Narcissism

Collective Narcissism

Narcissism, Culture and Society*

by

Dr. Sam Vaknin

 

   Can families, organizations, ethnic groups, churches, and even whole nations be safely described as “narcissistic” or “pathologically self-absorbed”?  Wouldn’t such generalizations be a trifle racist and more than a trifle wrong?  The answer is: it depends.

          Human collectives (states, firms, households, institutions, political parties, cliques, bands) acquire a life and a character all their own.  The longer the association or affiliation of the members, the more cohesive and conformist the inner dynamics of the group, the more persecutory or numerous its enemies, the more intensive the physical and emotional experiences of the individuals it is comprised of, the stronger the bonds of locale, language, and history — the more rigorous might an assertion of a common pathology be.

          Such an all-persuasive and extensive pathology manifests itself in the behavior of each and every member.  It is a defining, though often implicit or underlying, mental structure.  It has explanatory and predictive powers (italics, RP).  It is recurrent and invariable; a pattern of conduct melded with distorted cognition and stunted emotions.  And it is often vehemently denied.

A possible DSM-like list of criteria (301.81) for narcissistic organizations or groups:

          An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning at the group’s early history and present in various contexts.  Persecution and abuse are often the causes, or at least the antecedents, of the pathology.

Five (or more) of the following criteria must be met:

1.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, feel grandiose and self-important (e.g., they exaggerate the group’s achievements and talents to the point of lying, demand to be recognized as superior simply for belonging to the group and without commensurate achievement).

2.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are obsessed with group fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance, bodily beauty or performance, or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering ideals or political theories.

3.     The groups as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are firmly convinced that the group is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status groups (or institutions).

4.     The groups as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, require excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation, or failing that, wish to be feared and to be notorious (Narcissistic Supply).

5.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, feel entitled.  They expect unreasonable or special and favorable priority treatment.  They demand automatic and full compliance with expectations.  They rarely accept responsibility for their actions (“alloplastic defenses,” they blame others).  This often leads to antisocial behavior, cover-ups, and criminal activities on a mass scale.

6.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are “interpersonally exploitative”, i.e., uses others to achieve their own ends.  This often leads to antisocial behavior, cover-ups, and criminal activities on a mass scale.

7.     The groups as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are devoid of empathy.  They are unable or unwilling to identify with or acknowledge the feelings and needs of other groups.  This often leads to antisocial behavior, cover-ups, and criminal activities on a mass scale.

8.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about them.  This often leads to antisocial behavior, cover-ups, and criminal activities on a mass scale.

9.     The group as a whole, or members of the group, acting as such and by virtue of their association and affiliation with the group, are arrogant and sport haughty behaviors or attitudes coupled with rage when frustrated, contradicted, punished, limited, or confronted.  This often leads to antisocial behavior, cover-ups, and criminal activities on a mass scale.

Temptation of Jesus

“He Was Tempted in All Points Like as We
Are, Yet Without Sin”
–Heb. 4:15–

It will be noticed that this statement is not that Jesus was tempted in all points like as the world is tempted, but like as we, his followers, are tempted. He was not tempted along the lines of depraved appetites for sinful things, received by heredity, from an earthly parentage; but being holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners, he was tempted along the same lines as his followers of this Gospel age–who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit; and who are judged not according to the infirmities of their flesh, but according to the spirit of their minds–according to their new wills, new hearts. Rom. 8:4; 2 Cor. 5:16; John 8:15

This is seen very clearly in connection with Jesus’s temptations in the wilderness, which immediately followed his consecration and baptism at Jordan. Matt. 4:1-11

(1) The first was Satan’s suggestion that he use the divine power which he had just received at Jordan, in ministering to his own wants, converting the stones into bread. This was not a temptation in any degree traceable to heredity or imperfection. Jesus had been forty days without food, studying the divine plan, seeking to determine, under the enlightening influence of the holy Spirit, just received, what would be his proper course in life, to fulfil the great mission upon which he had come into the world, viz., the world’s redemption. The suggestion that he use the spiritual power conferred upon him, and which he realized was in his possession, to minister to the necessities of his flesh, would, at first thought, seem reasonable; but Jesus at once discerned that such a use of his spiritual gift would be wrong, would be a misuse of it, a use for which it was not intended, and hence he rejected the suggestion, saying, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The Lord’s “brethren” sometimes have similar temptations of the Adversary, suggestions to use spiritual gifts for the furtherance of temporal interests. Suggestions of this kind are insidious, and are the channels through which God’s consecrated people not infrequently are led astray by the Adversary to greater and greater misuse of divine blessings.

(2) The Adversary suggested to Jesus fakir methods of introducing his mission to the people–that he leap from a pinnacle of the temple into the valley below in the sight of the multitude; so that their seeing him survive uninjured would be a proof to them of his superhuman power, which would lead them at once to accept him as the Messiah, and to cooperate with him in the work before him. But Jesus saw at once that such methods were wholly out of harmony with the divine arrangement, and even the misapplication of a scripture by the Adversary (apparently in favor of the wrong) did not swerve him from the principles of righteousness. He immediately replied to the effect that such a procedure on his part would be a tempting of divine providence, wholly unwarranted, and hence not to be considered for a moment. Where duty called or danger the Master did not hesitate, but realized the Father’s ability to keep every interest; but true confidence in God does not involve a reckless exposure to danger, without divine command, and merely for a show, and in a spirit of braggadocio.

