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Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/18/2008 2:38:44 PM
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solarflare
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Lately, I have been reading and sometimes responding to posts regarding 'visions' and questions people have concerning them. I believe that Scripture is very conscise and leaves no room as to how we are to ascertain whether or not a dream/vision/prophecy etc is from God.
It seems to me that with the proliferation of dreams and visions and prophecies making the rounds, that a person would want to be able to know whether or not what they see/hear/experience, is from the Holy Spirit or the unholy spirit.
Personal experience is just that...personal....so, let's keep this a general discussion unless your experience is absolutely pertinent to the discussion and we will all benefit greatly by it.
II Cor. 10:5 speaks about taking every thought captive...what does that mean? In the same verse, we also read that we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. How do we do that?
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 12:28:11 PM
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sparkleingsnow
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I was interested in this thread yesterday, and was hopeing that some more wise than I would be posting. But so far only frankman has posted, who's advice is always wise and biblical. I'm in agreement will everything he said.
Jesus warned:
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
What are they're fruits?
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Do they profess Jesus Christ?
As frankman said:
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Test all things. Do they line up with God's word? What does that little voice inside you say?
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
You asked about 2 Corinthians 10:5. I believe it means not to daydream or be thinking about how great we or anyone or anything else is, or anything else that doesn't line up with the word of God. Be aware of the thoughts that pop in our heads and hearts. Again i think frankman said it a lot better:
quote:
If your dreams, thoughts or speech do not line up with Scripture, dismiss them for they can not be from the Holy Spirit of God. One thing though, in order for you to be able to do this you will have to know what the Bible teaches. That`s why Ps.119:105 states "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
quote:
Original: solarflare
we also read that we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. How do we do that?
We're to dismiss them. To be aware that it is wrong thinking. Not keep thinking or dwelling on them. Think on things that are good, and right, and pure.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 1:55:54 PM
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ChelaW
Posts: 117
Joined: 7/30/2008
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I have a very basic, maybe even dumb question.
Suppose you have a dream with God actually sitting beside you talking to you. Could that be assumed to be of God?
Well, I guess I may as well give more detail. During a particularly difficult time earlier this year, I had reached what I felt to be the end of my rope. During my nighttime prayer, I asked God as very specific question out loud, in frustration.
When I went to sleep, I had a dream about God explaining the situation to me, and what He wanted me to do.
It was very basic...just, "Forget about that guy, because I have more work to do in him. Find yourself a good man."
Just out of curiosity, could I assume that to be of God?
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 3:50:53 PM
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solarflare
Posts: 798
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ChelaW
I have a very basic, maybe even dumb question.
Suppose you have a dream with God actually sitting beside you talking to you. Could that be assumed to be of God?
Well, I guess I may as well give more detail. During a particularly difficult time earlier this year, I had reached what I felt to be the end of my rope. During my nighttime prayer, I asked God as very specific question out loud, in frustration.
When I went to sleep, I had a dream about God explaining the situation to me, and what He wanted me to do.
It was very basic...just, "Forget about that guy, because I have more work to do in him. Find yourself a good man."
Just out of curiosity, could I assume that to be of God?
Hi
You know, it just could have been you giving yourself some good advice!
Research has proven that when we focus on specific things before going to sleep, chances are you just might dream about what it was you were concentrating on.
While not dismissing the thought that God might have nudged you on this one, I would not say for sure 
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 3:55:41 PM
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solarflare
Posts: 798
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I hope to do some posting here soon myself, but we are just a little busy dealing with Fay....not in the direct path, but on the outer bands. Lots to secure and take care of outside....
Please understand that it is probably not the best thing to try and tell another person whether or not a dream they had is from God or not. I don't mind an example like the one above....there is really nothing all that strange going on there.....but I would really like to stay away from controversial 'dreams' so as to keep the discussion level-headed.
Again, the above dream is really not weird or strange and no problem with that. Thanks!
