God calls each of us to be visionary leaders, but we must (((be careful))) that vision is born out of (((His Spirit, and His Word,))) not the latest self-help program. These ideas lead us away from dependence on God to a self-based psychology designed to give us more power, prosperity, and significance.
The result is heresy. Our faith in God becomes faith in faith. It is born out of hard work and diligence rather than obedience to God's Spirit. The problem lies in that these philosophies sound good, and can even be supported by some Bible verses. Beware of anything that puts the burden of performance on you rather than God. There are times in our lives when God doesn't want us to climb every mountain. Sometimes He wants us to go around. Knowing the difference is the key to being a man or woman led by the Spirit and Word of God.
2007-09-17 07:03:11 · 6 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree 100%! It bothers me to see Christians going to all these conferences and getting all these self-help books. Are they wrong? No, but as you said you start putting more of "the burden of performance on you rather than God." God wants us to give Him control of our lives. By trusting in positive thinking, we suddenly take back that control, which isn't right.
As Paul says in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
If the Spirit abides within, it works within. We are baptized by the Spirit and continue to let Him work. He'll change us from within and our ways will change without. "It is God that works within us to will and do of His good pleasure." Phil 2:13
Our faith should only be in God, not in ourselves.
2007-09-17 10:49:02 · answer #1 · answered by insidious_22 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It can be. God is a postive thinker and we are called to be like Him, and if we love and obey Him, and stay in the spirit, we will be like Him. No doubt about it . Faith still moves mountains.
But we must be careful, you are correct. There is the power of possiblility thinking that comes from new age movement and it has crept into so many religions , that is not of God.
Its about the power of SeLF to change things ANyone that truly knows GOd and HIs word knows that we dont have the power to do anything. But with God all things are possible.
Only when we tap into the HOly SPirits power are we able to do as jesus did. ITs Gods power that makes change, not ours. SO if we are to hear and accept the power of possibility thinking, we must be sure it is teaching about the power of God. We must tap into the HOly SPirit power on every decision we make. YOu are right, sometimes God says walk around a mountain, or over it. so many ways to hear from God. But, Faith is what moves our mountains, not US. Its the power we receive from the HOly Spirit that comes from Faith that will see to it not only that our mountains are moved, but when, how and where, etc.
Psycology is humanistic and it relies on man to figure these things out. NO, we are Christians dont buy into the psychological realm where the devil so easily resides. WE are into only the spiritual , supernatural realm of God where it is He that gives the power to us to do things that HE wants done. Some He will want done, and some He will want us to leave alone for another to do. We are nothing apart from the SPirit of God, but within the spirit, we are everything, and we know where our power comes from and how to use it.
By giving it all to Him, praying and waiting, and allowing HIm to show us the way , and we know we dont move until He says MOVE. In all things, we are to be moved by the SPirit of God, by His word. And making sure that is the spirit we are in. Devil can convince us we are in the spirit of God, when we are really in his spirit of evil, wickedness and of SELF.
Great question, you will be blessed for asking like you do..
2007-09-17 16:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Amen Brother ! We are to think positive as long as It Is what God says about us. Just speak the word Brother. Knowing the difference Is where the Holy Spirit comes In. He leads us Into ALL truth & knowledge.
2007-09-17 14:24:54 · answer #3 · answered by Isabella 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Before anyone trusts too much in positive thinking, go back and reread the book of Job.
2007-09-17 19:19:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Agree!
Man's highest wisdom is mere foolishness
compared with God's wisdom.
Also, we should not neglect our purpose of
worshiping God, of putting God first in
our lives - and the benefit of that!
("forget not all His benefits")
2007-09-17 14:16:47 · answer #5 · answered by Nickel-for-your-thoughts 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We should have hope. Hope is based on faith. We may also be optimistic. But optimism is based on reason.
2007-09-17 14:47:19 · answer #6 · answered by Bibs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