Tag: evangelical

Walk in the Spirit

~ Kim Balogh ~ 2 Comments

Scriptures tell us that the Christian’s war is against demonic principalities, evil demonic rulers, and demonic powers in high places, but did you know that the biggest war we wage against is the war against the carnal nature? Demons are like vultures; they can only prey on uncrucified flesh. (Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 2:11)

Our battle according to the Bible, is against the bodily appetites of our 5 senses in this earthly realm which are in constant opposition to God’s word. The bodily appetites of our 5 senses or the carnal nature, are always trying to usurp authority over or exalt themselves above our spiritual born again nature, the Holy Spirit, and the word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5-7, Galatians 5: 17-26)

 The Bible tells us that out mind is where this battle resides. All the spiritual warfare against the satanic realm we do will be useless unless we put to death or crucify the carnal nature.  (1 Peter 1:13,Galatians 5: 17-26)

 If our ways of thinking are contrary to Biblical principles, then the flesh will have the advantage. That is why it is important to renew the mind with God’s word. When we put Biblical principles above what our 5 carnal senses think or desire then we are operating in faith. (Ephesians 4: 23-27)

Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to all victory. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Why?

Because whoever comes to God in faith with their struggle or need, to seek his face for answers, will find that God is both willing and able to move on their behalf. (Hebrews 11:6-8)

 Scriptures tell us not to be conformed to the thinking of this world system but to be renewed in the spirit of our mind so that we will know God’s perfect will for our lives. (Romans 12:2)

Ps 119: 9-11 says that in order for our ways to line up with God’s ways we must seek the Lord with our whole heart. We do this through prayer, meditation and confession of the scriptures. (Psalms 119:15,Matthew 8:8, Romans 10:9,10, 1John 4:2, Jeremiah 1:17, Deuteronomy 18:18)

When the word of God dwells in our heart or spirit, then the word of God, by the Holy Spirit will keep us from yielding to the carnal desires and carnal ways of thinking. (Romans 6:13)

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is like a double-edged sword that rightly divides our spirit from our flesh.

Our spirit will not be dictated to by the flesh or carnal nature when it becomes separated unto God. The spirit man must dominate the old man in order to crucify it to the world and to the ungodly desires of the carnal nature.   

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that a man is what he thinks he is. If we think God’s ways, then we will walk in God’s ways.   

The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit agrees with the word of God to produce Holy Spirit life in us. We cannot become godly or live a life that pleases God in our own ability. ( 1 John 5:7, Romans 8:8, John 6:63,)

Paul tells us that he kept his body under the control of the Holy Spirit constantly. He died daily to his carnal nature. (1 Cor. 9:27)

Without the Holy Spirit making us born of God we cannot crucify the carnal nature. Religion, which is Christianity without the Holy Spirit, is a mechanical carnal exercise that does not please God. (Romans 8:8) 

Jesus said you MUST be born again to enter into God’s kingdom. Only Holy Spirit can make one born of God. (John 3:3)

 I will give an example of the difference between the religious Christian and the Spiritual Christian.

I watched this documentary about a Savant who was musically “gifted.” His parents spent a lot of money on music teachers so that this kid could become a musical “genius”. When I listened to this savant play his music, I could sense in my spirit that he had a mechanical form of musical genius. This savant had the ability to copy and understand musical concepts, but the music he played sounded like it had no “soul.” Although he played well without any error, the sound he produced was a mechanical sound.

I wondered why this would be so. Then when a musician began to play along with this savant in a duet performance, immediately I sensed a big difference between them.

The musician’s playing had life or “soul.” My Spirit felt uplifted when I listened to his playing. Then when the Savant began to play, I understood what I was discerning. The Savant had a form of musical talent, but he did not have a real gift for music. He had a learned structural performance that was very mechanical. His music lacked “life.”

The savant knew all the cords and the structure of music, but he did not have a real feel for music. He had no inspirational influence.

If our ears are opened by the Holy Spirit it is impossible to be fooled by the mechanical performance of the religious Christian. It may look like a good performance but when the real Holy Spirit filled Christian comes along and operates in the dunamis power of the Holy Spirit, you will immediately sense the difference.

