http://ichthys.com/ 
Fighting the Fight XVIII
Question #1:   
Hi Dr L,

Okay I really need your Bible teacher perspective and advice. When I was a teenager I made a promise. Now I honestly don't remember exactly what it was or why. But it was that (I think) I would not drink things with lots of caffeine (coffee and tea). The thing is, should I still be trying to follow this since I did make that promise? The thing is that I didn't really set a cutoff on how much caffeine (as lots of things have SOME caffeine in them) and I don't even remember clearly what I originally said. What is God's will on that-should I still be trying to follow? Please tell me yes or no, with your reasons. I know we shouldn't make vows. It was a long time ago and I don't intend to do it again.

[omitted]

Respectfully,
Response #1:
I certainly wouldn't worry about promises – we are human beings and we almost never keep our promises (at least not perfectly). The Bible does talk about oaths, but the NT is very clear about not swearing oaths being the best policy (cf. Matt.5:34; Jas.5:12). Believers are supposed to look forward, not backward. If we think we may have sinned, we confess it, determine not to do it again (whatever "it" is), and move forward, not looking back. Any other policy is a recipe for going off the rails spiritually and completely bogging down.

Studying the ancient world is useful for just this reason: while we find many things familiar and easy to identify with, next thing you know we bump into something seeming completely bizarre to us in the modern world. Good to find out that not everyone has always done things the same or seen things the same (broadens the perspective).

Thanks for the background on your job – it is important to be able to describe one's skills in looking for other work, that's for certain. And thanks for your good words!

Have a restful weekend, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Okay I mean it sort of was like an oath in my mind. Am I sinning by not holding to it now? That is what I am asking.
Response #2:
There's no such thing as a "sort of like an oath": an oath is a formal declaration taken before duly constituted officials (e.g., the "temple servant": Eccl.5:4-6) or other responsible parties where there is no question about it, such as the oath sworn by the spies to Rahab at Joshua 2:14.
Question #3:
Doc, please pray for me...

I made a very hasty and impulsive vow, one that had severe ramifications that I didn't even stop to think about for a single second, and once I realized them I pretty much bailed and broke the vow, hearing from several others that if you fail to keep a vow it becomes no longer binding...i pretty much completely disregarded how sacred vows to the Lord are supposed to be, knowing full well how much they are and not caring at all in an act of supreme selfishness, wanting to go back to the thing I loved. I still feel too guilty to actually do said thing again, even after asking for forgiveness, because I know this just proves I'm not truly repentant about this, even after realizing what I've done, I was still far more glad I could go back to what I wanted to than sorry for doing such a thing. Please pray i'll get over this guilt and truly learn from my mistakes this time.

Are vows done in thought only valid like the one mentioned? I was a fool for doing it regardless, but is it still binding?
Response #3:
Your experience is exactly the reason why we should never vow anything.
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
Matthew 5:33-37 NKJV

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
James 5:12 NKJV
We are only human and we have little control over events. It is hard enough to control ourselves and no one carries even that off perfectly at all times. So the idea that we can anticipate what will happen and "do as we have said we'll do" no matter what may occur is extremely arrogant. The humble course is to never make any sort of vow.

Of course, we believers today are not under the Law of Moses any longer. Christ fulfilled it (Rom.10:4) and it has now been invalidated (this is in some ways the whole point of the book of Hebrews, as you know if you are reading the most recent series at Ichthys; at the link).

If we sin, as believers, then we need to confess that sin to the Lord. If we do, we are forgiven (1Jn.1:9; Ps.32:5). Believers are supposed to be confessing their sins to the Lord daily in any case (it's part of the Lord's Prayer), so whatever discipline we receive for such things, we can be sure that it is coming from a loving Father for our good after we confess (Heb.12:3-13). It's never been God's purpose for His children to agonize over failure – as long as they are willing to confess and repent and return to Him:
When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:3-5 NKJV
I have had this question before, so you might profit from reading the following links as well:
Vows I
Vows II
Vows III
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Read my last email please. Just about all of the foolish oaths(which i did end up breaking out of cowardice of not being able to do things that i have to real reason to stop doing), were because of my religious OCD, even when I did agree to it and not vehemently resist, it was like I wasn't myself, that my sense of reason was almost taken over by the compulsiveness...I've read many cases of people obsessively making foolish vows or getting intrusive thoughts of making them which makes them think they did, and everyone seems to agree that things like this that are the result of pathological thought processes like OCD aren't binding...but if we truly have free will, isn't that a lie? I would like to think they're right but isn't there no way that's actually true?
Response #4:
Read those links please.

