“GARBAGE” & “BAGGAGE”
I believe that every Christian has an "Achilles Heel"; or a "weakness"; or at least one “fault” that he or she must become aware of and guard against.
GARBAGE
Some Christians deal with "carnal" problems ("sins")
all of their lives - i.e. drunkenness, drugs, porn, adultery, fornication,
stealing, lying, idolatry, gluttony, heresies, etc., etc. I call this the
"garbage" we pick
up (mostly before we got saved
- though sometimes after).
BAGGAGE
And then
there's the "baggage"
(mostly "faults" -
which can lead to "sin")
that we (Christians) have accumulated (both before
we got saved and after), which
has a lot to do with our culture; our home "environment” (no training, wrong training, bad
training); our "schooling" (public i.e. government, private,
"Christian", etc.); and especially those "things" that appeal to our HEART - for where our heart is,
there will be our "treasure" also.
Satan has a "device"
for all of us and the easiest way for him to "side track”, “sideline”,
or “de-rail” a saint is to
exploit our weaknesses.
It's fairly easy to spot the "garbage"
in our lives, but we may not be as readily aware of much of the "baggage" that we have accumulated
along life's way, but I know that we all have some, and the only way for us to get
rid of it is to study and pray and be willing to receive instruction
from the Holy Spirit concerning both our faults
and our sins.
I have observed that (generally speaking) those Christians that were saved at
an early age (before their "teens") have not accumulated as much
"garbage" as those who
were saved later in life (the exceptions always prove the rule). But they still
have to contend with the "baggage",
which often times they may not even be aware of.
Conversely, those Christians that have been saved later in life often have to
contend with both the "garbage"
and the "baggage" they
accumulated along the way.
Now God has provided a way for us (Christians) to lead a "victorious"
life, but it entails turning away from ours sins and turning unto God and
worshiping Him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH (and you can't have ONE without the
OTHER). This is sometimes very difficult when one has grown accustomed (it's
"their bag" or “it’s my personality”) to living in sin and thinking in the way of the world
(in the Western World - Humanism
foremost).
How does one throw off 20 or 30 or 40 years of Humanistic thinking and
reasoning?
2
Timothy
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and
said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Psalms 119:11 Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Proverbs
There are many more verses but these will do. But that's
not all (and this is where we King James Bible believers sometimes fall short).
We must SET our "hearts" to both seek the LORD and His Truth.
We must not neglect the GOD of Scripture in our pursuit of the "Truth".
It is instructive to know that in the entire Bible there is only one man
of whom God said:
“. . . he raised up unto them David to be their
king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the
son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which
shall fulfil all my will.” [Acts
Could it possibly be that God gave this
"testimony" about David because no other writer of the Bible spoke or
wrote as much about GOD as David {Approximately 1,190 times out of
1066 verses}; or could it possibly be because no other writer of the
Scriptures spoke or wrote as much about God's word as David (Approximately
342 times in 336 verses); or could it be because no other writer of the
Bible spoke or wrote as much about the "heart" of man as David
(Approximately 130 times out of 126 verses); or could it be that, in
spite of David's terrible sins, that he displayed a love of God; a love of
God's words; and an understanding of the "Biblical heart" that very
few men before or after him have ever had?
Did you notice David's "balance"? He spoke and wrote about the God
of Scripture over three times as much as he spoke about the Scriptures
themselves. We King James Bible believers have to be careful, although God has
placed His word above His Name, we cannot do the same. We must worship the God
of Scripture in Spirit and in Truth.
Should Christians (although eternally secure in Christ) confess our sins;
repent of our sins; turn away from our sins; and turn unto God? Of course we
should! Are we any "better" than the saints of old? Of course not!
Religious pride is perhaps the most dangerous of all sins for a Christian.
So much of the “confusion” over Scriptural Truth
stems from the “baggage” that we carry at
the moment we are saved. By “baggage”, I
mean all of the things that we have embraced, believed, emulated, accepted or
been “taught” as “truth”
BEFORE God regenerated us and we became His children.
