“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:5 ESV
A form of godliness is goodness without holiness; likability without intimacy; external acts of publicity without change internally; appearance as that which one is not to be deemed as something that one cannot be.
A form of godliness is goodness without holiness; likability without intimacy; external acts of publicity without change internally; appearance as that which one is not to be deemed as something that one cannot be – not that they cannot be, but that they do not want to be.
A form of godliness is willing to say the right things but lacks doing them. A form of godliness claims to know God but does not walk in Light of Scripture. A form of godliness falsely resembles that their life is well and places others under a deceptive spell.
A form of godliness is willing to say the right things but lacks doing them. A form of godliness claims to know God but does not walk in Light of Scripture. A form of godliness falsely resembles that their life is well and places others under a deceptive spell. People become enraptured and enthralled with the idea of a person they present themselves as without knowing their heart.
Intentions reveal what harbors within, and only God can know the full depths of the heart. Those who walk in the way of what is deemed godly, but deny its power, are willing to pretend to know God while neglecting the call of God.
Intentions reveal what harbors within, and only God can know the full depths of the heart. Those who walk in the way of what is deemed godly, but deny its power, are willing to pretend to know God while neglecting the call of God. They walk in their own way while hiding behind the Name of God Almighty. This walk cannot be easily discerned but can be noticed when the Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see and ears to hear.
Those who walk in the form of godliness are more concerned with what man thinks than what God thinks. They want to blend in, form friends, and gain a strong community, but their private life with the Lord is nonexistent.
Those who walk in the form of godliness are more concerned with what man thinks than what God thinks. They want to blend in, form friends, and gain a strong community, but their private life with the Lord is nonexistent.
It is like the friend who is friends with the best friend of the most popular kid in school. People want to get to know the most popular kid’s best friend to appear as if they know them when they actually don’t. Likewise, is it with those who have a form of godliness but deny its power.
People can associate themselves in the crowds where God’s Spirit is and with those who know God, all the while not knowing God, themselves.
People can associate themselves in the crowds where God’s Spirit is and with those who know God, all the while not knowing God, themselves. This is not because God is not gracious, for He is! He wants all to be saved. It is not due to the community they surround themselves with, for they are inviting and welcoming (or, at least, they should be). It is predominantly due to one’s unwillingness and inability to surrender all to God, repent of their sins, and answer the call to obey.
“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3 NKJV). ““If you love Me, keep My commandments”” (John 14:15 NKJV). “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”” (Luke 9:23 NKJV).
Those who deny God’s Power do not want to change. They are those who blend in but do not stand bold. They want others to believe they walk with God, when their heart is far from God.
God is serious in His call. Those who deny God’s Power do not want to change. They are those who blend in but do not stand bold. They want others to believe they walk with God, when their heart is far from God. “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me’” (Matthew 15:8 NKJV).
A form of godliness without power is vanity. It is to live a deceptive lifestyle and to mislead many.
A form of godliness without power is vanity. It is to live a deceptive lifestyle and to mislead many.
The damage of Lukewarm Christians is catastrophic. They are cancerous – not in who they are, but in the double-minded lifestyle they portray. They are unstable in all their ways (James 1:8).
Whether in the Church or in the world, the damage of Lukewarm Christians is catastrophic. They are cancerous – not in who they are, but in the double-minded lifestyle they portray. They are unstable in all their ways (James 1:8). They pretend to be Christian before unbelievers, and unbelievers see them as no different than they. Due to this, unbelievers see no reason to believe in God or accept Him.
Those in the Church who recognize the lifestyle of these Lukewarm Christians are often too fearful to say something. Due to this fear to rebuke one with a gentle spirit and in love, the Lukewarm Christian remains going to church. As this occurs, the body becomes infected.
Lukewarm Christians disturb the state in which the church should be. There is no longer one Spirit but multiple spirits. “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21 NKJV). The Enemy begins to take ground through these Lukewarm Christians, and he begins to infect the state of the true Body of Christ.
Predators begin to connect with women in the church. Narcissists charm others into a toxic marriage. Greeters are now seen grinding on others at clubs by first-timers visiting a church. Church group leaders are known for having multiple sexual relationships with those of the opposite sex. New believers begin to listen to those professing Christ about how drunk they got at the last party. Churchgoers are spending time with Lukewarm Christians in the church who can’t refrain from a swear word every other minute.
This is what happens with a form of godliness that denies its power - there is no real change. There is no desire to change. These people look just as much of the world instead of being transformed into the image of Christ.
This is what happens with a form of godliness that denies its power. There is no real change. There is no desire to change. These people look just as much of the world instead of being transformed into the image of Christ.
