Arriving at 1 Thessalonians 5 In this the apostle Paul urges
the saints to reorganize those who labored among them. Dealing with “problem brothers: included the unruly with
irresponsible behavior, to comfort the faint-hearted, to uphold the weak: those
who are spiritually weak and give support to those weak in the faith…….and of course
to be patient with all.
So for verse 19 to quench the spirit meant to stifle the
work of the Holy Spirit. Limiting Him is stifling Him. Adhering to the
traditions of men is stifling the Holy Spirit. Keeping up with man-made rules
is stifling Him.
The Holy Spirit should have full access through our
spiritual frame. Giving of praise, being prayerful, being thankful and the
teachable keeps us in that justice of God and lights our way into His truth
keeping and to avoid evil.
1. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit there is a divine guidance system that comes with the package. Learning how to cooperate with Him to recognize His voice and avoid the subtle deception of the enemy takes time, but there are distinct principles (or clicks) that we can learn to quickly distinguish. (Jesus spoke of this in Mark 7:8, Paul wrote of deceptive empty philosophy found in Colossians 2:8, Jesus rebukes the religious ones on the tradition of ceremonial cleaning by washing, and this in Mark 7:9 to Jesus rebuked them for rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish their tradition!)
2. Those refusing not only the words of Christ, are today refusing those of the Father as well. Mark 7:13…making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. In the Jewish tradition there had arised a thing called “Corban” meaning that even though Jewish parents might be in great need. Their son having money to care for them, but did not do it, but spoke “Corban” that his money was dedicated to God or to the temple. This relieved him of his responsibility of supporting his parents. Whether this money was moved into temple use was not an issue or important. This was wrong, men violating under the cloak of religion were committing a rebellious act against God.
3. Easton's
Bible Dictionary states that a person could not reclaim anything designated as
Corban. Jesus hated this practice of the Pharisees, as their traditions in this
area nullified God's commandment that children should honor their parents. Their man-made teaching gave people an
excuse for not helping their father or mother. It also, at the same time,
offered them the opportunity to use such designated good for their own selfish
use. Love: the Flesh kind of love is selfish, & exact opposite God wants to
transform people. Those who live by faith do not live by the flesh in nicotine
waves of delight nor take another man’s wife or speak profanity! Yielding to
Him—God is building character based on outgoing love.
4. Titus 1:14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. Mark 7:9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. Again from 1 John 4:6 NKJV 6 We are of God . He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth & the spirit of error. We are not to live in world of religious fantasies & of rules. From that given in Titus 1:14 any rules or fantasies centering around the observance of days or the avoidance of ceremonies because of defilement, Paul wrote in Colossians 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, & neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Astrology, witchcraft, oppossers of truth……………False systems fail. The practices of man’s own religion is one of false humility, their self-denial is achieved in higher holiness as seen in Hinduism and other mystical religions of the East. Flesh will never merit God’s favor. Flesh has passions and lusts: sexual immorality with hindering spirits of manipulation for selfish control, it includes anything done or said in obscenity.
Idolatry: worshiping as in adultery, as in astrology, to the forms of witchcraft and every familiar spirit. Flesh engages in alcohol: affecting mind, looking for freedom in a bottle when only Jesus can set us free. Flesh takes nicotine, the smell of tobacco and smoke, the addiction people love where they light up at their will not God’s will. They call it “ their nerve tonic” to calm themselves when in truth they are adding fire to their nerves, adding loss to their brain cells, creating a major highway on their face and call it a nerve tonic!
Drug addiction to the
flesh creature is a way to get high in a number of ways. But one way is to be
relieved of pain in their bodies. Be relieved of back pain, be relieved of the
nightmares they carry from a major military deployment.
But any worldly
wisdom of the world is bad! James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding
among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness
of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do
not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from
above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy & self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy,
and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. The Lord Jesus is the
embodiment of true wisdom. The meek and lowly in heart: the hallmark of the
genuine humility is he who is truly wise.
Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error: There is coding being done today! Coding formation for a format, a way to produce for a purpose that is false, for a foundation of a new reset without God. It has nothing to do with truth and will bring one to the wrong place and to the wrong end.
IN Isaiah 5 the
prophet Isaiah prophesied in the first woe of covetous land owners who try to
corner the real estate market till there is an acute shortage of houses and
land, yet the owners dwell in solitary splendor. The second woe was this: confirmed
alcoholics who would feast morning to night carousing in total disregard to God
and His works. The third woe was of the
brazen liars and God-defiers who are hitched to sin and drag guilt and
punishment after them. They challenged God to hasten with the punishment He has
threatened on them. A haughtiness……The fourth
woe: those who obliterate moral distinctions. Denying the difference between
good and evil. Isaiah 5: 20 Therefore, Isaiah prophesied the fourth woe,
saying: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for
light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet/ sweet for bitter.
1. We see
career minded criminals let go at every deed of evil, but the good are thrown
in jails and prisons. In the Code of
Ethics: In the 4th woe, there is the
concern of willful confusion of the standards of right/ wrong. They had no real
code of ethics. What they did have is a false code; they called evil good /
good evil. They confuse darkness for light and light for darkness; they mistake
bitter for sweet /sweet for bitter.
2. In the
code of the Moral: The morale code had been rewritten. People no longer felt
guilty when they acted in ways that once were considered immoral. One person’s
sweet was another person’s bitter. Personal tastes and situational ethics ruled
the day. It was reminiscent of the days of the judges where Isra'el had no king
and everyone did as they saw fit (Judges 21:25b).
The fifth woe is one that consisted of conceited men who cannot be told anything. They are always right about everything! The sixth woe: Judges who are heroes at drinking and who pervert justice through accepting bribes. Isaiah 5:24-25 NKJV Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, & the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, & their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them & stricken them. And the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.
The traditions of Men nullify the Word of God and hurt you! Empty rituals and customs hold no power or significance in the Kingdom of God. They are the man-made rules and regulations that focus on the outward appearances and adherence to legalistic practices rather than the transformation of the heart by Holy Spirit. Traditions of men will cause stumbling blocks to true faith and hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Jesus Himself rebuked religious leaders of His time for their emphasis on traditions and neglect the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy and faithfulness.
We only get guidance of the Holy Spirit in discernment and embracing the traditions that truly honor and glorify our God! Be anchored in the truth of God. It is truly the Holy Spirit Who will guide us into all truth and help us discern between genuine biblical principles and the doctrines of men. Our faith is to be in Jesus Alone!
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