Regarding Fornication/Spiritual Birthright

[alwayscurious]

So as a college student I've made some stupid decisions and was wondering what the Bible really says about fornication as it relates to our 'spiritual birthright'. What happens when someone fornicates? Is it enough to be washed by the blood and to move on? I know that witness lee says that we lose our spiritual birthright.

This is one phrase that he said,

"Every Christian who commits fornication will lose his birthright. This birthright includes the full enjoyment of Christ with the priesthood and the kingship. To have the birthright is to have the right and the position to enjoy Christ in full. It is also to have the right to be priests and kings. If we lose our birthright, we lose the enjoyment of Christ. Any Christian who commits fornication loses this enjoyment immediately. This sin will also keep any believer from being a priest and a king. Furthermore, no fornicator will enter into the millennial kingdom to have the fullest enjoyment of Christ and to be a priest of God and a king with Christ (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5). Only the overcomers will share this enjoyment, be God's priests, and be the co-kings of Christ. Take heed: defilement may cause you to lose your birthright." (life study of Genesis)

I've looked at other christian websites but I'm still puzzled. None of them talk about losing our spiritual birthright or our entrance into the millennial kingdom.... what does the Bible really say, and is Witness Lee accurate on this matter?

[Awoken]

1 Corinthians 6:9 - 6:11: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral [fornicators], nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

I would throw out everything Witness Lee says, as a lot of what he taught/said was extra-Biblical and demonstrably false from a Biblical perspective. The "birthright" stuff... chuck it.

That being said, fornication IS serious. Sin, and especially sexual sin, are problematic in our relationship with God and Paul makes it clear in the passage above that if we CONTINUE in that kind of sin, there will be consequences. Living in an unrepentant state will bring judgment. But if you genuinely repent and keep working towards sanctification through the Holy Spirit, submitting yourself to discipline, knowing that it will not be easy but it will be worth it to stay on the narrow way... well, the Lord is faithful, and he said "seventy times seven". I'm pretty sure He has more forgiveness than you do sin. But we do need to repent.

At any rate, it's also clear in that passage that the condemnation is only present if we are continuing to do those things. Put your faith in Jesus, focus on getting right with God and helping others to get right with God. Find some brothers you feel comfortable confessing and being open to (as you did here), they will likely share similar experiences in their own journeys of faith.

[Z9]

Brother, you have some good questions and I am by no means a scholar or expert but I will try to give my 2 cents.

1. Witness Lee doctrine is exclusive to the local church for the most part. So the idea of overcomers being a higher class then those "lower" believers is not something you will find out of the LC for the most part. In fact the entire publication of Gods Economy is heresy for the most part outside of the LC and is why its not really popular. LC members will say those poor poor denominations don't know that the Father, son and spirit are one and the same and their is no discernment between any of them. While most Christians believe they are three in one but there is distinctions between them. Trinity gets real deep and complicated and I am not qualified to really go in depth with this topic but just know that different doctrines of Christianity has their hardest view of the Trinity. For most people, Witness lee doctrine is not some grand truth that the world needs to know and discover but rather a false doctrine that hides in the shadows and creeps ups and takes vulnerable people to consume. Overall the trinity is complicated and therefore its going to get a lot of opinions and teachings on it.

2. This overcomer idea has caused the most conceited and disgusting thing I have seen in quite some time. I mean just idea of overcomer from my observation in the LC creates this fearmongering rat-race of people trying to squeeze through the door of "overcoming". It produces this superiority complex that just leads to madness. Not fornicating is just a very basic thing many people in Abrahamic religions commit to its not a big deal so what else makes one qualified to be this "superior Christian". Being knowledgeable and educated in the word, I mean the Pharisees were pretty darn good at that and im pretty darn sure they were diligent in their marriage vows.... How about not being "worldly" in all things and not engaging of the flesh and oh nooo im gonna say it "SOUL". Well im sorry to say plenty people outside the LC dont go to move theatres and other "worldy" establishments and activities. Even taking extreme measures to be the little do gooder nothing seems enough. Efforts of the flesh has its limits and everyone falls short of the glory of god (most important verse for this topic right here).

