Doctrine #29: Deception

Deception is not easily spotted, unless you know the definition of the word.

Deception is a physically attractive woman who lies to your face.
Deception is a body builder who never takes emotional risks.
Deception is a marriage where the goal is to stay together, regardless of the cost.




DOCTRINE #29: DECEPTION
Deception is a Right WHAT with a Wrong HOW/WHY. This includes a Right WHAT with no HOW/WHY. Deception is a fact that destroys. Deception is a fact that is evil.


Question: Do you believe you can distinguish between truth and deception?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #30

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:5-8)

(Saying that we have fellowship with God is a Right WHAT, but if we walk in darkness it is a Wrong HOW/WHY. Without the causes (how/why) it is deception, NOT truth. If we have no sin, then we have no need for Jesus.)

"5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them;
8 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;
11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of." (Ephesians 5:5-12)

(Deception occurs with empty. An empty word is a word that sounds Right but has the Wrong HOW/WHY. Whenever satan speaks, this is how he does it. Satan said to Eve that she wouldn't die when she ate of the tree, but God was talking about death as being separated from our purpose in Him, not physical death. Satan deceived Eve by using a different definition for "death" than God! If your words are right and your actions are unfruitful (wrong) that is when deception occurs. The effects of light are goodness, righteousness, and truth. Walking (DO) in the light is the cause.)

"15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;
18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:15-18)

(We learned in Doctrine #14: HOW/WHY vs. WHAT that a "workman" is someone who toils with words, in order to cut logos (understanding) with rhema (wisdom, the sword). These people handle aright the word of truth. Profane babblings are right words with wrong definitions, which is deception, and the opposite of truth. Profane babblings are words that are used to "walk on" people, to tear them down.)

"13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;" (Ephesians 4:13-15)

(This was the MEANING OF LIFE verse. We will spend eternity speaking (words!) the truth in love, and the result (effect) is that we will grow unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. That is something that will not happen immediately! Doctrine is a What. The deceptive doctrine is by the sleight of men and the HOW is craftiness and introducing doctrine that is in error.)

"28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips." (Proverbs 24:28)

(If you were to be a witness against someone without a cause, that is the definition of deception. If something is without a cause it has NO HOW/WHY! Being a "witness" is a Right What. We can be a witness for Jesus, we can be a witness in court. WHY/HOW we witness is what makes our witness TRUE!)

"22 Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good." (Proverbs 14:22)

"14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17 He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit." (Proverbs 12:14-17)

(Good is a Right WHAT with a right HOW, which is righteousness from truth. Deceit is saying the right thing but doing something else that has to be concealed.)

"1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:
2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:
4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." (2 Corinthians 4:1-4)

(Again, deceit is handling the word of God with hidden things (veiled) and craftiness. We have heard about these people in the mystery and gnostic sections. The truth is manifest, the HOW/WHY is apparent to all, so that no one has an excuse not to know the truth. If the gospel is hidden from you, you are an unbeliever. We are to believe and understand because we have the mind of Christ within us.)

"17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil." (Romans 16:17-19)

(Smooth and fair speech is attractive. It has the ability to draw people in, because words can be soothing and wooing just like music can be. If words are used to beguile, then it is deceit. In other words, it would be Right Words, with the Wrong actions/ Wrong HOW (this is the definition of hypocrisy). Our obedience to Christ is a Right HOW and it is apparent to all men and results in good: something is created.)

"15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness." (2 Peter 3:15-17)

(Peter stated Paul's writing were hard to understand. The writings of Paul caused people to turn from the truth because people chose to be ignorant and not steadfast. These people treated the other scriptures the same way, they would turn away because they chose to not understand. However, not understanding the WHY will lead to destruction. If your beliefs are based on a series of WHAT's you have never actually built a foundation with a HOW/WHY.)

"10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
11 Woe unto them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved forever." (Jude 1:10-13)

(This passage is a perfect example of animal thinking. Animal thinking is without understanding and leads to destruction. We talked about man's WHY being the way that he naturally thinks, which is short term and driven by self justification. Cain, Balaam, and Korah had a Right WHAT with a Wrong HOW/WHY. Jude said the people who are deceptive are hidden among you. The deception will come from the very people who look like they are believers. They have a Right WHAT (they feast with you, they are shepherds, clouds, and autumn leaves) but they have a Wrong HOW/WHY (they hide rocks at feasts, they feed themselves, do not have water, without fruit, twice dead). Clearly not everyone makes it to heaven because blackness and darkness hath been reserved for these people forever.)

