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HOE EERLIKE MENSE LEUENS VERSPREI

HOE EERLIKE MENSE LEUENS VERSPREI

Byna almal stem saam dat leuens, om ander te mislei, nie ‘n deug is nie – en in werklikheid verkeerd is. Selfs politici, wat die meerderheid mense volgens peilings glo lieg, beskuldig voortdurend hul teenstanders van leuens. Hulle maak sulke beskuldigings omdat leuens nie as ‘n deug beskou word nie, maar as uitbuitend, as ‘n metode van manipulasie en bedrog wat gebruik word om voordeel uit ander te trek.

As gevolg hiervan sal mense dikwels outomaties die vertel van leuens, die verspreiding van valshede, assosieer met die uitsluitlike domein van ‘n oneerlike persoon. Maar dit is nie so eenvoudig nie. Trouens, dit is dikwels baie meer effektief vir die saak van boosheid wanneer die leuen deur eerlike mense versprei word, nie oneerlike mense nie.

Wat is die verskil tussen ‘n eerlike en oneerlike persoon as hulle albei dieselfde leuen vertel?

Die oneerlike persoon weet wat hulle sê is vals, en hulle vertel dit met die doel om te mislei; hulle probeer aktief en moedswillig om die waarheid weg te steek. Die eerlike persoon wat iets vals versprei, weet egter nie wat hulle sê is vals nie. Hulle glo eintlik dat die leuen ‘n waarheid is; As hulle verstaan dat dit vals is, sou hulle ophou om dit te versprei.

Maar ten spyte van hulle goeie bedoelings kan die eerlike van hart wat leuens glo, God se koninkryk verskriklike skade berokken juis omdat hulle uit suiwer beweegredes optree, dikwels met altruïstiese begeertes. As gevolg van die goeie bedoelings en suiwer motiewe word die eerlikes van hart as opreg, altruïsties en liefdevol beskou en is hulle dus dikwels in staat om mense te oorreed om die leuen te glo wat hulle oortuig is dat dit waar is en sodoende die koninkryk van die duisternis te bevorder. Die leuen wat kom van iemand wat opreg, deernisvol en liefdevol is, is dikwels meer skadelik as die leuen wat van die leuenaars kom.

Dit is waarom die Bybel leer dat ons nie ons denke aan ander moet oorgee nie, dat ons individueel moet grootword tot volwasse Christene wat die denke van Christus het, wat vir onsself redeneer en dink. Ons moet nie iets glo wat slegs op die getuienis van ander gebaseer is nie, maar ons moet daardie getuienis hoor en dit dan toets deur die Integrerende Bewysgebaseerde Benadering, wat die Woord van God, lewenservaring en God se toetsbare wette wat in die werklikheid ingebou is – sy ontwerpwette – harmoniseer en ten volle oortuig word in ons eie gedagtes (Romeine 14:5). Ons moet in onsself die vermoë ontwikkel om reg van verkeerd te onderskei (Hebreërs 5:14).

‘n Voorbeeld van eerlike mense wat leuens vertel: ‘n kind wie se ouer vir hulle sê dat hulle inkopies gedoen het, terwyl die ouer in werklikheid ‘n misdaad pleeg. Wanneer die kind gevra word waar hul ouer is, antwoord hulle eerlik: “Hulle doen inkopies.” Die kind lieg nie; dit wil sê, kies om vals getuienis af te lê – maar die kind kommunikeer ook nie die waarheid nie.

Een voorbeeld uit die geskiedenis is godsdiensleiers wat opreg valse leerstellings verkondig omdat hulle self die leuens glo. Dit word beskryf in die boek Die Groot Stryd in ‘n afdeling wat die algemeen geleerde mite bespreek van ‘n martelende god wat mense vir ewig in die hel verbrand:

