ow Does God See Us?

Ephesians 1:4-9 For he chose us in him (born again Christians) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (God actually wants everyone to be part of his family. 2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.) In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.

God sees his people as being very special; wanting us to be holy, blameless and knowledgeable in his perfect ways, so we can enjoy all the benefits of living in His presence. God's love for us wouldn't allow us to remain ignorant. So He sent Jesus to save us, teach us and return again to heaven so the Holy Spirit could come to earth. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost and immediately went to work through anyone who would accept Him, doing the same things that Jesus did; only He (The Holy Spirit) could be everywhere all the time, continuing God's work on a much larger scale. God also provided a system for us that would help us learn. It didn't require money, social status or a high level of intelligence; it has no race, gender or age limits. His knowledge is available to anyone who will reach out to receive.

Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

If you don't have a good church you are missing out and must find one. Pray that God leads you to the one he wants you to attend. Seek his truth. You can find great preacher and teachers on TV and the Internet but the church you attend locally is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. A good church with a pastor who is under the leadership of the Holy Spirit will make the difference in your level of faith for meeting the problems that life brings.

Choosing Who Teaches You

Choosing a pastor to teach you and your family is more important than choosing the quality of food you eat. Food from the earth is temporary but food from heaven is eternal. You want to be fed what God really offers without contamination of human pride, rebellion, doubt, fear or anything else that Satan puts in the mind of humans. Your promises and blessings can depend on what doctrine a Pastor teaches so you want to find someone that doesn't limit God's ability to do all that his word says he'll do.

Spiritual Depths

You need to be taught by someone that knows the spiritual depths of God's word. That is they should be able to give you reasonable explanation for scriptures with answers such as:

• What it means?
• How it works?
• What are the promises attached?
• What happens if we don't obey?
• What are the results of other actions we take?
• How can you use the scripture to benefit your own life ?

"Do and Don't" sermons with one line scripture statements will never bring a Christian into the maturity God expects each person to achieve. Maturity is fullness of knowledge and wisdom, being self-controlled, able to live and work within the righteousness and power of Holy Spirit to accomplish the same kind of works Jesus did. John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

God gives everyone including preachers and teachers the spiritual message when they study his word (The Holy Bible). Romans 10:17...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. The more one studies, along with worship and obedience, the more spiritual value they receive. As they evaluate what they've learned and make a decision to believe God's way, then that spiritual value becomes faith. It drops into their soul and becomes part of who they are; changing them to be more like Christ.

If a teacher, pastor or preacher is not teaching you the spiritual depths of God's word it's either because they are still ignorant in the areas of those scriptures (which means you ought to pray for them) or they have rejected those scriptures (in which you should not listen to them).

Never Fear The Body of Christ

No single preacher or teacher knows everything; they're only one part of the Body of Christ . If someone has put fear in you about listening to other preachers or teachers in the Body of Christ they are be robbing you of the fullness of God's blessings. Don't allow anyone to separate you from learning what God has given leaders of his church to share with the others. There are so many preachers and teachers who have specialized areas where God has blessed them with great learning. If you need healing then gather Gloria Copeland's material on healing. She knows how to put your hand into the hand of God to receive healing for anything in your body. Leroy Thompson can lead you into God's financial security. David Barton knows more about God and our government than anyone I know. And then there's Dr. Don Colbert, a physician and nutritionist whose book saved my life.

God is working in the minds and hearts of his people everyday. In his church there are experts in different areas of God's word just as there are experts in different areas of the medical or legal fields. The Lord expects us to search for those treasures of knowledge he has given to bless his church. You must always match what anyone says with the scriptures and pray about it to protect yourself. God protects his children, so keep yourself humble ( unpretentious, submissive ) and sincere; you don't want to receive any deceit. If any fear has been put into your mind about finding God's greatness then put it out. Fear doesn't come from God especially when you're searching for more of him. Pray King David's prayer and start searching for a new place to learn. Psalms 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Without Love Our Faith Doesn't Work

Anyone who puts a limit on the love relationship that God desires to have with his people or teaches God will do you harm is not in accordance with the word. A day is coming when the wrath of God will be seen, but we live in a time of grace. God is not out to do anyone harm but to hold them close and keep them from sin and eternal hell. 2Peter 3:8-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Everyone, good or bad, lives under God's law of "Seed-time and Harvest"; where what a person says or does eventually reaps them a reward or a corrective discipline. Which ever we receive is designed to draw us closer to the Lord. God doesn't cause heartache or disaster for us; it's through our own lack of knowledge and faith that Satan is able to stir up trouble for us. When bad things happen, even to good people, it's because we live in a sin infested world where the powers of Satan are at work. Trials and problems should make us run to God not away from him. We can't hide so we should repent and live with a clear conscience. Christianity is a learning process; making mistakes, then repenting for those mistakes so we can walk in righteousness again. As young Christians we do this many times but God gives us grace and eventually we learn to walk in holiness.