"1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;
3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-10)

(Paul warned not to be beguiled by words. Words are powerful, do you believe this yet?! He gives How we would be beguiled and Why we would be beguiled. Then the antichrist's coming is with power, signs and lying wonders, all things that people would desire to worship in someone else. These things are Right WHAT's, but Wrong HOW/WHY.)

"1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.
6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,
7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

(A "form of godliness" is a Right WHAT. We can all have God flowing through us in a Right and Just way, which is Holy and godly. But, these people will deceive because they deny the power of God which is a Wrong HOW/WHY. Again, this deception comes from those who look like believers. These deceiver will be ever learning which is knowledge/facts/WHAT's, but never able to get to the knowledge of the HOW/WHY (the causes)... the knowledge of the truth!)

"1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
2 But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day: for the heaven is red and lowering. Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot discern the signs of the times.
4 An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed." (Matthew 16:1-4)

(Discernment is knowing the HOW/WHY. Jesus' example showed the Pharisees and Sadducees they knew the HOW/WHY of the physical world, yet didn't know the HOW/WHY of the spiritual world. Asking for a sign (Right WHAT) as a cause in order to have faith, however, faith is belief without seeing. So, the request sounded right, however, the HOW/WHY were wrong, so they didn't have discernment and they were evil. If a person says "God is truth", that is a Right WHAT. If they don't give a HOW/WHY, then it is actually deception.)

"1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee." (Matthew 6:1-6)

(Jesus showed a Right WHAT with a Wrong HOW/WHY next to the same Right WHAT with a Right HOW/WHY. Jesus called the people who do a Right WHAT with a Wrong How/WHY: hypocrites. These people have a Right SAY with a Wrong DO. Their actions prove what they believe and they are Hypocrites because they want justice to be evened out NOW. These people do not believe that God is Just, because they seek reward on this earth before men. Surely, they have their reward. God cares more about the HOW/WHY than the WHAT, and our reward is based on that point. Imagine if Jesus just told us to give money to our church because you ought to. That would give room for people to make up their own HOW/WHY and it would be justifiable. What if your pastor did that? What if he told you to give without a HOW/WHY? He could be opening his congregation up to acting apart from the Word of God.)

Truth is a Right WHAT with a Right HOW/WHY
Deception is a Right WHAT with a Wrong/No HOW/WHY

Let's say you have two WHAT's in front of you and both look right. Let's say you didn't have a whole slew of information in front of you. What if two pastors presented totally opposite information, but both seemed right? How would you be able to differentiate between which is right and which is actually wrong? We will learn about the tool that will help us in the next Doctrine!

Doctrine #28: Truth

Whenever I think of "Truth" I think of "Vitamin C". Here's why...

Between 1500-1700 over two million Europeans died from a disease called scurvy. It has always been a preventable disease. The cure for scurvy wasn't proven until 1960. It is now known that Vitamin C is the solution. Our bodies don't produce Vitamin C, but we can get it multiple different ways.

Are you able to identify Truth? If Truth is outside of us our ability to determine what it is could affect our eternal life!




DOCTRINE #28: TRUTH
Truth is a Right WHAT with a Right HOW/WHY. A fact is a Right WHAT. The ability to create comes from the HOW/WHY. Truth is a fact that creates. Truth is a fact that is good.


Question: Do you believe you are seeking a Right HOW/WHY?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #29

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him." (John 18:37-38)

(People like to use this passage to say that no one knows the definition of truth. Pilate asked the question that the modern church has failed to answer for years. Those people who hear Jesus' words and create with them have heard the truth and DO the truth. If all truth is God's truth, then can I find truth outside of God and I never need him? Jesus was God's Son and everything He did created in the How/Why because Jesus knew that only God was GOOD, and only He can create. We need God whether we are aware of it or not.)

"24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:
25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 1:24-25)

(The Creator is the HOW/WHY. The created is the WHAT. The Creator is Right and Just, and cares more about the How/Why because it creates. A WHAT, a fact, is an effect, and if its TRUTH it has a Right How and a Right Why.)