If you are a LC sister I mean what do you do besides dress super modestly, have a bunch of babies and "submit and cover the brother", read the word with lee doctrine and read publications by Lee doctrine, go to meetings with other people who do the same exact thing as you except for you are doing it as a group. Then one realizes their limitations so as soon as the rat race to overcoming becomes just vain. Then one person slips and falls off the rat race for a minor thing maybe cause they did a "worldly" thing or came into a lords day meeting in not the usual attire- the nasty gossip begins. The victim of the gossip is just a punching bag for the efforts of the flesh to vent out frustration. Oh look at the brother- LOOK AT HIM CONSTANTLY WEAR THOSE NASTY JEANS WITH PAINT ON IT TO A LORDS DAY MEETING HOW UNOVERCOMING AND UNGODLY HE IS, WHAT A SHAME TO THE LORD (How LC members viewed a blue collar worker). As if Jesus and his disciples wore a dress shirt, and slacks everywhere they went. As if one is justified but how fancy their clothing is. Its just madness and tbh look at witness lee and watchman nee, they have some many coverup stories that just really exposes the imperfection of their humanity.

Honestly, my conclusions of the multiple raptures based on how good or I should say God Man because LC does not like the word good because they don't really like "ethical people" (story for another time). Is that everyone has flaws that fall short of the glory of God, Whether a fornicator, a thief, a murderer, a coveter, or a Liar. Everyone is a sinner and thank the lord Jesus that he took such burdens for us. The overcomer doctrine is a fearmongering tool that the LC constantly pushes to make people stay committed to the church and cough up money to LSM and keep attendants going to every darn meeting, conference, and training. It also makes people become disgusting in their discernment and judgement without realizing we all have our flaws. I mean they try so hard to stand out towards god in vain and efforts of the flesh that they become odious and their discernment and judgement towards one another. God don't like "Lukewarm and he sure does not like nasty/bitter either so I guess the lord can spit those people out to along with the lukewarm ones...... But rather then diving deep into the most enigmatic book of the bible (revelations), I believe we all fall short and their is one resurrection for all believers who fall short of the glory of God.

Also according to Witness Lee and his idea of fornicators being so class, I wonder how he felt about Philip Lee (I wouldn't a wager a dime on Philip being in the heavens)…. Yet Ed marks probably believes he is as his direct words "Philip lee is now with the lord (Yikes)…..

Romans 3:23- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (My verse for going against the overcomers)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Being "Ethical"/"Good". The LC coworkers always mock and belittle those terms and try to replace it with "be a Godman and not a Goodman". To keep it short, they are afraid of people like John Ingalls (a prominent and influential LC member), rising up and taking a stand against sin and injustices in the church. They prioritize damage control over the way of God. This is why people like Philip Lee and Ben McPhersons got so much efforts of cover up (well for Philip it was Big daddy oracle of god Witness lee that protected his sick self) . Ron Kangas actually in a YouTube video and many other audio/video recordings loves to pick on sweet and meek John Ingalls and call him all nasty names and slander and overall puts fear in LC members on not to be an "enemy" like John Ingalls which in their teachings is being a "ethical person". Also they want to prevent people from doing good works which results in time and money away from the LC (big no no). This not being Ethical but godly is most dumbest teaching full of many holes that only stands from being torn down of its false foundation due to the- "dont question the coworkers/elders (authority) teaching. If you just listen to the blinded brothers (gonna borrow that moniker HERn), they sound utterly retarded in their pathetic attempts to justify their strange and false teachings on things such as the "not being ethical teaching". They stumble on their and stutter from one Roman numeral talking point to another.

In fact even of the life studies of Leviticus, Witness Lee teaching on Natural affection and discarding is not backed up by scripture. He just says Christian interpretations of verses regarding affection are wrong and that his is right but does not explain why and provide a case/argument on why its wrong. Lots of Witness Lee teachings in his life studies are "they are wrong because I think differently and thats that.

Sample of His life study (Leviticus)- Two things in the Lord’s recovery bother me. One is ambition, which I regard as leaven. The other is natural affection, which I regard as honey. Certain saints may claim that their love for one another is according to the Lord’s commandment (John 13:34). Actually, their love is a matter of natural affection and has nothing to do with the Lord’s commandment.