The first one addressed this issue head on. Here's a paste-in of some of it:
Notice in both instances the idea of a verbal and public pronouncement is present. I would certainly not want to down-play the significance of any sort of promise a believer feels he or she has made to the Lord, but I do note the differences between a prayer and a formal vow. I would also remind everyone that our God is a merciful and forgiving God. He knows that we are but flesh. He forgives us our sins whenever we ask Him to do so, and He does so in the Name of Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for all of our sins of every sort, washing them away forever with His blood, His suffering for them on the cross. So if we are guilty on this score, in common with other sins, God forgives when we confess in Jesus' Name.

In short, 1) don't vow, but 2) if you do, keep your vow, and 3) if in the course of life and the weakness of our flesh you break your vow, confess your sin and commit yourself to the mercy of the Lord.
Question #5:
Doc, this WASN'T a vow, but foolishly, in my manic compulsions, I prayed and asked God to bind me to all my old oaths if I ever made a vow again (almost all of my vows I've made in memory have been in thought alone and not speaking to the Lord, but I'm still scared), at least I'm pretty sure it counts even though I resisted at the last second. I then immediately repented and asked God to forgive me and release me from that, since it wasn't supposed to be a vow but just a request...please pray for me, I'm in terror right now because I can't afford to break any more vows, and I don't want to be bound to any more.
Response #5:
As far as I can tell that is a "distinction without a difference". In any case, if you've read the links, praying is not vowing and anything we have done wrong can be forgiven. God is not a trickster out "to get us" when we make a mistake. He is a loving heavenly Father who forgives us as a good father would forgive the children he loves – only more so.
Question #6:
Thank you Doc. Please pray I'll keep my compulsions under control and not play out these stupid things again...
Response #6:
Don't blame God.

I'm praying for you.
Question #7:
Thanks Doc...one last question on oaths, if I make some foolish oath in my head (and yes I sadly did do this), asking God to bind me to all my old oaths whenever I think a certain word, will He honor that? I have asked Him to release me because I was barely able to control my compulsions and the urge wad so strong, but I can't live like this, always being bound to my old foolish vows (almost all were in my mind but still), and having to constantly live in bandage to pointless brutal restrictions and/or breaking them and dishonoring the Lord. I don't know if I can go on anymore if this stupid thing is bound to me...
Response #7:
Never ever underestimate the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord – because Christ died for every one of our sins.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1st John 1:9 NKJV
Question #8:
I still can't stop...why can't I stop with the rash oaths in my head? I pray and pray to be forgiven and for strength to stop, and try to focus on other things, to push away the thoughts when they come, yet I can barely resist the urge when it comes, and I can rarely make it stop...I pray and pray to be released from all the compulsive foolish vows, but my mind just seems to force me to make more and more ridiculous and unfair bindings, even ones that bind me to all my old ones whenever I do something from then on!...do you understand why i hate this system of vows? DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH AGONY I'M IN HAVING TO LIVE WITH SUCH BURDENS, ALL BECAUSE I HAVE THOUGHTS I CAN'T STOP FROM COMING!? DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW I CAN NEVER HAVE ANY HAPPINESS BECAUSE I STRUGGLE TO CONTROL MY OWN THOUGHTS!?

ALL OF THIS, ALL OF THIS, BECAUSE "IF WE DON'T CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS COMPLETELY, WE DON'T HAVE FREE WILL!!!"

I honestly can't believe you can look at this, and say with a straight face and no conviction that this is completely fair and just. Trust me, if I could get rid of all these intrusive thoughts, I would in a heartbeat. Maybe after all it really is my fault for giving into them, but even so, how can you just tell me to stop and repent when I'm trying my hardest already!?
Response #8:
I'm very sorry to hear that this is still such a problem for you.

Please know that you are not the only one with this sort of problem. I've heard similar stories many times in the past.

*It is important, as with any test – and this is a test – to trust the Lord with all your heart and to commit the problem to Him. Don't blame Him – He loves you and is working things out for good . . . even though it's hard to see that when the pressure is on. Trust Him and commit this problem to Him in prayer, because He cares about you.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37:5 NKJV

Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 NKJV
I am praying for you as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
One last question on oaths/vows: does the Hebrew and/or Greek word for vows or oaths imply it's specifically spoken?
Response #9:
Yes, and not only that. In addition to being verbal, vows/oaths are always public, formal and specific:
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
Genesis 28:20-22 NKJV

"Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow."
Acts 21:23 NKJV
So there is no such thing in the Bible as an unspoken or implicit vow or oath. The whole point is a specific, public declaration which is binding for its specificity and public pronouncement.
Question #10:
Another question, and I know this might sound stupid but it's important...I've been getting urges even though I don't want to be bound to any oath, to actually speak them in a way, basically my mind in its foolishness makes a deal in my head to make the next sound out of my mouth no matter how quiet or non-speak like it is, to be my "speaking the oath"...I struggle to resist as always, and often times I compulsively give in because I can't resist the mental and emotional pressure. I sometimes get this thing where I say no to the oath verbally and then I get this powerful urge in me while saying it that says I mean yes...I don't want that though and while I struggle to resist it, it comes up so quickly and strongly that it's often too much to resist as before...I know oaths are also public or at least have someone to confirm them, but I need to know, when the Hebrew and/or Greek words for oaths/vows say it's spoken, I'd assume random mouth noises don't count? I don't really know why I obsess over this, other than these urges are always for giving up things I love for seemingly no reason at all...I've started praying more often in an attempt to drive these thoughts away, and it helps a lot.
Response #10:
Re: "I'm getting urges". We are all prodded by our sin natures all the time to think and say and do things we should not. We DO have the power to resist – in the Holy Spirit . . . but you do have to trust and believe that the Spirit is there to help you and you do have to listen attentively to His still, small voice (rather than to the voice of your sin nature prompted by the evil one). If you are walking in the Spirit, you will be able to resist the influence of the flesh (Gal.5:13-25) . . . and if and when you fail, then confess (1Jn.1:9). And, again, the more we grow spiritually, the better we are able to martial the spiritual resources we have been so graciously given. The more we fight the fight, the better we get at it (in all respects).

In Greek, in Hebrew, in Latin, in English – in any language I know of, an oath is verbal. When they swear you in at court they don't allow "silent oaths"; when you get married, they don't allow "silent vows". Feel free to look up these words in a Bible concordance or on a Bible website and see if you can find any place where the oath/vow is silent. If you do, we can talk about it (but you won't).

Keeping you in my prayers,

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Doc, where do you get from the Bible that if you break an oath you're no longer bound to it?...or am I misunderstanding again and it doesn't actually say that? Most people say if you make an oath it cannot ever be undone, period.
Response #11:
Re: "where do you get from the Bible that if you break an oath you're no longer bound to it?" I'm sure I never said anything like this.

If you have taken an oath and broken it, then I suggest you select from your herd a bull without spot or blemish and present yourself to the temple servant in Jerusalem where it can be offered on the brazen altar on your behalf. But of course, that is not possible because there is now no temple or altar or ritual sacrifices. Oaths belong to the Law. They were (and are) public pronouncements which bound the individual to do as they promised according to the Law. But the Law is now defunct (e.g., Rom.10:4; Heb.8:13).
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
Matthew 5:33-37 NKJV

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
James 5:12 NKJV
Christ died for all of our sins. If we sin, as in swearing when our Lord Himself told us NOT to swear, then we should confess that sin. When we do confess it, we are forgiven, "and cleansed from all unrighteousness" (1Jn.1:9). There may be discipline as with any sin we commit, but if so it comes from a loving Father for our benefit just as we loving discipline our own children (only He does it perfectly: Heb.12:4-13).

Re: "Most people say if you make an oath it cannot ever be undone, period." Most people don't believe in God, and very few believe in Jesus Christ, and pitifully few actual believers are bothering to grow spiritually so as to believe the truth. I wouldn't worry about "most people". If you read the Bible for yourself, it will confirm what I've been telling you.

So please stop torturing yourself about this unnecessarily. Let the Spirit help you resist all pointless thinking and start moving forward spiritually.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
So then do I have to still keep every oath I've spoken even after I repent? That doesn't seem fair, but I guess God is God, and we really shouldn't be trying to question what He puts in place, He only does it in our best interest after all...
Response #12:
I think I have been consistent in maintaining that oaths/vows were formal proclamations made in public under the Law. In other words, they don't currently exist in the sense found in the Old Testament. As far as the New Testament is concerned, I've already shared with you passages from our Lord and His brother James telling us NOT to make vows / take oaths.

So if a person does what the Lord and other scripture tells us NOT to do, I can't see how that is right. If a believer sins, that sin is forgiven – and all unrighteousness cleansed – when that believer confesses to the Lord (1Jn.1:9).

How can a vow / oath be binding when it is not authorized to be made in the first place? With the exception of negative passages (Matt.5:33-37; Jas.5:12; cf. Matt.14:7; 15:5; 23:16-22; 26:63; 26:72-74; Mk.6:26; 14:71; Acts 23:12-21), I don't find a single instance of vows / oaths being considered valid in the entire New Testament . . . with the exception of temple vows (Acts 18:18; 21:23), and in both those cases, Paul was operating under the Law . . . and in the second one it was clearly a mistake, one which landed him in prison for many years (see the link).

