way of heathen

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The way of the Heathen Jeremiah 10:1-4 KJV (1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.) Here it is talking about not to 'learn the way of the heathen'. What is an heathen? Heathen (Webster's dictionary): 1. A pagan; a Gentile; one who worships idols, or is unacquainted with the true God. In the Scriptures, the word seems to comprehend all nations except the Jews or Israelites, as they were all strangers to the true religion, and all addicted to idolatry. So an heathen is an idol worshiper, or simply an unbeliever. God says to not learn of his way. What does God mean, does he really mean what he says? Well one of the ways of the heathen, was astrology, which were people who were dismayed at the signs of heaven. This is what God says about astrology. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 KJV (9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.) An observer of times, refers to an astrologer, which God shows he is against. Here is another scripture wich actually shows the word astrology or astrologer. Daniel 2:4-10 KJV (4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. - 1 -

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Learn not the way of the Heathen,

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Page 1: Way of Heathen

The way of the Heathen

Jeremiah 10:1-4 KJV

(1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; forthe heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of theworkman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.)

Here it is talking about not to 'learn the way of the heathen'.

What is an heathen?

Heathen (Webster's dictionary): 1. A pagan; a Gentile; one who worships idols, or is unacquainted with thetrue God. In the Scriptures, the word seems to comprehend all nations except the Jews or Israelites, as theywere all strangers to the true religion, and all addicted to idolatry.

So an heathen is an idol worshiper, or simply an unbeliever. God says to not learn of his way.

What does God mean, does he really mean what he says?

Well one of the ways of the heathen, was astrology, which were people who were dismayed at the signs ofheaven.

This is what God says about astrology.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 KJV

(9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do afterthe abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations theLORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.)

An observer of times, refers to an astrologer, which God shows he is against. Here is another scripture wichactually shows the word astrology or astrologer.

Daniel 2:4-10 KJV

(4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and wewill shew the interpretation. 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known untome the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made adunghill.

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6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and greathonour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. 7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretationof it. 8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing isgone from me. 9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have preparedlying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shallknow that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. 10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew theking's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer,or Chaldean.)

These astrologers, magicians etc. received judment here, because they could not tell the interpretation of thedream to the king.

Now here is the definition of the word astrology.

Astrology (Ency. Britannica): type of divination that involves the forecasting of earthly and human eventsthrough the observation and interpretation of the fixed stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. Devoteesbelieve that an understanding of the influence of the planets and stars on earthly affairs allows them to bothpredict and affect the destinies of individuals, groups, and nations.

This is one of the ways of the heathen, that is the way of astrology.

Also it talks about this concerning the way of the heathen.

Jeremiah 10:3-4 KJV

(3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands ofthe workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.)

It is talking about a custom about cutting a tree in the forest and decking it with silver and gold etc.

This was also another thing that God did not want us to learn, for it was vain.

Today there is a custom, which identically resembles this , which is that of the Christmas tree.

It is a way of the heathen or unbelievers, which was based on the celebration of Christmas, and the way thename Christmas, came to be , was through the Roman Catholic church, for the purpose of celebrating theCatholic mass, which is an abomination to God, for Christians do not celebrate the mass, nor are wecommanded to.

So here are 2 things, that is mentioned as the way of the heathen, that God does not want us to learn.

But does the way of the heathen, go even furhter or beyond just these 2 things?

Well yes of course.

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Here is the definition of heathenism.

Heathenism (free online dictionary): 1. a belief or practice of heathens. 2. pagan worship; idolatry. 3. irreligion. 4. barbaric morals or behavior.

So we are not to learn the ways of the irreligious (unbelievers), idolatry which is idol worship, and barbaricmorals, which often times barbarians were cruel people etc.

Now the bible says this:

Mark 7:20-23 KJV

(20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.)

Also it says this:

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

(19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have alsotold you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.)

Did God want Israel, under the old covenant to imitate or copy the ways of the other nations?

Well obviously not, why? For he says 'Learn not the way of the heathen'!!!

Today there are all kinds of man made doctrines, or worldly doctrines that make it ok to learn the way of theheathen, and this is done in the church!!!!!!!