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 4:49:18 PM
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sparkleingsnow
Posts: 3778
Joined: 1/9/2007
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Praying that you, your family, your home, and everyone else is safe there. God Bless.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 6:16:43 PM
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solarflare
Posts: 798
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Praying that you, your family, your home, and everyone else is safe there. God Bless.
Oh...thanks so much! This is just a funny storm...it keeps changing 'its' mind about where 'its' going...there have already been people hurt and homes destroyed...not by the hurricane, but by the tornadoes that build up off the east side of the storm. We are not in its path but many are, so just keep them in mind. Thanks again.
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/19/2008 6:45:11 PM
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solarflare
Posts: 798
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I have found that many people think they need a 'gift' to discern what is true. I ask the question "Why would God hand out spiritual gifts to people who do not even acknowledge the written account of Himself that He has taken such care to give to us?
When we study God's Word, we have the biggest spiritual weapon of all. We have the Truth, all the Truth and it is enough to stand against all the lies that the enemy can attack us with. Don't get bogged down in trying to sort through the lies.....get out the Truth and make use of that.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he didn't use all kinds of expressions like we find people using today. He simply quoted God's Word and there was nothing the devil could say or do to counter that.
The Bible reveals the character of God to us. For example, God is not a liar, He does not set out to 'hurt' or confuse us. God does not 'force' us.
God always acts in Character and he is Holy. He is Holy in all that He does.
We are to apply Scripture to our lives and line ourselves up with Scripture, not the other way round.
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/20/2008 12:54:52 AM
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Preludeian
Posts: 67
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: Portland Metro Oregon
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ChelaW
When I went to sleep, I had a dream about God explaining the situation to me, and what He wanted me to do.
It was very basic...just, "Forget about that guy, because I have more work to do in him. Find yourself a good man."
Just out of curiosity, could I assume that to be of God?
Did the situation turn out for the better? If one goes down to one of the key lessons that we of the Christian faith are taught you see that all things 'Good' are of the Lord, and all things 'Bad/Evil' are of Satan. Even if it was not God himself within your dream, was the message still not a 'Good' course of action for you to take?
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/20/2008 11:03:35 AM
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ChelaW
Posts: 117
Joined: 7/30/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Preludeian
quote:
ORIGINAL: ChelaW
When I went to sleep, I had a dream about God explaining the situation to me, and what He wanted me to do.
It was very basic...just, "Forget about that guy, because I have more work to do in him. Find yourself a good man."
Just out of curiosity, could I assume that to be of God?
Did the situation turn out for the better? If one goes down to one of the key lessons that we of the Christian faith are taught you see that all things 'Good' are of the Lord, and all things 'Bad/Evil' are of Satan. Even if it was not God himself within your dream, was the message still not a 'Good' course of action for you to take?
Oh absolutely! The guy I was hung-up on was someone I had no business dating in the first place! He was a mean person (not to me, but to others), he's on steroids & does cocaine sometimes.
I just still haven't found a "good man" yet, but I'm working on it! lol
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RE: Vain imaginations? Captive thoughts? - 8/20/2008 11:48:55 AM
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solarflare
Posts: 798
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quote:
Oh absolutely! The guy I was hung-up on was someone I had no business dating in the first place! He was a mean person (not to me, but to others), he's on steroids & does cocaine sometimes.
I just still haven't found a "good man" yet, but I'm working on it! lol
And you need a dream from God to tell you to stop seeing him?
The following is what this thread is about. Please do not discuss your dreams and visions here.
It seems to me that with the proliferation of dreams and visions and prophecies making the rounds, that a person would want to be able to know whether or not what they see/hear/experience, is from the Holy Spirit or the unholy spirit.
Personal experience is just that...personal....so, let's keep this a general discussion unless your experience is absolutely pertinent to the discussion and we will all benefit greatly by it.
II Cor. 10:5 speaks about taking every thought captive...what does that mean? In the same verse, we also read that we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. How do we do that?
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One thing though, in order for you to be able to do this you will have to know what the Bible teaches. That`s why Ps.119:105 states "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