Anyone who puts a limit on the love relationship God desires with his people or the love between a born again Christian and other people is in serious trouble. Words from pastors/preachers that keep us from seeking knowledge from other's in the body of Christ or that teach we should separate from family members or even friends before we've had a chance to win them to the Lord is wrong. Having dinner with a sinner or spending holidays with family and friends is the right thing to do. However, when we're in their presence we should act like Christ did and not like sinners. How are we going to draw our loved ones to the Lord if we don't show them the better way of life? We are to love and reach people for Jesus and pray for everyone who is lost. Fear based teaching is not from God, it denies his power to work with us; to teach us and guide us as individuals. It robs us of our security that the Lord loves us and he's watching over us. Sinners are not going to contaminate a Christian with sin unless they let them. All Christians who have the Lord in their heart and his Word on their mind will be kept from evil, it their armor of righteousness. Satan can cause Christians problems, but they come and go. Evil can't overtake a Christian who doesn't allow it into their mind. God's is our protection when witnessing to others and when you're witnessing you're not discussing their sin to allow it into your life; you're trying to rescue them.

Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

There are so many love scriptures that loving others is one of the most important things you'll ever do. To love a fellow Christian is easy but a sinner can test our love. We should have great compassion for a sinner, they're pain is not like ours. They don't have God's answers and faith; they're full of fear. We're to be like Jesus who loved everyone and worked to deliver people from their bondages, while living holy and pleasing to God.

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law (The Old Testament) and the Prophets (The New Testament) hang on these two commandments."

Once more every Law, every promise in our New Testament Covenant with God and every blessing, physical, mental, material as well as spiritual, works though our level of love for God and for others. If a person has only a little love than they only receive little. Those who have learned God's ways and work at increasing their love receive much from God.

Now we know that the only place we can receiv e faith is from the message a s we learn what's in these two Testaments. The message is provided by God's love through the work of the Holy Spirit. He (The Holy Spirit) works with each person's mind to increase their faith for believing God's word and He works in their heart to produce a desire for seeking God's will. The Holy Spirit works at teaching us just as He did in helping those who wrote the scriptures down for u s so many years ago. God is always watching over his word so that it performs his work. His love keeps it holy, alive and working.

Therefore, if the person, who is teaching us doesn't keep the second most important commandment, to have love in their heart for other's, how will they receive the Spirit or message that God is giving through love? They can't, they have allowed one or more "works of the sinful nature" to block their ability to receive. Notice in the next scripture that discord or a disagreement is listed as being no different than any of the others.

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (group conflicts) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love .

Love works everything in God's kingdom. When a person lacks in giving love they shut the door on the working power of the Holy Spirit. That's why love is the greatest commandment; it releases God's power and spiritual knowledge (knowledge that's alive, able to perform changes in one's life) into a person's mind and soul which then overflows out of that person as love and desire to help others. It's the cycle which God uses to build his kingdom. If a pastor or preacher doesn't have love flowing through him, how are you going to receive a spiritually alive, life changing message? It's so important for you to find people that can teach you and bring you into the full maturity of the Lord; people who live with the Fruit of the Spirit active in their lives daily.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Freedom In The Lord

Pastors, preachers and teachers are just people like us. They're subject to the same kinds of attacks from Satan. They're subject to making mistakes we do, for the same reasons : lack of spiritual knowledge and strength. A person needs an education but it's not enough to equip a person to serve in a place of authority. It takes yielding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit through the study of God's word, prayer, worship and most of all obedience. In fact everyone needs that same dedication to become mature in a Christ-like lifestyle. Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit, a person is under his or her own leadership.

You'll find when a person in authority places abnormal restrictions on people, for instance, where to sit, what family members you can be around, where you have to eat after church, and so forth (things that really ought to be a personal choice) it's time to look at their motives. Ask yourself, are their restrictions to benefit me and give me freedom within the framework of God's righteousness or do they enslave me to their way of thinking? There have been many cults started that way.

