PASTOR D. L. GOULD MUSINGS (2022) 1494: April 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022

04/30/22 PROOF IN THE ACTIONS

04/30/22 PROOF IN THE ACTIONS

For those who claim full salvation; your smugness, cliquishness and self righteousness reveals your actual lack of grace.

04/30/22 LIKE Old Man, LIKE SONS

04/30/22 LIKE Old Man, LIKE SONS

It is understandable that a god that does not love everyone should have merciless, judgemental, arrogant followers.

04/30/22 PROOF OF SALVATION

04/30/22 PROOF OF SALVATION

No man can be or do good on his own.

Every actual Christian can and will cease from evil and will do good works.

04/30/22 IF NOT ONE, THEN THE OTHER

04/30/22 IF NOT ONE, THEN THE OTHER

Since salvation results in good works, if the devil cannot get Christians to do evil, he will try to keep us from doing good.

04/29/22 IT TELLS A LOT ABOUT A PARTY

04/29/22 IT TELLS A LOT ABOUT A PARTY

Legalizing immorality and outlawing Christian practice are planks in the Devil's political platform.

Friday, April 29, 2022

04/28/22 SINNING IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME

04/28/22 SINNING IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME

All sins are equally damnable.
Not all sins are equally destructive, as we see in anti-God, Liberal RULE.

04/27/22 WHITE HOUSE LUNACY

04/27/22 WHITE HOUSE LUNACY

Joe (not my President) BIDEN said that children do not belong to their parents while in school.
At least no nasty texts.

04/26/22 SATAN'S SCHEME

04/26/22 SATAN'S SCHEME

Satan wants to assail us, ensnare us and/or accuse us with sin. Avoid the appearance of evil.

04/26/22 DIVINE PROTOCOLS

04/26/22 DIVINE PROTOCOLS

Spiritual life isn't gauged by Biblical knowledge, but by active faith, which springs from Biblical knowledge.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

04/26/22 FOR SELF AND OTHERS

04/26/22 FOR SELF AND OTHERS

FB's forced filth appears to be unavoidable and will probably end my FB account (a ministry outlet).

04/25/22 DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY IS JUST

04/25/22 DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY IS JUST

Salvation is God saving folks from sin through faith; it isn't "sovereign" election to save and to damn.

04/25/22 IT IS LIKE LEAVEN

04/25/22 IT IS LIKE LEAVEN

Sinning (DEFORMED) religion morphs further and now infiltrates all denominations.

04/25/22 STILL, GOD MIRACULOUSLY SAVES

04/25/22 STILL, GOD MIRACULOUSLY SAVES

Sinners use to get saved then follow Jesus.

Today church folks languish comfortably in sin.

04/25/22 DON'T TWIST TRUTH INTO A LIE

04/25/22 DON'T TWIST TRUTH INTO A LIE

Deformed, sinning religion magnifies and embraces the occasional, unintentional sin of a believer as if it it is the norm and as if it is a Divinely decreed imperative, then they totally denounce God's deliverance and Christian victory over sin as if it is the work of the devil.

04/24/22 INTENTIONAL BAD CHOICES ARE THE WORST

04/24/22 INTENTIONAL BAD CHOICES ARE THE WORST

It is one thing to make a bad decision inadvertently or unintentionally, but consequences are intensified when the bad choices are deliberate and repeated, and even more evil when others are victimized.

04/24/22 GUARD A CHILD'S INNOCENCE

04/24/22 GUARD A CHILD'S INNOCENCE

Innocence (absence of perverse, corrupted, violated thinking, understanding) is a precious gift enjoyed by young children. Far too soon (under normal circumstances) will a child be introduced to the dark, vile side of life. Sadly, there are perverted adults who want to defile innocent children and sadly there are foolish parents who rob their children of the advantages and stability of clean thoughts that God gives during a child's early life.

God's word says that it would be better for a person to have a millstone tied to their neck, and thrown into the sea than to violate a child.

Remember, once the mind has been exposed to corruption it cannot UNSEE it. God help the the child victims.

04/24/22 VARIOUS TRUTHS ABOUT SINNING

04/24/22 VARIOUS TRUTHS ABOUT SINNING

Salvation saves us from sin and sinning.

It is true that a Christian SHOULD NOT SIN (since we are saved from sin and sinning).
It is true that a Christian CAN NOT SIN (we are delivered from sin's domination, and we are enabled and empowered to obey God. It is possible and expected that Christians do not sin).
It is true that a Christian CANNOT SIN (the life of faith and the life of the Holy Spirit within us are contrary to continuing, ongoing sin).
It is true that a Christian CAN SIN (but it is rare and it must be confessed and turned from in order to remain in faith. Unintentional, unplanned sin must be renounced immediately if we want to continue in a right relationship with God).

