cONTEMPLATIVE pRAYER & sPIRITUAL fORMATION
Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Contemplative / Centering Prayer (CCP) Part 3
Part 3
Like Spiritual Formation, Contemplative /Centering Prayer (CCP) entertains several definitions as well. Remember what we learned from the link above from GotQuestions.org:
Contemplative prayer, also known as “centering prayer,” is a meditative practice where the practitioner focuses on a word and repeats that word over and over for the duration of the exercise. While contemplative prayer is done differently in the various groups that practice it, there are similarities. Contemplative prayer involves choosing a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
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Deception in The Body of CHRIST Part 3: Lectio Divina
COMING SOON
PART 3 in the
Deception in The Body of CHRIST Series:
Lectio Divina
Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Contemplative / Centering Prayer (CCP) Part 2
Part 2
__________
GNOSTICISM: WHAT WAS OLD, IS NOTHING NEW
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What is Gnosticism?
Gnosticism, was/is (‘was’, in the sense of its origins, and ‘is’, in the sense of what it still is today) set of heretical views set against Orthodox Christianity which began in the late 1st, early 2nd centuries. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word ‘gnosis which means “to know.” During the early years of Christianity form the late 1st to the 2nd Century, people began to form their own views of who JESUS was, and the message HIM and the Apostles taught. These views were heretical, to outright full blown apostacy. Like cancer, it spead which eventually paved the way for the Canon of Scripture.
Gnostic’s, as they were called, claim to possess a higher knowledge of the truth about GOD and Our LORD. They claim that Our LORD JESUS’ word contained secret knowledge, only known to the initiated. They even wrote what they claim to be ’inspired’ scripture supporting this supposed higher knowledge (see explanation of Gnostic gospels). What they wrote in no way resembles any biblical treatise on atonement, salvation, justification, etc…
@ it’s very basic level, salvation for the Gnostics was this: being able to decipher what JESUS said in the gnostic documents, in order to escape the cycle of endly ignorance from this existance upon the death of the individual in which what it really amounts to, is reincarnation. They attribute to HIM esoteric sayings, that if one was to figure out what they meant, or gnosisthen that individual could enter into the pleroma(more details on pleroma) upon death. This knowledge was acquired on some mystical higher plain of existence, by being able to decipher what JESUS really meant. So Gnostic’s see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper, mystical knowledge of God, and foregoing Scripture entirely for this knowledge…….
Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Contemplative / Centering Prayer (CCP) Part 1
Part 1
What are we doing when we pray? Ever thought about it? What does the word ‘pray’ actually mean? How should we pray? Do we have examples on how to pray? Who taught us how to pray? A myriad of questions, that have answers.
In Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Spiritual Formation Part 1 and 2, we addressed Spiritual Formation, centering on the advocacy of the practice, i.e. that Christians need to ‘do’ something to assist so to speak, in their sanctification, which I and many others have stated, is an all out lie. The discussion centered on defining Spiritual Formation, the dangers it poses to your Christian walk, and whether or not there is direct Biblical authority to engage in this discipline. Yes, we do have free will, and we can and do make choices in our Christian walk. But we do not ‘assist’ GOD, so to speak in the process of our Salvation. Which includes our sanctification, justification, and glorification, which is all of GOD, not of man. If man helps in his Salvation, them man would receive the Glory, and not GOD.
Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Spiritual Formation Part 2
Part 2
So, let’s fully understand what’s happening here. Primarily, all definitions regarding Spiritual Formation center around this one theme: the steps one takes to develop oneself spiritually, usually initiated by the individual seeking this ’oneness’ with GOD, and ignoring what has 
already been established by GOD, probably due to a suggestion coming from within their church, promoted by someone designated in the “role” of Spiritual Formation Pastor or Director. Possibly, they have friends or family who are involved in a formation program, or may have heard or read about. In any event herein lies the problem, the ‘steps we take’.
Many notable leaders in the Evangelical, Emergent, communities have come out and have highly endorsed this teaching. They have preached, written books and articles, developed websites, and held training seminars, all geared toward one primary purpose, to inundate Evangelical Christianity with a non-biblical practice they believe all self-professing Christians need. And along the way citing Scripture, taken out of context in order to support these beliefs.
Question, why would they do this? Answer, there are several reasons including they themselves are being deceived, or they are ignorant of the Scriptures 1 Tim 1:7, they pull practices from a former religion, or they are not submitting to the leading of The HOLY SPIRIT Gal 5:17. Then I would have to question whether or not they are indeed Christian because the advocate to disobey GOD. Someone who is your brother or sister in The LORD, is not going to lead you to danger, on the contrary away from it!
Deception in The Body of CHRIST: Spiritual Formation Part 1
Part 1
NOTE:
Let me state up-front that these series of articles will be extensive, because it’s important for you Christian, one called by HIS name to understand what’s going on in The Body of CHRIST. There is a massive wave of deception that has enveloped the Church, and you just may be caught up in this wave, about to go down, if you are not grounded in the Word of Almighty GOD!
These deceptions are from within The Body, and pose a great threat. The issue: Doctrine, the lack thereof and the mis-interpretation of it Acts 17:11; 1 Thes 5:21-22. There is a lot of false teaching coming from pulpits today, and you need to be discerning. You should be checking out everything you hear, including this website, and anything from it. You really understanding what GOD has said, and what HE means by what HE has said is crucial. If you don’t rightly interpret GOD’s Word 2 Tim 2:15, you are vulnerable to deception, plain and simple!
These series of articles are written to inform, to teach, to stimulate your mind into action to do what Ephesian 6 talks about, you know, that Armour of GOD Eph 6:11 that Our Heavenly FATHER has given to each and everyone who names the name of The LORD, to protect us and stand in the evil day Eph 6:14. Well that day has come, are you ready? For this battle you will need all your battle gear, most importantly, you need your Sword of The SPIRIT, which is the Word of GOD Eph 6:17. Because with it, you will stand just as Paul said, and cast down all those lofty arguments 2 Cor 10:4-5. Without it you will fall! Ask The LORD, ask The HOLY SPIRIT, ask your Heavenly FATHER for discernment, for guidance and wisdom, for the days are evil.
This is the first in a series of articles to address unbiblical practices currently making their way within the Evangelical / Protestant Church. My Brother’s and Sister’s in The LORD, no doubt that you have heard, or currently are aware that within The Body of Christ, there is an ideology, movement, practice, or discipline if you will, towards developing and cultivating your spirituality, called Spiritual Formation. It is geared to improving your walk with GOD. The emphasis is to develop a deeper, more closer, spiritual union with JESUS, Our LORD, in becoming like HIM, in other words, being conformed to HIS Image ROM 8:28-29.