When we are “saved”
(born again) God doesn’t take a “magic wand” and “erase” every false way that
we may have believed, embraced, and followed before we got saved. He doesn’t
take an “eraser” and erase every false doctrine that we may have accepted
before we got saved. And herein lays the primary reason for most of the “differences”
amongst the brethren (even amongst genuine Bible believers).
Just
exactly WHAT is some of that BAGGAGE?
All of these things do not make us who we are; but they
definitely influenced us in the past,
and more often than we like to admit – they often influence us still.
In the not too distant past in the Western world,
“Religion” was the predominant influence on most people in determining their
“belief system” (or “world view”). That is no longer true today. In the Western
world the predominant influence on most people today is (not necessarily in
order of importance): The Media; Schools; Government, and “Friends”. Religion
and Family are generally secondary.
You may not be aware
of it, but HUMANISM has become the undeclared
and unofficial “religion”
of ALL the governments (and people) of the Western world (with no
exceptions!). This means (in the Western world) that most people who get
“saved” today are already Humanists and have accepted and
embraced much of the Humanist Philosophy BEFORE receiving the Lord
Jesus Christ as their Savior.
These facts have
grave consequences for those of us who genuinely believe the Holy Bible; which
simply means we are going to be “marginalized” (as “kooks”, “bigots”,
“racists”, “homophobes”, “Bible fanatics”, etc.) more and more as time goes by
for not believing "like everybody else”
does.
Even those people
coming from strong “religious” backgrounds (Catholic, Protestant,
Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah Witnesses,
Mormons, etc.) have been heavily influenced by Humanism (often without consciously being aware). What do you think
the Muslims are so afraid of in the Western world? Humanism! Muslims can see the “corrupting influence”
of Humanism in the Western world and want no part of it!
So you’re probably
wondering by now: What’s the point? The point is that, when a person from
The “baggage” that we have accumulated along life’s
way will often determine how we “define” and understand the “meaning” of WORDS
- The following presentation is just one example:
The word CHURCH:
So, WHAT, are we, as Bible believers, to believe?
Set aside the “baggage” that you may have,
and forget all of the varied “opinions” and “beliefs” of others,
and search the Holy Scriptures for the answers. The Bible is its own best
“Dictionary” whenever it comes to any issue of spiritual importance. Let’s
first look at the verses where the word “church” is used – and NOT in
reference to a “New Testament church”.
The word “church” cannot be found in the Old Testament and yet Stephen
spoke of the “church” in the wilderness in reference to the Nation of
In regards to the Israelites (Hebrews-Jews), they were
first a FAMILY (NOT referred to as a “church”); and then a TRIBE (still NOT
referred to as a “church”) and then a NATION (referred to as “the ‘church’
in the wilderness” – ONLY ONCE!) What was “peculiar” about the
NATION of Israel, in the wilderness, that was not true at any other
time? It is the ONLY TIME in their entire history when the ENTIRE NATION was
altogether in
So what does that tell us about the word church? A “church” is an assembly
of people gathered together in one place. Notice: The nation of
In Acts we have the
word “churches” used by the town clerk of Ephesus in reference to Pagan
places of worship (or in the case of Ephesus: an assembly of
Pagan people in a particular place to worship a “Female Deity” - Sound
familiar?).
[Acts
The only place in the
Four Gospels that the word “church” is used is in the Book of Matthew
(and only in two places!)
[Matthew
If this is a “New Testament church” – why the reference to
the “heathen” man, or even more particular the reference to “a publican”
- References to people, that are peculiarly “Jewish” in nature? Although there
are “heathen” in the “church” today – there are no “publicans”! But there were Jewish “publicans”
in Christ’s time, which were part of the culture of the Israelites. And the Jews
considered all other people (even the Samaritans – part Jews) as “heathen”. And
so the word “church” here again signifies an assembly of people
(in this case – only Jews) not a building, and NOT A New Testament
church (with born again Christians).