Here are just three passages, upon which I base my statements. These passages clearly state the Biblical truth that salvation is deliverance from sin in this present evil world.

1John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Romans 6:1-23
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

04/23/22 TRUTHS THAT ARE BEING LOST

04/23/22 TRUTHS THAT ARE BEING LOST

Not all permissible things are appropriate for children to say or do.
Not all permissible things are appropriate for parents to allow in the lives of their children.

Parents are supposed to teach children, and set the standards, set the rules, set the course.
Children are suppose to learn, submit, honor.

Parents should guide the growth of children, not just watch them find their own way.

Parents should set the boundaries for children, not let them or their peers or our society set the boundaries.

Parents need to be the watchmen, the guardians, the protectors of the children.

Parents need to protect the lives, the thoughts, the associations, the experiences of their children.
Children are a precious treasure of God. HANDLE WITH GODLY CARE.

Parents need to be parents first, not buddies.
It requires time, attention, sacrifice, work to be a good parent.
Parents need to realize that their children are not angels, no matter how much we love them.

Parents must be serious about their own influence on their children and they must be an active part of their children's various activities, relationships and worldview.

It is harder to bring children back from error than to keep them close.

Parents should praise God for pastors that are serious about shepherding the children and youth of the church.

Parents should seek the wisdom, insight, instruction of godly, older people in the church.

04/23/22 A SHORT VIDEO ON PRIDE

04/23/22 A SHORT VIDEO ON PRIDE

This is short, but it is vital truth.

Pride and self assurance will probably keep some folks who see this, to not really hear this.

Please Stop, Look and Listen.

04/22/22 WHERE DOES IT ALL END?

04/22/22 WHERE DOES IT ALL END?

If left to himself, is a person more likely to maintain or move from standards set by others?

04/22/22 WE SHOULDN'T BE CASTING STONES

04/22/22 WE SHOULDN'T BE CASTING STONES

"Let him without sin cast the first stone," could solve a lot of interpersonal relationship turmoil today (if folks would be honest).

04/22/22 SEEK TRUTH

04/22/22 SEEK TRUTH

If you won't seek pastoral counseling, expect the Holy Spirit to confront you during preaching, and don't complain

04/22/22 AN UNWANTED TROPHY

04/22/22 AN UNWANTED TROPHY

Some really careful church folks will be shocked when they get a trophy for most attractive and best decorated sepulcher.

04/22/22 CHOSEN TRAIL BLAZERS

04/22/22 CHOSEN TRAIL BLAZERS

Pretty much, the pastor will set the standard for the parishioner, and parents will set the standard for their children.

04/21/22 LIVING REQUIRES DYING

04/21/22 LIVING REQUIRES DYING

Living for God and living forever requires Dying to...

The world (Satan's system),

The flesh (carnality),

Sin (disobeying God).

04/21/22 AWAKEN FROM SLEEP

04/21/22 AWAKEN FROM SLEEP

I don't take a fly swatter when I am hunting rhinos.

Charging the gates of Hell is not for game players.

This is war.

04/21/22 BE WISE, NOT FOOLISH

04/21/22 BE WISE, NOT FOOLISH

Wise, spiritual folks do not neglect or reject Biblical counsel for themselves or family members.

Proud fools avoid it.

04/21/22 TAKE GOD'S EXIT ROUTE

04/21/22 TAKE GOD'S EXIT ROUTE

If you have a Spirit taught, led, filled pastor, ask for and follow ongoing counsel for self and family, before it is too late.

04/21/22 CAN'T STOP THE TRAIN WRECK

04/21/22 CAN'T STOP THE TRAIN WRECK

Sometimes a train wreck happens right before our eyes.

Though we try to warn folks, they plunge themselves and others to disaster.

04/21/22 CHOOSE YOUR PATH

04/21/22 CHOOSE YOUR PATH

The saved desire for the rebellious to find mercy and redemption.

The self righteous want the lost to suffer loss and judgment.

04/21/22 MENTAL ILLNESS INDUSTRY

04/21/22 MENTAL ILLNESS INDUSTRY

Sin produces antisocial thinking and behavior. But labeling sin as a mental or psychological "disorder" feeds the problem.

04/21/22 AN ILL DOCTRINAL WIND

04/21/22 AN ILL DOCTRINAL WIND

Don't let an upside-down, inside-out, discombobulated world direct your thoughts, words, message, actions, mission, destination.