Is the scripture of 'learn not the way of the heathen', still valid for the new testament church?

Well of course it is , and God says that he is the same yesterday, today and forever.

God does not welcome things that are based on idolatry in the church, for why would he?

It is important that the church have discernment between the differences of the physical things of life, and thespiritual things of the heart, which produce certain actions.

Here is a favourite verse that people use in order to justify there favourite sin, and keep their way of theheathen.

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1 Corinthians 6:6-13 KJV

(6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye notrather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neitherfornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name ofthe Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not bebrought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is notfor fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.)

They use the part of all things being lawful unto me, as justifying their sin.

Now first of all, the context here was talking about, a brother bringing another brother to the law (what wewould refer to as court), before unbelievers, rather than settling it among themselves, and then later itmentions that all things are lawful unto me but I will not be brought under the power of any,then it mentionsmeats for the belly and the belly for meats.

So it may be that these believers arguments, were about something as silly as meats.

Now yes all things are lawful unto me, does mean all things are allowable unto me, but I will not be broughtunder the power of any, meaning that you won't let that thing your doing, become an idol in your life, it won'tbe predominant in your life.

So yes all things are allowable, such as eating meats, doing exercise, going to the park , fishing etc . etc . etc.but do not let these things dominate your life.

But just because all things are allowable unto us, does that mean that all spiritual things are allowable untous?

Well obviously, spiritual things come from the heart, and obviously fornication, idolatry, murder, emulationsetc. etc. etc is not allowable to the Christian, because in doing so , you have brought yourself under thepower of sin.

So all physical things are allowable to the Christian, but not all spiritual things are allowable.

Sin does not only show itself in the words that we speak, but also in the actions that sin brings about, whichwill produce things such as learning the way of the heathen.

1 John 2:15 KJV

(15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of theFather is not in him.)

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Now God wants us to love the people of the world (for God so loved the world...), but not the ways, or thesystem of the way the world does things, such as in business, some people of the world, get successfulthrough being greedy, or by trying to outdo the other business so they can be proclaimed the top dog, butthis sytem is not based on faith, and a christian with a business will trust God to prosper his business, now hemay have to ajust prices, for the sake of making sales, but it won't be based on competition, or greed, forthese systems are not of faith, but rather it will be based on the trust and guidance of the Lord, to prospertheir business, so that God gets the glory and not man.

So this competition and greed system, is based on the way of the heathen, and not on faith.

Well what about the competition in sports, or the Olympics, is this system faith based? Or heathen based?

Does competition come from the heart?

Well first we will go into the history of sports.

(Encyclopedia Wikipedia)

(There are artifacts and structures that suggest that the Chinese engaged in sporting activities as early as 4000BC.[1] Gymnastics appears to have been a popular sport in China's ancient past. Monuments to thePharaohs indicate that a number of sports, including swimming and fishing, were well-developed andregulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt.[2] Other Egyptian sports included javelinthrowing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art ofZourkhaneh had a close connection to the warfare skills.[3] Among other sports that originate in Persia arepolo and jousting. A wide range of sports were already established by the time of Ancient Greece and themilitary culture and the development of sports in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sports becamesuch a prominent part of their culture that the Greeks created the Olympic Games, which in ancient timeswere held every four years in a small village in the Peloponnesus called Olympia.[4]) Now doing physicalexercise, in and of itself, is not wrong, such as gymnastics, swimming etc., but when did competitive sportsfirst start? Well it may have been with the Chinese, which was an heathen nation, but now I want to go to thehistory of the Olympics, in more detail.

(olympic.org)

[According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They werededicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.]

(Encyclopedia Wikipedia)

(The date of the Games' inception based on the count of years in Olympiads is reconstructed as 776 BC,although scholars' opinions diverge between dates as early as 884 BC and as late as 704 BC. From then on,the Olympic Games quickly became much more important throughout ancient Greece, reaching their zenith inthe 6th and 5th centuries BC. The Olympics were of fundamental religious importance, contests alternatingwith sacrifices and ceremonies honouring both Zeus (whose colossal statue stood at Olympia), and Pelops,divine hero and mythical king of Olympia famous for his legendary chariot race with King Oenomaus ofPisatis, and in whose honour the games were held.)