The Lord’s brethren have temptations along this line also, and need to remember this lesson and example set before them by the Captain of our Salvation. We are not to rush unbidden into dangers, and esteem ourselves thus valiant soldiers of the cross. “Daredevil deeds” may not seem out of place to the children of the devil, but they are wholly improper in the children of God. The latter have a warfare which requires still greater courage. They are called upon to perform services which the world does not applaud, nor even appreciate, but often persecutes. They are called upon to endure ignominy, and the scoffs of the world; yea, and to have the uncircumcised of heart “say all manner of evil” against them falsely for Christ’s sake. In this respect the followers of the Captain of our Salvation pass along the same road, and walk in the footsteps of their Captain. And it requires greater courage to ignore the shame and ignominy of the world, in the disesteemed service of God, than to perform some great and wonderful feat, that would cause the natural man to wonder and admire.

One of the chief battles of those who walk this narrow way is against self-will; to bring their wills into fullest subjection to the Heavenly Father’s will, and to keep them there; to rule their own hearts, crushing out the rising ambitions which are natural even to a perfect manhood; quenching these kindling fires, and presenting their bodies and all earthly interests living sacrifices in the service of the Lord and his cause. These were the trials in which our Captain gained his victory and its laurels, and these also are the trials of his “brethren.” “Greater is he that ruleth his own spirit [bringing it into full subordination to the will of God] than he that taketh a city:” greater also is such than he who, with a false conception of faith, would leap from the pinnacle of a temple, or do some other foolhardy thing. True faith in God consists not in blind credulity and extravagant assumptions respecting his providential care: it consists, on the contrary, of a quiet confidence in all the exceeding great and precious promises which God has made, a confidence which enables the faithful to resist the various efforts of the world, the flesh and the devil, to distract his attention, and which follows carefully the lines of faith and obedience marked out for us in the divine Word.

(3) The third temptation of Jesus was to offer earthly dominion and speedy success in the establishment of his kingdom, without suffering and death, without the cross, upon condition of a compromise with the Adversary. The Adversary claimed, and his claim was not disputed, that he held control of the world, and that by his cooperation the Kingdom of Righteousness, which Jesus had come to institute, could be quickly established. Satan’s intimation was that he had become weary of leading the world into sin, blindness, superstition, ignorance, and that he therefore had a sympathy with Jesus’s mission, which was to help the poor, fallen race. What he wanted to retain, however, was a leading or controlling influence in the world; and hence the price of his turning the world over to a righteous course, the price of his cooperation with the Lord Jesus in a restitutionary blessing of the world, was, that the latter should recognize him, Satan, as the ruler of the world, in its reconstructed condition–that thus Jesus should do homage to him.

We are to remember that Satan’s rebellion against the divine rule was instigated by ambition to be himself a monarch– “as the Most High.” (Isa. 14:14) We recall that this was the primary motive of his successful attack upon our first parents in Eden–that he might alienate or separate them from God, and thus enslave them to himself. We can readily suppose that he would prefer to be monarch of happier subjects than the “groaning creation:” he would prefer subjects possessed of everlasting life. It would appear that even yet he does not recognize the fact that everlasting life and true happiness are impossible except in harmony with Divine law. Satan was therefore willing to become a reformer in all particulars except one–his ambition must be gratified–he must be no less the ruler amongst men; and was he not already “the Prince of this world”–and so acknowledged in Holy Writ? (John 14:30; 12:31; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4) Not that he had any divine commission to be “the prince of this world,” but that by getting possession of mankind, through ignorance, and through misrepresentation of the false as the true, of darkness as the light, of wrong as the right, he had so confused, bewildered, blinded the world that he easily held the position of master or “god of this world, who now worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience” –the vast majority.

The peculiar temptation of Satan’s suggestion therefore was, that it seemed to offer a new solution of the question of the recovery of man out of his condition of sin. And more than this, it seemed to imply at least a partial repentance on the part of Satan, and the possibility of his recovery to a course of righteousness, provided he could be guaranteed the continued success of his ambition to be a ruler over subjects more happy and more prosperous than it was possible for them to be while kept under his delusions and enslaved by sin, which was the only way in which he could retain man’s loyalty: because in proportion as mankind rejects sin and appreciates holiness, in that proportion it becomes desirous to serve and to worship God.

Jesus Jesus did not long hesitate. He had absolute confidence that the Father’s wisdom had adopted the best and only adequate plan. Therefore he not only did not confer with flesh and blood, but neither would he bargain with the Adversary for cooperation in the work of the world’s uplift.

Here also we see one of the special besetments of the Adversary against the Lord’s “brethren.” He succeeded in tempting the nominal Church, early in her career, to abandon the way of the cross, the narrow way of separateness from the world, and to enter into a league with the civil power, and thus gradually to become influential in the world’s politics. By cooperation with “the princes of this world,” fostered and aided by the Adversary secretly, she sought to establish the reign of Christ on earth, through a representative, a pope, for whom it was claimed that he was Christ’s vicegerent. We have seen what baneful influences resulted: how this counterfeit Kingdom of Christ became really a kingdom of the devil, for his work it did. We have seen the result in the “dark ages,” and that the Lord denominates the system “Antichrist.”

