[Samuel]

greenbear.

My son had a friend who is mixed up in the SDA. In fact he has been convinced to go somewhere else several times, and attended a Baptist church for several years.

But now has reverted to the SDA again, I guess some people just can't accept Salvation unless it is filled with works, but the problem there is no Salvation by works.

He even brought me some DVD's here awhile back he wanted me to watch. I watched them, then told him what was wrong with them, he is still attending SDC.

[greenbear]

Samuel,

It is all about the heart. Can we admit that we are what God says we are? If we cannot, then we will believe there is something we can do to be like Him.

[greenbear]

I woke up this morning knowing that the Bible doesn't have anything to say about a "critical spirit". I searched the Bible in vain for the word "critical". All I could find is "hypocritical". I remember the term "critical spirit" from attending charismatic churches and it is used by them to silence criticism of their non-scriptural teaching and practices; it's not love to point out error in their view. I would say their term "critical spirit" can be defined as spiritual discernment and faithfulness to believe God's word. It is by understanding God's word through the Holy Spirit in us that we judge according to righteous judgment.

I also see (after a brief lapse of a few hours) that we have a choice to either trust and obey God's word concerning the purpose, structure, and governance of local churches or not.

Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

[Samuel]

I used the term in a previous post, Critical Spirit. I am aware the charismatics, us this as a deterrent against criticism.

I might have said overly judgemental, hyper critical, or something else. That would probably have been a better term.

[greenbear]

Originally Posted by Samuel

I used the term in a previous post, Critical Spirit. I am aware the charismatics, us this as a deterrent against criticism.

I might have said overly judgemental, hyper critical, or something else. That would probably have been a better term.

I wasn't criticizing your word choice at all, Samuel. I agree that bitterness is bad, but it dawned on me that what the Charismatics called a "critical spirit" is for the most part discernment and believing the Bible over their erroneous teachings and having the temerity to mention it to them.