With so many different denominations and groups of people out there how do we truly know who has the truth? The internet provides new and interesting ideas about faith and strange interpretations of what is in the bible. How does one go about understanding and shifting out the garbage without getting trapped in a prison of lies and traps? How can we live in freedom when the enemy keeps putting luring traps in our way?
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT
If you only want to eat Cotton candy you may enjoy it for the time your eating it but it will never fill you. It will slowly rot your life and in the end, give you an upset stomach.
I am sure we have all experienced a sermon that didn’t carry its weight. Something about it felt off. We should leave any time together challenged or changed. If that hasn’t happened to you lately, then you need to ask your self one of two questions 1) what am I getting from to sermons? Or 2) is what the minister preaching truth or fluff? A good public speaker can keep people comfortable, a good pastor will keep his people ready for action.
Maybe it is something your reading on a blog, book or found while watching TV. It rings of truth but there is something new added that is enticing you to keep digging in yet there is solid teaching in it. How do you go about deciding if it is from God or from the enemy?
The bible has been provided to us for our use. It is not a tool only to be used by professional pastors or clergy but given to everyone. Some may not have access to a physical bible and I pray that one day they will. Yet for those who do have a Bible, there is no excuse to why they can’t dig in and investigate teachings that could go against God. We should be taking notes in church and not just taking in the sermon on Sunday but applying it to our lives all week after by going over the notes. Your Pastor is human too and makes mistakes, that’s okay, but if they are preaching something unbiblical how would you know if you never checked it out?
The Bible provides solid food and ways to live our Christian walk. We can compare facts here. Do not be fooled by the enemy with his talk of prosperity, what you must do to be saved and other weird and odd additions that he has skilfully tricked people into to teaching. Use the Bible as a guide to vet these practices, if we do this we can avoid the traps and keep walking strong in our freedom.
Dear Jesus, help us to know when we are eating junk food. We need to be consuming real food from your word. Jesus, we need to be reaching to the world for you. Help us to continue in this, giving us opportunities on a daily basis in every area if our lives. Amen
50 Days of Pray 