04/20/22 MISLED BY ANOTHER SPIRIT

04/20/22 MISLED BY ANOTHER SPIRIT

Some have gone beyond New Testament Pentecost, turning to another Jesus, another Gospel, and another Spirit.

04/20/22 REDISCOVERY OF TRUTH

04/20/22 REDISCOVERY OF TRUTH

The Reformation took first steps to refute 1500 years of Roman error, but prematurely closed the door to Biblical rediscovery.

04/19/22 IT IS NOT JUST HEAD KNOWLEDGE

04/19/22 IT IS NOT JUST HEAD KNOWLEDGE

So sad for those who believe in the Christian religion but do not have salvation through a faith and love relationship with Jesus.

04/19/22 DEATH SAVES NO ONE

04/19/22 DEATH SAVES NO ONE

If you're not saved from sin before you die, you won't be saved from sin after you die, because death doesn't save anybody.

04/19/22 DEATH IS NOT YOUR DELIVERER

04/19/22 DEATH IS NOT YOUR DELIVERER

Death won't save you from sin.

Death is your enemy, not your Savior.

Your enemy doesn't save you.

Jesus saves from sin and death.

04/19/22 JUST SAYING...

04/19/22 JUST SAYING...

Since you don't know what you're saying in an "unknown tongue," you don't know if you're cursing or blessing God.

Fact.

04/19/22 ...THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME

04/19/22 ...THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME

The methods have changed, but people are sacrificing their children to Satan today, on the altars of Secular "Education," Humanistic "Science," Caesar and the State, Financial Gain, Social Status, Popular Opinion, Perverse Pleasure.

God reveals Himself, His nature, His plan, His justice, His grace, His salvation in Old and New Testaments.

We learn lot about Divine expectations for raising children and parental accountability in Leviticus 20. It appears to be an overview of American parenting failure.

Though we understand this passage in the light of N. T. mercy, grace, and truth, we better not miss the solemnity and severity of this O. T. revelation.

04/19/22 IT IS A GOD THING

04/19/22 IT IS A GOD THING

Only the God of the Bible delivers from hating men, pride of life, love of the world, fear of evil as well as sin and death.

04/19/22 KNOW GOD'S BOUNDARIES

04/19/22 KNOW GOD'S BOUNDARIES

Beware "Charismatics" who twist Scripture to serve their own desires and practices.

04/19/22 BE DISCERNING

04/19/22 BE DISCERNING

Beware Reformed leaders who claim to teach God's word, while mocking God's obvious truths and revelation.

04/19/22 NOT THE SAME

04/19/22 NOT THE SAME

Don't view God's personal guidance to you as equal to God's inspired Scripture, "through holy men of old."

04/18/22 SIMPLE TEST

04/18/22 SIMPLE TEST

If your "word from the Lord," adds to, takes from or conflicts with God's revealed word, your lord is not Jesus.

04/18/22 BASIC TRUTHS

04/18/22 BASIC TRUTHS

The fact that sin is allowed proves that God's will is not always done.

The fact that people sin does not preclude His judgment.

04/18/22 TWO COMPLIMENTARY TRUTHS

04/18/22 TWO COMPLIMENTARY TRUTHS

The loving, sovereign and gracious God enables freedom of will, but He judges and punishes willful rebellion.

04/18/22 END TIMES LUNACY

04/18/22 END TIMES LUNACY

As I have always said, USA is not an end times player.

How could this be?

Maybe current American idiocracy plays a part.

04/18/22 YOUTUBE WAS WRONG, WOW

04/18/22 YOUTUBE WAS WRONG, WOW

A YouTube info channel states that the Seven Day Week was started by Babylonians rather than God.

Dumber than a conch.

04/18/22 TRUE WORSHIP

04/18/22 TRUE WORSHIP

Christian ministry is not about exalting, promoting or pleasing self, it is about loving and glorifying God.

04/18/22 WHO DO YOU REALLY WORSHIP?

04/18/22 WHO DO YOU REALLY WORSHIP?

If you don't enter God's worship services humbly and submissively, it isn't God you are worshiping.

04/18/22 NOT INTERCHANGEABLE

04/18/22 NOT INTERCHANGEABLE

Don't flatter or delude yourself; life is not about you (ever), it is all about Jesus (always).

04/18/22 PERSONAL DEMONS

04/18/22 PERSONAL DEMONS

Pampering your personal demons is not the same as attacking the gates of hell.

04/17/22 TRUST GOD

04/17/22 TRUST GOD

Trust God's Propitiation (provided sacrifice).
Trust God's Plan (process).
Trust God, Persistently.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

04/16/22 PRINCIPLES OF SALVATION

04/16/22 PRINCIPLES OF SALVATION

Sin requires a penalty to be paid.

