The Ballestero Blog

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

1. Can anyone else remember when it was uncommon to see Pentecostal women wearing form-fitting and revealing attire?
2. Can anyone else remember new converts changing how they dressed and lived soon after they got saved?
3. Can anyone else remember when makeup was not acceptable?
4. Can anyone else remember when women considered long hair their glory?
5. Can anyone else remember when men didn’t dress in a manner that questioned their masculinity?
6. Can anyone else remember the day when Consecration services were not uncommon?
7. 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?
8. Can anyone else remember when there was an absence of facial hair on the men that were in the church?
9. Can anyone else remember when no one heard of young girls kissing other young girls?
10. Can anyone else remember when the saints lived their lives carefully, lest they displease the Lord?
11. Can anyone else remember when saints were not addicted to prescription drugs?
12. Can anyone else remember when TV was a bad word?
13. Can anyone else remember when saints didn’t go to movies?
14. Can anyone else remember when jewelry was not seen on church folks?
15. Can anyone else remember when church services times were not scheduled around a Super Bowl Sunday?
16. Can anyone else remember saints being careful about what they read, what they listened to, where they went and whom they went with?
17. Can anyone else remember when folks repented to each other and before God because they wanted to be saved?
18. 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.

1. Too many are not careful about giving God the tithe of their increase.
2. Too many are not careful to manifest the Fruits of the Spirit.
3. Too many are not careful about what they say, or whom they say it to.
4. Too many are not careful about what comes into their homes.
5. Too many are not careful to honor their parents.
6. Too many are not careful to honor their pastor.
7. Too many are not careful about their attendance to the House of God.
8. Too many are not careful about their attitude.
9. Too many are not careful to keep their marriage vows.
10. Too many are not careful about their friend’s negative influences.
11. Too many are not careful about where they allow themselves to go visit.
12. 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.