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(thebereanchronicles.com)

(-Billions of people worldwide take part in games that are pagan. When we look back where the gamescame from, we find they were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus. Note, only men were allowed. Ancompeted nearly always in the nude. Now women had their games the Heraea, named for Zeus' wife, Hera. -Our world today, these Olympic games are held every 4 years. The pagan festival is held in different partsof the world. You can look at the medals given out and see pagan symbols. They have medals containing theGreek goddess of victory. -These pagan games encourages, competition and greed, along with the worship of idols.)

So these olympics started off totally as pagan or heathen, and God says learn not the way of the heathen!!!

These ancient games were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus, and today they have medals containing theGreek goddess of victory, which points to the exaltation of the spirit of competition; men it seems have sucha so called need to compete, and they seem to glory in this spirit.

Let us go to scripture.

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

(19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have alsotold you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.)

One of the works of the flesh , is the word emulations, here is the definition.

Emulations (Webster's): n. The act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire ofsuperiority, attended with effort to attain to it -Contest; contention; strife; competition; rivalry accompaniedwith a desire of depressing another. .

This is the first part of this definition which is not in a good sense, for rivalry, is not good, it createsboastfulness, pride, superiority over the person etc.

Rivalry means (answers.com):1.# The act of competing or emulating. 2.# The state or condition of being arival.

So this word emulations is referring to more than just one thing, for that is why it is in plural.

And it definitely refers to the spirit of competition, it is quite obvious, by the definitions, which are selfexplanatory.

Now some call the word emulations, jealousies, which I believe the King James, writters chose the rightname (emulations).

Well what does jealousy mean (answers.com): Resentful or painful desire for another's advantages:covetousness, enviousness, envy.

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But the emulations just does not cover the feeling of jealousy, but also the action of competition which arisesout of some form of envy, jealousy, rival etc.

Emulations means many things, that is why it is in plural. Even jealousies can cause actions in a person.

But nevertheless, the proper word is emulations, which again it means (Webster's): n. The act of attemptingto equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire of superiority, attended with effort to attain to it. -Contest; contention; strife; competition; rivalry accompanied with a desire of depressing another.

Now there is a verse in the bible, that uses the word emulation, in a positive way which is not part of theworks of the flesh, let us go there.

Romans 11:14 KJV

(14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.)

Emulation: -generally in a good sense, or an attempt to equal or excel others in that which is praise-worthy,without the desire of depressing others. Rom 11. - An ardor kindled by the praise-worthy examples ofothers, inciting to imitate them, or to equal or excel them.

So the word emulation in Romans 11:14, is provoking through example, for others to imitate your example,but the word emulations, according to the works of the flesh, refers to, for one thing, the spirit of competition,trying to do better than someone else, or be better.

Here is what God said to the disciples when they wanted to be first.

Mark 9:33-37 KJV

(33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed amongyourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be thegreatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shallbe last of all, and servant of all.)

We must remain in an humble state, for the bible says that he who exalts himself shall be abased, be he whohumbles himself shall be exalted.

As a christian, we are not in a competitive race, in order to win the crown, for all we have to do is finish therace set before us, no merrits, just continuing in Christ Jesus, and finishing the race.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV

(24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye mayobtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain acorruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

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27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached toothers, I myself should be a castaway.)

Some people use this verse so to say that competition is ok, but we as Christians are not competing with oneanother, it is our own personal race, which we just have to finish.

The mention of a race, was used as an example here, and not so to justify the spirit of competition, just likethe whore is used in the book of Revelation so to point to a certain church, but not so to promotewhoredom!!!

Paul may have went to the olympics in his time, when he was a pharisee, for the olympics did exist; butirregardless to that, it was just used as an example here.

And we have to remember that Christ's work is finished, and what we have to do is to continue to abide inhim, and allow his finished work to work in us.

There is no competition here, just victory which was provided on the cross.

The bible says:"Learn not the way of the heathen"!!!

The spirit of competition is part of this world's system, and God says, not me, to not love the things of thisworld!!!!!!!

