How is dispositional change manifested?
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| Eastern Lightning | How is dispositional change manifested? |
Whether or not your disposition can change depends upon whether or not you keep up with the Holy Spirit’s current words and have genuine understanding. This is different from what you understood before. What you understood of a change in disposition before was that you, who are easy to judge, through God’s disciplining no longer speak carelessly. But this is just one aspect of the change, and right now the most critical point is following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
You follow whatever God says; you obey whatever He says. People cannot change their disposition themselves; they must undergo the judgment and chastisement and painful refinement of God’s words, or being dealt with, disciplined, and pruned by His words. Only after that can they achieve obedience and devotion to God, and not try to fool Him and deal with Him perfunctorily. It is under the refinement of God’s words that people have a change in disposition. Only those who undergo the exposure, judgment, disciplining, and dealing with of His words will no longer dare to do things recklessly, and will become calm and collected. The most important point is that they are able to obey God’s current words and obey God’s work, and even if it is not in line with human notions, they can put them aside and intentionally obey. When a change in disposition has been spoken of in the past, it has mainly been about forsaking oneself, allowing the flesh to suffer, disciplining one’s body, and ridding oneself of fleshly preferences—this is one type of change in disposition. People now know that the real expression of a change in disposition is obeying the current words of God as well as being able to have a genuine understanding of His new work. This way people will be able to get rid of their previous understanding of God in their notions, and achieve a true understanding of and obedience to Him. Only this is a genuine expression of a change in disposition.
from “Those Whose Disposition Has Changed Are Those Who Have Entered Into the Reality of God’s Words” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
People can behave well, but that does not necessarily mean they are possessed of the truth. People’s fervor can only make them abide by doctrine and follow regulation; people who are without the truth have no way of resolving substantive problems, and doctrine cannot stand in for the truth. Those who have changed their dispositions are different. They have truth within, they are discerning on all issues, they know how to act in accordance with God’s will, how to act in accordance with the principles of the truth, how to act to satisfy God, and they understand the nature of the corruption they reveal. When their own ideas and conceptions are revealed, they are able to be discerning and forsake the flesh. This is how a change in disposition is expressed. The main thing about a change in disposition is that they have both truth and clarity, and when carrying things out, they put the truth into practice with relative accuracy and their corruption is not revealed as often. Generally, someone whose disposition has changed appears to be quite reasonable and discerning, and as a result of their understanding of truth, self-righteousness and arrogance are not revealed as much. They are able to see everything clearly, so they do not become arrogant after gaining this clarity. They are able to have a measured grasp on what man’s place is, how to behave reasonably, how to be dutiful, what to say and what not to say, and what to say and what to do to which people. This is why it is said that these kinds of people are relatively reasonable. Those who change their dispositions truly live out the likeness of a human, and they have truth; they are not subject to the influence of others. Those who have had a change in disposition are steadier, they do not blow hot and cold, and no matter what situation they are in, they know how to do their duty properly and how to do things to satisfy God. Those whose dispositions have changed are not focused on what to do to make themselves look good on a superficial level—they have internal clarity on what to do to satisfy God. Therefore, from the outside they may not seem so enthusiastic or like they have done anything very great, but everything they do is meaningful, is valuable, and has practical results. Those whose dispositions have changed are certain to possess a lot of truth—this can be confirmed by their perspectives on things and their principles in their actions. Those who do not possess truth absolutely have not had a change in disposition. That is not to say that someone who has a lot of experience exercising their humanity will necessarily have a change in disposition; it most probably happens when some of satanic poisons within a person’s nature change due to their knowledge of God and their understanding of the truth. That is to say, those poisons are cleansed and the truth expressed by God takes root within the person, becomes his life, and becomes the foundation of his existence. Only then does he become a new person, and his disposition therefore changes. This is not to say that their outer disposition is meeker than before, that they used to be arrogant but now their words are reasonable, that they used to listen to no one but now they can listen to others—these external changes cannot be said to be changes in disposition. Of course changes in disposition do include these situations, but the most key thing is that their inner life has changed. The truth expressed by God becomes their very life, some of satanic poisons within have been eliminated, the perspective of the person has completely changed, and none of it is in line with that of the world. He sees the schemes and poisons of the great red dragon clearly; he has grasped the true essence of life. So his life values have changed—this is the most fundamental change and the essence of a change in disposition.