And although the Reformation started in boldly, we find that the Adversary again presented the same temptation before the Reformers, and we see that they resisted it only in part, that they were willing to compromise the truth for the sake of the protection and aid of “the kingdoms of this world,” and in the hope that the kingdoms of this world would in some manner become the Kingdom of Jesus. But we see that the combination of the Church and the world influence, as represented in Protestantism, while less baneful in its results than Papacy’s combination, is nevertheless very injurious, and a great hindrance to all who come under its influence. We see that the constant conflict of the “brethren” is to overcome this temptation of the Adversary, and to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free–not of the world, but separate from it.

Moreover, we find that although the same temptation comes to all the “brethren,” it comes in slightly modified form from time to time, and that the great Adversary very cunningly, in every instance, attempts to do with us as with the Lord, viz., to present himself as a leader along the lines of reform which he advocates–appearing to be in hearty sympathy with the work of blessing the world. His latest temptation along this line comes in the form of the suggested “social uplift,” which he is successfully bringing before the minds of many of the “brethren.” He suggests now, that however necessary it once was to walk the “narrow way,” the way of the cross, it is no longer necessary so to do; but that now we have reached the place where the whole matter may be easily and quickly accomplished, and the world in general lifted up to a high plane of social, intellectual, moral and religious standing. But the plans which he suggests always involve combination with him: in the present instance it is the suggestion that all who would be co-workers in the social uplift shall join in social and political movements, which shall bring about the desired end. And he has become so bold and so confident of the support of the majority that he no longer pretends to favor reform along the line of individual conversion from sin and salvation from condemnation, and reconciliation with the Father, through a personal faith in and consecration to the Lord Jesus Christ: his proposition is a social uplift, which shall ignore individual responsibilities and sins, and merely regard social conditions and make society outwardly “clean.” He would have us disregard the Lord’s teaching, to the effect that only those who come unto the Father through him are “sons of God,” and his “brethren:” instead, he would have us believe that all men are brethren, and that God is the Father of all humanity, that none are “children of wrath,” and that it is criminally unchristian and uncharitable to believe Jesus’s words that some are of their “father, the devil.” He would thus, without always so saying in specific terms, have us ignore and deny man’s fall into sin, and ignore and deny the ransom from sin, and all the work of atonement; under the specious, deceptive watchword, “the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man,” and the Golden Rule.

This temptation of the Adversary before the “brethren” today is deceiving many, and probably will yet deceive all except “the very elect.” (Matt. 24:24) These very elect “brethren,” are those who follow closely in the Master’s footsteps, and who, instead of hearkening to the Adversary’s suggestions, hearken to the Word of the Lord. These very elect “brethren,” instead of leaning to their own understandings, and to Satan’s sophistries, have faith in the superior wisdom of Jehovah and his divine plan of the ages. Hence these are all “taught of God,” and know thereby that the work of the present age is the selection of the “brethren” of Christ, and their testing, and finally their glorification with the Lord in the Kingdom, as the seed of Abraham, to bless the world; and that in the next age will come God’s “due time” for the world’s uplift, mental, moral and physical. Hence the very elect cannot be deceived by any of the specious arguments or sophistries of their wily foe. Moreover, the “brethren” are not ignorant of his devices, for they were forewarned along this line, and they are looking unto Jesus, who not only is the Author of their faith, through the sacrifice of himself, but also is to be the finisher of it, when he shall grant them a part in the first resurrection, and make them partakers of his excellent glory and divine nature.

Such are the points of temptation to the “brethren,” and such were the points of temptation to their Captain. He was “tempted in all points like as we are” tempted; and he knows how to succor those who are tempted, and who are willing to receive the succor which he gives, in the way in which he gives it–through the teachings of his Word and its exceeding great and precious promises. The weaknesses which come to us through heredity were no part of Jesus’s temptation. He did not have a drunkard’s appetite; he did not have a murderer’s passion, nor a thief’s avarice; he was holy, harmless, separate from sinners. Nor do his “brethren” have these besetments, as their temptations. Those who have become his “brethren” through faith, and consecration, and begetting of the holy Spirit of adoption, have lost the disposition which seeks to do injury to others, and have received instead the new mind, the mind of Christ, the spirit of Christ, the spirit of a sound mind, the holy Spirit– the spirit of love; which seeks first of all the Father’s will, and secondly, seeks to do good unto all men, as it has opportunity, especially to the household of faith. Gal. 6:10

And though there remains in the flesh of these “new creatures,” possessed of the new mind or new will, a weakness of heredity, a tendency toward passion or strife, so that they may need continually to keep on guard against these, and may occasionally be overtaken in a fault, contrary to their wills, nevertheless these unintentional weaknesses are not counted unto them as sins, nor as the acts of the “new creature,” but merely as defects which belong to the old nature, which, so long as the new nature opposes them, are reckoned as covered by the merit of the ransom–the great sin-offering made by the Captain of our Salvation. It is the “new creature” alone that is being tried, tested, fitted, polished and prepared for joint-heirship with Christ in his Kingdom, and not the body of flesh, which, of such, is reckoned dead.

Discussion Board

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where questions and topics can be readily discussed with CFM staff.