And also we seen that the spirit of competition, partly refers to one of the works of the flesh, calledemulations, and the works of the flesh are not allowable to the Christian, to be part of his life.

Now before I cover the last part of this study, I will go to certain types of questions that are posed, in orderto try to mock or belitle what I am talking about here.

Some might say, oh man your so legalistic, are you saying that we cannot use drums because certain voodoopeople made this or that type of drum? Are you saying we cannot use vehicles that have been made byNazis? Man your nuts, you are going far with this?

Well first of all I was dealing with spiritual things here, and not physical things, so no, it does not matter if adrum was made by a voodo, or a vehicle made by a nazi, for these are just things which can be used in agood way.

For drums can be used to play for the Lord, and a vehicle will bring you from point a to point b.

Did God allow the Jews to use the things of the heathen?

Well let us go to scriptures.

Numbers 31:9 KJV

(9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoilof all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.)

The Israelies were able to keep the goods of other nations, which they took spoil from, so God is not against

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things, but he is against us making idols out of wood, or statues that represent another god.

So things are just things, but the spirit of competition is a spirit.

Here is another scripture , I will deal with, and then I will get to our last subject.

Colossians 2:20-23 KJV

(20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world,are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: notin any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.)

Some say that to refrain from the spirit of competition, is making laws such as taste not, handle not etc.

But the spirit of competition as nothing to do with things, sure you use things when you compete, but for thepurpose of competing, and not for simple, honest enjoyment without competition, man seems to have a needfor an ego of some kind.

Here are scriptural examples of taste not, handle not and touch not.

Mark 7:5-7 KJV

(5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of theelders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, Thispeople honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.)

One example is, this commandment of eating bread with washed hands. (which washing your hands is notwrong, but the Pharisees made a type of commandment out of it.)

Now here is the next scripture.

Mark 7:8 KJV

(8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:and many other such like things ye do.)

They also had these type of washing of pots and cups commandments.

So here you have scriptures with examples of handle not, and touch not, and taste not (eat not withunwashen hands).

Other examples could be, commandments of not eating certain meats, divers washing commandments , etc.etc. etc.

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So taste not, touch not and handle not has nothing to do with the spirit of competition.

It has nothing to do in not 'learning the ways of the heathen'.

In truth alot of Christians seem to love the ways of the heathen.

And now we will cover our last subject which will be on the drama theatre, or acting in movies.

First of all, I want to talk about what God is for.

Isaiah 11:8 KJV

(8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on thecockatrice' den.)

The word play, in this passage, is referring, not to acting in plays in the theatre, but rather to just playing.

Here is the Hebrew definition, from the strong's concordance of the word play, in this case.

Play (Hebrew): shaw-ah' a primitive root; (in a good acceptation)to look upon (with complacency), that is ,fondle, please, or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay); that is , stare.(cry out is byconfusion with H7768.):-cry (out)[by confusion with H7768], dandle, delight (self),play, shut.

No what about the word amuse?

Amuse: 1. To entertain the mind agreeably; to occupy or detain attention with agreeable objects, whether bysinging, conversation, or a show of curiosities. Dr.Johnson remarks, that amuse implies something less livelythan divert, and less important than please. Hence it is often said, we are amused with trifles.

So playing is a type of amusing activity, that is pleasing, and causes singing, some type of conversation, andcuriosities.

Playing has nothing to do with acting in the theatre, which is from a different motivation, and intention alltogether, but playing is a natural thing, place in children, which develops their character into adulthood, intobeing whom they aught to be.

Children imitate their parents, naturally to some degree, and it develops their character.

Now the word play, in the word of God, is mention in many places, but not all of them have the identical,same meaning, but the word play, in the word of God, never refers to acting in the theatre.

Another close word, mentioned, in the word of God, is the word "sport", which in the word of God, neverrefers to sports such as canooing, skiing etc. etc. etc.

I will show forth one scripture, in the word of God, with the word sport, to show forth an example of thisword.

Judges 16:24-26 KJV

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(24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into ourhands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. 25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make ussport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set himbetween the pillars. 26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereuponthe house standeth, that I may lean upon them.)