Nothing damages the church life, the Lord’s ministry, and the Lord’s work more than ambition and natural affection. Ambition for leadership is leaven, and leaven brings in corruption. Natural affection is honey, and honey brings in rottenness.
- As one can see Witness Lee is not a fan of Natural Affection. He makes this discernment of "Natural Affection" and and Love from Christ but does not thoroughly explain the difference. Well its not fully he is incompetent in developing his strange doctrine but he has devious intent, what he really wants to say is that you better not take away any bit of your time and or money from the church and give it to someone or something else. A saint wants to reserve Friday night to a childhood friend and not go to a home meeting, that is a big no no and things like that is what Witness Lee prevents. If a sister gets knocked upside the head for the most part- not like she has any "friends" to help her. Just TURN TO YOUR SPIRIT AND COVER THE BROTHER.

2 Timothy 3
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good (HOW THE BLINDED BROTHERS IN ANAHEIM TREATED John Ingalls).

So Witness Lee is advocating to have an attribute that Paul in his epistle warns not to have (people void of natural affection). This wicked teaching has to led to the disaster that is now in OKC and I'm glad it blew up and is out there for the public to see.

-(another sample from Lee Doctrine), Ambition and affection are closely related. Suppose a brother has a particular ambition. If his ambition is fulfilled, he will be happy. If it is not fulfilled, he will be unhappy. He will love anyone who helps him to gain what he desires. But anyone who hinders him in fulfilling his ambition will be regarded as an enemy ( Witness Lee describing Benson Philips and Ron Kangas).

4. Mental Servitude- Colley Joseph in the linked audio recordings in the "OKC" thread actually answered my long thought question on this very strange and seemingly weird doctrine of "dating leads to divorce" and another quote I hear in the LC "it does not matter who you marry just take it to the cross".

As of this moment I kind of put the pieces together of the lifeline teachings of LC grown people in regards to "Natural Affection". Btw in his Leviticus life study witness lee gives this ugly teaching of Natural Affection

- "Dating Leads to divorce (kids/teens)".
- Sisters conferences and their over emphasis on knowing their "place" in the recovery and constant reminders on how they cause the most problems of the church and need to be submissive to authority and not do things that to lead to "death"
- Vapid Marriage (ignorant of ones suitable match due to "dating leads to divorce doctrine" and submissiveness to elders suggestion)
- Domestic Issues unresolved (cover the brother and go in your spirit/take it to the cross)
- Void of Natural Affection (Targeting mainly "friendship"), so that people dont get too close and develop personal relationships that competes with the helm of the church. If a sister gets knocked upside the head I mean its not like she has any "sister friends" to vehemently defend her nor compassionate brothers who wont do anything but just stay "take it to the cross and cover the brother"

- Is it just me or does it feel like sister conferences are always targeted to shove down the "role of sisters". Its like they decide lets dedicate 2 hours here and there to shut down any possible Rappaport era sisters from ever happening again. Also cant have sisters knocked upside the head every-night by some brother needing "covering" making too much noise.

I feel like I could have made another thread with the relationship portion of this post but Ill just leave it in here. Overall the LC buildup of their ideal "sister" takes years and preferably when they are young. Just listen to Colley special fellowship audio recordings I believe its the highroad to marriage on or before that one (linked in OKC thread). I mean when you read between the lines, they key thing is ignorance of what it means to have a suitable match. Ignorance is the most powerful weapon of the LC and it is used profusely to maintain their mad house. I have a lot more to say but I spent so much time writing this out that Im gonna take a break for now. I hope I answered your questions.

- Sorry for all the typos and grammatical errors it is a big post so give me some slack =).

Sincerely Z9,
A man born, raised, and currently residing on the eastern seaboard of the USA.

[Nell]

So as a college student I've made some stupid decisions and was wondering what the Bible really says about fornication as it relates to our 'spiritual birthright'. What happens when someone fornicates? Is it enough to be washed by the blood and to move on? I know that witness lee says that we lose our spiritual birthright.

This is one phrase that he said,

"Every Christian who commits fornication will lose his birthright. This birthright includes the full enjoyment of Christ with the priesthood and the kingship. To have the birthright is to have the right and the position to enjoy Christ in full. It is also to have the right to be priests and kings. If we lose our birthright, we lose the enjoyment of Christ. Any Christian who commits fornication loses this enjoyment immediately. This sin will also keep any believer from being a priest and a king. Furthermore, no fornicator will enter into the millennial kingdom to have the fullest enjoyment of Christ and to be a priest of God and a king with Christ (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5). Only the overcomers will share this enjoyment, be God's priests, and be the co-kings of Christ. Take heed: defilement may cause you to lose your birthright." (life study of Genesis)

I've looked at other christian websites but I'm still puzzled. None of them talk about losing our spiritual birthright or our entrance into the millennial kingdom.... what does the Bible really say, and is Witness Lee accurate on this matter?

