The Start of the Armory

A handful of years ago, I read Mark chapter 7, and for the first time I genuinely asked myself, "What if I'm the pharisee?" I remember praying and asking God, "Is this what I do? Am I forsaking your commandments for the sake of my traditions? Am I honoring you with my lips while my heart is far from You?" God answered me that day and began to show me many ways that I was guilty— ways I was just like a pharisee. This was rather unexpected as someone who was presumably raised according to sound doctrine and expository teaching, but God humbled me and I repented. That repentance led to bearing fruit in many unexpected ways by God's grace! However, since many of the things that were revealed to me are also commonplace in churches today, this was not without great difficulty and trial. What I have found is that churches are rarely subject to the word of God (yes, even "Bible-believing" churches), and while you are welcome to criticize the teachings and practices of another sect, you are not so welcome to bring the teaching and practices of the sect you're with into question— at least not consequentially. Many of these errors that plague the churches today are disguised and concealed by things God's word explicitly warns us about: philosophy, empty deceit, cunning, human wisdom and tradition, etc. But do these warnings ever apply to us? I mean, really apply? Can we point out in detail how one of these errors is at work? If Paul wrote a letter to our church correcting us and calling us to repentance as he did to the Corinthian church, would we listen? Or, would the pastors thank Paul and politely ask him to keep his opinions to himself because "many faithful Christians have done it this way for a long time"? This is just one of many empty, plausible arguments we've been warned about, and Christians need to learn how to take such thoughts captive to the obey Christ— the Word and Truth. It's time to share with everyone what God has revealed to me directly from His Word. I desire that every argument of mine would be backed by explicit scripture— not an interpretation of it— to the Glory of God as His Word proves true. We need to contend as Christ did with the powers of this present darkness. We need to say "It is written" instead of postulating and philosophizing, as I like to call it. Furthermore, we need to do this in the light— not in private places, but publicly. If anyone disagrees with me, I welcome the rebuke, or reproof, or correction, but I hope the argument is examined first; a lot of strife and quarreling is being perpetuated in churches by presumable peacekeepers who use cleverly devised myths to nullify the truth and encourage Christians in vain discussions about the Word of God. We won't tolerate that here. On the other hand, if you are willing to endure and listen to what will most certainly be controversial, brace yourself; this Sword is sharp, and He cuts both ways. "Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29). Let's get back to the Word of God and allow those pieces fall where they may. Welcome to The Armory.