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Showing posts with the label maturity

Faith and Feelings: How Do They Relate?

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Emotions are part of our humanity. God created us with the capacity to feel joy, sorrow, fear, compassion, and even disappointment. These are not sinful in themselves, for they belong to the soul—the realm of mind, will, and emotions. Yet Scripture warns us that the motions of sins, which are by the law, work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death (Romans 7:5). This shows that emotions, though natural, can be stirred by the flesh and lead to sinful outcomes when not governed by the Spirit. Faith, however, is of another order. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). It is not emotion, nor is it feeling—it is trust in what God has spoken. Faith rests on the certainty of His Word, while emotions fluctuate with circumstance. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), which means that God is not pleased with our emotions in themselves, but with our trust in His truth. Yet emotions, when submitted to the Spirit, can reflect His own hea...

If Spiritual Gifts Ceased, How Can One Teach in the Spirit?

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This question reveals a common confusion between two categories of spiritual gifts: sign gifts and functional gifts . To answer it clearly, we must rightly divide what Scripture says about each—and understand their purpose within God’s unfolding plan. Sign Gifts Were Temporary and Confirmatory In the early church, God gave miraculous gifts—tongues, healings, prophecy—not as permanent features of Christian life, but as signs to confirm the gospel and authenticate the apostles. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” — 2 Corinthians 12:12 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…” — 1 Corinthians 14:22 These gifts were foundational. Once the full revelation of Scripture was complete and the apostolic office fulfilled, the need for signs ceased. “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it s...

What is a common misunderstanding about rightly dividing the Word that you see hindering believers' spiritual maturity?

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Why It Matters: Rightly Dividing and Spiritual Maturity A common misunderstanding about rightly dividing the Word is the belief that it’s optional—or worse, that it’s merely academic. Many believers assume that all Scripture applies equally to all people at all times. But Scripture itself warns against this approach. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim.2:15) When believers fail to rightly divide, they often mix law with grace, Israel with the Church, prophecy with mystery. This leads to confusion, misplaced expectations, and spiritual instability. They may claim promises not given to them, fear judgments that don’t apply, or pursue experiences that belong to another dispensation. The result? A distorted view of God’s character, a fragile sense of assurance, and a walk governed by contradiction rather than clarity. Right division isn’t about intellectual pride—it’s about spiritual heal...

Can you explain Titus 2:9-10 or rather justify it?

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A question on Quora: Can you explain Titus 2:9-10 or rather justify it? My answer: A common objection raised against Titus 2:9-10 is whether Paul’s instruction to servants is justifiable—especially in light of modern views on justice, equality, and human dignity. The question often takes the form:  “How can Paul tell servants to obey their masters? Isn’t that endorsing slavery?”  But such a question, while understandable, misses the doctrinal context entirely. The following reply answers that concern by rightly dividing the Word and clarifying the true purpose of Paul’s instruction in this passage. "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."  (Titus 2:9-10, KJV) This passage is often criticised or dismissed as outdated, oppressive, or culturally irrelevant. Some even use it to ac...

What is Walking in the Spirit?

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Romans 8:4 — “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  But what does that mean for us today? To walk in the Spirit is to walk in agreement with what God has already done—not to chase what He might do. It’s not a mystical journey or emotional high, but a doctrinal reality. The Spirit doesn’t lead us into signs, wonders, or vague impressions. He leads us into truth. He testifies of Christ (John 15:26), teaches us sound doctrine (1 Corinthians 2:13), and strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). His ministry is not external but internal—not circumstantial but spiritual. He doesn’t stir our flesh; He renews our mind. When we walk in the Spirit, we’re not trying to be spiritual—we’re yielding to the Spirit who already dwells in us. We’re not striving to overcome sin—we’re reckoning ourselves dead to it (Romans 6:11). We’re n...