Snippets of Thought

Snippets of Thought

Here are some snippets of thought for your consideration.  They are written by different people on different topics, but each is thought – provoking in its own way.

Dangers of Legalism by Beth Moore

"When our legalism exceeds our compassion, we have abandoned the heart of Christ to cling to the safety and control of the letter of the law. Legalism is a pet python. You can only keep it in the cage so long. Eventually it will slither out and crush the life out of you."

From demanding accountability within the church to imploring the administration of grace, Beth Moore has been making waves across Christian and public media.

Last month, her voice went viral when she called on church leadership to be cognizant of sexual assault and oppressive culture. She shared about her years in ministry and how being a woman often provoked tension with her co-ministers, the majority of whom were men.

Her activism prompted a response from The Gospel Coalition apologizing for either participating or being silent in the presence of misogynistic behavior within the church.

Beth Moore is a seasoned Bible Teacher with a following of 900,000.  She is also a noted speaker and author.

Familiar Spirits by Kimberly Daniels

Most people today consider dolls to be collectibles or children's toys. But Kimberly Daniels thinks twice about having one in the house. In her book, Breaking the Power of Familiar Spirits: How to Deal With Demonic Conspiracies (June 5, 2018), Daniels writes on how evil spirits operate under covers that make up our everyday lives. From fashion to furniture, from trends to traditions, and from rituals to dolls, Daniels shows how the familiar areas of our lives can harbor demonic influences. One of these areas is fetishes.

"Most idolatry is rooted in fetishism," Daniels writes. "Simply put, a fetish is an object with a spirit attached to it. If we're not vigilant, we can open doors to familiar spirits in our lives and homes simply by the items we possess and the practices we keep."

In writing on fetishism and idolatry, Daniels goes back in history to when dolls had spiritual value attached to them. In religions and occult practices, dolls were used as supernatural intermediaries to confer favor, represent gods and enact witchcraft.

Daniels warns readers to avoid things with occult origins, as they give the enemy access points into our homes. The subtle yet familiar influences can be especially damaging because they can go undetected in your life for years. Breaking the Power of Familiar Spirits shows why the church must no longer view the world with only natural eyes. Christians must see what hides within the spiritual realm.

"If you create an atmosphere of holiness and seek God," Daniels says, "everything that is not like God will come out of hiding and be exposed."

Kimberly Daniels is a former city council member in Jacksonville, Florida, and a current member of the Florida House of Representatives.

 Discontentment Can Breed Deception by Joyce Tilney

While enduring frustration, not understanding what was going on and why things were not as I felt they should be, I heard that still, small whisper, "Be still and be content!"

The Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance that "Paul learned to be content!" As we walk the runway of life and encounter all the detours of life, it is sometimes hard to put a smile on and say, "All is well."

I began reading the book of Philippians, as I knew that was where Paul said, "…For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content" (Philippians 4:11). I found a secret in his learning process in Philippians 3:13: "But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."

God always thinks about the future (Jeremiah 29:11). Satan doesn't know the future, so of course he is always bringing up the past. As I meditated on these thoughts, I asked God, "How do I forget? Satan is always bringing up the past!"

God instantly spoke to my spirit, "You remember." "Remember," Again He spoke, "When you remember, you are choosing your thoughts!" If you are not choosing your thoughts, where do you think those thoughts are coming from?

Paul gives us a clear warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3: "But I fear that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Second Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

Eve took thought of Satan's words; she allowed them to become a stronghold in her mind. She believed a lie and empowered the liar. Eve did not value the Word of God. She chose to believe Satan over God.

Eve was not content with what she had. That is hard to believe. She was living in a perfect place with a perfect husband, yet she was not content. Her discontentment opened the door for deception, and she walked right in.

Eve had her time in the garden. Now you have your time in the garden of your life. Jesus restored to you everything that was stolen in the garden, including a relationship with Him. You must learn to grow roses from the thorns of life!

Buds of life spring forth as you receive the truths of the life-giving revelation, producing roses of peace and joy. Life is full of pain, but misery is optional to the real woman of God.

Abraham Lincoln said, "We can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Let's rejoice and thank God that He is with us, giving us the grace to grow roses from the thorns of life. Remember, roses bloom in season, but thorns are always there.

Joyce Tilney is an author and Bible teacher.