Prevention is Better! Reading: 1 Timothy 4 Reject profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself rather to godliness (1 Tim 4:7) Deception is the most undiagnosed disease in the Church. The worst thing about deception is that the deceived persons will not know that they are deceived. The number of the deceived is increasing at an alarming rate as we approach the end of the age. When the disciples asked Jesus, What will be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?, His very first statement in reply was, Take care that no one deceives you! (Mt 24:3,4). He added that even the very elect might be deceived (v24). Recovery from deception is extremely difficult. Prevention is better than cure. Thats why Jesus said, See, I have told you beforehand! (v25). Let me suggest here a few safeguards against deception— Give top priority to Bible meditation among the other disciplines of devotional life. The Bible admonishes us to go to the presence of God to hear rather than to speak (Eccl 5:1). God has magnified His Word above all things—even above His Name (Psa 138:2). If your quiet time before God is for one hour, spend 40 minutes for Bible meditation and 20 for praise and prayer. This is not the 11th Commandment to be obeyed legalistically, but I just want to stress the importance of Scripture in protecting yourself from deception. Be balanced. Dont overemphasize any one truth at the cost of other truths. Deception is mostly due to eccentric emphasis of any one aspect of divine truth. Thats why God has gifted the Church with a variety of ministers. You must connect yourself to apostolic vision, prophetic insight, evangelistic passion, pastoral burden and teachers knowledge. If you dont grow up thus in all things, you are sure to be deceived by the trickery and cunning craftiness of the devil (Eph 4:11-15). He commonly stops the ear from hearing sound doctrine before he opens it to embrace corrupt. Avoid interest in extra-Biblical revelations and experiences. What is plainly revealed in the Bible is more than enough for us to live a life thats pleasing to God. Secret things belong to God (Dt 29:29). Digging into extra-Biblical stuff will land you in the depths of Satan and not the deep things of God (Rev 2:24; 1 Cor 2:10). We are not obliged to embrace so-called spiritual experiences which are not taught in the Scriptures by precept and practice. Whoever breaks the hedge will be bitten by a serpent (Eccl 10:8). Stay clear of all occult practices. Evil spirits lie behind them (Dt 18:9-12; Isa 8:19). stanleyonbible/dd/10/1028.htm
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 06:30:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015