Opening Tonite

This is a new venture for some of the Staff of Christian Freedom Ministries.

After spending a considerable number of years belonging to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, also known as the Jehovahs Witnesses, and then leaving the association for varied reasons, it was felt that an appraisal of the teachings, beliefs and doctrinal stance of the Organization should be openly and frankly discussed.

It is not intended to be a WTBTS bashing campaign. It will be a researched and documented walk through the history and progression of the movement in order to see what truths exist and what deviations from Biblical direction have infiltrated the Religion.

DOES GOD ALWAYS LEAD THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION?

This article is posted on our chat forum for discussion

A common trait of false religions is to set themselves up as “mediator” between their followers and God. Whether we’re talking about Mormonism with its prophet Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, Islam with its prophet Mohammed, New Age with its gurus and spirit-guides, or Jehovah’s Witnesses with the so-called “Faithful and Discreet Slave” organization, Satan’s tactic is always the same: Convince people that they cannot receive communication directly from God and require them to look to human leaders for spiritual guidance and support. But the Bible says, “As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but, as the anointing from him is teaching you about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in union with him.” (1 John 2:27, NWT). We do not need an organization to “teach” us spiritual truth for we have Christ and the “anointing” of His Spirit to lead us. Just like first-century Christians, God’s Holy Spirit is the one who “guides” us into “all truth” (John 16:13).

When we look at Scripture, we see that no “governing body” in Jerusalem existed to lead first-century followers of Jesus. Congregations and individuals were led directly through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the following Scriptures illustrate:

• At Acts 13:2-4, we see the Holy Spirit directing the congregation at Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas out on their first missionary journey without any approval from a “governing body” in Jerusalem.
• When they returned from their missionary journey at Acts 14:26-28, they did not report to a “governing body” in Jerusalem, but rather, to the congregation at Antioch which had sent them out.
• In the same way, at Acts 18:22, we see Paul and Silas returning from Paul’s second missionary journey—not to a “governing body” in Jerusalem—but to the congregation at Antioch. At Acts 18:23 Paul went out again on his third missionary journey from this same congregation. If a “governing body” in Jerusalem existed, where was its leadership in all of this?
• Who commissioned Philip at Acts 8:5 to preach to the city of Samaria? It wasn’t until verse 14, that the “apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God.” At Acts 8:26, 29, and 40, we read that the Holy Spirit is the One who directed Philip to the territories he preached in.
• Who prevented Paul and Silas from preaching in Asia at Acts 16:6-7? Was it a “governing body” in Jerusalem or was it the “Spirit of Jesus”?

As can be seen by the above passages, it was Christ’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit) who directed the preaching work of first-century Christians, but what about the passages that some sects look to for support of their view of a “governing body” in Jerusalem? At Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas went up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to settle a dispute involving the circumcision of Christian non-Jews, and at Acts 16:4, Paul and Silas delivered the “decrees” that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem had determined. Does this prove that a “governing body” in Jerusalem existed? No, it does not.

If we look carefully at Acts 15:1-2, we see that the dispute had arisen when men from the area of Jerusalem (i.e., Judea) had come down to the congregation at Antioch and proclaimed that these believers needed to be circumcised according to Jewish custom. Is it any wonder they went to Jerusalem to settle the dispute that had been caused by men from that area? At Acts 16, these “decrees” that Paul and Silas were delivering had to do with the decision that had just been reached concerning circumcision. There is no indication that these “decrees” involved any other issue. Thus, we see that there is no basis for the claim that an “organization” is needed to lead God’s people today.

AN ENCOURAGING THOUGHT ABOUT DEATH

L.Ray. Smith

www.bible-truths.com 

Death has two different meanings that are essential for us to differentiate:

1. The ACT OF DYING or termination of life.

2. The STATE OF BEING DEAD.

All humanity will experience “the act of dying,” but absolutely no one will ever experience the “state of being dead.” And this is because:

“For the living know that they shall die but the dead know not anything…” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

This may be comforting to some, but scary to others. It all depends on your point of view; your perspective; your emotional stability; your up-bringing; your understanding. What I want to do in this little article is give you an encouraging perspective of death. “How can anything be encouraging when it comes to death?” you are probably asking. Well, let me try and answer that for you.

Virtually every time that I have read that verse (dozens of times), it was to prove to someone that we do not have an immortal soul that lives on after death of the body, nor do we have consciousness as is taught in Christendom. But this past year I took another look at this verse and saw something else that I had never contemplated before.

Not only is there no consciousness in death, but there is no consciousness OF death either. This is the encouraging part.

“The living KNOW that they shall die, but the dead KNOW NOT ANYTHING.”

Let’s think about that for a few moments and see if this is not quite encouraging.

“The living KNOW… the dead know NOTHING.” The dead don’t know that they are dead. When you die, you will NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE DEAD! But it gets better. Not only will you never know that you are dead at some point in the future, but from your perspective YOU NEVER EVEN LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. This to me was a marvelous revelation.

Once God creates consciousness in a human they will NEVER EVER know anything BUT CONSCIOUSNESS. From my perspective and from your perspective we will never “know” ANYTHING but life and feelings and emotions and consciousness. From our perspective we will never “know” what it is like to be dead. Oh we will probably die some day (assuming that the Lord doesn’t come first), but we will never know that we were dead; we will never know what it is to BE dead, or to BE unconscious. Others will know and sorrow (maybe?) that we are dead and gone, but from OUR perspective we will never lose conscious reality, and we will never “experience” being dead.