The word sport, in the word of God, for the most part have very similar meanings in each scripture.

Now here is the definition, of the word sport in this case.

Sport (Hebrew): saw-kawk' a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication to play:deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock (-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn,be in (make) sport.

So this word is not exactly like the word play, that is except in other circumstances of the word (otherverses).

They wanted for Samson to make sport, for Samson had lost his power at this point, and they wanted to beamused by him, or for him to amuse them, in a negative way, so they could laugh him to scorn.

Now let us get into stuff concerning the theatre or drama.

First let us cover the definition of certain words, whic are impersonate, drama and acting.

Impersonate (answers.com):1.To assume the character or appearance of, especially fraudulently:impersonate a police officer. 2.To imitate the appearance, voice, or manner of; mimic: an entertainer whoimpersonates celebrities. Archaic. 3.To embody; personify.

Drama (answers.com): 1. a.A prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation byactors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action. b.A serious narrative work orprogram for television, radio, or the cinema. 2.Theatrical plays of a particular kind or period: Elizabethan drama. 3. The art or practice of writing or producing dramatic works. 4. A situation or succession of events in real life having the dramatic progression or emotional effectcharacteristic of a play: the drama of the prisoner's escape and recapture. 5.The quality or condition of being dramatic: a summit meeting full of drama.

Acting (answers.com):1.Temporarily assuming the duties or authority of another. See synonyms attemporary. 2. a.That contains directions for use in a dramatic performance: the play's acting text. b.That isappropriate for dramatic performance: an acting comedy. n.1.The occupation of an actor or actress. 2.Performance as an actor or actress. 3.False behavior; pretense.

So these 3 words are very similar, here are key words in these definitions, that describe drama,impersonation, and acting.

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-To assume the character or appearance of. -To imitate. -A situation or succession of events in real life having the dramatic progression or emotional effect of a play. -temporarily assuming the duties or authority of another -false behaviour, pretense.

Now, their is such a thing as natural imitation, or imitating Christ, were your character is changing in a realway, which your either becoming in a real way, like your dad, or like Christ, and their is such a thing asimitating sounds of birds etc, for the purpose of example, and then their is acting, which is putting on anotherperson's character other than your own.

This acting behaviour, is not natural, it is a non real or false behaviour, it is being someone you are not.

Your assuming someone else's character, it is a character that does not belong to you.

The bible says this:

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

(19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have alsotold you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.)

Now remember the word 'emulations'?

Let us get back to what it means.

Emulations (Webster's): n. The act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire ofsuperiority, attended with effort to attain to it -Contest; contention; strife; competition; rivalry accompaniedwith a desire of depressing another. .

One of the meanings of the word 'emulations' (plural), that we learnt so far, is competition, but also anothermeaning is 'The act to equal or excel in qualities or actions'.

Well here are meanings of the words drama, acting and impersonation.

-To assume the character or appearance of. -To imitate. -A situation or succession of events in real life having the dramatic progression or emotional effect of a play. -temporarily assuming the duties or authority of another -false behaviour, pretense.

Identical isn't it?

Here is part of the emulations definition 'The act to equal or excel in qualities or actions' and here is part ofthe other definitions '-To assume the character or appearance of. -To imitate'.

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So 'emulations' also refers to impersonation, acting, or drama playing.

So it is one of the works of the flesh; now were does this impersonation spirit come from?

Well before I answer this question, I will answer another.

Were did the theatre originate?

(Encyclopedia Wikipedia)

(The earliest recorded theatrical event dates back to 2000 BC with the passion plays of Ancient Egypt. Thisstory of the god Osiris was performed annually at festivals throughout the civilization, marking the knownbeginning of a long relationship between theatre and religion.

The Ancient Greeks were the first to begin to formalize theatre as an art, developing strict definitions oftragedy and comedy as well as other forms, including satyr plays. Like the passion plays of Ancient Egypt,Greek plays made use of mythological characters. The Greeks were also the first to develop the concepts ofdramatic criticism, acting as a career, and theatre architecture.)

(Encyclopedia Wikipedia)

(The theatre of ancient Greece, or Greek drama, is a theatrical tradition that flourished in ancient Greecebetween ca. 550 and ca. 220 BC. Athens, the political and military power in ancient Greece during this era,was the centre of ancient Greek theatre. Tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and satyr playswere some of the theatrical forms to emerge there. Greek theatre and plays have had a lasting impact onWestern drama and culture. The origin of Western theatre is to be found in ancient Greece. It developedfrom a festival in Athens, honouring the god Dionysus. The Athenian city-state exported the festival to itsnumerous allies in order to promote a common identity.)

So theatre ,as it is known, may have started with ancient Egypt, which they had stories of a god Osirisanually, but became popularized through ancient Greece which it's original plays were done in the honor ofthe god Dionysus.

Now these were heathen nations, which worshiped other gods.

Remember what the word heathen means.

Heathen (Webster's dictionary): 1. A pagan; a Gentile; one who worships idols, or is unacquainted with thetrue God. In the Scriptures, the word seems to comprehend all nations except the Jews or Israelites, as theywere all strangers to the true religion, and all addicted to idolatry.

Remember what Jeremiah 10:1-4, says.

Jeremiah 10:1-4 KJV

(1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; forthe heathen are dismayed at them.

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3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of theworkman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.)

It says: 'learn not the way of the heathen....learn not the way of the heathen.... learnt not the way of theheathen!!!!!!!

Now unto that question, were does this impersonation spirit come from?

Well who was the first impersonator?

Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV

(12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground,which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: Iwill sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.)

Lucifer, which is now known as Satan, was saying in his heart, that he would ascend into heaven, he will exalthis throne above the stars of God, he will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of thenorth, he will ascend above the heights of the clouds: he will be like the most High.

He wanted to be a god or God, or a duplicate of God, he wanted to be an impersonation of God, but towere he would be God or an identical god, he was exalting himself above God, and desiring to be somethingGod never made him to be.

Ezekiel 28:13-19 KJV

(13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz,and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold:the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain ofGod; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned:therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub,from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thybrightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; thereforewill I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earthin the sight of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and nevershalt thou be any more.)

Satan lifted up his heart, because of his beauty, and he had corrupted his wisdom, by reason of hisbrightness, so had gotten himself a wisdom that is corrupted, he was planning to exalt himself above God'ssole leadership, and was planning to be like the most High, through impersonation, hoping that he would be a

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god or God, for he could not be God, so he had to have a type of desire to try to be like God, which isimpersonation, and his beauty let him to believe he could do it and eventually be like the most High, butbefore he could take action, God had already sent his judgment, So he was filled with the spirit of pride,jealousy, envy, and also impersonation, in his heart, therefore commiting the sin, and obviously yielded to sin.

So Satan was the first one, to try to impersonate or be someone he was not, so then this spirit ofimpersonation, originated with the father of lies, Satan.

Now natural imitation or emulation, and an heart to play, or to amuse self with something, was placed in usby God, but the spirit of competition,and impersonation, came through the father of lies, which impersonationis not a natural imitation, it does not develop your character, and it makes a person try to be whom they arenot, it does not bring in any good fruit.

Now do you really think, it's just a mere coincidence, that the theatre which eventually brought in movies,was brought to man by the heathen, and originated with Satan?

Does God really mean, 'learn not the way of the heathen?'

Is it also a coincidence that, competition, was brought to us by the heathen?

Does God mean, 'learn not the way of the heathen'?

Does God really mean this next scripture, I will quote?

1 John 2:15 KJV

(15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of theFather is not in him.)

This world has a system, and one of the system it works through is the spirit of greed, the spirit ofcompetition, and the spirit of impersonation.

Do you love these systems? Do you love the spirit of this world? Would you rather crucify your flesh? Oryield yourself to your favourite sin?

Do you honestly want to be comformed to Christ' image? Or to this world's image?

How much do you love God? Are you willing to go all the way with him, irregardless to how you feel aboutsomething?

Do not make an idol out of these spirits, and yes God blesses obediance, do not hesistate to obey God, andGod means what he says, and says what he means.

Amen.

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