One minister, whom I will not name here, has made the following statement: “Because of sin, Satan had access to Job, as he did ALL men.”

This same minister also said, Job is the “poster boy” for religion.

This belief is straight out of the Word of Faith movement’s play book, for they need to find something Job did wrong so they can explain why it was Job’s fault. Otherwise, Job’s experience discredits much of their theology.

The scriptures do not lay the blame on Job for his trial. The Bible tells us Job was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil ~ Job 1:1. We read this in the very first verse of the book of Job. Then in verse 8 we read the following:

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? ~ Job 1:8

While the minister mentioned above asserts that Satan had access to Job because of sin, God himself says otherwise. Who are you going to believe? God or the one who spoke contrary to what God said?

After God gave Satan permission to test Job, Satan left the presence of God and began to wreak havoc against Job. Consequently, four messengers came, one after another, bearing terrible news. The last came and reported the death of Job’s children.

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. ~ Job 1:20-22

Even after the terrible things Job experienced, the scriptures tells us that Job “sinned not.” This is contrary to the assertion that Satan had access to Job because of sin.

Let’s continue.

In Job 2, Satan again came before God and God said the following to Satan:

Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. ~ Job 2:3

Notice the words of God (above) defending the righteousness and integrity of Job.

The remarkable thing about the minister whose comments I am refuting is that his assertions are actually aligned with Job’s three friends. It was Job’s friends who accused Job of sin and not God. All one has to do is read the dialogue between Job and his friends and it will become evident that Job’s friends accused him of sin.

In chapter 42 God confronted Job’s friends: And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. ~ Job 42:7

God confronted Eliphaz the Temanite, and God was angry with him for not speaking correctly about him to Job. God also tells him that his servant Job did indeed speak the thing that is right about God.

The minister who blamed Job for sin and called him the poster boy for religion also has said, “Job’s situation changed when he changed his mind about God’s plan.”

This is made -up and not at all what happened. Here is what the scriptures actually say happened:

And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. ~ Job 42:7-10

The scriptures do not say Job’s situation changed when he changed his mind about God’s plan. On the contrary, the scriptures says, “the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”

Throughout the book of Job, God repeatedly comes to the defense of Job, and nowhere in the entire Bible does God ever say anything about Job being any other than upright in his sight.

Yes, God did confront Job’s misconceptions, but God never accredited sin to Job in the book of Job, neither does any scripture – anywhere!

Job was a righteous man, and in Ezekiel, God mentions Job along with Noah and Daniel as righteous ~ Ezekiel 14:14, 20. In the New Testament, James tells us that Job is an example to us of patience and he learned that God is merciful and compassionate. ~ James 5:10-11

The condescending attitude towards Job by the minister mentioned in this article is an old Word of Faith ideology which I am very familiar with. Job gets a bad rap by Word of Faith teachers for two reasons.

1. They cannot make Word of Faith theology work with the life story of Job as recorded in the Bible.

2. They zero in on Job’s concern for his ungodly children and Job’s statement, “the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” They do this to blame Job.

In Word of Faith theology, fear is taboo. Consequently the entire book of Job gets interpreted through this one statement by Job and the rest of the scriptures testifying of Job’s righteousness, integrity, and godly life is ignored.

Why does this happen? It happens because in Word of Faith theology – you are in control of everything, even God. In Word of Faith theology, Job’s fear controlled God and gave Satan access to his life because Job’s fear was sin.

Maybe they ought to actually read the book of Job.

In 2 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul made the following statement to the Corinthians, “ I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.” (v. 8)

Why did Paul say he robbed other churches?

Paul was committed to ministering the gospel for free, and he refused to impose his right to support on the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9). If the Corinthians had willingly offered to help Paul’s ministry, certainly Paul would have graciously accepted, but insisting on their support was not something Paul was going to do.

This is the point that does not need to be missed. Though Paul had the right to be supported, he willingly chose not to make it an issue by imposing his needs on the Corinthians.

The words, “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service,” is said within a much larger context in which Paul chastises the Corinthians for allowing false apostles to take advantage of them, which included taking their money.

Consider the context:

1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

² For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

³ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

⁴ For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

⁵ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Note: verse 5 in The Amplified Bible says, “Yet I consider myself in no way inferior to the [so-called] super-apostles.

Paul is not contrasting his ministry with other true apostles in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12. Paul is contrasting the integrity of his genuine apostleship to those who were taking advantage of the Corinthians for personal gain.

Paul continues:

⁶ But though I be rude (unskilled) in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.

⁷ Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

⁹ And when I was present with you, and wanted (in need), I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia (southern Greece).

¹¹ Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

¹² But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

¹⁶ I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

¹⁷ That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

¹⁸ Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

¹⁹ For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

²⁰ For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

²¹ I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:1-21

In these verses, Paul is rebuking the Corinthians for putting up with false ministers (namely, false apostles) who abuse them, take from them, exalt themselves, etc…

Sound familiar?