Vows pledged a person to do for God what they said they would do. But this is a dangerous game to play because how do we know what God wants us to do in the future apart from His will revealed in His Word? Consider Jephthah and his daughter (Jdg.11:34-40). However I DO know what God wants you to do, what He wants us all to do: to grow spiritually, to draw closer to Him through the truth, passing the tests that come our way, and then, once maturity is achieved, to produce a crop that honors Jesus Christ through the proper functioning of our spiritual gifts and the ministries He assigns us. He certainly does NOT want you to agonize for the rest of your life for some past failure (Phil.3:13); if it were otherwise, then the apostle Paul would never have gotten anywhere (1Cor.15:9; Gal.1:13).

So here is what I propose. Why don't you put this bone aside until AFTER you have grown spiritually to the point of being able to handle this issue better? I am confident that if you keep growing this issue will eventually be made clear to you and you will know exactly what it is you need to do and what you need not to do. Until then, you will only be spinning your wheels, so to speak, and compromising your spiritual growth by worrying about it . . . thus delaying the day when the light will dawn on you on this issue and many others besides.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

How can I tell if I am really saved? I need to know if I have faith in Jesus, or if I only have knowledge about Jesus, like you talk about. What if it is too late for me to be forgiven? What if I have done something and Jesus will not save me? I know Jesus died for all sin, but what if I have rejected Him?

Thank you.
Response #13:
Good to make your acquaintance.

In my experience, people who ask "am I saved?", always are. People who have definitively rejected Christ without any thought of repentance never care about Him or their salvation thereafter.

It doesn't matter what may have happened in the past. If you are a believer NOW, trusting in Him for your eternal life, then you are saved.

The evil one loves to throw curve balls of doubt our way, but we have a right to cast out doubt and hold onto our faith in Christ aggressively and demonstrably.

The best way to gain assurance of salvation is through spiritual growth. The more we grow, and the more we grow closer to the Lord through that spiritual growth, the more confident we will be about our salvation. So entrust yourself entirely to the Lord, and commit yourself to growing through His Word every day, putting your hope in Him – that is my advice.
(16) For men are accustomed to take oaths on the authority of something greater than they are, and there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that an oath is taken for the purpose of confirmation. (17) Just so God, out of a desire to make it abundantly clear to us, the heirs of His promise [after the pattern of Abraham's faith], that His will in this matter [of salvation and its resultant blessings] is unchangeable, guaranteed it with an oath (Gen.22:16-17), (18) so that through two unchangeable matters wherein it is impossible for God to prove false (i.e., His Word and His oath), we who have escaped [the wrath to come] and taken hold of this hope (i.e., of life eternal, resurrection and eternal reward) offered to us might have a strong basis for encouragement. (19) And this hope [truly] is what "anchors" our lives, so to speak: it is certain; it is solid; it penetrates beyond the [heavenly] veil into the [holy of holies], (20) where our vanguard, Jesus, has entered on our behalf, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:16-20
There is a great deal about this at Ichthys. Most concentrated place to look is BB 4B: Soteriology (at the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L. 
Question #14:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I hope you are doing well.

I am troubled inside. If I believe in Jesus, in His death and atonement for my sin, and trust Him to give me eternal life, then it absolutely covers all my wrongdoing and filth? And I am for sure saved, no matter how much I feel that I can't be saved? And then I can quit feeling guilty and doomed? I know I need Jesus and I know that He needs to be Lord of my life, and that true peace only comes from Jesus. I am not at peace and I just want to be. I do want to say "yes" to Jesus.

Thank you in advance,
Response #14:
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you ARE saved.
But what does [scripture] say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
Salvation is NOT a function of how you may feel but of whether or not you have been born again, born from above when you put your trust in Jesus Christ to be saved. Once saved, you don't need to be "re-saved" . . . there is no such thing, not even for those who sin after salvation:
Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”
John 13:10 NKJV
And ALL sin after salvation (1Ki.8:46; Eccl.7:20; Rom.3:23; 1Jn.1:8-10).
For we all stumble in many things.
James 3:2a NKJV
Which is why we are given the command and the opportunity to confess our sins – upon which confession we are forgiven, regardless of our feelings:
(1b) Blessed is he whose offense is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (2) Blessed is the man whose iniquity the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (3) When I was silent [about my sin], my bones grew old with groaning all day long, (4) because day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My vigor was drained away as by the heat of summer. (5) [Until] I said, "I will make my sin known to You, and I will not cover [over] my guilt. I will confess my transgressions to the Lord", and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
Psalm 32:1a-5

And forgive us what we owe you just as we also forgive those who owe us.
Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our sins just as we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
Luke 11:4