"21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.
22 Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:21-24)

(Worshiping what you do not know is not true worship. "A God that can be understood is not God at all," when people say that do they know who they are worshiping? To worship in TRUTH means to do it with a Right What with a Right How/Why. Worship is a Right What, if you do not know who you are worshiping your Right WHAT is with a Wrong HOW/WHY.)

"23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother; and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of Jehovah in thy mouth is truth." (1 Kings 17:23-24)

(When the woman saw that Elijah did something GOOD, she said she knew that the word of God in his mouth was truth. Good creates and evil destroys. So, it is possible for the Word of God in someone's mouth not to be truth. If someone claims to have the Word of God in their mouth it would only be a WHAT, unless it is truth, then it would create!)

"17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)

(The Word of God in God's Mouth is truth. God cannot lie. God is always Understanding and Wisdom. The "word" in this passage was logos (understanding). The word with understanding (WHY) is truth. The word without understanding was graphe. It is knowledge. The devil has knowledge, knowledge is a WHAT. The devil doesn't have understanding, he cannot create. The devil knows the word of God, he is even able to quote scripture because it is in him. The devil has knowledge, and can actually state reality. Is there TRUTH in the devil?)

"42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
45 But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God." (John 8:42-47)

(NO! There is no truth in the Devil. The Devil has knowledge, even knowledge of the Bible. In this passage Jesus talked about those that heareth the Words of God are of God. "Hear" meant to understand what was being said: facts that CREATED new facts. People who are of the Devil hear Jesus' Words and say that Jesus' Words are lies, when they themselves are the liar. Jesus stated the Pharisees could not understand nor believe the truth because they themselves had NO truth in them! They had a WHAT (following the Law) without a HOW/WHY. People who are OF God, hear from God; it is non-contradictory.

"22 Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good." (Proverbs 14:22)

(In order to do good, to create, you would need truth in you. You would need the Right HOW/WHY as causes. Mercy and truth require FAITH that God is Right and Just. If you did not believe that God was Just you wouldn't have mercy on people and you would look to even out justice yourself. If you did not believe that God is truth, then you would look for truth outside of God... which is a Right WHAT (searching for truth) with a Wrong HOW/WHY (without God).)

"9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

(Everyone will believe Jesus because they see Him, this is a belief based on seeing and experience. Everyone, even those who don't have truth in them, will state a fact: Jesus Christ is Lord. However, this will not be truth for some because they still won't have the Right HOW/WHY, and they still won't go to heaven. Even though you SAY that Jesus Christ is Lord on earth does not necessarily mean that it is coming out in what you DO! Your actions prove what you believe. How is what you are learning on this blog affecting your beliefs/your actions?)

"8 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;" (Ephesians 5:8-10)

(The effect of light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. We saw goodness and righteousness are effects of Right and Just. Likewise, truth is an effect of right and just. Remember, the only way to please God is to believe that He IS and the rewarder of them that seek after Him; this is an application of FAITH. So, the effects of being well pleasing to God would be light, goodness, righteousness, and truth. All of these things create!)

"13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

(The word of men is a Right WHAT. The word of God is different. Again, word was logos, understanding. The LOGOS of God is a Right WHAT with at least a Right WHY and it works (results in creation) in those that have belief without seeing God, who have FAITH. Those who have faith the Right WHY (logos) can result in the Right HOW (wisdom).)

"5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:5-7)

(Thomas asked HOW. Jesus responded with a famous statement. Then He gave the HOW and WHY, which proved HE is the Truth. Everything in this passage is about thinking/knowing. Thomas thought that in order to go the way he would have to see Jesus physically, this was belief because of seeing.)

"7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)

(Again, Jesus demonstrated Truth (HOW/WHY) when He spoke of the Spirit of Truth. He told the disciples WHY He was leaving, WHY it would be to their determent if He stayed, and HOW the Spirit would come to take Jesus' place.)

"13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." (John 16:13)

(Jesus gave the HOW/WHY. Also, the Spirit of Truth can give future WHAT's because He understands the causes: the HOW/WHY. Do you remember what RHEMA meant?)

"43 For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit.
44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Every one that cometh unto me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
48 he is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it: because it had been well builded.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:43-49)

(Jesus stated those who are good speak the right WHAT and DO (HOW) because (WHY) they have a good treasure in their heart. Everything is planted in the heart, both good and bad. The rock can be seen as truth because it is a Right HOW; a Right HOW is wisdom. Notice, Jesus presented this truth with a parable: "The good man out of the good treasure..." Jesus wasn't speaking about a situation that actually happened. Jesus was not speaking REALITY. Some people say "Truth is reality". The Devil quoted the Bible correctly when he tempted Jesus in the desert. Actually, Jesus spoke a lot of truth without it being reality. In fact, the next verse shows that Jesus speaking a reality would make it NOT the truth!)