Paul and those with him, such as Titus, who served the Corinthians without charge were ministers of integrity. They did not make merchandise of the Corinthians like the false ministers the Corinthians were tolerating.

Later in chapter 12, Paul would once again address his commitment not to be chargeable to the Corinthians for his ministry to them.  Consider the following from chapter 12:

¹¹ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Note, again the term “very chiefest apostle” means “those [so-called] super-apostles.” 

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

¹³ For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Note: Paul is being sarcastic when he says, “forgive me this wrong!” He had no intention of changing and becoming chargeable to them. In much the same way he doesn’t mean he literally “robbed” other churches, but that the support that the Corinthians did not offer, the other Churches made up the difference. Not because Paul was chargeable to the other churches, but because the other churches graciously gave to support Paul’s ministry.

Paul continues:

¹⁴ Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

¹⁷ Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

¹⁸ I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Paul was committed to eternal things and verses 20 -21 speak to this truth regarding Paul’s concerns for the Corinthians to be edified in Christ. 

²⁰ For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

²¹ And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

When Paul says, “ I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service,” he was simply saying that other churches came to his aid when the Corinthians failed to minister to his needs, though the Corinthians had given their support of those false ministers who had taken advantage of them. Paul, however, refused to impose his needs on the Corinthians.

It is good and right for people to support ministers, it is not right for ministers to abuse this privilege, and Paul communicates this to the Corinthians in both of his letters to them.

1 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? ~ 1 Corinthians 9:1-19

Paul is talking to those of whom he had a right to receive support for his ministry. He says,“are not ye my work in the Lord?”

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? ~ 1 Corinthians 9:2-6

Notice that Paul says, “have not we power to forbear working?” In other words, Paul says, don’t we (he and Barnabas) have the right to be supported and not have to work to support themselves – don’t miss this point.

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:7-12

The power Paul is referring to in the verse above is the power to receive support for his ministry. Paul and Barnabas had the power or right to be supported by the Corinthian church. However, Paul and Barnabas elected not to do so.

Now think about that. The apostle Paul and Barnabas, who was also an apostle, chose not to solicit support from the Corinthians but to work instead. Paul says, “we have not used this power.” This is a reference to the power to garner support.

Why didn’t Paul and Barnabas use this power? Paul tells us exactly the reason why they didn’t: “Lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”

Those who receive support for their ministry must be very careful that they do not hinder the gospel of Christ. Many minsters have compromised the truth of the gospel because their pay check was at stake.

When ministers are beholden to people for support, there can be a real temptation to compromise and not minister the Word of God with the utmost integrity.

Let’s continue.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:13-15 

Though support for those who minister is an ordination of God, Paul chose not to use this privilege.

Notice verse 15 carefully. Paul chose not to employ his right of support and he tells the Corinthians he has not written to them to get their support. Paul then says something very astounding that I don’t think many people even know is in the Bible: Paul says, “it would be better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.“

What does this mean? Paul would rather die than to not be able to glory in the fact that he had given the gospel FREELY!

Let that sink in.

Paul chose not to use his right to gain financial support from the Corinthians because he gloried in ministering the gospel for free, and that is why he elected to work and pay his own way. Now notice the following:

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 

When Paul says, “I have nothing to glory of” in verse 16, he is referring to financial or material support. He then says, “for necessity is laid upon me.” In other words, I have to take care of my own needs. Then he says, “yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

At the beginning of verse 17 Paul says, “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward…”

Paul carefully guarded against wrong motives, and was driven with a passion to minister the gospel freely and without burdening God’s people. This is why Paul so often payed his own way.

How many times have you heard television preachers use so much of their air time asking for money, or using gimmicks to get money? Many times they will even quote Paul. Yet Paul’s way of thinking was the polar opposite of theirs.

So I ask every minister who reads this, if you were no longer paid, or supported for your service, would you continue to do it? Would you find ways to do what God has called you to do?

If not, why are you even doing it? You only have a reward if you do it willingly!

Now notice what Paul says next:

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. ~ 1 Corinthians 9: 18-19

Paul chose to pay his own way so that he would not abuse his power and he was careful to always minister the gospel freely and willingly. This was something close to Paul’s heart. This is something he would not allow anyone to rob him of glorying in.

Paul wanted to stand before God and be able to say, “I obeyed you willingly, and I freely gave them the truth. I did not do it for personal gain.”

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul refers to himself as a wise master builder.

Without a doubt, Paul says this in reference to his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians. Yet he doesn’t exalt himself. On the contrary Paul gives a very sober warning, declaring, “if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.”

Jesus Christ is the only foundation of the temple of God, and every man is going to be rewarded in the day of judgment for how he has built on the foundation of Christ.

Being made the righteousness of God in Christ does not mean that you have an unconditional position of a righteous standing before God.

It means that God declares you righteous, through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus. When this happens, you embrace the call to live godly.

While many are teaching this “unconditional position of a righteous” and decrying the importance of good works, the Bible says otherwise. Notice the following from Ephesians 2:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10

Paul could have just as easily said, “we are his workmanship created righteous in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works.”

God makes us righteous through Christ because God wants “good works” or a lifestyle of godly character, holiness, purity, in our lives: that’s what it means to be made righteous in Christ!

The prophet Micah said, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ~ Micah 6:8

If you claim to be righteous in Christ, please understand that you are created in Christ to have good works which God has ordained that you should walk in.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

In Christ we are created for good works! And our good works bring glory to the Father.

The “go-to” text of those who teach the “unconditional position of a righteous” is 2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Yet in the very next chapter, Paul says the following:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Then in verse one of chapter 7, Paul says:

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1

Finally consider the words of the apostle John:

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ~ 1 John 3:7

Again, being made righteous in Christ means that you are righteous through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus.

If this has happened in your life, there is a conviction from the Holy Spirit and a desire in your heart to live holy, godly, and righteously.

If there is no conviction unto holy, godly, and righteous living, something is wrong!

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. ~ 1 John 4:1-3

The confession that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh speaks to the deity of Christ. In chapter one, John refers to Jesus as the word of life and the eternal life which was with the Father from the beginning, and was manifested to us.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 1:1-3

John refers to the deity of Christ at the very outset of his epistle by referring to Jesus as the word of life and eternal life. John testifies that Jesus, the Son of God, is the eternal life which was with the Father from the beginning.

John uses similar language in his gospel.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:1-4, 14

John is heavy on the deity of Christ, such much so, that John declares that fellowship with God is contingent Jesus being divine: That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ is fellowship with the Father,  and the One whom John claims is eternal life. In chapter 2, John addresses fathers, young men, and little children (most likely these are references to spiritual growth). To the fathers, he says, I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning (2:13) and,  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning (2:14). 

At the close of his epistle, John declares Jesus is the true God!

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. this is the true God, and eternal life. ~ 1 John 5:20

Now, with regards to John’s statement concerning the confession that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh: Jesus was God revealed in the flesh. Every spirit that does not confess God, in the person of Jesus Christ, was manifested in the flesh is the spirit of anti-Christ.

The Spirit of God exalts Christ. The spirit of anti-Christ makes less of Christ. One does not have true fellowship with God if he does not have fellowship with that eternal life which was with the Father from the beginning and was manifested in the flesh.

To claim otherwise is to be a liar and a deceiver.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ~ 1 John 2:22-23

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 1:2-3

When the New Testament teaches that we are not under the law, it is referring to the letter of the Law – the specific commands and instructions given to Israel through Moses.

In this respect, Christ is the fulfillment of the Law as Paul says in Romans 10:4.

Does this mean that the Law no longer has any relevance for us now that Jesus has fulfilled the Law and established the New Covenant? Not at all.

The law is indeed beneficial for us, for the teachings and instructions given to Israel under the Law were preparatory for the doctrines given to us in the New Covenant, in Christ. It is very important that we make the distinction between the letter of the Law and the preparatory nature of the law with regards to New Testament doctrine.

The New Testament writers repeatedly make appeal to the Law for doctrine and instructions. Allow me to give you some examples of what I mean.

In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul makes appeal to the Law in his letter to the Corinthians that ministers are entitled to be supported.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ORDAINED that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

Notice that Paul’s position that ministers are entitled to support is predicated on the ordination of God established under the law.

Later, in chapter 14, Paul makes appeal to the Law regarding the use of tongues in a public assembly: In THE LAW it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. ~ Corinthians 14:21

In the text above Paul quotes from the book of Isaiah, meaning that Paul’s view of the Law was broader than just the 5 books of Moses. The prophets were the interpreters of the Law in view of the coming Messiah, Jesus.

According to Paul, the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. ~ Ephesians 2:20

The apostles were appointed to lay the foundation of New Testament doctrine and they did so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The prophets, who interpreted the Law, prophesied of the coming of Jesus by the Spirit of Christ that was in them.

A few verses after citing to the book of Isaiah regarding the use of tongues, Paul again, refers to the Law for doctrine in verse 34.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience AS ALSO SAITH THE LAW. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:34

If we were more studious of the preparatory nature of the Law, rather than being conditioned to dismiss the law, we might come away with a better understanding as to what Paul is really saying when he declares that women should keep silence in the churches.

Over and over again, the New Testament writers appeal to the Law to support their teachings. Consider the words of the apostle Peter: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ~ 1 Peter 1;15.

Peter is quoting God’s words to Israel found in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2; and 20:7

Let’s consider these three texts from Leviticus.

44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore SANCTIFY YOURSELVES, and ye shall BE HOLY;

45 FOR I AM HOLY: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY. ~ Leviticus 11:44-45

Notice in verse 44 God commanded the Israelites: SANCTIFY YOURSELVES. Peter uses this same language in chapter 3 within the context of living godly and holy.

But SANCTIFY the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear… ~ 1 Peter 3:15

Now consider Leviticus 19:2 and 20:7

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. ~ Leviticus 19:2

SANCTIFY yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 20:7

The same doctrine given to Israel regarding being holy and sanctifying themselves, is given to the church. With Israel it applied to the outward life in the flesh and their approach to God under they types and shadows. Concerning the New Testament Church, it applies to the inward life in the hidden man of our heart, from whence we are called to live a holy life, in and through Christ.

Finally, I would like to share something I recently addressed in my writings. I addressed an error which has spread within the Charismatic movement: “getting drunk in the spirit.” This practice is spiritually in error because it is in conflict with the whole counsel of scripture.

I will not go into all the details here, but would like to show how the teachings and instructions given under the Law would benefit us if we’d follow the lead of the New testament authors in how they interpret the Law for doctrine, correction, and instruction.

In Leviticus 10 we read how the two sons of Aaron (Nadab and Abihu) took it upon themselves to go against the command of the Lord by offering “strange fire” on the altar of the Lord. The consequence for this sin was fatal as they suddenly fell dead in the presence of God.

God is Holy, and these two sons of Aaron offered strange fire before the Lord. They sinned against God by disobeying the command of God in the things which pertained to a foreshadowing of Christ.

This outward service of the Law under which Nadab and Abihu were judged, has been annulled by the death of Christ on the cross. The priesthood to which these sons of Aaron belonged is defunct. Yet the truth in Leviticus 10 for how we should reverence the presence of God is still pertinent for us today.

After the death of Nadab and Abihu, God commanded Aaron regarding how he and his descendants were to serve as priests in the presence of God. Among those instructions, God said the following to Aaron:

Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean… ~ Leviticus 10:9-10

The priests were to minister in the presence of the Lord in soberness, and not in a drunken stupor. They were to minister in the presence of the Lord with a sober mind so that they would have good judgment and be able to rightly divide between that which was holy and unholy, and between that which was unclean and clean.

The same truth applies to us today. We have many directives in the New Testament instructing us not to be drunk, but to be sober minded. Yet within the Charismatic movement, there are those who get worked up into an inebriated or intoxicated frenzy, slurring their words, and so doing they dishonor the holy presence of God. Such behavior is unsound doctrine, and condemned by the whole counsel of scripture, and leads many people into error.

When a minister is unable to preach or teach the Word of God because of drunkenness or intoxication of any kind, it is “scripturally” a sign of judgment and not blessings – and this is what the Law supports in doctrine.

The teaching that God has forgiven all your past, present, and future sins is a very dangerous teaching.

If you will bear with me for a few minutes, I will explain from the word of God exactly why this view is wrong. There is much more I could say than you will read here, maybe I will write more on this topic, but I want to briefly show you why this teaching is error according to scripture.

First, allow me to say that God has made “provision” for the cleansing of all your sins through the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus is our advocate with the Father when we sin. So please don’t misunderstand me in this regard.

However, the ideology that all your future sins are already forgiven (which implies you don’t need to repent when you sin, because God can’t see your sins) is scripturally in error.

Allow me to explain with one simple question: Was the apostle Paul inspired by the Spirit of the Lord to write to the Corinthian Church?

Certainly he was.

If God doesn’t see the believer’s sins and the Holy Spirit doesn’t convict believers of sin, why did God, through his Holy Spirit, inspire Paul to address the sin of fornication within the church at Corinth?

Why did Paul, inspired by God, rebuke the Corinthians for not grieving because of the sin of fornication in their midst?

In 1 Corinthians Paul says: It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ~1 Corinthians 5:1-2

If Paul inspired by the Spirit of God, reprimanded the Corinthians regarding this sin, God obviously knew about their sin. In fact, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit chides these believers for permitting a sin that not even unbelievers commit.

Now consider what Paul says to these same believers in 2 Corinthians:

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.  2 Corinthians 7:8-11 

According to the Bible, God saw the sin of fornication which the Corinthians were allowing in their midst, and after Paul rebuked them they repented.

Though they repented, Paul was still concerned about the lack of repentance of some among the Corinth believers, for they had allowed false teachers (specifically, false apostles) to influence them with another gospel. Paul says the following in chapter 12 within context of Corinthians tolerating false apostles.

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

Those who teach that God does not see your sins after you are saved because all future sins are already forgiven, are teaching error, and bordering on the lines of being false teachers. Some have already crossed that line.

Did God see the sin of Corinthian believers? Absolutely! And he can see mine and your’s too.