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1st John 1:9
Mind you, we should all be pursuing sanctification (Heb.12:14), and only by turning away from sin on the one hand and – very importantly – pursuing spiritual growth at the same time will we ever get anywhere in the Christian life.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2nd Peter 2:18 NKJV
So I always counsel people to stop lamenting about yesterday. What good does that do? It only wastes today. If we would move forward spiritually in growth in the Word through attentiveness to Bible teaching, we would gain confidence and begin to "feel better" about our relationship with the Lord – because it WOULD be better, since that is the only way to get closer to Him. But by wringing our hands about yesterday, all we do is ruin today. TODAY is "the day the Lord has made" (Ps.118:24), so we ought to make use of today RIGHT NOW to start growing. We can't change yesterday, and scripture tells us to let it go in any case (Phil.3:13). Tomorrow, moreover, will "take care of itself" (Matt.6:34). Our job as Christians is to fight the spiritual fight we are in TODAY, "as long as it is called 'today' " (Heb.3:13), and leave the rest to the Lord (see the link).
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Bob,

Just another message, a quick one this time. Just studying the different church eras in Revelation (CT) against the SR studies and really getting so very much from them.

Your ministry is such a huge blessing to me. I really don't know what I would do without you and your ministry! I was reading tonight about Smyrna and how strong in faith they were and it really inspired me to continue in the aggressive spiritual growth I am now pursuing. I am also determined not to falter or lose days of study this time when tested returns.

Thank you so much my friend for feeding us sheep! Amen!

Keeping you and your ministry in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,
Response #15:
Thank you!
Question #16:
Bob,

I think I have had another breakthrough and deliverance here.

[omitted] . . . but then suddenly I had a change of heart and stopped myself and instead of feeling anger or reproach I felt a huge gentleness come over me and rather than being focused completely on myself . . . As soon as I felt this desire to be loving in that moment, I really felt that depressed heaviness lift from me and I felt strong but not in my flesh, I felt strengthened by the Spirit. That strength enabled and empowered me to be kind and gentle even though I felt I was being judged and slighted.

P.s can the enemy attack the mind to such a degree that you think you are losing your marbles?
That is what is happening to me now (and happened many times before).

I worry about how this will effect my witness as I have been acting fully postal the last few days and almost smashed my hand bones to pieces on the table in a fit of rage. I often find myself talking endlessly over and over the same thing while I feel myself racing inside.

__ often blame my faith for all of this. They think my intense study and singular beliefs are making me mentally unwell. At times the enemy is tempting me to agree with this but I know that it is he who is fighting against me at the moment as he can see I am holding my position and also threatening to go further once this attack subsides.

I am also being met with some very fierce and intense opposition to that plan I told you about.
I have been aggressively pursuing a defensive AND offensive position by pushing forward with spiritual growth. The flak has come hard and heavy, physically, mentally and through other people. I am praying to get through it and to have stronger faith at the end of it and to stick to my plan no matter what.

I have still continued with my studies so that at the very least I have accomplished that in a day, to get through my daily portion of study.

Of course I do want to move on from this position both spiritually and with material commitments with work and family but right now I am trying to hold on to the position I have and not cede any ground. I hope in the next day or two to push forward despite the heavy bombardment and trust that I will be delivered through. 

In Jesus,
Response #16:
Good for you!

This is a real sign of spiritual growth and progress too, especially since we are talking about family. Old friends and particularly family are the hardest to cope with, especially if they are not believers. That is because they have a tendency to see us as we were many years ago and to reduce us in their thinking to exactly the person we were even as children – and it is very tempting even for believers to allow themselves to fall into that way of thinking in reaction (especially whenever incidents of days long past are brought up). Being able to rise above all that, not hold it against them, AND not allow oneself to feel bad in any away about the dim, dark past but rather to deal with these individuals on the basis of present spiritual realities is something only mature believers have any hope of doing effectively and consistently.

*Satan doesn't control our minds or emotions in any way. We have total control. Of course, that "control" emanates from our spirit over our fleshly mind – which is always resisting, infested by the sin nature as it is and goaded by the evil one and his system. If something "gets our goat", well the devil has a big file on us all and will keep attempting to make sure our "goat is gotten" as often as possible. I.e., if we tend to lose our temper when the phone rings at precisely the wrong time, don't be surprised if the phone keeps ringing at precisely the wrong time – until we adjust and stop letting it bother us.  See the links:
SR 4:  Satan's World System  (the devil's present kingdom and tactics)
Spiritual Warfare VIII
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

Here is a small clip from a teaching I just finished, and I would be very pleased if you would comment on it. There is more that is included but not written here. The scripture verse that some very well known so-called television evangelists use in support of their false theology and their so called “anointing”, is taken from:

1 Chronicles 16:22.
22‘Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!’ 

According to a clip from one of the TV programs, wherein another TV evangelist had allegedly spoken against another TV evangelist, and got very sick. The first evangelist stated that this other evangelist had said something in one of his crusades in a foreign country against him, and as a result of this, this evangelist was afflicted with some unnamed sickness, and did not get well until he admitted to the first evangelist, that he had indeed defamed his name, and asked him for forgiveness for what he had done. When the second evangelist asked for forgiveness, he stated he was cured.