You can pick up demons from sex partners (https://www.john15.rocks/spiritual-warfare-satanic-demonic-nature-sexual-sin-claiming-victory-jesus/)

Do not be yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14) and when you engage in sexual partners (who is not your spouse), you also cleave as one.

In addition, someone with heavy bondage to these spirits may allow demonic invasion. Passed down to children, it becomes like a “sexual curse.”

Spirits transfer from one to the other and there were cases when the sexual spirits of a person identified themselves as coming from a strange religion.

...

[Sons to Glory!]

I agree with Awoken here! It is serious, but is it too much to be forgiven? Of course not, as the most amazing price was paid on the cross so those sins are removed "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:120) Now are there possible consequences of the act? Sure! Although sin is forgiven, sin is also damaging to the believer (or anyone) and brings about death. (Romans 6:23) And I would say fornication can be one of the most pernicious and damaging sins, especially if it is an ongoing practice.

It sounds like WL was trying to scare young folks with this, saying "Every Christian who commits fornication will loose his birthright." Poppycock! The scriptures cited by him pertain to someone who is labeled as a fornicator, which means an ongoing practice, not just committing it a couple times. To me, this is some sort of Lee-galism, which can't give life (which no law can do - see Gal. 3:21). And then after being so strong that fornication will do this or that, the last comment back-peddles a bit when he says "defilement may cause you to loose your birthright."

[Awoken]

Good article, Nell...

Reading that, it reminded me of something I want to share (especially with alwayscurious). In the article Nell posted it mentioned fasting, presumably in reference to the fasting Jesus spoke of in Matthew 17:21 ("however, this kind goes out only by prayer and fasting"). The context of that verse is a demon that the disciples couldn't cast out, so they went to Jesus asking why.

So, my little story. I had a pornography addiction for many years, even after becoming a Christian. It actually caused me, among other factors, to walk away from my faith for a long period of time. When I came back to Christ I knew that had to be dealt with once and for all. Eventually not only did I keep thinking about fasting, especially those verses in Matthew 17, but the Lord repeatedly kept speaking to me about fasting over and over through other believers. I think about five different people started randomly talking to me about fasting at different times, and I even went to a non-LC meeting at one point (even though I was in the LCs, then) and their meeting was ALL about Matthew 17 and fasting.

However, there is some Witness Lee/Watchman Nee book (can't remember which one) where there is a passage that says something like "the test of knowing whether we should fast is if we get hungry". In other words, the teaching of WN/WL was that if you feel hungry you shouldn't be fasting. Uh, what? So being a good Lee-ite, I thought, oh no! But I get hungry when I try to fast! This obviously must be something from Satan! I'm just in my mind!

Well... eventually... finally I did fast, and guess what, the power of the pornography addiction was broken. A half decade of Local Church teachings didn't help, but one verse from Matthew did the trick. So just keep in mind - the word of God is a lot more effective than the word of WL.

Also, funny thing... some time later when I was still in the LCs, the locality I was in was getting all geared up for spreading the "gospel". I suggested to one brother we should fast in preparation for preaching and he told me, brother, the ministry says we shouldn't fast unless we feel extremely burdened and we don't feel hungry! :lol:

[Trapped]

I largely agree with what others have already posted. I personally have numerous reservations about the link Nell shared (my reservations pertain primarily to how Biblically grounded it is or isn't), but I just don't have the time to get into that tonight.

Your question really made me want to dig into several areas of scripture, but I'd have to ask for a day off from work to do so properly :) I'm assuming here that you were a Christian when this occurred, is that right? If this happened before you became a Christian, my response will ultimately be the same, but I would bring up different parts of scripture than I do below in response.

The main instance I can think of of sexual immorality of a believer in the Bible is in 1 Corinthians. I'm not going to whitewash the seriousness of sexual sin here, and Paul uses pretty strong language in speaking to the church about removing the brother. But then later on in 2 Corinthians we see that the believer who committed that sexual sin was brought back in to the church due to his excessive sorrow.

