..fully alive and not carnal, religious, or friends all dead inside. Is Jesus your Lord?
1) Many Real & So Called Christians Deal with This Issue
Subproblem A: Why is it hard to find a healthy church?
Because Scripture says there will be a drift:
- “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)
- “From among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things…” (Acts 20:30)
This isn’t surprising—it’s been prophesied about. Many gatherings keep the outward form but lose the power (2 Timothy 3:5).
Subproblem B: What defines a true, living church?
Don't water down the Message. Scripture tells us what a sound pastor and local church will regularly do:
- Preaches the Word — 2 Timothy 4:1–2
- Calls to repentance — Acts 26:20
- Refuses ear-tickling — 2 Timothy 4:3–4
- Practices loving correction — Matthew 18:15–20
- Guards against false teachers — Romans 16:17–18
- Defends truth — Titus 1:9
- Centers on the Gospel — 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
- Exalts Christ as Head — Ephesians 1:22
- Has qualified leadership — 1 Timothy 3:1–7
And the living pattern is clearly shown in Acts 2:42–47: Word, fellowship, prayer, holiness, mission.
Subproblem C: What is the deeper spiritual issue?
It’s not merely genuinely “bad unbiblical churches”—it’s inner carnality vs. spirituality:
- “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8)
- “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
Many churches reflect what people want: comfort without cross, blessing without repentance, community without holiness.
But Jesus said:
- “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself…” (Luke 9:23)
2) What Are Your Three Catagories Of Real Enemies, Christian?
You stated this correctly—Scripture confirms:
- The corrupt world system and worldly influences — 1 John 2:15–17
- The old fleshly nature within — Galatians 5:17
- The devil with demons — 1 Peter 5:8
- “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12)
There are some just wars that do happen and unjust wars that go on and on.. but people here are not the primary enemies—deception is. Your old fleshy nature hinders believers, this world-system gets in the way and real lying demons try to distract and tempt people.
Locating. Yes, finding a healthy spiritual church that's balanced with godly men as pastors (who are born again in spiritual instead of carnally-minded) is not always the easiest thing to do. It can be challenging, but God can help us find healthy fellowship with Him and His people as we earnestly pray. Are you willing to drive a bit further past all the lame congratulations?
Hey, keep up the good work in looking for one as you follow Christ! He will answer your prayers and guide you.
Yes, pray earnestly for the right church, for the right Bible-based-fellowship, for on-fire, godly close friends in Jesus.
You and I really don't want close friends that are carnal or lost or religious or flat out worldly as our very best friends to counsel with. You and I want Jesus close, the very best of best friends. We want godly on-fire real Christians as our closest friends. If you are married (to a Chrsitian or non-Christian of the opposite sex) you really don't want someone else of the opposite sex (or someone "gay") to be your closest friend. That would not be wise.
It's about godly influences to and from you. Spiritual leadership is about influence.
Yes, may I say it again? Even more than all that, you want the living Jesus of the Bible to be your best friend and Leader, who's guiding you, providing for you.. who is really your Savior and Lord.
How can I unpack all this biblically for you because it matters!
Many so-called Christians and Christian churches are merely religious and led by spiritually dead (inside or carnal) men or by spiritually dead (inside or carnal) women.
They're more like centers for polished motivational speeches that make people feel good or they are entertainment centers that avoid talking about what's really needed and called for.. you know about Jesus, about inner conviction, and true repentance, honest confession, sorrow for sins committed, real contrition, saving faith -- yes, from hearing the sound Gospel message.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN CHIRST, AND THEN IN A CHURCH THAT PREACHES THE WORD OF GOD.
Regularly go and be involved in a local church that:
- EXALTS CHRIST, THAT PREACHES AND TEACHES THE BIBLE ACCURATELY.
CIA-style: Context, Interpretation, Application (wisely) 2 Tim 4:1-2.
That...
CALLS PEOPLE TO REPENT Acts 26:20.
DOESN'T TICKLE EARS 2 Tim 4:3-4.
LOVINGLY CONFRONTS SIN Mt 18:15-20.