The Father gave His Son as a SACRIFICE to satisfy the debt.

His sacrifice satisfied the debt, and removed the penalty, wrath and judgment from those who trust in Christ.

Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection is the perfect work of Divine love and justice.

Jesus

Died for our sins,

Arose for our justification, and is

Coming back to give us an incorruptible body.

04/16/22 GOD THROUGH LOVE, GRACE AND JUSTICE PROVIDED SALVATION FOR ALL OF ADAM'S RACE

04/16/22 GOD THROUGH LOVE, GRACE AND JUSTICE PROVIDED SALVATION FOR ALL OF ADAM'S RACE

God did not create Adam so that He would sin. (That would be evil).

God did not assign, allow or abandon Adam's race to a life of sin without Divinely providing a way of atonement for everyone. (That would be loveless).

God does not design or decree anyone to go to hell without providing them with the possibility of deliverance from all sin. (That would be merciless and powerless).

Yes, read the context, the entire context of God's plan, provision and propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. (This is loving, merciful justified salvation).

GLORIOUS AND JOYFUL RESURRECTION TO ALL.

HE CAME.

HE DIED.

HE AROSE.

HE IS COMING BACK.

As the angels announced at His birth:

Luke 2:10

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

GOD HAS SAID.

Good news to all people.

God loves the whole world.

Jesus is the propitiation for the whole world.

Salvation is God's free gift upon all men.

Jesus is the Savior of all men.

God is not willing that any should perish.

God wills that all men be saved.

YES, IT IS GOOD NEWS FOR ALL SINNERS.

04/15/22 "FROM," IS NOT, "IN"

04/15/22 "FROM," IS NOT, "IN"

Jesus came to save us from our sins, not to save us in our sins.

04/15/22 READ IT CLEARLY

04/15/22 READ IT CLEARLY

The Bible says people are dead in their sins and trespasses; not that they are alive in their sins and trespasses.

04/12/22 DIFFERENT LABELS, SAME POISON

04/12/22 DIFFERENT LABELS, SAME POISON

I post about the idiocracy, sinsanity, State-olatry, me-ism of today to show where Christ-less thinking takes people.

04/12/22 DON'T FOLLOW THE BLIND

04/12/22 DON'T FOLLOW THE BLIND

God didn't liberate us from the errors of the pope in order to enslave us to the errors of other men.

Follow God and His word, not mere men.

04/12/22 NO EXCUSE

04/12/22 NO EXCUSE

Inability to vote America into the Kingdom of God didn't justify voting for oppression, communism, financial collapse, idiocracy.

04/12/22 BASIC TRUTH

04/12/22 BASIC TRUTH

As descendants of Adam, by nature, we inherited a sinful nature and as a result we have all chosen to sin personally.

As children of God, by atonement, salvation includes forgiveness and cleansing from sins committed and purification from sin inherited.

MORE SPECIFICALLY

The atonement provides pre-born and infant children with unilateral, unconditional salvation (qualifying them for heaven).

Through the atonement, God also provides and offers repentant sinners forgiveness, newness of life and a new nature (New Man).

Through the atonement, God also provides and offers to believers the fullness of His Spirit, which purifies us from the sinful nature (Old Man), empowers us for ministry, and conforms us to the image of Christ.

NOT REFORMATION, BUT TRANSFORMATION

Being a Christian is not simply us being or doing the best we can, it is the miraculous work and presence of God in us; it is Christ in us, the hope of glory; it is salvation, not simply improvement.

04/11/22 CHOICES BRING CONSEQUENCES

04/11/22 CHOICES BRING CONSEQUENCES

USA perversion activity and attacks on children, family and sanity is skyrocketing under Biden, with Trump out of the way.

04/09/22 GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

04/09/22 GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

This is a wonderful song about the great, marvelous, infinite, matchless grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, freely bestowed on all who long to see His face and are willing to believe, and receive His grace. Whatever the writer of this song meant, the Biblical meaning is seen in the following.

God's grace is greater than our sin (inherited and incurred spiritual corruption), and guilt (which is based on our personal disobedience), not only grace for all of my sin, but for everyone who believes and receives Christ.

The fact that His grace abounded more than my sin, your sin, our sin does not mean that His grace was wasted or in vain.

Please read Lyrics and Biblical passage below.

GRACE GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

Julia H. Johnston

1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

2 Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

[Refrain]

3 Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;

What can we do to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

Whighter than snow you may be today.

[Refrain]

4 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive

[Refrain]

DLG note...