"31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." (John 5:31)

(Would Jesus state a Wrong WHAT about who He was? No. Jesus would say, "I am the Son of God." However, if Jesus stated that directly/plainly, then He wouldn't be humble (Wrong HOW) and He wouldn't be trusting God (Wrong WHY). In the Bible, a prophet NEVER bore witness of himself. A prophet never stated to the people, "I am a prophet". So, Jesus said that if He stated a Right WHAT about Himself, His statement would NOT be true... because it would have a Wrong HOW/WHY!)

(What would you say about a group of people that crowned Jesus, knelt before Him, and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Would you say these people were honoring and/or worshiping Jesus? Actually, there was a group of people who did this Right WHAT!)

"27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered unto him the whole band.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him." (Matthew 27:27-31)

(However, they did this with a Wrong HOW/WHY. They did this by force in order to mock Jesus.)

We learned that it is not enough to have the Right SAY, you must also have a Right DO. Those who have their words match their actions are wise, those who do not, are HYPOCRITES!

Also, it is not enough to have a Right WHAT, you also need a Right HOW/WHY. What is a Right WHAT with a Wrong HOW/WHY called?

Doctrine #27: Evil

Something I love to do is lead worship at my church. It does take some physical effort to play sing, play guitar, and drums with my feet at the same time. I came to the unfortunate realization (fortunate long-term) that when I jog during the week it becomes a lot easier to have the "air" to sing on Sunday. This allows me to focus more on worshiping. Jogging tears down my muscles and makes it harder on me to breathe!





DOCTRINE #27: EVIL
Evil is the effect of wrong and unjust. Evil means something of value is being destroyed.


Question: Do you believe people choose to be evil?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #28

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams." (Genesis 37:20)

(This evil beast was equated with something that would devour. Listen to the way these people talked, this was a perfect example of Animal Thinking. All of these brothers were focused on the WHAT (they had one perspective) and they even were trying to justify themselves by saying a beast devoured Joseph.)

"9 If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save." (2 Chronicles 20:9)

(Along with evil comes the sword, pestilence, famine, and affliction. All of those things destroy. But, the only way for the children of Israel to be saved was if they cried out in their affliction. They were being broken, and the only one who can save and create something out of affliction is God.)

"17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?" (Nehemiah 13:17)

(Evil was equated with breaking the Law in this passage. The sabbath day was a holy day that was set apart: pure, clean. To profane the sabbath was to profane the Holy.)

"5 And she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king's provinces:
6 for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" (Esther 8:5-6)

(Esther did not want to see evil come unto her people. Haman wrote an evil letter in regards to the Jews. What did the letter request? That they would be destroyed.)

"16 The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." (Psalm 34:16)

(God sees the effects of those that do good and those that do evil. God is Just, and will not give mercy to those who do evil. It would be a contradiction if he allowed them to continue to destroy forever on earth. God will destroy these people through justice, because it was their decision to be evil. This was repeated throughout the Bible. For example, here were two more verses...)

"15 And it shall come to pass, that as all the good things are come upon you of which Jehovah your God spake unto you, so will Jehovah bring upon you all the evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which Jehovah your God hath given you." (Joshua 23:15)

(God responds to us through justice. Many people think God is only a hammer and they are a nail. Many people only think that God is loving and merciful. God is Just and Right, He will do good in response to justice, He will do evil in response to justice. God IS NOT evil, however, He has the ability to destroy! That is why he can "DO" evil!)

"15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil, as Jehovah had spoken, and as Jehovah had sworn unto them: and they were sore distressed." (Judges 2:15)

(God is not always completely merciful. God is against you if you are destructive, because it would mean that you are on the wrong side of justice.)

"4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace." (Mark 3:4)

(Some versions of the Bible translated "harm" as evil. Jesus equated evil with harm and killing. There were other verses that used good and evil together...)