And that's kind of the main thing I want to communicate - repentance. Sin is serious in God's eyes. Adam and Eve disobeyed once and death was the penalty. God is holy and righteous and sees sin very differently than we do. But God is rich in mercy......if there is genuine acknowledgement of what we've done, being honest with Him about it, not trying to hide or justify anything, and if you genuinely repent, then He forgives. I cannot come up with a sin that Jesus did NOT die for......except for rejecting His sacrifice.

As a side note, unless there is a glitch in the matrix of this website, I've literally never seen a thread view count get this high so quickly....it's like 10 times the amount of other normal threads. Something tells me this is a relevant topic for a lot of people. I'm glad you felt comfortable to bring it up.

P.S. toss out most of what Witness Lee says in general. In other words, don't start with what he shared. Start with your question, and go to the Bible....skipping Lee totally. His is a ministry of condemnation, and there is NO condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.

[Nell]

I agree with Awoken here! It is serious, but is it too much to be forgiven? Of course not, as the most amazing price was paid on the cross so those sins are removed "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:120) Now are there possible consequences of the act? Sure! Although sin is forgiven, sin is also damaging to the believer (or anyone) and brings about death. (Romans 6:23) And I would say fornication can be one of the most pernicious and damaging sins, especially if it is an ongoing practice.

And along comes StG, missing the point. Again. I think we all are aware that sin can be forgiven. We know the price Jesus paid on the cross. We know about removing sin...east from the west. You feel the need to school us on what we already know.

But, you skipped right from "serious" sin, to forgiveness. You missed a step. There are prerequisites for forgiveness: repentance, change in behavior, and importantly, ASK for forgiveness; then "go and sin no more". Without repentance, sin is NOT forgiven. Without repentance there is likely no change in actions and behavior...the sin continues. You seem to put the burden for forgiveness on the person being sinned against and minimize the actions of the sinner as though "forgiveness" is a foregone conclusion...that sin is just...forgiven.

Knowing about forgiveness is not enough. Just hearing the sinner say "I repented" is not enough. You need to hear the sinner's repentance...with their own mouth "I repent for my sin against you...be specific...what sin?...I repent for all the hurt I caused you. Please forgive me. It will never happen again." Even saying "I'm sorry" isn't enough. "I'm sorry" is an expression of how you feel about what you did. "I repent" is the biblical requirement. "I'm sorry" isn't in the bible, is it?

Regardless, you can't expect people to forgive without repentance and being asked for forgiveness, and stopping their sinful behavior against you.

I also find your use of the word "poppycock" minimizing and sophmoric.

Nell

[aron]

The main instance I can think of of sexual immorality of a believer in the Bible is in 1 Corinthians. I'm not going to whitewash the seriousness of sexual sin here, and Paul uses pretty strong language in speaking to the church about removing the brother. But then later on in 2 Corinthians we see that the believer who committed that sexual sin was brought back in to the church due to his excessive sorrow. And that's kind of the main thing I want to communicate - repentance.

Jesus taught to pray, "Forgive us our sins, even as we forgive others". He went into detail on this, saying that if we didn't forgive others, neither would our Heavenly Father forgive us.

So if Jesus prayed, "Forgive us" I daresay we should be encouraged to pray this as well. And we should also forgive, knowing that our Heavenly Father is indeed watching.

This is not to say, "Let us sin, that grace may abound" but rather knowing God's mercy, we keep ourselves, best we can, from the contamination of the world. This to me is a holy fear. God has had mercy, so don't push it, or He will come at an hour that you don't expect and cut you off. No, instead repent, and go, and sin no more.

[Awoken]

Posting the below as it's pretty much the opposite of what I was taught it the LCs (in other words, it's the truth which your conscience will already convict you of, if you have a heart to follow Jesus).

I went to an elder I was close to (and in terms of just general relationships I still care about that person and pray for him) once and confessed to him about having problems with sexual sin. He told me, in summary "it's okay, that is so common among young people, just keep eating Jesus".

I think it's important to consider the ramifications of that kind of teaching. If your conscience is convicting you about something, and the need to deal with it, it's important to be honest with God and with yourself... grace and blessings to you.

x0vmoNl35mE

https://youtu.be/x0vmoNl35mE

[countmeworthy]

You can pick up demons from sex partners (https://www.john15.rocks/spiritual-warfare-satanic-demonic-nature-sexual-sin-claiming-victory-jesus/)

Do not be yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14) and when you engage in sexual partners (who is not your spouse), you also cleave as one.