Now I didn’t say we would not experience “dying.” Most (albeit not all) people who die, experience dying, but they do NOT experience death itself, nor will they ever. It is impossible for someone to experience the death state, seeing that where there is no consciousness, there is no experience, and therefore there is no memory of it. I will carry this one step further. Even if there was no such thing as a resurrection from the dead, the dead would never know that they died and would never know that they are dead.

This to me is an amazing thing. Once God created consciousness, cognizance, awareness, perception, sensation, emotions, and the like; we never ever loose it from OUR PERSPECTIVE, and after all, whose perspective counts the most when it comes to death—ours or someone else’s?

We may all go through the fear of dying or even the pain of dying, but there is no pain and no fear IN DEATH ITSELF. No one who is presently dead is aware of it, or experiencing it, or being frightened by it, or anything else.

DEATH IS SLEEP

I was tempted to make that caption: DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP, but that would be Scripturally inaccurate, as nowhere do the Scriptures state that death is “like” sleep, but rather that death IS SLEEP. God prepared Moses for death with the following:

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, you shall sleep [Heb: shakab—to lie down, to rest, to sleep, to decease] with your fathers…” (Deut. 31:16).

David said:

“Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death” (Psalm 13:3).

When Lazarus was dead (John 11:14), Jesus said:

“Our friend Lazarus sleeps: but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep” (John 11:11).

Do you fear when your children “sleep” at night? You know that they are safe in sleep. Even in sleep we have a slight awareness of life, especially when we are dreaming or falling in and out of sleep, but in death there is no consciousness nor sub-consciousness, and so you will never know that you are sleeping. You know that your children will awake in the morning. We all who died IN CHRIST, shall awake in the morning of resurrection. And when we do, we might remember dying, but we will not remember ever being dead.

On five different occasions I came very near to death. Three of the five times I was unconscious. For all practicality, I was dead. I remember what happened before and after being unconscious, but I remember nothing of BEING unconscious. Yet I knew that I was, but only after the fact by the evidence, not from my actual experience of having been under. The actual fact of death is no different from what I already experienced several times. And you have all experienced it already as well. We all sleep, and unless we have bad dreams, the experience of sleep itself is nothing fearful or painful.

Sleep is a way that God can set people aside for a little while as He works with our children and our children’s children. Centuries and millennia will pass for some, yet they will know no death, only consciousness. From our perspective we will never know anything but life and consciousness. Death won’t even be an illusion: it won’t be AT ALL. And that is because “The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything.”

The Apostle Paul was familiar with this verse, seeing that he earnestly studied the Hebrew Scriptures. With relation to this concept that “…the dead know not anything,” Paul made the following statements:

“For we know, That if the tent of our earthy dwelling be taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, aionian, in the heavens. For indeed to this we are groaning, earnestly desiring to be invested with that habitation of our which is from [not ‘in’] heaven: surely, having been invested, we shall not be found destitute.

For, indeed, those being in the tent are groaning, being oppressed; in which we desire not to be divested [naked], but invested [clothed], that the mortal may be absorbed by LIFE. Now He Who has produced this for this same thing is that God Who has given to us the pledge of the Spirit.

Therefore, being always confident, and knowing that being at home in the body [our body, in the flesh] we are from home [our real home, our immortal home], away from the Lord; for we are walking by Faith, not by sight [‘Blessed are they that have NOT seen, and yet have believed’ John 20:29] But we are confident, and well-pleased rather to be separated from the body, and TO BE [not instantly, but at a future time] at home [with our new spiritual bodies like Christ’s] with the Lord” (II Cor. 5:1-8, Emphatic Diaglott).

Yes, Paul knew that once he died the next waking moment would be in resurrection with a new body (I Cor. 15:49), and although it would happen in an instant (from this life to the next life without missing a heart beat), in the twinkling of an eye (less than a second), nonetheless, it would have to wait until “the LAST TRUMP’ (I Cor. 15:51). But to Paul from his perspective, it would only be but a moment in time, seeing that, “the living KNOW that they shall die, but the dead KNOW NOT ANYTHING.”

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that SLEPT” (I Cor. 15:20).

Soon we too shall be like Him and see our Creator as He is:

“Beloved now are we the sons of God, but it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as HE is pure” (I John 3:2-3)

Make no mistake: death is an enemy, but it is “being ABOLISHED” (I Cor. 15:26) by the One who has already had victory over it. And although we will never experience being dead, we certainly experience the loss of our loved ones who have died, and they will experience loss when we die.

“THE KISS OF DEATH”

L. Ray Smith

www.bibletruths.com 

 

“THE KISS OF DEATH”

[Is your love pure or fake?]

I hear a lot of “huggie huggie kissie kissie” pious platitudes from the mouths of today’s religious hobbyists. Personally, it makes me a little ill in my midsection. Most of it is as phony as a three-dollar bill. Could you be guilty of using this emotional charade to deceive those you wish to impress?

There is nothing wrong with hugs, as I am quite fond of them myself. And there is nothing wrong with proper kissing. Paul instructs the assemblies to greet each with “an holy kiss” four times, and Peter instructs its use once, as a “kiss of charity.”

The Greek word used is “philema.” A “holy” kiss is merely a pure, sacred, ceremonial kiss—a simple kiss. Men no longer kiss men as a form of greeting non-family members in most western cultures—I’m personally kinda glad of that!

People also engage in “hugs and kisses” in their speech and writing. And this too can be fine and acceptable depending upon how it is done.

However, there is another way that hugs and kisses are used and overdone in which it is a camouflaged front to mask the real person that is no more holy than was Judas.

Had the twelve other Apostles already received the Holy Spirit of God, they would not have had to ask Jesus “who” is was that was about to betray Him—they would have known. Thank God that it is not possible to “deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24).

Like Satan’s ministers of righteousness (II Cor. 11:15), these deceivers are wolves, but they don’t come as wolves. These false teachers and deceivers:

“…come to you in SHEEP’S clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15).

But you could spot one of these “wolves” a mile off, couldn’t you? Just look for the GIANT TEETH that Little Red Riding Hood encountered, right?

“O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched [Gk: ‘to fascinate by false representations] you…” (Gal. 3:1).

The “wolves” COME IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING! You don’t see their teeth. They don’t show their teeth. They only show you a huggie huggie kissie kissie pious religious smile. THAT my friends, that pious front, IS the “sheep’s clothing.” Wolves BITE, and their bite can be deadly:

“But if you bit and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15).

Now then, where are we to find these “wolves and sheep’s clothing” coming with hugs and kisses to deceive and devour? Well, wherever the SHEEP are found.

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous [savage] wolves enter in among YOU, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men [and women] arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30).

Didn’t we all witness this ourselves in recent months? Are all the wolves gone now? Of course not—there will always be wolves wherever there are sheep.

I’m warning you: Wolves come in “sheep’s clothing,” full of smiles, and hugs, and kisses. You will not see their teeth until it is too lake.

Judas was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The apostles saw a sheep—Jesus saw a wolf. What was Judas’ ultimate sheep’s camouflage? Why, wasn’t it a simple, sincere, pure, godly “kiss?” Think again.

“Now he that betrayed Him give them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is He: hold Him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed Him” (Matt. 26:48-49).

You have all seen this drama acted out many times in films—a simple little peck on Jesus’ cheek. Oh really?

The five Scriptures using the word “kiss” from Paul and Peter, always used the Greek word “philema” which means “kiss” and nothing else. In Luke 22:48 we read this:

“But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betray you the Son of man with a kiss [Gk: a simple ‘philema’ kiss]?”

But in Matt. 26:48, we find something totally different. Judas told the elders and chief priest:

“…whomsoever I shall [PHILEO—passionate fondness] kiss, that same is He…”

Judas did not have a “philema” kiss in mind at all. The “kiss” in Matt. 26:48 is a “phileo” kiss, and it means a fond, affectionate, passionate kiss, not a simple “philemo kiss.” And the elders and high priest knew the different in these two words. One was a peck on the cheek, but Judas determined to use a more a passionate, huggie huggie kissie kissie display in his attempt to betray Jesus to the devouring and ravaging wolves.

This is really intriguing stuff. Now after Judas tells the priest and elders what kind of a kiss he will give Jesus [a phileo kiss] to betray Jesus, He actually delivers this kiss. And how does he do that? He does it with yet another Greek word for kiss, which is, “kataphileo” mean “to kiss EARNESTLY.”

This “kataphileo kiss” is used three other times in Scriptures:

Luke 7:45—“You gave me no kiss [no affectionate ‘phileo’ kiss, Jesus admonishes His disciples] but this woman since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss [‘kataphileo kisses’—earnestly] My feet.”

Luke 15:20—“And he [the prodigal son] arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him [earnestly and passionately with a ‘kataphileo kisses’].”

Acts 20:37—“And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him [with ‘cataphileo kisses’ of great passion and earnest].”

Is it not abundantly clear that this super emotional use of hugs and kisses was used only on the most RARE occasions of deep and profound emotional circumstances? But this is not proper conduct for everyday behavior. See these over-pious charlatans for what they are. Be suspect of those who use super-pious and sanctimonious hugs and kisses every day of the week.

Now to the Judas Kiss of Death:

“And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master; and KISSED HIM.”

The Greek is “kisses”—multiple kisses, with ‘kataphilio kisses, just as we find in every single use of this word in Scriptures I showed above.

No, Judas did not betray Jesus with a peck on the cheek; he deceitfully delivered a “huggie huggie kissie kissie, fraudulent hugs and KISSES OF DEATH!

What must we learn from all this? Whenever we pretend to be Christ-like but it’s all a charade, we too are guilty of giving Christ a Judas kiss of death. What a disgusting display of the carnal mind and flesh, Judas has left us. Some have vengeance in their heart, others vanity, others bitterness and hatred, and yet others uncontrollable sins of the flesh, but they try to camouflage their evils with a plethora of hugs and kisses to all.

Don’t be afraid to hug; don’t be afraid to kiss, but beware of such phony displays of pious emotions, as they could be your “KISS OF DEATH.”

