Whatever Happened To Carefulness?

Whatever Happened To Carefulness?

Modern Pentecostalism, as a whole, seems to enjoy flaunting its perceived new liberties in the face of all caution. To them who have lived their whole lives in spiritual carefulness before God, this mindset is repulsive, dangerous and scary.

Why Does One Generation Feel Freer And Less Cautious Than Another?

Are they more enlightened in the Word?
Is this a New Day in the Kingdom of God?
Has God waited nearly 2,000 years to remove every Biblical principle and restriction?
Why are things considered right today that were wrong yesterday?
Are they backslidden in heart?
Why is there an absence of Holiness and things HOLY among those who profess the HOLY Ghost?

There is a horrible price to pay if what our forefathers said is right. Old school preachers said things like: “When you lose your revelation of Holiness, it won’t be long before you lose your revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead.” That dear reader is a very fearful thing.

It appears as if the spirit of the age is one that wants to see how much one can do and still feel saved and justified.

Too many church folks have been influenced by the style and fads of this present world. Sadly, whatever the new style of the world is on display, it soon will be seen in some churches. It quickly appears in:

· Men’s clothing

· Men’s hairstyles

· Men’s facial hair

· Women’s clothing

· Women’s hairstyles

· And even makeup

Can anyone else remember when it was uncommon to see Pentecostal women wearing form-fitting and revealing attire?
Can anyone else remember new converts changing how they dressed and lived soon after they got saved?
Can anyone else remember when makeup was not acceptable?
Can anyone else remember when women considered long hair their glory?
Can anyone else remember when men didn’t dress in a manner that questioned their masculinity?
Can anyone else remember the day when Consecration services were not uncommon?
Can anyone else remember when no one who claimed to be in church wanted to look like or dress like they were in the world?
Can anyone else remember when there was an absence of facial hair on the men that were in the church?
Can anyone else remember when no one heard of young girls kissing other young girls?
Can anyone else remember when the saints lived their lives carefully, lest they displease the Lord?
Can anyone else remember when saints were not addicted to prescription drugs?
Can anyone else remember when TV was a bad word?
Can anyone else remember when saints didn’t go to movies?
Can anyone else remember when jewelry was not seen on church folks?
Can anyone else remember when church services times were not scheduled around a Super Bowl Sunday?
Can anyone else remember saints being careful about what they read, what they listened to, where they went and whom they went with?
Can anyone else remember when folks repented to each other and before God because they wanted to be saved?
Can anyone else remember hearing sermons on Hell and Judgment?

· What changed?

· Did God change?

· If God changed, not everyone got the memo.

Carefulness Is Produced By Repentance.

That’s The First Thing True Repentance Does. It Makes You Careful.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:11 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.

Too many are not careful about giving God the tithe of their increase.
Too many are not careful to manifest the Fruits of the Spirit.
Too many are not careful about what they say, or whom they say it to.
Too many are not careful about what comes into their homes.
Too many are not careful to honor their parents.
Too many are not careful to honor their pastor.
Too many are not careful about their attendance to the House of God.
Too many are not careful about their attitude.
Too many are not careful to keep their marriage vows.
Too many are not careful about their friend’s negative influences.
Too many are not careful about where they allow themselves to go visit.
Too many are not careful about the necessity of the Acts 2:38 Doctrine.

Sadly, We Have Gone From Carefulness To Carelessness.

I will have to answer to God some day. So, when I read verses such as these I feel cautioned to be careful.

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:

The Holy Spirit Warns Us All About The World’s Influence Upon The Church.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

I am sure most will continue to do as they please and feel very justified. That will be between you and the Lord on Judgment Day.

As For Me, I Choose To Finish My Days Walking Before The Lord As Carefully As I Can.

Oh, by the way, are you doing your best to be careful in your walk with God? If not, please join me.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 31, 2014 at 11:40 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Compromise

Tagged with Compromise, Fear of God

28 Responses

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Thank you for such a timely message!! I can remember when conviction was a common in altar services and there would be tears of repentance cleansing the soul shed by sinners and saints alike. Godly fear and reverance prevailed in a revival service.

Sharon Upshaw

February 1, 2014 at 12:17 am

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SAY ON !
PREACH IT!
GO AHEAD!
TELL IT LIKE IT IS!
NAME IT !!

from: the AMEN corner
J.A.Perez

Young J.A.Perez

February 1, 2014 at 1:12 am

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Amen, Bro Ballestero! I’ll take the old paths!

Jana

February 1, 2014 at 3:10 am

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Thank you, loved it!! I choose the old paths!!!

Linda Clark

February 1, 2014 at 8:30 am

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- Thanks bro I preach this but isn’t it amazing how people fail to respond to the word of God many Elders turning from the old path God help us. Pastor Gammons
  
  Larry Gammons
  
  February 1, 2014 at 11:09 am
  
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Awesome! Thank you for your stand! Sadly, this kind of preaching seems almost obsolete anymore in the lots of our apostolic churches.