In addition, someone with heavy bondage to these spirits may allow demonic invasion. Passed down to children, it becomes like a “sexual curse.”

Spirits transfer from one to the other and there were cases when the sexual spirits of a person identified themselves as coming from a strange religion.

...
This is very, very true. We even have to be careful being around some believers.

I know I can’t be around religious people for very long. Think about it. How many former LCrs on this forum are comfortable being around believers committed to the LR?


Here is a website with biblical references that discusses 13 ways transference of spirits happen for anyone interested.

https://www.mannaexpressonline.com/13-ways-transference-of-spirits-happens/

[countmeworthy]

There are prerequisites for forgiveness: repentance, change in behavior, and importantly, ASK for forgiveness; then "go and sin no more". Without repentance, sin is NOT forgiven. Without repentance there is likely no change in actions and behavior...the sin continues.

Knowing about forgiveness is not enough. Just hearing the sinner say "I repented" is not enough. You need to hear the sinner's repentance...with their own mouth "I repent for my sin against you...be specific...what sin?...I repent for all the hurt I caused you. Please forgive me. It will never happen again."

Nell
Asking for forgiveness and adding “it will never happen again” is like Peter believing he would always stick up for Jesus. We know how well that went over when the cock crowed 3 times!!

We must ask God first to forgive us our wrongdoing before approaching the person. It may not always be possible or feasible for us to ask forgiveness from the person we hurt or wronged. But we can ask the Lord to bless them and heal them.

I would also like to add applying the Precious Blood on yourself as you repent with a deep sincere heart is extremely necessary. It may even be more effective when it comes with tears. I can’t say with certainty it is more effective but I think the healing process begins quicker with shed tears. It will come naturally too. Not forced tears.

When the Holy Spirit convicts a person of sin, deep repentance occurs. Applying the Blood of Jesus on your soul, your heart, your mind is a very powerful Source to stop the sin from occurring again. David prayed “CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART O GOD. Renew a Right spirit within me.” That is a great humble prayer we should all pray from time to time. He knew he had a lustful sin nature. I suspect David knew if he did not ask for help, he would not be able to stop sinning. He was afraid God would take the Holy Spirit away from him. psalm 51:10-13.

Just my .02 worth....sharing from personal experience

[Nell]

Asking for forgiveness and adding “it will never happen again” is like Peter believing he would always stick up for Jesus. We know how well that went over when the cock crowed 3 times!!

...

Good point, CMW.

[Witless Mee]

According to Hebrews 16(1) footnote of the Recovery Version, from where I think Witness Lee developed this teaching, uh even one single hamburger eaten at a sin-loving fast food joint, or one single wicked hotdog enjoyed at a worldly hotdog-stand, or just one guilty bite of a doughnut offered to you by - the gods forbid- a Christian from the denominations (gasp) could cause you to lose your birthright.

Take care, people! Be careful what you eat ! ! !

[Awoken]

According to Hebrews 16(1) footnote of the Recovery Version, from where I think Witness Lee developed this teaching, uh even one single hamburger eaten at a sin-loving fast food joint, or one single wicked hotdog enjoyed at a worldly hotdog-stand, or just one guilty bite of a doughnut offered to you by - the gods forbid- a Christian from the denominations (gasp) could cause you to lose your birthright.

Take care, people! Be careful what you eat ! ! !

It's possible Witness Lee did have some kind of bizarre understanding about "losing the birthright" to this degree; I personally interpreted that teaching to mean that he was actually talking about sin, things like looking at pornographic images on the internet or engaging in gluttony or theft or whatever else a man might do that's evil. Thus, among all his erroneous teachings (and sure, there are a lot of them), that isn't necessarily one I'd actually disparage as much. Sin is a big problem and in my opinion, although I believe God is fully able to save us eternally, I don't think it's wise to keep rolling the dice when we have the witness of the Bible and the witnesses of the Spirit and our conscience telling us that something is wrong. God is ABLE to save us eternally, that doesn't mean there may not be a point at which our heart can be hardened enough to cause catastrophic consequences. I'd point to Ravi Zacharias as a good example of how not to fear God and fear the fact that He is able to destroy even our soul (although we could hope for mercy even to that extent, but the giving or withholding of mercy is up to God, and in the end we just have to agree that His will is done).