"16 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17)

(Adam and Eve didn't have knowledge of good and evil. Good and evil are effects, effects are WHAT's. Adam and Eve didn't have knowledge of the effects, because all they did was what God said for them to do (i.e. Adam naming the animals and tending to the garden))

"6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3:6-7)

(Once they ate of the tree, they instantly had knowledge of the effects (they were naked) and covered themselves. Then Adam made the decision that it was "evil/ destructive" for him to be naked. He decided what was good and what was evil at that point.)

"63 And it shall come to pass, that, as Jehovah rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Jehovah will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest in to possess it." (Deuteronomy 28:63)

(Good is to create/multiply. The opposite (evil) is to perish and be destroyed. This passage is really important. God was rejoicing over two different instances, the effect was the same, God rejoicing. God will rejoice over you when you do good because He responds to you with Good. God rejoices over you because He will cause you to perish when you are destructive. Why would God respond the same way when one outcome is good and another is evil? Because God is JUST! He responds to us through Justice! Why do people have such a hard time considering that God is punishing them? How often are you asking God if you are on the right side of justice?)

"1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.
3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." (Proverbs 13:1-3)

(Again, good is equated with fruit (something created) and evil with destruction. Words are the causes of good and evil. If you are conscious of the words you use, you will keep your life! When you are unintentional, and believe that words aren't important, your mouth is wide, and you shall have destruction.)

"10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

(Jesus spoke of being the good shepherd providing abundant life, even laying his life down for the sheep, while the enemy was going to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus spoke about the difference between the effects of following Him or the devil. What were the causes?)

"5 I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;
6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.
7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things." (Isaiah 45:5-7)

(God created everything, even EVIL! In order for God to create in the long term, He has to be able to destroy in the short term. Just like God pruning back all the branches that produce fruit. God cutting down branches that do not produce fruit is short term evil! The difference between the enemy and God is the enemy appears to create in the short term in order to destroy in the long term.)

"5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)

(God flooded the earth because everything the people thought about was destruction. These people thought like animals, which led to them becoming evil. The only thing that they thought about was their own survival which leads to destruction long term.)

"21 For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22 covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:
23 all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:21-23)

(Evil thoughts are the cause of our actions. The cause is our HOW and our WHY. It seems as though we have a choice to think as the devil thinks.)

"35 I, Jehovah, have spoken, surely this will I do unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
36 And the men, whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up an evil report against the land,
37 even those men that did bring up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Jehovah." (Numbers 14:35-37)

(Israel wandered the desert forty years because ten of the twelve spies told the people they couldn't take the land like God said. The ten spies said that God was WRONG! They had a report that was destructive to the faith of Israel. God called their report "evil" and God's response to this evil was to kill them...Justice.)

"10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed." (Jude 1:10)

(Jude stated that those who follow man's thinking, what they understand naturally, were like animals without reason (animal thinking) and the result was they are destroyed. The only thing that would differentiate between this animal and man would be the fact that a man can use his words. But as we saw earlier, our evil words can be the most destructive ability we have. We are judged by our words.)

"29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah." (Luke 11:29)

(Jesus said the generation that asked for a sign so they could believe was EVIL. Why? Do you ever feel like you want to SEE a sign? Notice, the people wanted to have belief like the demons by seeing, instead of faith; belief without seeing. These people chose not to have faith and Jesus called them evil. Belief by sight is simply knowlege and experience, the same as an animal has.)

"19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21)

(Taking out your own revenge is the same as taking out your own justice. It is actually a lack of faith and a statement that God is not just. Paul said we ought to overcome destruction by creating, NOT by destroying. You are not always and completely Just. If someone punched you in the face, would you know exactly how to punch them back, so that things would be even?)

"14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all." (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)

(Paul said that responding to destruction with destruction was a lack of mercy. Rendering evil for evil only makes things worse... it's the reason why we have prisons. When God executes Justice He brings things back to even, not further into the negative.)

The next Doctrine is going to be a total blast. We are going to take everything we have learned so far and equate it with one definition.

There have been thousands and thousands of scholars who seek "truth." They bleed over their studies to seek out answers. They search and quote passages of scripture or philosophy fluently, have degrees from the top academic institutions in the world.

In the next Doctrine, we will learn the definition of TRUTH!

Doctrine #26: Good

Think of your favorite song, or movie, or piece of art. When you experience something good, something more comes out of it. Whether it be joy, inspiration, or motivation.




DOCTRINE #26: GOOD
Good is the effect of right and just. Good means something of value was created.