Karla Wheeler

February 1, 2014 at 9:00 am

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Incredible insight Brother, thank you for speaking the word of the Lord into our hearts! God bless you!

B. Puckett

February 1, 2014 at 10:04 am

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This is WONDERFUL and should be printed out and hung on every wall in every church. Just reading the scriptures you posted makes you to understsnd we need to be careful. Thanks for the reminder……We all need to self correct!!

Ramona Yandris

February 1, 2014 at 12:05 pm

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I love the old paths!

Debra

February 1, 2014 at 1:42 pm

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I wholeheartedly agree! Man cannot serve 2 masters. I choose to please God.

Nila Marxer

February 1, 2014 at 2:10 pm

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Remember your Family coming to Bro. A L O’Briens church in Starks preaching and even tho I am not going to church right now, I still believe in living and dressing Godly. I am shocked at some of the people that was raised in Old Time God Filled churches ,and today they have gone back on a lot of their beliefs. I guess it is the CARELESSNESS that you speak of. God Bless You and your Family!

Fanetta Keener

February 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

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Amen, I love the walking in truth. Love when you come and preach at Solid Rock Church in Clinton. Not many preachers left like you, Keep the faith!!!!!!

Fay

February 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm

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Thank you. This has really stirred my heart.

Roy Ballard

February 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm

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I do remember and I was taught it by your father and you! Thank you for reminding some of us how precious Holiness really is!

Dennis Morris

February 1, 2014 at 10:57 pm

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I too choose to remember!! Thank you so much!!

Carlene

February 1, 2014 at 11:26 pm

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Thank you!

Carl Ballestero

February 2, 2014 at 12:04 am

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Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and sell it not. JESUS Christ the same yesterday today and forever. Thankyou preacher Preach preach to me Preacher preach to me I must be saved

Russell Miller

February 2, 2014 at 12:04 am

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Just one of the many concepts that sets us apart from the other ‘religions’. It was carefulness, wrought from true repentance, that gave us the holiness standards that we have today. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It teaches us wisdom. Please bring this back to us today!

Joseph R. Clay

February 2, 2014 at 7:59 pm

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Thank you so much for saying what needs to be said!! A dear older saint and I were just talking last night about the old paths,where have they gone?Thankful for the foundation set in my life 41years ago.I want to hold true to it all the days of my life. Sis. Iris

Iris

February 3, 2014 at 5:35 pm

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It is sad to see the way our Pentecostal ladies are dressing like the world and our men partaking of sinful products. God get us back to old time preaching and living.

IvaJoy Custis

February 3, 2014 at 6:19 pm

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I miss our families walk with GOD. Plz. For all of u that read this plz. Plz. Get a prayer chain started for the Campos Family we need GOD and people don’t do like I did walk out of church and take your family with u just because u got your feelings hurt that’s the worse thing u cando the best thing to do is put it in GOD’S hand and go to with your hea us d held high and your eyes and mind on GOD because the of missery u will find surely if u walk so plz. Stick with GOD he don’t leave we leave him

JoAnn Campos

February 4, 2014 at 1:37 pm

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- So plz. Pray for us
  
  JoAnn Campos
  
  February 4, 2014 at 1:39 pm
  
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I agree. I remember when so many that I used to go to church with looked like Apostolic Pentecostals. Now sadly so many don’t and most of those have little to do with those that still look Apostolic.

I’ve also seen it where those that stray from the old path mix and mingle with secular churches till they no longer teach or believe in the one God Jesus name message described in Acts 2:38,39.

Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

Thankfully not all have wandered out of the way of understanding.

Ron Phillips

February 4, 2014 at 2:22 pm

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Elder, Thank you memories you are in good company! Paul and Peter were not ashamed to keep preaching the same doctrine over and over (Phil. 3:1,II Pet. 1:12). Thank God for those that are still hold to the old paths where is the good way Jer.. 6:16 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 Bro Patrick Young

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Pat J Young

February 4, 2014 at 7:17 pm

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I pray this generation will get a revelation and fall in love with the old path,s.
Thank you Elder.

Tony

February 5, 2014 at 12:45 am

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Thank you for always standing strong. My goal is eternal life with my Lord. Preachers-preach holiness to us. I need it. My children need it. There is nothing in this world worth missing heaven.

Kathy

February 19, 2014 at 12:00 pm

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You are on the money!

Dale Linville

April 26, 2016 at 9:26 am

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Excellent words. I for one am sick of seeing our young girls wearing skin-tight, knee-knocking skirts, “hooker heels”, hugging and petting on each other, kissing each other on the cheek, etc. Young men wearing high-water skinny pants with crazy socks, straight out of the homosexual playbook. Whatever happened to “shun the APPEARANCE of evil”? In Proverbs 31, the writer said “It is not for kings…” There are some things that are just not becoming to royalty.

Thank you, Bro. Ballestero for your voice. There are some of us in this younger generation who still are seeking the old paths. The ‘old-timers” didn’t preach holiness just to make life hard, they preached it because they were willing to sacrifice anything to have a move of God!

Joseph Gibson

May 5, 2016 at 5:07 pm

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