Hi,
>> These verses are talking about spirits. The Holy Spirit who causes people
>> to prophesize and other spirits causing us to despise prophesyings or
>> causing people to prophesize what is not true. Then Paul tells us to
prove >> whether things (here prophesyings) are good or evil and to hold
fast the
>> good and abstain from the evil.
>
> It says ALL things. Not just spirits. It also says ALL appearance of evil.
> NKJV..."every form of evil." TEV..."avoid every kind of evil."
I have never denied that. I was only saying the context is spirits and
prophesyings. History shows us that ripping scriptures out of their context
is one of the tools Satan really likes to use for his purposes (even the
Bible does show this). So we do have to look at the context, too.
>> So did you prove these books to be evil? No, you did not.
>
> Nor did I try. It has been my experience that those who are out to prove
> something do so only because they are not convinced in thier own mind, and
> are really trying to prove or justify themselves to satisfy thier own
> doubts. Because you can't.
So why does Paul tell us to do so? Is it because he was not convinced or
trying to justify himself to satisfy his doubts?
The convictions of men often lead to something called 'prejudice' when you
do not try to prove whether they are true or not.
>> What you know about them is only what you heard or read about them. This
>> is not a proof. No judge in this world (nor the heavenly judge) would
>> accept a proof by hearsay.
>
> Well, sir, this is where you are wrong. No, I have not read the books. But
> I have seen them. I have heard excerpts from the books. I have heard from
> reputable people who are familiar with them.
May I be a little sarcastic, too? You heard excerpts from these books and
beleive to be still in God's will? Why didn't you stay away from this form
of evil? Do those reputable people who are familiar with them have to spend
some time with their maker. (Sorry, but I am only quoting here)
> If you want to start talking about hearsay, most of this world only knows
> about Christ from hearsay. I was gave my life to Christ on January 11,
1977 > because of something I heard, which was "hearsay". It was the Gospel.
Did
> anyone have to PROVE it? No, the Holy Spirit did that work...
This is when you started to BELIEVE. It is the same you are doing with the
books. You believe/you are convinced they are evil, because these reputable
people do say so.
>> I do NOT want to say these books are good. Nor do I say they are evil,
>> because I too cannot judge them.
>
> If you would do a study through the Bible on the word JUDGE, you would
> probably change your mind about that.
My Bible for example does say: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew
7:1). And about the hearsay it says: "Doth our law judge any man, before it
hear him, and know what he doeth?" (John 7:47)
I came over some interesting scripture then:
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things
are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for
conscience sake:
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to
go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience
sake.
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat
not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty
judged of another man's conscience?
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which
I give thanks?
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
church of God:" (1st Corinthians 10:23-32)
The quintessence I draw from this scripture is the following: Reading Harry
Potter is lawful (ALL things!) but may be not expedient/not edifying. This
is up to your own conscience.
If a professor ("that believe[s] not") 'bids you' to read, you MAY (I will
not say have to) read without asking. But if there is someone that might be
offended by seeing you read this, don't do it "for conscience sake [...] not
thy own, but of the other".
In a youth leaders conference earlier this year the president of our
federation of churches talked about this issue. He told us he does not
believe reading a book might harm a faithful believer.
I think it's up to everyone self to decide whether to 'take the risk' and
know what one is talking about (and fighting against) or not to do so. But I
can't find the Bible condemning any of the two.
Allzeit bereit f�r Jesus.
--------------------------------------------
Stefan Fischer (Fani)
Kundschafter-Stammwart, Stamm 78 M�tzingen
http://www.royal-ranger.com
--------------------------------------------
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