They are Toxic?

 I hear talk from Believers about separating themselves from other Believers. They say things like..."They are toxic!" 

They better be the personification of pure evil if one has decided to wash their hands of them, and I sincerely doubt they are if they're a true brother or sister in Christ. Saying things like "they are toxic" to justify your separation from them will not fly with God!

I hear people say things like, "I forgive them but want nothing to do with them" even if they have repented.

 What if Jesus said, "Thanks for repenting and I forgive you but I want nothing to do with you"?

According to God's Word we are to strive with everything that is within us to be at peace "with everyone," to be a peace maker and remain cordial.

According to God's Word when is it okay as a Believer to separate ourself from someone?

1) If they are a false Teacher. 

2) If they twist God's Word for profit while causing dissention. 1Tim. 6:5, 

3) If they are heretical and bring a different doctrine and continue doing this even though they are convicted. Rom. 16:17, Titus 3:10.

4) If they are disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught. 2 John 1:10.

5) If they are a lazy non- working person, who is a busy body/ meddlesome in other people's affairs. 2 Thess. 3:14.

6) If they bear the name of Christian but operate in immorality, greed, idolatry. 

7) If they are a railer, abuser, drunkard, slanderous, robber. Have nothing to do with them. 1 Cor. 5:9-11.

8) If they have a form of godliness but their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession. 

Avoid all such people turn away from them. 2 Tim. 3:5.

 And only after we have done all 3 steps in Mt. 18:15-17 with our Brother or Sister and they still refuse to listen, only then do we consider them as loss. Sadly, many jump to separating without even taking the steps in Matt. 18.

If a brother or sister does repent and we still separate ourself from them, this is wrong and it is a sin! 

Sometimes an honest self examination of ourself might be required? Questions to ask one's self, (1) Am I separating myself because I have been toxic and need to repent? (2) Could my pride be keeping me from repenting to those I have come against? (3) Is it easier to run than admit my wrong?

Repent, make things right with your Brother or Sister, or just as you have done to them will be done to you. 

So when you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother has any grievance against you. Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace and be "reconciled" to your Brother, and then come back and present your gift. Mt. 5:23-24. 

Please be obedient. Time is drawing near. Make things right with Brothers and Sisters before it is too late and you find yourself at the judgment seat!

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 3 (unmasking the enemy)

Let us begin to unmask the enemy according to God's Word. The Bible warns us to beware of wolves in sheep clothing. They are described as false teachers and prophets. According to (2 Peter chapter 2 amp. paraphrased) there are false teachers among us who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines even denying and disowning the Master who bought them. Many will follow their immoral ways and lustful doings. They will slander and attack the good name of Jesus who is the Way for all men. They are very skilled and crafty in their deceptions as they exploit God's people in cunning arguments. Their argument might be based on reasonable evidence, but is brought forth boldly and with arrogance and sometimes offensive language. They are self-willed and self-loving and scoff honorable authorities without fear. They are unreasonable and live according to flesh and instinct. They will complain bitterly or abusively about things that they are ignorant of. They take great pleasure in unrestrained celebrations living luxuriously. They take great pleasure in their deceptions as they feast with you. They will bait as to deceive and lure away unstable souls. They are loud in their boasting and folly and lure those who can barely escape from wrong doing. They speak great words of liberty, while they themselves are slaves of depravity and defilement. They take great pleasure in deceiving others to bring them down to their level as to be enslaved. The Scriptures talk about those who do not teach with a wholesome reverence toward God, that they are puffed up and full of pride and deceit, but woefully ignorant. They have a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions. They prolong arguing and bickering and are corrupt in mind and no not the truth (1 Timothy 6 amp. paraphrased). The enemy will operate in a superficial wisdom and not the wisdom from God. This kind of wisdom is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). He brings forth an atmosphere of jealousy, envy and contention rivalry and selfish ambition. He also breeds an atmosphere of confusion, unrest, disharmony, rebellion and all sorts of evil and vile practices (James 3: 15-16 amp. paraphrased). We who know Christ and know who we are in Him should withdraw from such people.

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 4 we will talk about the enemy's tactics and how he entices the vulnerable and tries to silence the strong in the Lord!

Are you being deceived?

I found something very interesting in the Word of God today, which made me sit up and take notice. I have read it before, in fact I have it highlighted in my Bible. But today it truly hit home for me. This is what I read:

2 John 1:9-11 (Amp.) (9)Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son. (10)If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement. (11)For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings.

I had to examine myself to see if this is something I have done. I am an encourager and I strive to encourage and accept almost everyone that has come into my life. As I began my self examination, I had to admit that I have indeed been guilty of encouraging and accepting those who are disloyal to Christ and what He has taught. I have even welcomed them into my house. It hit me like a ton of bricks that because I have done this, I have been a partaker in the evil doings of such people. After all my thinking was that I must love and accept others.

As I continued in my prayer and study, I was brought back to the beginning of the chapter of (2 John) "loving one another" was right there, and it explained what it meant and what it consisted of. I have misinterpreted what loving others truly means:

According to the (Amp). (5)And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. (6) And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. (7)For many imposters (seducers, deceivers, and false leaders) have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge (confess, admit) the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in bodily form. Such a one is the imposter (the seducer, the deceiver, the false leader, the antagonist of Christ) and the antichrist.

My conclusion: Anyone who is disloyal to the teachings of Christ Jesus is not of God. He has not God nor the Son (vs. 9). And love/loving others stands under the banner of "loyalties to Christ Jesus and what He taught" (vs.6). So anyone who teaches anything other than what Christ Jesus taught does not walk in love but is a seducer, deceiver, false leader, he is an imposter and the antagonist of Christ (7). And according to the Word of God if we receive, accept, admit, welcome, encourage and say God bless you to such a one, we have now become partakers in his evil doings (11).

I have realized that while I thought I was doing well in accepting them (because I must show them love) I have misunderstood "true love" and what it really means, thus I have sinned and done wrong. My love for such people was not love at all but tolerance. And because of my tolerance I became a partaker of their evil doings.

Where do I go from here? I have repented of my wrong-doing. I have learned, now I move forward. I was deceived, and because of this I have probably brought some unnecessary heartache and tribulation my way. But in order to learn, it sometimes takes going through some storms before we can see the blue skies and sunshine again. I know without doubt that my God is merciful and gracious, and when we acknowledge our short-comings He's faithful and just to forgive us. Not only does God forgive, but He rejoices over us when we learn and move forward in Him and with Him. In so doing we are receiving His gift of love and grace into our lives. There is no greater pleasure for our Father in Heaven than to give His children His grace and mercy, and in turn have His children receive this from Him.

I would like to leave this question with my readers. The same question I had to ask myself:

Are you walking in love or are you walking in tolerance?