Question: Do you believe there are any areas in your life you consider "good" but are not creating?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #27

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.
29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear." (Ephesians 4:28-29)

(Good results in creating something of value that can be given to another. Just like someone who labors with their hands, we can edify with our mouth and create. We learned about how we ought to toil with our words as a teacher, and that would make us a workman (What vs. How/Why). Good is edifying/profitable.)

"3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?" (Job 15:3)

(Unprofitable cannot create. Unprofitable talk is equated to "vain babblings" that we learned in the What vs. How/Why Doctrine. A fake fire does not give off any heat. Good cannot come out of unprofitable talk.)

"35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it." (Genesis 41:35)

(The good years were when food was produced and gathered. This was also an example of Joseph having faith!)

"34 Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:34-35)

(Salt creates, but if it doesn't it is useless and thrown away. Salt is a WHAT, if salt has or does not have its flavor, it is salt. Salt with flavor has a use, a HOW/WHY. If salt is only a What it is useless and thrown away, because it does not create.)

"9 And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Luke 3:9)

(The same thing is true with the tree that doesn't create, it is thrown into the fire. The good trees are the ones that produce fruit: something is created.)

"23 And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)

(This verse not only said the good ground created, but that the creation was associated with understanding. Remember the definition of understanding? It's the same as next passage.)

"8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good." (Proverbs 19:8)

(Knowledge is a What, it is a fact. Wisdom is the How, and in this passage the actions and decision present was someone loving their own soul. Understanding is the Why, because whoever keeps it shall find GOOD or create. The HOW/WHY create because they are the CAUSES.)

"71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71)

(Something "bad" can be seen as good because something of value was created. In the mercy Doctrine we learned that it is Right for God to be merciful to whom He chooses, and can give spankings to those whom it is Right for Him to do so. When God afflicts or punishes us, we can learn and become profitable. David said something good came from affliction that he may learn God's Law.)

"12 So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good." (Romans 7:12)

(God's Law is Holy, Righteous, and Good... it creates. You can create with your words, if you know the definitions to the words you use! God spoke creation. His How/Why is perfect and Good. Words are important...)

"3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:4)

(God stated that the light creates. Are most people productive during the day or the night?)

"31 And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." (Genesis 1:31)

(In fact, God stated the entirety of His creation was very good. When all creation was made it had order, and purpose, and recognized how great God really was.)

"18 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." (Genesis 2:18)

(God said it is not good for man to be alone because he will be unable to create.)

"15 And Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:
16 when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17 And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." (Exodus 18:15-18)

(Moses' father-in-law said the same thing to Moses as God said about Adam. "Wear away" means that they will fade like a leaf on a tree does. Leaves eventually stop creating, something that we learned in Man's Thinking.)

"11 And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid." (Ezra 3:11)

(God is Good. God creates in the long term and can be perfect.)

"17 And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God." (Mark 10:17-18)

(Jesus said only God is Good. Only God creates in the long term. Jesus was fully God and fully man. While He was on earth He allowed God to direct all His decisions and actions, which was Wisdom.)

"20 And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:20-21)

(The servant created five talents and these actions were done before he saw his master come back. He was called "good" because his results created. He was called FAITHFUL because his actions proved he believed his master was coming back (a belief in something that hasn't happened yet) without seeing it (a belief in something that you can't see). Man can do good, but only God is Good.)

Now we understand what "good" means. Jesus' understanding of the word "good" proved that He knew who got the credit for creation, for profitability, for edifying.

What is the opposite of GOOD?

Doctrine #25: Mercy

Imagine yourself at an incredible banquet. People are enjoying conversations, the sublime entrees, and the luxurious setting. You, being a tad klutzy, sitting directly beside the host, fling your arms open wide splashing your champagne all over your host and the amazing table.

How would you want your host to treat you in that moment? What if you were the host, how would you treat your guest?




DOCTRINE #25: MERCY
Mercy is the postponement of justice. The postponement is the time between the unjust act and the reconciling through justice. Mercy allows God to give people time to repair the injustices they have caused. Mercy also allows God to wait until Judgment Day to equal everything out, both good and bad.


Question: Do you believe you are repairing the injustices you have caused?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #26

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"13 But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)

(Jesus quoted scripture to say God desires mercy, not sacrifice. If you say you are not a sinner you are justifying yourself and thinking as a man thinks. Sacrifice is a WHAT that brings things back to even. Mercy is a HOW/WHY and allows people time to repair damage they have done.)