This is a typical explanation of their belief, that no person can “touch” them, nor defame their name, for they are anointed; this belief is totally un-Biblical for the following reasons:

1. They have lifted out this verse from it’s rightful place, and out of the context it was written, and made it a doctrine for themselves.

2. Verse 22 in 1 Chronicles is specifically referencing the Hebrew children who wandered in the wilderness after being set free of their bondage by Egypt, with no application to any future person or persons.

3. This is a common technique of many who claim to be “children of God”, that is, to take scripture “out of context” in which is was written and apply it to themselves as proof.

4. All ministers and all believers need to be corrected when they preach/teach false doctrine. See 2 Timothy 3:16

5. Here is the correct context of this verse , that must be considered:

1 Chronicles 16:16-22. These verses were actually part of the “song” that was sung to God as a Psalm of praise and in thanksgiving to God, for bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the tent David had erected for that purpose.

“ 16The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
17And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
19When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.
20When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
22Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

Taking scriptures out of their context is deceiving, dangerous, and harmful for everyone; It is very clear in Verses 20-22, who God is addressing. All “true believers” must, must, must, prove what is being said by anyone, by the Word of God alone. Just because someone says that what they say is scriptural, must absolutely always be validated., especially in the time in which we now live. Don’t allow yourselves to be deceived by someone who says it is in scripture.

Yes, it is true that genuine ministers are anointed by God, and “true believers” also, but we are not infallible, and still make mistakes; this mistake is a very critical one at that.

Thanks so much for your input.

Blessings to you,
P.S. Acts 11:16-17 are interesting, especially the phrase "God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ,....

It is biblical proof that a person is indeed baptized in the Holy Spirit when they believe in Jesus and His Gospel.

Your friend,
Response #17:
Excellent, my friend!

It is amazing – and also a bit discouraging – to see the nonsense that passes for "teaching" out there in the ether of Laodicea. Indeed, these individuals pull verses at random and infuse them with a desired meaning – then come up some anecdote (always exaggerated, often entirely fabricated) to prove the "truth" of what they claim. It's more interesting and exciting than the boring method of actually studying out what the Bible truly says. No wonder the devil is having such success with it – among those who love themselves far more than they love the truth of the Word.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., yes indeed, Acts chapter ten was a signal moment in the development of the Church Age; it is sometimes called "the gentile Pentecost", because from thereon in, everyone received the Holy Spirit at the point of faith in Christ (cf. Rom.8:9b NIV: "And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ").
Question #18:
Hi Dr Luginbill,

Did I tell you 2 more people left our smaller group of 6 or so people? So our group of ~6 has had some 6 people leave within the past year or so. So sounds like you were right about people just jumping ship if employers treat them in a bad way. Also, I think I was right in my estimation of it being better to keep the same employees longer. The manager of our larger group sent out a long email about having to write off a bunch of accounts and how it means the collectors just don't care about the account and things like that. And I think 'why should they care if they are here today and gone tomorrow, and if you treat them rudely and work them into sickness (three of us in our smaller group got sick from overwork in the last 3 months, and tried working through that).' Remember I did say that one of the problems with a revolving door is that employees can mess things up on purpose or by accident (and some employees would do the former)) and be onto their next job you won't know about before you even realize there is an issue since tenure is so short. 

[omitted]

Well I am rereading Anabasis. I finished Herodotus. Also I am working through "The Text of the New Testament," though it is a bit slow going. There is a lot of interesting info. Yes I am still doing Bible reading and study. I feel adrift though, like, I don't know, I am missing something. I don't know.

Have a good weekend. Please let me know how you are doing.
Response #18:
It's no way to run a railroad, that's for sure!

If you were working at a hotdog stand for a sole proprietor, he/she could pretty much fire you at will without any explanation (there are certain federal and state laws governing these matters, however, so even that is not absolute). But you work for a fairly large company. They have an HR dept., as you've mentioned. And that means they have policies, written policies. Not like in the dark ages of Greece when the aristocrats were able to make the "law" up as they went since it wasn't yet written down. 

