There’s a portion of the professing christian culture that gets a little twisted when we teach and preach about overcoming sin, wrongdoing, carnal thoughts and behavior, and the grief it brings to the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer when we do not renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. “Why focus on what we’re doing wrong rather than encouraging us in what we’re doing right?” It shouldn’t catch me off guard or cause me to wonder (even though it does) when people convey these types of comments. Paul told Timothy that this would happen.
It’s true, we NEED encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be edified, and we need to be spurred on toward love and good works that we were designed to do before the creation of the world. We should definitely receive that from the body of Christ AND from our Elders.
BUT, the Elders/ Pastors/ Ministers/Priests/Bishops/Overseers of our congregations have a responsibility to teach the whole counsel of God. There are literally mandates in scripture that we teach our people how to die to sin and live to righteousness. I struggle to understand where this desire for “feel good, felt need” teaching is found in Scripture. The freedom from, not only the curse of sin but also the weight of sin SHOULD encourage the regenerate follower of Jesus. It SHOULD make us feel good and edify us to have our shepherds reveal things to us that we might not have realized were offensive to God’s character or displeasing to Him and also to challenge us to forsake the sins that so easily beset us. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, we deeply desire to be transformed to the image of Jesus and though surgery does not FEEL GOOD, the exposure and removal of cancer is reason for celebration and restored health FEELS incredible!!!!
Why do we want our church leaders to tickle our ears, make us laugh and feel good about ourselves when the Bible specifically teaches that this is a sign of an apostate generation?????
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. [15] Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 2:11-15 ESV
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:1 ESV
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [22] Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, [23] since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
1 Peter 1:14-15,22-23 ESV
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11 ESV
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 