Hoe afstootlik vir elke emosie van liefde en barmhartigheid, en selfs vir ons sin vir geregtigheid, is die leerstelling dat die goddelose dooies met vuur en swawel in ‘n ewig brandende hel gepynig word; dat hulle vir die sondes van ‘n kort aardse lewe gemartel moet word solank God lewe. Tog is hierdie leerstelling wyd verkondig en word dit nog steeds in baie van die geloofsbelydenisse van die Christendom vervat. ‘n Geleerde dokter in teologie het gesê: “Die aanskoue van hel pynigings sal die geluk van die heiliges vir ewig verhef. Wanneer hulle ander sien wat van dieselfde aard is en onder dieselfde omstandighede gebore is, wat in sulke ellende gedompel word, en hulle so waarneem, sal dit hulle bewus maak van hoe gelukkig hulle is.” … Waar in die bladsye van God se woord kan sulke lering gevind word? Sal die verlostes in die hemel verlore gaan vir alle emosies van jammerte en deernis, en selfs vir gevoelens van gewone menslikheid? Moet dit verruil word vir die onverskilligheid van die stoïsynse of die wreedheid van die barbaar? Nee nee; dit is nie die leer van die Boek van God nie. Diegene wat die beskouings in die aanhalings hierbo uitspreek, is dalk geleerde en selfs eerlike manne, maar hulle word mislei deur die drogredenering van Satan. Hy lei hulle om sterk uitdrukkings van die Skrif verkeerd te interpreteer, en gee aan die taal die kleur van bitterheid en kwaadaardigheid wat op homself betrekking het, maar nie op ons Skepper nie. “So lank as ek lewe, spreek die Here God, het ek geen behae in die dood van die goddelose nie; maar dat die goddelose van sy weg afwyk en lewe; bekeer julle, bekeer julle van julle bose weë; want waarom sal julle sterf?” Esegiël 33:11 (bl. 535, beklemtoning myne).

Ander voorbeelde in ons samelewing vandag sluit in al die opregte mense wat vir ons sê dat lewe vanself ontstaan het deur willekeurige en chaotiese kragte, nog ‘n bewysde valsheid (sien ons blog Moderne Wetenskap Plaas Die Scopes Monkey Trial Op Sy Kop); dat God se wet funksioneer soos menslike wet; en dat natuurrampe optredes deur God is om sonde te straf.

Dit is presies waarom elke persoon moet leer om vir hulself te dink en te redeneer en nie hul siele, dit wat hulle glo, aan hul vriende, ouers, onderwysers, bekendes, politieke leiers, nuuskanale, wetenskaplikes, pastore, priesters, ouderlinge, pouse, kerkkomitees of kerktradisies te vertrou nie.

Die eerlike van hart wat valshede versprei, soos die kind wat vertel wat sy dink waar is oor waar haar ouer is, benadeel nie hulle siele deur te vertel wat hulle glo die waarheid is nie. Met ander woorde, hulle sondig nie; hulle sal nie verlore gaan as gevolg daarvan nie. Maar wat vertel, geleer of aan ander versprei word, baat hulle nie. Dit werk nie om genesing of redding aan ander te bring nie, want dit is vals. In die voorbeeld van die kind wat sê dat hul ouer inkopies doen, sal die persoon wat dit glo en winkel toe gaan om die ouer te vind, nie die ouer daar vind nie, want die ouer is nie daar nie. Alhoewel die kind nie in hul siel benadeel word deur te vertel wat hulle glo waar is nie, kan die persoon wat hul leiding volg, nie die uitkoms waarna hulle soek uit vals inligting kry nie.

Diegene wat eerlik valshede oor die evangelie, verlossing en God vertel omdat hulle nog nie die waarheid verstaan het nie, beskadig dalk nie hul eie siele nie, maar hulle is nie in staat om ander na ‘n volwasse Christelike ervaring te lei nie. Dit word deur die apostel Paulus in 1 Korintiërs 3 beskryf:

Want niemand kan enige ander fondament lê as die een wat reeds gelê is nie, wat Jesus Christus is. As iemand op hierdie fondament bou met goud, silwer, duur klippe, hout, hooi of strooi, sal sy werk getoon word vir wat dit is, want die dag sal dit aan die lig bring. Dit sal met vuur geopenbaar word, en die vuur sal die kwaliteit van elke man se werk toets. As dit wat hy gebou het, oorleef, sal hy sy beloning ontvang. As dit verbrand word, sal hy verlies ly; hy self sal gered word, maar slegs soos een wat deur die vlamme ontsnap het (verse 11-15 NIV 84).

As ons ons hart aan Jesus oorgee en wedergebore word om Hom lief te hê en dan dinge begin leer wat waar is, bou ons met goud en silwer en kosbare klippe. Maar as ons leuens glo en mense dinge leer wat onwaar is, selfs opreg, bou ons met hout, hooi en strooi – en terwyl ons nie ons siele beskadig deur valshede te versprei wat ons glo waar is nie, omdat dit wat ons bou vals is, sal dit nie staan nie, maar sal vernietig word in die lig (vure) van waarheid en liefde.