"7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless." (Matthew 12:7)

(Jesus stated that if they had known what the scriptures meant (God's Thinking), they would not have condemned the guiltless. Basically, the Pharisees were quick to equal out justice, so quick they made a wrong decision. We know that men are not Right and Just, and do not have Holy measures. The Pharisees were without wisdom and condemned the guiltless: those who were guilty without just cause. Part of God being Right is that He is slow to equal out Justice. Here's the verse Jesus referenced...)

"6 For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings." (Hosea 6:6)

(In the King James Version, the word was "mercy" in the Old Testament. In the American Standard Version (the version we use on this blog) the word was "kindness" or "loving-kindness". For instance...)

"6 And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth,
7 keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation." (Exodus 34:6-7)

(Notice, God's mercy extends to everyone AND He will not clear the guilty. God will not violate justice. God cannot be always completely Just AND always completely Merciful. How would He handle the guilty? If He is always completely Just, He punishes them. If He is always completely Merciful, He doesn't punish them. This passage, and many others, state God will by no means clear the guilty, because He is always completely Just. So, what principles are the guides when God shows mercy?)

"19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." (Exodus 33:19)

(God is Right, and Right guides when God shows mercy. It will be Right when God is merciful, and it will be Right when he executes justice. Has there ever been times when you needed mercy, and other times when it was best for you to get a spanking immediately?)

"7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

(In the beatitudes, this is the first principle that talks about dealing with other people. If you think of interacting with someone as exchanging currency mercy is like a "penny." If you cannot show mercy, you cannot progress towards being a peacemaker.)

"13 For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment." (James 2:13)

(Just guides God's mercy. God gives mercy to those who are merciful. This is causality and wisdom. You prove How you want God to treat you by your actions and decisions. Right and Just guide every attribute of God. God is always completely Right and always completely Just. However, we will see God is not always completely the other attributes people claim, like merciful. There are times God is not merciful. Do you think that it would be Wrong if God was always and completely merciful? Just think of a child that never has any consequences, both good and bad; they are ususally not very pleasant.)

"8 Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; Slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness." (Psalm 145:8)

(God is slow to anger. This passage did not say that He is always completely merciful and never gets angry. God gets angry as we saw in Doctrine #18: Omnipotent when the children of Israel were sacrificing their children to the god of Baal.)

"6 And the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Jehovah, which David the king had made to give thanks unto Jehovah, (for his lovingkindness endureth for ever,) when David praised by their ministry: and the priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood." (2 Chronicles 7:6)

(This passage meant that God's ability to be merciful (lovingkindness) will be eternal. God does not have to equal out justice in eternity. In a later Doctrine, we will see why God won't equal out justice in eternity.)

"15 Let them be before Jehovah continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;
16 Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay them." (Psalm 109:15-16)

(Your actions prove what you believe...again, this is wisdom. God will not be merciful to those who persecute others and are unmerciful to others. If He did, He would be contradictory and unjust.)

"12 I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service;
13 though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
14 and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

(We saw faith is built by understanding and experience. Paul stated that he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and injurious. All the things from Psalm 109, yet he obtained mercy. Why? Because he did these things without understanding.)

"14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
15 but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David." (2 Samuel 7:14-17)

(God told David through Nathan that His mercy would never depart from David's son (Solomon). God never punished Solomon, even when his heart was led away by his many wives. Even when Solomon built up high places to other gods. However, Solomon had the most understanding of any man. God promised this to David. It was Right and Just of God to extend mercy to Solomon because He promised it and He gave Solomon wisdom so Solomon could learn by understanding because he couldn't learn by experience without being punished.)

"19 Yet say ye, Wherefore doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? when the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When the righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth therein; in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherein ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live." (Ezekiel 18:19-32)

(If God immediately equaled everything out, there would be no mercy. If God didn't have mercy we would not have an opportunity to repent for the wrongs we have done. God does not force us to repent, but gives us the opportunity to choose. One of the purposes of mercy is to give wicked people time to turn from their wickedness. God does not have pleasure in the death of people who turn their face away from Him, but those who choose His CAUSES and live! Mercy allows God to continue to be always completely Right and always completely Just in the long term.)

Our entire lives are MERCY! God gives us so many opportunities to choose if we desire to justify God, and think the way He Thinks! The other options are to justify ourselves and think as men, or even animals.