from “The Difference Between External Changes and Changes in Disposition” in Records of Christ’s Talks
There’s a hallmark of a change in disposition: It’s being able to obey things that are correct and in line with the truth. No matter who brings up an idea—whether they are young or old, whether they get along with you or there are grudges between you, no matter if your relationship is good or bad, distant or close, you know each other or not, you’re familiar with each other or not—if they say something that is correct, in line with the truth, is beneficial to the work of God’s family, you are able to hear it, take it in, and accept it. You are not impacted by any other factors. Isn’t this an aspect of that expression? First, you are able to accept the truth. You are able to accept something that is correct and in line with the truth. Second, when you encounter an issue you are able to seek the truth. One aspect is acceptance, and another aspect is seeking. For example, there is something that no one knows; they haven’t heard of it before. It’s something new. You are able to seek, to see how you handle this matter and practice in line with the truth, in line with the principles of the truth, so that you can satisfy and achieve God’s requirements. Another aspect is being able to be considerate of God’s heart. How can you be considerate of His heart? This depends on what duty you perform. One aspect concerns what your duty is and what you do; you have to grasp the relevant principles. You have to understand God’s will, what kind of results need to be achieved, and abide by these principles. Another aspect is that you have to fulfill your responsibilities and be faithful. One aspect is consideration and seeking; another aspect is fulfilling your responsibilities and being faithful. For example, in something you don’t know how to be considerate of God’s heart, but in order to achieve that and to satisfy Him, you must seek this out.
from “A Change in Disposition Can Only Be Achieved by Pursuing Entry Into Life” in Records of Christ’s Talks
The Man’s Fellowship:
The first aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition is that they have a fear of God at least. Because of the judgment and chastisement of God’s words, people submit with good grace and fall to the ground. Since then, people develop a fear of God. … Those that fear God have a place for God in their hearts. They will surely pay attention to the will of God in everything, and especially on big issues they don’t dare to make quick decisions. They always pray to God and try to find God’s intention. For example, they do not dare neglect nor easily let go of matters related to their life path, or matters related to the principle of the truth. When they face a choice regarding major issues of right or wrong, they can let go of their own will and forsake their own flesh to obey and satisfy God. This is a sign of being God-fearing. Those who are God-fearing are much more frank and honest than the average person. They do things in a low-key manner, not as wildly and arrogantly as in the past. They do things more prudently, not as recklessly and hastily as young people. It could be said that people having the fear of God in them is the start and beginning of changes in life disposition….
The second aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition is that they are able to obey God’s orchestrations and arrangements. No matter what God does, how God treats them and how God’s actions are not as they wish, they have no notion and do not complain, but are able to obey; they can achieve these. Although they have many experiences and lessons in failure, they are truly aware that God’s arrangements and orchestrations are the best and the most meaningful, and that no matter how God treats people, there are always benefits. Especially in matters where most people very easily have notions about God, they can see that what God does is most meaningful and most worth commemorating and circulating. They no longer have their own choice in what God does because they realize that God does things in the best way. The more unachievable it is for people, the more significant it is. It is only when people experience this that they have a real obedience to God. … People whose disposition has changed have more obedience and less personal requirements, and therefore what people see in them is that they do not have much perception and reaction to what God does. In actual fact, they know very well in their hearts and inside they are obedient and thankful. This is the second aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition.
