Metaphors, Allegories: Delusion or Spiritual Truth?

[Nicodema]

I have a question that is of utmost importance to me and hoping to get some solid input here from the committed and godly men and women of faith on this board. When the mind makes a mental association along the lines of an allegory or metaphor, how do you tell whether it is spiritual truth or not? How do you know whether it is spiritual truth versus whether it is a delusion or falsehood, spiritually speaking? In other words, when do you know that your mind has grasped a "spiritual lesson" about something and when do you know it is a false analogy or a delusion or even something the devil wants you to believe? It might be obvious to you folks but bear in mind I spent a long time away from God, very far away, in satanic pursuits, etc. and I also have mental health issues, so it is not obvious to me. I lack this discernment. I used to think discernment was my strongest spiritual gift but now I look back on that time and believe I substituted legalism for discernment, so I cannot simply return to that mode of thinking. Thanks for any insights you all can share.

Nico

[cricket]

I've always thought of allegories and metaphors as things to help us to better understand spiritual truths. As a parable would, metaphors and allegories aren't meant to be truths in and of themselves, but rather a way of helping us internalize and making these truths "ours".

:2cents:

[cardw]

I can't tell you how to interpret metaphors for you. I believe that metaphors and such are pictures of ideas and concepts so complex that they defy description. When I read or experience something the moves me deeply, I avoid trying to codify it into some type of conclusion. I just stay with the experience. It often may not be useful for a long period of time, but when I need it, that sense of clarity around it will often present itself for what I need at a very specific time.

I think we make a mistake when we expect every truth to be a universal truth or that the truth is transferable to everybody. Not that you are doing that, but in my own experience that was a problem I had to overcome. Truth was something I thought I could use to control, when it really is for transformation.

Richard

[jasd]

>>…solid input here from the committed and godly men and women of faith on this board.<<

That’s not me, but I have an excess of confidence in your abilities; so, the following…:

[ ] … [/deleted]

Anyway, I wrote the above that … being the least of “godly men… of faith on this board.” you could better assess wherefrom I speak, that is, for better or worse:

Nicodema, I don’t know from metaphor or from allegore… (wasn’t that the guy the Super Court kicked in the fundament --just when he thought he was to be the be the Yo! Poobah, y’know, POTUS, the former D-veep and famoose infabricator…? mebbe I’m thinking of Rube Goldberg.

Getting to the crux of why I’m posting…: Nicodema! take a break; get a good massage, the expen$ive kind with the Swedish masseuse and the sauna. If you have no bias against it, get Rolfed and have your best friend pick you up. A nice light meal at a posh eatery before going home is just the thing to cap a good Rolfing session.

On down time…: Obviate everything, place yourself in the care of Gd (sometimes, that’s all we should do), burn some myrtle leaves and relax, mulling upon nothing. Gd is the big Kahuna, if you will, having all the levers.

Refocus.

Nicodema, there are those upon these Gd forums that write as well --as thoroughbreds run at the downs. They are skilled at going counterclockwise at great speed with great skill. It seems to my casual observance that Gd didn’t give you the wherewithal to go round and round at great speed. He made

you the f-gender Bucephalus --with wings! and in the histories there was only the one Bucephalus.

You writing soars!

Most writing I’ve seen fail is because the characters were not infused; they were --tinman heading down yellow-striped asphalt county roads. Gd has kept you through abundant and varied life experiences --that are yours, uniquely. That’s the stuff from which characters are created and molded --in writing. He Purposed You and Kept You. He added to overflowing --penetrating and discriminating acuity.

Girl, Write! You excel. Gd with you, there is only excellence.

Who knows? you may even develop a new format for story-telling…

and for gawr’s sake, never give a rat’s fundament what someone else says of your writing! If you’ve partnered with Gd, …sheesh.

That’s my winter’s hindquarter smoked, cured, and raftered, girl. (Jes’me a’tap-tap-tapin’ at my keyboard with Mazzy, ‘She Hangs Brightly’, Star doin’ her thing for me…)

[LifeHiscost]

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I have a question that is of utmost importance to me and hoping to get some solid input here from the committed and godly men and women of faith on this board.

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Sorry I can't include myself as godly here, Nico, but it is a goal I am reaching for so feel that with the aid of the Holy Spirit I might be able to add a couple of spiritual

directional keys of the kingdom, thoughts received from the Word, certainly not original with me. As jasd mentioned, you are unique among God's children so what they might mean to you is strictly between you and your Father in heaven.

Quote:

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When the mind makes a mental association along the lines of an allegory or metaphor, how do you tell whether it is spiritual truth or not? How do you know whether it is spiritual truth versus whether it is a delusion or falsehood, spiritually speaking? In other words, when do you know that your mind has grasped a "spiritual lesson" about something and when do you know it is a false analogy or a delusion or even something the devil wants you to believe?

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[:"red"] "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard." [/] John 16:13 NLT

That promise happens more often and with greater clarity when His presence is invited.

[:"red"] "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." [/] John 15:16 KJV

These are words that Jesus expressed and since He said He and the Father are One, then whatever truth you would be led to by the Holy Spirit would not do violence to Jesus' or the Father's character when properly understood.

[:"red"] "...for God is love." [/] 1 John 4:8 KJV

[:"red"] "Jesus saith unto him, I am.....the truth" [/] John 14:6 KJV

[:"red"] "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]." [/] Galatians 5:22,23 AMP

[:"red"] "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. " [/] Romans 13:10 NKJV

Remember, Nico, it took Moses 40 years to unlearn the parts of Egypt that didn't fit into God's plan for his leadership of Israel. And it took 120 years for Noah to proclaim the message that led to only eight joining him in the ark. Hope that isn't discouraging news to you, for when you're walking with God toward the goal He has chosen for you, you find joy with which most of the world has little recognition

[:"red"] "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." [/] John 15:16 KJV

[:"red"] "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" [/] John 10:27 KJV

Blessings!

.