You will sense the life of the Spirit, the supernatural gift of God residing in the Holy Spirit filled Christian. (dunamis power)

The mechanical performance of the religious “Christian” is pale in comparison to the Holy Spirit inspired life of a born again Christian.

 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5-7 

The word of God and the Holy Spirit work together to crucify the carnal nature. We must have both in order to perform the Lord’s good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)

When the word of God dwells in our hearts by faith, and is ignited by the dunamis power of the Holy Spirit then we will produce a life that pleases God. A Holy Spirit inspired life!

Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram !

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/raising-standard-kim-balogh

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en

RESTING IN CHRIST

~ Kim Balogh ~ 4 Comments

Resting in the finished work of Christ is the key to walking in victory. Regardless of how much we apply Biblical principles to our life, unless we have this main key to the kingdom of God, we will find failure at the end sooner or later.

What is resting in Christ’s complete work? It is a spiritual principle that is set right out in scriptures but missed by many of us.

One sure way to know that we are not resting in Christ is striving. That is to make great effort to achieve something.

When we find ourselves in this state we know right away that we are not resting. Then we must get immediately back to the cross.

Does resting in Christ equate to passivity? No indeed it does not! What resting in Christ does is to set our eyes on the victor for the victory and not on ourselves.

To rest in Christ is to set the Lord always before us. That is to acknowledge Jesus as our Captain. Our leader and victor over all difficulties that may come our way.

Paul knew this resting in Christ. He said that the life he now lived he lived by the faith of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that he was accepted in the beloved. How could Christ who loved us enough to give his very life for us not also supply us with all the things we need to live victorious in this life?

To rest in Christ is to rest in his finished work. He beat the devil! He conquered sin! Jesus rose victorious!

What is our part? To rest in this fact! When we do we can be assured that Christ who lives in us will complete all the work that is needed in our lives.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Resting in Christ is to abide in Christ. To accept what Christ says as true. To remain fixed in. To continue to dwell in. To remain in.

“If you abide in me,” Jesus said and his words or his teachings abide in you then you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)

In other words all the things that we need will be given to us as we rest in Christ. To rest is to have complete faith in the Lord’s ability to perform his word. It is to nestle in his bosom with absolute confidence. Does the Lord not know what is best for each of us? Is his plan not the best plan?

Have faith in God!

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith in the finished work of Christ gives us hope. We never have to be worried that Jesus will not come through. He has promised! If he loved us enough to give his life for us how much more would he not freely meet our needs? We have only to patiently wait. (Romans 8:32)

Resting in Christ is to set our eyes on Jesus who is the author and the finisher of our faith. He will prefect that which concerns us as we trust in him!

It is Christ who lives! Christ who has conquered! Christ who is Lord of all! We rest in these facts and abide in his love.

Jesus is all our righteousness! He is working all things out for our good as scriptures tell us. (Romans 8:28)

We are complete in him!

“And you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:10

To be complete is to have all things without lacking. It is to be full and entirely in Christ! Can you see this by faith? IN CHRIST!

Jesus is the head of all principality and power. That means that because we are seated with him in heavenly places we are also positioned with him high above the rulers of this dark world. We are more than conquerors because we are in him! Let us rest in this knowledge!

Jesus is the name above every name. His victory is our victory. His completed work is our completed work because we are in him! Can you see this by faith? Then you are resting! Resting in assurity that Jesus Christ is the head. The chief and principle power of all in this life. If you are in him then you are secure. Rest in this reality.

It is finished Jesus said. Whether we are wrestling in prayer, serving, teaching or ministering we are always resting in Christ. Always confident that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave himself for us.

Are you resting in Christ today? If not won’t you get back to the cross? The place of your victory is there! The work has already been done! (Romans 8: 37)

https://kimbalogh.online/about-me/

Women In Ministry

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

What does the Bible say about women preachers and teachers?

1 Timothy 2:11-15 scripture is used by some Christians to forbid women to have preaching and teaching positions in the church.

On closer examination of scriptures we see another position entirely.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

This verse seems to be saying that allowing women to teach men would be giving them “authority over a man,” but on closer examination we can see something else entirely is being presented.