When we are sincere about doing what God wants and the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us, we should not be around those kinds of people. There is conflict between their way of thinking and the Holy Spirit and we are in the middle. I have seen it cause confusion, discouragement and even worse, rebellion, in growing Christians because they didn't know what the Bible said. That's why everyone needs to know the word of God for themselves. It's your protection from someone with a wrong motive or attitude that could lead you astray.

Don't let anyone limit the freedom you have in the Lord. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and guide. If you keep Jesus on your mind and his words in your heart then He'll let you know what you should and shouldn't do, or say. He's always with you, (Matthew 28:20) it's His job to make you uncomfortable when you step out of line, but he'll never beat you up over it. He'll teach you about the situation, especially if you're open to the desire for God's way of living your life. He'll give you the freedom to choose and if your choice is wrong He'll find another way to teach you. Many times we have to endure the consequence of our mistakes but someone with a sincere heart will eventually get the message about what they can and can't do to walk in God's righteousness. It's far easier if we watch other people who have already been through those fiery trials and go straight to the obedience part, but not many people seem to be able to do that. We continually have to fight the sinful nature and Satan's attacks.

However, the Lord is always with you Hebrews 13:5...because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

God never called pastors and preachers to scold, belittle or punish you. A pastor should not laugh at (or get any other person to laugh at) your problems or mistakes. It wonderful to laugh and I've heard some great jokes from different pastors, but to laugh at a person's heartache is folly. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (Proverbs 13:16) The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15:2)

I have heard Pastors tell stories about someone without their permission that caused them embarrassed because the congregation knew who he was talking about. I've heard complaints about phone calls or conversations from preachers that was nobody's business; they wanted to boast. These kinds of things spoken from the pulpit are out of place. I've been asked should a Pastor be loud and pumped up or quiet and calm? Either way can be fine it's their personality coming through. The anointing of God can be on both kinds of Preachers, however you need to examine whether they are theatrical or genuine. Are they sincere about God pouring himself through them to bless the people or are they putting on a show for praise and applause. When the Holy Spirit moves on people they react in different ways. I've always found that was the best time to be serious with God to get prayers answered. In the story of the Pool of Bethesda an invalid man ignored the excitement of the crowd and the water being stirred by the Spirit. Instead he gave all his attention to Jesus and received his wonderful miracle.

God calls Pastors/Preachers and teachers to lift up Jesus to all people. They're to teach us how to live our lives to give glory and honor to God. John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

When a Pastor/Preacher teaches his people the message of the word they become spiritual, sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God's leadership. Then The Holy Spirit can work with them to lead them into all truths. This makes for a strong church that wins souls and helps people to reach for God's best.

John 16:13-15 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Listen carefully to whoever is teaching you. Do they speak or act with humility toward people as well as to God. The Bible teaches both. Humility or to be a humble person is to be submissive, gentle, quiet, reverent to God, putting others best interest first, peaceful, tolerant, unpretentious, modest, not proud, no ego or arrogance. How often does a teacher use the words I, me, mine and are they giving the Lord glory and honor for doing something in his/her life or are they lifting themselves up? Are they boastful? To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, (Proverbs 11:2) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18) A man's pride brings him low, (Proverbs 29:23)

Does the teacher/preacher rebel against Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God or His Word in any way? Do they rebel against any of his acts, such as healing, miracles, holy living, the infilling or fullness of the Holy Spirit as in the Book of acts etc? The Holy Spirit will stop dealing with a person who is rebellious against anything of God. You don't want to receive their spirit of deceit.

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

You can't follow any human being completely without checking what they're saying against the Bible. God's own words that he had written down for us are our safety. Good Pastors and teachers are wonderful and can open up the word to us so we can receive but our faith is to be put completely in Jesus and the Word. Romans 3:3-4 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. Just because someone teaches something as though it's true from the Bible it could be lacking the Spirit of the message that turns God's word along with our thought into faith. People have all levels of faith for different areas of their lives. We need teachers and pastors with spiritual faith to believe all that God says is true. Then it will spread into the individual areas so that they can effectively teach others. 2Corinthians 3:5-6...our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. You are responsible for verifying what you listen to and allowing the Holy Spirit drop God's spiritual truth into your soul. What is a spiritual truth? It's the anointed living word of God that changes a person's heart and soul. It will draw a person into thinking and acting in righteous ways that please God. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If someone is teaching you something different from what's in the Bible or only half truths your mind will not be renewed but confused. The truth of God will give you a sound mind so you don't miss out on any of the blessings, promises, healing or miracle from God. John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Scriptures For Recognizing A True Servant Of God

What does the Bible say about how to recognize a true man or woman of God? Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

1Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

A teacher should not demand anything of you. Their job is to lift Jesus up so that the Holy Spirit can guide and teach you as an individual. If you see a church where everyone, at least those in authority, appear to be cloned after the pastor it's not the place for you. God delights in the individuality of the people that he loves.