The ultimate man, Jesus, choose to think as God thought, and choose to refuse evil and do good. There is an invisible battle going on between GOOD and EVIL. That battle is even happening right now inside of you. How would you know which side you are on unless you can define what Good and Evil mean?

Doctrine #24: Justice

From the living room window, my parents would watch me fly down the street on my bicycle and jump off of a makeshift ramp I made when I was younger. My parents warned me to be careful. One day my dad watched as I continued to jump higher and travel down the road faster. He turned to my mom and said, "Jonathan is going to break his arm." On the next jump, I hit the ramp and my bicycle tilted in the air. I landed hard on the concrete. My left arm took the brunt of the landing. I ran to the house in agony. My dad grabbed the car keys, slowly opened the door, and calmly said to me, "Let's go to the hospital."




DOCTRINE #24: JUSTICE
Justice is the quantitative equaling of a situation. Justice is the effect of just. This means that those who deserve punishment will eventually receive punishment AND those who deserve a benefit will receive a benefit.


Question: Do you believe there are situations in your life where you try to equal out justice?



Next Doctrine: Doctrine #25

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If you need it, here is the support from the Word of God...

SCRIPTURE
"12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Revelation 20:12-13)

(On Judgment Day, EVERYONE will get everything they deserve when they are judged according to their works out of books. There is only one BOOK of life, but there are many BOOKS of works. Our Just God will then execute Justice. Everything will be equaled out then, not necessarily now.)

"12 And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:12-14)

(Jesus said if you have a meal and call your friends, or people that are rich or close to you, they are going to pay you back. But, if you make a feast, invite those who cannot pay you back. Jesus said to do things now, without the benefit, and you will get recompensed on Judgment Day.)

"1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee." (Matthew 6:1-4)

(We saw this passage in the HOW/WHY vs. WHAT Doctrine. When people would see that these hypocrites do such great things, people would look up to them and give them glory; the hypocrites would be recognized for their accomplishments. Justice equals out by giving you reward now in public or later in private. In fact...)

"11 For everyone that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

(Again, this will occur on Judgment Day if not before. It is our choice as to whether we want to be exalted now or humbled now. This is cause and effect, as well. If your cause is humility now, the effect will be that you will be exalted in eternity.)

"7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them." (Job 21:7-9)

(In the Old Testament, people wondered if justice existed. Job questioned whether the wicked will get what they deserve. But as we saw in the mystery section, the mystery was not revealed to the sons of men, until now. (Ephesians 3:4-5) In fact, Job also said...)

"30 If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean;
31 Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine own clothes shall abhor me." (Job 9:30-31)

(Job stated that God would punish him no matter how clean (holy) he was. Also, Job said...)

"22 It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked." (Job 9:22)

(Job didn't see justice on earth, so he questioned whether it existed. People in the Old Testament did not have the Mind of Christ within them, so most often they could only think as a man: short term. )

"1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." (Ecclesiastes 4:1)

(Solomon questioned justice because physical life all ended the same way, unequal. The people that were oppressed lacked compassion from another, along with the oppressors who lacked compassion from another. Both had the same need, even though both people lived totally differently.)

"24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?" (Ezekiel 18:24-25)

(God confronted Israel through Ezekiel because Israel stated God's way wasn't just. God was saying that the children of Israel were doing what man does, or thinking as men. They were justifying themselves, instead of justifying God. God was saying that the way the children of Israel were acting was not right or just, and God was the one doing the measuring. God was asking them if His perfect measure was not equal. Do you think God's way is equal?)

"6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us." (Zechariah 1:6)

(God's way is equal. When God responds to us, He is always and completely Just.)

"22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee." (Proverbs 20:22)

(The way a man desires to have justice equaled out is through the physical, short term, and for his benefit. Man does not have Holy measures unless they are God's. If evil has been done, Solomon stated justice existed if we wait on God. If we do not take justice into our own hands, we believe justice does exist, and God is the one who will execute justice, as He sees what is fair, because He is Just.)

If you stole from someone because you wanted something they had, God doesn't strike you dead, or take something away from you and give it to the person you stole from. If that were the case, God would be equalling everything out immediately.

We have learned that God is Just and executes Justice because He is Holy. God even LOVES justice, but here's a question....

If God is Just wouldn't it be Right for Him to execute Justice immediately on earth? In the next Doctrine, we will find the answer!