More “trinity proof” verses discussed

The next 2 verses together are often used to promote the Trinity Doctrine:

One is Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

The other is Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The reasoning here is that God is plural just as man and woman are plural even though the word one is used. It is used in the same context as one in unity as aposed to unit or number. The OT word used as the English word ‘one’ is ‘yachid’.

But what is obvious here is that the word for LORD in Hebrew is YHWH, which is God’s name. If we Say that Jesus is Yahweh then why can’t we say that Eve was Adam. Yes Eve is of Adam, but of course she wasn’t Adam in identity. Just as Jesus is of God, but he is not God in identity. We as true believers are required to believe that Jesus is of God, not God himself as some say.

We are told that Adam and Eve became one flesh. To me that is saying 1 flesh as in joined together as one in number. So we are told that Adam + Eve = 1 flesh. But to say that 1 LORD + 1 LORD = 1 LORD is not consistant and goes against the greatest commandment that there is only one LORD. Yes many say that the Father + the Son = 1 LORD. But they also believe that they are both LORD. The Father is LORD and the son is LORD. So they are saying that 1 LORD the Father + 1 LORD the Son = 1 LORD. There is no mistaking it. This is what they teach. . Remember that LORD is a translation of God’s name which is YHWH, so to be consistent tehy should be saying that 1 Adam + 1 Eve = 1 Adam which is stupid. So to say that both the Father is LORD and the Son is LORD is to actaully break the greatest commandment that there is only one LORD. .

So again I repeat that true faith requires that we believe that Jesus is of God, not GOD himself. As it is written:

1 Corinthians 11:3
Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Now fortunately Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 and this is found in Mark 12:28-29.
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29″The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Now the NT word used here for ‘one’ in Mark 12:29 is ‘heis’ like ‘he is’, but joined together. According to the Strongs Concordance it means: numeral, prim

It is also used in the following verse:

Ephesians 4:4-6
4 there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

So there is no mistaking it. One God the Father and one Lord Jesus. i.e one in number. The notion of plurality is dispelled right here.

The Trinity doctrine has bewitched many into not believing that there is one (in number) God who is the Father. This belief is actually the greatest commandment. We should take this seriously. It is not about pride or winning an argument, it is about how we can align ourselves with God and his truth.

As far as teh OT word for ‘one’ ‘yachid’ is concerned, the argument made is that it doesn’t dispell plurality and therefore the trinity Doctrine is not a contradiction of the greatest commandment. But it has to be said that it doesn’t dispell the notion of meaning single/one either.

However we are very fortunate that Jesus actually quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 in Mark 12:29 and the Greek word for one/numeral is used and the other verses in the NT that use ‘heis’ are also talking about one in number. Check it out for yourself. Pickup a Concordance and browse teh scriptures that use that word. It means 1 as in number.

The irony here is that Jesus himself taught that God is one in number not plurality in unity. These words come from the lips of the one that many say is also God, therefore calling him a liar (even in ignorance). Being a follower of Jesus is about believing his own words. If you do not believe Jesus words, then how can you even follow him? A true disciple hears what he says and doesn’t listen to the voice of others.

Again the trinity doctrine confuses nature with identity. Jesus has divine nature and so can we. Eve had human nature and so did Adam. But Adam is not Eve in identity, just as Yahshua is not YHWH in identity.

YHWH is the only true God. This is the greatest commandment.

The one true God YWHW has a son. He is called Yahshua (Jesus in Greek). The only way that we can fellowship with God is through Jesus Christ his Son. He died for our sins and rose from the dead victorious. He is now seated at the right hand of the one true God and interceeds for us. We need to believe that Jesus is God’s son and that he is the only way that we will be brought into God’s presence. This is the true gospel. If you believe that then you should be baptized in the name of Jesus as your part in accepting God’s free gift of salvation.

How to be happy

1. Keep your thought process and think positive. If you catch yourself thinking that things aren’t going to work out, then think again. Remember that most things work out better than you fear - so imagine that your fears are ungrounded and that success is ahead. Rather than thinking of the problems and getting desperate, imagine the best outcome and then work out what you need to do to make that happen. Follow your “inner guidance system.” If the thoughts you are thinking are not giving you a good feeling, then think about something else that will make you feel good in that moment. Monitor your thoughts consistently throughout the day. Sometimes this may not be as easy as you think if you are stuck in a “negative” train of thought and your brain chemicals are getting fired up and forming an “anxiety or anger” pathway. Anxiety, fear and anger patterns can be interrupted by focusing on doing a math problem, counting backwards, counting in odd numbers, doing a sudoku puzzle, etc. - this will dissipate the rush of chemicals that are making you feel bad. Immediately then go back to picturing scenes/remembering things/imagining, planning stuff that makes you feel good.
2. Volunteer and learn to be a giver. It is possible giving time and resources to others who need them will contribute more to your happiness and positive outlook on life than most anything else. The key to successful family relationships is sacrificing time for others. Give of your time to your spouse and give yourself up for him/her. Devote time and resources to your children and recognize they are your most valuable worldly asset. The happiest days of our lives, when we really dig down deep, is when we see the smile on the face of a child who has nothing and you have given them something of immense value to them such as reading them a book, it means you love them enough to give of your time. Serve at a rescue mission and you will learn the meaning of “I cried because I had no shoes and then I saw a man who had no legs.” Give and it will be given unto you. Isn’t it true the happiest people we know are typically the ones who for some foolish reason are always ready to give you the clothes off of their back? And frequently it is true that the most discontented people are the ones who are selfish, demanding, and inconsiderate of others. So form the habit of being a Big Giver and you will know one of the secrets to successful happy living.
3. See the world for what it really is. You have friends and family that love you. Learn How to be thankful. Think of all the things you have to be happy about. Relax, calm down, take things slower. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears. We cannot change the past, but we can enjoy today, and look to the future. But if we are prepared to take credit for the past and accept that everything that happened in our life, good and bad, has made us the person we are - the battle is half won.
4. Lighten up. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Stress can cause many mental, physical, and spiritual problems in your life. One of the major causes of stress is worrying about things that are out of your control. Learn to recognize these things and if you can truly do nothing about them, then just let them go. Take time to laugh at yourself and the situations you find yourself in. Laughter is a powerful, positive medicine and the calmer and more peaceful you can take things, the happier your life will be.
5. Be yourself. You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you. Don’t compare yourself to other people – at work or in your personal life. In the first place, no one knows what other people are going through. More importantly, when you compare yourself to other people, you always tend to see yourself on the “short end”. So this is never a good or helpful thing for you to do. One way to get in touch with yourself is through journaling. The goal is to open up completely to yourself and learn to be your best friend by knowing that the truth (to yourself) will set you free from fear! Practice self-acceptance no matter what. Never do something you’re not comfortable with. You’ll respect yourself for sticking to your guns, and that self-respect will make you happy.
6. Make a scheduled time every day for relaxation. This is a good time to go over any therapy that you’re working on. Having a “relaxation” time or a “quiet time” every day strengthens you, allows the stress and tension in your life to evaporate, and keeps you more on a positive, even keel.
7. Get a job you love. If you have a job you hate or dislike, seriously consider changing your job, or even changing careers. Having a job that makes you look forward to your day when you wake up in the morning is critical to a happy, fulfilled life. Making special time to enjoy interests, hobbies, and family, not only makes life happier, but helps us be more productive on the job.
8. Develop a strong relationship with your family. That includes trust. If you are in an abusive family, you must find a way to stop the abuse that may include separation. If you want a stronger relationship with your family, you’re going to need to be honest with them. Tell your family about your life and don’t insult them - it hurts them just as much as it hurts you to be insulted.
9. Choose the right companion. Get involved with activities that reflect who you are, and get to know people who like the things you do. Don’t rule out the Internet as a place to find a significant other, just get to know them over the phone or through a few months of emails before agreeing to a meeting in person.
10. Choose your friends carefully. Nearly everyone needs someone who cares for them and treats them well. If you have friends who are treating you badly, then ditch them and find friends that do care about you. If you can’t find any friends like that in your current circumstances, then look elsewhere. If you’re feeling sad, there’s nothing like going out with your friends to make you feel better. Surround yourself with friends who are positive, encouraging, and helpful. We all need this continuing, positive encouragement to make solid positive progress in life.
11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself. Volunteer at a hospital or be a part of a program, which take care of patients in some way. When you leave the hospital, you will be so much happier knowing that you’ve done something meaningful, something someone else can appreciate.
12. Wish the best for others and mean it. It is so easy to be jealous and petty and forget to celebrate the good fortune of your coworkers, friends and family.
13. Keep learning. Whether it is a new hobby or a new dance, just keep learning something that interests you. Just find a new interest and go for it!! It will give you something to keep you occupied, and a new outlook on life.
14. Set goals. Live up to them. When you accomplish a goal, it’s a great feeling. If you put all your failures down to other people, you put yourself in their power. Take responsibility for when things go wrong in your life.
15. Be healthy. Give your body and mind what it most needs in order to function in an “optimal” way. “Optimal” in this case means being the healthiest you can be, and the most psychologically balanced you can be. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and ensure that you get all the vital vitamins and minerals that your body requires for its optimal biochemical functioning. Supplement your diet with the appropriate vitamins and minerals if necessary. Get plenty of exercise. This will prompt the production of the “feel good” hormones that make you feel happy (endorphins). Plus, there are all the other obvious fitness and disease fighting benefits, too numerous to mention here.
16. Strive for long term goals vs. short term satisfaction. It is very easy to gain short term satisfaction, a quick high, a fast relief from your current problems. But it is what it is , a “short term” satisfaction, its effects die out very soon, leaving you again with this empty feeling. Set long term goals, set a goal which takes some time, some thought, some effort to achieve. This will make you continually work towards improving yourself bit by bit and will give you the satisfaction of bringing a permanent change in your life. A permanent revolution.
17. Understand that life can really be a joke and you just have to laugh with it.
18. Sometimes the best way to feel happy is to feel despair and the only way out is to laugh at the shambles of a predicament you’re in.
19. Cut out beautiful pictures and paste them into a scrapbook.
20. Create something, be it some artwork (no matter how bad or good), sing your heart out, dance manically until your feet and body give way or perhaps cook a delicious meal for people you love.
21. Deeply breathe in fresh air.
22. Learn how to feel and experience all your different senses in the best possible way: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell.
23. Walk down the street and greet your neighbours with a smile, a nod and a greeting.
24. Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the air.
25. Say hello to every one with a smile.

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