WARNS OF FALSE TEACHERS Rom 16:17-18.
REFUTES FALSE DOCTRINES Titus 1:9.
IS FOCUSED ON CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL 1 Cor 15:1-4.
MAKES MUCH OF JESUS Eph 1:22.
IS PASTORED BY A GODLY SPIRITUAL MAN 1 Tim 3:1-11.
WITH TRUTH EQUIPS RATHER THAN ENTERTAINS PEOPLE
Christian Church Pulpits are for exalting Jesus and preaching His Word, and they are not primarily for humor, trendy psychology, politics, or entertaining people.
Too many churches today are replacing and teaching the Word of God. Sadly, too many preach and teach doctrines of the world and of demons.
When was the last time you heard a sound message about dealing with your old fleshly nature, versus your new nature in Christ?
Your old nature wants things that are not good for you, or for others and that's why we are to deny ourselves and deny the cravings of our old nature.
That's why we are to die to our old worldly ways.. to our own ways. That's why we each are to seek first the Lord and His will for us, to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, not our own kingdom!
It's so that all these other things that are really needed will be added unto us as we serve Jesus.
Sure, we still sin at times but hate all sins. We still blow it, though we try to avoid sinning and hurting God or others. We're not perfect, but we can mortify the works of our fleshly nature without hurting or killing our physical person..DUH..because that's not God's will either.
You know of our three main enemies in this corrupt world system here: the fleshly nature, the devil and demons. Some people make themselves into our enemies, but people are not really our primary enemies while here. That's why we don't war with flesh and blood. Some are drafted as soldiers in a war and they will fight enemies.
3) Why Fellowship Matters So Much
You’re right to emphasize who your close companions are:
- “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- “He who walks with the wise grows wise…” (Proverbs 13:20)
But even deeper:
- “Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son…” (1 John 1:3)
So the order is:
Christ first → godly fellowship second → ministry outward
If that order flips, compromise enters.
4) Leadership Matters (Sobering Reality)
Scripture is extremely serious about leaders:
- “Not many of you should become teachers… we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)
A church rises or falls spiritually based on whether leaders are:
- Spirit-filled (Acts 6:3)
- Word-grounded (Titus 1:9)
- Christ-centered (Colossians 1:18)
Dead leadership produces dead churches, bottom line.
5) The Danger of Entertainment Christianity
- Many “Having itching ears they will accumulate teachers…” (2 Timothy 4:3)
When the pulpit becomes a stage:
- The cross gets softened
- Sin gets renamed
- Repentance disappears
- Jesus becomes a life-enhancer instead of Lord
But Paul said:
- “We preach Christ crucified…” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
6) The Call to Die to Self (Essential Gospel Reality)
This is often missing—but central:
- “Our old self was crucified with Him…” (Romans 6:6)
- “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…” (Colossians 3:5)
This is not self-harm—it is spiritual mortification by the Spirit:
- “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)
7) What to Do Practically
You said it well—here’s the biblical framing:
- Pray for discernment — James 1:5
- Test everything — 1 Thessalonians 5:21
- Abide in Christ first — John 15:5
- Seek godly fellowship — Hebrews 10:24–25
And trust:
- “He leads me in paths of righteousness…” (Psalm 23:3)
8) We Don't Need Strange Flame--Worldly Fire. Not Every Light Is Holy Fire From God
9) Sound Godly Leaders Address All This
- A.W. Tozer: “If the Holy Spirit were withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on…”
- Leonard Ravenhill: “The church has many organizers, but few agonizers.”
- Charles Spurgeon: “The pulpit is the Thermopylae of Christendom.”
- John MacArthur: “The measure of a church is not its attendance but its faithfulness to the truth.”
Are you spiritually strong in the Lord? How is it with your relationship with Jesus? Is He Savior and Lord of all, or merely Savior at this point?
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Philippians 1:9-10
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Kings 3:9
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
John 7:24
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
But test everything; hold fast what is good.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Psalm 119:125
I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
No comments:
Post a Comment