The Greek word authenteo for authority occurs in this verse but no nowhere else in the entire New Testament. While the word authenteo has been translated as “authority” in nearly all English versions of the Bible, it is not the same word as exousia. The word used for “authority” in many other passages of scripture.

Let us look at the difference in these two words.

authenteo

One who with his own hands kills another or himself. One who acts on his own authority. Autocratic. An absolute master. To govern, exercise dominion over one.

exousia

Power of choice. Liberty of doing as one pleases. Leave or permission,physical and mental power. The ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege) The power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed) universally authority over mankind. Specifically the power of judicial decisions of authority to manage domestic affairs. A thing subject to authority or rule. Jurisdiction. One who possesses authority, a ruler, a human magistrate,the leading and more powerful among created beings. Superior to man, spiritual potentates. A sign of the husband’s authority over his wife. The veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself. The sign of regal authority, a crown

Now why do you think the word authenteo is used instead of the more common usages of the word exousia?

According to Gnostic teaching, Eve was not deceived because she was the illuminator and all-wise mother goddess and was created before man. She was superior to him and his teacher.

Timothy corrects this false teaching by saying that only One is all-wise, and that is God Himself. So what Timothy was saying is this .

“I am not allowing (present tense for that situation) a woman to teach or to proclaim herself the originator of man (authenteo). Adam was formed first, then Eve.”

This mother-goddess heresy and emerging gnosticism in First and Second Timothy and Titus, makes it clear that Paul was bringing correction in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 to this heresy.

He was correcting women who were teaching this heresy.

For more info, this article has quotes from the Gnostic texts.

https://margmowczko.com/adam-and-eve-in-gnostic-literature/

If this scripture was meant universally rather than to a specific situation it would have been stated more in the rest of scriptures, (1 Corinthians 2:13) and it was not. In actuality women did teach men and held significant places as leaders in the church (Acts 18:26;21:9; Rom. 16:1,3,7).

In the Old Testament, we find women teaching men. (2 kings 22:14; Proverbs 1:8;31:26; and Micah 6:4.)

So we can see that women can teach both men and women in the scriptures but they are not to be over men in a superior position as the Gnostic doctrine elevates women.

For more information about the eve goddess of wisdom heresy check out this link.

http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/1-timothy-212-in-co&#8230

Now lets take a look at what the Bible has to say about women preaching the word of God in other scriptures. Remember that to discern the truth we must always compare scriptures with scriptures.

The Bible tell us that in the last days women will prophecy. What does it mean to prophecy? To speak under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17

Also the name Junia is a Latin female name. Based on this assertion we can see that women were active in the ministry.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7

Scriptures tell us that Jesus not only liberated slaves and made Gentiles equal to Jews but he also made women equal to men. Different but equal.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Here is another scripture indicating that women were active in ministry.

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4: 2,3

The Old Testament tells us that women taught.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

A prophetess speaks the word of the Lord to both men and women. Remember that prophecy is for edification, comfort AND instruction.

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

Prophetess speak on behalf of God. They speak his words to the people. Men and women.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, Romans 16:3

A husband and wife team in the ministry

The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: Psalm 68:11

To announce is to preach and teach. To proclaim.

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:1-24

To bring “judgment” is to teach and instruct in righteousness.

I Commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” Romans 16:1-2 (NIV)

It is interesting how the king James version translates the word to servant when the Greek word actually means deaconess.

What is a deaconess?

One who ministers to the sheep.

Lastly let us not forget the Samaritan women who was not only a sinner, rejected by the religious people of Jesus’ day but a woman that Jesus ministered to at a well. She went about proclaiming the gospel to both men and women.

“Come and see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” (John 4:29).

Many “began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done’” (John 4:39).

Historically speaking it was mostly women who went out on the mission field to preach the gospel. They preached to both men and women.

So as you can see the Lord calls both men and women to preach and teach his word to anyone with ears to hear.

For more information click on the links below.

https://www.wms-amec.org/wms-history.html

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/baptists-attempting-great-things-for-god

For more information about the eve goddess of wisdom heresy check out this link. http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/1-timothy-212-in-co&#8230

Books for Reference