Matthew 7:15-20 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

This is what to look for in any Christian not just preachers and teachers. Notice the first fruit is love. All other fruit grows from love; therefore, when as a person grows in the ways of the Lord they must also increase in love towards others. Watch closely what any person says about other people and you will see their level of love. This is a reflection of the amount of fruit that person bears. Never follow a person with less love working in his heart than you have. You will learn his ways and it will grieve or stop the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life and you will loose your blessings.

Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

James 2:8-9 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Your perfection in Christ will grow as your love for others grows. If a teacher or preacher talks ugly about others it is coming from his heart and is not fit to teach anyone.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Choosing A Denomination

Not all religious denominations teach all the truths of the Bible. Many teach half truths and ignore commandments that God intended to benefit his church. My husband and I have been to many churches of different denominations. We have even been to non-denominational churches and support a few of them. However, our top choice for pastoral denominations, where the meat of the Word is taught, is either a Church of God or Assembly of God for several reasons.

• Although, there are many non-denominational ministries that are full of the truth and where the Spirit of the Lord moves about freely to teach and confirm God's word by miracle power, they are local to certain areas. They are fun to visit when in their area but we feel the need to belong to a church that has strong ministries wherever we live or travel. It's comforting to know that wherever we go, we'll be taught by a minister that has biblical guidelines set down for him to follow and our worship with God will not be spoiled.
• They have programs and counseling that is suited for any situation a person may be in. When someone needs help I am confident that I can send them to a church of one of these denominations and a man of God will give them good sound biblical advice.
• We find the teaching in these church denominations tend to help people grow into the maturity of the lord the fastest with the fewest amount of problems.

These are spirit filled churches, which believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit also known as the fullness or infilling of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus commanded for us to receive. Acts 1:4-8 On one occasion, while he (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Although there are other Spirit filled denominations we believe, through comparison with the Bible, that these two denominations act and teach the closest according to the scriptures. Each church varies in degree within any denomination and the pastor's personality usually plays a part in that, but many churches overlook important scriptures. I am convinced that we're to live and believe everything in God's word. In one of his toughest battles, Jesus said to Satan, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Although these scriptures are written about the book of Revelation, I believe God is serious about protecting his Word. God had the Bible written as a book of love to protect, teach and encourage us. It was written with restrictions and guidelines for us to follow that would lead us into the most secret place in God's heart. And although at times is hard to follow in obedience he has filled his rules with a reward system that is impossible to resist. If we weren't supposed to believe something that's in God's word, I believe he wouldn't have allowed it to be written there. God watches closely over the things that belong to him. Everything God says is important.

People become strong under the spirit filled leadership of the Lord's church and have access to more of God power, through the Holy Spirit fullness that lives in them. There are many pastors/preachers that are great teachers and pass onto us the ways of God that they have learned. But most of your basic learning should be done daily and by the Holy Spirit teaching you. Pray much and believe God will direct you to the right church. If your church is not filling you full of God's love and the knowledge of the Holy Bible then find one that will. You should have joy and prosperity in every area of your life, even when you are going through trials.

God never condemns a person. If you feel condemnation from people or a pastor and there's a lack of freedom in the righteousness that God allows, then that's not the place for you. Move on and ask God where you should attend services. The church you choose feeds your soul and if they produce bad fruit you'll end up being just another apple in the barrel.

Know the difference between being corrected and condemned and never let another person, especially a teacher of the Word put condemnation on you. Correction gives you freedom in the Lord and increases your relationship with God. Condemnation gives you a sense of fear or hopelessness, allowing Satan's influences of oppression or depression to move into your spirit. We are to learn and yield to correction but never allow yourself to be taught by someone who puts condemnation on you.

Every sermon or lesson that is taught on condemnation attitudes or actions of people must be followed by in-depth teaching about how to escape those actions permanently and how to live in God's favor, then an opportunity for prayer and repentance must be offered. If these parts are not in the teaching, then what help will you receive to increase your life in Jesus or live in peace with the people around you.

In the story of a woman caught in adultery, Jesus told her "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." (Read the whole story in John 8:1-11)

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

S criptures are God's words; they are unchanging just as he is unchanging.

1saiah 15:29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (Also: Numbers 23:19)

James 1:16-17 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.