Dangers to your Christian Life

    Dangers to your Christian Life

     Almost every time I am on one of my country's interstate highways I see someone texting on their cell phone while driving at 70 miles per hour (112.654 kilometers per hour). At that speed, the vehicle will travel the length of a football field in a few seconds WHILE THE DRIVER IS LOOKING AWAY FROM THE ROAD!

    This makes as much sense as turning on a chainsaw while entering a room where a baby is sleeping and throwing the chainsaw into the air. It may end well. I may not.

    Many Christians carelessly involve themselves in activities which are just as dangerous as a chainsaw. You may not agree with this list or may be able to add to it. Every item on this list has the potential to cause serious damage to your Christian life. 

   Practicing Cafeteria Christianity in which you take a little bit from here and little bit from there and reject things which make you uncomfortable. There are some things about Christianity which are difficult. Paul had some strong things to say about accepting any changes to the Gospel.

    Dabbling in astrology, Tarot, Ouija boards, automatic writing, divination, the occult, and other practices. These are not harmless children's games.

    Attempting an exorcism. Real demon possession is probably quite rare but Jesus acknowledged that it is real.

    Ghost hunting. The Bible never teaches the existence of ghosts though some people in the Bible obviously did believe in them. The appearances of dead Old Testament saints may have been the saints  actually being physically present. Ghost phenomena (hauntings, poltergeists, etc) may be evidence of the other supernatural beings mentioned in the Bible. Do you really want to find out?

    Practicing Hatha Yoga. The Sanskrit word "hatha" in English translates as "force" and is a system of physical exercises. From a physical standpoint, this is probably excellent for your health, relaxation, stress reduction, and bodily flexibility. When you practice yoga, from a spiritual standpoint, you are dabbling with Hinduism, a totally different religion from Christianity.

    The word "Yoga" is derived from yug, a Sanskrit word meaning "yoking" or "union." There are numerous types of yoga, all of which are focused on yoking or stilling the mind and achieving an inner stillness which contributes to a oneness with the universe, which is sometimes described as "cosmic consciousness."    

    Aligning oneself with extreme political views, whether conservative or progressive. Politics is not the answer; the Gospel is the answer. "Render unto Caesar" assumes that we should have civic and political involvement but our ultimate allegiance must be to Jesus. Secular political parties are ultimately not motivated by Christian principles but by a desire for political power. Real change can only come by reformed hearts, not by legislation.

     

Statements of Faith

Yesterday, in my post about Christian Translation,  I suggested that you check out their Statement of Faith.  This is an excellent idea for every religious website you visit.  Not every Statement of Faith is equal.  Not everyone who says "Christian" is Christian.  Jesus said so: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23


What could Jesus have been talking about?  True Christians obey Jesus' teachings.  True Christians stay true to the faith "once delivered."  Jesus is not just talking about false prophets who are like hungry wolves disguised as sheep.  He is talking to each believer.


This is not about the eternal salvational security of the Christian.  This is about who is a Christian.  Jesus is warning us about being deceived by "false Christianities."  There are many "Christianities," not all of which are Christian.


If you read a group's Statement of Faith, or their publications, keep your mind and a discerning eye open for these RED FLAGS!!!!!!  ( I did the RED FLAGS!!!!! on purpose.  I know it is "shouting" and is frowned on on the internet, but the Christian's powers of discernment should begin to tingle when they encounter these non-Christian ideas, especially the subtle ones which seem reasonable on their surfaces.)  Paul said that if anyone, even an angel, even Paul himself, comes to you with a different Gospel, they should be rejected.  Paul said it forcefully in Galatians 1:8-9: ἀνάθεμα (anathema), "accursed."


There is room within the Body of Christ for disagreement and discussion over some matters of doctrine.  Remember the hierarchy of doctrines (convictions, persuasions, and opinions) discussed earlier.  The doctrinal beliefs listed below are, at best, highly suspect.  Some are completely non-Christian even if they are declared by "Christians."  All of them should set off your alarm system.


1.  Any denial of the deity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Father.
2.  Any denial of the full humanity of Jesus.
3.  The idea that the Gospel is about making you materially rich.
4.  Certain questions about sexuality.
5.  Denial of any cardinal Christian doctrines.
6.  Mention of "secret teachings."
7.  A focus on the leader of a group rather than on Jesus.
8.  Emphasis on social justice at the expense of, or the elimination of, the Gospel.
9.  Mentions of "self-actualization" and discovery of one's "true inner self."
10. Rejection of portions of the scriptures.
11. Any idea of works salvation or self-salvation.
12. Addition of new doctrines for which no clear biblical support exits.
13. New Age ideas, reincarnation, ascended Masters, occultism, UFOs, fairies, elves
14. Hate-based teachings such as racism, extreme nationalism, etc.
15. Ghosts, spiritism, channeling
16. "Our group is the only true Christian church." A denial of the universal Church, the ekklesia.
17. Mixtures of other religions, such as Hinduism, with Christianity.  Numerous churches have "Christian Yoga" classes, seeing Hatha Yoga as secular.  This completely misunderstands that the underlying basis of all types of yoga is Hinduism.


This list could be greatly expanded.