 

LIEFDE VIR DIE WAARHEID

Die regverdiges is diegene wat die waarheid liefhet – hulle is nie diegene wat alle waarheid ken nie, want net God is oneindig en ken alle waarheid. Die regverdiges is diegene wat die waarheid liefhet, wat beteken dat hulle honger na waarheid, hulle soek gretig om in die waarheid te groei, hulle het harte en gedagtes wat oop is om reggestel, bygewerk en ontwikkel te word deur die waarheid wat ontvou. (Dit is wat dit beteken om gehoorsaam te wees. Die Griekse woord vir gehoorsaamheid beteken ‘n nederige gewilligheid om te luister en te volg, om geleer en tereggewys te word.) Hulle klou nie vas aan leerstellings, geloofsbelydenisse of fundamentele oortuigings wat verkeerd is en weier dan om lig en waarheid te bevorder soos God se boodskappers dit bring nie.

Die verlorenes is egter lief vir hul leerstellings, hul geloofsbelydenisse, hul godsdienste, hul fundamentele oortuigings, en wanneer nuwe opkomende lig kom, sal hulle dit nie aanvaar nie – en dit is dikwels omdat hulle nooit geleer het om vir hulself te dink nie en, in plaas daarvan om die werklikheid en waarheid te verstaan, hul oortuigings gevorm het op wat ander wie hulle vertrou hulle vertel het. Ongelukkig word die lig wat hulle vroeër gehad het, duisternis in hulle.

En dit lei daartoe dat ons die eerlike van hart op ‘n ander manier van die leuenaars onderskei – die impak, vordering en uitkoms oor tyd. Die eerlike van hart is mense wat die waarheid liefhet en probeer leer, ontwikkel, groei, die waarheid assimileer, maar as ‘n eindige wese glo hulle tans sommige dinge verkeerd en kan hulle daardie valshede met alle welwillendheid versprei. Maar wanneer die waarheid aan hulle voorgehou word op ‘n manier wat hulle kan verstaan, sal hulle hulle valse geloof met die waarheid vervang en in die waarheid groei. Hulle is nederig van hart en verstand en weerstaan nie, verwerp of veg nie teen die bevordering van die waarheid nie. Aan die ander kant is die oneerlikes diegene wat “verlore gaan omdat hulle geweier het om die waarheid lief te hê en so gered te word” (vers 2:10 NIV 84). Hulle is dalk lief vir hul leerstellings, geloofsbelydenisse, kerkorganisasies, mag en posisie as ‘n kerkleier, maar hulle is nie lief vir die waarheid nie en wanneer die bevordering van die waarheid aangebied word, verwerp hulle dit om hul huidige oortuigings of leerstellings te beskerm. Hulle is die “hardnekkiges”, die “hardvogtiges”, die “blindes” van die Bybel. Hulle is nie verlore omdat hulle iets vals glo nie, maar omdat hulle weier om die waarheid te glo wanneer dit aangebied word. En hierdie weiering om die waarheid te glo en aandrang om die leuens te glo, sal mettertyd die vermoëns vernietig wat die waarheid herken en daarop reageer, en so ‘n persoon word selfbedrieg en kan begin glo dat dit wat hulle oorspronklik geweet het vals was, nou glo waar te wees – hulle raak mislei. Die oneerlikes kan dus uiteindelik hulle eie leuens glo en dit dan met ware opregtheid versprei. Hierdie hartseer siele is heeltemal anders as die eerlike van hart wat dieselfde leuen kan vertel, want die eerlike van hart het nie die waarheid verwerp nie, het nie hul vermoë om die waarheid te onderskei vernietig nie, en wanneer hulle die waarheid verstaan, sal hulle dit omhels en toepas op hul lewens.

Hierdie twee klasse word gesien in die verskil tussen Kajafas en Saulus van Tarsus. Aan albei is die waarheid voorgehou. Kajafas het dit verwerp, sy hart verhard en begin glo wat hy geweet het vals is, en sodoende sy siel vernietig. Vir ‘n tydperk het Saulus leuens bevorder wat hy nie besef het vals was nie, maar toe die waarheid aan hom voorgehou is, het hy die valse verwerp en die waarheid omhels en toegepas en ‘n nuwe mens geword, ‘n regverdige kampvegter van Jesus Christus.

Daarom daag ek jou uit om ‘n denker te wees, om die vermoëns uit te oefen wat God vir jou gegee het wat jou na Sy beeld maak, om vir jouself te dink, vir jouself te verstaan, die bewyse wat God vir jouself gegee het, te ondersoek, en om eerlik perspektiewe te oorweeg wat verskil van jou eie, maar slegs glo wanneer jy daardie perspektiewe ondersoek het in die lig van God se geopenbaarde waarhede soos Hy ons in die Skrif gegee het, in die natuur en lewenservarings – Die Integrerende Bewysgebaseerde Benadering.

 

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Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.