Chennai Conference - 2014 : Session - 1 - Why God permits temptation - Zac Poonen
This is the Live Broadcasting of Chennai Conference - 2014 on Saturday the Nov. 29th & Sunday the Nov. 30th, 2014
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that spiritual growth requires the mind to move from earthly thinking to heavenly understanding, which happens through the renewing of the mind. He cautions against being led astray by false doctrines and stresses the need for believers to be alert and humble. Ultimately, he argues that God permits temptation, like Satan's opposition, to provide the necessary 'exercise' for believers to become spiritually strong.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Distinguishing between the voice of Jesus and other voicesIt is crucial in our day to be able to distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of other spirits.
Why God allows the deceiver to existJust as loving human parents protect their children from deceivers, God permits temptation because His ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.
What spiritual growth isSpiritual growth is the gradual process of our mind moving away from Earthly attitudes and becoming more and more heavenly through the renewing of the mind.
Progressing spiritually without failing gradesJust as children go up a standard in school every year, believers should steadily grow in maturity rather than remaining spiritually stagnant.
The importance of teachers who practice what they preachA fundamental rule for all preachers is that they must practice in their own lives exactly what they preach to others.
Why does God allow Satan to exist?God allows Satan to fight against us so that we can face temptation, gain spiritual exercise, and become strong rather than remaining spiritually fat.
The difference between robots and children of GodPlanets and robots obey automatically without temptation, but God gave humans freedom of choice so that true obedience and holiness have genuine value.
Listening to God's word before hearing the devilGod never allows us to listen to the voice of the devil without listening to His word first, because man must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Why some people leave a church with high standardsPeople sometimes leave a church preaching a high standard of holiness against sin because they get tired of spiritual exercise and prefer a comfortable diet.
How Jesus responded to the temptations of the devilJesus was tempted in every point like us, countering the devil's misquoted scriptures by standing firmly on the true word of God.
Recognizing the voice of the tempter in promises of wealthWhen preachers claim Jesus offers worldly riches, they are following another Jesus, because the Jesus of the Bible never promised to make people rich.
The practice of giving in secretOffering boxes are used instead of passing collection bags because Jesus taught that giving must be done secretly and cheerfully.
Distinguishing pure white from off-whiteJust as you need a clear standard to tell true white from off-white, we must hear God's voice clearly to spot subtle counterfeit doctrines circulating today.
The danger of rejecting the truth for comfortRejecting biblical truth to find a place where sin is tolerated only harms oneself, making it vital to keep a clear conscience and discern pure truth.
