Day started out with lots of sunshine and a bit of a wind, it is turning to more wind, less sun and clouds moving in – Fall is definitely here.  Watching Denver vs New England and saw my first Christmas themed commercial – actually two in a row.  Christmas?  Already?  

Jeremiah 27:14-15 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

¹⁵ For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

Satan used men who claimed to be from God to confuse people in the Old Testament.  These false prophets would tell the people what they wanted to hear, saying their words came from God when in fact they were the lies of satan.  As a result whole families were destroyed and many people were placed in captivity because they chose to believe those lies, even though it was contrary to God’s Word.

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Satan did not stop working when Christ came, if anything he is working all the harder.  He knows that salvation comes through Christ and he wants to stir misunderstanding, deceit and out and out lies so people will become confused and reject Christ and His teachings.

As he had false prophets in the days of old, he has false prophets, preachers and teachers today.  These people have their own agenda.  At one time they may have been committed to Christ, but their own thoughts, their own desires crept in and tainted their teachings.  After a while they may even start believing what they are saying, but it doesn’t line up with God’s Word.

Sometimes it is difficult to discern the truth.  Satan is clever and can make even the vilest sins appear justified and an actual order from God.  He works within the hearts and minds of men – both by his deceptive practices using worldly ideas, and by the twisting of God’s Word so evil appears good.  He hammers us with his poison and if we are not careful we will falter and fall into his traps.

WE are responsible for our growth in Christ.  While we must listen to those in authority, listen to those that have been placed in a position of preaching and teaching, it does not relieve us from our own responsibility to confirm what they preach and teach is correct according to the Word of God.

Most ministers and teachers of the Word are sincere and are striving to present the Word of God as HE wants it presented.  They study, they pray and they seek guidance from those wiser than they if they are in doubt.  But that does not relieve us from making sure we are hearing the Word given correctly.

We must study God’s Word to see if we are being taught correctly or if there are flaws in the teaching.  We need to challenge anything that does not immediately line up with what we know to be true.  That doesn’t mean we stand up and make a scene, but it does mean if we believe they are in error, we need to talk to them about it; sometimes they are in error, sometimes we are, but we want to make sure which it is.

2 Timothy 2:14-16  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

God gives all of us the ability to study His Word and discern the truth.  But one of the key words here is ‘study.’  If we don’t know God’s Word, if we don’t take time to learn for ourselves what the Word says, then we can become powerless in the face of satan’s wiles.  One adjective changed in a verse can give it a completely different meaning, and satan knows that.

If we are lazy in our studying of God’s Word then satan can pass off lies that sound believable when in fact they are contrary to God’s commands.

It is extremely important that we teach all of the Word of God.  We need to know the Old Testament.  We need to know the New Testament.  We need to understand God’s Word in the context of history, in the context of His Word, itself, and how it applies to current events.  Society – the world - cannot change the truth of God’s Word just because they choose not to accept it.

It is the responsibility of preachers and teachers to give in depth commentary on God’s Word.  We don’t want to gloss over the hard things in hopes that we will gain in numbers.  Christians need to grow.  They need to get past the obvious and understand why and what it means. 

Carla was very surprised, when we met, that I knew so much about the stories from the Bible.  I knew the stories, but I did not fully understand what they meant.  To me they were just that, stories from the Bible.  They had neither meaning nor relevancy to me as a person.

We cannot allow that to happen to Christians, especially those who are entrusted in our care.  We must get into the Word with them, teach them how to read and apply the Word of God to their lives.  The Holy Spirit will confirm the truth, but they must study it to understand what He is telling them and why – we want to give them the meat of the Word so they will be nourished and grow in faith.

Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

It does feel good to be a Christian, but there is more to being a Christian than feeling good and if we want converts to be able to stand for Christ in crisis, they need all of the Word of God, not just the feel good sweet taste of milk.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again