Excuses such as, “Yes, well, that’s for the Pastor but not for me”, “You’re over spiritual”, and “the Bible doesn’t specifically speak on this” are amongst some of the excuses by those playing the game of religion but not having any real power.
Excuses such as, “Yes, well, that’s for the Pastor but not for me”, “You’re over spiritual”, and “the Bible doesn’t specifically speak on this” are amongst some of the excuses by those playing the game of religion but not having any real power.
Standing for the things of God will result in being hated by those who despise God.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19 NKJV). Standing for the things of God will result in being hated by those who despise God.
Those who want nothing to do with Truth will see the proof of Him Who is the Truth by how we conduct ourselves, the transformation that takes place within us, and the willingness to remain bold on concrete, foundational truths that have stood the test of time.
Those who want nothing to do with Truth will see the proof of Him Who is the Truth by how we conduct ourselves, the transformation that takes place within us, and the willingness to remain bold on concrete, foundational truths that have stood the test of time.
Not every spirit that claims Jesus, knows Jesus and is saved by His atoning sacrifice.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 ESV). Not every spirit that claims Jesus, knows Jesus and is saved by His atoning sacrifice.
““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”” (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV).
May God give us Holy Ghost discernment to detect a person's true nature and heart. Many have crept into the church who have no desire to change or seek the face of God. They enjoy what the Church offers but don’t want to participate in the spiritual disciplines of the church.
May God give us Holy Ghost discernment to detect a person's true nature and heart. Many have crept into the church who have no desire to change or seek the face of God. They enjoy what the Church offers but don’t want to participate in the spiritual disciplines of the church.
A man will exercise what he believes through his conduct and word. If he does not do that which he believes, he deceives.
Not that the disciplines save us but that the disciplines reveal whether or not we are truly saved. For a man will exercise what he believes through his conduct and word. If he does not do that which he believes, he deceives.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22 NKJV). “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26 NKJV).
Godliness with power occurs only when we are born again and have the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit is alive and active in our lives, we will not only receive newness of life but live out our faith in newness of life.
“Change” will be the most significant word and revealment of Christ in our lives. We will change from children of darkness to light; we will change from desiring sin to desiring righteousness; we will change from living for ourselves to living for God; we will change from our old nature and put on the new; we will change from focusing on temporal things to eternal things; we will change from life being about us to life being about others; we will change in wanting to live in sin to confessing and repenting of sin; we will change how we speak, the places we visit, the environments we surround ourselves in, the people we spend time with… everything about us changes when we become born-again.
“Change” will be the most significant word and revealment of Christ in our lives. We will change from children of darkness to light; we will change from desiring sin to desiring righteousness; we will change from living for ourselves to living for God; we will change from our old nature and put on the new; we will change from focusing on temporal things to eternal things; we will change from life being about us to life being about others; we will change in wanting to live in sin to confessing and repenting of sin; we will change how we speak, the places we visit, the environments we surround ourselves in, the people we spend time with… everything about us changes when we become born-again. This occurs because of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our form of godliness has power because Power lives within – namely, the Power of God – the Holy Spirit.
May we forever seek God for Him to change, renew, transform, change, sanctify, and restore us to a Heavenly, holy state. We will constantly battle in this life. We will have times of falling and failing. The difference, however, is our acknowledgment of sinning and seeking God’s Power to continue to rule us.
The most excellent Apologetic argument is to live a holy life. When we are set apart, we will reveal to the world a form of godliness that has power.
Over time, we will be a living testimony of God’s Spirit at work in us. The most excellent Apologetic argument is to live a holy life. When we are set apart, we will reveal to the world a form of godliness that has power.
May God’s Spirit forever rule and reign in our lives.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are the God of Power. All that was, is, can be, and shall be is both known by You and comes from You. Nothing can override You and Your declaration. What You speak shall be and shall come to pass. What You declare cannot be challenged or changed. You alone are our Rock and Salvation, the only Living and True God in Whom we trust. God, give us Holy Ghost discernment to recognize who is of You and who is a counterfeit. Help us not to be those who pretend to be Christian while denying Your Power. God, You want to do something new in us and through us. You want us to be holy, righteous, and godly. You desire Your Spirit and Power to convict, mold, change, and transform us. O God, may Your Holy Light shine forth within. Whatever must occur, may it be done. May we die to self and resurrect with Christ on this day. May we be baptized in Holy Ghost Fire and rise as a new creature. We are not those who live in darkness and the depravity of what we once were. We seek You, Holy One of Israel, to ignite Thy Word and Truth within us so that we might live to serve You all the days of our lives. Do a new thing in Your people, O Lord. May You be glorified in how we live. May our endless pursuit forever be for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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