The translated word arrangement in verses 15 and 16 is awkward and confusing:

"15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift."

"16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift:"

This simply means that the free gift of God's grace goes beyond and is greater than the scope of Adam's sin. God's grace is greater than...

ROMANS 5:15-21

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

04/09/22 GOD IS IN THE DETAIL

04/09/22 GOD IS IN THE DETAIL

He didn't pay my debt, though He paid the price, which settled my debt.

His sacrifice and His grace are greater THAN ALL OUR SIN.

04/09/22 SELDOM CURES AND NEVER DELIVERS

04/09/22 SELDOM CURES AND NEVER DELIVERS

Treating SIN problems as "mental disorders" and "mental illnesses" seldom "cures" anything and never delivers anyone.

Friday, April 8, 2022

04/08/22 NARCISSISM, THE LIFE OF SELFISM AND PRIDE

04/08/22 NARCISSISM, THE LIFE OF SELFISM AND PRIDE

Please read and think on this post. There are people with Christian backgrounds who have fallen under the destructive forces of NARCISSISM. I will share some of the symptoms of this terrible condition.

Displayed in many different ways, SELFISM aka NARCISSISM, is a major destroyer of individuals, families, churches, society. Basic selfishness, selfism is the beginning and leads to a hyper form of NARCISSISM, however, this article addresses a level that is totally destructive and may never be overcome. As I have said, this is ruinous to individuals (to the point of being viewed as a mental disorder), it is ruinous to families and may ruin the lives of family members for a lifetime.

As with any sin, if it is not dealt with, it will intensify, spread, control a person. There is much about modern psychology and mental health practice that is warped and dominated by a Secular, and Humanistic worldview. Still, there is such a sin as selfism and when a person does not accept their selfishness as sin, nor accept the deliverance of Christ from this terrible sin, they will eventually be so overtaken that they will be totally dominated.

As with alcohol, drugs, addictions, fears, perversions, anorexia nervosa, the person will move into denial and violence (to self or other people), thus making them even less likely to get help. Make no mistake about the dangers of this condition. It can lead to medical and psychological help, including the administration of drugs and psychiatric therapy.

Remember, worldly solutions are band aids, not actual cures. It is better to turn from sin while God is calling rather than wait for society to put a social straight jacket on a life out of control.

I will share some thoughts that I have gleaned from other studies, but this does not mean that I agree with the basic philosophy of these worldly groups. In fact, sin is the real problem, but if sin is not dealt with, the whole person (body, soul, spirit) becomes victimized.

This first list comes from the MAYO CLINIC. They refer to this problem as NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER.

SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary.

People with the disorder can:
1. Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
2. Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
3. Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
4. Exaggerate achievements and talents
5. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
6. Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
7. Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
8. Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
9. Take advantage of others to get what they want
10. Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
11. Be envious of others and believe others envy them
12. Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
13. Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office.

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:
14. Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment
15. Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
16. React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
17. Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
18. Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
19. Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
20. Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation.

ANOTHER WEBSITE that deals with NARCISSISM used these categories as well.
A. Perfectionism
B. Great need for control
C. Lack of responsibility
D. Lack of boundaries
E. Lack of empathy
F. Perceiving everything as a threat
G. Emotional reasoning
H. Splitting (divisiveness)
I. Fear of rejection and ridicule
J. Anxiety
K. Deeply repressed shame
L. An inability to be truly vulnerable
M. An inability to communicate or work as part of a team.

I also commented...

This issue is not a new revelation to me.

I have taught and preached and counseled these Biblical principles for over half of a century. The problem is that some people erroneously think that my constant cry is either just a personal view or a narrow religious view.

IT IS NOT.

Though it is a Biblical truth and it is my own belief, it is a recognized "disorder" and a social malady that can result in being committed to a mental facility, a life of mind controlling, prescription drug usage or psychiatric therapy. It is better to deal with sin through Jesus than get to the point you lose self determination.

This ME-ISM is traced back to the Baby Boomers but it has been raised to a more dominant position by more recent generations. The Me-ism of the Boomers has morphed into an uncontrollable monster society.

04/08/22 IT IS CHRONIC EXPLOSIVE SELFISHNESS

04/08/22 IT IS CHRONIC EXPLOSIVE SELFISHNESS

Obstinate and inexplicable sinful behavior amazes me. It can only be explained by the overwhelming power of sin over the individual.

The only hope is Jesus.

I will soon address this principle as it relates to the stubbornness of a person held in the grip of SELFISM.

Sin, of any kind, if not surrendered to Jesus, will completely occupy a person's life, inward and outward, to the point that the person will eventually lose all desire for deliverance.