Spam Filters

Most everyone reading this uses email as well as mobile phones. So if you're like me you appreciate the filters one can turn on, even toggling varied levels of how tight you want them to operate in order to keep the boatload of unwanted, unsolicited contacts trying to sell you something to a minimum.

I am seriously grateful for spam filters as every day I have real people and plenty of tasks I'm convinced God brings my way -plus limited funds much less time to give re. all the capitalists and politicians bombarding me with a pitch for this or that.

Sadly, some have screwed their spiritual "spam filters" down so hard they don't listen to anyone but those they already like (sometimes only one or two) and thus at times don't we all miss the Spirit's call? If you're only rarely open to new ideas, thoughts, ways of growing spiritually -that can be as bad as thinking you're theology, doctrine and methodology is all so perfect you don't need any fresh thoughts or consideration of an angle you never had before.

We all want to be secure, safe, considered wise, perhaps not always so aware of the little pharisee inside us... or conversely, needing spiritual "spam filters" lest we run off to every different "wind of doctrine" which instead of moving us nearer to Jesus takes us in the other direction! One extreme can turn out bad as the other.

Fact is, we can both grieve and quench the Holy Spirit with either approach to our daily walk with God. Balance? That comes with both an open heart and mind AND cautious prayer looking to the Word of God (Bible) and truly godly Christ-followers for input -NOT merely personal validation or simple comfort.

So it's about paying attention to what we believe, why we believe it and what it has to do with the Person of Jesus Christ, His example and teachings in the four Gospels and of course digging into the same re. Paul, John, Peter, James and yep, even Jude, etc..

Lastly, I think it really important to check our own motives as to WHY we love the old teachings OR the new because too often our own motives are what drive our interpretations of scripture rather than careful exegesis, context and common views of Christ-followers back in the day and now.

Sometimes really good stuff gets lost in the "spam" file... ever had that happen for you?

Is it "what I want to believe" or is it what God meant by what He breathed through the prophets and apostles by the Spirit? Hmmmm...

Spam filters are good if we use them with actual thought and attention. And we need 'em for US too...

And as always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn