Hi Debs. Well said.

Lila, I think you should trust the Lord to teach you what is of Him and what not, what is pleasisng to Him and what not.

Dear Lila

Please read this article I wrote a few years ago regarding the word ‘journey’. https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2015/03/20/what-journey-or-path-are-you-on/

You said “It is very difficult to avoid music without drums, not just in the grocery store”

There is a big difference between going to a grocery store and hearing music played in the background while just doing your shopping and just ignoring the music vs deliberately putting that cd into your cd player to listen to it on purpose.

We are in this world, not of this world (John 17:16). We can’t escape what going on in this world, like going to the shops and hearing horrible music played over the speakers. That will not affect you spiritually, because you reject this music as it’s ungodly. What will affect you spiritually is you deliberately taking horrible evil music and listening to it because you like it.

This reminded me of my journey to repent of all forms of fornication as well. 6 years ago, a speaker (former lesbian professor) at church (Reformed tradition haha) told me what I was doing with my ex boyfriend was wrong. I cried and could not accept it, did not know what to do. I struggled and perhaps I wasn’t truly saved then, and continued my lifestyle of sexual immorality.

This year I went back to God, and it took me some time to accept what was sin, and to renounce it. All this while I was twisting scripture to suit my situation but my heart now truly wants God’s will. I studied and prayed for the Spirit’s guidance. When I finally did renounce it I felt a deep peace in my heart. The work of righteousness is peace, effects of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. I think this situation is similar here and I thank you for the guidance truly.

I know we have to renounce the world. I tried to find a middle ground but I think I need to pray and repent and reflect and study scripture more. Any advice or resources you can provide would be very helpful. It is very difficult to avoid music without drums, not just in the grocery store but also in Christian music, even contemporary renditions of hymns and psalms. I have a bit of struggle with end times premillennialism as well but pray that God will show us His truth in due course as I read His Word more. Thank you for bringing me to repentance and God bless you both…

Hi Lila

It would appear you somewhat idolise Kanye West (before and after his false conversion). I would strongly recommend you repent and focus on Jesus Christ and HIS WORDS indead.

The fact that you said you were playing the devil’s advocate shows that you had an opinion on the meaning of Philippians 1:18 but quoted it to test the other person’s understanding of it. The dictionary defines it as follows:

devil’s advocate

noun

a person who expresses a contentious opinion to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.

“the interviewer will need to play devil’s advocate, to put the other side’s case forward”

Note the word “contentious” (argumentative, quarrelsome, provocative) in the description of devil’s advocate.

Here on DTW we’ve had countless people quoting verses with wrong motives, especially to substantiate their unbiblical understanding of biblical passages, “See, you say this or that of this verse but this is what the verse actually means, so there
. . ..
There are two ways of preaching from the Word. The one is to preach a false or another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4), and the other is to preach Christ (the real one) but with wrong motives. It was the latter to which Paul referred when he said, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18).

Paul suffered much, not only under the physical attacks of unbelieving Jews but also at the hands of brethren who had, for some unknown reason, despised him. They were doctrinally correct but had no empathy for him in his bondage for the sake of the Gospel (his jail incarcerations). For those who truly loved him, his bondage encouraged them to boldly preach the Gospel and for those who despised him, his bondage encouraged him to rejoice in their preaching of the truth, despite their envies and strifes.

Pilippians 1:18 does not mean that you can preach whatever heresies you like, just a long as you utter the Name of Jesus now and again, oppose abortion, child molesting, drugs, paedophilia, or whtaever sin imaginable and rejoice because the Gospel is allegedly preached. That’s worse than heresy itself.

Had Paul known Kanye, he would not have said something like this in Philippians 1:18. He would rather have said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9).

How do we know whether Kanye West preaches another gospel? In fact, he does not preach the Word of God at all. He has started his own church to which only certain people (usually celebrities in the entertainment world) are invited. They all wear white or black clothes (to depict their so-called oneness or unity in “Christ”).

The entire “service” consists of prayer and live music. What does the Bible say? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17). They never preach the unadulterated Word of God. His so-called church services are moneymaking sprees. That’s all.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/everything-you-need-to-know-about-kanye-wests-sunday-service.html/

By the way drums play a major part in the summoning of demons. This is from a website site, “Summoning the Spirits”

As I watched the screen I could see the dancers leaping, higher and higher they soared into the air, headdresses bobbing and waving in unison, as the sound of the drum resonated through the crowd. As the music overtook them their eyes became glassy and they entered into a trance. Later after the dust had settled and they had finished their sacred ceremony, they explained that the combination of the drums and the dancing was powerful enough to summon the spirits that would take over their entire bodies connecting them with what they believed to be the divine.

I’m in two minds about this. When I first got saved knowing Kanye professed to be a Christian too gave me some encouragement though of course we grow in discernment and wisdom. I have heard his message and music before I got saved but it never truly hit me until I was finally saved and perhaps even just listening to it put Jesus and God in my mind, brought the Spirit to remembrance though I did not have the Spirit nor will to submit to God then.

Am I just being weak on the enemy here? I understand we are fighting a war against Satan. I totally get it. But we also do not fear engaging with the enemy, and even the enemy knows and speaks the truth of the Cross… (as did the girl with the python spirit in Acts, etc…)

Praying for the Spirit to guide us.

Hi Lila. How do you interpret Philippians 1:18? Would you mind telling us? Beware of playing devil’s advocate.

Playing devil’s advocate, do you have thoughts on Bach who wrote SDG (only for the glory of God)?

was reading Philippians this morning and this verse stood out:

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Philippians 1:18

Can we still rejoice?!?

God bless you and thank you for your discernment and impartation of knowledge and thoughts.

Dear Lila

You can’t listen to an unbeliever’s (Joe Regan) account of what a real Christian is supposed to look like and then actually take that as being some kind of ‘actual truth’.

Nope, Kanye is not one bit genuine in seeking Jesus Christ of the bible and he is in no way “submitting to God”. He is 100% genuine in seeking the antichrist he experiences through music.

See this latest article here:

Kanye West to launch a gospel university to train singers
https://www.christianpost.com/news/kanye-west-to-launch-a-gospel-university-to-train-singers.html

He says “Picture 100,000 people in unison and that feeling and what that would do for our spirits, our souls. It’s healing,”

Music is his god, not Jesus Christ the Son of God. He says that music heals. He finds his ‘Jesus’ in music. He confuses people by claiming he believes in Jesus, but it’s not the Jesus of the bible.

You said “perhaps a little confused with Gnosticism or mysticism at some points”

He is not a little bit confused. He was a full blown occultist before his ‘fake’ conversion to deliberately fool the world. He still is a full blown occultist/Kabbalist.

Thank you for your article again. I continued to pray for Kanye and found this topical article, an interview transcript and it might be very helpful in understanding his gospel message much more if you want to update your article some time (or just attaching for readers in the comments…)

https://www.happyscribe.com/public/the-joe-rogan-experience/1554-kanye-west

He seems to be genuine in wanting Jesus and submitting to God but perhaps a little confused with Gnosticism or mysticism at some points and even going far as to say he “self medicates” with meditation and exercise. Emphasis on healing, even world healing, which is important of course with the Spirit, but I barely recall a word on repentance and Satan’s lies in the world.

I thank you and praise the Lord for your gift of discernment!

Pray we continue to grow in knowledge and charity toward each other and the entire Body. Thank you again and praise God always.

lila