The third aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition is that they are able to do their duty loyally as a created being. Because people whose disposition has changed have a clear understanding of the meaning of doing one’s duty as a created being, there is no perfunctoriness nor deceit in doing their duty. If they encounter difficulties or setbacks, they do not complain. If work is impaired due to something not being done well, they will feel heart-broken and extreme regret. They will spare no effort in seeking a remedy. Because people whose disposition has changed view doing their duty as their vocation and their right and proper duty, if they have not done their duty well, they will feel that this is their greatest shame and also their greatest failure as a man. They believe that those who do their duty badly do not deserve to be called people and live in front of God, and that only by doing one’s duty well can one truly repay God’s love and deserve to be called people and live on earth. They take doing their duty well to satisfy God as their pleasure and enjoyment. So, doing one’s duty well is also a manifestation of the main aspect of changes in disposition. …
The fourth aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition is that they can truly love God. In experiencing the work of God, only those who really get the truth will have a change in their disposition. After people’s life disposition has changed, they no longer have satanic corrupt disposition of being arrogant, conceited, self-important, and self-righteous. Because they possess some truths and true understanding of truths, those religious doctrines and notions and imagination have been replaced. Christ is their treasure and they are hungrier for God’s words. The more they understand the truth, the more they feel the loveliness of God. When people discover more of God’s loveliness, their love of God becomes more real; as they get more truth from God, their love of God also increases. When people have a real understanding of God, their love for God also becomes more real. People who truly love God take Christ’s heart as their own. They do everything according to Christ’s intention. If Christ is not satisfied, they get no enjoyment from doing things any better. At this time, they are able to completely obey the will of Christ and not their own. True obedience comes from a true understanding of God and is produced from a true love of God. Only in love is there true obedience. There is no resistance and no barriers in love. Only people who truly love God can consider what God’s will is in any matter and give up their feelings. People whose disposition has changed truly love God. If people do not have a true love of God in their hearts, it can be said that there has not yet been a change in their life disposition. This is categorical.
The fifth aspect of manifestation of people having changed in disposition is that they have normal interpersonal relationships, that means loving others as yourself. Changes to disposition are because people possess some truths. To varying degrees these truths have become their lives. This has changed their past corrupt states; they no longer live for themselves and for the flesh but are able to live for God and live to carry out the will of God. Because people whose disposition has changed have true love and obedience for God, they of course also have many manifestations of love for people, such as concern, love, help, patience and tolerance, and can live in harmony with people. They will not impose that which they do not like on others and will not judge, accuse and hate when they see shortcomings in others. They treat people with sincerity and can treat people according to God’s words. How God forgives people, loves people and treats people becomes their principles for action. People whose disposition has changed can treat God’s heart as their heart. They have love for God, and also have love for people. Of course they can live in harmony with all people in God’s family. This is the normal man’s likeness that God spoke of. They are able to love what God loves and hate what God hates, have truth, principles and wisdom. This is the manifestation of the fifth aspect of people whose disposition has changed.
from “The Five Primary Expressions of Dispositional Change” in Collection of Sermons—Supply for Life
When people really know God’s disposition and all that the life of God is, they will also know what they are. They really know their true conditions. At that time, they may be humble. I see it as having to be put down. What does a piece of smelly dung have to be arrogant about? Is this not an irrational moron? Although these words of mine are vulgar, this is the truth and I will not beat around the bush. I myself have experienced this. After knowing myself, I became more obedient, spoke in a more honest manner and reduced my arrogant airs and manner of speaking. I am also simple and straightforward and a bit naive. Satan’s toxins in me have greatly reduced and I am much more relaxed and natural than before. When communicating the truth, I speak more objectively and accurately, more realistically, without mixture. I do things in a more steady and sophisticated manner and pay attention to effectiveness. I can correctly deal with other people and have love and confidence. I stand in an appropriate position and I speak rationally. Work is work and getting along is getting along. When I do work, I do it with sense. When I get along with others, there is a personality for getting along. In working, besides talking about work, even when I fellowship about truth of life, you cannot see me behaving as a worker, because I stand as equal to the others. When someone’s own disposition has changed, it also brings others great benefits. Their work and speech can always produce results. You see, when someone’s arrogant disposition has changed, do they not live in the likeness of man? They particularly have truth, humanity, and personality. What they say, do and show is seen by people as being appropriate and people will all welcome this kind of person. People like to get on with whoever has the truth because they are of benefit and edification to people and can bring a supply of life and communication of the truth. This can all be lived out after one’s disposition has changed.
from “Discussing Dispositional Change” in Collection of Sermons—Supply for Life
Recommendation: wheat and tares
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