So there IS a personnel policy in your company, I'm sure. If it says you're supposed to have a performance review, they are violating the policy if you don't receive one regularly. If it says that there has to be progressive discipline and counseling for anything deemed unsatisfactory, they are out of policy if they don't do these things. And I've never heard of a policy anywhere that stated something like "we don't know what other violations you've committed but you probably committed some" is acceptable – except may in North Korea or Stalinist Russia.

If a company has a written policy and doesn't follow it in regard to how it treats its employees, it opens itself up to legal jeopardy. Your lawyer: "You have this policy; here, read it out loud; did you follow it?" Your former employer: "No". Jury: [thinking to themselves: "that's a wrap"]. Of course, that's only if a person 1) gets a very good lawyer (much harder than you may imagine); 2) gets a very sympathetic jury (as opposed to someone who doesn't like your hair color or the way you talk or is going to hold it against you that they didn't want to be on jury duty); and 3) everything just happens to break your way – over four years or so of unemployment leading up to "the big day". Businesses realize all of this, of course, which is one of the reasons, I suppose, that they don't much sweat acting contrary to their own written policies. But any business who acts in such a terrible way is likely not going to thrive in the long run – or possibly even survive. It sounds to me as if they are hurting already and would be really hurting if you decided to go some place better.

I'm doing OK, thanks for asking. Work at the university is highly problematic as well. Higher ed is headed down for all manner of reasons, but I'm hanging in nonetheless.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Dr, I was wondering, are you interested in having an app develop for your site where one can access the teachings on mobile? It won't cost you anything but let me know if you are interested.

In Christ our Lord
Response #19:
Thank you for the kind offer!

However, I'm going to have to turn it down. On the one hand, mobile phone users access Ichthys all the time, so it is possible to do that already, even if not in a dedicated app. On the other hand, apps have to be distributed through "stores", like Apple's. I'm not comfortable with that at all.

I do appreciate you looking out for me!

How are things going on your end?

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
It's going well, thank the Lord. Transitioning is going smooth and it has been 2 and half months. The Lord does redeem time. It seems like I never left at times.

But as always prayers are needed for permanent work. I am working at a great job with excellent salary but as of now only for six months but pray the Lord will turn it to permanent.

Apart from that all is well.

Can you recommend a good study material for the Book of Isaiah? My wife is looking for one.

Thanks and to God we give all the glory.
Response #20:
I'm praying for that, my friend!

On Isaiah, one would think that there would be lots of good commentaries . . . but I've never found a single one I could recommend. Most are all bollixed up with imagining that there is "second Isaiah" or even a "third Isaiah", and wasting their time on theories of composition. 

I think she would be better off reading the book in several translations at once (e.g., NKJV, NIV and NLT) and making use of a good study Bible for support (as you probably know, I like the K. Barker NIV Study Bible – 1985 version).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
The Word of God is actually true and we see it every day if you see it through spiritual eyes. It is really interesting to observe it in "real time" In Lk 12 verses 12-32 where the Lord Jesus Christ talks about "Worry" etc, there is a great application I see daily and His Word speaks to you through his creation.

There is a small baby cat that was separated somehow from its mother. Here we don't see animals or pets that often unless they are strayers. This baby cat, I mean an infant, was found underneath one of the air conditioning units where we live. When the guys found out about it, all of a sudden that baby cat became a personal affectionate object to them. They feed the cat, make sure it has water, etc. For the last 4 weeks the cat has grown and you can see it is becoming more active and is a personal pet for guys here.

Even during time of separation or trials one goes through, the Lord is telling all of us, we are never alone. He is constantly here. If he can put it in our hearts to take care of a stray baby cat, I mean days from being born, then how much will he take care of his children who are made in the image of his Beloved Son.

Just want to share that perspective with you all and for you guys to take time to enjoy God's creation, walking, etc. because through his creation he many times speaks about his enduring truths that comforts us through the Spirit.
Response #21:
Thanks for sharing this!
Question #22:
John 20:1, "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb."

We celebrate the resurrection of Christ as the proper response to His empty tomb. It is history. The events of that morning have been put to the test countless times, and the message resonates: He is truly risen. The Bible believing people in the islands of Tahiti celebrate our Savior's resurrection with the same joy as others all other the world. In grief, in the travails of the pandemic, in poverty, and in heartache, the resurrection radically changes our view. As the great song goes, "Because He lives..." The empty tomb is why we serve. We have seen that truth transform lives time and again in the course of our sojourn here. 

We head home next week for a three week visit. Our son graduates seminary in May and alongside that event we will be visiting family and friends in Texas and Colorado. We may see some of you all along the way. After eight months of life in rural Tahiti, we believe we are in for some culture shock. Please pray for our safe travel and that the Lord protects our dear Tahitian friends in our absence. It has been a very blessed beginning to what we hope will be many years of teaching, training, and serving in our second home.