Matthew 18:17 is NOT
“doctrine” for the New Testament church, but since the verse does not run
contrary to any church doctrine taught by the Apostle Paul, I see no harm in
this practice, if a New Testament church deems to employ it.
We now come to the
most difficult verse in the Bible in regards to the word “church” (at least the
most “difficult” for me!)
Matthew
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and
others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto
them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter
answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.
17 And Jesus answered
and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in
heaven.
18 And I say also
unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give
unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was
Jesus the Christ.
I believe that the word “church” in Matthew 16:18 is in
reference to the “New Testament church” that the Lord Jesus Christ was going to
build after His death burial, and resurrection - but which was not
yet in existence. At this point in time in the Lord’s earthly ministry,
Christ’s disciples were referred to as the “children of the bride chamber”
– NOT THE BRIDE! They could not have been both! {Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34}
All of the rest of the verses in the New Testament with the words “church” or
“churches” plainly indicate that a church is an assembly
of professing Christians meeting in a particular place. I don't have the time
or space to get into the “local” church - “universal” church debate at this
time except to say:
ON EARTH: God has a
“church”; and He has chosen to manifest that “church” locally – BUT, a “local” church is not all there is to the “
Can you see why I say that if a person fails to “rightly divide the word of
truth”, they cannot truly understand God’s word, and will in the end have to change
it (somewhere) in order to make it “harmonize”
with their private interpretations? This kind of “division” takes “work” and a
familiarity with the Holy Scriptures – NOT just a 2-4 year
Let’s look at a few more Bible words or doctrines that are misunderstood by
many people or may have “multiple meanings”:
We could do the same kind of study and comparison on each
of these subjects as I have just presented concerning the word “church”.
Now - can you not see
that “rightly dividing the word of truth” takes work? There is only one verse
in the entire Bible that commands us to STUDY and along with that command, the
“method” or “way” we are to study is clearly laid out for any sincere Bible
believer to get a hold of (“schooling” is not necessary or required to
“rightly divide” – a sincere and honest heart is the only prerequisite). [2 Timothy
I have gone into more depth on how to “rightly divide” the word of God
elsewhere, but the information I have listed above should demonstrate to any
honest person that Bible study is not something that can be “mastered”
in a 2 or 3 or 4 year Bible Institute or Seminary. I have been a Christian for over
51 years and have been engaged in serious Bible study for over 41 years and I am
still learning.
There is so much leaven & false doctrine, and so many
false teachers & false brethren out in the world today that it has become
wearisome, and sometimes discouraging having to deal with it all. BUT, deal
with it we must. There are so many Christians today with no FINAL AUTHORITY
other than someone’s opinion as to what God’s word “MEANS”,
rather than what it “SAYS”, that it sometimes appears to be a nearly hopeless
exercise in futility to confront it all.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the
faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that
are in the world.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.
psychiatry & psychology
{ Pseudo Science & Mythological Medicine }
I am dead set against the psychologizing
of Christianity and the perverse influence that Humanistic Psychiatry & Psychology has had on the churches of
God in the last 50 years. What did Christians do before Freud? How did we ever
learn to "cope" before Jung or Adler? How did we live holy lives before
Maslow, Fromm, and Rogers?
I have no problem with the idea that Christians can become
sad, disappointed, and sometimes brokenhearted; or that they can despair of
even living. But this is NOT the same as "clinical depression"
(as defined by Psychiatrists & Psychologists) or any of the other 450
psychiatric "excuses" now
supplied to mankind for not taking personal responsibility for their actions or
for Christians for not living an "overcoming life" through the spirit
[Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 5:16, 25].
The godless religion of Humanism
is the very foundation of Psychiatry
& Psychology - How can we suppose that it has anything of spiritual “value”
to offer those of us who truly believe the Bible? [Galatians 5:8 This
persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump.]
