a
teacher talks convincingly, let us not be quick to accept his
interpretation without examining it ourselves. Let us keep a safe
distance from preachers when we recognise that they are after our
money or our support, and not our welfare or the glory of God.