Because He Lives,
Response #22:
Will do!

And congratulations to you on your boy's seminary graduation!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #23:
I see what you are saying. 

I took the day off of my dailies. And I feel not so good now at the end. But I did need a day off, and maybe another. But I feel disconnected from Him. But the whole point is rest. Maybe I am pushing myself too hard in normal day to day that I sort of crash during this period. Maybe I should take the longer-to-goals path. Even if it does seem more tenuous whether or not I will reach them. I feel overwhelmed and conflicted. I finally responded to __ who had emailed me months ago about my birth mother passing away.

I fear things like the verse that says that he who will not provide for his own has denied the faith. Because I don't see a 'domestic violence' escape clause from marriage or family in the Bible. I emailed him earlier and it gives me such anxiety. I still have nightmares and PTSD episodes (though they are rarer) as I try to survive and put food on the table with NO help, no one to catch me if someone goes wrong. He asks me how I am doing and to me I think 'we aren't friends. we aren't family in actuality. I am on my own if things go wrong as far as I know and we don't know anything about each other (not by my choosing).' Plus he leads a very sinful lifestyle and so even if we were close I may actually have to avoid him anyway. What a mess. There is no glory in this mess either. No profit. 
Response #23:
About your family, I think you have nothing to feel bad about in terms of anything you have done or not done; I think the whole lack of response to your question also speaks volumes. As I've mentioned before, it's not a case of you having been loved and nurtured and now they are in need and you are ignoring them – quite the opposite in fact!

As to goals and daily quotas, if they're making you feel bad because you just can't get to them, then perhaps the bar is set too high. It's better to set a do-able quota – and sometimes exceed it – than to set one unreasonably high except for ideal days (which are uncommon), and often fail to meet it. In the end, the amount of production might well be equal, but one feels good about the former and bad about the latter . . . and that makes little sense.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #24:
I'm sorry, I feel really bad now realising your worries and problems far outweigh my own which are small in comparison. Please forgive my selfishness Bob.

I was just thinking about all the pain families cause in the Bible through sin; Cain vs Able, Joseph sold by his brothers, David undermined by his brothers, Moses rejected by his kinfolk and going into exile.. Even our Lord, his own family thought He was beside Himself! So I am in great company there!

I realise the enemy is tricking me into thinking most families are picture postcard but the opposite is the norm in this fallen world.

I've just been reading about Paul's road to Damascus and also about the fiery furnace and it has really comforted me. Also I thought about our Lord overcoming the world and that is what we have to do too.

I still struggle to understand what I should do at times. Faith seems counterintuitive and not following my eyes. I keep thinking I need to meet these trials with either mental or physical force but it is actual a test of spiritual strength which is the complete opposite! One is trusting in self and man and the other is relying on God like a child.

No need to reply to this one Bob and sorry again to bother you during this tough time for you. 

God bless.

In Him,
Response #24:
You don't need to apologize for writing me! That's what I'm here for.

I just got finished writing someone else and telling them that based upon the emails I receive, those whose families are not dysfunctional seem to be the exception! Of course part of that is my dealing mostly with Christians who, to one degree or another, are engaging in the process of spiritual growth. Of course the devil opposes that in any way he can, and family trouble is one of the most effective ways to throw a believer off track. Well done you in recalling a number of such dysfunctional situations right out of the Bible (there are plenty more, I assure you)!

Also, in terms of "picture postcard" scenarios, the facade that people wish to display to the world is almost always vastly different from the reality behind the scenes. That disparity is becoming more and more pronounced in our new social media addicted world where the online personae people project often have very little to do with what they are actually like (or look like) or what is really going on in their lives. But we Christians deal with reality (or certainly should). And no matter how challenging present day reality is, we have a higher hope of much better things to come, better in every way, and infinitely and eternally so. And so we persevere, trying to please the Savior who bought us as we fight this fight day by day.

Believe me also when I say that we could ALL do a better job of walking in peace, in faith rest, not allowing ourselves to be moved mentally or emotionally from our true focus, Jesus Christ and His evaluation of us on that great day to come. And we could ALL stand to be better at being "strong and courageous" when things happen that test us. And it usually is the small and/or intermediate tests that tend to do the most damage. Somehow, believers who are progressing always seem to rally when a big test comes along, even though these are much harder. It's the ones where we don't feel threatened enough to shake ourselves into complete spiritual awareness where we tend to get tripped up.

So keep running your good race, my friend, remembering always that this " light momentary affliction" is working out for us "an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2Cor.4:17 ESV).

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
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