Please read "Psycho Heresy" and "The End of 'Christian' Psychology"
by Martin and Deidre Bobgan; or “Psychology and the Church”, or any of the numerous articles and
books by Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon on this subject; or "House of Cards" by Robyn M. Dawes
(secular University Professor and "psychological researcher") or
"Manufacturing Victims" written
by Dr. Tana Dineen (secular "psychological
researcher").
The perverse influence of
psychiatry & psychology on Christian churches in the last 50 years is
incalculable. The damage that "Christian Counseling" (along
psychiatric & psychological lines) has done to Christian lives is
unbelievable. The destructive effect that Psychiatry & Psychology has on
Bible understanding is such that most Christians (today) have no idea as to
WHAT the truth is or WHERE to find it.
Today, when a person (man or
woman) gets saved (born of the Spirit of God through the written word of God)
they bring along a lot of "baggage" with them. And the older they are the more
"baggage"
they have. In the Western world most of that "baggage" is godless Humanism - taught and accepted in the
home, schools, colleges, media (print, radio, television), government
(executive, legislature, and especially the courts).
When we get saved we just don't deposit the "garbage"
in the garbage can and we suddenly know everything
there is to know about God, the church, the Bible, spiritual issues, marriage,
etc. We are commanded (by God) to "study": “Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.” [2 Timothy
2:15]
Notice: we are to study "the word of
truth", which simply means that if we have a "problem" in our
life over an “issue” (ANY & ALL problems - ANY & ALL issues.) we are to
look to God and his Holy words for our answers - NOT some godless "Doctor" or some reprobate
"Christian Counselor"! Matthew 4:4 But
he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God.
I do not judge Christians that use
psychological terms, but I do try to warn them about the leavening effect
these Humanistic words and terms have
on us.
I have a Scriptural reason why I try
to avoid using psychological terms and why I try real hard not to think with “psychological reasoning";
which is based on Humanism or the Humanistic Philosophy.
The word “depression” (as used by psychiatrists and psychologists) is a
"catchall" word that covers
many conditions of the heart and mind (some of which may be scriptural). But it
is not specific, and the way it is used by psychiatrists and psychologists it
is often used as an excuse for not living for the Lord, or for bad or for even evil behavior.
I shall try to demonstrate by using some words from
the Scriptures that could fall under the heading of "depression": {The numerical numbers =
the number of verses (with the particular word) found in the entire
Bible - Swordsearcher Results}
Discontent (1 verse); distress (33 verses); distressed (11 verses); derision (15 verses); displeasure (5 verses); fearful (15 verses); grief (27 verses); heavy (39 verses - some); heaviness (14 verses); sad (10 verses); sadly (1 verse); sadness (1 verse); sorrow (65); sorrowful (18); travail (30 verses); troubled (68 verses); troubles (13 verses); weary (41 verses); weariness (3 verses); vex (15 verses); and vexed (22 verses).
There are more examples, but a
genuine Bible believer should get my point. The point is, if there is some specific
problem that is troubling an individual, or a husband, or a wife - if you
"search the Scriptures" you can identify the specific problem
and deal with it (according to the Scriptures,
of course!).
On the other hand, if we just label the problem as "depression" and then go to a
psychiatrist or a psychologist for the solution - we are
going to get a Humanistic point of
view (i.e. "OPINION")
that will not solve the problem (but it may make you "feel good”
for awhile).
There is another
"dimension" to this subject - that is spiritual in
nature. [Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and
healing all that were oppressed of the devil;
for God was with him.] I do not have much "discernment" in
this area, but I believe a study of King Saul in the Book of 1 Samuel (the
entire Book) will give us an idea of what “spiritual oppression" is
and a person’s behavior when
under it.
I hope this short explanation will
give you some idea why I am so adamant in my opposition to Psychiatry and
Psychology.
Psalm 11:3 If the
foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?