Pedophile on your site

[jo555]

I will definitely agree that there is a certain factor of spirit-leading in who we associate with, as I think all of us at one time or another have gotten that, "you need to stay away from this person" feeling, even though we can't intellectually pinpoint a reason why we should. Sometimes it is because the person presents a physical danger to us (i.e. someone prone to violent outbursts, etc.), and sometimes a spiritual danger (sinful influence, strong temptation, etc.). Sometimes, we need to be like Joseph and run like the dickens away from the temptation, like he did from Potiphar's wife. My own suspicion is that he was reaching the point where her advances were becoming much too inviting to him. He was a Godly man, but he was still a man. I'd warrant his flesh wanted to accept her invitations, and the only way for his spirit to win out, was to get away. A good example for us to remember.

This is particularly important when it comes to the "wolves in sheep's clothing" we get in the church. There may not be an obvious pattern of sin for us to identify, but instead, they are engaging in the dangerous practice of twisting Scriptures and doctrines to lead others astray.

I hear you too Hoomi. Even I just recently decided not to talk to a particular person, beyond the basic pleasantries.

I love this person dearly, dearly, and we have had wonderful conversations, yet there are certain areas that are too close to my heart, that he sees so opposite, and it is around a certain issue we both deeply love (people we both love and have asked for our help), how he sees things and speaks angers me so I get so mad that I feel like flinging something at him.

So, until I've grown (and feel he could use that too, yet I am accountable for how I respond), I feel the need to avoid speaking beyond basic conversations.

[jo555]

And I also can get angry with the twisting of scripture. The part I am passionate about is when we take a branch, mainly in the form of a gifting, position, doctrine...and come against others, thinking we are better than them.

Worse yet, when we elevate that branch over Jesus. We become advocates of our branches and go on a crusade to promote our branches, instead of promoting Jesus and inviting others into a relationship with Him.

Like this:
The artist if better than the teacher.
The general thought in certain arenas is that the teacher can lead others to legalistic ways and bondage instead of relationship.

Yet, the Lord has shown me that the artist can also lead others to bondage for he can become a seducer if he is relying on his abilities and such, instead of relying on the Lord. One place I went to where the person who elevated the artist over the teacher fairly often, I felt the Lord was showing me that they themselves were seducing and it was based on self-serving kick they got out of it.

Now, my issue is not to look down on them for we've all probably gone down that road in one form or another, but it does anger me when we put others down for what we are doing, even if we are doing it with a different twist.

I see it so often (though God knows how well I am seeing), and appears others are blinded to it, I wonder how often I myself am doing the same but am blinded to it.

Maybe in the end what we may be able to say, is similar to Paul: "My conscience is clear (that is, if it is), yet that doesn't mean I am right. Yet, it is the Lord that judges me."

So, we become advocates over our gifting and such, and go on some crusade, instead of going deeper (all falling short of the glory of God), and elevating Jesus.

Anyway, what I need to remember is that even I could not see these things without the Lord, and there are things they may see that I have yet to see, so we do need to pray for each other with the right heart.

Just saying...this is an area I am passionate about. I hate to see others and their giftings promoted over others...and especially over Jesus. Believe Paul dealt with this too as he addressed it with the Corinthian church.